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Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic the BEST Vitamin C Serum?

PRODUCT:
www.skinceuticals.com

PRICE: $157.00, 1 fl oz.  
CATEGORY: Skin Care Product
TYPE: Serum

FOR THE ULTIMATE PROTECTION
“A super-charged antioxidant serum for all skin types.” 

The Claim:
Combines proven antioxidant vitamins C and E with ferulic acid to maximize antioxidant performance. This synergistic formulation enhances protection against damaging UVA/UVB rays to better prevent premature signs of aging, while stimulating collagen production to help diminish the appearance of photo damage.
  • Provides advanced environmental protection against damaging free radicals induced by UVA, UVB, and infrared radiation.
  • Increases firmness and replenishes lipids to visibly reduce wrinkles.
  • Once absorbed, this serum can’t be washed or rubbed off. It remains effective for a minimum of 72 hours, making it an excellent addition to sunscreen.

Benefits:
  • Maximum anti-aging results - better than any one antioxidant alone.
  • Neutralizes free radical damage and protects against oxidative stress - the factors that lead to premature aging, loss of elasticity, and hyperpigmentation.

QUICK TAKE
Fragrant Scent: Strong
Key Ingredient(s): Vitamin C
Texture: Weightless                             
Consistency: Light Serum
Coverage: Spreads Easily                                
Complexion: Smooth
Finish: Dewy Glow                                     
Wear: 2-3 days                                       
Best Usage: Daily, AM
Best For: All skin types                
Not For: Not for acne prone skin
Jar Packaging: No, a dropper  
Tested on Animals: Yes        
Verdict: I would highly recommend this product.


DOWN and DIRTY DETAILS

Key Ingredient(s): This award winning antioxidant product is a highly-advanced serum that contains 15% pure L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C, an antioxidant), 1% alpha tocopherol (vitamin E) and Ferulic Acid. Itenhanced the skin's natural UV protection by 8 times.
  • 15% L-ascorbic acid - One of the most stable forms of vitamin C is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent.  The Ingredient Neutralizes damaging free radicals and protects skin’s breakdown from oxidative stress.
    • Vitamin C - in general, is a collagen Boosting Antioxidant vital for glowing skin. It is anti-inflammatory, controls oil, hydrates, lightens discoloration, wards off free-radicals, and produces healthy collagen. Remember, healthy collagen equals plumper skin.
  • 1% Alpha Tocopherol (vitamin E) - A soothing, healing an protective antioxidant. It Neutralizes free radicals and replenishes skin’s lipids.
  • 0.5% ferulic Acid - This plant-based antioxidant neutralizes free radicals, helps inhibit UV-induced skin discolorations, and has anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to its sun-protective benefits to skin, Ferulic Acid enhances the stability of topical applications of vitamin E.
Other Ingredients: 
Water, Ethoxydiglycol, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Laureth 23, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate

Results:
C E Ferulic showed visible results on aging attributes of lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity while improving skin redness, texture, and overall brightness. It also conditions and brightens the complexion for improved beauty. This exceptional formulation is perfect for protecting all skin types.


Best Usage: Daily, AM - Use once in the morning after cleansing and toning. Apply 4-5 drops to dry face, neck, and chest. Massage until product is fully absorbed. Follow with moisturizer and sunscreen.
Best For: All skin types - Ideal for those with photo-damaged, Discoloration, and dry skin who want to achieve smoother, healthier and more radiant skin.
Packaging: A Dropper - Beauty expert, Paula Begoun, Notes:

“This serum is dispensed via a dropper applicator. Although not the ideal method to dispense a serum that contains light- and air-sensitive ingredients, sometimes this type of packaging is necessary due to formulary requirements. When that’s the case, the goal is to keep the bottle opening as small as possible, the bottle should be opaque or specially coated to protect the contents from light, and you should use the serum up within three months of opening.”

FEEDBACK
PInkyPrIss Review: After a week of trying out this serum, my skin is younger-looking. My wrinkles have softened on my forehead and mouth. My skin feels firmer. The biggest benefit in using this serum is that it is providing me with the ultimate protection that will help prevent future skin damage and fight the signs of aging. Many users have reported getting tons of complements on their skin's complexion and tone after using this serum as it does decrease hyperpigmention, which evens skin tone. This is an excellent option for a Vitamin C serum, as it contains 15% vitamin C in the form of L-Ascorbic Acid, the most stable form..

I recommend buying this product in travel size to make sure you like it. Plus, the product remains fresh longer since each vile will be exposed to less amounts of air. 


InStyle Editor's Pick - 2011 Best Beauty Buy Best Antioxidant Serum
New Beauty - Beauty Choice Award The Best Anti-Aging Antioxidant Product
Allure Best of Beauty Three-Time Award Winner Category: Best of Skin Care - Serum

*My Rating: 9.5/10
Allure: 4.7/5
DermStore: 5/5
Skin Store: 4.5/5
Total Beauty: 9.1/10

_____________________________


How does this serum compare 
to other Vitamin C serums you 
have tried?

_____________________________


Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Boost Skins Collagen with Truth Serum!



PRODUCT: Ole Henriksen, Truth Serum Collagen booster


PRICE: $48.00, 1.7 oz.
CATEGORY: Skin Care Products
TYPE: Serum

*My Rating: 7/10
*Sephora: 4.5/5 Stars
*Total Beauty: 6.7/10
*Beautipedia: AVERAGE

FOR TRULY YOUNGER LOOKING SKIN
A high-potency vitamin C complex that prevents and corrects signs of aging while promoting brightness.


The Claim:
A great skin booster infused with a high powered vitamin C complex to help smooth out lines and wrinkles while preventing further damage. Loaded with antioxidants to fight off environmental aggressors and moisture-binding ingredients to hydrate and keep your skin nourished and protected. Totally weightless, this aromatic serum is absorbed instantly and penetrates to the deeper layers of the skin where is goes to work to provide long term results.

Benefits:
This amazing 10% vitamin C skin booster and anti-aging treatment firms and smooths, delivering more radiant skin. Offering instant and long-term hydration, nourishment, and antioxidant protection against environmental aggressors.

QUICK TAKE
SPF: None                                      
Shades: None
Fragrant Scent: Orange Scent    
Key Ingredient(s): Vitamin C
Texture: Weightless                   
Consistency: Silky Serum
Coverage: Spreads Easily           
Complexion: Gorgeously Luminous
Finish: Smooth Penetration     
Results: Radiant Skin
Wear: Long-term hydration     
Best Usage: Daily, AM
Packaging: Clear, glass pump
Tested on Animals: No
Verdict: Yes, I recommend it!

DOWN and DIRTY DETAILS

Key Ingredient(s): This water-based serum treats skin to two forms of vitamin C along with the antioxidant vitamin E. It is enriched with green tea extract and sodium hyaluronate to nurture and nourish:
  • Vitamin C - in general, is a collagen boosting antioxidant vital for glowing skin. It is anti-inflammatory, controls oil, hydrates, lightens discoloration, wards off free-radicals, produces healthy collagen and healthy collagen equals plumper skin.
  • Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate - is very stable, safe, and non-irritating form of Vitamin C—the key to production of collagen. It maximizes the protective properties of Vitamin C by retaining its effectiveness over time. Use alone or together with Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid, can provide an effective antioxidant combination that reduces the formation of free radicals and stimulates collagen synthesis (which slows down with aging). Additionally, it can help to improve the appearance of skin as it can lessen the appearance of photo-damage and age spots.
Other Ingredients:
  • Vitamin E - which is known to increase the efficacy of vitamin C.
  • Orange extract - supports natural cell turnover and purifies. 
  • Grapefruit - extract brightens with antiseptic and aromatic qualities.
  • Rose hips - seed extract heals, repairs damage, and soothes. 
  • Ester-C (Calcium Ascorbate) - is a highly stable natural form of vitamin C found naturally in the body.
  • *This serum also contains artificial coloring agents, which aren't helpful for anyone's skin.

Fragrant Scent: Sweet Orange Scent - I have read this contains several potentially irritating synthetic fragrance compounds and an irritating plant extract.
Coverage: Spreads Easily - It glides across face achieving great coverage; so a little goes a long way.
Complexion: Gorgeously Luminous - Not only do I have a glowing complexion, but I even look more youthful. It's amazing how even-toned my skin is!
Finish: Smooth Penetration - Product penetrates the dermis quickly, and your skin's texture is left feeling smooth and hydrated.
Results: Radiant glow - After a few weeks of use, my skin seems more plump and taught. My skin appears to be significantly healthier looking; I mean it's glowing isn't it!
Packaging: Clear Glass Pump - The clear glass bottle packaging lowers my rating for this product. As you may know, sunlight breaks-down ingredients, making them significantly less potent.

MORE INFORMATION:
Though I may love the glow I get from this product I am sure there are better options available. Expert Paula Begoun mentions a few of them below:

"If you are interested in vitamin C for your skin, lines such as Skinceuticals, MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross, and Paula's Choice outpace this by miles. Henriksen needs to improve both formula and packaging before his vitamin C serum can join the ranks of the best in this category."          -Paula Begoun (Beautypedia)

FEEDBACK
PInkyPrIss Reviews: I use this product regularly, like every single day! It is worth buying simply for the amazing glow. I can't live without it an I am currently on my third bottle. I keep this product in a dark drawer so the ingredients remain potent and don't degrade from sunlight. In summary, this product hydrates, smooths, and protect your skin. It truly does give you even toned and radiant complexion.



_____________________________


Have any of you
tried the Ole Henriksen
collagen boosting Truth Serum?

_____________________________

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Tuesday Beauty Tip - DIY Lip Scrub


Brown Sugar is a natural exfoliator with many benefits.
  • Brown sugar’s fine particles exfoliate dry, dead skin cells.
  • Fresher looking skin is revealed by breaking down glue-bonded skin cells which supports cell turnover.
  • Brown sugar is a natural humectant so it absorbs moisture from your environment, keeping skin hydrated and conditioned, while keeping moisture locked in.
Olive Oil Benefits:
  • Olive oil is works as an anti-inflammatory, which is great if you are prone to super chapped lips.
  • It helps calm down skin condition that cause inflammation, such as psoriasis; making this an ideal body scrub too.
Combine ingredients for a lip exfoliator or a body scrub.
  • Lip Scrub: Mix the two ingredients together until a paste forms.
  • Body Scrub: Combine 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil, with a splash of water.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Restore Skins Cellular Matrix with NeoStrata, Skin Active Cellular Restoration!


PRODUCT: 
NeoStrata, Skin Active Cellular Restoration,


PRICE: $82.00, 1.75 oz.  
CATEGORY: Skin Care Products
TYPE: Night Cream


My Rating: 10/10
SkinStore: 5/5 Stars $82
DermStore: 5/5 Stars $82
Amazon: 5/5 Stars ***$50


FOR YOUNGER ACTING SKIN
“A rebuilding night cream to reduce damage and produce a firmer, more lifted look.”

The Claim:
NeoStrata Skin Active Cellular Restoration is formulated to restore skin’s essential cells and repair your skin’s matrix. This potent formula is designed to rejuvenate cellular function and strengthens the skin’s underlying structure.

Benefits:
  • Provides antioxidant protection to combat free radical damage.
  • Strengthens skin while delaying the effects of aging.
  • Diminishes lines and wrinkles while enhancing collagen levels.

QUICK TAKE
Fragrant Scent: Gently fragranced
Key Ingredient(s): Apple Stem Cell Extract
Consistency: Thick Cream
Coverage: Spreads Easily
Complexion: Younger Looking
Finish: Soft Skin
Results: A Vibrant and Lifted Look
Wear: Continuous Hydration
Best Usage: Daily, AM and PM
Best For: All skin types
Tested on Animals: No
Jar Packaging: No
Verdict: Yes, I recommend it!

DOWN and DIRTY DETAILS

Key Ingredient(s): It contains some interesting ingredients that include:
  • Swiss Apple Stem Cell Extract - which protects and extends the life of the skin’s own stem cells, helping to delay the effects of aging. Slows aging by making cells act younger.
  • Chardonnay Grape Seed Extract - known for its anti-inflammatory properties that protect against cell aging. This antioxidant significantly reduces free-radical damage and combining it with other antioxidants greatly enhances its efficacy. It also has wound-healing properties. As for fighting wrinkles, it is one of the top superstars.

Other Ingredients:
  • Dimethicone - is s silicone oil with certain properties that make it extremely popular in today’s personal care properties. This ingredient provides a smooth application. For skin care products, it fills in uneven texture and fine lines, which helps create a smooth and flawless look in products. It also provides a protective cover on skin, which is supposed to help keep moisture in, leaving skin hydrated longer. In addition, it works to reduce redness caused by rosacea and can function as an anti-inflammatory. Most of all, the cosmetic industry values this ingredient for its powerful ability to keep skin adequately lubricated, even during the driest winter weather.
  • Glycolic Acid - an Alpha Hydroxy Acid, increases production of collagen and glycosaminoglycans to plump and firm the skin.
  • Alpha Hydroxy Acid - loosen and lift the top layer of dead cells.
  • Peptides - help older cells communicate like younger cells. By making skin cells act younger they can repair themselves faster. The result is enhanced firmness, better moisture retention and visible easing of wrinkles.
  • Vitamin E - This moisturizing antioxidant protects the skin barrier (cell membranes) from oxidative damage and prevents collagen from being destroyed.

Results: 
A Vibrant and Lifted Look - fewer visible fine lines. Skin feels soft and hydrated without feeling greasy.

Best Usage: 
Daily, PM - Use daily for younger looking skin. Apply on the face and neck in the evening, following cleansing and any other treatment product, Daily use of sunscreen or sun avoidance is recommended with use of this Alpha Hydroxy Acid product and for one week after, to  minimize the risk of sun sensitivity/sunburn.

Best For: 
All skin types - This cream is especially suitable for sensitive skin. 

FEEDBACK
PInkyPrIss Review: This is an incredibly effective night cream that is an ideal choice for the winter months. It absorbs quickly and leaves you with soft and supple skin. At night, this product goes to work making wrinkles less noticeable. It actually plumps the lines in my forehead. Overall, my skin cells feel renewed, I have fewer wrinkles, my pores are smaller, and my skin is more even toned. I love it that this cream contains such excellent antioxidants to help protect my skin. Remember, that stimulated collagen improves skin’s firmness, tone, it tightens, and increases elasticity.