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You are here: Home / 2017 / Archives for October 2017

Archives for October 2017

Multi-Tasking Retinol: Retinol uses: Acne and Dark Undereye Circles

October 10, 2017 · 1 Comment

This is part two of a two-part series about the Multi-tasking uses of Retinol, the go-to beauty product to fix numerous skin issues ranging from stretch marks to acne to wrinkles. Today we discuss both acne and dark undereye circles, and why Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer, a 2.5% non-prescription Retinol is a powerhouse for treating them both.

Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer contains natural moisturizers to soothe while treating acne and dark circles

ACNE & RETINOL

Retinol is especially effective on acne. No matter what age you get your acne, Retinol can tackle it.

Whether you are a teen, in your twenties or even post-menopausal, acne happens. But how acne is best-addressed changes with age. Teens generally use oil-drying cleansers combined with a heavy layer of benzoyl peroxide, both of which are too rough for more mature skin because it cannot recover moisture like younger skin.

At the first sign of an emerging pimple, apply a buffered Retinol like Lordsbury Retinol+C to reduce inflammation and redness without causing surface dryness or irritation

But this is not to say that Retinol cannot be overly drying to the skin, as it’s in fact, quite a potent topical acne remedy. So potent, that only a pea-sized amount should be used on the entire face. Even in small doses, prescription strength retinols need to be buffered with a cream or lotion to ease the dryness and itchiness that can come with Retinol. This is one of our favorite things about Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer for treating acne because it comes with an all-in-one 2.5% prescription strength pure Retinol and several soothing ingredients built right into the formulation to buffer the retinol with just the right balance. Natural ingredients include Organic Aloe Vera and Shea Butter that keep skin supple and pliable to help pre-empt stretch marks before they form. Also, there’s Green Tea that soothes irritation. Even when I use it twice a day, I don’t experience peeling, itching or dryness, yet it effectively targets acne.

Lordsbury Retinol+C Moisturizer has soothing and hydrating moisturizers that buffer BOTH the prescription strength 2.5% Retinol and the 20% Vitamin C Serum to quickly reduce acne breakouts and heal acne mark scars

HOW IT WORKS

Retinol is a keratolytic treatment that dissolves dead skin layers. In laypersons’ speak, this means Retinol unclogs pores. This has a two-fold benefit of allowing other medications creams and gels, such as Vitamin C Serum or Salyclic Acid to more effectively treat the pore by cleaning it, removing bacteria and oil and shrinking its’ appearance. Retinol also reduces the number of blackheads and pimple outbreaks by preventing dead cells from clogging pores or entrapping bacteria and oil which form said blackheads and pimples.

Retinol unclogs pores so well that after about two weeks of Retinol use, users report a sudden acne breakout, often it is so bad that people feel Retinol is causing their acne. It’s not causing acne, rather purging pores. If you can hold on for just a few weeks, your skin will be clear and less congested.

USING RETINOL DURING A PIMPLE LIFE CYCLE

Retinol can also reduce inflammation and redness, which is a big part of what makes a pimple look so large.  At the first sign of a pimple, dab an extra bit of Lordsbury Retinol+C on the pimple to start reducing inflammation and quell the redness without causing a dry, crusty skin layer that is itchy.

POST PIMPLE HEALING

Retinol also encourages the formation of collagen, which helps the skin to heal, and it redistributes excess or abnormal pigmentation, meaning skin takes on a more even tone. This is why, in part, it addresses so many skin problems.

CYSTIC ACNE

Cystic Acne scars live on long after a pimple itself came and went, and the scar mark turns red then brown then after about six months fades to its’ final state of discoloration. Even if you are very careful not to pick, squeeze, poke or otherwise irritate these tricky cystic pimples, some are little jerks and just leave a scar anyways. The faster you can fade the scar, the better. Retinol tackles uneven skin tone and accelerates the healing process, breaking up the dark pigmentation of a red or brown scar. I particularly like Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer.

Got some discoloration from an old acne scar? Applying Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer to acne scars  helps quickly fade them and heal the skin texture without causing irritation

ACNE ON THE BODY

Acne on the body, especially the back, can be tough to treat. Benzoyl Peroxide, while effective and inexpensive, is often unsuitable for back acne, AKA “bacne” because it can bleach the fabric of clothing. Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer dries down clean without a greasy finish so it can be applied to your back acne with no residue and is safe to wear even with nicer clothing. It also comes in a large 2.8-ounce container, large enough to apply liberally to acne prone areas such as shoulders, chest, and back.

RETINOL & UNDER EYE DARK CIRCLES

Dark under eye circles happen for many reasons: allergies, heredity, lack of sleep, and at times, leaking blood capillaries under the skin that creates a purple hue. The undereye skin area, being so thin, is also subject to the effects of sun damage.

Retinol breaks up excess pigmentation and disperses it to make the skin tone appear even. It’s also exceptionally effective in reversing the appearance of sun damage. But for some dark circle undereye conditions, the best that can be done is minimizing their appearance by optimizing the condition of the skin by keeping it wrinkle free and as hydrated as possible.

Part of what contributes to the appearance of a dark undereye circle is skin sagging and the resulting shadow. Collagen is the scaffolding of the skin, if there’s not enough collagen to support skin tissues, skin sags under the weight. Skin loses collagen with age, especially around the eye area. Retinol promotes collagen production and in tandem with topical Vitamin C, can reduce the sagging and discoloration substantially.

You likely cannot substantially eradicate hereditary dark shadows, but you can remove as much sun exposure and skin damage as possible to lighten, smooth and brighten the area and you can boost the collagen levels to lift the skin upwards for a younger, brighter look. Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer contains Aloe Vera which feeds the skin like a vitamin, providing a dewy look over time that is smooth and reflects light, giving a lighter appearance. Vitamin C builds collagen and lightens the skin without bleaching it to an unnatural color, as can happen with some chemical peels or laser treatments.

Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer contains 20% Vitamin C Serum to build collagen, fade both discoloration and sun damage around the delicate eye area

TIP: To not irritate the delicate eye skin, only apply retinol as high as all along the orbital bone of the dark circle, below the eye bulge up to the brow.

CONCLUSION

Ranging from stretch marks, facial and body acne, dark undereye circles, wrinkles or discoloration due to sun damage, age spots, scars, discoloration or acne marks, Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer provides a powerful combination of a 20% Vitamin C Serum paired with a prescription level dose of 2.5% Retinol and all natural buffering moisturizers in one 2.8-ounce cream at a great price. Gentle enough for even sensitive skin, but potent enough to make a sizable difference in skin problems in short order.

WHERE TO BUY IT

Find Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer at Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M3PSEQX/

Style Chicks received compensation for our time and effort to write this review. However, our experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% ours.

Posted by Style Chicks / Filed In: Adult Acne, Anti-Aging, Skincare
Tagged: Acne, Dark Circles, Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer, Retinol

HOW TO SELECT CLASSIC PEARLS FOR MODERN SENSIBILITIES: Japanese Akoya Pearl Stardust Earrings

October 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Pearls are one of the most versatile of the gemstone jewels, they can dress up a little black dress or be worn to a wedding, and depending on the setting and other stones, metals or jewels that a pearl is paired with, they can even be incorporated into semi-casual outfits or office appropriate workwear. Despite being a classic, go-to wardrobe piece, Pearls can, however, look a bit old-fashioned, which is why we love The Pearl Source’s unique pearls designs, which also come at a more attractive price point than many pearl pieces seen in stores. A good example of this is The Pearl Source’s Japanese Akoya Pearl Stardust Earrings, formal and classic enough for a traditional style bride, yet stylish enough for those with demure yet modern taste in jewelry.

The Pearl Source Japanese Akoya Pearl Stardust Earrings

JAPANESE AKOYA PEARL STARDUST EARRING DESIGN

Each earring is comprised of one classic round Akoya Pearl Classic pearl on a gold base, 925 Sterling Silver coated drop chain. The earring drop is about one inch in length. The Pearls are AA+ Quality, which is higher than that typically found in department stores and mall jewelry stores.

Akoya Pearl with two smaller stardust orbits. Gold with .925 Sterling Silver overlay makes them sturdy.

Above the pearl, there are two suspended small silver drop ball orb embellishments with a stardust pattern to add a bit of very subtle shimmer, not full-on bling, but they are eye-catching.

Stardust orbs of .925 Sterling Silver over gold are securely held in place

JAPANESE AKOYA PEARL STARDUST EARRING CONSTRUCTION

The thick nacre content of these pearls makes them durable despite being on a drop length dangle, they will not scratch even though they are exposed to other dangling embellishments. The chain is gold with a generous .925 Sterling Silver coating. The post is sturdy and does not readily bend.

The Pearl Source Japanese Akoya Pearl Stardust Earrings are well-made with .925 Sterling Silver overlaying a gold base

ABOUT JAPANESE AKOYA PEARL STARDUST EARRINGS: EVALUATING PRIMARY PEARL CHARACTERISTICS

When selecting a pearl jewelry piece, there are three notable characteristics to assess. These are the Pearl Luster, the Pearl Nacre, and the Pearl Overtone.

PEARL LUSTER

Pearls produce an intense shine, also known as luster. The luster of a pearl can be determined when a light is reflected off the many layers of nacre or tiny organic crystals that comprise the surface of the pearl.

The luster rating of this Japanese Akoya Pearl Stardust Earring Set is considered “very high”.

Pearl Source Japanese Akoya Pearl Stardust Earrings

These pearls have a high luster that is eye-catching. Note the sturdy .925 Sterling Silver posts and reinforcements

PEARL NACRE

Nacre is what gives pearls shine and resilience. Nacre is very similar in composition and appearance to the composite material inside of a mollusk shell. The iridescent nacre can be seen for example inside a nautilus shell and to some extent abalone.

Nacre is comprised of tiny organic crystals, which serve as reflectors of light. The larger a pearl is, the more reflectors it possesses. When shopping for a pearl, the larger the pearl, the more nacre it has and the greater the luster. The degree of nacre produced luster varies greatly between pearls.

Nacre builds the iridescent layers inside a shell and on Pearls to create luster as seen here

This Japanese Akoya Pearl Stardust Earring Set has a very thick nacre, creating a high luster.

These Pearls are of thick nacre which yields a high luster

PEARL OVERTONE

A pearl’s color is called the body color. Pearls vary from white, cream, yellow, silver, pink or black. Pearls also have a glow of a secondary color, which can be seen when light reflects off of the pearls. This hint of color is known as its’ overtone.

The Pearl Source Japanese Akoya Pearl Stardust Earrings are a white body color that is available in four overtones. The set shown here is a White Overtone Pearl, but they also come in Rose and Ivory overtones as well as Black. These choices are ideal for matching the undertone of a bridal gown so the shade of white is not a mismatch.

The white body and white overtone of these pearls glow suit all-white bridal gowns and absolutely glow against bright colors and dark textures, making them highly versatile

WHAT IS AN AKOYA PEARL?

Akoya pearls are cultured in Akoya oysters primarily in Japan and China. They are renowned for their incredible luster and are generally considered the “classic” pearl. Akoya pearls range in size from about 6.0 – 8.5mm.

Akoya Pearls, such as these The Pearl Source Japanese Akoya Pearl Stardust Earrings are round and symmetrical and are renowned for their high luster

GIFT BOXED

The earrings come in a distinctive blue box with a grosgrain pattern crisp overlay, and an inner hinged style box with traditional satin and velvet lining. It is highly suitable for gift giving and storage.

Outer Gift Box with inner hinged box for gift giving and storage

ABOUT THE PEARL SOURCE

The Pearl Source only uses the highest quality grade of pearls from the Pinctada fucata oyster in Japan, and only uses pearls without defects. I found these pearls to be of better quality than that I have purchased at department stores. Because their pearls are imported direct, the cost is much less than other online and brick and mortar jewelry stores. The Pearl Source Pearls for gifts and bridal jewelry or just for your personal collection is higher quality and at a better price. They also offer free shipping on all orders.

The Pearl Source Japanese Akoya Pearl Stardust Earrings make for an excellent gift for brides, proms, special occasions.

CONCLUSION

The Pearl Source Japanese Akoya Pearl Stardust Earrings are an outstanding value for a bride, as a gift for a teen attending a formal event, or for anyone who would like a demure, ladylike piece that gives an updated look to a classic design. The pair of stardust dangle orbs brings some visual interest to the single statement pearl. The pearls themselves are of high luster, thick nacre and come in four overtones to best match one’s skin coloring or attire. The direct sourcing of the pearls makes The Pearl Source jewelry an excellent value on a highly versatile set of earrings that will last for years to come.

WHERE TO BUY

Find the Japanese Akoya Pearl Stardust Earrings at The Pearl Source here: https://www.thepearlsource.com/Japanese-Akoya-Pearl-Stardust-Earrings-w.html

Style Chicks received The Pearl Source Japanese Akoya Pearl Stardust Earrings in exchange for our unbiased review and received compensation for our time and effort. However, our experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% ours.

Posted by Style Chicks / Filed In: Jewelry
Tagged: Akoya Pearls, Bridal Pearls, Choosing Pearls, JAPANESE AKOYA PEARL STARDUST EARRING, Pearl, Pearl Earrings, product review, The Pearl Source

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