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.

Natures Nectar Ultra Premium Natural Organic Matcha Green Tea

May 20, 2016 · Leave a Comment

The Style Chicks have long enjoyed a good cup of green tea: a tasty warm treat that does wonders for the skin, metabolism, and energy. Green Tea aids in hair growth. Green Tea contains Vitamin B, and its’ anti-inflammatory properties are significant. To get skin glowing the day before an event, we started drinking a minimum of 2-3 cups of green tea per day as was recommended in Dr. Nicholas Perricone’s 3-day “Anti-inflammatory Diet.” When you drink 3 cups of green tea in a day, your skin is luminous, dewy and glowing.

But sometimes it is tough to consume 3 cups of green tea a day when I really feel like I just want a double espresso with whip to get over my afternoon energy slump. An easy fix for this problem is to drink Matcha. Matcha tea has about half the caffeine of an espresso shot. AND it makes you extra pretty.

WHAT IS MATCHA & WHY SHOULD I DRINK IT?
Matcha is ground tea leaves which make for an intensely concentrated tea, something of a super tea, which has more than 100 times as much Polyphenols as regular green tea. One cup of matcha tea per day is enough for a jitter-free time released energy boost, glowing skin, weight management, increased metabolism and maximum health benefits. Matcha has highly concentrated green tea benefits, but you can get too much of a good thing. Drinking too much of any green, white or black tea can deplete iron in the blood, and all natural tea leaves, like anything else grown in soil, can have minuscule traces of lead. After one cup of matcha per day, you have gained all the Polyphenols, Amino Acids, and metabolism boost that you need.

A cup of Matcha in the afternoon can be an easy alternative to drinking multiple cups of green tea or a coffee substitute when you need some energy. Personally, I can use as much caffeine as I can get, but I do enjoy the energy boost from a good cup of Matcha because there is no “crash” from it like I get from some other caffeinated drinks.

HOW TO MAKE MATCHA TEA
To make Matcha tea, add 1 gram (just shy of a 1/4 teaspoon, .20 of a teaspoon to be exact) of Matcha powder to 6-8 ounces of hot but not boiling water and whisk until the powder dissolves. If you don’t have a matcha whisk, use the smallest whisk you have. Whisk the tea until you have a light froth, probably 30 seconds to a minute. To froth, quickly move your whisk in an M motion (remember: “M” for Matcha!)

A RECOMMENDED MATCHA TEA FOR DRINKING
Nature’s Nectar Ultra Premium Natural Matcha Green Tea is a ceremonial grade Matcha that is delicate and sweet without tasting artificially sweet. If you already drink green tea, you will notice it has a superior flavor of not tasting ‘vegetable-y’ or bitter, just a warm and delicate flavoring. The intensity can be richer depending on the amount of powder and water used, but this tin is a 30 day supply, 1 gram a day. Some brands are an entire teaspoon of Matcha per cup; that is too much powder for a fine grade Matcha such as this one. There is no need to over-do it with this Matcha as it has 137 times more Polyphenols than regular green tea, so you don’t need more any powder than suggested to optimize your green tea benefits. Nature’s Nectar Matcha is also organic and gluten free.

Something else I noticed about Nature’s Nectar Matcha is it is a much brighter green than the other Matcha’s I have. When I select a Matcha, I look for the most vivid green I can get not just because it makes for a prettier cup of Matcha but the colorful green means it is also packed with Amino Acids.

While this Matcha can be added to smoothies and drinks, but since it is such a high-grade matcha, I only drink it straight as a tea and use my less tasty Matchas for including in Matcha-based beverages.

DRINKING GRADE VERSES BAKING GRADE
Here is where Matcha can get tricky: a Matcha powder suitable for drinking as a tea should be a pure and high-quality matcha powder with an intentional blend of green tea leaf varieties. These Nature’s Nectar Matcha leaves are the preferred “first harvest” leaves which make the freshest tea and the highest levels of green tea benefits. A quality Matcha is often labeled as “ceremonial grade”. These Matcha powders often come packaged in a relatively smaller tin than those sold in bulk or bagged. They are also more expensive than those intended for making beverages featuring Matcha. For example, Trader Joe’s Matcha Green Tea Latte Mix is a larger container of powder best suited for use in lattes and recipes because the Matcha is pre-mixed with sugar cane, coconut and milk powders. Good in a DIY latte but not suitable as a matcha powder for tea. A pure matcha suited for drinking as a Matcha tea can be pricey but costs far less per cup than an afternoon run to a coffeehouse for a double espresso. And it is super simple to make.

Matcha TIPS and HACKS:

Once opened, store matcha in the refrigerator to maintain its fresh taste and vibrant green color.

Is your Matcha tea too bitter? Bring water to only a near boil, or wait for one to two minutes after boiling before pouring the water into your cup. Water at 194 degrees Fahrenheit (90 Celsius) and below will produce sweeter Matcha tea than when mixed with boiling water.

Need an extra brain power boost? The lower the temperature of the hot water, the more Theanine that brews. Theanine is the part of green tea that causes brain focusing and mental alertness. Can you tolerate a little extra bitterness for the sake of beauty? Then brew up a nice extra hot cup.

Matcha makes for a great pre-workout caffeine boost that will give you sustained energy without the mid-workout crash.

Natures Nectar Ultra Premium Natural Organic Matcha Green Tea

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