Good Skin Care Reviews

I think everyone has a type of beauty product they must try.  One of my friends is obsessed with Essie nail polish, while another needs every new Lancôme Juicy Tube.  Myself, I’m preoccupied with peels – nothing makes my skin look younger and more luminous faster!  I’ve been hooked on Origins Brighter By Nature High Potency Peel for almost a year now, but I still make it a choice to try any new products I may come across.  Which brings me to the Philosophy The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel ($68.00, Amazon.com).

Why I Won’t Be Making It A Staple

The problem with Philosophy The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel isn’t that it doesn’t work.  It definitely works – use one of the moisture-soaked treatment pads tonight, and you’ll wake up with plumper, clearer, more luminous skin tomorrow.  The problem lies in why it works – a very high concentration of SD alcohol 40.

What’s Wrong with SD Alcohol 40?

SD Alcohol 40 is ethyl alcohol, AKA drinking alcohol.  Unfortunately, topical application of SD alcohol 40 can be drying or irritating to the skin.  It actually plumps up the skin because it is promoting inflammation of the individual skin cells – this in turn makes the skin look younger and the pores smaller (as they are wedged between the swollen skin cells) for a day or so.  However, in the long run, it’s not the best idea to keep inflaming your skin with products that contain a high concentration of SD alcohol 40.  What’s more, SD alcohol 40 depletes skin’s levels of vitamin A, so never use this product in conjunction with retinoids.

Still, I Don’t Count It Out Completely for Those with Non-Sensitive Skin Types

The reason Philosophy The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel is “Microdelivery” at all is due to the SD alcohol 40.  Herein lies the problem:  Although it is drying and inflammatory to the skin, SD alcohol 40 is one of the cheapest ways to effectively deliver skin care ingredients deep into the skin.  Technically, SD alcohol 40 increases the penetration of other ingredients in a dose-dependent manner, meaning the more SD alcohol, the further into the skin the other ingredients get.  A study even showed that peak penetration occurs when a solution is as much as 90% ethyl alcohol, demonstrating just how effective SD alcohol 40 can be.

Therefore I must say that the benefits versus the detriments of SD alcohol 40 in this product must be weighed for each individual.  If you have sensitive skin, rosacea, psoriasis, or excessive dryness, stay far away.  On the other hand, if your skin drinks in mild glycolic acid solutions with an unquenchable thirst and only begs for more, then Philosophy The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel might not be such a bad idea, especially when you consider the other benefits:

Niacinamide + Mandelic Acid = Love It

Many great couples have one harsh, brazen partner (like Miss Piggy or mandelic acid) and one lighter, more soothing one (Kermit or niacinamide).

For a skin care buff, seeing niacinamide and mandelic acid together for the first time is like having a friend named Miss Piggy and another named Kermit, holding a big party, and watching the magic unfold.  (At least for one of the parties).

They must be pretty ingenious to have dreamt this one up at Philosophy:  Mandelic acid is a potent, fairly harsh antioxidant that fights superficial fine lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity, according to a review in Clinics in Dermatology.  On the other hand, niacinamide is a mild anti-ager that best combats skin dryness ( International Journal of Dermatology).  When you throw in the fact that both fight hyperpigmentation (Clinics in Dermatology, British Journal of Dermatology), you have every major sign of aging covered by these two – that is, fine lines/wrinkles, dullness, sagging, dryness, hyperpigmentation, and roughness.   

Bottom Line

Philosophy The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel is a genius product for those who do not have sensitive skin, rosacea, psoriasis, or related skin conditions.  If your skin has tolerated glycolic acid and other AHA-based peels in the past, I highly recommend Philosophy The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel!  Product Rating: 9/10.  (High or optimized concentration of key ingredients: 3/3.  Unique formulation or new technology:  3/3.  Value for the money:  2/3.  Sunscreen:  N/A).

I think everyone has a type of beauty product they must try.  One of my friends is obsessed with Essie nail polish, while another needs every new Lancôme Juicy Tube.  Myself, I’m preoccupied with peels – nothing makes my skin look younger and more luminous faster!  I’ve been hooked on Origins Brighter By Nature High Potency Peel for almost a year now, but I still make it a choice to try any new products I may come across.  Which brings me to the Philosophy The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel ($68.00, Amazon.com).

Why I Won’t Be Making It A Staple

The problem with Philosophy The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel isn’t that it doesn’t work.  It definitely works – use one of the moisture-soaked treatment pads tonight, and you’ll wake up with plumper, clearer, more luminous skin tomorrow.  The problem lies in why it works – a very high concentration of SD alcohol 40.

What’s Wrong with SD Alcohol 40?

SD Alcohol 40 is ethyl alcohol, AKA drinking alcohol.  Unfortunately, topical application of SD alcohol 40 can be drying or irritating to the skin.  It actually plumps up the skin because it is promoting inflammation of the individual skin cells – this in turn makes the skin look younger and the pores smaller (as they are wedged between the swollen skin cells) for a day or so.  However, in the long run, it’s not the best idea to keep inflaming your skin with products that contain a high concentration of SD alcohol 40.  What’s more, SD alcohol 40 depletes skin’s levels of vitamin A, so never use this product in conjunction with retinoids.

Still, I Don’t Count It Out Completely for Those with Non-Sensitive Skin Types

The reason Philosophy The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel is “Microdelivery” at all is due to the SD alcohol 40.  Herein lies the problem:  Although it is drying and inflammatory to the skin, SD alcohol 40 is one of the cheapest ways to effectively deliver skin care ingredients deep into the skin.  Technically, SD alcohol 40 increases the penetration of other ingredients in a dose-dependent manner, meaning the more SD alcohol, the further into the skin the other ingredients get.  A study even showed that peak penetration occurs when a solution is as much as 90% ethyl alcohol, demonstrating just how effective SD alcohol 40 can be.

Therefore I must say that the benefits versus the detriments of SD alcohol 40 in this product must be weighed for each individual.  If you have sensitive skin, rosacea, psoriasis, or excessive dryness, stay far away.  On the other hand, if your skin drinks in mild glycolic acid solutions with an unquenchable thirst and only begs for more, then Philosophy The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel might not be such a bad idea, especially when you consider the other benefits:

Niacinamide + Mandelic Acid = Love It

Many great couples have one harsh, brazen partner (like Miss Piggy or mandelic acid) and one lighter, more soothing one (Kermit or niacinamide).

For a skin care buff, seeing niacinamide and mandelic acid together for the first time is like having a friend named Miss Piggy and another named Kermit, holding a big party, and watching the magic unfold.  (At least for one of the parties).

They must be pretty ingenious to have dreamt this one up at Philosophy:  Mandelic acid is a potent, fairly harsh antioxidant that fights superficial fine lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity, according to a review in Clinics in Dermatology.  On the other hand, niacinamide is a mild anti-ager that best combats skin dryness ( International Journal of Dermatology).  When you throw in the fact that both fight hyperpigmentation (Clinics in Dermatology, British Journal of Dermatology), you have every major sign of aging covered by these two – that is, fine lines/wrinkles, dullness, sagging, dryness, hyperpigmentation, and roughness.   

Bottom Line

Philosophy The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel is a genius product for those who do not have sensitive skin, rosacea, psoriasis, or related skin conditions.  If your skin has tolerated glycolic acid and other AHA-based peels in the past, I highly recommend Philosophy The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel!  Product Rating: 9/10.  (High or optimized concentration of key ingredients: 3/3.  Unique formulation or new technology:  3/3.  Value for the money:  2/3.  Sunscreen:  N/A).

This is the time of year when many of us wake up with dry, tight lips that with one smile will split. Ouch!

And your kids (and husband!) aren’t immune to this, either. The best way to ensure that you can give your spouse a wakeup smile without splitting your lips is to apply a thick moisturizer before bed. My household uses simple Vaseline, because love it or not, it works.  If you aren’t a fan of Vaseline, maybe Waxeline is for you?

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This is the time of year when many of us wake up with dry, tight lips that with one smile will split. Ouch!

And your kids (and husband!) aren’t immune to this, either. The best way to ensure that you can give your spouse a wakeup smile without splitting your lips is to apply a thick moisturizer before bed. My household uses simple Vaseline, because love it or not, it works.  If you aren’t a fan of Vaseline, maybe Waxeline is for you?

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With all the things that you’re doing every day, may it be at work or school, the last thing you’d want to think about is how you can make your skin remain glowing and look healthy. See, most women would buy beauty products that will help release their skin’s radiance, but did you know that there are some easy ways to keep your skin look its best without using skin care products that much?

Here are some beauty treatments which you can do to make your skin look good, and feel good.

Morning Glow

Even before you go down and cook breakfast, why don’t you roll out of bed and reach for your toes first? See, experts say that stretching loosens your muscles, helps in blood circulation and helps your skin look rosy. Upon stepping into the shower, dab a drop of eucalyptus oil inside each of your nostril. The steam will help in having an energizing aroma. Then, while you’re going through you morning ritual and applying facial moisturizer, put pressure along your brow bones to eliminate morning puffiness.

Post-Gym Cool Down

After an hour of workout, you can cool down and tame sweat-induced inflammation by having a cloth packed in ice and cucumber slices in a plastic bag in your gym locker and place it on your face after you exercise. The chill will constrict the blood vessels that have dilated during your workout and will help cool down faster. On the other hand, cucumber will help in alleviating irritation.

Nightcap

Experts recommend that right before going to bed, you should take time to make a cup of chamomile tea with two tea bags. When you’re finished drinking it, place the cool tea bags over your eyes and cover them with a sleep mask for a soothing treatment. Leave it on for about 10 minutes, then wash your face thoroughly.

If you’re in your teens, you are just at the right time to start taking care of your face properly. This will help avoid skin care problems caused by improper habits. It doesn’t take a lot of time, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.

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Recently, I became a fan of hot yoga.  Actually, to be more accurate, I recently became addicted to hot yoga.  The stretching, the sweating, the fact that you’re burning an estimated 630 calories an hour - it all sums up to a painful, sweaty experience that somehow ends up in a proud state of bliss.

That having been said, I started to research what yoga does for the skin.  Here’s the good, the bad, and the ugly:

1.)  Better Circulation = good

Yoga increases the circulation throughout the body, as proven in a 1993 study in which three yoga instructors were found to have an increase in mean body skin temperature after 3 months of practice (Physiological Changes, 1993).  This results in increased oxygen delivery to the skin, resulting in a “glow” similar to that of pregnant women.  The increased oxygen delivery also ensures that the skin’s keratinocytes and melanocytes are functioning more optimally than in a state of hypoxia (i.e., decreased oxygenation).

2.)  May alleviate acne in some individuals = good.

It has also been suggested by some that yoga may alleviate acne in some individuals (Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 1996; Indian Journal of Dermatology, 1997).  Acne is now known to be caused by a bacterium, P. acnes.  However, yoga can help combat bacteria by improving cellular function (and hence defense), reduce inflammation-inducing cortisol release from the adrenal glands, and increase levels of the “relaxing” brain neurotransmitter GABA (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2007).  Altogether, these functions may cause the regular practice of yoga to reduce levels of acne over time.

3.)  Hot yoga may make rosacea symptoms worse in some individuals = bad.

According to several case studies, including one from the July 2010 Journal of Family Practice, yoga may cause rosacea to become worse in some individuals.  A disease of the skin characterized by persistent redness, flushing, papules, pustules, telangiectasias, irritation, or some combination therein, rosacea can be made worse by prolonged exposure to heat, as in bikram yoga.

While the rosacea exacerbation related to hot yoga practice is treatable with oral antibiotics (minocycline) and topical creams (sodium sulfacetamide/sulfur 10%/5% wash, azelaic acid 20%, and metronidazole 1% gel), it is advisable that patients with moderate to severe symptoms of rosacea avoid hot yoga altogether (Journal of Family Practice, 2010).  Given the fact that 78% of patients with rosacea reported in a recent study to have better control of symptoms when avoiding external heat, spicy food, and UV light, this comes as no surprise, although it is probably something of a disappointment to those yogis suffering with rosacea.  

4.)  May make acne worse if you wear makeup and do not wash your face promptly afterwards = bad.

Like any other form of exercise, yoga causes the release of sweat and sebum, which in combination can clog the pores and create a bacteria-friendly environment.  This is made even worse whenever you wear makeup to work out, as the evaporation of sweat is blocked altogether, leading directly to breakouts.

My best advice is to use a cleanser both before and after you workout, which permits proper evaporation of sweat from the skin and prevents sweat from permeating on the skin for too long.  I like Sebamed Liquid Face and Body Wash (official website; $28.58, Amazon.com), which I find to be gentle enough to use before and after a workout.  It is also mildly hydrating, so I don’t find it necessary to apply a moisturizer afterwards, leaving my skin more time to breathe.

Bottom Line

Research shows that yoga is beneficial for your skin, so long as you wash your face before and after each workout and do not have rosacea.  I’ll also say, on a more personal note, yoga helps me stay centered, more focused, and even a bit more relaxed throughout the day.  I definitely am a fan!

What’s your take on exercise and your skin?  Let me know on Facebook!

One of the most popular articles on About.com: Skin Care is our Shellac Nails FAQ.  We talked with nail technician, Hillary Fry, once Shellac first hit the salons.  She shared with us everything you could possibly want to know about Shellac nails.

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Most of us would love to keep our skin looking good. When it comes to skin care, the first thing that comes into your mind would be a number of beauty products. This isn’t a bad thing though, but have you ever thought of other things to keep your skin healthy? See, more than skin care regimens, there are a number of things which you should do to keep your skin looking good.

Here are some anti-aging tips which you can do to get better results:

Beauty Products

Most of us are guilty of relying on beauty products to make our skin look better. However, applying these products often may make your skin look worse, rather than best. Get the most out of your skin and follow this schedule: use products with antioxidants in the morning to protect your skin all day long, and exfoliants and collagen boosters at night to help rebuild cells.

Treatments

If you’re still not using anti-aging treatments, maybe it’s time that you should. To help you in preventing deep lines before they even start reflecting on your skin, start by applying regimens that will anticipate the changes that may occur soon. Start applying serums and lotions which contains a mix of peptides as soon as you see a crinkled area on your skin.

Skin Care Trends

While most of these trends are good to follow, it is still best to go with what you’ve had before, or clinically proven at least. We know that there are a lot of new skin care products that you can choose from, but here’s a tip in buying the one that will solve your skin problem: always look for alpha hydroxyl acids, peptides and retinoids if you have fine lines and wrinkles. Look for salicylic acid if you have acne and green tea for redness.

It’s hard to take a product with a picture like this one seriously, but I was in the mood for a cheap beauty fix. I was at Walgreens and saw an array of these one time use face masks from Montagne Jeunesse.  I picked this one, the Peel Off Passion Face Mask and the Chocolate Mud Face Mask.  They were $1.99 each or 2 for $3.00.

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