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.

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

73

Bumpy Arms? Experts Give Their Favorite Tips For Keratosis Pilaris

Nothing to Disclose



Do you have white or red bumps on your arms that just will. not. go. away? Sometimes these areas also appear on the upper legs, or even on the face. They feel rough, a bit like sandpaper, and if they're red they're especially noticeable. You've probably tried all sorts of lotions and creams on them, and they just... sit there. Looking bumpy.

Those bumps are Keratosis Pilaris, basically your hair follicles have a bunch of built up proteins that are really stuck together. We're not really sure what causes it, but the good news is that it will often go away by your early 30's.

What can you do about it?

A lot of things! Primarily, you need to exfoliate the area to get rid of the plugs. Using special moisturizers to help penetrate into the bumps will help as well. If things are really bad you can even go the laser therapy or Retinoid route, though I'd recommend the help of a physician for those steps. Personally, I do great with a little extra exfoliation (with my Beautisol Hammam Mitt) and AmLactin Lotion.

Read on to see what some of my favorite doctors had to say!


Avery Kuflik, MD is a board certified dermatologist with a private practice in New Jersey.
Keratosis Pilaris is a skin condition that affects many people. While there is no cure, fortunately there are ways to keep your skin healthy. Wash with gentle cleansers in a warm/tepid shower and apply moisturizers. For better absorption, it is best to apply moisturizers to the skin while it is still damp. Light exfoliation may help but scrubbing is not recommended as it can make the condition worse. We like to use an exfoliant with a Salicylic or Glycolic Acid cleanser or moisturizer like the Glytone KP kit.


James C. Marotta, MD is a double board certified ENT and Plastic Surgeon who practices in Long Island.
No single treatment universally improves Keratosis Pilaris. Most options, including self-care measures and medicated creams, focus on softening the keratin deposits in the skin. 3 treatment options include:

Topical Exfoliants: Medicated creams containing alpha-hydroxy acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid or urea moisturize and soften dry skin while helping to loosen and remove dead skin cells. Depending on their strength, certain creams are available over-the-counter and others require a prescription; the best option can be decided by your doctor.

Topical Retinoids: Derived from vitamin A, retinoids work by promoting cell turnover and preventing the plugging of the hair follicle. Retinoids may be an effective treatment, but they can cause bothersome skin irritations, such as severe dryness, redness and peeling.

Laser Therapy: Certain types of Keratosis Pilaris involving severe redness and inflammation have been successfully treated with laser therapy. Laser treatment involves passing intense bursts of light into targeted areas of skin. This type of treatment may require repeat sessions over the course of a few months, depending on your response.


Debra Jaliman, MD is a board certified dermatologist with a private practice in New York City.
Use a Clarisonic to exfoliate the dead skin. The great thing about this is they have different brushes for different skin types. You can also use an over the counter AmLactin cream or lotion it contains lactic acid to breakdown the bumps.

14

Skincare Tips Everyone Can Use From Skincare Experts

Nothing to Disclose




Debra Jaliman, MD is a board certified dermatologist with a private practice in New York City.
Make sure to eat properly. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Try to eat blueberries everyday. I certainly do, they are high in antioxidants. Also, eat proteins 3 times a day, it is important for your hair and nails. Limit processed foods and sugar intake.


Ellen Lange is an esthetician and founder of Ellen Lange Skin Science
A skin peels work for most people because it removes the outer layer of skin that builds up as we mature. Peels make everything work better; moisturizers are more effective, pores appear smaller and makeup goes on smoothly. That is why the Ellen Lange Retexturing Peel kit is so effective. It costs less $10 to do a peel, it is easy to do weekly and it is done at your convenience.


James C. Marotta, MD is a double board certified ENT and Plastic Surgeon who practices in Long Island.
No matter your skin type, two things that will greatly help your skin is wearing sunscreen everyday and drinking plenty of water.


Sinead Norenius is an esthetician and founder of Beautisol
Try not to wash your face in the morning! Just rinse with tepid water and maintain your pH level. If you did a really great job of cleansing your face the night before there is no reason to scrub, strip or wash again.


Avery Kuflik, MD is a board certified dermatologist with a private practice in New Jersey.
Apply a sunscreen. This is the single best thing you can do for your skin to prevent premature aging. Our favorite sunscreen is La Roche Posay's Anthelios 60. For those that like to use a moisturizer with their sunscreen try La Roche Posay's Anthelios Daily SX spf 15 or Revision's Intellishade in original or matte.


Celeste Hilling, Founder, CEO and Product Formulator for Skin Authority
Shop for skin care the way that you shop for food, by looking at the cost per ounce. When you see a product that is $20 for .2 of an ounce, multiply and see that it’s actually $100 for one ounce… not a great deal. Instead, visit spas and salons. What you’ll find is that spa- and salon-quality products are a bargain as they include complimentary consultations with licensed experts.

3

Super Hydration: Tips and Products to Fix Your Dry Winter Skin

Nothing to Disclose



Is it spring yet? If you're like me you are definitely ready for the seasons to change, and it isn't because you're getting a bit of cabin fever! This is the time of year that I'm fighting to keep my skin hydrated, keeping the winter itchy away. I've got some great tips and products to share with you from dermatologists, skin care experts and even a few of my own!


Celeste Hilling, Founder, CEO and Product Formulator for Skin Authority

When moving from heated homes to heated cars to heated office buildings, our skin experiences less than 4% humidity in artificially heated, recirculated air. When skin is denied moisture, two things occur: surface skin becomes dehydrated and chapped while beneath the surface, sebaceous glands compensate by producing more oil. The oil and debris become trapped in the dry surface layers. This can lead to breakouts and irritation.

To counteract this onset of winter skin blahs:
• Daily Cleansing: Avoid the temptation to take hot showers as the heat will further dehydrate skin. Keep temperatures lukewarm and exfoliate from head to toe to slough off dead skin cells. Use a cleanser with small, gentle micro-beads versus large scrubbing particles which can damage fragile skin. Apply a body moisturizer with anti-inflammatory ingredients (Shea Butter, Aloe, Olive Oil) as soon as you step out of the shower to seal in moisture.

• Exfoliation: Don’t be afraid to exfoliate your face. Regular facial exfoliation speeds up the cell turnover process, which allows the body to produce moisture-bearing properties like hyaluronic acid. Exfoliation also helps plump the skin by churning up elastin and collagen production. I recommend using a resurfacing agent like glycolic acid. Commonly derived from sugar cane, glycolic acid gently dissolves dead surface skin cells, instead of peeling or scrubbing, signaling the body to replace them with new, plump ones.

• Masks: Masks play an important role in restoring nutrients and protective antioxidants the help skin fight effects of overexposure to cold, dry winter air. Try applying a mask of eucalyptus, clay and sulphur once a week to put nutrients and moisture back into your skin while fighting inflammation

• Protection: Snow or sun, don’t forget sunscreen! Apply a full spectrum, moisturizing sunscreen daily to all exposed skin, which often includes our faces, neck, ears, décolletage, hands and forearms.

• Vitamin D: Lack of sun exposure and shorter days lead to less Vitamin D production. Vitamin D is a key hormone needed for strong immune function. Apply a topical Vitamin D Serum daily under sunscreen to give the skin a daily dose of D.

My favorite moisturizers for face and body are form Skin Authority: Age Defying Moisturizer (face); Olive Fig Shea Butter Body Cream (body)


Ellen Lange is an esthetician and founder of Ellen Lange Skin Science

Our bodies are like tea kettles constantly giving off steam. We want to lock in moisture which helps keeps the skin hydrated. Creams should provide moisturizers and also an occlusive barrier to helps enhance the skin's natural barrier. Hylauronic acid serums are good for attracting and holding moisture. I also keep a pot of Crisco in my bathroom for my hands. I have sensitive skin and it seems be on the few products that does not burn or sting my cracked hands during the winter.

During the cold dry winter months it is essential to peel your skin so your favorite cream or treatment can really be effective. When you remove the top dull outer most layers of the skin, these products can actually reach the skin and work better. In addition, by eliminating the dry uneven layer of skin, cosmetics glide on more smoothly, making it less likely for the makeup to get caught in the pores and fine lines.

Peeling must be done on a regular basis because your skin regenerates itself about every 30 days. That is why I created the Ellen Lange Retexturizing Peel, which is can be done at home. It is less than $10 per a peel. It is so easy to use and the results are immediate. Then I just apply a little bronzing powder, a favorite lip gloss and mascara!


Sinead Norenius is an esthetician and founder of Beautisol

Dry skin needs lipids and oils so look for ingredients like safflower oil, jojoba oil, grape seed extract, shae butter, borage oil or evening primrose oil. All of these ingredients are extra nourishing and rich in vitamins and helps prevents water loss in the skin cells.

For super hydration (meaning water, not oil) look from products that have a high concentration of Hyaluronic Acid. Think of this ingredient as your "big gulp" of moisture.

I LOVE Dermalogica's Hydrating booster to go under ANY moisturizer - especially good in the dry winter months and with heaters etc...

I also love Boot's Expert Sensitive Gentle Cleansing Lotion for dry skin in the winter. It's gentle, inexpensive and does not strip the skin. It gets makeup off really well and your skin feels soft and supple afterwards!

I also LOVE the overnight facial masks / moisturizers from Korres - the rose and the yogurt ones are AMAZING!!!


Debra Jaliman, MD is a board certified dermatologist with a private practice in New York City.

My favorite body product for dry skin is the Retexturizing Body Butter by Restosea. My favorite face product for dry skin is Cream Extreme by Osmotics.

For extreme dry skin in the winter I like Cetaphil Restoraderm Moisturizing Lotion for the body and CeraVe facial moisturizing lotion for the face.


Avery Kuflik, MD is a board certified dermatologist with a private practice in New Jersey.
As weather conditions change our skin care routine should change too. For example in the winter we should use an ointment moisturizer that is oil-based, whereas in the summer we should use a moisturizer that is water-based. This is because the oil-based moisturizer will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a water-based moisturizer.

Also, don't forget the lips! They lose moisture too in the cold weather and need nurturing.

We love Dr. Hauschka's lip care stick or lip balm and La Roche Posay's Nutritic Lips.
We love La Roche Posay's Lipikar Baume AP for the body and Obagi's Hydrate for the face.

2

My Skincare Product Recommendations Readers Don't See

I've been known to have a skincare product discussion (or two, or five) each week. On Facebook, via email, at work or even at my local drugstore. It's true, somehow I can be standing there looking for anything new on the shelves and random strangers ask me for advice. Somehow I must have that Beauty Blogger aura and they know I'll have advice?

While I have reviewed a lot of skin care items over the years on 15 Minute Beauty, there are some products that I think are easy to use, offer great results, and aren't too expensive. I find myself recommending these products over and over again. I thought I should probably share the list! You'll find all of them in my Perfect Skin Collection over on eBay.


When thinking about skincare, these are the ways that I separate products in my head. I always have these types of products on hand and in rotation or ready to use!

1. Gentle Cleanser: While I currently have the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser on my countertop, there are a lot of other great options, some of which I share in my favorite facial cleanser post. I also really like Purpose Cleanser, and Cetaphil Cleanser. Find a gentle cleanser that your skin likes, doesn't strip moisture and doesn't make your skin feel tight or itchy.

2. Deep Cleaning Brush: Yes, everyone is always recommending that you use a Clarisonic. I use one too. I don't use mine every day, even with the sensitive brush my rosacea can't handle it. Instead, I use it about 2 or 3 times a week. There are a few alternatives out there, you can check out my deep cleansing brush comparision post, but my favorite "dupe" is the Sirius SkinSonic.

3. Retinoid: Pretty much, if you're over the age of 30 you should probably be using a retinoid. These Vitamin A derivatives do all sorts of things for the skin (read more about how retinoids work in your skin), but primarily they help skin turn over and are the best topical treatment that you can buy over the counter to reverse the signs of aging. The problem is that retinoid products can be irritating and make your skin more sun sensitive. To help make them easier to use, I always recommend using retinoids as a separate product, so you can go up or down on the frequency of your use. This RoC product is the one that I always recommend because it works, many dermatologists love it, and it is so affordable! Even with my Rosacea I can tolerate using this product every other night.

4. Treatment Product: We all have our skin issues, whether it is acne, hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone. I find myself recommending Kiehl's Clearly Corrective most often, in large part because it is such a multi-tasking wonder! This product has very stable Vitamin C, so it helps even out skin tone (you can look at my review series for week by week progress on my melasma) and even fights aging! I love that it is so lightweight you can easily use it once or twice a day.

5. Night Cream: I first reviewed the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream way back in 2007, and I think the formula has been updated a few times since then. It is hydrating and contains a ton of anti-aging ingredients like niacinamide, and peptides! It is perfect to combine with a treatment product and intermittent use of retinoids. I recommend it or the First Aid Beauty Dual Repair serum or cream (depending on preference) as good starting points.

6. Daily Sunscreen: For days that I intend to spend any amount of time outside, I like to apply a light layer of sunscreen over my moisturizer and under my makeup. The Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense is my favorite, though I have quite a few alternatives in my best sunscreens post.

7. Eye Cream: I think everyone needs a good eye cream, and the First Aid Beauty Dual Repair is usually the one I recommend.

8. Daily SPF Lotion: Whether your morning moisturizer is a regular lotion or a BB cream, I think it should contain sunscreen. The Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 has long been my favorite!

9. Exfoliation: A little light exfoliation is something that everyone should incorporate into their skin care routine! You can do that with a Clarisonic, a rough washcloth or even a peel. ExfoliKate is my favorite product for quick exfoliation, it only takes about 30 seconds in the shower and you need so little that a big tube will last forever!

10. Mud Mask: A must have to pull stuff out of your pores, I prefer to use mud masks after a shower when things have loosened up. The Queen Helene Mint Julep mask is super affordable and sucks everything out, but if your skin is sensitive I recommend try the Kiehl's Rare Earth Mask instead. It works just as well but seems to be a bit easier on skin.

11. Soothing Mask: No matter how careful you are, everyone has their days that their skin is red and irritated. It happens to me when I've been outside, either in the sun or on a cold and windy day. I like to use the First Aid Beauty Instant Oatmeal Mask in those cases, it's pretty much a "must have" after a football game for me.

12. Extra Hydration: Just like soothing masks, another great "just in case" product is something that is super hydrating! I'm a big fan of the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery product. A few drops and my skin is back to normal the next day! I won't travel without it. There are also some amazing hydrating masks, such as the Avene Soothing Moisture Mask.



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My eBay Collections were curated as part of my collaboration with eBay #followitfindit and Style Coalition.

4

Top 10 Tuesday: Cold Weather Skin Savers

Product Sent for Review Affiliate Links Bought It Myself


Today for Top 10 Tuesday, we're talking about our favorite ways to deal with the cold, dry air of winter and all of its effects on your skin. Everyone hates winter skin. You know what I'm talking about, the dry, tight and flakies that are so uncomfortable and make you want to just scratch all day? There are some tricks to deal with it, but really I start adjusting my skin care routine now, before the weather is super cold. It is much easier to prevent winter skin than to try and fix it! Here are my favorite products to keep my skin well moisturized and my eczema under control!

1. My first essential product is a humidifier! I like a cool mist humidifier (my fave is this Crane Cool Mist Drop Humidifier). And I know that they're ugly, but if you don't want one in the middle of your family room then you should hide it in the room you spend the most time in anyways, your bedroom. Humidity is the best way to fight winter skin, and you'll notice a big difference if you're using one! Alternatives include a central humidifier on your furnace (which is what I mostly use, but we have supplemental humidifiers in our bedrooms at my house), if you have radiators you can put a pot of water on the radiator to evaporate. Or, at least consider leaving the bathroom door open during a shower, let the steam escape to up the humidity throughout the rest of your house.

2. and 3. I'm all about gentle face wash year round, but it is especially important during the winter! You want something that will remove all of your makeup and dirt, but without stripping your face. I've been using the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser for the last few months, I use it with my Clarisonic Plus (which is no longer available, but the Mia3 is closest).

4. Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense (my Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense review): Winter is a great time for sun exposure, even when you're in a grey and perpetually cloudy like Michigan. The snow reflects sunlight around that would usually be absorbed, so you actually get quite a bit more exposure than you think you're getting. Protect yourself with a good sunscreen!

5. Derma-e Skin, Hair and Nail Oil (my Derma-e Oil review): I really like all of the Derma-e Oils, though over time this one has become my favorite. I'm currently keeping this in my nightstand, and every night I'm applying a small amount first to my cuticles and then to my entire hand. Serious, even more love for this oil. It is super hydrating and sinks in quickly, I know I'll be using this all winter.

6. Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate (my Kiehl's Midnight Recovery review): Are you tired of me talking about this stuff yet? I refuse to travel without it. Any time I'm dry, a few drops on my skin at night and I'm back to my usual glow! This is a must have for the winter.

7. I haven't written about the L'Oreal Age Perfect Glow Renewal Facial Oil yet, but it's basically the L'Oreal version of the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery. The oils are different, and the L'Oreal feels a bit heavier (and takes a little longer to sink in to the skin), but it does the same thing. So, if you can't get your hands on the Kiehl's, pick up the L'Oreal at your drugstore. I think they're likely so close because L'Oreal is the parent company for Kiehl's.

8. Osmia Organics Honey-Myrrh Lip Repair: This stuff was formulated by Osmia Organics founder Sarah Villafranco (an ER Physician) to help treat perioral dermatitis and it is serious. I've only used it during the summer so far, but any time anything has come up with my lips or that general area, Lip Repair has fixed it within a day. I can't wait to see how well it works in a Michigan winter!


9. Cetaphil Cream (my Cetaphil Cream review) and 10. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (my First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream review) are my favorite go-to products for moisturizing my body in the winter. I have eczema, and I need to be super hydrated to fend off flares. If I could afford it, I'd slather myself in the First Aid Beauty every day, but that just isn't feasible. So, I use mostly Cetaphil (I buy a couple at a time from my Sam's Club), apply it right after your shower, the goal should be within 3 minutes of turning off the water to help seal in moisture. I put the Ultra Repair Cream on to any problem areas and it helps a lot.









Product Sent for Review Affiliate Links Bought It Myself

12

Ellen Lange Retexturizing Peel Review: A Little Pro Spa In Your Home

Product Sent for Review


So, recently I mentioned this peel in a post over on Babble (Beauty Bloggers Share 19 Skincare Secrets You May Not Know). Actually, my friend Cindy mentioned it in her skincare tip, and I was really, really, really wanting to try it after reading her post! This is an at home glycolic acid peel kit, and after talking to Cindy, it was gentle but gave results. If it sucked, Cindy would have said so. Instead she raved! I had to try it!


Inside of the kit you'll find Peel Prep, Peel Accelerator Pads, and Glycolic Peel Solution. There is enough product for 8 peels, which means even though the kit costs $68, a single use will only cost you $8.50. That's a pretty good deal compared to having a pro do it for you!


The first product is the prep, which is this light orange face wash. It has little microbeads to help exfoliate, though I admit that I didn't think there were enough there to make a big difference. (I admit, I'm a picky girl when it comes to my microbeads, I need a lot of them so they can spread very evenly. I mostly just ignore them.) Really, the Prep is a face wash to prepare your face for the peel by getting rid of any residual makeup, face oils, and dirt. You rub it on, let it sit for 30-60 seconds and then rinse it off. It removes everything, but I was surprised by how gentle it was. It just left my face feeling nicely refreshed.

The next step is the Peel Accelerator Pad, which is the size of an Oxy pad and is soaked in 5% Glycolic Acid. They do smell like chemicals, but it isn't horrible and really, I'm not sure what else a Glycolic pad would smell like. To use the pads, you wipe them on your face and let it dry completely, this only takes a few minutes. Once you've dried, you can't feel the solution on your face at all.

The great thing is that you get 60 pads in the kit and you only need 1 for a peel. That leaves you with 52 extra pads, and they are gentle enough to use a few times a week if you want. I've been doing this, using the pads as part of my nightly skin care routine. I have rosacea, and while it is mild I'm still sensitive. I've been able to tolerate using the pads 2-3 times a week without any irritation or redness. Instead, they have helped make my skin softer and reducing pore size.

The last step is the actual peel! You take the Peel solution, which comes in a pump, and put 5 mL into the little cup (which is 1 teaspoon). The solution has the consistency of a lotion, and I did have a bit of a hard time getting it out of the pump. Eventually I just opened up the top and dumped it into the cup, which worked fine.

You spread a light layer of the peel solution over your face and it starts foaming up. Really, it's like you put scrubbing bubbles on your face, there's a couple of millimeters at least of foam, and you can feel it foaming a little bit. Nothing hurts at all, but it does feel a little strange! After a few minutes you rub it again to get more foam going. Then a few minutes later you rinse it off.

What you're left with at the end is super soft skin! Even with my rosacea sensitivity, I had absolutely no problems with this peel. I've used it once a week for 3 or 4 weeks now (with using the pads 2-3x/week as well) and I think my skin is smoother with smaller pores because of it. I was really impressed that it seems to do a great job but is gentle enough for my rosacea to handle.

Have you tried any at home peels?

Ellen Lange
Product Sent for Review

3

Osmia Organics Skincare

Product Sent for Review


Today's review has been in the works for months. Really, months. I've been dragging my feet on an actual Osmia Organics review, in large part because working on it means I need to move on to other skin care items. And I kind of don't want to do it. Which is a sign that I really do need to share the brand with my readers, because I really love it! Though, if you've been paying attention to my site and some of my skincare posts over on Babble, you'll notice that Osmia has been popping up in mentions and images.

Osmia Organics is a small, family owned company based in Colorado. It was started by Sarah Villafranco, who somewhat fell into skincare by a lark a few years ago. In her previous life, Sarah was an ER doctor. I swear to you, if we were in the same town, Sarah and I would be good friends. She's so incredibly nice and friendly in her emails, and just... normal.

Osmia skincare products are made using organic and natural ingredients, and while they aren't an organic certified company (that's in process), whenever possible they use organic certified ingredients. Their products also leave out ingredients such as sulfates, fragrances and everything is cruelty free (note that they're not vegan, they do use some ingredients such as organic beeswax, lanolin, and organic buttermilk).

One of the main things that Osmia Organics is known for is their soaps. They have a really wide selection of different hand made soaps, and they are just so pretty! I know that I have a few readers that are of the opinion that "all soap is bad for your skin, no matter what" and I have to disagree. While it was true of soap even 20 years or so ago, the soap that is made today is very different from the harsh lye soap of the early 1900s. The soaps of today are made with very different ingredients, are often very gentle and can provide a lot of extra benefits to the skin such as anti-inflammatories, extra hydration and other conditioning ingredients.

The cleanser that Osmia sent me was their Black Clay Facial Soap. This soap is recommended for normal, problem, and combination skin (I'm combination with some mild rosacea). The Black Clay soap has ingredients to help with issues, such as Black Australian clay and dead sea mud balance and tone the skin, while organic almond, avocado, and castor bean oils condition. The soap really is that dark grey color, and I don't really pick up any scent with the soap. It has a nice lather and rinses off easily, but didn't leave my skin stripped or tight afterwards.

Once my face was rinsed, I patted it with a towel. You don't want to be dry, instead you want to be a little more than damp. I use about 1/2 pump of the Facial Calibration Serum on my face and neck, and allow my skin to air dry. This "serum" is more like an oil (there's a lot of coconut oil in it) and there are added ingredients to help soothe irritation and decrease oil production.

I found that the Facial Calibration Serum is pretty moisturizing, and a full pump of it was just too much for my skin. I would end up with blemishes and too shiny by mid-morning. But, just a half pump of the serum, and my skin looked amazing! I had no blemishes, no dry spots and my usually shiny t-zone wasn't as shiny.

I've loved using Osmia Organics' products! If you're ordering, be sure to check out the Lip Luster and Honey-Myrrh Lip Repair too!

Osmia Organics
Product Sent for Review

2

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!

2

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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8

First Aid Beauty & 15 Minute Beauty Twitter Party, Did You Miss It?

Products sent for review
Note that while I currently have a sponsored post series with First Aid Beauty and they have sent me products to review, this overview of the questions is here because I wanted to answer everything from the Twitter party. I felt guilty not answering everyone's questions!

So, yesterday was the big day! The Twitter Party with First Aid Beauty that I was somewhat dreading. I've attended Twitter Parties, was a very active "participant"/junior co-host-ish person once, but I was definitely nervous about co-hosting with the FAB Skin Care team, which included Lilli Gordon, the founder! (For the record, Lilli seems to be a super nice person and very approachable and normal, but I'm very impressed with her and that makes me even more nervous.)

Anyways, I was convinced that no one would show up. It would be me and Lilli on Twitter... cue the crickets. Instead, what happened was basically the complete opposite! I was so happy that so many of my readers showed up for the party! There were so many attendees that we were the #3 trending hashtag in the US for a good party of the party. There were so many tweets flying left and right that there was no way to answer all of the questions, and I felt horrible about it! So, I thought I'd grab the questions from the party and address all of them here. Some were specific to First Aid Beauty and their new Dual Repair line, but some were general skin care questions.


The most popular questions were definitely regarding exfoliation, really in response to some prompting from me.

Here's the deal with exfoliation:
• Everyone should do it. It is for every skin type, without exception.

• There are 2 basic ways to exfoliate: chemicals or physical. So, peels/exfoliating skin care products or a scrub.

• When exfoliating on your own, you must pay attention to your skin. Everyone's skin is different, especially if you are using other products that could be irritating like a retinoid. What your cousin's skin handles easily will be different than your sister's skin and hers will be different than your own. At home, at the most your skin should feel flushed and smoother and well scrubbed after exfoliating. It shouldn't actually be red (flushed and red are not the same), it shouldn't burn or sting later on, and you certainly shouldn't cringing at your face.

• You can have much deeper/invasive peels, but they really should only be done with professional supervision. Yes, peels can remove scars and sun damage. They can rebuild your dermis and give you a brand new skin texture with less hyperpigmentation. But, they can really damage your skin in the long run, so save the heavy duty stuff for the pros.

• If you're going to do it at home, you can do light chemical exfoliation (a'la the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads, which are gentle enough to use every day), or physical with a scrub, a Clarisonic or even just a rough washcloth. The best option will depend upon the person, as will the frequency. But, just pay attention to your skin, what you can handle, and remember to wear sunscreen afterwards!

Another Question:
@15minbeauty @FirstAidBeauty I need a good body exfoliating scrub. #FABSkin

I actually haven't found a good body scrub for quite a while, my favorite was taken off of the market (it was from L'Oreal). Instead I use the Beautisol Deep Exfoliating Mitt.

@FirstAidBeauty @15minbeauty Do you know if the FAB facial radiance pads are 'safe' to use with Retin-A? #FABskin

Everyone's skin is different, and before starting the Facial Radiance Pads you should probably do a small patch test before starting if you have sensitive skin or are using a product like Retin A. Some people can handle both, some people won't be able to use both. I'd try a small area and see what happens. Listen to your skin!

@15minbeauty How do we choose the #anti-aging #skincare good for my skin? #FABSKIN

I have a whole post on how to start using anti-aging skin care.

@15minbeauty what's a good way to get a more even skin tone? #FABSKIN

It depends on why your skin tone is uneven, but in general it is best to have some light exfoliation, lots of moisture to support the skin's barrier function and broad spectrum UV protection (at least SPF 15, 30 is better) to prevent hyperpigmentation.

@15minbeauty anything for skin tags on the neck area as we age? #FABSKIN

Unfortunately, no. You pretty much just need to have them removed.

@15minbeauty any recommendations for skin redness, especially around the nose and cheek area? what products should I be trying #FABSkin

If you have a lot of redness, you might want to talk to your physician about whether you could have rosacea. I have redness in those areas (yeah! I have rosacea too!), I've found it is less when I'm less irritated, so using gentle products and staying out of the cold wind pretty much. Lot of extra moisture and some soothing products definitely help as well. I've had good luck with the Instant Oatmeal Mask, but FAB also makes an Anti-Redness Serum, though I haven't tried that yet.

what's good for an oily forehead? @FirstAidBeauty #fabskin
@15minbeauty what do you suggest we use if we have combination skin? #FABSKIN

Like other skin types, I think a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer as well as SPF are what you need. Oily skin doesn't mean your skin doesn't have moisture, so you do still need the moisturizer, though likely a lighter weight one than someone with non-oily skin. Don't over wash your skin, it will increase your oil production! Dr. Cynthia Bailey has a good over view on skin care for oily skin.

Does @firstaidbeauty have many products for controlling oily skin? #FABskin

When skin is well moisturized it does seem to make less oil, so they have a lot of moisturizers, but I don't think they have a product specifically for oily skin.

@15minbeauty @MidniteManicure i use to be oily but now my skin is more dry, can my skin change suddenly like that? #fabskin

Unfortunately, yes. Skin likes to change as we get older, especially if there are hormonal shifts.

@15minbeauty Yes. I use an under the eye cream for anti-aging and it leaves my skin burning, but I thought it was supposed to. #FABSKIN

If something is so irritating to your skin that you're experiencing burning, then you are creating inflammation. Which is aging. So, you've just undone any good you've done by using the product.

@15minbeauty Is there a certain age limit on when to start using anti-aging regimen? #FABSKIN

Nope! You can't start too young. While you probably wouldn't need a heavy duty retinoid in your 20's, you should definitely be using sunscreen every day and since you're moisturizing anyways, you might as well include anti-aging ingredients like peptides and antioxidants, right?

Is tepid water best for sensitive skin?#FABSKIN

Yes! Avoid water that is too hot if you're sensitive. It is also drying, so we should all be turning the temperature down on our showers.

@15minbeauty @FirstAidBeauty What's your favorite FAB product? #FABSKIN
@FirstAidBeauty If I could buy just one product from your line, what would you recommend? I have combo skin with hyperpigmentation. #FABSkin

The answer to both of these questions is the same, the Dual Repair Serum, which is lightweight but moisturizing (it was all I needed on a recent vacation to Florida. I left the moisturizer at home), includes a lot of anti-aging ingredients including a Retinoid, and a licorice root extract which helps with hyperpigmentation. Oh, and the serum has the highest concentration of all those ingredients.

@15minbeauty does it sting at all? or make eyes water? my eyes always get so "teary" #FABSkin
@FirstAidBeauty Does it have a greasy feeling? #FABSKIN

The Dual Repair line is pretty moisturizing but doesn't feel greasy at all, doesn't sting and it sinks into my skin really quickly. I have found that the moisturizer is too much moisture for me in the morning, so I use the serum alone at that time. I have no problems applying makeup over it.

@15minbeauty do you rub it in or pat on eye area? i've heard diff methods #fabskin

If you rub you should use your ring finger rather than pointer finger, I tend to do both things.

@FirstAidBeauty @15minbeauty What's the best way to heal damage to your skin from the winter weather #FABSKIN

Definitely getting moisture into your skin!

Great ways to do that:
• Turn down the water temp when you are in the shower.
• Moisturize within 3 minutes of getting your skin wet, whether you're in the shower, washing your face or hands... if you got wet, you need to moisturize immediately.
• Make sure you have a humidifier turned on, whether it is a room humidifier (and if it is just a room one, make that room your bedroom since you spend the most time there) or one attached to your heater, it doesn't really matter.

what about a prduct that reverses the signs of aging, is there such a thing? #FABSKIN

Only retinoids have been clinically proven as a topical (in the medical literature) to really reverse wrinkles. Other signs of aging like hyperpigmentation, lackluster skin, etc. can all be improved with exfoliation, moisturizers and ingredients that help fight pigmentation.

@15minbeauty Thanks! Can we use a product with Salicylic acid for oily skin? Can it help aging issues too? #FABSkin

Yes to both!

@15minbeauty @FirstAidBeauty what to use on my cheek area after sunburn? #fabskin

Here's my post on How to treat a sunburn

@15minbeauty So night time would be best? #FABSKIN

For the Dual Repair line you can use the products twice a day, though listen to your skin! My skin was definitely too moisturized with both the serum and moisturizer in the morning, so I went down to just the eye cream and serum in the am, then I add in the moisturizer at night.

@15minbeauty What is the first beauty trick/ tip do you use when you get up in the morning? #FABSKIN

It's hard to say! Probably just how much I multitask everything. I'm constantly trying to combine steps so I can shave off minutes. But, if given the chance I can easily take 2 hours to get ready to go the grocery store.

@FirstAidBeauty loving the ultra repair concentrate, should i switch to the dual repair line? #fabskin

I've found the Ultra Repair Cream to be more moisturizing than the Dual Repair Cream. If you need the extra moisture, I'd stick with that for now, but add in the Dual Repair Eye Cream and Serum. In the summer you might want to swap the moisturizer out.

@15minbeauty ok to use if there is some eczema? #fabskin

Yes! In fact, I'd say it is perfect for it. The primary issue in eczema and atopic derm is really that that skin's barrier function is disrupted, allowing allergens and inflammation to take over. FAB's products are formulated to help support the barrier function, similar to the products I was taught to use in my patients when I was a general pediatrician.

@FirstAidBeauty Does it have SPF? #FABSKIN
@FirstAidBeauty Does the Dual repair line has SPF?? #FABSKIN

It doesn't.

@FirstAidBeauty Is the dual repair eye cream good for dark circles? #FABSKIN
@15minbeauty do you use a concealer over the eye cream or just the eye cream #FABSkin

Yes, it seems to be helping my circles. I definitely need concealer, so I wear it over the eye cream.

@FirstAidBeauty @15minbeauty how long does one container of the dual repair last me? #fabskin

Probably somewhere in the 2-3 month range.

@FirstAidBeauty Does the product also have an exfoliate and SPF? #FABSKIN

The Dual Repair line doesn't.

@15minbeauty Does the face wash lather up and does it make a difference if a face wash does or not? #FABSKIN

It has a light lather, but it actually doesn't matter at all whether you get a good lather in terms of cleaning efficacy. But, people do seem to love their lather!

@15minbeauty would you replace your moisturizer with the serum? #fabskin @FirstAidBeauty

I would! It is definitely moisturizing and the serum is what I'm using in the am now, without the moisturizer.

@15minbeauty Is there a @FirstAidBeauty product for chronic dry lips? #FABSKIN

They have an Ultra Repair Lip Therapy, though I haven't tried it out.

@15minbeauty Does the product help with wrinkles around the lip area too? #FABSKIN

The serum has a retinoid and should help with wrinkles if you apply it there! Wrinkles in that area are particularly difficult because you're moving your mouth so much.


There were questions about pregnancy and nursing safety.

The Dual Repair line is safe during nursing, but the Serum contains a retinoid and isn't safe for pregnancy (but that is fine for nursing!)

Products sent for review
Note that while I currently have a sponsored post series with First Aid Beauty and they have sent me products to review, this overview of the questions is here because I wanted to answer everything from the Twitter party. I felt guilty not answering everyone's questions!

5

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Concentrate Review

Yesterday I shared my First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream review, which is a lotion I've been smearing all over my body all winter to combat the worst of my winter skin issues. While this product is the "concentrate" of that cream, really they are very, very different. Well, I guess they're the same in that they both off a lot of hydration with soothing components, but many of their moisturizing ingredients are different.

The concentrate depends much more on occlusive style moisturizers than the cream does (read more about different types of moisturizers and how they work), which means that the Concentrate will give more of the super silky "I AM HYDRATED" feeling that many of us are used to. I do like to use occlusives on my hand and body, though I don't typically recommend them on the face. They're especially useful when you are sealing something into the skin. So, if you have just washed your hands or taken a shower, an occlusive can really help to seal in the moisture you may have gained. There are also a lot of emollients in this product, so it has a ton of moisture packed into the little jar.

Now comes the part where I admit that I saved this review for the end of the week because I still can't quite figure out how to describe the feeling of this product. In the jar it is a white and waxy appearing solid. It breaks apart very easily with your fingers, and it then feels like a dry-ish cream with a little wax in it (really, this is the best I could do, so I hope that makes some sense). As you rub it in, your body heat with quickly melt the product and it feels like a slightly waxy lotion, though not as wet, when it is sinking in to your skin. Sometimes (when it is cold out) it will feel a bit grainy (like you got sand in it), but if you keep rubbing those sandy bits will also melt away very quickly. It does leave a moisturizing residue on the skin, which is all of those occlusive moisturizing ingredients. So, I wouldn't put it on my face (definitely can't put makeup on over it, though FAB says it is fine for the face), and it makes doing things like turning on a table lamp a bit... slippery for about 5 minutes.

It smells a little medicinal, I can smell the eucalyptus oil and maybe a little peppermint as well (though that isn't in there), but the smell is very subtle and I can't notice it after about 5 minutes or so.

Ingredients:
Colloidal Oatmeal, Water/Aqua/Eau, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Glycerin, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Urea, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Ceramide 3

• Colloidal Oatmeal: I think it's rather telling that the #1 ingredient is Oats, which shows antioxidant activity, inhibits prostaglandins (anti-inflammatory activity) and works to clean the skin when used in cleansers.
• Safflower Seed Oil: Occlusive moisturizer, contains linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid
• Beeswax: Occlusive
• Shea Butter: Emollient
• Sweet Almond Oil: Emollient
Cocoa) Seed Butter
• Glycerin: Humectant
• Wheat Germ Oil: Emollient
• Urea: Helps with hydration but can penetrate down into the skin and help exfoliate.
• Caprylyl Glycol: Emollient
• Allantoin: Moisturizing, helps to slough dead skin cells and anti-inflammatory all at once!
• Feverfew: Anti-inflammatory that also helps to decrease redness
• 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"
• Licorice Root: Helps to decrease melanin production, so can help with hyperpigmentation
• Ceramide 3: Emollient

I do notice a difference in my skin with just 1 use, though it seems best when I use it a few times a day for several days in a row. With all of the occlusives in the mix, this is best used after your hands are wet, so I tend to leave it next to my sink and use it right after washing. I will often get little areas of eczema during the winter (the harsh midwest winter and tons of extra hand washing due to the RSV and Flu seasons at work), but I've been using this on any dry patches that crop up and I haven't used any steroid cream all winter, which is quite a feat!

First Aid Beauty

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