Skincare Products + Skin Care Techniques

Skin Products & Devices

Skincare products & skin care techniques for skin problems. How to apply Retinol & Vitamin C. Anti-aging skincare. How to treat acne, brown spots, dry skin, wrinkles, Keratosis Pilaris. Skincare ingredient list. Skincare research. Skin care techniques, news, products, tutorials.

How to use anti-aging devices such as NuFace and Revive light therapy devices. Details on dermaplaning and cleansing devices. News of the latest skin care products.

CURRENT SKIN CARE OBSESSIONS: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid.

I Max 45% Trichloroacetic Acid Serum-Deep Chemical Peel

July 2, 2016 · 4 Comments

I Max 45% Trichloroacetic Acid Serum-Deep Chemical Peel

The I-Max TCA Peel is a VERY potent serum.

Make SURE to read all the instructions before use; this is strong enough to damage skin if not applied carefully and according to the directions. Also, allow plenty of time to heal as the skin will go through a sloughing process for several days. But when correctly used, this serum can treat scars, moles, warts, skin tags, deep over pigmentation, and general aging issues on face and body.

NEVER APPLY THIS FULL STRENGTH in the hopes of getting fast results, it can thin out the skin too much. For context, the undiluted strength of the serum is strong enough to remove a wart or skin tag. Full, undiluted strength is too much for an area of skin that is delicate enough to wrinkle.

Despite all these cautions, TCA can be a very effective means of fading dark spots, wrinkles and make the skin appear more even in texture and tone. If your skin has dark spots and deep scars that have not responded to lower strength peels or dermabrasion, TCA can effectively address these deeper-level skin issues. What I 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.

HOW TO USE THIS SERUM

1. PATCH TEST 24-28 hours before use. Even if you normally don’t do a test patch, do a test patch with this serum to have a sense of your tolerance and to see how much it does for a small application.
2. Read all the directions.
3. Wash skin thoroughly.
4. Dilute this serum in distilled water at a minimum of a 1:3 ratio. For first time users or those with known sensitive skin, 1:4 or even 1:5. I plan on a 1:5 ratio for a while until I build a tolerance. There are plenty of treatments in this bottle, err on the side of caution for the first use. DO NOT APPLY THIS SERUM DIRECTLY TO THE SKIN.
5. Apply the mixture gingerly with a fan brush, cotton swab or pad, avoid delicate skin around the eye area and under the nostrils, and near the corners of the mouth. Also, avoid any broken or inflamed skin.
6. Focus on problem areas such as dark brown spots, deep wrinkles, and scars. The serum can be used on loose skin on the face and neck.
7. This peel is to be left on for only a few minutes, 3-4 minutes the first time and never more than ten minutes on subsequent treatments. It will feel like a burning sensation at first. If it does not subside after 30 seconds, rinse it off.
8. To rinse off the serum, do not use anything harsh on the skin and do not scrub.
9. Apply an emollient moisturizer. I like the i-Max stem cell cream and the i-Max Post Chemical Peel-Soothing, and Moisturizing Cream has been great with any of the i-Max peel.
10. NO PICKING THE PEELING SKIN: After the redness subsides, there will be several days of skin peeling. Do not pick or rub at this skin or you will risk infection and scarring. This peeling and flaking give the appearance of a simple sunburn, but it is deeper than sunburn type of peeling and should be kept clean and left alone to heal. If you are doing this peel before a special occasion, leave enough time for your skin to recover and look optimal, at least 10-14 days before the special event to see the full and best effect. My peeling did NOT conceal with either a liquid or powder foundation, so plan your peel recovery timing accordingly.
11. Wear a sunscreen, especially while your skin is recovering.

CONCLUSION: A powerful peel that when used correctly, can accomplish far more than many at-home dermabrasion and peel products. Skin texture issues such as scarring, pitting from acne, and brown spots that do not respond to other topical treatments can be addressed. A stubborn brown spot I have on my temple that did not respond to Vitamin C, Retinol or other peels has started to lighten with this TCA peel. Good value.

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!

ASNaturals Vitamin C Serum 20% with Hyaluronic Acid

July 1, 2016 · 4 Comments

ASNaturals Vitamin C Serum 20% with Hyaluronic Acid

APPLICATION & USE
This ASNaturals Serum is a potent 20% Vitamin C paired with Hyaluronic Acid. It is suitable for daytime use under sunscreen and moisturizer. It dries down quickly and without a sticky residue, so the skin looks dewy and moist when it is used without makeup, and when given adequate dry down time or when the serum is used sparingly, it does not conflict with makeup or make too sticky of a base to wear foundation. It has a light feeling; it does not sting, and it has a very light scent that dissipates when dry.

INGREDIENTS
There are many vitamin C serums on the market, so when selecting a Vitamin C serum, I like to see what complimentary ingredients are used to enhance the power of the Vitamin C. The ASNaturals Serum has Hyaluronic Acid, Jojoba Oil, Aloe Vera and Witch Hazel. These ingredients all work in tandem with the Vitamin C to boost its’ anti-aging properties.

Hyaluronic Acid is a super-moisturizer, it holds massive amounts of water compared to its weight and makes skin looks dewy, soft and plump. The high moisture content in the skin plumps wrinkles, so they seem softer, smoother, and less deep. In addition to giving a youthful appearance, the Hyaluronic Acid helps active ingredients sink deeper into the skin, which means the Vitamin C can make collagen on a deeper skin level, reaching deep wrinkles, age spots, redness, and discoloration.

Jojoba Oil and Aloe Vera both moisturize and heal skin. These ingredients give the skin a smooth and soft appearance while the Vitamin C goes to work on acne and dark brown spots and acne scars, healing and lightening the blemishes.

RESULTS:
Since this is a gentle Vitamin C Serum due to its’ supporting ingredients, I can use this on more delicate skin areas such as my throat, decolletage, and shoulder blades, as well as the delicate undereye area. My skin has a subtle glow, and my skin tone is becoming evener. I am especially happy with the improvement in the look of some sun damage on my collarbone and upper chest area.

CONCLUSION: This is a great price for a 20% Vitamin C serum. It is suitable for Sensitive and dry skin for treating acne, brown spots, sun damage, scarring, and wrinkles.

Lift Care Essential Wet/Dry Callus Remover

July 1, 2016 · 6 Comments

Lift Care Essential Wet/Dry Callus Remover

This Lift Care Essential Wet/Dry Callus Remover is a rechargeable device with a rotating head that fits two different size callus remover rollers. A cool feature that it charges with a USB charger, which is convenient and fast.

My big toes and heels tend to get pretty rough over the winter, so before summer my feet generally are in need of a foot makeover. I have used manual callus removers in the past that get the job done, but it requires some elbow grease and a few sessions to get the dead skin off. The Lift Care remover exfoliates dry skin easily while I watch TV or read, it is fast to use, and it is an easier cleanup. I find it works better wet getting off the initial layer of dead skin, and dry works best for fine buffing to smooth the skin of remaining flakes.

TIP: The best way use is this to move the device slowly on the surface of the skin, only allowing it to stay in one place for 2-3 seconds at a time. If the unit stops, you are pressing too hard. It took a bit of practice for me to get used to this since I am used to applying a fair amount of pressure when using a manual callus remover. That pressure is not needed with this device. You only need to glide it over your skin to exfoliate.

It comes with a cleaning brush, and it cleans up easily in running water because it is waterproof. The two rollers heads are for working on larger or smaller areas, such as the large one for the heel and the smaller roller for calluses on the toes.

The callus remover comes partial charged but does require a full charge before use.

CONCLUSION: a very useful device that makes quick work of getting feet ready for showing off during sandal season. Charges quickly, sturdy materials, easy to clean.

Lift Care Essential Wet/Dry Callus Remover

1000 Hour Compact Hands-Free Makeup Mirror

June 28, 2016 · Leave a Comment

1000 Hour Compact Hands-Free Makeup Mirror

When applying makeup that requires using both hands, such as one hand to hold the skin taut and the other to apply, such as with liquid eyeliner or applying false lashes, an angled mirror is very helpful. A hand held mirror or compact has an advantage over an upright mounted mirror such as a bathroom cabinet mirror because it can be positioned to look downwards into the mirror. The problem is getting the right angle and keeping your hands free. This 1000 Hour Compact is a hands-free makeup mirror that is particularly useful when applying makeup that requires being able to see from the underneath and at weird angles including mascara or anything else that you might tilt your head back while applying the makeup product.

HOW I USE THIS MIRROR TO APPLY LIQUID EYELINER
I don’t have a very steady hand, so when I apply liquid eyeliner, I place this mirror on the table at about a 75-degree angle. I put my elbow on the table and look down into the mirror. I hold my eyelid skin semi-taut with my left hand and hold the eyeliner brush in my right. Looking into the mirror, I tap out tiny dots of liner all along the lashline, midway between my top lashes and the skin. Then I blend it with a clean brush or q-tip.

The mirror can be used as a standard compact, and the arm can position the height and angle in a full range of angles. I find this especially useful for liquid eyeliner application, mascara application, any item you might use a stencil such as an eyebrow powder stencil and when I apply false eyelashes.

When I do quick makeup touch ups at my desk at work, this mirror is handy to lean over and quickly fix any errant mascara or eyeliner. While I don’t like to do my makeup at my desk, I prefer to fix some mistakes discretely without walking past the whole office to the ladies room.

It is also helpful to angle the mirror when tweezing my eyebrows so that I can see tiny hairs above or below on the brow tails; I tend to miss these hairs when I use a wall mounted mirror.

Sturdy, flexible, and bends into all sorts of angles and heights, this fits neatly into my bag or desk and is a useful little compact.

1000 Hour Compact Hands-Free Makeup Mirror