The Best Anti-Aging Moisturizer: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

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I first reviewed Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream in 2007 (yes, 10 years ago), right when it was being released. I was blown away by this super moisturizing face cream! It was full of peptides to improve collagen production. There was also a lot of hyaluronic acid to really help plump up the outer layers of your skin while it hydrated, something that it did without feeling heavy on your skin.

Since my initial review, I have been recommending this cream left and right. You're 20 and want to start anti-aging early? You want to prevent premature aging without irritating your skin? You want a cream to use with your retinoid? You want a drugstore cream? You want a department store cream? Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream is the correct answer for each and every one of those situations.


How Does It Work?
Since I first reviewed it, Olay has made some minor adjustments here and there in the formulation. The list of active ingredients is even longer, and the cream is just... better. It's true!

I don't have the full ingredient list from the original Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream. However, I do have the new list and I don't remember so many active ingredients.

• Amino-Peptide: This was my major attraction to the original. They increase collagen production in your skin, decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They are non-irritating and in my opinion should be included in everyone's anti-aging skincare routine.

• Niacinamide: This is a Vitamin B3 derivative and in skin care it boosts cell turnover, which improves your skin's tone and texture. It also helps with maintaining the moisture barrier, which is overall very important for your skin's health and function.

I need to be honest and say that the exact chemical structure of the derivative makes a big difference in skincare! The different derivatives will work, but some versions of niacin cause flushing and irritation of the skin. Typically you will find non-irritating niacins (usually niacinamide derivatives) in much more expensive skincare. Olay has included a non-irritating Niacinamide in Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream.

• Panthenol: A derivative of Viamin B5, you'll find this in a lot of soothing face products. It also easily penetrates into the skin, where it holds on to water and moisturizes the skin. Your skin will also use it to help create coenzyme A, which is very important to your skin's health, and it helps in wound healing.

• Vitamin E: A great anti-oxidant, it neutralizes the oxygen free radicals created by exposure to things like the sun and pollution. Over time, the free radicals can result in skin damage and premature aging. It also helps maintain your skin's moisture barrier.

• Olivem: A derivative of olive oil, it increases the penetration of anti-aging ingredients into the skin.

• Carob Seed Extract: Newly added to the formulation, this extract is also active in skin repair and regeneration.

• Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid: Two of my favorite moisturizers, they both hold a lot of moisture in to your skin but won't feel heavy or greasy. This is why the cream is able to plump up the outer layers of your skin so well! The result is a great smoothing and glowy skin effect!



What are the Results?
For me, my skin is well moisturized and feels smoother when I'm using Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream. My skin is combination, with dry spots on my cheeks and an oilier T-zone. However, it doesn't overwhelm my combination skin. You can see my skin above, right after I've washed my face and then about 5 minutes after applying the cream. Notice that the lines, especially right under my eyes, are much less visible almost immediately.

If you want more results, the Good Housekeeping Institute performed their own independent testing, and they found that Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream outperformed 10 top prestige creams, including one that cost $440. Their testing was well done, it was a blinded consumer study with the participants not knowing what cream they were using. They collected more than 10,000 hydration measurements!

• Olay's hydration was the best of the creams at the 3 hour time point. It had moisturized 400% better than a cream nearly 18 times its price and beat all other products tested.
• Olay increased moisture by 50% on average over a 24-hour period.
• In blinded tests, 80% of the participants preferred the feeling of Olay over the other creams. They reported that it felt "rich" without being heavy.
• Based on testing, they found that Olay Regenerist improved skin's texture by 10% in just four weeks.

• 1 day: reduces the appearance of lines, boosts hydration and brightness
• 2 weeks: Skin is noticeably firmer and skin elasticity is improved
• 4 weeks: Wrinkle appearance is improved


Who is it Best For?
It works for pretty much everyone. Whether your skin is dry or oily, the moisture in Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream just works. It soothes and hydrates my dry areas and it doesn't overwhelm my oily T-zone. I've used this cream in the middle of the winter and in the summer, both with great results. Because the active ingredients are all non-irritating and soothing, this is a cream that you can easily use every day to fight premature aging and get glowy skin. I love that it's at a price point that works for every budget.


How Does It Fit Into a Skincare Routine?
I especially love to recommend Micro-Sculpting Cream when someone is completely overwhelmed by anti-aging skincare. There are so many products out there, and it is very easy to get overwhelmed by gimmicky ingredients which have minimal evidence supporting anti-aging benefits. This is the perfect product to build an anti-aging skincare routine around.

In my ideal world, an "easy" anti-aging skincare routine includes:
• Sunscreen: Use it every day, look for broad spectrum coverage with at least SPF 30. Dermatologists all agree, this is the number one way to fight premature aging.
• Retinoid: There are many different retinoids, they are derivatives of Vitamin A. They'll increase cell turnover, improve your skin tone and have a lot of evidence supporting reversal of fine lines and wrinkles. Unfortunately, even the over the counter versions can be very irritating to skin; and they aren't safe to use while pregnant.
• Peptides: Increase collagen production without irritating your skin.
• Anti-oxidants: Fight free radicals by neutralizing them before they cause damage to your skin.
• Hyaluronic Acid: Yes, a moisturizer. This is my favorite moisturizing ingredient to look for in skin care, it doesn't feel heavy and makes my skin well hydrated. Yes, it makes me look younger and it works almost immediately.

You'll notice that Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream checks 3 of those 5 boxes with just one product. It is the perfect product to build an anti-aging skincare routine around. Just add a broad spectrum sunscreen and a retinoid product, and you're set! Since retinoids can be irritating, especially when starting to use them, it is best to use them every other night and work your way up to every night if possible, layering it over a moisturizer to decrease irritation.

My usual recommendation to friends and family is to buy the Micro-Sculpting Cream, add a light sunscreen product each morning, and a retinol. Start the retinol every other night over Micro-Sculpting Cream, increase to every night when you are able.


For more information, go here to learn about Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Olay. The opinions and text are all mine.

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Great Retinoids to Help Fight Aging

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Last week I shared 11 Tips to Get The Most Out of Your Retinoid, and today I'm sharing some of the best over the counter retinoids! They come in different price points, chemical structures and percentages. As a general rule, a Retinol will be stronger than a Pro-Retinol, which needs to undergo more chemical reactions in your skin to be effective than Retinol does. That also means that it will be potentially more irritating. (You can combat that a bit, go check out those retinoid tips again.)

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4 Anti-Aging Ingredients Gentle Enough That Everyone Can Use Them

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I get asked about anti-aging skin care a lot. What products should you use? What ingredients to look for in a product? Is this product working, my skin isn't irritated? While I'm not a dermatologist, I have done a lot of reading and I have my own ideas about what you should be using to fight the signs of aging.

One of my biggest complaints about anti-aging skin care is that many people seem to treat it like Jane Fonda and her workout. No pain, no gain. Right? No, not really.

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StriVectin SD Advanced Review: One Of My Favorites, Only Better

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You may have missed the news, but StriVectin recently updated the formulation of their best selling StriVectin SD Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks and Wrinkles, which is a product that I really loved when I reviewed it back in 2010.

StriVectin SD was insanely popular. “With one tube sold every 59 seconds around the world, we realized rather quickly that StriVectin SD was a skin care phenomenon,” said JuE Wong, CEO of StriVectin. “We took this cult classic often credited with starting the cosmeceutical category and went back to the lab to create a new groundbreaking age-fighting formula with state-of-the-art highly active ingredients proven in clinical trials to help visibly transform skin and fight wrinkles."

StriVectin has done more than just update the packaging and add Advanced to the name! Many of the previous active ingredients are still there, like their exclusive NIA 114 and a big list of peptides, super moisturizers and even anti-oxidants. Added to this formula is the Collagex-CE Wrinkle Repair Complex, which is a complex of ingredients that work work together to increase Collagen, Elastin and Hyaluronic Acid in the skin.

What's in it?

I have a complete list of ingredients (from the StriVectin website) at the bottom of this post, but I thought it was easiest to look at the actual list of ingredients and break it down into ingredient groups, which I've highlighted above. What does what, and will it really do what it claims?

Collagex-CE Wrinkle Repair Complex
This is the biggest new feature of StriVectin SD Advanced, and while I haven't been able to find the exact list of ingredients included in the Complex, it is described as a group of ingredients that work together with an energy complex to increase Collagen I and III production (more on those later). Really, this is a group of peptides combined with copper to get the job done.

• Peptides: Peptides are amazing things! They stimulate the increase in numbers of fibroblasts in your skin, these cells in turn increase collagen production when exposed to the peptides, and the collagen is broken down more slowly due to the peptides. Peptides also help copper to reach further down into the dermis to do it's thing.
Learn more about how peptides increase collagen in the skin.
• Copper: Copper is great for wound healing, in large part because it actually stabilizes collagen to keep it around longer. Research studies have shown improvement in fine wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and decreased photodamage with copper use. As well, copper has anti-oxidant properties.


NIA 114
NIA-114 is a patented variation of Niacin, an ingredient that you'll find in a ton of skin care products such as Olay, Clinique, Rodan & Fields... I could go on and on. Almost every brand has Niacin in a product, simply because it works. There are many forms of Niacin, such as regular Niacin, Nicotinic Acid, Niacinamide... StriVectin has added a long tail to the molecule, which helps it to penetrate further into the skin (learn more about why NIA-114 is different). Note that it is during this penetration into the skin that the NIA-114 is converted over to Nicotinic Acid, activating it. Many of the side effects of Niacin that we don't like, such as redness, are associated with Niacin and not Nicotinic Acid.

Once it has been activated and is in the right spot, the Nicotinic Acid gets to work! It will increase cell turnover which helps treat hyperpigmentation and evens out your skin texture. Melanin transfer within the skin is disrupted, which fights hyperpigmentation. Sirtuins are activated within cells, helping to support the skin cells so they live longer. Nicotinic acid also has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects, both of which help to prevent damage to cells that can cause aging. Because NIA-114 is converted to Nicotinic Acid, it is the only Niacin derivative that also releases Leptin, which acts as a natural repair hormone in the skin.


Anti-Oxidants
I've seen other brands make claims about Anti-Oxidants including immediate anti-aging/lose 10 years to other miracles I won't mention here. What's the truth? Anti-oxidants are free radical scavengers (learn more about how anti-oxidants help to prevent aging). They go after free radicals/reactive oxygen species and neutralize them before they can damage (or further damage) your skin. They prevent the damage, but they can't reverse it or fix it. Because those free radicals/reactive oxygen species are often an issue with sun exposure, pollution and even exposure to second hand smoke, it's a great idea to incorporate anti-oxidants into your daily skin care routine!
Note that I've color coded most of the ingredients with anti-oxidant properties as such, but several of the key ingredients here including NIA-114 and Copper, also have a lot of anti-oxidant activity.


Super Hydrators
The new StriVectin SD Advanced was formulated to specifically be more hydrating than the previous StriVectin SD. There are a lot of hydrating ingredients packed into this formula, and I think that it definitely is more hydrating than the previous version. With SD I needed to add a light moisturizer over the SD at night, even in the summer. The new SD Advanced is just the right amount of moisture for my skin this fall, so there is definitely more hydration than before.

Why do you want to have more moisture? Dehydrated skin looks aged. It's really that simple. Hydrating the outer layers of your skin will plump up those cells, making fine lines and imperfections disappear. It is the perfect way to instantly look younger!


Hydroxy Acid
Hydroxy acids are great for your skin! While most of them aren't considered pregnancy friendly, the one included in StriVectin SD Advanced is Lactic Acid, which is fine for pregnancy. Hydroxy acids will increase cell turnover, helping to improve hyperpigmentation and texture. There is even evidence in the medical literature that hydroxy acids will increase collagen and elastin production in the skin, helping to reverse the signs of aging (read more on how hydroxy acids help your skin).


Ingredients:
Aqua (Water, Eau), Glycerin, Myristyl Nicotinate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Isocetyl Stearate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Peg-100 Stearate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyacrylamide, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Panthenol, Bisabolol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Zingiber Of_Cinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Methyl Glucoside Phosphate Proline Lysine Copper Complex, Resveratrol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Cyathea Medullaris Leaf Extract, Phaseolus Lunatus (Green Bean) Seed Extract, Rutin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Laureth-7, Aminomethyl Propanol, Dipotassium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Cinnamic Acid, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Stearic Acid, Lactic Acid, Tetrasodium Edta, BHT, Parfum (Fragrance), Mica, Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77491 (Iron Oxide), Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin
**note, this product list is pregnancy friendly!

How do those ingredients work on the skin?

Reading through the ingredient discussion above probably gives you a pretty good idea of how all of the active ingredients are working together. Cell turnover is increased, helping improve both texture and tone. Melanocyte transfer is affected, resulting in improved hyperpigmentation. Sirtuins are stimulated, helping skin cells to live longer. And due to the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the ingredients, further damage is decreased, helping to fight aging.

But a lot of the emphasis with this new formulation is on the collagen production. The peptides will help to increase the number of fibroblasts in your dermis, and stimulate them to create more collagen. The collagen is then stabilized by the copper for longevity, and the peptides will actually slow the breakdown of the collagen even more. The end result is more collagen in your skin!

“I’ve always discussed with my patients the importance of rebuilding collagen as a critical way to improve fine lines and wrinkles,” says Dr. Ellen Marmur, New York City dermatologist.

One way in which this formula is different than other peptide containing products is that it not only targets Collagen Type I, but also Collagen Type III. Within the dermis there is a mostly random appearing matrix of proteins that provide the structure of the dermis. This matrix is about 80-85% Collagen Type I, 10-15% Collagen Type III and the rest is elastin fibers and other molecules. (Note, this is a gross over simplification, but with a hubby who is actually a extracellular matrix scientist, I could go into way too much detail!) Collagen Type III is much more prevalent before we're born, and later the proportion shifts to mostly Type I. You'll still find Collagen Type III, primarily around blood vessels. As we then age, in particular early photo-aging as a result of sun exposure, collagen break down is increased. Collagen Type I is broken down a bit more than Type III (this actually shifts the proportion of Type I and Type III collagen), but there will be decreased amounts of both in the skin.

One of the key points for the StriVectin SD Advanced is that it uniquely targets increasing the amount of Collagen Type I and Type III, helping to restore the Type I and Type III proportions seen in healthy adult skin. According to StriVectin's clinical research, by 15 days of use the production of Collagen Type III has increased by 194%.

“Now, we are realizing the essential role Collagen Type III plays in regenerating the skin," adds Dr. Marmur. "Skin care products that address this offer a radically new approach to how we look at skin aging.”

Does it work?

In a word, yes it does, which isn't surprising given the active ingredients above.

Here's what StriVectin claims that it does (starting in just 15 days):
• Significantly diminishes the number, length and depth of lines and wrinkles
• Targets youth collagen and elastin for healthy, younger looking skin
• Hydrates and visibly enhances skin texture
• Strengthens the skin barrier to maximize skin performance

Their research found:
91% of women saw healthier skin
88% of women saw extremely nourished and restored skin
74% of women saw dramatically improved skin

How did I like it?

I liked it a lot. I've been using it for about 3 weeks, and while you can't see a difference in my before and after pictures (I think because I'm 37 without a lot of signs of aging yet, I didn't even both posting them because I know I'll hear about it!), I do see a difference in person. I think that my skin is well hydrated, is smooth and I think my areas of hyperpigmentation look a little better already. I love that there are so many active ingredients but I don't have any redness or irritation despite my rosacea related sensitivity being a bit worse while pregnant. It's also one of the few products that can help hyperpigmentation but is still pregnancy friendly.

This formulation is definitely more hydrating than the previous formula. I've been using it in the early fall, and I haven't had to use another moisturizer over top to add more hydration. It sinks into my skin pretty easily and quickly without any residue, so it is easy to apply makeup over it. I was able to use my BB Cream over it as a foundation and SPF as well.

While I'm technically "done" with my review, I wanted to know if the 15 days was realistic to start seeing a difference and I did, I'm going to keep using StriVectin SD Advanced. I've used the StriVectin SD quite often in the past when I'm between product testings, and I know this updated formulation is one I'll be turning to quite a bit in the future.





Now it's time for you to be able to try out StriVectin SD Advanced for yourself! I have 10 boxes of StriVectin sitting here in my office, and you can win one of them!

Only entries in this widget are eligible to win (if you can't see it you'll need to try a different browser or clear your cache, it's there and working on my computer), you must be in the US and over 18 years of age to win. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


StriVectin SD Advanced
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5

Does it Work? Tria Age Defying Laser Review

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Have you seen the Tria Age-Defying Laser yet? Recently I've been getting a lot of emails from readers asking me about this anti-aging laser, so I started to look into the technology. The more I read about it, the more excited I was about it! When they asked if I would want to try it out, you can bet I excitedly emailed them back immediately!





At the top is a quick peek at what comes inside the box. It's pretty simple, there's the handheld anti-aging laser device, a small information booklet and a small cord that plugs into the stand up base.

The info on the device is very straight forward in the booklet, but basically you turn it on and there's an LED indicator at the very top telling you if you're on level 1, 2 or 3. It’s recommended to start on level 1 to adjust to the sensation. Then you can choose to increase the levels as your treatments progress, I worked my way up to 3 but you could stick with level 1 or 2 if you want. More on the levels later.




Once the device is turned on, it won't start shooting the laser unless it is against your face (there are sensors so it will know if it is against your skin or not). There's a little map that Tria has created to show the areas of treatment, and it really is easiest if you just follow it. It is best to use the Age-Defying Laser right after you wash your face, and I recommend waiting a minute or two to ensure that your face is really dry, gliding is much easier on very dry skin. Run the laser back and forth over your skin, you'll hear the fan and see the purple light on the side illuminated indicating the laser is on.

The Age-Defying Laser will automatically time your treatment, beeping at you when it is time to move on to the next zone. When you're finished it will automatically turn off. I recommend keeping the laser in the charging base between uses, it really does use up a lot of energy and when you get to the higher levels you'll only get 1 or 2 uses in between fully charging the device.

How does it work?

The Tria Age-Defying Laser is a non-ablative, fractionallaser, and is the same technology available in a doctor's office.

The Age-Defying Laser is 1440 nm, and depending upon the level will put out 5, 10 or 12 J/pulse. As you go up in levels each zone will be treated for longer periods of time and the laser will create more MTZs (Microscopic columnar thermal zones, I'll explain those below). So, the Age Defying Laser has the same wavelength as many professional devices, quite a bit of energy, and it creates little things called MTZs.



When treating your skin with the Age-Defying Laser, the laser energy goes into the skin, down through the epidermis and into the dermis. The laser actually creates very small areas of damage (those MTZs, Microscopic columnar thermal zones). The damage is due to heat and coagulation of proteins, and it is in very discrete areas. Each MTZ is created to be very small, and while it is in both the epidermis and the dermis, it leaves the very outer layer of the epidermis (the stratum corneum) intact. Which means while your skin has been treated by the laser, on the outer surface you won't see a wound!

The MTZs are small enough that in less than 24 hours, skin cells from surrounding areas come into the damaged areas and start repairing the skin. As the skin starts to repair itself, there is an increase in collagen production, which is great for those of us with any wrinkles. In addition, damaged cells are shed within 3-7 days




After the Age-Defying Laser has been used, you'll have these small areas of MTZs that have healed, and due to the skin turning over those areas will be smoother. The dermis has created more collagen, so skin will be firmer and your wrinkles will be diminished.

While I've shown a few MTZs near each other in the skin, the idea is that over time as the MTZs accumulate and heal, your skin will continue to improve and you'll notice a big difference when you look in the mirror. Tria says that you can start to see a more youthful, radiant and refreshed look in as little as two weeks, and based on my experience, they're right.



Working with a dermatologist, Tria created some great anti-aging skin care products to go with the Age-Defying Laser. While there isn't anything really "different" about these products that prevents you from using other products, I really did like them a lot and recommend trying them out. You'll get samples of the products when you purchase the laser, you can buy them on your own as well.

Note that when using the Age-Defying Laser, your skin will be more sensitive to the sun, so using a full spectrum sunscreen everyday is even more important than usual!




Here you can see my before and after pictures, which are taken after only 3 weeks of use. The images are huge, so they're shrunken to fit more easily on the page. Click on the images to open them much bigger in a new page.

After 3 weeks of use I had:
• Smoother skin, I felt this was especially seen on my forehead
• Fewer fine lines around my eyes
• More even skin tone


Tria sent me their clinical data, and after reading through their (very well done) study, I'm not surprised that these were the results:
Tria sent me their clinical data, and after reading through their (very well done) study, I'm not surprised that these were the results:
• 93% of users had significant improvement in the smoothness of their skin
• 82% of users had significant improvement in periorbital wrinkles (around the eyes)




Tria-Age Defying Laser is $495, and is available at TriaBeauty.com.

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This post was sponsored by Tria Beauty and Style Coalition, but all opinions are honest and my own!

73

Kiehl's Newest Super Multi-Corrective Cream Review: Intro and First Thoughts

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So, I think by now it's pretty obvious that I'm a big fan of Kiehl's, especially since I'm continually reviewing and raving about their products, running into their stores to buy more products, stockpiling their Lip Balm #1, I could go on and on. A little while ago they offered to send me their latest product, which has just hit the website. It was really good timing for me, I had spent a lot of time outside and somehow my skin was suddenly drrryyyyy. Super dry. And it wasn't responding to my "normal" super hydrating treatment (Kiehl's Midnight Recovery), I think because it was also irritated and unhappy about sun exposure. It was tight, felt like I had an outer layer of dry and dead skin that would not move, be fixed and didn't like to have my Clarisonic on it either.

So, when my new Multi-Corrective Cream arrived in the mail, I gleefully opened it and swapped out everything else I was using for my most hydrating, gentle and basic Kiehl's products. I've been using the Ultra Facial Cleanser and Ultra Facial Lotion SPF 15 (which comes in 30 now but I still have 15 hanging around my house).

I swear to you, that within 36 hours my skin was back to happy and glowy. Was it because I backed off of everything and went to "basic" and gentle products that I know my skin loves? Was it the new cream? Was it because I also backed off of the Clarisonic and any other potentially issue causing treatments that I was overdoing in my desperate attempts to stop the cracking and peeling that I had for about 5 days? I do not know.

I do know that this is one of my new favorite creams. It, too, shall be hoarded and purchased in bulk during the Friends and Family Sale.

Read on to see what is in this new miracle cream...

5

Murad's Environmental Shield: Offering Instant Results

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Recently, Murad sent me some of their newest skin care products to try out, and I'm finally sharing! (Well, I admit that I've already mentioned the sunscreen stick a few times, I definitely like it!)

The products are from the Environmental Shield line, and offer immediate gratification with ingredients that will immediately show results, primarily through intense moisture and a lot of smoothing. With continued use you'll see more benefits as the active ingredients (especially the Vitamin C) have time to kick in and really work.

Why is the line called Environmental Shield? It was "created to help restore and renew sun and environmentally damaged and aging skin, while protecting it from new damage." Basically, a lot of anti-aging punch combined with anti-oxidants to help fight any on-going UV damage.

Read on to learn more about the 3 products that I've been using!

1

First Aid Beauty Dual Repair Review: My Final Thoughts

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For the past two months, I've been testing First Aid Beauty's Dual Repair Line, and I confess that I've been itching to share my final thoughts with you!

So, this is my new favorite in between product testing anti-aging skin care. Hands down. No contest.

And I'm not the only one! I've been talking about it with friends like crazy outside of all my blogging stuff, and you should hear their reactions. They're emailing, texting and Facebook messaging me to thank me for letting them know about this line. I've never had this happen before. Yes, they've bought things I've tested and liked before, and if I run into them they'll casually mention it and let me know what they thought. But, I've never had them coming back to me en masse via all available forms of communication, because they can't wait to share with me how much they love it!

The reason we're all so gaga for the Dual Repair line really goes back to the First Aid Beauty philosophy of repairing your skin's barrier function. Good Barrier Function = Happy Skin = Glowy Skin (and I like Glowy Skin). When you look into what First Aid Beauty includes in their products (but especially the Dual Repair line, check out my post on Dual Repair's Active Ingredients), you'll see that they've included a lot of moisturizers and ingredients that help to decrease inflammation, have anti-oxidant activity and peptides to help increase collagen production. What you won't see are ingredients that irritate your skin. That tingling or redness you get after using a product? That doesn't mean that it is working. That means it is damaging your skin!

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First Aid Beauty Skin Care: Overview of the Dual Repair Line and My Impression So Far

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I recently started my First Aid Beauty skin care routine, and while I've shared more information about First Aid Beauty's philosophy, I have been slacking a bit on doing my full post with what I'm using, what is in each product and why it works. Finally, I'm spilling the beans!

What sets Dual Repair apart from other anti-aging skin care lines is that in addition to providing ingredients to help fight and prevent aging, First Aid Beauty also supports the skin's barrier function. There are a lot of ingredients to soothe skin, support barrier function (aka- moisturize with emollients and ceramides), and as I said in my intro post to this series, Good Barrier Function = Happy Skin = Glowy Skin and I like Glowy Skin.

To help fight aging the Dual Repair line includes a proprietary blend of ingredients in all three products:
• Astaxanthin (algae extract in the ingredients list): This is a very potent antioxidant derived from a micro-algae extract.
• SymCalmin: A proprietary blend of Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid. The blend (derived from Oats) has anti-itch, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties!
• Lana Blue: Derived from a blue algae, this actually has some retinoid activity, without being a retinoid.
• Argireline (Hexapeptide or Acetyl Hexapeptide-8): This is a Peptide to help stimulate collagen production and prevent its breakdown.


Dual Repair Eye Cream
This eye cream is very lightweight like a lotion, but it seems to provide more moisture. It doesn't leave a residual film on my skin at all, though it does hydrate the under eye area very well and the result is that my concealer goes on very smoothly and looks better. Who can argue with that?

While the Eye Cream has the same active ingredients that I mentioned above, it has some additional ingredients just for the under eye area and its special problems. Sodium Phytate and Glucosyl Hesperidin were added to reduce the look of puffiness and undereye circles.
• Sodium Phytate is an antioxidant often derived from Rice, it also acts as a chelating agent, taking up metals and modulating enzymes in the skin.
• Glucosyl Hesperidin helps to increase circulation to the area, decreasing the appearance of circles and helping to reduce swelling.

Ingredients:
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Sodium Polyacrylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silybum Marianum Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Sorbitol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Methicone, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Algae Extract, Phenyl Methicone, Allantoin, Sodium Phytate, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysilicone-11, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Astaxanthin, Tocopherol

Note that the key ingredients are in blue above, here's more info on the other ingredients:
• Moisturizers (read more about moisturizer types): Glycerin (humectant), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (emollient), Pentylene Glycol (humectant), Sorbitol (humectant)
• Ascorbyl Glucoside: A stable form of Vitamin C
• Phenoxyethanol: Paraben alternative for preserving the whole thing (no one like their lotion to go bad!)
• Ethylhexyl Palmitate: A palm oil derivative that gives skin care items that "slip"
• Licorice Root: Helps to decrease melanin production, so can help with hyperpigmentation
• Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (aka: White Tea Extract): Contains polyphenols, which are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, though they even suppress cancer. While most of the research into these effects used intake of the polyphenols rather than topical use, "most researchers agree that tea (black, green, or white) has potent anti-inflammatory properties and that it is a potent antioxidant whether consumed orally or applied topically"
• Feverfew: Anti-inflammatory that also helps to decrease redness
• Hydrogenated Lecithin: Good to help preserve barrier function, read more at Truth in Aging
• Algae Extract: Lots of antioxidants as well as other minerals.
• Allantoin: Moisturizing, helps to slough dead skin cells and anti-inflammatory all at once!
• Tocopherol (Vitamin E): An antioxidant






Dual Repair Serum
I've found that this serum is more hydrating than many other serums. I don't need to add in the moisturizer in the morning when using the serum (it's too much moisture for my skin and I get greasy later in the day), serum alone is perfect for my combination skin. The serum also has the highest concentration of active ingredients, so if you're going to pick 1 product, this is the one to pick!

Dual Repair Power Serum contains concentrated levels of the Dual Repair key actives. It is enhanced with Diacetyl Boldine to improve skin tone and Siegesbeckia Extract to calm the skin.

Note that this is the product with Retinyl Palmitate. It's safe to use while nursing, but if you're pregnant (or trying to get pregnant), skip the serum and just use the moisturizer and eye cream.


Ingredients:
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Siegesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Carbomer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Algae Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Tromethamine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Diacetyl Boldine. Astaxanthin, Tocopherol

Note that the key ingredients are in blue above, here's more info on the other ingredients:
• Dimethicone: A silicone to help things glide nicely (probably part of the reason concealers like this so much!)
• Moisturizers (read more about moisturizer types): Glycerin (humectant), Pentylene Glycol (humectant), Sorbitol (humectant)
• Hydrogenated Lecithin: Good to help preserve barrier function, read more at Truth in Aging
• Ascorbyl Glucoside: A stable form of Vitamin C
• Retinyl Palmitate: Retinoid
• Algae Extract: Lots of antioxidants as well as other minerals.
• Phenoxyethanol: Paraben alternative for preserving the whole thing (no one like their lotion to go bad!)
• Licorice Root: Helps to decrease melanin production, so can help with hyperpigmentation
• Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (aka: White Tea Extract): Contains polyphenols, which are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, though they even suppress cancer. While most of the research into these effects used intake of the polyphenols rather than topical use, "most researchers agree that tea (black, green, or white) has potent anti-inflammatory properties and that it is a potent antioxidant whether consumed orally or applied topically"
• Feverfew: Anti-inflammatory that also helps to decrease redness
• Allantoin: Moisturizing, helps to slough dead skin cells and anti-inflammatory all at once!
• Tocopherol (Vitamin E): An antioxidant




Dual Repair Face Cream
The cream is more like a traditional night cream in that it is thicker and more hydrating than a day lotion. I think it does sink in quickly and completely enough to use under makeup, but the amount of hydration in the product is just a little too much for every day use in the morning for my combination skin. I've been using it at night, and if there's a day my skin feels a bit dry or irritated (I hate that it is still in the 20's here in Michigan!), then I've been using this a little on my cheeks and other dry spots in the morning as well. While it has heavy duty moisture, the cream hasn't otherwise been an issue. It's non-comedogenic, and I haven't had any increase in clogged pores or blemishes.

First Aid Beauty did conduct some independent research and they found that after 6 weeks of twice daily use:
• 88% reported an improvement in the texture of their skin
• 84% reported that the product calmed and soothed the skin
• 81% reported a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• 81% reported an improvement in the moisture level of their skin


Ingredients:
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Silica, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Methicone, Styrene Butadiene Copolymer, Sorbitol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenyl Methicone, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate, Algae Extract, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Xanthan Gum, BHT, Allantoin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Polysilicone-11, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Sodium, Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Acetyl, Hexapeptide-8, Astaxanthin, Tocopherol

Note that the key ingredients are in blue above, here's more info on the other ingredients:
• Moisturizers (read more about moisturizer types): Glycerin (humectant), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (emollient), Pentylene Glycol (humectant), Sorbitol (humectant), Sunflower Seed Oil (emollient), Safflower Seed Oil (occlusive)
• Dimethicone: A silicone to help things glide nicely.
• Ethylhexyl Palmitate: A palm oil derivative that gives skin care items that "slip"
• Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil: Emollient moisturizer with antioxidant properties
• Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter): This is super popular as a moisturizer because while it acts as an occlusive, it also acts to replace the body's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) more directly than other emollients, really helping to reduce dry and flaky skin.
• Phenoxyethanol: Paraben alternative for preserving the whole thing (no one like their lotion to go bad!)
• Hydrogenated Lecithin: Good to help preserve barrier function, read more at Truth in Aging
• Licorice Root: Helps to decrease melanin production, so can help with hyperpigmentation
• Feverfew: Anti-inflammatory that also helps to decrease redness
• Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (aka: White Tea Extract): Contains polyphenols, which are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, though they even suppress cancer. While most of the research into these effects used intake of the polyphenols rather than topical use, "most researchers agree that tea (black, green, or white) has potent anti-inflammatory properties and that it is a potent antioxidant whether consumed orally or applied topically"
• Algae Extract: Lots of antioxidants as well as other minerals.
• Allantoin: Moisturizing, helps to slough dead skin cells and anti-inflammatory all at once!
• Ascorbyl Glucoside: A stable form of Vitamin C
• Tocopherol (Vitamin E): An antioxidant






How I'm Using the Products & What I Think So Far
Basically, I'm using the entire First Aid Beauty Dual Repair line, with the First Aid Beauty Facial Cleanser that I reviewed a few weeks ago.

All of the Dual Repair products can be used twice a day, and to get the most out of the ingredients (I'm a bit in awe of how much is packed into these bottes!) I would probably use the serum, then eye cream and finally the face cream. This order will let the better penetrating serum get on your skin first, then the eye cream and finally the Face Cream can kind of seal it all in to your skin.

You should always listen to your skin, and mine definitely seemed to be saying to me that the cream is a bit too much moisture for my skin to use twice a day, every day. So, I've been sticking to the eye cream and serum in the morning, and adding in the face cream at night. I definitely will use a bit of the face cream on days that I feel a bit dry, we're still stuck in winter mode here in Michigan and a bit too much time outside means I'll be using cream the next morning.

As I've been using the line, here's what I've found:
• All three products have a little scent, but it isn't much and it goes away after everything is absorbed into your skin.
• All three products sink into my skin very quickly without any residue left behind, which means they're great under makeup.
• The Eye Cream especially seems to do a great job under makeup, it does something to my under eye area which makes my concealer look flawless. Flawless. Immediately I look awake. Love that.
• None of the products have caused any stinging, sensitivity or other issues.

I often have dryness and irritation issues with my skin this time of year. Since starting the Dual Repair products, my skin has definitely been happy. I have no dry patches and my redness has improved (I have rosacea) as well I feel like my skin tone is evening out a bit just because everything is happier. I'm definitely happy that my First Aid Beauty time fell during what is the roughest time of year for my skin!

What do you think, could the Dual Repair line work for you?




First Aid Beauty
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10 Easy Anti-Aging Tips That Anyone Can Do!

Here is a list of easy tips that you can incorporate into your daily life. These tips, along with your anti-aging beauty routine, will keep you looking younger for longer.

1. SPF Those Hands: A woman’s hands are a tell tale sign of her age. Try a hand cream like the No7 Protect & Perfect Hand Cream with SPF 15.

2. Don’t Forget Your Neck: When applying moisturizer to your face, remember to apply it to your neck too. I apply mine in an upward motion to defy gravity for as long as possible!

3. Keep Those Pearly Whites- By using a natural teeth whitener, you will keep your smile looking younger. Try using this simple at-home recipe from Dr. Oz:

“In a small bowl, mix a little bit of baking soda with the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon. The mixture should bubble slightly. Using a cotton swab, wipe saliva and excess plaque from your teeth before brushing on the mixture. Leave the mixture on your teeth for a minute before gently brushing it off with a toothbrush. Don’t leave the mixture on your teeth for any longer than a minute, the acid erodes tooth enamel.”

4. Don’t Suck: Out of straw that is! Drinking from a straw creates fine lines around your lips and mouth that can be avoided.

5. Stop Making Faces: Squinting and frowning causes deep wrinkles on your forehead and around the mouth. If you feel like you are squinting while on the computer, try making your text larger or turning down the brightness on your monitor.

6. Back is Best: Sleeping on your back helps to avoid wrinkles on your face and chest.

7. Pucker Up: Keep your lips smooth by exfoliating them with a damp toothbrush. For more pampering, use Sara Happ’s “the lip scrub” that comes in the most amazing flavors like Vanilla Bean and Red Velvet.

8. Get Your 7 Hours: To look your best you must get at least 7 hours of sleep every night!

9. Take A Break: If you are feeling stressed, or have been sitting at your computer for too long, step away and do some stretching, meditation, or yoga to get your body moving. Your mind and body will thank you.

10. Smile: A smiling face that radiates with happiness will make you look instantly younger!



Kim Porter has been in the makeup industry since 2001, establishing herself as one of the most sought after makeup artists in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Her work can be seen in local and national wedding magazines, television for Fox News and CNBC, and her work with individual and group makeup lessons. Currently she is working on creating her signature line of cosmetics, Kim Porter Cosmetics, that will highlight flattering shades that are easy to use for all women. She lives with her husband and two children and blogs about makeup in her free time. You can see all of her work at Makeup by Kim Porter.

photo via D Sharon Pruitt

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A Month of Meaningful Beauty: What Do I Think After Using It?

For the past month or so I've been participating in a Meaningful Beauty skincare review. This was a product line that I was interested in anyways (seriously, Cindy kind of sucks you in with the French Melon in the infomercials), and I get asked about it by readers a lot. Like, really, a lot.

So, for the past month I've been using the line and participating in Meaningful Activities. You can see some of the activities over on my Facebook Page. There are a few things not mentioned there, in truth because I forgot to take pics! Things like bringing donuts in to the ICU for my nursing staff on the week end, etc. It was really nice to have a little extra money each week to think about what was really important to me or would enhance my own life or those around me. I was able to go out to eat with friends and family, purchase a gift for our adopted family at work and I bought a few goodies to enhance the cooking marathon that was Thanksgiving. I have one more activity to post over there later today.

Overall, what are my thoughts on Meaningful Beauty?

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Meaningful Beauty: What Exactly is in this Stuff?

As a beauty blogger, I get about 5-10 request a day to review skin care lines. (I'm serious people, that's a lot of expensive cream!) So you can imagine that I see a lot of crazy ingredients being added to skin care. Everything from blood, to pieces of human placenta (ick!) Some of these pitches clearly don't understand the science behind the products, if there is any science.

Anyways, you'd think that a brand featured prominently on late night television would rank up there with the fake science and gross human by-product skin care lines right? What exactly is this Melon stuff that Cindy talks about?

Luckily, Meangingful Beauty is much more normal than those other companies, and the science behind the line is actually real. (Insert sigh of relief here!)


Keep Reading...


Meaningful Beauty

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A Month of Meaningful: Giving Meaningful Beauty A Try

There are some skin care brands that I receive requests from readers to review. (And when I say requests, I mean over and over.) Meaningful Beauty is one of them. While I haven't had time to review the brand in the past, over the next month I'll be using the brand, finally!

Throughout the month, I'll be planning a series of "meaningful activities/experiences" to enhance my emotional and spiritual wellness, fitness or other elements of my life. I'll be sharing two activities a week throughout the month over on my Facebook Page, later in the month I'll post a recap of what I've done here on the blog.

Keep Reading...


Meaningful Beauty

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Freeze 24/7 Skincare Review: Does the GABA really help?

Somehow, I missed out on a lot of the Freeze 24/7 anti-aging skin care hype a few years ago when this brand first hit the market. I heard about it, was interested, but was so busy with other products that I was testing that I just never bought it. Recently they asked if I'd review their products, and knowing my readers would be as interested as I am (yes, you guys email me to ask about this brand!), I jumped at the chance!

What sets Freeze 24/7 apart from other brands is the unique ingredient mix that includes GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid). While it acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain, it is also found out and about in the rest of your body. In general you can think of GABA as inhibitory/calming. What we're taking advantage of with Freeze 24/7 is that it will cause muscles to relax. While this isn't going to have quite the same effect that actually freezing those muscles will have (a'la Botox), it is definitely going to help make your face look more smooth and ease your wrinkles a bit.

Freeze 24/7 did pay a research firm to look into their Instant Targeted Wrinkle Treatment and back up their claims. They had 25 test subjects and they all said that within 10 minutes of application their wrinkles were between 50-90% less noticeable. Longer term, subjects saw less issues with rosacea, stretch marks and smaller pore size.

You should note that while this ingredient is really Freeze 24/7's "claim to fame", it isn't in all of their products. You'll find it in the Instant Targeted Wrinkle Treatment and Anti-Aging Eye Serum. Both should be applied only to treatment areas, while the companion products (what I've tested here) are well.... companions. Since you only apply the Instant Targeted Wrinkle Treatment to areas that you have wrinkles or areas to soothe, you'll need something in other areas. As well, that treatment doesn't really moisturize.

(I know I'm going to be asked, so I'm just going to say that I didn't test the Instant Targeted Wrinkle Treatment and I really don't think that I would have been able to adequately do so. While I'm *almost* 35, I have basically no wrinkles and wouldn't have seen a difference. I could have told you about the cooling sensation that I'm told many experience with application. That's about it. I was much more interested in the other products, which is what I did try out.)

Double Scoop Intensive Moisturizer
Freeze 24/7 describes this moisturizer as "intense hydration" and they certainly were right!

This is a white cream that isn't very thick, and doesn't really have much scent. It sinks into my skin pretty quickly and there's a very small amount of residue left on my skin. I can still apply makeup over it though. The cream definitely was hydrating, and as a result it made my skin a bit plump and just... glowy.

However, it was just too much for my t-zone this time of year. Even when used just at night, it was making me very shiny by mid-day so I only used it for 3 weeks. I probably am not the best person (combination skin) to be testing this product at this time of year (90+ with high humidity). I'm holding on to this for the mid-winter dryness that I experience in January. If you're dry this will be great for you! Combination gals should hold off until the weather cools down a tad.







Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Cyclopentasiloxane, Camellia Sinesis Leaf Extract, Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Extract, Sorbitan Stearate, Glycerin, Butrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Polysilicone-11, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Dextrin, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Carnosine, Sorbityl Laurate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Triethanolamine, Sodium PCA, Thioctic Acid, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben



Skin Glace
This is interesting, because it's a cleanser, but also a mask. And this strange foaming thing that it does.... I haven't really tried anything quite like this before and I do really like it.

This is a minty/leafy green that has a bit of pearlescence to it. It has a cucumber scent, and overall just smells kind of fresh and clean. It feels a bit silky, and when you rub a little on to your skin and let it sit there it will actually foam (while on your skin), and just deep clean everything for you. You can rinse it off right away or leave it for a few minutes like a mask and then rinse it off. It rinses off easily and fully without any problems. I had no afterwash tightness or irritation and it removed all of my makeup easily. (I didn't use it to remove eye makeup people, it isn't meant for that.)

When used as a mask I mostly notices that I was a bit cleaner, as if I'd used my Clarisonic. Maybe I was a bit smoother as well, but that's it. I did this every few days and did like how it worked.








Ingredients
Aqua (Water, Eau), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Methy Perfluorobutyl Ether, Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sorbitol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Coco-Glucoside, Cyclomethicone, Kaolin, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Acrylates/Aminoacrylates/C10-30 Alkyl PEG-20 Itaconate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sodium PCA, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Yeast Polysaccharides, Sodium Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Polyquaternium-7, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Panthenol, Parfum (Fragrance), Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Nitrate, Mica, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 42090 (Blue 1), CI 19140 (Yellow 5)


IceCrystals
IceCrystals is the Freeze 24/7 scrub, and it does fit my (very tight) guidelines for facial scrub approval! The crystals are actually the white you see in the picture. They are very fine, evenly sized and not at all sharp. There's enough of them to get the job done but they don't over do it easily, so you don't end up scrubbing off your skin. There are occasional larger green crystals, but really, there aren't enough of them to help out much. (They're also not sharp, so they won't hurt, I think they're mostly there to be pretty.) It rinses off really easily without any left behind grit messing up my makeup!

I'm leaving this one on my countertop to use a few times a week. I think it's pretty goof proof and I do really like the colors, it's just pretty!








Ingredients
Aqua [Water], Magnesium Oxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Poloxamer 182 Dibenzoate, Isohexadecane, Jojoba Esters, Parfum [Fragrance], Polysorbate 80, Ocimum Basilicum [Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Oil], Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, CI 77289 [Chromium Oxide Green]



What do you think about the idea of the GABA? Do you want to temporarily "freeze"(ish) your face? I'm not a Botox girl, but perhaps making things move a little less... yeah, that idea is a bit appealing. Am I alone in that?

Freeze 24/7

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