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.

Michael Todd Beauty Soniclear Petite Antimicrobial Facial Skin Cleansing Brush System

May 12, 2016 · Leave a Comment

The Michael Todd Soniclear Petite Brush is similar in premise to the Clarisonic rotating brush systems, but with some features that I prefer. When I first got my Clarisonic, it became a go-to beauty tool for me. Unfortunately, I found the Clarisonic was more water resistant than waterproof; it needed frequent rechargings without any advanced notice that the charge was low, and, by my clumsy, soapy, butter fingers fault, I dropped it one too many times, it eventually no longer powered up. So I was excited to see some of the features on the Soniclear that I feel are more geared towards my needs.

First off, a cleansing brush of this sort is a great beauty tool. The Soniclear gently exfoliates facial skin without causing irritation and can even be used on acne, rosacea, and eczema to cleanse gently and exfoliate. After Soniclear use, skin is clean and even leaving an even surface for makeup application and by removing the dry and dead skin, bacteria, dirt and sebum can’t get trapped in the skin, making acne all the worse.

CLEANSING POWER
Soniclear also removes heavy makeup better than other cleansing methods, especially mineral based makeup, and powdered pigments, contour creams and powders, airbrush makeup and foundations including Paramedical foundations, and even theater oil-based pancake makeup.

ANTIMICROBIAL & GENTLE BRUSH HEADS
The Soniclear brush heads are antimicrobial and stay cleaner and bacteria free longer than other brush heads. This is a big selling point for me over using washcloths or sponges or my hands to scrub my face.

It is also a softer feel on the skin when in use, I am surprised to see it has the buffing and smoothing capacity that it does since it feels so gentle when it is on the skin. Despite how soft it feels, it eases out blackheads in tricky spots like the curve of the nasal tip in just a few uses. I have been scrubbing away with a washcloth at those same blackheads, and they didn’t budge until now. The downside is replacement brush heads are about $25 each, which is much more expensive than many of the Soniclear competitor brush systems.

The slightly smaller size fits better into my hand than the Clarisonic I kept dropping, and while it is not flimsy, it is lighter than the Clarisonic. Body brush size heads do not fit on this petite model, although I used the face head on shoulders, neck and chest and liked the results.

CHARGING
I like the charger, instead of a base there is a little round piece that magnetically adheres to the brush handle, and it has a USB port cord to charge. So far it holds a charge longer than my Clarisonic did, as each full charge gives 60 minutes of charge, 35 can be continuous, so one charge will last through a vacation. It comes with a nice sturdy travel case, and if the brush is fully charged in advance, you won’t need to pack the charger.

PRICE POINT
This brush is a well-priced device with several nice features. Some features include the carrying case for travel, the quality anti-bacterial brush head, the very gentle but effective cleansing even for problem skin, and the length of time before recharging is needed, the ease of use and the results, I think this is a great price for what it does. While replacement brush heads are more expensive than the competitors, the special anti-bacteria coating on the heads is a great feature for anyone with skin conditions, sensitive skin or acne to make sure your mode of cleansing does not introduce bacteria to your skin. I don’t consider the brush head cost a flaw, just something to consider in the overall long-term cost of the unit.

Find it at Amazon.com.

Michael Todd Beauty Soniclear Petite Antimicrobial Facial Skin Cleansing Brush System

Michael Todd Beauty Soniclear Petite Antimicrobial Facial Skin Cleansing Brush System Cleanser

I received this item for testing and unbiased 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!

Aura Naturel Organic Vitamin C Serum

May 9, 2016 · Leave a Comment

This Aura Naturel Organic Vitamin C Serum has several great supporting ingredients including MSM, Vitamin E, Gotu Kola Extract and Hyaluronic Acid. It leaves skin dewy not sticky. Some Vitamin C serums leave skin so sticky or have a residue so even though they work well, they are not suitable for daytime use when you’re going out and want to apply sunscreen and makeup over it. Aura Naturel leaves skin dewy looking, not sticky, so it is an excellent product for using and going out. No real detectable scent.

After I had done some research, I tried to find Vitamin C serums and skin care products with certain ingredients and this serum has several of these ingredients and is still a pretty decent price. One ingredient is MSM because it brightens the skin while moisturizing. Even if skin is wrinkled and sagging, it looks healthier and younger if skin is bright. It also enhances production of “collagen bundles” which support the skin and keep it from sagging. I like this dual benefit of immediate and long-term benefits to MSM. Another ingredient I look for in a Vitamin C serum is Hyaluronic Acid which instantly makes skin look younger and moist; it plumps out wrinkles, and skin looks dewy. It also helps the other active ingredients sink deeper into the skin. Gotu Kola Extract also helps the collagen building process and reduces inflammation and redness.

This serum only requires a few drops, so I have applied it both alone directly to my face and added it into my moisturizer. I like how bright and dewy it makes my face look when I use it.

This Vitamin C Serum’s first ingredient is Aloe Vera, and does contain slightly less Vitamin C as some other Vitamin C serums do, but it is, in my opinion, an excellent choice for someone with sensitive skin as it has several buffer moisturizing ingredients. My skin is sensitive and tolerates this serum well, and it says it is suitable for those with skin conditions such as Eczema and Psoriasis.

Good price for a useful brightening and treating serum that shows improvements in the dark brown spots on my skin as well as calms my adult acne without irritating my sensitive skin. Recommended product.

This is is a serum that can be applied and worn out of the house without being detected and it makes skin look better while being worn. There are some stronger Vitamin C serums out there if you can tolerate them or don’t mind a residue (such as you are applying it at night or when no one will see you), but if you have sensitive skin, this is a product with a healthy dose of buffering ingredients to soothe and treat.

Find it at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014C4MMB4. Until the end of June, use code BVCIID6V at checkout to receive a $5 discount!

Aura Naturel Organic Vitamin C Serum

I Max Serum Ceuticals Ceramide Facial Skin Serum

May 1, 2016 · Leave a Comment

USES FOR THIS PRODUCT
This is a useful oil for very dry or sensitive skin and for use after chemical peels, especially in the stage that skin with brown spots starts to lightly crust over and heal before flaking off and revealing a pinkish color brown spot.

It is also useful if you have applied too much retinol or Vitamin C serum or done an at-home dermabrasion or at-home peel and have gotten too dry and irritated, leaving your skin looking red, rough and generally older instead of dewy and younger.

It a beneficial product to have if you have excessively dried out your skin with acne medications and need to soothe the skin before resuming your regimen. It is not a daily moisturizer for regular skin with no current issue, it is a rescue type oil for when a problem exists and skin needs to heal.

The serum, which is an oil base, applies well alone but I think applied better mixed with a cream, especially its’ sister product Beta Glucan Cream. I have been happy seeing some stubborn brown spots on my upper cheek near my undereye that I have not been able to improve with Retinol or Vitamin C serum start to lighten quickly when I use the Beta Glucan and this Ceramide together. The skin looked slightly pink (but not warm to the touch or uncomfortable) then the brown spot was sort of whiter and started to fade within a week.

ALL NATURAL: EVEN THE PRESERVATIVES ARE NATURAL
Like others in the Serum Ceuticals line, the Ceramide is all natural, not even any preservative chemicals. To naturally preserve the Vitamins A, C and E and other ingredients in the serum, a natural charge is used by pairing these vitamins with Nitrogen and Argon. Because of this novel way of preserving the ingredients, when you open the bottle, there is a little fizz escaping like when opening carbonated beverages for the first time. To retain the preservative natural charge, don’t leave the cap off excessively and keep it stored in a dry place. It is a cobalt blue bottle to limit the light getting into the bottle, and there is a special kind of dropper cap – a European dropper that stays at the mouth of the bottle that does not let air or light in, but precisely lets one drop out. This is much better than a typical dropper that comes with many skincare products because it protects the bottle contents. I also like that I can’t accidentally spill the liquid.

OTHER INGREDIENTS:
Researching the main ingredients showed:

Ceramide-3 and Ceramide-6. With aging, there is a decline in ceramide, the main component in the epidermis of the skin.

Kojic acid. It is used in the sake fermentation process and in cosmetics it is used to lighten skin, such as the brown spots from aging, excess sun exposure and pregnancy “mask”. Because of this ingredient, do a spot test and check for a reaction.

Arnica Oil and Grapeseed Oil to soothe Rosehip oil and Vitamin C based oil to soothe and promote collagen.

CONCLUSION:
I found that when my skin has raw, damaged, irritated or peeling from sun damage, sunburn or windburn, dermabrasion, or harsh chemicals, adding this serum to my moisturizing cream greatly improves the appearance of the skin during and after the healing process. It does this without rough chemical additives, yet is still very effective.

I Max Ceramide Facial Skin Serum

I-Max SerumCeuticals Beta Glucan Nourishing & Moisturizing Cream

April 30, 2016 · Leave a Comment

This cream is a cold pressed cream meaning while the cream is made, it uses a process that the ingredients are not excessively heated so that they retain maximum potency. I didn’t know what to expect with this cream, it can be worn daily as a protectant barrier but it says it can be effective if worn for as little as 45 minutes as a mask. Using it as a mask is a nice skin treatment, especially if you mix it with other oils and serums geared toward your specific skin concerns.

APPLICATION
It feels like any other thick cream but the directions say to massage gently into the skin for 2-3 minutes. It didn’t quite feel hot but it did feel notably warm, not stinging or burning, but it could definitely be felt. There is a very light pleasant smell when it is applied that dissipates on dry down and it dries smooth so it is not at all greasy, sticky or tacky. It makes a good base for applying makeup over it as skin is smooth and even. It feels thicker like an eye cream, but avoid use around the eyes.

MY RESULTS
There was some gentle exfoliation from this process and the skin on my face and beck felt very soft. In the hour or so after application, I could still feel it on my skin, sort of warm and very lightly tingling at times, but not tight. A bright red pimple on my cheek dried a bit and looked less red and angry very quickly. Sometimes when I eat spicy foods my lips get dry or cracked so I applied this on the sides of my lips and it resolved quickly. My skin looked more even overall and skin takes on a nice radiance after a few days use.

I have had good results mixing this with serums and oils so far. My preferred for daytime is Vitamin C serum since this cream promotes collagen production, it seemed logical to mix the cream with some Vitamin C. It is recommended that one can add some serums or oils to the cream, but it works pretty good alone as well.

Some other reviews mention others experiences when their skin has been damaged or made too raw or irritated in some way such as they have gotten too much sun or windburn, used a chemical peel, razor burn from shaving. When I first tried this cream, I had over-done it with an exfoliating sponge and some retinol serum in the days before, so my skin was red and irritated. This happens to me sometimes when I over-do it with at-home peels or anti-aging serums or adult acne products. It is unique in that it doesn’t just help as a moisturizer but serves as a protective barrier for the skin when it is more sensitive for a few days after a peel or unintentional skin product overdose. Yet unlike other barrier creams I have tried, it doesn’t leave a weird waxy film on the skin and allows for healing from minor skin irritations such as razor burn or major skin issues such as scarring and some types of burns.

This comes with a small travel jar and a spatula to scoop and pack into said jar. This is nice to have on hand even in my handbag in case my lips or face get sunburned or cracked when the occasion arises.

Very useful product that I will re-order in the future.

I-Max SerumCeuticals Beta Glucan Nourishing & Moisturizing Cream