Face

Skincare: Mediderm MD-12 Advanced Anti-Aging Cream for Face and Neck

October 9, 2016 · Leave a Comment

I have come to be a huge fan of the Mediderm line, and Mediderm MD-12 Advanced Anti-Aging Cream for Face and Neck is an excellent addition to the wonderful Mediderm line of skincare products.

This cream is packed with potent ingredients to fight signs of aging, most notably neck/throat sagging and crepiness. What I really like about this cream is that it works as both a preventative measure as well as treating existing problems. Sagging creeps up slowly, and crepiness is one of those issues that you only notice after it happens. It’s pretty jarring when you realize that you were missing the subtle signs as they were happening. So if you start early in the skin aging process with a fantastic cream like this, you can stave off these signs of aging.

While this cream work for both face and neck, I find that the results are particularly dramatic on the neck. The skin on the throat is so thin that is shows aging faster than your face, and needs extra attention. Add to that the fact that even a lot of ardent sunscreen wearers neglected their throats over the years, and the throat is ripe for aging. And let’s not even get started on the effects that looking down at your cell phone has on throat skin – the wrinkles become so much more pronounced!

As I mentioned before, the ingredients are incredible. I am a huge fan of Maxtrixyl 3000 for firming skin, and I am always excited to see it in a product. That and the Dermaxtyl Peptides work to firm and smooth skin. Hyaluronic Acid, a staple of my daily routine, plumps skin and gives it a dewy glow. Alpha Lipoic Acid is a potent anti-oxidant and is phenomenal for skin. Ceramides provide moisture and keep skin supple. Liposomal Vitamin C is a type of Vitamin C that I only recently learned about (but actually was in a few creams that I already owned and loved) that fights wrinkles and works on age spots as well.

The texture is that of a mid-thickness cream, but it absorbs easily and leaves no trace of greasiness. It just leaves a soft, dewy texture to the skin. I like when products make an immediate difference and then work to reduce or correct a problem in the long term. This cream definitely does that.

There is a pleasing but pronounced floral scent to the product. Even in high allergy season here in Connecticut, it didn’t really bother me, but if you prefer fragrance-free, you might want to take note of this. The scent dissipated pretty quickly.

And it is paraben free, which is a major factor in choosing a skincare cream!

I’m thrilled to find this amazing cream that is packed with such great ingredients!

Find Mediderm MD-12 Advanced Anti-Aging Cream for Face and Neck here.

Mediderm MD-12 Advanced Anti-Aging Cream for Face and Neck

I received this item at a discount for testing and review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and Iâ€™ll do my best to answer it!

Skincare: InstaNatural Glycolic Facial Peel

August 18, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Glycolic Acid makes for one of my favorite peels; it whisks away dead, rough skin to reveal soft, even, younger skin. It exfoliates gently and efficiently. InstaNatural makes a non-stinging Glycolic Facial Peel that works in one minute or less.

InstaNaturals Glycolic Facial Peel

WHY USE GLYCOLIC PEELS
Even though they are a strong acid, Glycolic Peels are much gentler to the skin because it melts the “glue” that binds together older, dead skin with healthy skin, without harming the healthy skin or the fresh skin that is revealed underneath the older skin. This is much more gentle on skin, especially older skin because it does not scrub or pull on the skin the way scrubs and exfoliators tend to do. Because of this, Glycolic Acid Peels are particularly useful for skin that has begun to lose collagen. If you use Retinol Serums and Vitamin C serums, this is an excellent way to remove dead skin and accelerate dead cell turnover. Glycolic Acid addresses many skin concerns at once: adult acne, blackheads, wrinkles, age spots, uneven skin tone, flaky skin, and enlarged pores. It is not too drying for wrinkled skin, and it is not irritating to acne.

UNIQUE FEATURES
This works in under a minute and is paired with Hyaluronic Acid, Sunflower Oil, and Vitamin C to immediately nourish and treat the newly revealed skin.

APPLICATION
The peel is a clear, slightly heavier than a watery consistency, not as thick as a gel. It applies easily with the fingers, but because it is not a gooey gel, it swabs on evenly with a cotton pad, just like a toner. There is not a strong scent to it; it is neutral in the aroma. It quickly absorbs and does not feel sticky to the touch. I applied the peel to my face, neck, hands and decolletage. It did not burn, but towards the end of the minute I felt it on my skin, it felt warm, but my skin was not red, inflamed or uncomfortable.

When I read the instructions to apply it for one minute or less, I expected it to either not do very much or to burn quickly. Neither was the case. But make sure to read the directions, this is not the kind of Glycolic Peel that you leave on for 10-15 minutes. I tried using it for more than a minute or two a couple of times, but it is indeed too potent for leaving on the skin for longer than the directions indicate, so I stick with just using it for a minute, maybe two on less sensitive areas. However, it also does not leave skin raw or irritated; I could apply sunscreen and makeup afterward and go out in public without my skin looking like it had a sunburn, as can happen with some types of peels.

The peel washes off quickly and easily, and my skin was not irritated, which is a perk for using a Glycolic.

RESULTS
My skin was very soft and even, although I did not have visible amounts dead skin sloughing off except for some on my jawline. The next time I washed my face later that evening, there was more light exfoliation of dead skin. My skin looked very dewy and fresh. I have a new blemish that became drier and subsided after using the peel, and I have been using it to fade a few darker spots and a small acne scar. The blackheads on my nose diminished after one use. My hands felt soft, and my ragged cuticles and hangnails exfoliated off quickly. It did not irritate the delicate skin areas but left them soft. This seems gentle enough to use more than once a week, even if you use serums such as Vitamin C or Retinol.

WHERE TO BUY IT

Find InstaNatural Glycolic Facial PeelÂ at Amazon.

I received this product for free. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and Iâ€™ll do my best to answer it!

I Max 15% Trichloroacetic Acid Serum-Deep Chemical Peel

July 13, 2016 · 4 Comments

I Max 15% Trichloroacetic Acid Serum-Deep Chemical Peel

Don’t be fooled by the comparatively low percentage on this Serum compared to other serums; 15% Trichloroacetic Acid is still a deep chemical peel and as such, it is very potent and should be diluted with distilled water before use and only left on the skin for a few minutes. It is, however, very effective when used multiple times a month or even bi-weekly, so be assured that even if you over-dilute it, you will still see results in a relatively short time period.

This Serum is best for those with normal to sensitive skin or those with generally good skin but with some problem areas, such as acne scars, brown spots or other hyperpigmentation, and fine wrinkles on areas such as the forehead. Even though I frequently use products on the delicate eye skin area that are not intended for use around the eye, I would never use this product around the eyes because the eye area skin is just too thin to do so. This serum is best used on tougher skin areas such as the forehead or on stretch marks on the legs.

While it can eventually treat scars, moles, warts, and skin tags; it will take multiple treatments and the 45% Trichloroacetic Acid made by the same company will work faster. That being said, anything that can treat a wart, mole, or skin tag is strong, and should be applied accordingly. ALWAYS read all the directions.

RESULTS
What I like best about the 15% Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) is it creates a very even appearance to the skin in both the texture and tone. It reduces the appearance of rough patches, wrinkles, and scars from teenage acne, childhood chicken pox scars, as well as lighten brown age spots.

I also liked the results so far on the texture and appearance of my stretch marks, especially those on the upper outer thighs. They appear more subtle, and while they are not invisible, the texture of that skin seems much more normal.

Do note that this is a deep peel, which is different than a glycolic peel or dermabrasion in that skin will be dry, flake and peel for several days after use. If the area of application is on your face, plan accordingly to since there will be too much peeling to conceal it with makeup. It will be a good week until your skin stops peeling and then new, softer skin appears. Apply an emollient moisturizer daily, and make sure to wear sunscreen.

NO EXCESSIVELY IRRITATING CHEMICALS
When using a more potent product such as this TCA serum, there is always a concern of excess irritation to the skin due to chemical additives intended to preserve the active ingredients. The entire I-Max line of skin care products uses natural preservatives instead of chemical ones, which is excellent for more sensitive skins. The serum is preserved naturally using a pretty ingenious idea of a natural Vitamin “charge” of Vitamin B as a preservative. When you open the bottle for the first time, there is a fizzy reaction similar to when a carbonated beverage such as a soda or seltzer water bottle is opened. That charge keeps the product preservative free. To retain freshness, there is a special inverted dropper to dispense each drop.

What I especially like about the I-Max TCA is there are no excessive irritants to the skin because it uses natural preservatives instead of chemical ones. This is done with a natural Vitamin “charge” that can be seen when opening the bottle; there is a fizzy reaction when some of the carbonated charge is released.

CONCLUSION: A powerful peel that can make skin appear even, soft, and improve texture to look younger and smoother. Works on scars, acne marks, wrinkles and rough patches of skin, especially on the forehead. Suitable for stretch marks. Remember to dilute the product with distilled water before use.

Find it atMax Life USA

I received this product in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and Iâ€™ll do my best to answer it!