Kojic Acid is a completely safe and natural alternative to the popular yet controversial skin lightening ingredient Hydroquinone. Kojic acid is used to treat hyperpigmentation or Melsama, patches of dark pigmentation on the skin. Kojic acid is derived from mushrooms and is highly effective in small does. Hyperpigmentation is often the result of melanocyte damage due to excess sun exposure. Other common causes are hormone fluctuation during pregnancy and menopause. Kojic Acid reduces discolorations in the skin by blocking the production of melanin or pigment. By inhibiting melanin production, Kojic Acid can lighten existing dark spots for a more even complexion. Two popular and effective products that contain Kojic acid are SkinCeuticals Phyto+ and SkinCeuticals Pigment Regulator. To keep your dark spots at bay, it’s critical to use a good SPF product daily. We suggest La Roche Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid or SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50.

Please note: we don’t recommend using these products while pregnant or nursing. Always consult with your physician before starting any new skin care regimen.

Be your own Valentine this year and treat yourself to some of our favorite most indulgent products. Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse for self-pampering. Here’s a few of our top choices this Valentine’s Day.

MOR Essentially Delightful  Sugar Rose Tiger Lily Gift Set is beautifully packaged and contains a full sized Sugar Rose Tiger Lily Soap Bar and Hand and Body Lotion. This subtle fragrance combines a blend of sugary rose, exotic tiger lily and ripe tropical fruits. MOR also has a fabulous Neroli Clementine Fragrant Candle that has a blend of fresh Neroli and sweet Clementine with a base note of bright Yuzu and candied Orange. Both are wonderful for a do it yourself at home spa day!

Clarisonic Mia Sonic Cleansing System-Berry is the perfect gift for you! Its cheerful color makes it fun to cleanse morning and night. It’s time to think beyond the washcloth and elevate cleansing to a sonic level. Traditional methods of cleansing don’t get your skin as clean as you’d think. Fortunately, the lead inventor of Sonicare discovered a breakthrough in how we cleanse. Clarisonic’s patented sonic technology works with skin’s natural elasticity to gently remove the impurities traditional methods leave behind—cleansing 6X better than your hands alone. In just 60 seconds, the sonic action removes impurities from pores so creams, serums and moisturizers absorb better. And with regular daily use you’ll notice a reduction in dry patches, oily areas and blemishes. Cleaner skin is healthier skin and healthier skin is more radiant and more beautiful.

Searching for the fountain of youth? Look no farther, Baby Quasar’s limited edition Baby Quasar Pink is the ultimate anti-aging tool. The Baby Quasar is a light based medical grade device that uses red and infrared light to help fight the signs of aging. Clinical research has shown that red and infrared light can be extremely effective in firming and toning the skin by boosting cellular activity and increasing blood flow and circulation. Using its proprietary SequePulse technology, the Baby Quasar gently pulses four wavelengths of light to increase circulation, thereby diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores and discoloration. From the comfort and privacy of your home, Baby Quasar light-based skin care diminishes the visible signs of aging without repeated visits to the dermatologist or spa.

You heard our faves, now we want to know yours! If money was not a factor, what product would you treat yourself to this Valentine’s Day?

Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids found in the skin and play a critical role in the barrier function of our skin. If our skin barrier becomes compromised moisture loss and skin irritation is eminent. As we age, ceramides are also depleted from the skin and our skin can become drier and lose that smooth healthy glow of our youth. Using a product containing ceramides replenishes the ceramides in our skin that we have lost over time or due to environmental stressors. Using products with ceramides can also greatly help the treatment of eczema. A few of our favorite products that contain ceramides are Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Time Complex Moisture Cream, Kinerase Pro Therapy Ultra Rich Night Repair, and Topix SRS Pro-Ceramide Barrier Repair. Click here to learn about more great ingredients.

Exfoliate your way to a brighter more even complexion with results you can see and feel! Everyone always loves that baby face, fresh and clean feel after they leave their facial appointment. Well now you can have that feeling at home. Formulated with microbeads, fruit enzymes and salicylic acid, the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment will leave you with healthier looking skin after just one treatment! It became a personal favorite of mine after the first use. It’s best used once or twice each week, morning or evening, to keep skin radiant. Apply a thin, even layer to a clean, wet face, massaging in a circular motion for 30 seconds. Leave on for up to two minutes. Rinse off with warm water and gently pat dry and experience the results! This product does increase circulation which can cause the skin to flush for a short time. If you have sensitive skin it is best to leave it on for less than a minute or use the ExfoliKate Gentle Exfoliating Treatment. And for those with a problematic skin type, we highly recommend the ExfoliKate Acne Clearing Exfoliating Treatment to give you that glow, while targeting blemishes and helping to prevent new breakouts.

• Tip from Kate Somerville: Use ExfoliKate in the shower as the steam will help to activate the enzymes, making it even more effective.

One of my favorite cleansers has to be the Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel. I am not sure if it’s the smell of the product, or the results I get when I use this product that I like best, but it’s truly amazing.

It contains all the essential ingredients that an effective cleanser should have.  It has glycolic and salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin and provide a deep pore cleansing experience.  Citrus extracts for brightening and antioxidants to keep my skin healthy and radiant. This harmonic blend will help increase cell turnover to help to appearance of fine lines wrinkles and dull skin.

For those of us that like a gel based cleanser that really removes dirt, oil, and makeup this anti-aging cleansing gel really does the trick. It also works great with my Clarisonic, to remove dirt and oil and has a nice lather. I purchased the larger size bottle so I use it as a body wash to help exfoliate my dull winter skin.

The Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel works great for all skin types except really sensitive skin types. For sensitive skin, try the Peter Thomas Roth Gentle Foaming Face Wash. This is a mild gentle cleanser the will hydrate and soothe sensitive skin, while gently removing dirt and oil.

Looking for a pain free, cheaper alternative to professional waxing? Aren’t we all? Look no further! MOOM Organic Hair Removal Kit amazingly does just what it says! MOOM is an alternative to expensive professional waxing treatments with the same great benefits and more. Hair is removed for up to eight weeks, it’s less painful than traditional waxing, and doesn’t leave the skin irritated. Your skin is actually more hydrated and softer than before without the need of after repair lotions. MOOM removes the hair from the root, cleansing the hair follicle, making ingrown hairs less frequent. MOOM can be used on the whole body including the face, under arms, legs, and bikini area.

Kit Includes:

• 100% Natural Hair Remover, 6oz
• 12 body washable reusable Fabric Strips
• 6 face washable reusable Fabric Strips
• 4 wooden applicators

We all need to wear sunscreen no matter what our skin type is or time of year it may be.  Oily or break out prone skin types sometimes have a hard time finding a good moisturizer with SPF that won’t make them feel more oily and won’t aggravate their acne prone skin. Boscia has just developed an oil free moisturizing sunscreen that will help protect and heal your skin, while address anti-aging concerns.

The botanical formula is comprised of a physical sunscreen that will help to protect your skin from environmental damage while also preventing collagen breakdown which causes damage and photo aging to our skin.  One key ingredient called abyssine will help to further protect the skin while providing soothing benefits to address inflammation and irritation. The BB cream also has anti-aging benefits because it will help to promote skin elasticity, while reducing the appearance of fine lines with an ingredient called Hydroxyprolisilane. Hydroxyprolisilane is tissue regenerator that helps to stimulate, strengthen, and protect collagen and elastin fibers. The Boscia BB cream is also hydrating but will not clog your pores due to the oil free formula.

The BB cream has a slight tint to it, which will work for most skin types and will help to even out skin tone and help to address redness. It also works great as a makeup primer to smooth out the skin and help to diminish the appearance of pores. It’s very important to wear an SPF even if you are oily or acne prone. Please remember that wearing a sunscreen is your best defense against premature skin aging.

When I started my esthetics training we quickly learned the process to healthy skin! “Cleanse, tone, moisturize, protect!” Being a girl with acne-prone, oily skin, I didn’t want to add any sort of moisturizer to my skin. I sat down with an instructor one day to go over my regimen. She asked what moisturizer I used, and I said, “Oh! My skin is oily, so I don’t use one!” She looked at me like I was crazy! She explained to me why even oily skin needs a moisturizer, and now, dear friends, I will share that information with you.

You see, believe it or not oily skin can still be dehydrated, meaning it is lacking water, not oil. Dehydration in skin can lead to overactive sebaceous (oil) glands making the skin oily. Using an oil free moisturizer will balance out moisture levels, which will help keep oil production at bay.

It took a couple of months for me to even believe this enough to try it. I finally did, and wouldn’t ya know it! She knew what she was talking about!  If you still aren’t buying it, just give it a few weeks. Try an oil free moisturizer! La Roche Posay Effaclar Daily Mattifying Moisturizer is one of my favorites. I bet you’ll notice the difference!

With a high concentration of Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene, carrot seed oil is one of the best essential oils you can use for anti-aging.  Carrot seed oil helps to revitalize the skin, soften fine lines and wrinkles, promote skin elasticity and fade scars. Carrot seed oil can be used on a wide variety of skin types from oily to dry skin types. A few of our favorite products that contain Carrot seed oil are Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, Decleor Aromaessence Iris Rejuvenating Serum, and Astara Activated Antioxidant Infusion. Click here to learn about more great ingredients.

Imedeen Prime Renewal, one of our bestselling and highly reviewed supplements addresses the specific concerns women have as they enter menopause. During menopause the structure of the skin begins to weaken and become less dense which causes a loss of elasticity, lack of firmness, and dehydration. Prime Renewal aides menopausal skin by:

• Improving the dermal density of the skin.
• Creating firmer skin.
• Reducing visibility of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Reducing visibility of hyperpigmentation.
• Improving the appearance of skin on the face, hands and décolletage

Imedeen Prime Renewal comes with 360 tablets (90 day supply) , two tablets taken in the morning and two tablets taken evening before bed. Results can be noticed after 3-6 months of daily use. Before you know it you’ll have glowing skin from the inside out!