Bioelements Review: Decongestant Cleanser

Everyone needs a good cleanser. You need one that cleans off all of your makeup, doesn't irritate your skin or overdry your skin resulting in after wash dryness.

I found just such a cleanser during my visit to Total Woman Day Spa, it was one of the products that I purchased upon the recommendation of Beth, my esthetician. I have been meaning to write about it, but somehow never really got around to it. Last month I finished my bottle, which meant I had "tested" myself through an entire full size product, I loved it so much!

This cleanser is gentle, rinsing off easily, causing me no irritation, no after wash tightness. Note that the main surfactant is SLS though, which in some people with sensitive skin can be too strong. Personally, I find it gentle enough that I can even use it to remove my eye makeup!

Ingredients (refer to the cleanser post):
Water
Sodium Laureth Sulfate: Surfactant
Cocamidopropyl Betain: Humectant
Lauramide DEA: Surfactant
Sodium Chloride: binding agent, table salt
Lavendula Angustifalia (Lavender) Oil: Anti-bacterial agent
Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil: Anti-oxidant
Salvia Sclarea (Clary Sage) Oil: Anti-Oxidant
Citrus Aurantium (petit grain cordillera) Oil: Fragrance, thought to improve redness
Citrus Aurantium (neroli) Oil: Fragrance, thought to improve redness
Lavendula Hybrida (Lavandin) Oil: fragrance
Panax Ginseng (Ginseng) Root Extract: I can find no known benefit to the skin, though Bioelements calls Gingseng a skin strengthener
Rhus Globra (Sumac) Extract: I can find no known benefit to the skin
Centella Asiatica (Gatu Kola) Extract: antioxidant
Angelica Polymorpha Sinesis (dong quail) Root Extract
Nasturtium Officianle (Watercress) Extract: anti-oxidant
Propylene Glycol: emollient
Diazolidinyl Urea: anti-bacterial preservative
Methylparaben: preservative
Propylparaben: preservative

Bioelements Decongestant Cleanser

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Bioelements Review Series: Vitalization

My love for all things Bioelements has been pretty obvious I think. I'll just say up front that I absolutely love this new body creme from Bioelelements. Even if it wasn't by Bioelements I would love it. It is rich and hydrating, lasts forever and the jar even looks pretty sitting on my counter next to the rest of my Bioelements products.

This lotion is light fragranced, I can really only describe it as fresh, slightly sweet and floral. The lotion is very silky, and while thicker than a lotion it isn't so thick that it is difficult to spread. It quickly and easily absorbs into skin. Only a slightly greasy feeling is left behind, but that fades within a minute or so. I do have to warn you that a little goes a long way, and this 8 ounce jar will last you quite a while! This creme was more than adequate to deal with my crazy ezcema skin. Which means it should definitely be able to deal with your dry skin!

A quick glance at the ingredients (refer to the moisturizer post) shows us a huge number of emollients, humectants and a few occlusives. No wonder this creme works such hydrating miracles!

Ingredients:
Water, Canola Oil, Glyceryl Sterate, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycerin, Bis-Glyceryl Polyacrladipate-2, Olea Europeaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Rives Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Sodium Hyaluronate, Aspalathus Llinearis (Red Tea) Leaf Extract, Beta Carotene (Cl 40800), Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Ellettaria Cardomomum (Cardamom) Seed Oil, Acacia Farnesiana Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Leaf Oil, Canarium Luzonicum (Elemi) Gum Nonvolatiles, Guaiacum Officinal Wood Extract, Llex Paraguarensis Leaf Extract, Cymbopogon Martini (Palmarosa) Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Sodium PCA, Dimethicone, Polyglutamic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Betaine, Urea, Potassium Lactate, Phenethyl Alcohohl, Tribehenin, Steryl Alcohol, Sodium Carbomer, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Tropolone

Bioelements Vitalization is available at Salons and Spas

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Bioelements Wrap-Up

Today's Bioelements Review on Cremetherapy is the last product review (but, I will be posting on my upcoming professional Bioelements Facial!). I have to say that these are all products that I truly enjoyed using twice a day! They made me feel pampered and the results were simply amazing!

While I loved all of the Bioelements Products, I believe that my favorite product overall was the Quick Refiner. This was a fantastic product that I think made the biggest difference overall in my skin. It dried quickly, was non-greasy, non-shiny and the end result was smoother, more even skin!

My Bioelements Routine was:
AM
--Bioelements Flash Foam Cleanser
--Bioelements Power Peptide
--Bioelements Breakout Control- Only when needed

PM
--Bioelements Flash Foam Cleanser
--Bioelements Power Peptide
--Bioelements Breakout Control
--Bioelements Quick Refiner
--Bioelements Probotix
--Bioelements Sleepwear

Sunday PM
--Bioelements Flash Foam Cleanser
--Bioelements Pumice Peel
--Bioelements Kerafole
--Bioelements Restorative Clay
--Bioelements CremeTherapy
--Bioelements Breakout Control
--Bioelements Probotix
--Bioelements Sleepwear



If you'd like to give Bioelements a try for yourself, run over to their Spa and Salon Locator, I think you'll be surprised at how many places near you carry it!

And, if you happen to live in New Zealand, Bioelements announced just last week that they'll be available in that country very soon! Check out the Formé Salon near you!

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Bioelements Review Series: Cremetherapy

Cremetherapy is the perfect post-plane beauty product. I swear that when I spend a long time in a dry environment like a plane (or the hospital on one of my 30 hour shifts), I can feel the moisture being pulled out of my skin. I can feel it getting dry and lifeless as the seconds tick by.

Cremetherapy is the perfect treatment to overcome that issue! It's a very creamy, super hydrating mask. It has the consistency of very thick whipped cream, and doesn't have much smell. A light layer is all that you need, 10 minutes later it gets rinsed off. What is left behind is very well hydrated, glowing and much more radiant skin!

What's the secret to this mask? I stupidly threw out my list of ingredients, but the Bioelements site lists Sesame Oil (an emollient) as the moisturizer. If that's the case, I think it's time I seek out every possible product containing Sesame Oil!

I intend to put a little bit of this mask into a small travel container and bring it with me when I travel in a few weeks for work. If you travel a lot I strongly recommend you check it out as well!
Bioelements Cremetherapy

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Bioelements Review Series: Pumice Peel

When I don't have time for a mask, I love to use an exfoliating scrub. The problem with facial scrubs is that if the granules are too large or irregularly shaped, the scrub basically just gouges the skin. If there aren't enough granules, the exfoliation is uneven. If there are too many granules you'll over exfoliate too easily. Hense, it is very difficult to find a good facial scrub (no, that St. Ives one you used in high school does NOT count at a good one!)

I've tried a lot of facial scrubs, and I honestly have never repurchased. This scrub is amazing. This is a scrub that I know I will buy over and over again. This is a Holy Grail scrub!

What is the secret of this scrub? It's pumice crystals. Yup. They basically ground up that block you use on your heels (or mean to use on your heels) everyday in the shower! It creates a very fine and uniform dust which just happens to be perfect for a facial scrub!

To mean, this scrub smells like a mud mask, and it has a light grey color and is the consistency of mustard. This treatment comes with one of those great little plastic spoons, which is perfect for getting the exact right amount of scrub. Just use this on your face for 1-2 minutes and the result is smooth, glowing and more even skin!

Bioelements Pumice Peel

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Bioelements Review Series: Kerafole

So, Kerafole is a very interesting mask. In the jar it looks and smells like a mud mask, with a light brown/tannish color. It comes with a little spoon like the Restorative Clay Mask to help you scoop out the right amount of product and prevent contamination of your jar with bacteria. But, it really isn't your typical mud mask. It's an exfoliating mask, and it has 2 alpha hydroxy acids and other ingredients for stimulation and brightening the skin.

According to the Bioelements website, these are the active ingredients:
Algae Extract (stimulating, detoxifying, nourishing)
Lavender Oil (antiseptic, healing)
Lemon Extract (antibacterial, skin-brightening)
Tea Tree Oil (antibacterial)
Citric Acid (exfoliant)
Malic Acid (exfoliant)
Camomile Extract (soothing)
Ginko Biloba Extract (stimulating, improves microcirculation)
Orange Oil (sedating)
Kelp (nourishing)

The mask goes on like a typical mud mask, but it should probably be used in a lighter layer on the skin. It has a tingling effect that is strong but doesn't hurt and is not too intense. The tingling lasts for about 3-4 minutes on me, and then goes away as the mask dries. After about 10 minutes it has dried and I then wash it off. The mask is a tad bit hard to remove with water alone, as it wants to stick to your face. However, a bit of cleanser takes care of that problem easily.

After using this mask my face definitely has an immediate improvement in smoothness, any flaking I have around my nose is gone (why, oh why, do I have this problem so often?), and my face just glows! I have not experienced any irritation from this mask and the alpha hydroxy acids in it-- Just glowing skin!

Bioelements Kerafole

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Bioelements Review Series: Restorative Clay

I love this mask. Really, truly, this is the best mask ever. Hands down. Period. You must go and buy this mask now.

I've been a mask lover for years. I go through phases of mask usage due to time constraints. But when I am able to use them, I find them to be soothing and relaxing. My favorites have always been clay masks. I love the feeling of them drying on my skin, and I really feel as though my skin has been through some exfoliation through the removal scrubbing process.

This mask is a very thick mud mask, and it comes with a cute little spoon to help you remove the product from the jar. I really recommend using this spoon as it will not only help prevent contamination of your mask jar with bacteria, but it is also perfect to get the right amount of mask out of the jar. Just one small scoop is more than enough for your entire face. The mask has a light grey color with a tinge of blue, and it just smells like a mud mask, nothing special or overwhelming. It spreads easily across my face and it takes about 15 minutes or so to dry completely. Unlike some masks it doesn't become incredibly uncomfortable right at the end of the drying process, which is a HUGE bonus!

This mask washes off pretty easily, and it becomes a bit gritty like a scrub as it is washed off. Once off (even without the help of cleanser) it does not leave a film behind. I feel fresh and clean, and as though someone has just scrubbed out my pores!
Bioelements Restorative Clay

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Bioelements Review Series: Breakout Control

One of the best Bioelements products that I've tried to date is Bioelements Breakout Control. This is a product that is meant to be an "adult acne lotion" and can be used as a preventive lotion 1-2 times per day on the entire face or as a trouble shooter for problem areas. I started using this product twice a day when I began using Bioelements, but was soon able to cut back to once a day and then to an as-needed basis.

Breakout control is a 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide lotion, which makes it essentially the same product as Proactive's Repairing Lotion. Except, that this product is not Proactive's Lotion, because it is simply better!

Let me explain a little bit here. As I've mentioned before as a teen I had acne, which while it wasn't horrible, was not a small problem. I ignored the medicine my dad prescribed me (I didn't like being dry and peeling along with my pimples), and the problem simply didn't go away when I turned 18.

The problems were definitely better once I started medical school, but the real change came when I was preparing for my wedding. I bit the bullet and ordered Proactive, and began using the system religiously. While I did see an improvement in my acne, I also had quite a bit of peeling/drying and redness. My skin was clearer, but it was not happy about what I was applying to it. I tried decreasing to once a day lotion and then once every other day, but the issues with irritation persisted. I tried the Proactive products meant for those with dryness, but this made my acne worse. In frustration, I stopped using the products a few years ago, though I still have about 2 months worth of products in my bathroom right now.

Since that time my face has finally started to clear up quite a bit, though I do have blemishes around a certain time each month, and at times of stress.

When I saw that the active ingredient in Breakout Control was also 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide, I was anticipating many of the same issues. But, I'm really happy to report that I have had no issues with irritation, dryness, redness or itching as a result of Breakout Control (or any other Bioelements product, actually). I applied this to my entire face twice a day for a few weeks, weaned myself down to once a day and now I use it just when I have the beginnings of trouble.

My face definitely cleared quite a bit with the use of Breakout Control! I will say that it didn't seem quite strong enough for my largest blemish, but to be fair that one was present already when I started using the product and was a very deep blemish.

Blemish Control has definitely helped to decrease any small blemishes that I have and I believe has really helped to prevent any new ones from rearing their ugly heads!
Bioelements Breakout Control

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Bioelements Review Series: Sleepwear and Probotix

My next step in my nightly Bioelements routine is Probotix. Honestly I still haven't quite figured out what this one does, here is info from the Bioelements site:

BIFIDUS FERMENT LYSATE - Cell compounds derived from natural bifidus cultures (also found in yogurt and dietary supplements) lab-engineered to treat the skin. Strengthens the immune system and balances the skin's microflora.

LACTOSE & MILK PROTEINS - Stimulates skin cell functions, calms sensitive and irritated skin, softens skin.

I haven't found any info doing medical literature searches on topical use of any of these ingredients. However, that does not by any means mean that the info is not there, and I certainly have no objections to using any of these things on the skin. I did find quite a few reviews of this product with doing a quick Google search, and there did seem to be a lot of people with good things to say about Probotix! I used this clear gel everynight, and since my skin now looks so great, I'm definitely recommending it to others!

At the end of each night, I have been using Sleepwear to complete my nighly beauty routine.

According to Bioelements, the active ingredients in Sleepwear are:
Topical Calcium PCA - Strengthens epidermal cell cohesion and inhibits the release of MMPs that damage collagen and elastin.
Cranberry Oil - "super vitamin E" and a potent source of antioxidants
Retinol - vitamin A in its purest and most active form. Smoothes out lines and wrinkles
Protein Peptides - stimulate the synthesis of collagen by more than 300%

I had a few added ingredients in my Sleepwear (It was custom blended for me by Bioelements, so I have added Vitamin C and Lavender in mine). But, notice what it already has in it, Cacium PCA (which helps to stop break down of collagen), Retinol and Peptides are all included!

Sleepwear is a great moisturizer. It comes in the cute little glass jar, and has a light lemon color. Mine smells like fresh lavender, which is just amazing right before bed! It easily soaks into my skin, and isn't too heavy. I feel really glowing after using it each night, and I literally go to bed each night just smelling the lavender-- Love it!


Bioelements Probotix Anti-Aging Serum
Bioelements Sleepwear

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Bioelements Series: Quick Refiner

If I had to choose only 1 Bioelements product to use (which, truthfully, I would not be very happy about picking out just 1), I would hands down pick the Quick Refiner! I strongly believe that this is the product most responsible for my smoother, softer skin.

I have been using Quick Refiner each night as part of my nightly routine, and it's very easy to use. One pump gives me about 2 peas worth of a clear, odorless gel that I then spread on my damp face (this is right after my Power Peptide, so my face is damp, which really aids in spreading an even layer of the Quick Refiner). I try to spread it on my face first and any excess is spread onto my neck and chest. The Quick Refiner is not thick, sticky or itchy. In fact, once it is spread on it feels much like a thick moisturizer has just been applied, and it only takes about 5 minutes for it to sink into my skin with my Probotix and Sleepwear. Note that Bioelements also suggests that for faster application you can mix 1-2 pumps worth into your moisturizer and then apply both at once. I have had no problems with stinging, itchiness or irritation with this product (all problems common with hydroxy acids).

But, what exactly is this stuff? It's a gel that's just full of hydroxy acids! A quick look at the ingredients in this gel finds no less than 4 (!!!) alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic, citric, malic, and tartaric acids) as well as a beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid) and some herbs that they say help the skin withstand stress (Ginseng, Sumac, Gotu Kola, Dong Quai and Watercress). I'm not sure about the herbs, I haven't researched herbs in cosmetics yet, though I do have a few great looking review papers on the topic that I have ready to read soon!

Truthfully, this Quick Refiner is pretty heavy duty stuff! Within a few days of using it my skin was smoother, clearer and it has just continued to improve. It's so impressive, that when it was sent to me Bioelements told me that I should cycle it on and off in order to allow my skin some regeneration time (3 weeks on, 1 week off).

Really, I think this is an amazing product, and I will pick my bottle to be my beauty product on a deserted isle (after sunscreen of course). If you have any problems with loss of radiance, uneven skin texture or are looking to add a hydroxy acid product to your routine, please take a close look at this product.

Bioelements Quick Refiner

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Bioelements Review Series: Power Peptide

The second step in my Bioelements skin care routine is the Power Peptide both morning and night. Now, I've never really been a toner girl, despite having combination skin. I forget to use it, haven't seen benefits, etc. So, I was surprisingly loyal to using my Power Peptide, and I didn't really understand what exactly it was that I was spraying on my face twice a day until I started to write this post.

Power Peptide is not really a classic toner, if you could ever even consider it one at all. Power Peptide is a liquid that you spray onto your skin while it is damp and allow to either dry, or you apply other products over it while it is still damp. The Power Peptide really has no smell, and is a light refreshing mist. I wash my face, lightly pat it to remove most (but not all) of the water, and then spritz on Power Peptide. I try to do this without a shirt on, because since the spray falls all over, I could then get the extra onto my chest, shoulders, etc. I did find that the Power Peptide tarnished my silver necklaces (easily fixed with my polishing cloth), so I started removing my necklace for my daily routine. In the morning I allow this to dry a bit before applying my Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15, but at night I continue on with applying the rest of my Bioelements products. The Power Peptide bottle is surprisingly very large at 6 ounces, and I have barely made a dent in it!

Now that you know what Power Peptide is like to use, what the heck is this stuff? Well, according to Bioelements, this product:
• Adds youthful radiance
• Revitalizes skin with renewing peptides
• Boosts moisture
• Brightens and refines skin tone

All of that sounds pretty great to me! How does it do this? With Peptides. Peptides are basically very small proteins, and yes, they are small enough to get down through the skin in all the layers we've discussed.

I'm enough of a believer that I'm going to continue to use the Power Peptide! I love spritzing, I feel like I'm back in the 1940s or something (very decadent and glamorous)! I also like applying products over the Power Peptide, I use a LOT less of the other products when they are applied over damp Power Peptide as they are very easily distributed in a more even application. Be sure to pick up a bottle when you buy your Bioelements products!

Find Bioelements near you
Bioelements Power Peptide
Reference: Lupo, MP. Cosmeceutical Peptides. Dermatol Surg. 2005;31:832-836

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Bioelements Series: Flash Foam Cleanser

Well, hopefully I haven't totally confused you with all this technical talk about cleansers! Suffice it to say that the ideal cleanser is gentle, has mild surfactants, has a lower pH and includes emollients if possible! Truthfully, I myself am much less scientific about choosing a cleanser. I honestly do NOT go around the store looking at the list of ingredients, looking to see how far down the surfactant is, so I'm not going to do that in my product review. I like a cleanser that is gentle, does not irritate my skin, rinses easily and does not cause After Wash Tightness. I've only found a few cleansers that I like enough to buy more than once, Neutrogena's Face Wash and Cetaphil (which I've bought twice and have stopped buying because I don't like the film left behind). I can tell you that this foaming cleanser is one that I can see myself buying over and over again!

The cleanser contains ingredients to help repair, exfoliate and smooth skin, over time making your skin look better. Pumpkin, papaya and pineapple are all known exfoliants, and are used in a lot of beauty products to help with exfoliation. Green tea (a great antioxidant) is also added to help with free radicals, while Vitamin B5 helps to seal in moisture.

This cleanser is really just a great cleanser. I don't know how to put it better. The bottle is rather large, and although I've been using mine for over a month, it honestly doesn't feel any lighter. For all I know I'll be using this same bottle in 6 months. The top has a pump, which with 1 pump dispense a white, frothy foam that just happens to be the perfect amount to wash my face with! It has a citrusy smell, which is pleasant but not overpowering. All of my makeup is quickly removed with minimal scrubbing, and the whole thing washes off easily with a few splashes of water. I don't have problems with after wash tightness, I just feel clean and refreshed. Best of all, it doesn't dry out my skin- it's perfect!
Bioelements Foaming Facial Cleanser

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Bioelements Series

About a month or so ago, in the middle of my "Turning 30" freak out, I was frantically doing research on skin care, more specifically anti-aging. Never in my life have I had what I would ever call "good skin." I had acne in high school (not helped by the fact that I wouldn't use the acne meds my pediatrician father prescribed for me), which really only cleared up partially as I entered my 20s. I have continued to be plagued by large pores, breakouts, and loss of radiance. Some of these problems are just me, some are definitely the direct result of inconsistency with my routine and my crazy lifestyle- working 80 hours a week in a very dry hospital can't help anyone's skin! I was feeling old, and as if I had never really had those years of looking great like everyone else. I wanted to help my skin and postpone the aging process if I could. This is where Bioelements comes in!

I know many people have never heard of Bioelements, so let me give you just a bit of background info on the company. In 1991 Bioelements was started by an esthetician, Barbara Salomone. She has a team of crack chemists, pharmacists, estheticians and just general skin care experts that help her to create the line. Originally started as a line of products for use in spas and professional facials, it quickly expanded into "take home" products.

The Bioelements products are very carefully formulated for optimal results, and are actually pretty easy to find. The products use plant and tree extracts, essential oils, trace minerals and high performance cosmeceuticals. There are no animal by-products, synthetic fragrances, irritating artificial colorants or pore-clogging ingredients. As well, for us animal lovers, they do not test on animals. The products are available at spas nationwide, and a quick search on their locator for me did reveal about 15 options within a 15 mile radius, so chances are that even if you aren't in Orange County, you'll have plenty of places to find this line. I recommend checking out the Biotype Chart to discover which categories of Bioelements products will work best for you before you begin.

Starting this week, I'll be progressing into the more product driven part of the skin series, and as I post about each type of skin care product (eg- Cleansers are the next post), I will also be posting about the Bioelements product I tried that matches this category.

I have to say that because of the Bioelements products that I have been using for the past month, my skin is in the best condition of my life! My skin has definitely cleared up to a huge extent, I have much less visible pores now, I am smoother and my skin gets less oily during the day. I use less makeup for work, and I now only wear concealer on weekends, which was not the case before. I have only been using the products for a month at this point, and I'm right at the time when results from any new skin care routine should be visible. (Due to cell turnover and such, it takes at least 4-8 weeks before you really should expect any big changes with new skincare products, most especially acne products. Yes, I learned that in medical school!)

My Bioelements Routine
Here is my skin care routine right now, with links to each product (or my review, in the case of the 2 non-Bioelements skin products that I'm still using). I had different AM and PM routines, and I followed this routine everyday without fail, unless I was on-call at the hospital, in which case I did the PM routine once I returned home after my 30 hours, right before my nap!

AM
The morning is when I'm the most hurried. I am not a morning person, and I have been known hit the snooze alarm for well over 45 minutes before I wake up and realize that I've been doing this. So, you can imagine that I tend to be a little bit rushed each morning! Once out of the shower and my hair is dried, I usually only have about 15 minutes to style my hair and put on my makeup (hence, the name of this blog). Therefore, I was pretty happy when I learned that switching to Bioelements would mean only adding 1 small step to my morning routine!
--Bioelements Flash Foam Cleanser
--Bioelements Power Peptide
--Bioelements Breakout Control- Only when needed
--Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15

PM
At night I do have more time, and although this list of products looks long, it truly only does take about 5-10 minutes to apply everything and have my face dry.
--Bioelements Flash Foam Cleanser
--Almay Eye Makeup Remover
--Bioelements Power Peptide
--Bioelements Breakout Control
--Bioelements Quick Refiner
--Bioelements Probotix
--Bioelements Sleepwear

Sunday PM
On Sundays, I have been doing my masks and "spa day" treatments. In an ideal world, I would love to do this twice a week, and if I'm in need of pampering I will do masks during the week, I just haven't been able to lately with craziness at work.
--Bioelements Flash Foam Cleanser
--Almay Eye Makeup Remover
--Bioelements Pumice Peel
--Bioelements Kerafole
--Bioelements Restorative Clay
--Bioelements CremeTherapy
--Bioelements Breakout Control
--Bioelements Probotix
--Bioelements Sleepwear


Now that you know what is coming up for the next couple of weeks, stay tuned! I hope these products and information can help you with your skincare woes!
Bioelements Website

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