Stretch Marks

Multi-Tasking Uses of Retinol Series: Retinol for Stretch Marks, Acne, Wrinkles, and Discoloration

September 25, 2017 · Leave a Comment

If you were stranded on a desert island with only one skincare treatment product, what would it be? If your answer is Retinol, you made an excellent choice: Retinol treats so many skin care problems that it is a true-multitasker. Retinol treats a host of skin care issues regardless of your age. This week in a two-part series we cover five primary Retinol skin care uses that are game-changers for your skin. Today we cover how to use Retinol for stretch marks, wrinkles, and discoloration.

Lordsbury Retinol+C Moisturizer tackles a host of skin care problems including Acne, Stretch Marks, Wrinkles, Discoloration, and Dark Circles. It contains all-natural retinol-buffering moisturizers built right in like Aloe Vera, Green Tea, Sunflower Oil, Jojoba and Vitamin E as well as 20% Vitamin C.

RETINOL FOR STRETCH MARKS

As mentioned in our recent article “Skin Care for Busy Moms“, Stretch marks are often associated with pregnancy but also happen during weight loss or gain and even if a teen grows quickly, small stretch marks can appear. Stretch marks can also occur as a side effect of steroid use, and some medical conditions, such as diabetes cause stretch marks due to inflammation and thinning of the skin.

Regardless of their source, Retinol is amazing at tackling stretchmarks whether they are currently forming, new or several years old.

HOW IT WORKS
Retinol 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. Few products can address a stretch mark once they appear lighter than the rest of the surrounding skin like Retinol can.

Attacking stretch marks while they are still dark (sometimes red or even purple) is the best plan of attack, combining Retinol directly all over the skin, focusing in on the line-like marks, with a moisturizer like Cocoa Butter or Shea Butter and preferably a skin nourisher like Aloe Vera. We like Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer for stretch marks for several reasons. It combines 2.5% pure retinol with 20% Vitamin C (also important for collagen formation) plus skin nourishers including Aloe Vera and Shea Butter that keep skin supple and pliable to help pre-empt stretch marks before they form.

We also like Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer because Retinol Stretchmark treatments are surprisingly expensive, often costing more than similar treatments intended for the face. A quick Google search gave results in the $60-$90 range for Retinol products intended for stretchmarks, whereas Lordsbury Retinol+C costs a fraction of that, contains natural and superior ingredients and comes in a huge 2.8-ounce bottle. For treating stretch marks, it is tough to beat this combination at this price point. Another good feature of Lordsbury is that it contains Shea Butter, a traditional stretch mark remedy that heals and softens skin, but it is not sticky or greasy when used within the Lordsbury formulation, which dries down clean and can be worn under clothing to treat stretch marks.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Reports of Dermatological studies indicate women with severe cases of post-pregnancy stretch marks obtained meaningful results within six months, many seeing results sooner. While this may feel like a long time, even if it takes the full six months, if you start now, your stretch marks will be fixed by beach weather next summer!

Lordsbury Retinol+C Moisturizer comes in a huge 2.8 ounce size bottle for far less than the price of many Stretch Mark creams that contain only a fraction of the active ingredients contained in Lordsbury

RETINOL FOR WRINKLES

Wrinkles are caused by repetitive facial movements and skin sagging. Delicate skin areas wrinkle first because they have less support when sagging starts to occur. The best defense is 1) to keep the formation of the skin as strong as possible to bear the weight of said sagging, and 2) to mitigate the appearance of existing wrinkles by smoothing their surface and lightening them.

Collagen is the scaffolding of the skin, if there is not enough collagen, it is like pulling bricks out of a wall, eventually, it starts to sag under the weight. Skin loses collagen as we age, and we don’t replace it fast enough to avoid sagging. Fortunately, Retinol promotes the collagen production process regardless of our age, and in tandem with topical Vitamin C, can reduce the sagging surrounding the wrinkle, alleviating the weight of unsupported skin. This over time reduces the wrinkle.

WRINKLE DISCOLORATION: Wrinkled skin also tends to gain discoloration, especially in the receded valley of the wrinkle, effectively creating a shadow. With consistent retinol use, discoloration fades, and the valley of the wrinkle visually appears less dark and thereby less deep.

SMOOTHER WRINKLE SURFACE: Retinol also improves the appearance of the wrinkle by refining the texture of the skin, making existing wrinkles look smoother. If your wrinkles look better after a peel or exfoliation, then Retinol is likely to make your wrinkles appear finer and less noticeable.

DISCOLORATION & UNEVEN SKIN TONE

Whether from acne marks, scarring, or sun damage most of us experience some form of discoloration on our faces. As mentioned before, Retinol breaks up excess pigmentation and disperses it to make the skin tone appear even. But some discoloration is in the deeper layers of the skin, making many topical lightening products incapable of effecting meaningful change. If your discoloration is from sunbathing from years ago, or from very old, darkened acne marks that won’t fade, then they are likely discoloration found deeper in the skin and require a combination of Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid to affect results.

Hyaluronic Acid has the unique capability to absorb moisture to plump the skin, it also is a smaller enough molecule that it can slip into deeper skin layers. This means any active ingredient paired with Hyaluronic Acid can slip into these deep skin layers like it has a guest VIP pass, meaning Retinol paired with Hyaluronic Acid can tackle even very deep, old scars and sun-damaged layers of skin. You can purchase Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol separately and apply them both at the same time, or you can use a Retinol that already contains Hyaluronic, such as Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer.

Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer contains Retinol to accelerate cell regeneration to fade old discoloration, and Vitamin C to prevent future discoloration, and Hyaluronic Acid to aid in deep absorption. It also contains several natural moisturizers to soothe and nourish skin for a more youthful look.

CONCLUSION

Lordsbury Retinol+ C Cream Moisturizer contains natural organic ingredients to soothe and nourish skin while treating common stubborn skin problems such as stretch marks, discoloration, and wrinkles. In our next article, find out how Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer can also be a powerhouse beauty secret for also treating acne and dark circles. Stay tuned!

WHERE TO BUY IT

Find Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer at Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M3PSEQX/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=lordsbury-20&linkId=80ce0c85b497e19a5480f6b096cc3147

Style Chicks received compensation for our time and effort as Brand Ambassadors of Lordsbury. However, our experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% ours.

Skincare: Era Organics Manuka Honey Walnut Facial Scrub

December 8, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Are you at that age that you are fighting aging AND acne? I think it should just be called “The Unfair Age.”

But Era Organics Manuka Honey Walnut Facial Scrub fights both at the same time and leaves skin bright and radiant.

Era Organics Manuka Honey Walnut Facial Scrub

WHAT IT DOES

Do you like the results of professional microdermabrasion, but hate the pulling on your delicate skin? Do you worry that the grit is clogging your pores, not cleansing them?

HOW IT DOES IT

Professional Microdermabrasion is pretty rough on the skin. The suction on most of the machines used in doctor’s offices seriously pulls at the skin. If you have this treatment on any regular basis, this can result in premature sagging of the skin. What’s the point of getting an expensive treatment if it is going to make you look older in the long run?

This isn’t a problem with Era Organics Manuka Honey Walnut Facial Scrub. It gently loosens dirt and blackheads the pores and sweeps them away, without any tugging or roughness. The gentle exfoliation makes it ideal for promoting collagen production as well, so facial skin looks brighter, less wrinkled, and more youthful, scars are diminished, and stretch marks get a boost towards healing.

Thanks to several ingredients in the organic formulation, skin is also deeply hydrated. That’s quite a lot from one scrub!

Era Organics Manuka Honey Walnut Facial Scrub

WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS

Aloe Vera is familiar to many as a plant that can soothe minor burns, scrapes, and heal the skin can also serve to nourish the skin. It contains Vitamins A, C, B, and E as well as minerals and enzymes. This food for skin can heal and hydrate, accelerate skin cell growth, provide anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. This is important in any scrub that is powerful enough to remove dead skin cells, as the skin underneath is exposed and can easily become irritated. Aloe heals naturally and quickly.

And this is not just any Aloe Vera, but a Hospital Grade Organic Aloe Vera. I didn’t know what that meant: it is the quality of Aloe Vera that heals skin well enough that it is suitable for use in Hospital level Burn Care Units.

Another ingredient is Manuka Honey, which has amazing healing and hydrating properties. An anti-aging powerhouse that boosts collagen production and cellular regeneration. It also has natural anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties to heal skin conditions including acne.

Rapeseed Oil is an anti-oxidant that preserves moisture in the skin, making it smooth and elastic. It also cleanses pores, clean the skin and gives skin a natural glow. With anti-inflammatory properties, it heals skin and reduces redness.

Walnut Shell is a finely ground powder that is hard enough to exfoliate dead skin cells but is still gentle on the skin. It is important to note the finer mill of this walnut, as the smaller the size of the powder, the gentler it is to the skin. There are some products with larger pieces of walnut and that can tear the skin. This product contains a finer mill that does not scratch. As a natural product, Walnut Shell Powder does not irritate the skin the way plastic beads or some oil based beads can cause an allergic reaction.

Orange Oil is an anti-oxidant that reduces inflammation. It also can kill bacteria and improves the complexion by increase the production of collagen resulting in the reduction of dark spots and wrinkles. The bacteria fighting and inflammation reduction properties also make it suitable for gently reducing acne without excess drying to the skin.

WHY WE RECOMMEND IT

Finding a natural active ingredient exfoliation product that gently but effectively treats both acne-prone skin and the signs of aging without causing irritation is an impressive feat.

Era Organics Manuka Honey Walnut Facial Scrub reduces enlarged pores, blackheads, and dry skin. Unlike many scrubs, it reduces the signs of aging including dark spots.

I especially like the combination of healing and hydrating ingredients in this scrub that exfoliate away dead skin without irritating fresh skin underneath. I also like the anti-bacterial properties in the hydrating ingredients as they protect newly exposed skin and freshly cleaned pores from potential infections and breakouts. Some scrubs can actually cause acne breakouts because they remove too much skin, subjecting the skin to infection, and they contain acne-inducing ingredients. But Era Organics has a nice balance of anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial ingredients that heal, hydrate and protect freshly exfoliated skin, all while pre-emptively treating skin for acne.

TIP: Use it as an anti-aging mask by applying it to dry skin and leave it on for 5-10 minutes.

GIVEAWAY

The good folks at Era Organics are giving a Style Chicks reader a free jar of this awesome scrub! To enter, send us an email at eraorgranicwalnutscrub@stylechicks.com and tell us something you think you will like about this scrub. You can find out more information about the product from their website and social media, which is listed below. For extra entries, share something from the Era Organics website (http://www.eraorganics.com/exfoliating-facial-scrub/) on social media using their social media share buttons and let us know in your email! This contest will run through Friday, December 16th, 2016.

Even if you don’t win, everyone can get 25% off with coupon STYLEC25.

Find it at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018H32LHQ and learn more about this great product at https:// www.facebook.com/eraorganics, https:// www.pinterest.com/eraorganics, and their website, http://www.eraorganics.com/exfoliating-facial-scrub/

Era Organics Manuka Honey Walnut Facial Scrub

I received this product in exchange for my unbiased review and received compensation for my time and effort. However, my experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine.

Skincare: Phytopia Clinical Collection Stretch Marks Remover

September 22, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Stretch marks are easy to get but tough to get rid of. Stretch marks are notoriously acquired during pregnancy and weight gain, but they can also occur during weight loss, rapid muscle mass growth through exercise and even rapid growth spurts can lead to stretch marks. The best way to deal with stretch marks is to pre-emptively treating the skin while the stretching is occurring and, secondly, to nourish the skin that has already been stretched to repair as much as possible and improve the appearance of existing stretch marks, notably the discoloration.

Part of why so many stretch mark treatments fail is they simply can’t un-stretch skin that has already been over-stretched. Like an elastic banding that has lost its resilience, there is not much that can be done to tighten the skin into its’ former state. There can, however, be improvements in the condition of the texture, the discoloration of the skin, and surface improvements to how taut the excess skin lies over the surface of other skin layers. Many traditional home remedies do have some truth in them as to what will improve some of these features, but to see real improvement, a cocktail of ingredients is needed to target the multiple issues at work.

Phytopia Clinical Collection Stretch Marks Remover

WHY PHYTOPIA STRETCH MARK REMOVER CAN WORK WHEN OTHERS MAY HAVE FAILED YOU

When it comes to stretch marks, the two main issues are discoloration and texture. Phytopia contains several ingredients to protect from stretching and to treat already stretched, discolored skin.

Cocoa Butter is a traditional remedy for stretch marks to keep skin as pliable as possible when it is subject to stretching. Olive Oil also keeps the skin flexible, while providing nourishment. Evening Primrose is another skin treatment ingredient, typically geared toward aging skin, it contains helpful fatty acids and reduces inflammation. It serves as a topical inflammation reducer to help alieve some of the pressure on the skin that is being stretched. These collectively provide the pre-emptive component of stretch mark prevention. But to treat existing stretch marks especially the bright pink/purple discoloration, more is needed.

Discoloration can be addressed with Vitamin C agents and supporting ingredients. Rosa Canina Whole, better known as Organic Rose Hips, is a highly concentrated form of Vitamin C. When applied topically, Vitamin C builds more collagen, the supporting structure of the skin. More collagen means less initial skin breakdown, and more reparative work to already damaged skin. Vitamin C fixes discoloration by fading existing damage and replacing those cells with new cells over time. The second form of Vitamin C in this oil is Citrus Aurantifolia Leaf Oil. This oil is used for general skin tone and fighting the formation of cellulite. To me, lightening the discoloration of a stretch mark is a significant component of why I would use a stretch mark treatment oil, and these ingredients are very effective in lightening stretch marks and general scarring when I have used them on my upper legs and arms. No matter how old your stretch marks are, this discoloration can be improved, which makes this stretch mark oil’s combination of ingredients a powerful tool again stretch marks.

Phytopia Clinical Collection Stretch Marks Remover

RESULTS
I don’t have any current deep discoloration of the pink/purple stretch marks that occurs with a new stretch mark, but I do have that sort of silvery darker surface skin look to skin that is no longer matching the skin tone, and being able to take care of silver-colored stretch marks is impressive. The Oil has improved the surface of this skin, and lightening the discoloration, creating a smoother look. The stretch mark surface has fewer criss-cross patterned lines within the stretch mark itself, making the skin appear more normal. The conditioning elements are highly emollient.

USE
A few drops will do it, spread between your palms and rub on the affected skin areas twice a day. The oil is not greasy; it absorbs within a few minutes. Not much is needed, if you are too greasy after use, you have used too much oil.

PACKAGING
A lovely gift for a Mom-to-be or new Mom, this comes in a gift box with an inner gift card with instructions, and a quality patterned drawstring re-usable bag to hold the oil.

CONCLUSION: A powerful combination of ingredients to combat future stretch marks and deal with existing one, no matter how old a stretch mark is, there is room for nourishing and improving the skin to remove discoloration and improve the surface appearance of the damage. Nothing works overnight when it comes to damaged skin, but this works well. A lovely gift for a Mom-to-be or a new Mom.

Find it at Amazon.

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I received this product for testing and 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!