Skin Care

Stuck Between Pimples and Wrinkles? Biore Skin Preservation Skin Care Collection Targets Transitional Skin

March 3rd, 2009 by Karen 22 Comments

biore skin preservation collection

Is your skin going through ch-ch-ch-changes? If you’ve driven by the teenage skin stage but aren’t quite ready for anti-aging creams, then Biore’s new Skin Preservation Skin Care Collection might be worth a test drive.

Biore says the collection helps delay the signs of aging while simultaneously treating dryness, texture and tone. All this, and it won’t strip your skin.

Items in the five-piece collection, which includes a gel cleanser, an exfoliator, an eye cream and two moisturizers (one with SPF 30 for day; one without for night), range from $7-$15 in price.

While I get the sense that Biore created the line for women in their 20s, budget mavens of all ages could find a lot to like.

I played with three of the products: See the Future Fortifying Eye Cream ($15), Clean Things Up Nourishing Gel Cleanser ($7) and Even Smoother Microderm Exfoliator ($15).

My skin’s a combination of oily, dry and acne-prone — lucky me, right? LOL! When I was in my 20s, it was very oily, and I’d get lots of small pimples on my chin and forehead. The switch to combo-skin was quite unexpected and happened within the last two years. As for wrinkles, I have a few fine lines around my eyes, and I’m starting to see faint expression lines on my forehead and around my smile. 🙂

biore see the future fortifying eye cream
See the Future Fortifying Eye Cream ($15) smells like green tea to me, and I love green tea. Biore says it’s a cream, but it feels light, thin and non-greasy — more like an eye gel. The texture totes reminds me of MAC’s Fast Response Eye Cream.

Biore also claims it de-puffs, moisturizes and targets fine lines around the eyes, and they suggest applying it in the morning, evening or any time under makeup.

I liked the smooth, slippery texture and how quickly it sunk into my skin. Immediately, I noticed a visible de-puffing on my eyelids and around my eyes.

I didn’t really see any significant changes in fine lines, but ya know, it’s an eye gel, not a Christmas miracle.

Moisturization feels moderate, but then again my skin can get pretty dry, so I prefer richer eye creams. However, if your skin is oily or normal, then this might suit you just fine. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B

biore clean things up nourishing gel cleanser

Clean Things Up Nourishing Gel Cleanser ($7) has the same yummy green tea scent, and washing with it feels invigorating. I barely need to use any to get a good foam going, and when I rise it off the cleanser removes all of my makeup without leaving my skin feeling taut or uncomfortable.

Because it’s the middle of winter and my skin is drier than usual, I notice even the tiniest bit of tightness around my cheeks and nose. It’s very slight, though. I think when my skin is oilier in the summer it probably won’t be an issue.

If your skin is normal or oily and you’re looking for a basic cleanser that removes everything without stripping your skin, then this is a keeper. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A

biore even smoother microderm exfoliator

Biore stuffed Even Smoother Microderm Exfoliator ($15) with hella exfoliating granules to do some serious scrubbing.

It contains fine alumina crystals (the same crystals used in micro-dermabrasion procedures). I can definitely feel the scrubbies going to work, and I have to take care not to press too hard or too vigorously; otherwise, my skin feels a little raw when I’m done.
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Olay Body Wash Plus Tone Enriching Ribbons: Um, Where’s the Shimmer?

February 28th, 2009 by Karen 28 Comments

olay body wash plus tone enriching ribbons

I hesitate when it comes to trying shimmery body products because walking around with sparkly skin holds no appeal to me, but my curiosity won out when I picked up Olay Body Wash Plus with Tone Enriching Ribbons ($5).

Olay claims the product contains things called mica minerals to add “tone enriching” shimmer to skin while delivering “deep moisture.” My skin always feels drier than shredded wheat, so I gave it a try.

I’d half ~~hoped~~ wondered if the shimmer would leave me looking like I’d just come home from a rave circa 1992.

gold-finger-1

Since the product’s big selling point is the shimmer, I expected to see some on my skin, but no such luck. I couldn’t see even the faintest glow — no glitter, no shimmer, nada.

I wanted to make sure it wasn’t due to my darker skin tone, so I had El Hub, who’s lighter than I am, give it a try.

Same thing. I couldn’t see any difference on his skin, either (although I give thanks every time something prompts El Hub to clean).
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Caring for Oily Skin

February 24th, 2009 by Karen 31 Comments

Caring for oily skin

It’s ironic how something so valuable — oil — can be such a nuisance sometimes. I have combination dry/oily skin now, but in my early-20s it was more oily than dry. Halfway through the day my skin would look shinier than Mr. Clean’s bald head!

Flash forward to 2009. Now, I have the ~~worst~~ best of both worlds, LOL! One week I’ll be wrestling with dry skin, and the next it’s a struggle against oil.

If you’re trying to deal with oily skin, keep your chin up. There’s a silver lining, albeit an oily one. They say oily skin tends to age better, with less dryness and fewer wrinkles over time. 🙂

Caring for oily skin

One challenge with oily skin is avoiding the urge to over-cleanse, which can confuse the heck out of skin, making it either crank up the oil production or swing between oily and excessively dry. Experts recommend avoiding alcohol-based cleansers, which can strip the skin. Instead, reach for gel cleaners and wash no more than twice a day. I may also use a gentle exfoliating product, but not more than once a week.
Even though moisturizer might seem like the last thing oily skin needs, think twice about skipping it. Oily skin gets thirsty, too. Don’t forget to moisturize your neck and decollete, as these areas show the first signs of aging. When my skin was uber-oily a few years ago, I liked light oil-free moisturizers without rich mineral oils and cocoa butter.
I’ve always been pretty good about wearing sunscreen, but many are oil-based and can worsen oily skin. I opt for non-greasy, broad spectrum sunscreens with a minimum SPF 15.
When my skin’s all about the oil, I reach for oil-free makeup, particularly foundations and powder. I like to use a makeup primer under my foundation, and if I’m using a cream blush, then I’ll top them off with a similar shade of powder blush. Same goes for my eyeshadows, too.
When I get breakouts with oily skin, I’ll use cleansers and toners with salicylic acid. My skin tolerates SA better than any other topical acne treatment.

Oily skin can still be dehydrated

Some oily skin products to consider

Over the years I’ve tried gazillions of products for oily skin. Here are some of my favorites.

Cleansers

Moisturizers

Salicylic acid products

Makeup

Oily-skinned ladies, would you care to share your favorite treatments or products? Help your oil-slicked homies out!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy Caring for Dry Skin, 18 MAC to School Makeup Tips and 10 Fantastic Smokey Eye Tutorials.

P.P.S. If you’re new here, thank you for visiting. Makeup and Beauty Blog is a makeup blog with daily product reviews, beauty tips, giveaways and the random shenanigans of a crazy cat lady/makeup enthusiast named Karen (that’s me!). 🙂

Caring for Dry Skin

February 22nd, 2009 by Karen 28 Comments

Caring for Dry Skin

Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink. That’s how my skin feels in winter, when the humidity is low. No matter how much it may be raining outside, in here my skin’s dry, cracked and sore.

Some girls get it worse than others, having a genetic predisposition to dry skin. I’m not sure if I fall into that category, but it feels bad enough to me (and they say it gets worse with age, yea!).

My real problem zones are my knees and elbows, but it can also hit my shins, hands and the side of my tummy. What do I do about it?

Caring for dry skin

When it’s bad, spending less time in the bath seems to help. I’ll take quickie baths or showers (5 to 10 minutes), using lukewarm water instead of hot. I’ll also try to limit myself to just one shower or bath per day until it clears up and will only use soap where I really need it. I may also add a few teaspoons of olive oil or lavender-scented oils to the bath.
Apply moisturizer while the skin’s still damp, like right after towel drying (patting with the towel instead of rubbing, which can whisk away essential oils) from a shower or washing hands. It may take trial and error to find moisturizers that work well for you.
Most moisturizers contain barrier ingredients to trap water on the skin and binder ingredients to bring moisture up from the inner layer of skin to the top. Ingredients like glycerin, alpha hydroxy acids, urea and lactic acids (binders), combined with petrolatum, lanolin or silicone derivatives (barriers) work well for me.
Using heavier creams or ointments in winter and lighter lotions in the spring, summer and fall.
You’ve heard these a zillion times before, but drinking water sure seems to help. I know that when I drink the recommended eight glasses of water a day, eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and limit my time in the sun, my skin thanks me for it.
Just like limiting time in the shower, when my skin’s drier than usual, I’ll wash my face no more than twice a day, using a gentle cleanser formulated for dry skin.
Consider getting a humidifier at home, or ask the boss to swing for one at work. Indoor heaters suck the moisture from everything around them, including skin. A humidifier pumps moisture back into the air, quenching the heater’s thirst! 🙂

Is your skin dry, dehydrated or both?

Is it dermatitis?

Dry skin that isn’t treated early can turn into dermatitis, a more severe inflammation of the skin. With typical dry skin, there may be some dry flakes and minor itching, but if skin becomes red and inflamed, it could mean dermatitis, aka time to see a doctor.
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Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche for the Bath? Yes, Please

February 11th, 2009 by Karen 31 Comments

Back in the 80s there were these “Calgon take me away” commercials with an overstressed lady who looked ready to pitch a fit.

As a kid, I didn’t understand those commercials — first, why the lady looked so stressed out, and then why she looked so happy in the bath.

But I get it now.

Lord, I get it now.

Enter Chanel’s new Chance Eau Fraiche Foaming Shower Gel ($47.50, 6.8-oz bottle) and Moisturizing Body Cream ($75, 7-oz. jar).

Both are inspired by Chanel’s Chance Eau Fraiche Perfume, a light citrusy floral with notes of lemon, jasmine and vetiver.

Getting ready for bed at the end of a bad day, these two little luxuries help to lift my spirits and push my cares away.

Eau Fraiche Foaming Shower Gel fills the tub with soothing bubbles and cleans from head to toe, adding light moisture to my perpetually parched skin. It’s definitely a splurge, but it’s a nice one, no doubt. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+

Chance Eau Fraiche Body Cream feels thick and rich to the touch (not greasy), offering light moisturization without leaving a noticeable film. If you have alligator legs and feet like moi, you might need something a little heavier. While related to the Chance Eau Fraiche scent, this version of the fragrance smells a little more like oranges and jasmine to me (still lovely) and lasts for hours after the bath. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+

Being Chanel, both products are on the expensive side, but if you’re in the mood for luxury and like citrusy scents like lemon, orange and grapefruit, you might give ’em a try.

Daily photo

Check out who got finally got his MAC Hello Kitty Lucky Tom palette in the mail today!

$tabs\' face closeup with his lucky tom palette$

And now Tabs insists I call him by his new stage name, “Lucky Tom.”

He’s trippin’…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Heavy Hydration on the Cheap: Johnson’s Body Care 24-Hour Moisturing Body Wash and Lotion

February 1st, 2009 by Karen 23 Comments

The Battle of Karen vs. Dry Skin is raging, ladies! And my skin needs help, fast. It’s time for a full-on blitzkrieg against scaliness.

I wasn’t sure if the new Johnson’s 24-Hour Moisturizing Body Wash and Body Lotion ($6 each) would be up to the task. My skin needs heavy hydration, especially the skin on my legs (my driest area!), and especially in winter.

In winter my legs get so dry that iguanas envy me, but after using both the 24-Hour Body Wash and Lotion for a week things changed.

I’ve got soft and smooth legs for a change, yes!

Johnson’s 24-Hour Moisturizing Body Wash

Moisturizing Body Wash looks and feels creamy and rich. It’s a low-lathering wash, so don’t expect lots of big foaming bubbles, but it rinses clean and doesn’t leave a noticeable residue.

Now, the humungo 20.3 fl-oz. bottle is bigger than Ernest Hemingway’s ego, but because it’s so big I feel like I’m getting a good deal. I even tried to see how it would work as an emergency shave cream, and it worked great. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+

Johnson’s 24-Hour Moisturizing Body Lotion

Moisturizing Body Lotion penetrates quickly and leaves my skin feeling smooth but not waxy. I think it’s a fantastic hydrating body lotion. I like to apply it after rinsing and towel drying. Like the monstrous Body Wash, it’s not gonna win any awards for travel convenience (14 fl-oz. bottle), but you get a lot of product for your money. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+

Johnson’s packed both products with hydrating shea butter and vitamin E and infused them with a pleasing light rose scent. I think they’re fantastic drugstore deals. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

11 Winter Beauty Tips

January 25th, 2009 by Karen 22 Comments

1. Try a creamy facial cleanser

Cleansers strip away moisture as part of the job of removing makeup, and dry winter air tends to magnify the problem. Gel cleansers can be very drying, but creamy ones like Dove deep moisture creamy facial cleanser and Neutrogena deep clean cream cleanser should help.

2. Mask the problem

Use a moisturizing facial mask to replenish moisture lost throughout the day.

3. Look for a humidifier

If your skin feels dry and tight even when you’re inside your home, there may not be enough moisture in the air for you. Scan the sale pages for a portable humidifier. Make a note to yourself to clean the filter regularly (if they get yucky they breed bacteria).

4. Turn down the heater

It’s a beauty catch 22, but overheating a cold home will worsen dry skin problems, so experiment with different settings on your heater to find the right temperature for both you and your skin.

5. Any device that heats your environment will also steal your moisture

Even electric blankets. If dry skin is driving you crazy, throw another comforter on the bed, and see how you feel after you’ve left the electric blanket unplugged for a couple nights.

6. Moisturize in the shower

Moisturize throughout the day, but try using body lotion even before you’ve left the shower, right after rinsing soap or body wash. It will help lock in some extra moisture. Rinse off and pat dry.

7. Watch the shower temp

Hot showers feel great in winter, but they wreak havoc on dry skin. Try a lukewarm shower instead, then pat your skin dry with a towel. Apply moisturizer (again) as soon as you step out of the shower.

8. Use alcohol responsibly

Avoid skin products and hairstyling products high in alcohol. When alcohol evaporates it feels cool and refreshing, but it’s also stripping away moisture, so look for alcohol-free products when the air is already dry.

9. Don’t blow it

If you’re already dealing with dry, brittle hair, resist the urge to reach for the hair dryer. It’ll only make things worse. Dry and style your hair with a towel, and if you still use a dryer, time yourself and try to use it a little less.

10. Moisturize meh!

Moisturize throughout the day and don’t forget to drink extra water when it’s cold and windy. Your hands, feet, knees and elbows may need a little more help, too. I like rich products containing shea butter, petrolatum, mineral oil, tea tree oil, linoleic acid or glycerin. For intense relief, moisturize hands and feet at night, and then slip on gloves or socks to lock in moisture.

11. Pucker up

Chapped lips can be a big problem in winter. The air dries out my lips, which makes me lick them, which makes them chap even worse! Use a lip balm with at least SPF 15 and preferably one with antiseptic agents to aid in healing. Some lip balm products are made with tea tree oil, which helps heal painful cracks. I also like lip balms with phenol, beeswax, aloe, vitamin E and essential oils. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Skin Care on the Cheap: 5 Tips (and a Giveaway!)

January 6th, 2009 by Karen 136 Comments

Update: The contest is closed! I’ll be contacting the winner shortly. Thanks for entering. 🙂

Ballin’ on a budget? Yup, I hear ya. If you’re trying to think of ways to save money on your beauty and skin care routine, skin experts like Erin Welch, dermatologist at Denver Dermatology Consultants in Denver, Colorado, suggest hitting up the local drugstore.

“There is definitely a misconception that drugstore products can’t get the job done,” says Dr. Welch, “but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Not only are you saving lots of money by avoiding the department store for similar products, but you’ll find that some of the items are actually very impressive.”

Here are five drugstore skin care tips (and a giveaway) to keep that purty face lookin’ great!

1. Look for a gentle cleanser and avoid harsh soaps.

Skin produces a layer of natural protectant called the acid mantle, which contains a mixture of oils and other secretions that help it retain moisture and prevent the growth of unhealthy bacteria.

“If you wash your skin with a very harsh soap and strip off the mantle, it takes over 24 hours for the skin to regenerate it,” says Dr. Welch. And if you’re stripping off the acid mantle faster than your body can repair it, you’re leaving your skin vulnerable to drying and more prone to infection.

For sensitive skin, Dr. Welch recommends gentle pH balanced cleansers like pHisoderm Cream Cleanser ($5), pHisoderm Deep Cleaning Cream Cleanser ($5) and pHisoderm Unscented Facial Bar ($5). “All these cleansers will help maintain the skin’s protective acid mantle in order to retain the skin’s natural moisture and healthy balance.”

2. Opt for salicylic acid treatments if you have adult acne.

“Adult women’s skin is very different than teenage skin,” says Dr. Welch. “With time and with age our skin becomes drier, so if you’re experiencing acne, you want to be sure you’re using products that aren’t going to dry your adult skin.

“I tend to steer my adult patients to products that contain salicylic acid only and to use benzoyl peroxide in moderation (or to skip it altogether).” She likes Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash ($6), the Clean & Clear cleansers ($6) and pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Cleansing Pads ($5).

3. Incorporate an effective anti-aging product into your skin care routine.

With so many overpriced and overhyped anti-aging products on the market, how do you choose one that actually works? “I recommend Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum ($20) to my patients,” explains Dr. Welch. “Ranked number one in effectiveness for mass market anti-aging serums by Consumer Reports, this anti-aging serum contains pentapeptides shown to boost colagen prodution and stimulate cell row, helping to smooth out lines.”

4. Remember to apply sunscreen on your lips!

Yes, your face and neck need protection from the skin’s rays, but don’t forget to also protect your lips with a lip balm containing SPF. Dr. Welch recommends Softlips lip balm ($4). It contains SPF 20 and feels smooth upon application — perfect for layering beneath your favorite lipstick or lipgloss.

5. Find a nightime anti-aging treatment.

RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream ($22) is an intensive anti-wrinkle treatment that works while you sleep to reduce expression lines and deep wrinkles. “This exclusive combination of pure Retinol and an essential mineral complex is a great alternative for people who find prescription strength Retin-A too irritating,” she says.

New Year, New Skin: The pHisoderm and Softlips Giveaway!

I think it’s time for a giveaway. 🙂 Win $60 in skin care products from pHisoderm and Softlips!

Enter today’s Phisoderm and Softlips giveaway by signing up to receive my updates by email or by leaving a comment on this post (or both!). If you’re already signed up for the updates, you don’t have to do anything else to be entered to win — you’re already entered — but you can double your chances by also leaving a comment on this post (a comment about anything at all). 🙂

The Prize

One lucky winner will receive 13 items from the pHisoderm skin care and Softlips lip care lines ($60 value).

pHisoderm Cream Cleanser for Sensitive Skin ($5)
pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Cleansing Pads ($5)
pHisoderm Unscented Facial Cleansing Bar ($5)
pHisoderm Deep Cleansing Cream Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin ($5)
pHisoderm Foaming Facial Wash ($7)
pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Gel Facial Wash ($5)
pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Body Wash ($6)
Softlips Raspberry with Green Tea Extract ($4)
Softlips Cherry ($4)
Softlips Strawberry ($4)
Softlips Vanilla ($4)
Softlips Tint in Rose ($3)
Softlips Tint in Bronze ($3)

How to Enter

Again, there are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them to double your chances.

If you haven’t already signed up to receive Makeup and Beauty Blog daily email updates, then enter your email in the pink box below (or click this link).
If you have already subscribed to the email updates but want to double your chances, add a brief comment at the bottom of this post (be sure to use a valid email address).

I’ll choose the winners at random from among the people who enter by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 8. The contest is open to all US and international readers. Good luck, my budget-loving beauties!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen