SUPERB SKIN! SATURDAYS AT SEPHORA!
Every Saturday Kate brings you the best of Sephora as only an insider can!
wonder if there is a technical term for the strange hormonal changes we women go through in your twenties. Not puberty, for me that was around age 13 or so. It's not menopause because I'm not quite old enough for that yet. But I know my metabolism has been hard to keep with. I've gained weight, but only gone up one dress size. And my skin! I used to be glowing and normal-combination. And I suppose I would still be considered combination because I'm not super oily. But I have become acneic. And its really frustrating. Especially at a time in my life where I'm constantly in pictures (wedding parties, mostly). And I am so self conscious. And it was hard to understand because I use great products so it wasn't like I was not taking care of my skin. What was/is the problem?
So I always knew that salicylic acid is anti-bacterial and anti-acne. I've heard it in countless Sephora training. Even so, salicylic acid is my new friend. In just a week using some Skin Effects products (soon up for review) as well as the Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion (Clinique's fancy word for TONER), my skin is looking so much better! And no further breakouts! (When I say breakouts - I mean 10 active blemishes at one time!) This "clarifying lotion" [TONER] is a "gentle, medicated formula exfoliates skin, and unclogs pores. Helps to reduce excess oil that can lead to breakouts." Use a cotton pad or two dampened with this magic potion all over your face after cleansing. You will be surprise (and a little grossed out) at all the makeup that your cleanser does not take off! But be comforted by the fact that it is now on your cotton pad and not your face!
Another great salicylic super hero is Dr. Brandt's Pore Effect. It's a night time moisturizer (or daytime if you're EXTREMELY oily). It is absolutely packed with powerful ingredients to fix up your pizza-face! Things like:
-Tea Tree: Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, clarifying ingredient which is exceptional for treating acne prone skin.
-Lavender: Soothes and calms the skin, evens out redness and discoloration in the skin.
-Willow Bark Extract (Salix Alba): Calming and cooling agent. Also is antibacterial.
-Hyaluronic Acid: Plumps up the skin by holding water up to 1000 times it's weight in natural moisture.
-Salicylic Acid (Beta Hydroxy): Anti-inflammatory, controls excess oil, tightens pores, and treats acne while calming skin down.
I also can never say enough good things about the Boscia Clarifying Detox Mask. "This deep-cleansing clay mask contains pure botanicals, herbs, and select ingredients like kaolin clay and phellodendron bark to absorb impurities, control excess oil, detoxify, and renew your skin from deep within. A unique combination of anti-irritants and purifying agents soothe and refine the appearance of pores as powerful antioxidants along with other therapeutic elements revitalize skin and help protect against the appearance of aging. " You can not even imagine how amazing your sking looks after you use this mask! Next time you have $20 in your wallet just head to Sephora and pick it up. Its great for all skin types and you'll feel like you have baby skin!
- meg's blog
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Reviews
Oh Kate you know my weakness! I will go weeks with great, clear skin and then kapow! break out city. I wish I knew the reasons our skin does what it does and why! So frustrating. This week I purchased a skincare set of Boscia products for my daughter, but I will have to try the Clarifying Detox Mask soon. I also bought the Cosmedicine Healthy Cleanse because it seemed so dang cool, and I love the Cosmedicine line. The Bliss Clean Steep Mask is a favorite when my skin feels congested. And, you cannot go wrong with Caudalie; my skin loves everything I have ever tried from this line!
Kate, your skin does weird things in your 30's too! My facial care has always been minimal - soap, water, moisturizer.About 6 months ago I noticed my pores on my cheeks looking rather large and I'm starting to get these deep wrinkles next to my mouth, eyes and nose. My mother even said to me one day "I don't like your blush, I can see all of yourpores" (it wasn't the makeup, but my aging face). I read that it was really important to use a Retinol in your 30's so I went to Sephora. My issue is that there are too many products to choose from. With a little help, I chose Philosophy's night time retinol treatment and use it along with my Derma Doctor wrinkle revenge for my eyes and Juice Beauty's Green Apple antioxidant moisturizer and a Phytobiodermie cleanser. I've been doing this religiously for about 2 monthsand the only difference I see is that my skin is less dry. I tried some Cosmedicine samples but the line isn't cheap (and the samples smelled like dirty feet or throw up. is that just me??). I love having this regiment, but I'm constantly haunted by the feeling that I should be using/trying other products. So, I'm really excited for someskincare reviews coming up!
Kate recommended the Boscia mask to me when I was having pizza face issues and it is wonderful. It feels good, no funky smell, and your skin is sooo soft after. Plus you only have to leave it on for 5 minutes. I use it a couple times a week. I use other masks too, but this is the one I mostly go to. The other Sephora product that has kept my face clear and healthy-looking is Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. Took a couple weeks to really start to see a difference (and they say it can take up to 2 months) but now I have and it's great. Not Sephora but probably my biggest helper is any Kiehl's toner - esp. Tea Tree - I swipe it over wherever I shave too, and it keeps the razor burn rash at bay.
I use the Boscia Clarifying Detox mask and it does make my skin smoother, which is good since it gets pretty rough when I'm broken out. The mask hasn't really decreased the amount of breakouts I get, but it has kept me from getting more than usual. I also recommend Boscia's Clear Complexion Treatment works great at keeping breakouts at bay or getting rid of them, as long as your not having crazy stress induced blemish pandemonium like I am have right now, nothing is able to save my jawline at this moment. I'm allergic to Dr. Brandt's products, but I would use them if I could. I do make an exception for their Pores No More, I risk dermatitis for this stuff. It is the best primer for oily skin, I put this on when I'm going out at night and it keeps me shine free all night long. No other product has accomplished that.
i just bought dr brandt's microdermabrasion cream. i love it. it is in a cream base which i usually don't like but he did it just right. it smells heavenly too. i don't usually think skin products should have fragance but it smells so good i am enjoying it. i read his book-very informative. i think all of his products would be great to try. there is just one small problem- he is starting to look a little freakish!!!!! carol b
that looks awesome! i really wanna try it!
Holland RayeLee Davida McCafferty
this looks really nice!