Defining Skincare

Skincare Products

Skincare includes products for the skin. This includes cleansers, exfoliants, moisturizers, acne treatments, anti-aging treatments, serums for specific skin concerns, as well as sunscreen. Find Skincare product recommendations for specific skin concerns and skincare products using organic ingredients.

Skin care includes ways to care for the skin, including facial skin, throat, decolletage, and body skin. Visit the Skin Care guide section of StyleChicks for more skin care how-to information.

InstaNaturals Dual Phase Mattifying Toner

July 20, 2016 · 2 Comments

InstaNaturals Dual Phase Mattifying Toner

I started dealing with the issue of excess oil years ago as a teen. At fourteen, on a family trip to Florida, my aunt noticed and shared an expensive commercial mask that worked for her but it didnâ€™t do the trick for me. Over time I tried an untold number of dedicated products, alternate use products and even do-it-yourself home formula suggestions designed to hold back the oily tide but experienced little lasting success.

Most of them did initially mattify upon application, but oil broke through quickly. Though I would apply the mattifier as late as possible in my morning makeup routine I still would arrive at my destination, even ones only twenty minutes away, needing to blot and powder.

The only product that did have a long-lasting effect was a department store powder that didnâ€™t advertise itself as an oil retardant but did have that serendipitous benefit for me. However, Iâ€™d picked it up on clearance and when I needed to replace the compact it had been discontinued by the manufacturer.

When the opportunity to try â€œinsta natural Dual Phase Mattifying Toner â€œ came along I was happy to give it a try but didnâ€™t have high hopes, given my background. The pure and natural ingredient list is impressive. Even though I usually avoid anything with fragrance due to allergies, Insta naturalâ€™s very pleasant inherent natural scent is extremely subtle and didnâ€™t bother me a bit. In fact, since hasnâ€™t prompted any allergic reaction, I prefer it to fragrance-free.

The instructions call for shaking the bottle well before each use since separation occurs naturally, probably due to the kaolin clay. Then the toner is poured into dry hands and applied to the skin. The manufacturer, instaNatural, recommends after the toner dries, following with a moisturizer. I followed the instructions as written, applying a moisturizer (I chose an oil-free product) over my entire face.

Well, the proof is in the pudding and, to my surprise, the toner does reduce oil and shine for an extended period, in my case an unprecedented five hours, sometimes longer. After the first few days, I experimented by discontinuing applying the moisturizer on my nose to see if it had any impact on how long the mattifying effect would last. It seemed my nose remained shine-free for about the same length of time with or without the moisturizer, but it did look more matte (which I prefer for that area) when I didnâ€™t use the moisturizer. I have continued using the moisturizer on the rest of my face, though, since it leaves a nice finish after using the toner.

The product also helps to reduce the appearance of pores (a big plus for me since you could drive a truck through mine) and helps with acne.

Iâ€™m delighted with my results and will continue using the product. It’s reasonably priced at about $16.00 for 8 ounces. I would pay more, if necessary, to achieve these results but am glad I donâ€™t have to. And everything comes with a reassuring money-back guarantee.

Find it at InstaNaturals

I Max Age Spot Reducer & Preventer

July 14, 2016 · 4 Comments

I Max Age Spot Reducer & Preventer

SUMMARY: I-Max spot reducer takes longer to fade a brown spot or acne scar because it is addressing hyperpigmentation and using stem cells & peptides to assist in the generation of new regular pigment skin cells. This cream is not just bleaching the spot, like some spot correctors. Bleaching works but can give uneven results, particularly on any skin tone is that not fair. The I-Max Spot Reducer does work, but it takes about 2-3 months. This process can be accelerated however when the spot reducer is combined with other treating creams and serums, such as Vitamin C or a whitening cream. I explain my application tricks for getting faster results below.

ABOUT BROWN SPOTS & FADE CREAMS
Brown spots are associated with aging, and often start in one’s forties, but they can also appear in a younger person due to too much sun exposure, pregnancy, or acne scarring.

Some fade creams are overly harsh on the skin, and some do not work at all. I have tried a few spot correctors from a well-known department store cosmetic department with limited results. The problem with age spots, I have noticed, is they are not quite on the surface of the skin, but often slightly deeper. If you do not respond well to dark spot remedies, considering pairing a spot corrector with another product. This I-Max Spot Reducer is excellent for combining with a serum or peel product to penetrate past the surface layer of the skin and reach the layer of skin that holds the discoloration.

HOW IT WORKS
This cream is a different process than just “bleaching” the skin, which is how many fade creams work. A bleaching of the skin will lighten the skin but will not give you even skin; you will likely get overly whitened, pigment-less spots instead. While these areas are easier to conceal, they are still not ideal and may even appear more like a scar depending on your skin tone.

This cream works differently than a lightening cream or a fading cream because it first exfoliates the skin lightly to reach a deeper layer of skin. Then it suppresses “UV-induced melanogenesis” – the continued darkening of already dark spots due to sun exposure. Despite being darker, these spots are extra sensitive and can get even darker. Then the cream uses several natural lightening ingredients to fade the spots and break up the discoloration. The Peptides and Stem cells assist the skin to go into repair mode and generate new skin cells that are not hyperpigmented, meaning normal skin-colored skin replaces your spots. This process takes longer than bleaching, but can happen in about two months.

APPLICATION
The I-Max Spot Corrector has sort of a burnt rubbery smell which dissipates quickly and then it doesn’t have a detectable scent. It absorbs well and leaves no detectable oily or greasy mark. Suitable for daytime use. I dab it on after my Vitamin C serum and let it dry.

HOW I GOT FASTER RESULTS
What works best for me is applying Vitamin C to my entire face, which also works to lighten dark spots, and pairing that with the i-Max topical spot treatment just on the spots. I have three brown spots, one is an age spot, two seem to be from sun damage. I also have two or three areas of an acne scar that has faded to a plum-brown color. These are not raised or bumpy scars, just flat with demarcation discoloration.

I also like to use the spot corrector with some Hyaluronic Acid so that the spot corrector ingredients penetrates deeper into the skin.

The spot corrector can be combined with AHA and TCA peels, as outlined in the instructions. But personally, I prefer to do use this cream with my serums and creams because it is less harsh on the skin, but if you want faster results, this is a good option.

CONCLUSION: Gentle, effect method of actually removing dark spots and replacing the hyperpigmented skin with your own skin color, not a bleached out version of your skin.

Find it at MaxLife

I Max Age Spot Reducer & Preventer

Lift Care Vitamin C L-Ascorbic Acid Serum

July 14, 2016 · 4 Comments

An L-Ascorbic Vitamin C is the freshest and most powerful C you can get in serum. When I first saw that it was only 10%, I thought it might be less effective than many of the 20% Vitamin C serums commercially available. But since it an L-Ascorbic Acid variety of vitamin C, it is a more potent antioxidant and when paired with other specific ingredients as those which are seen in this serum, and can be a far more efficient skin treatment.

Lift Care Vitamin C L-Ascorbic Acid Serum

An L-Ascorbic based Vitamin C serum has superior anti-oxidant properties to traditional Vitamin C serums. This makes the Lift Care Vitamin C serum especially helpful for aging and photo-damaged skin. Even if you are younger but have over-done suntanning, the L-Ascorbic in this Lift Care Serum is ideal for rejuvenating skin, fading acne scars and treating current acne breakouts.

Secondly, L-Ascorbic Acid provides soluble Vitamin C on a topical level that can be used by the skin in the production of collagen. Providing the skin with Vitamin C is especially important as skin ages and natural levels of both collagen and Vitamin C decrease, which causes sagging and wrinkles.

APPLICATION
This is a lightweight serum that applies smoothly and dries down evenly without residue. Once the serum is dry, moisturizer, makeup, and sunscreen can be applied over the serum. I also apply it to my throat and upper chest. Skin appears dewy, not sticky.

RESULTS
I have a few acne scars that over time have become plum-brown marks on my cheeks. I also have a few lighter wrinkle lines along my forehead. Additionally, I have several blackheads and whiteheads around my nose and surrounding pores. These three problems both respond well to this L-Ascorbic Vitamin C serum, and the anti-oxidant properties help purge the sebum from blackheads and whiteheads, so my skin is clearer on the overall.

CONCLUSION: I like that this serum is suitable for both older and younger skin problems including sun damage, acne, scarring, brown spots, wrinkles, the need to use an anti-oxidant and increasing collagen production. Good price for a versatile, useful serum.

Find it at Amazon.com.

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!

I Max 15% Trichloroacetic Acid Serum-Deep Chemical Peel

July 13, 2016 · 4 Comments

I Max 15% Trichloroacetic Acid Serum-Deep Chemical Peel

Don’t be fooled by the comparatively low percentage on this Serum compared to other serums; 15% Trichloroacetic Acid is still a deep chemical peel and as such, it is very potent and should be diluted with distilled water before use and only left on the skin for a few minutes. It is, however, very effective when used multiple times a month or even bi-weekly, so be assured that even if you over-dilute it, you will still see results in a relatively short time period.

This Serum is best for those with normal to sensitive skin or those with generally good skin but with some problem areas, such as acne scars, brown spots or other hyperpigmentation, and fine wrinkles on areas such as the forehead. Even though I frequently use products on the delicate eye skin area that are not intended for use around the eye, I would never use this product around the eyes because the eye area skin is just too thin to do so. This serum is best used on tougher skin areas such as the forehead or on stretch marks on the legs.

While it can eventually treat scars, moles, warts, and skin tags; it will take multiple treatments and the 45% Trichloroacetic Acid made by the same company will work faster. That being said, anything that can treat a wart, mole, or skin tag is strong, and should be applied accordingly. ALWAYS read all the directions.

RESULTS
What I like best about the 15% Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) is it creates a very even appearance to the skin in both the texture and tone. It reduces the appearance of rough patches, wrinkles, and scars from teenage acne, childhood chicken pox scars, as well as lighten brown age spots.

I also liked the results so far on the texture and appearance of my stretch marks, especially those on the upper outer thighs. They appear more subtle, and while they are not invisible, the texture of that skin seems much more normal.

Do note that this is a deep peel, which is different than a glycolic peel or dermabrasion in that skin will be dry, flake and peel for several days after use. If the area of application is on your face, plan accordingly to since there will be too much peeling to conceal it with makeup. It will be a good week until your skin stops peeling and then new, softer skin appears. Apply an emollient moisturizer daily, and make sure to wear sunscreen.

NO EXCESSIVELY IRRITATING CHEMICALS
When using a more potent product such as this TCA serum, there is always a concern of excess irritation to the skin due to chemical additives intended to preserve the active ingredients. The entire I-Max line of skin care products uses natural preservatives instead of chemical ones, which is excellent for more sensitive skins. The serum is preserved naturally using a pretty ingenious idea of a natural Vitamin “charge” of Vitamin B as a preservative. When you open the bottle for the first time, there is a fizzy reaction similar to when a carbonated beverage such as a soda or seltzer water bottle is opened. That charge keeps the product preservative free. To retain freshness, there is a special inverted dropper to dispense each drop.

What I especially 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.

CONCLUSION: A powerful peel that can make skin appear even, soft, and improve texture to look younger and smoother. Works on scars, acne marks, wrinkles and rough patches of skin, especially on the forehead. Suitable for stretch marks. Remember to dilute the product with distilled water before use.

Find it atMax Life USA