Search results matching tags 'men's skincare', 'hyper pigmentation', 'CoffeeBerry', and 'discoloration'

The Beauty Ingredients Snob! Part One!

Karen — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 22:09:00 GMT

One of the main reasons I consider myself an expert in skincare is because I always want to know the “x” factor. I want to know why products work. And simply put the “x” factor is the active ingredient(s) within the product themselves.

Think of back in the day when women simply lathered a thick coating of cold cream on their face. It does indeed make your face feel softer and more hydrated but could it possibly repair or nourish? Not likely. The only way in my opinion to facilitate a physiological action would be to shrink the molecules of the active ingredients or add a delivery system to get those ingredients to the deeper cells in the skin. This is where collagen production takes place. Additionally, the superficial layers must be exfoliated and again ingredients play a key role in that action as well.

I will be doing a whole series on ingredients over the next few days or however long it takes to convey the importance of these complex pieces of the skincare and beauty regimen puzzle.

Today I’d just like you to take a look at the many verbs in the word “ingredients” below. These verbs are potentially what you can reasonably expect when you choose products with the correct ingredients for your specific indications and needs.

Improves and illuminates
Nourishes
Gives a lift and protects
Repairs, refines, relieves, reveals and resurfaces
Exfoliates, enhances and evens out color
Detoxifies and diminishes
Invigorates and increases circulation
Enhances and encourages
Nurses redness, blemishes and other skin conditions
Tightens and tones
Softens, stimulates and strengthens

Next time…we’re going to take a look at my favorite skincare ingredients!

Superior Serums! Revale’Skin and Obagi…Hand’s down!

Karen — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:47:00 GMT

For Anti-Aging the super serum would have to be REVALESKIN Intense Recovery Treatment. Pricey but well worth it. You’re going to get your money’s worth and you’ll likely feel it’s the best purchase you’ve ever made when it comes to beauty!

It’s 5 star rated and contains the most potent concentration of ingredients for treating anti-aging issues. Revale'Skin, known for its high percentage of the super-antioxidant CoffeeBerry and other natural antioxidants which enhance skin restoration and protect against future attacks from free-radicals.

Benefits along with minimizing lines and wrinkles include reducing redness; stimulate collagen production and health, and evens out skin tone.
Vitamin C has always been a favorite serum of choice and for the ultimate in vitamin C topical therapy you’ve got to check out Obagi Professional C Serum 20% Strength!

Obagi Professional C Serum 20% Strength is another 5 star rated product with amazing benefits due to its superior delivery system resulting in greater penetration to all layers of the skin with a low side effect potential.

• Boosts and maintains normal cellular turnover
• Builds collagen
• Lightens and brightens the skin
• Reduces inflammation
• Decreases trans-epidermal water loss

If I were to only be allowed to use or choose one serum (ever) I would choose this one. Hand’s down! To me, vitamin C topical skin therapy is the ultimate multitasker with proven results when the brand uses the optimal delivery system and a strong potency. This one does indeed! In fact, all Obagi products are superior when it comes to delivery and potency.

Next week we’ll take a look at targeted treatments and serums for oily and congested skin, hyper-pigmented skin, rosacea and redness, and dehydrated skin.

Say Farewell to Discoloration with Nia24 SkinCeuticals Decleor and More!

Karen — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:33:00 GMT

Yesterday was my niece’s 30th birthday so I sent her a little birthday picture text message. Of course I had to comment on the big 3-0 but also couldn’t resist mischievously attaching a little picture of her when she was a baby donning nothing but a little t-shirt with the words “all natural!”

She called back immediately with a “Thanks Aunt! That’s pretty funny!” However, as much as she appreciated the little birthday wish she quickly realized she was talking to Aunt Karen who is not only her wonderful Aunt…but more importantly her wonderful Aunt who knows all about and has beaucoup beauty products! LOL However, I have to say the segue’ was rather ingenious. She very wisely took her new milestone of a birthday and worked that right into her newly found fine lines and dark spots. Her main concern being the latter of the two.

Of course, I told her I would help with her concerns; but couldn’t help but ponder the fact that she mainly wanted the dark spots to go away. I say that because so many people don’t realize that’s virtually the number one concern in terms of anti-aging around the globe. More women are more concerned with discoloration and hyper pigmentation than wrinkles. I happen to be in the minority with the focus of my concern on wrinkles over any of my hyper pigmentation but the facts are that’s not how most women feel. Additionally, I’ve had many men complain about discoloration as well. More men ask me about what they can do about dark circles under their eyes and the spots on the backs of their hands than women do.

Anyway Julie says that the “melasma (she got during her pregnancy 6yrs ago) seems to be creeping back.” I told her that first and foremost sun prevention with a high SPF broad spectrum sunscreen/sun block is key. Additionally she should wear a hat or visor in the sun. However, a visor isn’t enough for many women and girls because the part in the hair can get severely burned and how often do we remember to put sunscreen on our part?

I decided that for Julie a hydroquinone product wouldn’t be ideal even though it’s very effective for hyperpigmentation. But for my little natural (half Italian-half Vegetarian…her self description when she was 6yrs old to a passenger seated near us on a plane) niece, potential toxicity wouldn’t be an option. So I thought of all my favorite skin brightening regimens and specialized discoloration products that were more organic in nature or more of a natural alternative to hydroquinone yet still are extremely effective.

Below are my picks for the best skin whitening regimens and products I’ve used or researched and highly recommend (additionally to the best of my knowledge they contain no hydroquinone).

Best Regimen:
SkinCeuticals Skin Brightening System

Best Moisturizer with lightening properties:
Nia24 Intensive Recovery Complex

Best for Dark Skin Tones:
RX for Brown Skin Absolute Radiance Intensive Exfoliating Serum

Best Whitening Night Cream:
Decleor Aroma White Night Cream

Best Brightening Cleanser:
Sothys W Foaming Cleansing Creme

Best for Dark Scar Marks:
ScarGuard Lightener

Best Travel Kit for Hyperpigmentation:
IS Clinical Hyperpigmentation Travel Kit

Best Brand for their Whitening Line:
Euoko