SkinMedica Tr-Retinol Complex ES is the latest advancement in SkinMedica’s laboratories. This radical product contains the highest concentration of non-prescription retinoid available to treat the signs of aging.
Combining three forms of Vitamin A and a patent pending Microsponge delivery system, fine lines and wrinkles are greatly reduced with minimal or no irritation to the skin. Results from a clinical study show Tr-Retinol Complex ES and Tretinoin .025% are equally effective.
SkinMedica Tr-Retinol Complex ES diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, stimulates cell regeneration, and evens out skin tone and texture. The appearance of age spots are reduced and elasticity and firmness are significantly improved.
Look no further, this is the retinol you’ve been searching for!
Have you entered our latest giveaway? You could win skincare treasures from Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare! Enter now!
Having trouble with breakouts? Want something to zap those pesky zits without breaking the bank? Here are our Top 5 picks to treat those blemishes.
1. Zeno Hot Spot Pink – This handy little device uses thermal-based ClearPoint™ technology to kill the blemish-causing bacteria on the skin.
2. SAMPAR Prodigal Pen Blemish Corrector – This pocket-sized pen is power packed with eight detoxifying, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory essential oils including sage, clove and lavender.
3. Bremenn Research Labs Emergency Zit Stick – With 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide, this concentrated spot treatment works instantly to heal blemishes and reduce any uncomfortable swelling and associated redness.
4. La Roche Posay Effaclar AI Intensive Acne Spot Treatment – This powerful spot treatment battles troublesome zits with a one-two punch combining two of the most popular and effective blemish fighting ingredients on the market, Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide.
5. Ole Henriksen Roll On Blemish Attack – Combining Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic Acid and Zinc, this triple threat really does attack those blemishes without overdrying or irritating the skin in the process.
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Spices are not just for cooking, many skincare companies utilize spices, or the oils obtained from them, in the formulation of their products. Here are just a few with notable skincare benefits.
• Fennel – Fennel’s ability to decrease irritation and redness make it a great ingredient for sensitive skin. It also has the capability to tone and tighten making it a useful tool for mature skin and a great addition to an eye cream. The Obagi Nu-Derm Eye Cream contains fennel. With its ability to stimulate lymphatic drainage and reduce puffiness, Fennel is a useful firming agent.
• Cloves – These little evergreen tree buds have been used all over the world for centuries. Clove oil is an effective antimicrobial agent and is often added to acne treatment products such as the Boscia Clear Complexion Treatment. Additionally, cloves are rich in Vitamins A and C, two very effective antioxidants.
• Cinnamon – Individuals with oily or acne-prone skin will benefit from this yummy ingredient due to its antibacterial and naturally astringent properties. Korres Cinnamon and Natural Clay Deep Cleansing Mask is a great product that makes use of its benefits. Cinnamon is also well known for its warming effect and is commonly found in body products such as soaks and scrubs to help boost circulation. Melvita Cinnamon Orange Cream Soap and Kings and Queens Queen Isabella Cinnamon Orange Body Scrub are some of our favorites.
• Pepper – Pepper is a popular ingredient in body products due to its ability to boost circulation. Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper Sugar Scrub also have analgesic properties and can be used to soothe muscle aches. Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Gel is another great muscle soother.
• Turmeric – This is a popular ingredient because of its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric is also a powerful antioxidant and can help with the lightening of hyperpigmentation. For a more in-depth look on Turmeric, see our previous blog. [“Hot Ingredient – Turmeric”]
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If Mom wrote a wish list to Santa it would most likely include our Top 5 Tools! These devices are the latest advancements in skincare technology. Her eyes will surely light up if she’s lucky enough to have one waiting for her under the tree!
Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infusion System is the newest tool added to Clarisonic’s lineup. The Opal’s soothing sonic action gently infuses eye serum into the top layer of skin refreshing and renewing the appearance of skin around the eye area. Eyes will appear brighter and firmer with improved elasticity. Fine lines, under-eye puffiness and dark circles are also reduced.
Silk’n SensEpil Hair Removal Device is the next best thing to professional laser hair removal treatments at a fraction of the price! Silk’n uses pulsed light technology for safe long-term hair removal. The results are comparable to laser technology used in physician’s offices after just s few sessions. Full leg treatments are completed in as little as 30 minutes. Waxing and tedious shaving will just be banished for good.
Clarisonic Plus Skin Care System with Spot Treatment kicks the cleansing and exfoliation process into overdrive! In addition to the face brush, the plus system also includes a body attachment. Troublesome areas such as the décolleté, knees, elbows, and feet are easily tackled with the body brush attachment. With continual use your skin will be firmer, softer and have improved texture.
Baby Quasar Power Pack is the ultimate skin care tool that addresses anti-aging concerns while simultaneously battling hormonal acne. When blue and red infrared lights are used in conjunction, the results are astonishing! The blue light eradicates blemish causing bacteria Propionibacterium acnes, also known as P. acne bacteria while the red light stimulates collagen and elastin production, shrinks pore size, and reduces sebum production. It’s a one, two combo that dramatically improves your complexion.
DDF Revolve 400X Micro-Polishing System is an at home microdermabrasion device that is as effective as professional spa treatments. The unique rotating motion polishes away skin imperfections with 400 rotations per minute. The device greatly reduces the appearance of pore size and fine lines with continual use. Skin texture is also improved revealing a smoother more radiant complexion.
What’s on your wish list? We’d love to know which tool you’re dying to try!
A pad provides an easy and convenient way to exfoliate the skin, remove excess oils and residue while supplying the skin with antioxidants. Peel pads are used on clean, dry skin once daily. With use of a peel pad you’ll notice that your skin appears smoother, more even toner, brighter and you’ll also notice that your other products penetrate deeper and therefore, work much better!
Our top selling Philosophy Multi Use Peel Pads always get rave reviews. Lactic acid, emollients and vitamins in an easy-to-use daily pad provide exfoliation, hydration, and antioxidant protection in one easy step. This formula also contains anti-inflammatory ingredients to reduce swelling associated with rosacea or eczema.
What about those of us that are super acne prone? Someone that tends to get acne (whether it’s a teen, or a 35 year old going through hormonal changes) favors peel pads because they’re easy to use, sanitary and effective. ZO Skin Health Offects TE-Pads Acne Pore Treatment is an outstanding peel pad for treating and preventing acne. These pads are hydrated in 2% salicylic acid, the highest over-the-counter concentration, which gently exfoliates pore-clogging dead skin cells while botanical extracts calm the skin and glycolic acid provides anti-aging properties.
If someone is looking for a super exfoliating anti-aging treatment, we recommend Peter Thomas Roth UnWrinkle Peel Pads. They promote cellular turnover, reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, brighten and infuse the skin with vitamins A, C, E and D. These unique peel pads contain a blend of alpha, beta, gamma hydroxyl acids and amino acids (the building blocks of peptides) to provide comprehensive anti-aging benefits in one easy step. Win!
Those of you that are super sensitive, or if you simply don’t want to have any excess exfoliation (if you’re already using glycolic or retinol) there is a peel pad for you too! ARCONA Triad Pads cleanse, tone and hydrate the skin while infusing it with antioxidants and clarifying cranberry extract.
Guys love peel pads too. Men’s Health magazine voted Anthony Logistics Astringent Toner Pads their favorite peel pad in 2008 and our male customers keep this bad boy in their favorites. Anthony Logistics Astringent Toner Pads help eliminate impurities, tighten pores and control shine. The special blend of ingredients provides calming effects on skin while providing oil control, and working to heal any nicks post-shave.
What’s your favorite peel pad? Why do you love it? We’d love to know!
Do you need some help in clearing your face of acne and unwanted shine? I have the perfect antidote for the problem! There are a few products which can act as a product for many faces to address major skin concerns. Clogged pores, oily skin and blemishes…do those sound familiar to you? This is one of the major areas of concern these days. So… find a way to say hello to a pure complexion and wave goodbye to the problem cuprits.
Two products with innovative formulas have shined their way into the spot light. The first is Normaderm Hydrating Care by Vichy which was created to hydrate the skin while stopping the cycle of acne related imperfections. The product formulation includes Zincadone+ (used to control oils within the skin and fight impurities), Intra-Pore Technology (used to purify, exfoliate, and sooth the skin) and Vichy Thermal Spring Water (rich in rare minerals that sooth and fortify). If your skin is very congested and blemish prone, this would be your recommended product. If you are oily or shiny on top of those concerns, then you could apply the PRO Mat over the Hydrating Care. Just make sure you remember that you should only apply thin layers of your products over the entire face.
The Normaderm PRO Mat is an oil-free, lightweight moisturizer that gives an instant matte finish. The product uses Dry Finish Technology which absorbs the excess oils in your skin to leave a soft, almost lightly powdered appearance and also provides SPF 15 protection. Another great note for this particular item is that it makes for a great makeup base! Foundation users know how useful it is to have a smooth, even texture to apply your makeup over. For that flawless application if you do not have acneic or blemish prone skin, you wouldn’t need to use the Hydrating Care. All you would need would be the Pro Mat unless you needed extra hydration or just wanted the added blemish preventing benefits. Aside from the fact that these two products rock, the product line itself is a winner. Most all of the products are made for even the most sensitive skin types (clinically tested), and have that feel good/ smell good kind of experience that ends your efforts with a smile!
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BOO! Happy All Hallows Eve! While your bunnies, ghosts, princesses and pirates are out trick-or-treating, treat yourself to a masque of your own, here are our favorite skin treats… no tricks involved:
Purifying masques
Oily and acne-prone skin types benefit from a weekly purifying masque. Purifying masques help to minimize the appearance of large pores while drawing out impurities and excess sebum. A purifying masque is typically clay based and contains anti-inflammatory and astringent properties.
Exfoliating masques
Everyone should exfoliate! An exfoliating masque will remove dead skin cells from your skin. Exfoliating masques provide brightening, purifying and tightening benefits. After exfoliating, treatment products will penetrate deeper into the skin.
Brightening masques
Dull skin can benefit from a brightening masque. Brightening masques are infused with glow-getting antioxidant ingredients like berry extracts and vitamin C.
Soothing masques:
If you’ve over-exfoliated, or if you have sensitive skin, or if you’re looking to calm a sunburn then soothing masques are for you! A soothing masque will deposit cooling, calming and hydrating ingredients into the skin.
Dry skin loves a hydrating masque. Hydrating masques contain moisture-driving ingredients like sodium hyaluronate, essential oils, kernel oils and shea butter which soften the skin.
Tell us what your favorites masque is – we’d love to hear!
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Do you ever feel like there is not enough blotting paper in the world to combat your oily, shiny skin? Do you walk outside on a hot, summer day and feel your makeup immediately start sliding off of your face? Do you walk outside on a cold, winter day and still experience the same problem? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, let me introduce you to your new best friend…Vichy Normaderm PRO Mat!
My own battle with excess oil and shine has been ongoing for as long as I can remember. Always on the search, it seemed like I was constantly spending time and money trying to find something that worked for me, but to no avail. Now, I have FINALLY found that product…thank you Vichy for creating the perfect product for me!
This oil-free moisturizer is my multitasking miracle! It absorbs quickly, works fantastic as a foundation base, instantly mattifies and keeps me shine-free for hours. Another great feature about this product is that it also contains an SPF 15. UV rays are another cause of excess oil production. As if we needed another reason to wear our sunscreen.
I can already hear you asking “How does it work?” Vichy Normaderm PRO Mat contains microspheres that provide that beautiful, instantly matte finish while the Vitamin CG (a stable precursor to Vitamin C) slowly releases throughout the day to actually regulate your body’s own sebum production. So not only does PRO Mat work as an anti-shine quick fix, it also provides long-term benefits.
Light therapy is something that has been around in the beauty world for quite some time now. I always get a kick out of watching the 1939 movie “The Women” starring Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer. (Some of us remember images of Joan Crawford with a green cold cream mask on, YIKES!) In the movie you see what the glamorous day spas for women were like during that era, and all the bizarre treatments and beauty devices; one of those including light therapy.
Typical light therapy from decades ago would involve giving a client a relaxing facial followed by either oils, creams, or masks and the use of either a white, blue, or red lamp depending on the skin type and desired result. Clients would typically relax on the spa bed for several minutes allowing the product and light to penetrate.
OH HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED! The light therapy used today is an entirely new era of advanced technology. Comparing the old school light therapy lamps to the technology used in the Baby Quasars is like comparing apples to oranges.
The Baby Quasar utilizes the latest technology with specific wavelengths of infrared and natural light energy to stimulate skin cells. The Baby Quasar Red uses light to stimulate blood flow, cellular metabolism, and collagen production. The Baby Quasar Blue uses light to kill acne bacteria deep within the pores. When the Baby Quasar Red and Baby Quasar Blue are used in combination, clinical studies have shown an even greater benefit in treating inflammatory acne.
Ongoing use of the Baby Quasar Red and Baby Quasar Blue can help to reduce acne breakouts and inflammation, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, reduce pore size, increase blood flow and circulation, replace damage skin cells over time, and accelerate your skin’s deep healing.
For years and years I have been plagued with ongoing spurts of acne breakouts at the base of my hairline. The technical term is Scalp Folliculitis. They come and go, and no matter what products or treatments I have tried nothing seems to work. We recently completed training with a Baby Quasar representative and we were fortunate enough to have a Baby Quasar Power Pack to use. After just 5 treatments I have seen a significant
reduction in breakouts and the areas of skin that had deep inflammation are now healing!
The Baby Quasar products are a revolutionary break through in skin care technology. I know once you purchase a Baby Quasar Power Pack and begin your new regimen, you will be hooked!
For those of you wanting the benefit of microdermabrasion without all the cost involved we have some excellent choices for you. But what exactly is the definition of this fancy word? Dermabrasion is the use of a physical exfoliant to remove or rub off the top layer of dead skin cells. The result is a fresh layer of newer skin cells revealing a more glowing, healthy skin, less fine lines and wrinkles, and fewer sun spots or hyperpigmentation.
Microdermabrasion is usually done at either a dermatologist’s office or estheticians salon or spa. The “micro” part comes with the use of micro aluminum oxide crystals that are blasted onto the skin with air pressure and immediately vacuumed off the skin. Microdermabrasion has little if any down time.
SkinStore has some wonderful at home tools that provide you the opportunity to get similar results to microdermabrasion without the office or spa appointments, or the associated cost.
If you prefer a tool instead of a product you can use this by itself:
The Personal Microderm Tool Kit
Removes the thin layer of dead skin cells so that rejuvenation creams and serums can sink deeper into the skin and work more effectively…Greatly enhances poor, dull skin texture by gently resurfacing the superficial skin layers…Polishes and reduces fine, crêpe lines on the cheeks generally caused by aging and sun damage…DVD and written directions included.
If you prefer a product instead of a tool you can use one of the following by themselves:
ZO Skin Health Offects Exfoliating Polish
Round magnesium crystals exfoliate dead skin cells, increase epidermal turnover and create a clearer, smoother, more even-toned complexion.
Lierac Paris Micro Abrasion Exfoliating Smoothing Cream This stimulating smoothing cream contains alumina crystals for deep-down exfoliation and urea for optimum comfort, giving an immediate radiance-boosting effect, refined skin texture and diminishes the appearance of fine lines.
Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion
Magnesium oxide crystals polish away dead skin cells leaving skin radiant. These diamond shaped crystals exfoliate evenly without scratching or irritating the skin while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles and improving the overall texture of the skin. Helps clear acne prone skin and improves scars. Ideal for the face, arms, hands and neck.
As with any skin resurfacing product, either chemical or physical, it is imperative to use an SPF of 20 or higher after having a resurfacing done. Not protecting your newly revealed skin cells can cause damage from UVA/UVB rays and cause your skin to rapidly age. SkinMedica TNS Ultimate Daily Moisturizer SPF 20 is a great choice.
Restore that youthful healthy glow to your skin and have everyone wondering how you did it!
Which do you prefer: “in office” microdermabrasion or “at home” microdermabrasion? Leave us a comment below!
laboratories. This radical product contains the highest concentration of non-prescription retinoid available to treat the signs of aging.
Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infusion System
Baby Quasar Power Pack 
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