Skin

This past weekend was pretty rough on my skin – a hotel room with harsh forced air, the water in the hotel room shower left my skin pretty raw, and a lovely meal that had an unexpected amount of sodium, leaving my face puffy and dull. So when I got home, it was time to pull out the big skincare guns.

Valentia Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum is a total powerhouse when it comes to revitalizing skin. Lactic Acid (which is a potent AHA) works to increase circulation, gently exfoliate dead skin cells, and boost cell turnover so your complexion is left refreshed literally overnight. I woke up the next day with a youthful glow. A lot of lactic acid products can be irritating, but because of soothing ingredients like Aloe Vera, Hyaluronic Acid, Jojoba Oil, and Vitamin E, skin stays calm and supple.

Other fantastic ingredients include Seaweed to oxygenate the skin. I tend to be skeptical of products that say they bring oxygen to the skin, but there is no denying the oxygenated glow that comes with applying Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum. Several Ingredients including Licorice Extract work to fight hyper pigmentation to give skin a nice even tone, and Argan Oil contains Vitamin E to keep the skin plump and youthful.

After using it for a few days what really struck me is that my skin is just so soft. I have used lactic acid products before, even at home lactic acid peels, but my skin has never been as soft after use. I think the combination of ingredients is really perfect for producing this soft, supple feel to skin.

Another thing I really like is the texture of this serum. Itâ€™s a little watery, which is what a good serum should be. Thicker than an essence, but not as thick as a gel. It layers beautifully under sunscreen and absorbs fully, just leaving a lovely glow.

The very subtle scent is wonderful as well – just a very light, delicate citrus.

This is the second Valentia product I have tried and I am more convinced that this is a fantastic line!

Find Valentia Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum at Amazon.

Valentia Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum

I received this product in exchange for my unbiased review.

We’ll be starting a series on what we’ve found to be the best products for before, during, and after your gym workout. Since you likely don’t have your typical at-home beauty stash with you in your gym bag, we’ve tried to narrow down the products and treatments that work best for the situation…and don’t add more weight to your gym bag than you can lift when you actually workout!

Today we’ll be considering your pre-workout cleansing. Whether you wear makeup while you work out is a subject of debate,Â I think it comes down to personal preference, comfort, and the intensity of your workout. Personally, if my mascara comes perfect on a day that I am intending to go to the gym after work, I tend to leave it be while I work out, since myÂ brand (Fiberwig!) stays put no matter what (side note: their new formula, d.j.v. beautenizer Fiberwig LX, would stay put in a hurricane, so it’s definitely workout friendly). But ultimately, your level of makeup at the gym depends on several factors, including whether you are there for social reasons or just to get a good workout (more on natural looking and makeup that doubles as skin treatments in future installments of the series).

After trying several options, both Lyn and I really like using a makeup removing cleansing cloth for both pre and post workout cleansing. Before your workout, a good pre-moistened cleansing cloth completely takes off your makeup and leaves your face feeling refreshed while your work out. Used after a workout, it elimates sweat and leaves your skin ready for makeupÂ or sunscreen reapplication.

We tried a few, but our favorite is e.l.f. Studio Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths. A gentle wipe over your skin and it takes off makeup clean, including eye makeup. And since it Aloe Vera in the cleansing formula, it doesn’t irritate or dry out your skin like some of the other wipes we tried. The package reseals and has a snap closure, so the cloths stay moist (though I keep it in a sealed zip lock bag in my gym bag just in case).Â e.l.f. Studio Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths cost $3 for 20 cloths and you can get them here.

Here’s the pack of the cleansing cloths:

e.l.f. Studio Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloth Package Picture

e.l.f. Studio Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloth - Great for your Gym Bag!

And here is aÂ cloth I used to take off a full face of makeup, including two coats of mascara and liquid liner (yeah, kinda gross):

Used e.l.f. Studio Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloth - Takes off even waterproof mascara!

Valentia Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum

Gym Beauty Bag: Pre-workout face cleaning – Makeup Removing Cleansing Cloths

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