Expert Beauty Reviews | Skincare Ingredient Guides
Acne skin care. How to treat adult acne, cystic acne. Best acne ingredients, vitamins, acne products. How to cleanse acne. Acne + anti-aging skin care. What skincare products to use and what ingredients to avoid in acne treatment.
Can You Really Get Rid of Acne Scars? It’s bad enough having pimples all over your face – but once they are gone – it can leave to scarring. What can you do about all those pock marks & craters? Find out in this video:
Find Loma Lux Acne Pill at https://www.lomalux.com/shop/order-lomalux-acnepill/
Style Chicks received compensation for this post.
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
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
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.
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.
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 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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
You’ve probably seen the Charcoal Konjac Sponges in Sephora and Ulta and wondered if they would be too abrasive for your problem skin. Â No matter how problematic your skin is, it can be improved with the proper skin care regimen. The proper choice of cleanser, moisturizer, topical treatments, and sunscreen are all important, but so is the choice of cleansing tools. Washing your face with your bare hands cannot provide enough friction to get skin clean and can transfer bacteria and oil from hands to the face. A wash cloth or sonic cleansing brush may be too rough for some skin types, and for others, these tools still do not remove blackheads. We recently tried the Bellesentials Skincare set, a trio consisting of a Charcoal Konjac sponge, a Pore Cleansing Pad and a Facial Cleansing brush that allow for a deep cleanse to remove blackheads without irritating delicate skin tissues.
This Bellesentials charcoal enriched Konjac sponge gently exfoliates even problem skin without causing irritation or damage. Once wet it becomes super soft and pliable and is highly effective for treating acne prone skin
Does your cleansing brush really remove all your makeup and sunscreen at the end of the day? Mineral powders are particularly difficult to remove. How about removing the entirety of a facial mask on a DIY home spa night? Regardless of what goes on your skin, it must be removed before bed so the skin can repair overnight. This cleansing also allows for any evening topical skin care, such as Retinol, to fully absorb into the skin. The skin must be able to breathe at night and residual makeup can easily clog the pores, leading to congested skin and breakouts.
This is a three piece set in a clear, compact, zippered travel case bag. It makes simple work out of removing makeup, sunscreen, or beauty masques resulting in a smooth, clean surface to apply topical skin care products, as well as removing dead skin cells and blackheads.
This brush is for the removal of makeup, sunscreen, environmental dirt, and grime, as well as DIY beauty masks. It has a soft bristle head with an easy to grip handle.
Soft yet effective bristles clean away oil, dirt, and makeup
I like the idea of a small soft brush so that I do not transfer germs or bacteria from my hands onto my face during and after cleansing. It works up a good lather and whisks away surface dirt and oils, even oil based makeup.
Brush bristles as seen close up
Easy to grip brush handle and clear sturdy top to keep the brush sanitary
Gentle yet effective, the brush can even remove zinc based sunscreen and mineral powder makeup
Close up of facial brush resembles a sonic brush head but it very gentle to the skin
You may have seen Konjac Sponges in stores like Sephora and wonder if they are too harsh for the skin, especially those with charcoal. Despite its’ hard, almost loofah like appearance, once Konjac sponges are wet, it becomes super soft and is even more gentle than a washcloth or sonic cleansing brush.
A charcoal infused Konjac Sponge gently exfoliates while deeply cleansing the skin
The sponge is made of the Konjac plant which is a fibrous root that is a natural exfoliant for combination or oily skin, or for use on the oily areas of normal skin, such as the nose and chin. The sponge is also enriched with charcoal that has clarifying properties. The objective of this combination is to gently buff away dry skin, excess oil, sebum, and bacteria, without disrupting the good oils that promote the proper pH balance of the skin or causing irritation to the delicate skin. It reduces the appearance of pores and reduces acne without provoking other sensitive skin conditions such as rosacea or eczema.
The sponge appears rough but once soaked in water it becomes very gentle to the skin
This sponge is very helpful for cleansing acne, as it is not abrasive yet still exfoliates away dead skin, allowing acne medications to penetrate. It also helps reduce acne by removing dead skin cells that can clog pores and trap bacteria and oil.
To use, rinse the Sponge with warm water before each use. Apply cleanser and massage in a gentle, light, circular motion. Rinse thoroughly after use. Use daily, or if well-tolerated, twice a day. It’s not necessary or even helpful to scrub your face with this sponge, just a brief once over done with a gentle circular movement on a wet face or with your favorite gentle cleanser will do. It can be used on both the face and neck.
To care for the sponge, rinse thoroughly after each use, squeeze out the excess water and allow it to air dry. Do not wring.
Complete instructions for use and care of a charcoal sponge are included
This Bellesentials Three Piece Set also includes a pore cleanser pad that deep cleans the pores and reduces their appearance.
Instructions for using the Pore cleansing pad
The surface has flexible knobs to gently provide enough friction to pull dirt out and cleanse pores without damaging the surrounding skin the way a washcloth can.
Tiny knobs provide gentle abrasion to clear pores without damaging skin
The back grip makes it easy to use and apply it just where you want to deep clean and avoid the delicate skin.
The easy to hold grip makes it easy to focus on problem skin areas
Pliable pore cleanser can bend to clean clogged areas without harming delicate skin like a washcloth can
Easier to pack for travel, for use at the gym, or just to stow away conveniently in your bath.
Easy to store or pack travel case
This Bellesentials Charcoal Konjac Sponge, Pore Cleansing Pad and Facial Cleansing Brush Three Piece Set is an excellent value, as charcoal enriched Konjac sponges alone cost upwards of $15. If you have acne, eczema, rosacea or just skin that is generally sensitive, it is often difficult to properly and thoroughly cleanse the skin without irritating it. Yet to keep skin clear and to allow topical products to work their best, the skin must be clean. This kit provides three excellent cleansing tools that address common skin care cleansing concerns without using harsh abrasives, chemicals or rough washcloths.
Find the Bellesentials Charcoal Konjac Sponge, Pore Cleansing Pad and Facial Cleansing Brush Three Piece Set at:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071RWB5JM
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U12WcvNa-qE[/embedyt]
Style Chicks received the Bellesentials Charcoal Konjac Sponge, Pore Cleansing Pad and Facial Cleansing Brush Three Piece Set 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.
Thought acne was done now that you’re over 21? Think again. Adult acne plagues many men and women. Light therapy is effective for quickly treating acne. Non-invasive and pain-free, light therapy is available in spas and dermatologist offices and also in cost-effective devices for at-home use. But not all at-home light therapy devices are created equal. So we’re excited to find the highly effective, FDA-cleared, medical grade ReVive Acne Treatment LED Light Therapy device.
When you’re in your teens, you don’t mind if you dry out your skin with acne creams, skin bounces back. As an adult, battling acne and aging at the same time is daunting. What is worse, the topical products that worked in your teens aren’t that effective on adult acne, and they’re just too drying.
ReVive Acne Treatment LED Light Therapy is a superior LED Light Therapy that’s an FDA-cleared, OTC Class II medical grade device with DPL (Deep Penetrating Light) Technology providing in-office quality results at home. DPL technology sets this device apart from many of the at-home use devices because DPL can get deep into the skin like an in-office treatment does.
reVive Acne Treatment LED Light Therapy Device and goggles
It is proven safe and effective for all skin tones, and in a clinical study, 98% of users had improved acne. I liked this feature because many skin care products cite studies of user reports, which are not as reliable. But reVive cites a clinical study with objective measures of efficacy for their results.
Safe for all skin tones, 98% of study participants in a clinical study demonstrated improved acne and dramatically clearer skin
Light encourages the body to heal. LED Light Therapy has been shown in studies to rapidly reduce acne. Blue light eliminates the bacteria on the skin, even in deeper skin layers, far deeper than can be reached with a washcloth or sonic facial cleansing brush. It’s painless with no side effects and you can continue to use your regular skincare products without a conflict.
An FDA-cleared medical grade device using DPL technology to deeply penetrate skin and treat acne fast
Has your acne ever looked better after a day of sun at the beach? All UV light kills bacteria but can cause other skin damage. Â ReVive Acne LED Light Therapy uses only the specific wavelength of light that eliminates bacteria, 415 nanometers (non-UV) blue light spectrum, to target bacteria while not harming the skin.
Studies show this precise 415 nm wavelength of blue light used by the reVive is safe and effective for acne treatment
This wavelength of light attacks acne three ways. It kills acne-causing bacteria, it clears existing breakouts by starving the pimple, and it prevents acne flare-ups by regulating oil production. This quickly leads to clear skin, often within just a few days. It also reduces redness and inflammation, which makes acne so noticeable and difficult to conceal with makeup.
Safe for all skin tones, it will not alter the skin color. It is also safe for sensitive skin, which often has difficulties tolerating over the counter topical acne treatments.
It doesn’t dry the skin like a topical cream. And bonus, the light can enhance collagen production.
Revive is an FDA-cleared, over the counter, class II medical device. Another words, in-office results at home, safely.
reVive Acne Treatment LED Light Therapy device kit
The kit includes:
Kit contents
It is packed well in a sturdy box. The device can be used directly out of the package, there is no charge-up time. Plug it in, turn it on and use it.
reVive set up is quick and easy. Just plug it in and turn it on.
Medical grade light diodes and a large treating head for superior light therapy treatments
The device comes with protective goggles that are optional to wear, but useful.
The device fits easily into my hand, it’s slim and not at all heavy and I can use it while watching TV.
The device is lightweight and easy to use
The reVive slimline device has an extra long cord for ease of use. I use it while watching TV a few minutes each night
To use, hold the light head 1/4 inch from the treatment area for three minutes, move on to the next treatment area, and repeat.
reVive covers large sections of the face at once with an extra large treatment head
See the video below to fully see how to hold the device and how the acne treatment LED handheld light “face” covers a large treatment area, bathing skin in a safe bacteria-killing light. As a medical grade device, the blue light is powerful and bathe the area in a concentrated wavelength that penetrates deeply into the skin.
That’s a lot of blue light! As a medical grade device, reVive treats a large area of skin in acne-reducing light therapy with powerful diodes
I prefer this device with it’s big head to some of the spot treatment smaller devices I have seen, especially in a modality that is intended to eliminate bacteria from the entire face to not just kill existing acne in small spot treatments, but to pre-empt future acne before it can start.
Shown here on the palm so the multiple, powerful light diodes can be seen in action.
My skin performed on cue and a whitehead turned into a full-fledged pimple the day after the reVive device arrived. Â It became our test case.
It quickly reduced the redness and inflammation in existing acne breakouts, which made them immediately easier to cover with concealer. Normally, my acne stays red and inflamed for the duration of the blemishes’ miserable life, but the reVive removed the red after two sessions. I am very pleased with this since I have a tough time concealing acne very well. It also shrunk down in size after one session and did not turn into the full-blown pimple disaster my lower cheek pimples typically tend to be.
Within about a week of daily ReVive Acne Treatment LED Light Therapy device use, my skin appeared much clearer with no major breakouts and even the stubborn blackheads around my nose are diminishing! Clear skin can be obtained with regular use.
The ReVive Acne Treatment LED Light Therapy (Clinical) is an FDA-cleared, OTC Class II medical grade device that features dpl Technology which provides enhanced treatment efficacy, giving you in-office quality results at home in only a few minutes a day. It uses a safe wavelength of light that will not harm the skin and is a truly superior product compared to what is typically made available for at-home use. The large treatment head covers sizable portions of the face at once, bathing the face in blue light to treat existing acne and prevent future acne by killing acne-causing bacteria. ReVive makes acne treatable for any age or gender in the comfort of you own home in just a few minutes a day.
A wonderful tool in your beauty arsenal to help combat acne breakouts!
Find ReVive Acne Treatment LED Light Therapy at led technologies and Amazon
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_x3QEsWw1A[/embedyt]
Style Chicks received the ReVive Acne Treatment LED Light Therapy 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.