Olie Biologique – Certified organic body oils with a variety of healing benefits. Argan oil for anti-aging and revitalizing; rose hip oil for scars, spots, and vitamins; etc.
Pros: Love that it is organic.
Cons: Pricey for what it is.
Price Points: $22-$39
On the Web: OlieBiologique.com

Mini Organics – A certified-organic line of skin care for moms-to-be and babies. We tried the enriched moisturizer, which is supposed to nourish and improves skin elasticity.
Pros: I am not pregnant, but this is an amazing, rich moisturizer. It healed my cracked cuticles where regular lotions have failed.
Cons: I feel a little weird buying pregnancy skin care.
Price Point: $55.95
On the Web: MiniOrganics.com

Dermacyte – Oxygen-enriched serum used as a spot treater for blemishes, age spots, scars, and other skin imperfections.

Pros: It works fast, reducing redness on an ingrown hair almost immediately.
Cons: It’s a bit of an investment.
Price Point: $84.00
On the Web: BuyDermacyte.com

Lift Lab – Using Cell Protection Proteins, Lift Lab promise to reverse signs of aging.
Pros: The moisturizers are comfortable and absorb well.
Cons: I like to believe that I don’t have many signs of aging to correct.
Price Points: $85-$125
On the Web: TheLiftLab.com

]]> http://sporkbeauty.com/2011/06/skincare-roundup/feed/ 0 http://sporkbeauty.com/2011/03/what-the-heck-are-you-putting-on-your-skin/ http://sporkbeauty.com/2011/03/what-the-heck-are-you-putting-on-your-skin/#comments Tue, 29 Mar 2011 01:50:53 +0000 Alyse http://sporkbeauty.com/?p=679 The good people over at Barnett Dermatology sent us the following “Skin Care Hype Decoded” email. There was some interesting stuff – some that I knew, some that I didn’t. I thought I would share. Does any of this take you by surprise?

By now, you’ve probably seen buzzwords like “all natural,” “hypoallergenic” and “patented” hundreds of times. But have you ever stopped to ask what they mean?

Beauty companies love terms like these because they suggest concrete benefits that don’t have to be backed up by science. In fact, as long as they don’t claim to change the body’s structure or function, companies don’t need FDA approval to market new products to the public and are not required to provide any research to prove their claims. These days, one would almost need a degree in chemistry to understand some of the catch phrases on skin care products. Dr. Channing Barnett is a board certified Manhattan dermatologists who wants to help consumers understand what this frequently used language means.

Gone are the days when simple statements such as “oil free” would suffice. Perhaps the most common phrase is clinical formula. As Dr. Barnett explains, “this has no real meaning. It does not necessarily indicate that the formula was produced in a medical clinic as the manufacturers would have people believe. Clinically tested could very well indicate that the product was tested, but what was it tested for? What were the results? Essentially, this marketing claim is meaningless.”

Here are six more commonly misunderstood terms to watch for:

1. “Patented” or “pantent pending”

Patents can be granted to companies that manufacture or combine materials in new ways. But just because something is patented doesn’t mean it works.

2. “All natural”

This one really bugs me! It doesn’t mean the product is organic or chemical-free. After all, chemicals are “natural,” too.

3. “Organic”

The US Department of Agriculture certifies organic food ingredients found in cosmetics, but not essential oils or plants used for cosmetic purposes. To carry the USDA Organic seal, a product must contain at least 95% organic food ingredients (read What Does Organic Really Mean in Skin Products?). Other countries have their own organic certification labels, such as COSMOS and NaTrue in the European Union and NASAA in Australia. Read COSMOS Standardizes Organic Product Labels to learn more.

4. “Hypoallergenic”

Think this guarantees you won’t have a reaction? Think again. These products can still contain ingredients some people are allergic to, including preservatives and fragrance.

5. “Fragrance-free”

These products may not have a noticeable smell, but can still contain “masking” scents to cover up ingredients with unpleasant odors. Look for the words “no fragrance added” instead.

6. “Non-comedogenic”

While non-comedogenic products are usually oil-free and therefore less likely to cause breakouts, there’s no guarantee they won’t. In fact, many contain dimethicone, a known acne aggravator.

7. Helps “pre-mature aging.”
Perhaps the most appealing of all claims from a consumer standpoint is this statement. If a product truly prevented premature aging by affecting the structure of the skin, it would be classified as a drug and therefore would require FDA approval. Manufactures circumvent this by utilizing the fact that sunscreens prevent premature aging by decreasing the damaging effects of ultraviolet light on the skin. Therefore, if a product contains sunscreen, it may state “prevents premature aging’ on the label.”

For more, visit BarnettDermatology.com

Green Tea Toxin Cleanser – A best-seller for the company, one use and I can see why. This gentle creme cleanser destroys dirt, even getting deep into those pesky nose pores. Yet it is never drying or irritating. Aloe vera, green tea, lavender, witch hazel, honey, willowbark, rosemary, grape seed oil, and vitamins A, B, C, and E all make up the very pronounceable ingredients list.

pH Equilibrant Moisturizer – This is a surprisingly rich moisturizer, yet it is light and absorbs quickly and completely. Free of mineral or vegetable oils, this moisturizer is loaded with aloe vera, shea butter, jojoba oil, almond oil, palm oil, and green tea.

Holistic Honey Body Lotion – I have tried a number of honey-based lotions, and they all feel sticky to one degree or another. Not this one. It is light, absorbs quickly, and moisturizes all day – even through multiple hand washing. Impressive. Truly organic honey is used in this lotion. Not only are the bees free of any kind of chemicals for removing honey, the bees are not killed to extract their honey, and they only pollinate certified organic or uncultivated crops.

For more info on Made From Earth’s process, and of course to order, visit MadeFromEarth.com

For The Lips: Lypsyl LypMoisturizer is made with Swedish beeswax and SPF 15 for soft and safe lips. It goes on clear with no shine or stickiness, making it a great unisex balm. The scent is called honeyberry – it is a light, sweet blend of both scents, with no real taste. The oval shaped tube slips into your pocket more easily than traditional round balms, and rather that a twist-up stick, the balm pushes up with a tiny switch shaped like a bumblebee. Adorable.

For The Body: One Skin Conditioner Bar is good for your skin and the earth. The solid moisturizer softens the moment it touches your skin to impart a soothing blend of shea butter, cocoa butter, beeswax, linseed oil, lanolin, and coconut oil. The lavender scent is soothing and meant to be used before bed. One Skin Conditioner is all natural and cruelty-free. The bar itself is wrapped in paper and packaged in a recyclable, biodegradable box – kind of like a flat egg carton – with not a hint of plastic anywhere.

For The Face: After a long day by the pool, slather your face with Lavera Balancing Cream. No SPF makes this a nighttime moisturizer. Using an all-natural blend that includes organic calendula, witch hazel, mango seed butter, and avocado oil, Lavera Balancing Cream goes on lightly, yet moisturizes perfectly. Not too greasy, not too dry. It is soothing to stressed-out skin and I noticed a reduction in minor redness. Definitely a top-notch moisturizer.

For the feet: Sand is the best foot exfoliator, but it is often drying. Soften up after a tough day on the beach with Curel Target Therapy Foot Cream. Thick, rich moisturizing cream gives deep moisture without greasiness or stickiness. It works best when applied overnight so it can absorb and not send you sliding down uncarpeted hallways. Bonus: I woke up with buttery-soft hands after massaging Curel Target Therapy into my feet.

Suki’s products are pretty impressive, too. We gave the 21 Day Detox Kit a spin. This travel-sized collection includes exfoliate foaming cleanser, concentrated balancing toner, balancing day lotion, bio-resurfacing facial peel, and bio-active purifying face serum. The Detox Kit aims to return balance to your skin in the same sense that a cleanse detoxes your system. I loved how the Detox Kit left me feeling clean and soft, with skin that felt smooth – like it had been resurfaced (but not nearly as scary as that sounds). I will say that I wasn’t crazy about how many products you are supposed to put on – toner, then serum, then moisturizer. It just felt like too much. Not heavy or suffocating, but a touch sticky. I usually just use moisturizer.

While Suki’s goal is to produce products that are suitable for even the most fragile, delicate skin, everyone’s skin is different, and I found the entire system to be too much on my skin. I was pretty impressed with the results of using the system, but by day two or three of the full regiment (except for the facial peel, which I did not try), my skin was red and blotchy. Not itchy or uncomfortable – just a little red. I cut it down to once every 2-3 days, and did much better on that schedule.

My favorite product was the foaming exfoliator. It starts as a sugar scrub, then melts into a fab cleanser. Plus it smells like sugar and lemons (kind of like Fresh’s skincare line).

Created in 1957 by Japanese pharmacist Yoshikiyo Nowatari, it is one of the top-selling skincare lines in Japan. The combination of glycerin and vitamins E and B2 creates a velvety veil over the skin that is not greasy. The medicinal smell comes from the camphor – don’t worry, the scent absorbs quickly. The camphor soothes the skin for everything from eczema to sunburn. I love it to soothe my arms when the summer heat dries out my skin and leaves it itchy and tight. The moisture lasts all day, even through hand washing.

Explorer Sumiyo Tsuzuki trusts Yu-Be so much she took it on her Mt. Everest climb and exploration of both poles. If it is good enough to protect her against sub-zero elements, isn’t it good enough for you?

Clarisonic’s sonic skin cleansing system looked a little scary at first. You know those sonic toothbrushes? This is like a giant one for your face. I love my sonic toothbrush, but I was worried it would be too hard for my skin. My worry was misplaced – this thing is awesome.

We checked out the Mia, which is a compact, single-speed model that is perfect for travel. It’s simple: put a bit of facial cleanser on the brush head, turn it on, and work over the skin in circles. The Clarisonic will automatically shut off after 60 seconds. A full charge will last about 2-3 weeks of daily use. And of course, all the Clarisonics are water proof, which is perfect because I always do my face cleansing in the shower.

My major concern, that the bristles would be harsh, was unfounded. The brush was the perfect texture – soft and comfortable, but still offering good exfoliation. The product promises that the sonic waves loosen deep-down dirt, leaving a better clean. I believe it – after just one use, my skin felt infinitely softer and looked brighter with a more even tone.

The Clarisonic Mia came with a sample tube of their Gentle Hydro Cleanser, and frankly, I wasn’t a fan. I felt that I got much better results with this Juice Beauty cleanser.

Huge Lips Skinny Hips Lipgloss – From Purple Labs NYC, HLSH has everything you could want in a lip gloss – plus some stuff you never realized you missed! The “huge lips” come from vitamin B3 to plump your lips without the sting or burn, and the “skinny hips” comes from Hoodia extract, a natural appetite suppressant. The formula is light, creamy, and non-tacky – perfect for smooching away. Our favorite shade: Kitty Poledancer, a wonderfully neutral pink with just a hint of shimmer.

Sexy Smile – If your lips don’t need any more plumping, try Sexy Smile. This double duty gloss contains a long lasting blue-based gloss on one side (to avoid making teeth look unnaturally yellow). The other side contains a breath-freshening mild tooth whitener. Drink that red wine with confidence!

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Perfume – If you can’t get away to France, smell like it, with APOM fragrance from Maison Francis Kurkdjian. At once sensuous and light, this Oriental whiff combines orange flower, cedar wood, and ylang ylang flower. It will have him going “oh la la!”

Scandle – Finish the evening off with a Scandle. These wonderfully fragrant soy candles double as body oil. The wax burns two degrees higher than normal body temp, and is formulated with soy, shea, jojoba, and vitamin E. Pour a little bit for a moisturizing and fragrant massage – just remember to extinguish the flame first!

Dr. Perricone High Potency Eye Lift – Perfect for the morning after a night full of champagne and chocolates, High Potency Eye Lift has Perricone’s patented DMAE as well as phospholipids and pycnogenol to increase collagen, reduce dark circles, hydrate, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and fights the loss of skin elasticity.

Cleansing Gel: Love. This foaming cleanser rinses clean and leaves my skin clean with the rosy glow of a child’s skin – yet still manages to not irritate or dry out skin.

Antioxidant Serum: So-so. Meant to be worn under moisturizer, it is a little sticky and feels heavy for a serum. I don’t like how it feels, so I don’t use it frequently enough to see what kind of effect it has on my skin.

Antioxidant Moisturizer: Love. Light enough to absorb quickly, yet actually hydrates the skin instead of evaporating like so many other light moisturizers.

SPF 15 Moisturizer: Like. A good moisturizer with good sun protection, but as is frequently the case with SPF moisturizers, it feels like sunscreen. It is heavier than the regular moisturizer, so I tend to use this only when I know I will be spending more than 20 minutes outside.

Green Apple Peel: I did not try this hydroxy acid peel due to sensitive skin.

The Age Defying Solutions set retails for $45 (a $75 value). You can purchase it from Beauty.com

Biore Hard Day’s Night overnight moisturizer – This is quite possibly my favorite moisturizer ever, day or night. Part of their “inbetween skin” line (too old for acne products; too young for serious anti-wrinkle formulas), this moisturizer is like a thick serum. It is oil free, which allows it to give serious hydration without being heavy or greasy. I do not have particularly dry skin, but when I use this cream my skin feels well-balanced, soft, even toned, and healthy. From a sciency standpoint, Biore’s exclusive Botanamide technology strengthens and hydrates skin while protecting it from free radicals. All I know is that I simply love this moisturizer. If it had a sunscreen in it, I would use it as a day lotion, too.

Zo Oraser Overnight Hand Recovery – This hand lotion is loaded with super-retinol, vitamin C and E, and coenzyme-10 to relieve dryness, brighten skin, improve elasticity, and fights signs of aging. What I find interesting is that it definitely is meant as an overnight treatment. When I first put it on, it doesn’t feel particularly moisturizing. But when I wake up in the morning, my hands feel smooth, hydrated, and generally healthy. Cracked portions of skin on the ball of my palm are virtually healed by morning. It is definitely a worthwhile product, just understand when to use it and know what to expect. Once I got over the initial “WTF?” stage, I was in love.

John Frieda Creme Serum Overnight Repair Formula – I wasn’t really expecting much by way of results with this product. I don’t process my hair in any way, so it is pretty healthy, if a touch frizzy. But after one night of using this hair serum, I was amazed with the results. You rub a few drops on dry hair before bed, and shampoo in the morning. The light serum absorbed quickly and didn’t leave a mess on my pillow. The next day I washed my hair, added a couple drops of anti-frizz serum and let it air dry. When it was dry I was amazed. My hair was extra-shiny, bouncy, and silky. No frizz or fly aways. I had that “feel like you just stepped out of a salon” hair at a much lower price.

Sally Hansen Overnight Lip Recovery – Another product that was surprisingly awesome. You know how sometimes when you go to sleep with lip balm on, you wake up with puckery lips, like fingers that have been in water too long. This thick lip conditioner was a little heavy, but by morning, my lips just felt plump and soft and healthy. I have very sensitive lips and was worried I would have an allergic reaction – I didn’t. What is more, that healthy feeling lasted most of the day – I only needed to apply balm once. Another winner!