In the ever-evolving world of skincare, finding a product that truly stands out can be a daunting task. Vitali Pro-Aging Skin Care, with its innovative incorporation of GHK-Cu, has managed to create a buzz in the skincare industry. In this review, we will delve into the science behind this rejuvenating ingredient and explore how Vitali’s product line harnesses its power to deliver youthful, glowing skin. If you’re seeking a cutting-edge solution for aging skin, keep reading to discover why Vitali Pro-Aging Skin Care might be the answer.

GHK-Cu:

The Science of Rejuvenation GHK-Cu, or Copper Peptide GHK-Cu, has garnered significant attention in the world of skincare for its remarkable regenerative properties. This naturally occurring copper peptide plays a crucial role in collagen production, wound healing, and overall skin health. As we age, the levels of GHK-Cu in our skin decline, leading to common signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging.

Vitali’s Innovative Approach: Vitali Pro-Aging Skin Care takes a pioneering approach by incorporating GHK-Cu into their skincare line. What sets Vitali apart is their dedication to harnessing the full potential of this potent ingredient. Their team of experts has meticulously formulated a range of products that not only contain GHK-Cu but also ensure its optimal delivery to your skin.

Vitali Pro-Aging Skin Care has undoubtedly raised the bar with their regenerative formulations enriched with the transformative GHK-Cu. I’ve had the privilege of experiencing the magic of their products, including the Skin Cell Restorative Serum, Skin Awakening Moisturizer, 2% Bakuchiol Facial Oil, and Restorative Body Cream. This comprehensive skincare line has left me inspired by the remarkable results it delivers.

Skin Cell Restorative Serum:

The Skin Cell Restorative Serum is the epitome of age-defying science. Enriched with the power of GHK-Cu at a potent 3% concentration, this professional-grade serum truly lives up to its name. With a lightweight texture, it effortlessly absorbs into the skin, leaving behind a refreshed sensation. After weeks of use, my complexion appeared smoother, and the fine lines around my eyes and mouth seemed less noticeable. This serum embodies the essence of revitalization and sets the foundation for the rest of the skincare routine.

Skin Awakening Moisturizer:

The Skin Awakening Moisturizer is a true gem in the Vitali Pro-Aging lineup. It’s more than just a moisturizer; it’s a nourishing experience that takes self-care to a new level. The formulation feels luxurious, sinking into the skin to deliver deep hydration. I noticed an improvement in my skin’s elasticity and an overall plumpness that gave me a radiant, youthful glow.

2% Bakuchiol Facial Oil:

Vitali Pro-Aging doesn’t shy away from innovation, as evident in their inclusion of the 2% Bakuchiol Facial Oil. Bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinol, is combined with the regenerative prowess of GHK-Cu in Vitali’s other products, creating a dynamic duo that targets fine lines and uneven texture. The facial oil’s lightweight texture surprised me, absorbing quickly without any greasiness. Over time, my skin felt noticeably smoother, and the oil played a pivotal role in enhancing my skin’s clarity and radiance.

Restorative Body Cream:

The Restorative Body Cream is a testament to Vitali’s commitment to holistic skincare. Often, our bodies receive less attention than our faces, but this body cream changes the game. The rich and indulgent formula melts into the skin, providing a surge of moisture that lasts all day, plus the rejuvenating benefits of GHK-Cu. From dry elbows to dull-looking skin, this cream worked wonders, leaving my body feeling velvety smooth and rejuvenated. It’s the ultimate self-care treat that I now can’t live without.

Conclusion:

Vitali Pro-Aging Skin Care has emerged as a game-changer in the skincare industry, thanks to its innovative incorporation of GHK-Cu. If you’re looking to rejuvenate your skin, reduce signs of aging, and unlock a radiant complexion, Vitali’s product line is a compelling choice. With its scientifically backed approach and remarkable results, Vitali Pro-Aging Skin Care deserves a prime spot in your skincare routine.

The post Vitali Pro-Aging Skin Care Review: Rejuvenation Redefined appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

A new launch from Okoko Cosmétiques is always a cause to rejoice.  Recently, I had the delightful opportunity to indulge in two new Okoko treasures, Diamant Bleu Clarifying Cream with Niacinamide and Blue Tansy as well as Les 16 Précieux Prestige Edition Next-Level, Age Defying Face Oil with Retinol Fusion. Let’s take these beauties one by one.

Okoko Cosmétiques Diamant Bleu: Clarifying Cream with Niacinamide and Blue Tansy

How can I put into words the pleasure of using Diamant Bleu?  A much-requested item from the Okoko line, this cream is utterly luxurious with a sumptuous buttery texture, the gorgeous color of the sky on a clear and bright day, and a natural fragrance (with key notes of sweet Blue Tansy) so delicious that applying it will lift your spirits and allow for a moment of truly regal indulgence even during an otherwise harried day.

Diamant Bleu is a sensory delight to use.  Sometimes “skincare as self-care” can feel like a marketing gimmick, but not in this case!  It is no exaggeration to say that applying Diamant Bleu offers a precious and enjoyable moment of calm in the storms of life.  I have never smelled any product with a fragrance this delicious, and based on its uplifting effects on me, I would say it is the best aromatherapeutic I have ever tried.  All this praise is simply about the joys of applying Diamant Bleu, but there is so much more to this blue beauty than just delivering an indulgent experience.  As with all Okoko Cosmétiques treasures, every precious ingredient in the formulation is truly performance-driven and based on exhaustive R&D by Okoko founder and Chief Formulator, Oyéta Kokoroko. The gorgeous blue color, for instance, is not just for show; it comes from the combination of natural actives Blue Tansy and Blue Spirulina extract, two incredible plant-based ingredients and potent antioxidants that also deliver skin-calming and detoxifying properties.

If you have a history of complexion woes like I do, then when you imagine a “clarifying cream” you may have visions of harsh dermatological prescriptions that leave skin angry and flaking, but this could not be further from the beautiful reality of Diamant Bleu’s skin-calming results.  I have lovingly nicknamed Diamant Bleu “my blue heaven” because of how dreamy it is in both its performance and use.  The texture is like perfect, freshly-churned butter, delivering an immediate wave of calming hydration.  Before you worry that such a rich, buttery cream might be too indulgent for persnickety, acne-prone skin, let me assure you that Diamant Bleu is formulated precisely for the very concerns of rebellious skin. The importance of hydration plays in optimal healing is often neglected in traditional clarifying formulations, but this is Okoko Cosmétiques, and  Oyéta never delivers less than perfection.  Not only does Diamant Bleu not break me out, it soothes and diminishes inflammation of any sort—whether that is acne, acne marks, or redness and irritation.  Anyone with acne-prone skin can tell you that the marks acne leaves behind are often more stubborn and frustrating than the acne itself was.  Here Diamant Bleu also excels beautifully, with encapsulated Niacinamide proven to rapidly diminish the look of post-acne spots and scarring.

The results of Diamant Bleu will surpass even the highest expectations. My complexion is so much calmer and clearer after regular use of this blue beauty.  This transformative cream is both elegant and high-performance, healing and gently hydrating, all without any harshness–a true feat in formulation!  Diamant Bleu is exceptional and has quickly become my favorite moisturizer of all time.  Of all the moisturizers I have ever tried, none have been as pleasurable and had such an incredible array of benefits as the truly heavenly Diamant Bleu.

Les 16 Précieux Prestige Edition Next-Level, Age Defying Face Oil with Retinol Fusion

Les 16 Précieux was already the best anti-aging face oil I had found, but with the new Prestige Edition, you get an entire anti-aging skincare routine all in a single product!  The R&D that went into this treasure is beyond impressive.  As in the White Label version of Les 16 Précieux , Bakuchiol is a key ingredient in the Prestige Edition, but here its effects are further boosted with two evidence-based anti-aging superstars, Encapsulated Retinol and Vitamin C.  The combination of Bakuchiol and Retinol is notable, as the two ingredients work synergistically together, such that their anti-aging and skin-clearing benefits are more than the sum of their individual parts.  Moreover, the Retinol in Les 16 Précieux Prestige Edition is encapsulated to improve its delivery and stability.  All this is further amplified by collagen-boosting  vitamin C in an oil-soluble form, L-ascorbyl Palmitate, that helps to brighten and smooth the complexion.

Other incredible ingredients in this luxury cocktail that is Les 16 Précieux Prestige Edition include powerhouse antioxidants Astaxanthin, skin-smoothing Ceramides, Fermented Willow Bark to help keep skin clear and bright, White Lupin extract for firming sagging skin, and CoQ10 to help protect skin from environmental stress, and Seabuckthorn and Rosehip Oils to help reduce the appearance of scars.  These are just some of the highlights in this truly divine oil serum!  With all the precious actives featured in Les 16 Précieux Prestige Edition, it is noteworthy that the formulation also includes Acai Goji Dehydrasome, an advanced natural ingredient that is not only highly antioxidant and hydrating, but also boosts the delivery and absorption of all the formulation’s beneficial ingredients, of which there are many.

Despite all the potent actives and their enhanced delivery, Les 16 Précieux Prestige Edition is incredibly gentle in its power, never causing even the slightest hint of a reaction even on my sensitive skin.  This rich oil is luxurious, hydrating, anti-aging and yet still a perfect choice for those of us dealing with aging and acne simultaneously, as it addresses both concerns and is non-comedogenic.  Les 16 Précieux Prestige Edition is by far the most advanced and effective oil treatment serum I have ever used.  Once again, Okoko Cosmétiques has surpassed my high expectations and delivered a product that truly elevates the entire category of facial oils.

The post Okoko Cosmétiques Diamant Bleu & Les 16 Précieux Prestige Edition appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

Janet Schriever, Code of Harmony Skincare founder, approaches her passion for clean, multi-benefit cannabidiol (CBD) skincare with impressive commitment and energy.  Her products synergistically combine hemp with a luscious array of soothing plant-based cosmeceuticals.  Code of Harmony Skincare formulations are loaded with active ingredients yet designed to nurture even sensitive skin, with a strong emphasis on soothing the symptoms of irritable and problem skin and promoting youthful vitality.  In addition to doing tons of research on ingredients and formulation, Ms. Schriever has taken classes at UCLA and the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, and recently enrolled in a 40-hour-a-week esthetician school as well!  Somehow, she also finds the energy to singlehandedly manage Code of Harmony Skincare, an indie beauty line that she has singlehandedly crafted start to finish.  If Ms. Schriever is particularly committed to Code of Harmony and its customers (with whom she genuinely enjoys connecting), perhaps it is because she knows the potential her products hold as well as the huge weight that is lifted when a person finally finds a fix for troubled skin.  For decades, Ms. Schriever herself struggled with and tirelessly sought a topical solution to help calm her rosacea, which led her to discover the soothing benefits of CBD.  Knowing she was onto something, Ms. Schriever built Code of Harmony Skincare—the original beauty-focused CBD line–out of a genuine love for the skin benefits.  Looking at her clear and glowing complexion now, I am eager to incorporate Code of Harmony products into my regular routine.  Indeed, it’s hard to believe Ms. Schriever’s skin was ever troubled; today at 50, she exudes radiance and easily looks 15 years younger.  Lucky for me, once I started using her high-performance products, a bit of that youthful luminosity seemed to rub off on me.  (You can read my reviews of Code of Harmony Skincare here and here!)

Code of Harmony Skincare Founder Janet Schriever

Are there any misconceptions about CBD that you would like to clear up right off the bat? 

 Janet Schriever (JS): CBD won’t get you high.  My products won’t cause you to fail a drug test or smell like weed.  Also, people sometimes assume that Code of Harmony Skincare is hippie-dippy or that it’s simple and homemade because CBD is the star ingredient, but in reality, my formulas are very complex.  For example, the delivery system I use, Safflower Oleosomes, work in a time-released fashion and gradually releases the active ingredients.  When it comes to beneficial ingredients, I use a lot of them; every ingredient in my products has been chosen because of its skin benefits.  There are no ingredients there just for sensorial effect or fragrance because I want everything to serve the skin rather than just serving the formulation.

 How did you get started in skincare?

JS:  I looked at the skincare I was using and noticed all the fillers and things that really didn’t need to be there—about 98% of the formulations were fillers and ingredients that weren’t helping skin.  I wanted formulations with ingredients there to truly benefit skin. I originally started making products by myself with every soothing and anti-aging ingredient I could find.  I had no intention of selling anything.  I hate to say I was going for something gentle because the products are actually very efficacious, but I didn’t want them to worsen skin problems or cause irritation.  I spent a ton of time doing trial and error and conducting research.    My research led to discoveries like the fact that chamomile, despite being soothing, can cause a reaction in a number of people, myself included; I went a little deeper in my research and found that the calming component in chamomile, bisabolol, gives the same benefit without the risk of reaction [hence, the reason Code of Harmony uses bisabolol extracted from chamomile rather than the full-spectrum plant].  I would love to put all the botanicals on the label, but for people with sensitized skin, often highly-purified extracts deliver more optimal benefits without irritation.

What has your journey been as a formulator?

JS:  I’m 80% self-taught.  I took some classes at UCLA and some workshops here and there for some formal training, but most of what I know I’ve learned through research.  At first, I was reading a ton, but I wasn’t discerning enough about the source.  Eventually, I stopped reading blogs and informal publications and started reading clinical trials.  I also used my own experience, looking to other products and ingredients that have worked well and are proven effective.

Can you describe your own skin frustrations, how you discovered CBD, and the difference it made?

JS:  I struggled with rosacea for years, and it was bad off an on, but at 46, it really flared up.  I spent several years experimenting, doing DIY projects trying to find and create something to get my skin under control.  It was a long experimental process.  I started another skincare line briefly.  Then I went to a meeting with an organization called Women Grow that supports women getting into the cannabis business.  I was not particularly interested in cannabis being a business, but I was slightly curious about CBD.  At the meeting, I learned about CBD and what it could do internally in the body.  It immediately clicked for me that it could be a fantastic skincare ingredient.  At the time, CBD in skincare was primarily targeting pain relief, and there were not any beauty-focused CBD lines on the market.  I decided to try it, and it took the products I had been making to a whole new level.  My skin responded beautifully, and I soon got confirmation that others’ did as well.

What are your favorite benefits of CBD for skin?

JS: The calming, soothing benefits are pretty great.  Studies have proven we have an endocannabinoid system in our skin that responds to CBD, and when that system is toned, you can see good results. CBD is wonderful at helping to alleviate the symptoms of acne, eczema, rosacea.  It’s also a great ingredient for sensitive skin and aging.  If you react to some skincare or have trouble tolerating a lot of it, you may have better luck with a CBD product.  That said, every CBD skincare product has to prove itself on its own merit.  They are not all created equal!

Have there been any challenges related to introducing a CBD line specifically?

JS:  I spent an entire year trying to educate consumers about some of the basics about CBD. The type of CBD I use is not going to get you high or test positive on a drug test.  The CBD isolate I use in Code of Harmony Skincare is completely free of THC (e.g., tetrahydrocannabinol, the chemical compound in cannabis responsible for the high), so what they test for in a drug test is completely absent.

A report by market research firm Brightfield Group notes that hemp-derived CBD is still treated as a controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency despite the fact that it will not get a person high or test positive on a drug test.  Why is a non-psychoactive substance being treated as dangerous, and what challenges does this present to Code of Harmony Skincare as a small independent business?

JS:  The US government has a patent on CBD as a neuroprotectant and antioxidant and yet maintains that CBD is not therapeutic.  It is still a Schedule I Drug according to the DEA, and the DEA treats CBD the same no matter where it’s derived.  In their eyes, hemp-derived CBD is the same as cannabis-derived CBD.  However, we have to remember who actually makes the laws—Congress, not the DEA.  The problem that this creates for me is consumer perception.  The consumer is confused about whether they can legally buy a CBD product.  Yes, it’s legal; the DEA will not come arrest you.  The Farm Bill says that hemp-derived CBD is legal as long as it is under 0.3% THC [note: Code of Harmony Skincare’s hemp-derived CBD isolate contains no THC], and luckily the stigma is lessening as people realize how safe and beneficial it is.  There’s no reason that hemp should not be 100% legal without any “grey” area or question about where it is derived.  Hemp is grown for all sorts of purposes—paper, clothes, food, medicine.

Many CBD beauty companies encounter banking difficulties due to federal regulations. Has it been difficult to obtain the financial backing you need, and how have you managed?

JS:  Code of Harmony Skincare has faced the same issues with banking that any cannabis business would.  Most banks will shut down merchant processing, and this has happened to me several times.  Larger CBD companies have resources to work this out, but I am self-funded and doing everything myself.  Customers have to buy Code of Harmony Skincare by virtual check.  A lot of customers get put off by that because it can make them start wondering if it’s an illicit purchase.  Really, it’s just a banking issue and not a legality issue, but it has certainly been a challenge for my business.  In terms of larger funding issues, there has been interest from investment companies, but unless they understand the CBD market (which most don’t), it may seem like too much risk for them.  Regulatory issues have made growth slower for me.  As a small business owner who is self-funded, it has been daunting at times.  CBD is a great ingredient, but if it were easy to incorporate CBD into products, you would see all the big corporations jumping on the trend.  Still, I think it [the trouble] will be worth it.  CBD is still new on the market, still seen as somewhat of a novelty ingredient.  I keep hoping things will get easier (business-wise) as CBD’s benefits and safety record become more common knowledge.

What is your approach to formulation?  How did you decide on the additional beneficial ingredients to include in each product along with CBD?

JS:  I’m a big proponent of natural and botanical ingredients and use a variety of them in Code of Harmony.  [Indeed, Code of Harmony ingredient lists feature an array of precious botanicals like Sea Kelp Bioferment, Tremella Mushroom Extract, Safflower Oleosomes, Goji Berry Root Extract, Licorice Root Extract, Prickly Pear Seed Oil, Guava Seed Oil, Watermelon Seed Oil, CoQ10, Pomegranate Oil, Sea Buckthorn CO2, and many more!]  I use them whenever possible, but I also use cosmeceutical extracts, vitamins, and antioxidants.  It’s not easy formulating products naturally.  What many consumers don’t understand is that full-spectrum plant extracts are strong, and there are often a lot of things in them that can irritate and inflame skin.  I love botanicals, and I choose the most efficacious ingredient that is best for the formula.  For instance, I use CBD-isolate rather than the full-spectrum hemp extract, as I use extracts like Centella Asiatica, Resveratrol, and Bisabolol to deliver the benefit without risking reaction.  Yes, they are highly purified, concentrated, and standardized plant extracts, which contain only the benefit and much less of any potential irritant. A lot of this goes against what people want to believe, but not every plant extract is good and not every synthetic is bad; a lab-created ingredient or extract may deliver equal or greater benefit and be a lot easier on the skin than something directly from a plant.

What have you learned about what it takes to launch and run a successful skincare line today?

JS:  I made a ton of mistakes and said yes to things I shouldn’t have.  The main takeaway is this, though:  if you stare down your fears, they eventually go away.  The success I have had is due to blind faith and a ton of work.  Through Instagram and events, I have met really cool people who trust and love Code of Harmony Skincare products.  I’ve really loved the aspect of connecting to my customers, and there’s been a lot of really great support and excitement.  It’s been unexpected and very cool.  That said, I am still very small and still growing.  I have much to do before I will feel secure about calling my business a success.

How would you describe your beauty and skincare philosophies?

JS:  I like a combination of natural and high-performance ingredients in my products.  The market tended to have very natural and organic products without much efficacy (they don’t offer much to skin issues).  On the other hand, traditional fully synthetic products with synthetic emulsifiers and lots of fillers are not helping the skin either.  Traditional skin care formulations can also cause irritation and are far from “clean.”  I wanted to create products with a natural emphasis that were full of every beneficial calming/soothing/nurturing ingredient I could find.  I wanted the products to be gentle in the sense that they won’t trigger irritation yet highly effective and results-driven.  Because I am not a traditional cosmetic chemist (and most of them learn in the lab and on the job), I don’t use a ton of surfactants or lab-created ingredients that are used in traditional skin care.  I came at this with the intention that every ingredient in my products should benefit and serve the skin.  I didn’t want filler ingredients in the products, so you won’t find white and fluffy creams in the line; my products are sort of a light ochre color because of the botanicals and antioxidants in them, and they have natural scents that come from the ingredients that are also helping your skin.

Janet Schriever

How is  Code of Harmony Skincare unique among CBD-skincare lines?

JS:  I blindly jumped into this, because I loved it.  I was the first to create a CBD-enhanced “clean” beauty line.  I have put a lot of love, faith, and time into crafting my products.  Now CBD is becoming a hot ingredient, and there are a bunch of lines popping up.  Some of these other companies white-label [i.e., buying their products from a huge producer and then rebranding it to make it appear like they made it].  I would love to see other brand owners put a little more time and thought into their formulas and sourcing, so they know exactly what they’re selling, what every ingredient does, and why it is in the formula.  So even if you are not the chemist, you can be aware of what you are selling and the potential benefits and risks.  For the consumer, you still want to find thoughtfully-formulated products with good reviews.  I choose every ingredient in my products to serve the skin, and my line shows that.  I strive to keep Code of Harmony Skincare accessible rather than pricing it out of range.  I am able to keep prices reasonable because I don’t have a lot of overhead.  It’s just me, and I’m not paying myself.

Code of Harmony Skincare uses a CBD isolate rather than a full-spectrum extract.  What are the advantages of this?

JS:  I find the isolate is less allergenic than the full-spectrum.  The isolate has the terpenes taken out, so there’s no scent, and this is greatly preferred by most people.  Taking the terpenes out lessens reactivity.

What current trends or pressures in the beauty industry frustrate you and which ones excite you, and why?

JS:  The clean beauty/indie thing happening right now is awesome.  Code of Harmony uses clean formulas that are free of fillers and harsh synthetics and full of rich phytonutrients, soothing ingredients, and anti-aging actives.  I think this is a smart approach.  At the same time, though, I think people need to get a little more educated about clean beauty because things are less black-and-white than a lot of consumers believe.  There are a lot of black-and-white attitudes without much digging deeper, and a lot of people are rule-bound to a fault, saying, “I will not use chemicals on my face,” when everything is chemical, or, “I’m not going to use anything I can’t pronounce.”  Some vendors put their consumers at risk by not using preservatives in products that require them.  Then there’s the sustainability issue.  I’m all for natural ingredients, but some things will actually be more sustainable when they’re not taken from nature—such as Sandalwood Oil or Hyaluronic Acid (that used to come from only an animal source and is now created in a lab).

What do you see as the greatest success of your line so far and what are your hopes for the future?

JS:  The response and interest have been great.  My business has been very much about integrity and being transparent.  I try to give people realistic ideas about what to expect or not from each product.  The other thing to know is that the whole line has come from one person from start to finish.  I have done everything myself.  In terms of success, I am still so new!  There’s been a lot of interest from estheticians who want something new and effective.  There’s also been a great response from clients with hormonal cystic acne, rosacea, and other skin troubles; people send me dramatic Before and After pictures.  I don’t solicit these, but they send them in out of gratitude for the transformation they’ve seen in their skin.  Indie Beauty Expo (IBE) has been really invaluable in getting press exposure.  I participated in IBE’s BeautyX live deskside pitch contest, Deskside Domination and was chosen by Glamour, Allure, and Fat Mascara podcast as the winner.  This is huge for a little indie brand like me!  It proved to me that I am doing something of value.  I don’t plan on going anywhere.  I’m really passionate about this and not just jumping on CBD as a fad.

Read my reviews of Code of Harmony Skincare here and here!

The Code of Harmony Skincare Collection

The post Code of Harmony Skincare Founder Interview: Meet Janet Schriever appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

Once in a great while, I am lucky enough to encounter an exceptional beauty entrepreneur who is as kind as she is talented.  Anis Lacerte of I’M FABULOUS COSMETICS is one such amazing woman.  I had lusted after her High Tech Copper Peptide Serum 10% for a few years when, much to my surprise and delight, Ms. Lacerte herself commented on one of my Instagram posts.  It was an exciting moment for me, and after a bit of social media interaction, I reached out and expressed my admiration and interest in collaborating, and Ms. Lacerete graciously agreed.

I’M FABULOUS COSMETICS REVIEW

I had the opportunity to try two incredible products from the I’M FABULOUS line, the TCA Toner and High Tech Copper Peptide Serum 10%, and I’m delighted to bring you my review.

I’M FABULOUS COSMETICS TCA Toner

First, let me tell you about the TCA (Trichloracetic Acid) Toner. TCA Toner is a highly effective oil reducer, pore minimizer, and exfoliant that works by removing the top layer of dead skin cells, revealing the fresh new skin that lies beneath.  I started using TCA Toner during a bad bout of acne and found that it was very good at bringing my skin back into balance.  The toner has a base of aloe and also includes skin nourishing Vitamin E along with acne-fighting Salicyclic Acid and skin-rejuvenating Trichloracetic Acid for a clear, bright complexion.  The blend works brilliantly, and it packs a punch; those of us with sensitive skin may most benefit from using it once a day rather than twice. I particularly recommend I’M FABULOUS TCA Toner for anyone who struggles with acne, as it leaves blemish-prone skin fresh and clean.  TCA Toner is serious skincare that is superb at tackling blemishes, large pores, and acne marks.

I’M FABULOUS COSMETICS High Tech Copper Peptide Serum 10%

Now, on to the gem known as I’M FABULOUS High Tech Copper Peptide Serum 10%.  This hydrating organic serum has the most impressive, potent concentration of Copper Tripeptide GHK-Cu that I have seen offered anywhere, coming in at a whopping 10%.  This serum is truly exceptional; although it comes in a generous bottle (50ml) it is a highly reparative and rejuvenating concentrate. High Tech Copper Peptide Serum 10% can work wonders even when used sparingly; in fact, this is such an intense product that it is best not to overdo it.  Ms. Laceree recommends using it just once a day and stopping for at least 12 months after using one full bottle of the treatment (50ml).

For absolute maximum freshness, the serum comes in two bottles, one with the GHK-Cu active copper concentrate and one of the Copper Peptide Activator Serum.  Combine the two, shake for 30 seconds, and you have a fresh, activated serum ready to use. In addition to the extraordinarily high concentration of the star active, GHK-Cu, the serum also boasts plumping hyaluronic acid as well as an array of branched-chain amino acids that are an essential part of the synthesis of collagen and elastin. Ms. Lacerte has put a great deal of research into her ingredient selection, and the results speak for themselves.

High Tech Copper Peptide Serum is an excellent choice for anyone with undesired acne marks, signs of aging, or both, as it addresses them beautifully. This is skin repair in a bottle.  The serum reverses multiple signs of skin aging as well as any skin imperfections by boosting collagen production at an impressive rate, and it also leaves skin with a clear and luminous glow that is special to such an usually high concentration of GHK-Cu. If you are looking for a smart way to repair and revitalize skin, you won’t do much better than this beautiful copper serum!  There is nothing else quite like it on the market.

If you love wonderful vegan skincare like I’M FABULOUS COSMETICS, don’t miss my revealing interview with brand founder Anis Lacerte here!

The post I’M FABULOUS COSMETICS Review appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

True Botanicals is an uncompromising, highly effective clean skincare line that combines the best natural ingredients with the latest scientific advances in formulation.  Their motto is “pure, potent, proven,” and they live up to it, backing up product efficacy with actual research that demonstrates their products outperform some of the most iconic skincare on the market!  Additionally, their results-driven formulations truly are kind to skin and to the planet.  For example, the US bans only 11 ingredients in beauty products; Europe bans 1,328.  True Botanicals holds itself to a higher, safer standard, banning over 5,000 chemicals known to hurt human or environmental health.  True Botanicals appeals to me because they prove that natural and sustainable skincare can be luxurious and effective.  Today I am going to tell you about an incredible holiday gift set, True Botanicals You Make Me Glow Face Care Kit!

As True Botanicals has been on my wishlist for a few years, I was thrilled to have the chance to try a PR sample of a special holiday gift set, the True Botanicals You Make Me Glow Face Care Kit.  This set offers a lit-from-within glow with True Botanicals iconic Clear Nourishing Cleanser (4 fl oz), Clear Pure Radiance Oil (1 fl oz), Radiance Facial Roller, and a reusable True Botanicals Essentials Bag perfect to use as environmentally-friendly gift wrapping.  The set I tested is focused on giving clear, bright skin, but the “You Make Me Glow” set is also available featuring the Renew line for those who want to focus on anti-aging.  Having enjoyed the Kit for a couple of weeks, I have already seen improvements in my skin in terms of more even tone, less inflammation, and fewer blemishes.  I credit the Clear Nourishing Cleanser and Clear Pure Radiance Oil used with the Radiance Facial Roller for these visible benefits!

How to Use True Botanicals You Make Me Glow Face Care Kit

Here is how I have used the “You Make Me Glow” Face Care Kit to such great effects.  First, I cleanse my face with Clear Nourishing Cleanser.  Next, I apply about 7 drops of Clear Pure Radiance Oil to my skin while it was still moist.  I use the Radiance Facial Roller in short, gentle strokes starting at the center of the jawline and moving up and out towards the hairline. The smaller roller offers gentle precision, and I use it to roll up and out under the eyes and over my temples.  Finally, I roll above my eyebrows up and out on my forehead toward the hairline. I repeat each of the strokes 3-5 5imes until one side of my face was complete and then move to the other side, repeating these steps.

The Clear products themselves are great and truly encourage clear skin while also leaving skin pleasantly hydrated and supporting the skin barrier. Clear Nourishing Cleanser is a creamy, non-foaming cleanser that strikes the perfect balance between sloughing away dead skin and providing healing hydration.  Almost every acne-fighting cleanser I have ever used has been somewhat harsh or drying, but not True Botanicals Clear Nourishing Cleanser!  The base ingredient is not water as you would commonly see, but instead nutrient- and polyphenol-rich green and white tea!  The tea is not only highly antioxidant, but also very restorative.  It is complemented by nature’s salicylic acid, black willow bark, which exfoliates and smoothes skin without irritation. Another star ingredient of many is helichrysum, a soothing antibacterial and antifungal botanical renowned for its wound-healing and scar-minimizing benefits.  Rather than drying out the skin (which can exacerbate breakouts and worsen scarring), Clear Nourishing Cleanser is hydrating and offers truly the perfect balancing cleanse!

Clear Pure Radiance Oil is a plumping moisturizer that simultaneously prevents pesky breakouts and helps minimize signs of aging. It serves these dual purposes beautifully with healing , antibacterial helichrysum, sebum-balancing oils of hemp, pumpkin, and grape seed, and the potent anti-aging ingredients algae and astaxanthin.  Packed with skin-loving essential fatty acids, Clear Pure Radiance leaves skin plump and hydrated, restores the skin barrier, and does all this while also balancing oil production and preventing blemishes.

Clear Nourishing Cleanser and Pure Radiance Oil are especially amazing when used with the Radiance Facial Roller included in the True Botanicals You Make Me Glow Face Care Kit.  Radiance Facial Roller boosts circulation and product penetration, reduces puffiness, eases tension, and helps promote elasticity!  This Face Care Kit would make a wonderful gift for anyone who loves skincare or deserves some quality self-care!

The post True Botanicals “You Make Me Glow” Kit Review appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

After falling in love with Kana Skincare’s CBD Sleeping Mask and experiencing its great skin-soothing results, I was eager to explore this promising trend of CBD skincare further.  There are tons of emerging brands to choose from, with more popping up all the time.  However, I’m not naive:  I know that with an ingredient as “hot” and current as CBD, many companies are simply jumping on the bandwagon, ordering ready-made–and mass-produced–formulas and then just slapping their own label on it as if it’s their unique creation.  (This is called white-labeling, and it is done a lot in the industry, especially when an ingredient is trendy.)  I’m only interested in showcasing brands that are made with true care and intention.  With that in mind, the next special brand I am proud to introduce and review is Code of Harmony.

Code of Harmony Continues to Lead the Way for CBD Skincare

Code of Harmony is the original luxury CBD skincare brand—and still the brand that sets the bar for newcomers and the rest.  I had the great privilege of trying several Code of Harmony products, and I was also able to interview Code of Harmony’s charming and insightful founder and formulator, Janet Schriever (click to read!).  This is incredible skincare created with love and effort by a brilliant maker.  Code of Harmony feels amazing on the skin, and for anyone whose skin may be a little imperfect, it provides serious beautifying powers.  I could tell when I looked at the ingredient lists that these products were unique.  The formulas are ultra-clean, highly botanical, and offer an array of benefits in a single bottle. Plus, all you have to do is follow Code of Harmony’s Instagram for a few days to tell that Ms. Schriever (who runs the account, along with everything else related to the brand) is one of the coolest women in the beauty industry.  She tells it like it is, works hard on her products, and offers up the highest quality skincare without ever overstating what you can expect.  Having said this, Code of Harmony CBD Skincare is transformative and highly effective. The brand’s transparency is refreshing in an industry rampant with false promises.  Now, onto the delicious Code of Harmony products themselves!

 Code of Harmony OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe – CBD Face Cleanser & Makeup Remover

 OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe  is a best seller in the line, and after even a single use, it’s easy to see why. OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe gives you what is known as the Goldilocks effect, or the “just right” clean. OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe is easily one of my favorite cleansers-of any type—ever.  I’ve never used another cleanser that is so gentle and non-drying yet truly gets my skin clean without leftover residue (from makeup, SPF, or the cleanser itself); at the same time, OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe never strips or leaves skin at all tight or dry either. Skin is left perfectly clean, lightly hydrated, and totally comfortable.

OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe is a feat of formulation.  When it comes to cleansing, there are many places to go wrong, like overdoing it and stripping the barrier, not cleansing effectively, and/or leaving a stubborn greasy film on the skin.  I have used many oil cleansers that required a lot of repetition and manual exfoliation to work—not this one!  OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe has earned a permanent place in my routine because it falls into none of these traps and gives me the perfect clean every time:  gentle, refreshed, smooth, never greasy, and never dry.  Code of Harmony’s OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe is gentle, yet it loosens dirt/makeup/debris with even a light touch.  The formula has all sorts of beneficial botanical oils that support and fortify the skin barrier, along with two ultra-gentle yet effective cleansing agents typically used in baby products (genius!), and the result is a brilliant cleanser that leaves my skin gently exfoliated without any of the damage that a typical exfoliator inflicts on my sensitive skin.  I call this the perfect clean.  As an added bonus, the cleanser feels so good on skin that I almost never wash it off immediately, leaving some of the goodness (e.g., Hemp, Hemp-derived CBD, Cucumber Seed Oil, Moringa Seed Oil, Black Cumin Seed Oil, Watermelon Seed Oil, Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil, and more) to sink in for a few minutes.  Even after letting it sit, the minute I add water, it emulsifies into the cleanser I have come to love and rinses easily for the perfect, balanced clean.

Why do I consider this a superior oil cleanser?  Aside from the skin-nuturing ingredients, there is the fact that it uses two extremely gentle surfactants in the formula—so gentle they are most commonly found in baby products. These surfactants are what makes the cleanser actually cleanse the skin; without them, it would just be a skin oil, not a skin cleanser. So many oil “cleansers” on the market have nothing in them that is designed to clean the skin, so they are basically just face oils. The use of ultra-gentle surfactants for an effective clean—along with lots of beautiful skin-nourishing actives and oils—truly sets this formulation apart and explains why I have never truly fallen in love with an oil cleanser before using Code of Harmony OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe.

If you have ever been dissatisfied with traditional oil “cleansers,” you have got to try the real deal, a true oil cleanser that hits all the right notes, cleansing gently and deeply. OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe puts other so-called oil cleansers to shame, I promise you!

OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe Ingredients:

Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, D1-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Ricinus communis (Castor) seed oil, Caprylic capric triglycerides, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Aleurites Moluccana (Kukui) Seed Oil, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Seed Oil, Moringa Olifera Seed Oil, Nigella Sativa (Black Cumin) Seed Oil, Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Oil, Canarium Luzonicum (Elemi) Oil, Cedrus Deodora (Cedarwood) Oil, Cannabidiol, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract + Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil, Bisabolol, Phytosterols, Tetrahydrocurcuminoids.

Code of Harmony Virgin Skin Youth Serum

Virgin Skin Youth Serum has become a staple for me because it is incredibly soothing as well as plumping, firming, and brightening.  This serum offers an array of benefits, especially for mature, fussy, or troubled skin (all of which I have).  In addition to offering potent youth-enhancing (firming and brightening skin), I have found Virgin Skin Youth Serum is a wonderful “soothe-all” product that can remedy all sorts of skin ails whether the issue is a frustrating blemish, redness/irritation, or persistent dryness.

Virgin Skin is packed with goodness; in addition to CBD, it also features Virgin Centella Asiatica, Glucosamine, Niacinamide, Tremella Mushroom, Apple, Algae, Sea Kelp Bioferment, Beta Glucan, Coconut Endosperm, Ferulic Acid, Vitamin C, Green Tea, and more!  Each one-ounce bottle has a very generous 150mg of CBD as well.  All these luscious actives are emulsified with Safflower Oleosomes for time-released delivery of the actives, so that you get maximum benefit continuously through the day or night.  The result is a gift that keeps giving; skin is calmer, plumper, firmer, and far more peaceful.  If stress is taking a toll and/or you are short on time, this is a great product to have on hand.  Virgin Skin Youth Serum has all the intensive benefits of a truly great serum, and it is hydrating enough that it could double as a moisturizer for most skin, offering a wonderful single step regimen for those days when you’re in a hurry.

The ingredient list (see below) reads like a dream, and the experience is every bit as good as one would hope given the many star players. The hefty helping of CBD is just one of countless beneficial ingredients in this hydrating serum.  The color is a creamy tan, and the scent is natural and earthy in a delicious way—all suggestive of the clean formula and substantial nutrition skin is about to enjoy.  I have gone through my first bottle of this rapidly for good reason. Virgin Skin Youth Serum is another long-term favorite and definite repurchase for me.

Virgin Skin Youth Serum Ingredients:

 Water, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oleosomes + Water, Lactobacillus/Nereocystis Luetkeana Ferment Filtrate (Sea Kelp Bioferment), Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp (Mushroom) Extract, Niacinamide, Colloidal Oatmeal, Glycerine, Water, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Algae Extract + Pullulan, Betaine, Sodium Lactate, Lecithin (Sunflower, Non-GMO), Glycerin + Water + Hydrocotyl (Centella asiatica) Extract, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Sodium PCA, Squalane, Water, Glycerine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf (Green Tea) Extract, Tocopherol, Coconut Nucifera Fruit Juice, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid (and) Glyceryl Caprylate (and) Glycerin, Cannabidiol, Ferulic Acid, Beta Glucan, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Bisabolol, Glycerin, Canarium Luzonicum (Elemi) Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf (Green Tea) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract + Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil.

Code of Harmony Glo-Berry Glistening Skin Oil Serum

Glo-Berry Glistening Skin Oil Serum is a luscious, highly antioxidant oil blend that nourishes with 100% plant-based oils, while soothing skin with a generous dose of CBD (100mg in every one-ounce bottle), and imparting a subtle, natural-looking glow with a touch of finely milled mica. This is a skin-perfecting serum and gorgeous highlighter in one!  Best of all, this is designed to benefit all skin types, so even those of us with acne-prone skin like myself can use and benefit from Glo-Berry without any worry about breaking out!

Glo-Berry Glistening Skin Oil Serum is the ultimate blend, one that provides instant radiance as well as substantial skin benefits with continued use like calmer, plumper, more vital skin.  Glo-Berry is packed to the brim with beneficial botanical ingredients that include CBD, hydrating Squalane, Prickly Pear Seed, Daikon Seed, Passion Fruit Seed Oil (that provides natural carotenoids, minerals, fatty acids, and skin-loving vitamins), Hemp, highly antioxidant Guava Seed (an ingredient that not only has vitamins A, B, and C, but also has firming qualities), Acai Berry, Watermelon Seed, and Red Raspberry Seed Oils.  These many superstar ingredients offer an array of skin-beneficial vitamins and minerals, nourishing and plumping fatty acids, and potent antioxidants that protect skin from free radical damage, all while soothing with a generous amount of CBD.  Meanwhile, the perfect touch of mica leaves skin luminous and glowy.

Glo-Berry lends a radiance is gorgeous and natural—the kind of subtle glow that will leave people wondering why you look so refreshed and vibrant. If you want some compliments on your skin (and who doesn’t?!), you really must try Glo-Berry Glistening Skin Oil Serum.  Personally, I cannot get enough of this non-comedogenic, beautifying blend.  With Glo-Berry, my skin goes from dry and dull to moisturized and glowing in mere seconds.  Whenever I’m feeling a tad frumpy, Glo-Berry is the perfect remedy, an instant antidote providing vital nourishment, plumping moisture, and that extra sparkle and luminosity that makes me feel as good as it makes me look.

Glo-Berry Glistening Skin Oil Ingredients:

Daikon Seed Extract, Cannabis Sativa Seed (Hemp) Oil, Squalane (Olive), Passiflora Incarnata (Passion Fruit) Seed Oil Caprylic Capric Triglycerides, Red Raspberry Oil, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil, Lecithin (Sunflower, Non-GMO), Tocotrienols, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Cannabidiol, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil (Ylang Ylang), Bisabolol, Tetrahydrocurcuminoids, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract, Copaifera Officinalis Oil.

CONCLUSION

Code of Harmony is an extraordinary line that offers the incredible soothing powers of CBD in incredible formulas filled to the brim with complementary beneficial botanical actives.  The line’s products are soothing and regenerative and leave even troubled skin calm and clear.  This is high-performance clean beauty at its best!

• OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe offers the perfect clean—lots of skin-nourishing actives, skin barrier protection and hydration, ultra-gentle surfactants to give an efficient and effective clean.  There’s no residue, and skin is comfortable and not tight. 
• Virgin Skin Youth Serum tackles inflammaging, blemishes, and irritation; this gem has the power of a serum and the hydration of a lightweight moisturizer, and it helps skin return to optimal balance. 
• Glo-Berry Glistening Skin Oil Serum is a luscious and nourishing blend of precious and highly antioxidant oils plus the perfect touch of mica to leave skin radiant. Highly recommended!

The post Code of Harmony CBD Skincare: The Original Luxury CBD Skincare appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

If you are looking for green beauty’s most incredible, innovative, high-performance, multi-benefit mask, you need look no further, because I have found it:  Kana Skincare Lavender CBD (Cannabidiol) Sleeping Mask.  CBD is a hot ingredient right now, and CBD-themed products seem to be popping up everywhere but make no mistake:  Kana Skincare Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask is not just another CBD topical.  Unlike most CBD skincare lines, Kana does not private-label from anyone; absolutely everything is made in-house with never-before-seen formulations that allow CBD to shine like it never has before.  Kana strategically combines the healing powers of CBD with the cutting-edge beauty secrets of Korea; the result is likely to be the best skin you have ever had.  You can quote me on that.  I cannot remember a time I have been this beholden to a product.

Image courtesy of Kana Skincare

Kana Skincare Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask

I have rapidly depleted a PR sample of this treasure and am so fully enamored with Kana Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask that I have already ordered two more with my own money because I want this mask every night.  (Note:  I am not usually the type to insist on having product “backups,” but I cannot let this run out and risk losing my Kana glow.)  If you try it, you will fall in love—hard.  Everything about Kana Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask is magical, from the plethora of benefits it delivers (brightening, skin-clearing, skin plumping hydration, healing, lessening of redness/irritation) to its incredibly relaxing scent (it was blended by an aromatherapist to smell incredible and to aid relaxation and sleep) to the story of its creation.  You might think I am exaggerating about its splendor, but I am not the only one to have fallen under Kana’s spell.  An industry insider once told Kana’s founder, “You know, it can’t be magic,” only to try the Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask and quickly change her tune, stating, “Wow, it worked like magic!”

How is Kana Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask so magical?  The formulation is sheer genius.  Its 28 natural ingredients deliver an incredible array of benefits to transform your skin to the best version of itself.  Let’s look at this gorgeous blend.  One of the superstars in Kana Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask is CBD itself.  CBD is a component of cannabis, but unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not have psychoactive properties and is legal in all 50 states—no prescription necessary—when specifically derived from industrial-grade hemp.  So why has CBD become such a buzzy ingredient for topical skincare?  It turns out that our skin has an endocannabinoid system with receptors embedded in the membrane of cells, and this system is important to basic functions like those of the nervous and immune systems.  In particular, evidence is mounting that the endocannabinoid system in skin is involved in cell growth and differentiation as well as important immune-modulating effects related to inflammation, such that the system exerts protective effects in many chronic and acute inflammatory skin conditions.  Topically-applied CBD like that in Kana Skincare Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask can act on these receptors and help optimize the functioning of our skin’s endocannabinoid system, keeping internal processes more balanced.  In skin, CBD has been posited to have anti-acne effects, anti-itch effects, and general anti-inflammatory effects that could be helpful with a number of issues including allergic and atopic dermatitis.  As Tamás Bíró, PhD, director of the immunology department at the University of Debrecen, Hungary, told Elle, “My research group was among the first to investigate whether the skin is capable of producing endocannabinoids, and apparently most, if not all, skin functions are controlled to a certain extent by the local skin endocannabinoid system.  This includes the skin barrier, which is very important for moisture retention, sebum production, and sweat-gland function, as well as skin-centric sensory functions such as pain and itch. But perhaps most important, it appears that the endocannabinoid system controls skin inflammation—so if an inflammatory or irritation challenge assaults the skin, the endocannabinoid system fights against it.”  Given that inflammation is tied to skin aging, CBD is likely to protect against premature aging as well.  The hemp-derived CBD in Kana Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask is the ultimate soother and protector.

Image courtesy of Kana Skincare

Yet CBD is just one of dozens of beneficial ingredients in Kana Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask.  For instance, the Sleeping Mask also features Hemp Oil itself, which provides all 21 amino acids and consists of about 75% essential fatty acids in the perfect ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids providing vital hydration and nourishment to skin.  As the full Ingredient Table below demonstrates, the Sleeping Mask features an abundance of healing, hydrating, antioxidant, nutrient-rich, and anti-aging actives.  Some of the many superstars include healing and scar-improving Lavender Oil, hydrating, soothing, and antioxidant a-Bisabolol derived from German Chamomile, skin-plumping Hyaluronic Acid, and anti-wrinkle, healing Beta Glucan.  In total, Kana Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask offers a buffet of topical nutrition for skin and an amazing relaxation experience thanks to natural actives utilized for relaxing aromatherapy.  See the nearly endless benefits for yourself in the complete Ingredient Table below!

Image courtesy of Kana Skincare

Kana Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask is a beautiful blend like nothing else on the market.  For anyone who wants truly innovative and high-performance skincare that delivers visible benefits, Kana Skincare Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask is nothing short of a revelation.  This mask will quickly become your best friend because it’s a total giver who can solve nearly any complexion trouble regardless of whether you use her 3 times a week or–if you’re head over heels like I am–every single night.  You’ll notice rather quickly that your skin is brighter, clearer, suppler, smoother, with a natural glow.  Not only does Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask offer all these benefits, but in my experience, she delivers these benefits even to the most troubled skin and stubborn problems.  For example, I am someone who gets hormonal cystic acne that swells up under my skin and seems to linger forever; nothing—including conventional “big guns” like benzoyl peroxide–has ever been able to make any noticeable difference in these blemishes until this mask, which dramatically reduces my inflammation and speeds up the healing process like nothing I have ever seen.  Unlike conventional treatments, she diminishes blemishes while hydrating and brightening my skin, too!  If your experience is anything like mine, Kana Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask will get you a startling number of random compliments on your skin.  Plus, the incredible lavender scent of the mask is truly its own kind of therapy; aiding relaxation at the end of the day no matter how crazy things have been. The soothing ritual of applying this sleeping mask has quickly become as essential to my nightly regimen as brushing my teeth!  I don’t want to go to bed without her!

You don’t have to simply rely on my word on how out-of-this-world Kana Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask is.  If you want more evidence, she is so cutting-edge and effective that she got a full feature along with unqualified praise in VICE (and as we all know, that’s not a publication that guarantees a flattering write-up).  The tagline for the article was “Turns out, putting weed on your face is dope!”  Like me, the author loved the way the mask chilled her skin out, and she stated that it could even help skin recover from “a night of bad decisions” (or in my case, a lack of sleep).  The last sentence summed it up, “Why didn’t we all do this sooner?”  If/when you try Kana Skincare Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask, I guarantee you’ll be asking yourself the same thing!  Just when you think your next decision can’t get any more obvious, there’s more!  Despite being one of the best and most luxurious products I have ever tried, Kana Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask is also a total steal at just $45.  Try it and prepare to fall in love with your skin!

Image courtesy of Kana Skincare

The post Cannabidiol (CBD) Meets Korean Beauty: Kana Skincare Lavender CBD Sleeping Mask appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

Image courtesy of the LILY DE MAI Blog

If you consider your skin sensitive, reactive or compromised, LILY DE MAI Sensitive Skincare is a line you should know.  Why?  Because LILY DE MAI solves one of the biggest problems those of us with sensitive skin face:  finding that just-right intensity level of high-performance skincare that will deliver results without stripping the barrier, inflaming, and/or dehydrating our sensitive skin.  As someone with sensitive skin myself, I always feel like I’m towing the line between using powerful-enough actives for results and going a wee bit too far, leaving my skin an angry mess.  Like many with reactive skin, I often err on the side of overdoing it.  Time and time again, I have overtreated my skin and end up looking decidedly worse for it.  I should know better, but the desire for results is so great that I cannot seem to help but make this mistake repeatedly.  Not anymore! LILY DE MAI is a line that delivers the perfect concentration and combination of both clinical and botanical actives to yield results—without irritating or compromising sensitive skin.

LILY DE MAI first came on my radar on Instagram, where I immediately noticed the line’s focus on sensitive skin, which is unusual and pertinent to me, as well as the line’s sumptuous, appealing aesthetic.  Impressed by the posted content, I started admiring the products and reading the LILY DE MAI blog as well.  Whereas most skincare lines’ blogs exist simply to promote products, the LILY DE MAI blog covers a range of topics pertinent to sensitive skin, and the content is consistently first-rate and highly educational.  Reading it, you realize that LILY DE MAI not only understands skin but truly understands and cares about sensitive skin.  For too long, those of us with sensitive skin have largely had to choose between gentle products that basically sit inert on our skin or products that are “sensitive” in name only–and sting or burn when applied.  LILY DE MAI is sensitive skincare without compromise, offering visible benefits and gentle care simultaneously.

When I reached out to founder and formulator Sara Runser, I discovered that she brings a wealth of expertise to her craft; she is a Formula Botanica graduate, as well as an esthetician and aromatherapist and has spent years studying skin from many angles.  Ms. Runser knows sensitive skin firsthand as well as theoretically.  As Ms. Runser said in a previous interview, “My own struggle with sensitive skin was the inspiration for LILY DE MAI.  . . . . I couldn’t find the type of products I wanted, so I created them myself. Traditional sensitive skincare products have some helpful ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, but they are full of potentially harmful ones like PEG’s, parabens, and sodium lauryl sulfates. Green, clean skincare lines have beautiful organic oils, botanical extracts, and essential oils but they’re lacking the clinically proven active ingredients that have an enormous benefit for sensitive skin. I don’t believe people should have to choose between green, clean or clinical skincare. Harmful ingredients should always be avoided, and the most effective ingredients from both nature and science should be used to formulate the best products. That’s what I did with LILY DE MAI.”  Indeed, a large part of LILY DE MAI’s considerable appeal is that the line delivers sensitive skincare without making us choose green versus traditional or gentle versus clinical.  With each LILY DE MAI product, Ms. Runser proves that we need not sacrifice striking results because of sensitivity.

LILY DE MAI Sensitive Skincare mindfully excludes all harsh and questionable ingredients (e.g., sulfates, parabens, phthalates, PEGs, silicones, ethoxylated compounds, mineral oils, petroleum, drying alcohols, abrasive exfoliants, and synthetic fragrance and dyes); instead, the line embraces biocompatible skin-identical ingredients like ceramides and plant sterols, clinically-proven age-defying actives like vitamins and peptides, and organic botanical extracts and oils, all skillfully combined in high-performance yet gentle formulations designed for soothing, hydrating, brightening, and anti-aging results.  Key to LILY DE MAI’s high-performance products is an understanding of how skin works. With extensive training in the function and structure of the skin, LILY DE MAI founder Ms. Runser understands that a well-supported skin barrier is paramount for beautiful, healthy skin, particularly for those of us prone to sensitivity.  A weakened barrier leaves skin vulnerable to all sorts of troubles, including irritants, bacteria, and moisture loss.  LILY DE MAI Sensitive Skincare products truly support, replenish, and strengthen the skin barrier to deliver transformative results, promoting calm, hydrated, glowing skin.

I was fortunate to get the chance to try three full-sized LILY DE MAI Sensitive Skincare treasures, RENEW Restorative Calming Cream Cleanser, BLISS-NMF Transformative Moisture Mist, and SANCTUARY Vita 3 Anti-Ox Defense Serum, and I have quickly become very attached to having all of them in my routine.  My skin was red and irritated when the LILY DE MAI products arrived, and I can’t tell you how wonderful it felt to apply them and experience comfort rather than stinging and irritation!  As someone who has sensitive skin plus additional inflammation related to lupus, I can vouch for the fact that LILY DE MAI Sensitive Skincare is wonderful in terms of both application and the aesthetic experience—beautiful textures and natural fragrances (from the botanical actives) in formulas that feel lovely on application even when skin is uncomfortable, inflamed).  Let me tell you about each product I had the pleasure of using.

RENEW Restorative Calming Cream Cleanser

Do you want to fall in love with cleansing?  Then you must try LILY DE MAI RENEW Restorative Calming Cream Cleanser.   RENEW has changed the way I view cleansers.  For the first time ever, I do not view cleansing as the least exciting step in my routine, and I actually look forward to it.  Until I tried RENEW, I did not realize how much using overly harsh cleansers was harming my skin—stripping the barrier and leaving my skin more vulnerable to dehydration, acne, inflammation, and signs of aging.  RENEW is a rich, gentle cream cleanser that feels hydrating on contact yet cleanses beautifully.  It maintains the skin’s pH and supports the skin barrier while effectively but gently removing debris, dirt, and pollution.  Unlike most cleansers, RENEW is soap- and surfactant-free; as a result, RENEW does not strip skin of its natural oils or harmfully alter the skin’s pH (which leaves skin more vulnerable to bacteria and impairs barrier function).  The result is clean skin that is moisturized, calm, and balanced.

RENEW Restorative Calming Cream Cleanser is the first cleanser I have ever used that provides actual comfort on application–to the extent that I find myself making excuses to delay washing it off.  I didn’t know that a cleanser could be soothing, but with Aloe, Chamomile, Calendula, and Oat, RENEW feels luscious and calming on contact.  Along with its Ecocert-approved emulsifier for effective cleansing, RENEW nourishes with a blend of organic Sunflower, Argan, and Avocado Oils and rich Shea Butter.  Panthenol and Hyaluronic Acid boost hydration.  Everything about RENEW makes me want it to linger!  So much more than your typical cleanser, this gem is a multitasker; RENEW is frequently used by LILY DE MAI fans (including myself) as a hydrating and soothing mask, and it can even double as a light moisturizer.  It delivers a great clean along with nourishment, hydration, and soothing benefits.  RENEW is the first cleanser I have used that really provides my skin something rather than just depleting it, and I didn’t even know a cleanser could do that!  RENEW provides this luxurious hit of soothing nourishment upon contact that is paradise for my sensitive skin, and even when I leave it on quite a while, it never becomes at all drying.  I think it’s safe to say that RENEW is my favorite cleanser ever.  I adore it!! 

RENEW Restorative Calming Cream Cleanser Ingredients: Deionized Water, Carthamus tinctorius (safflower) Oil*, Helianthus annuus (sunflower) Seed Oil*, Propanediol**, Glycerin*, Cetearyl Olivate**, Sorbitan Olivate**, Capric/ Caprylic Triglycerides, Butyrospermum parkii (shea) Butter*, Argania spinosa (argan) Oil*, Persea gratissima (avocado) Oil*, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe barbadensis (aloe) Leaf Extract*, Calendula officinalis (calendula) Flower Extract*, Chamomilla recutita (Matricaria) (chamomile) Flower Extract*, Avena sativa (oat) Extract*, Allantoin, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Natural Fragrance, Ascorbic Acid**, Benzyl Alcohol** Salicylic Acid**, Sorbic Acid**

* Certified Organic   **Ecocert Certified Cruelty-Free, Vegan, Gluten Free

BLISS-NMF Transformative Moisture Mist

BLISS-NMF Transformative Moisture Mist is such a high-performer that it may revolutionize what you expect from a mist.  It has for me.  Prior to trying BLISS, most toners/mists struck me as totally optional, falling into two camps:  mildly pleasant, nice-smelling spritzes with watered-down ingredients (i.e., only a half-step above regular water) or harsh and stinging medicinal toners that strip skin of its natural oils and impair the skin barrier, ultimately leading to dehydration.  Not BLISS!  BLISS provides skin with skin-identical (i.e., most like components naturally occurring in skin) Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMFs) like Sodium PCA and Hyaluronic acid; these NMFs keep skin plump and moist by attracting and retaining hydration.  Niacinamide in BLISS brightens the skin and prevents blemishes, while Yeast Oligopeptide and Soy Amino Acids replenish the skin barrier and boost collagen production.  Finally, a blend of 7 soothing organic botanicals—Licorice, Green Tea, Irish Moss, Aloe, Chamomile, Calendula, and Oat–calms sensitivity and reduces redness.

I love that this is a highly functional, reparative powerhouse that provides significant, lasting hydration and repairs the skin barrier, all in a deceptively light spritz.  When it comes to making a lasting impact, BLISS is a big step up from other mists I have used.  It smells heavenly and feels cooling and refreshing even on irritated skin, and its hydrating powers are above and beyond any other mist I have tried.  I find that if I spritz it on after cleansing, I can even get by without moisturizer without feeling tight or dry, which is not something I have experienced with any other mist/toner to date.

BLISS-NMF Transformative Moisture Mist Ingredients : Deionized Water, Rosa damascena (rose) Flower Hydrosol*, Niacinamide, Sodium PCA, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Yeast Extract*** (and) Soy Amino*** Acids, Glycerin*, Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) Root Extract*, Cameilla sinensis (green tea) Leaf Extract*, Aloe barbadensis (aloe) Extract*, Calendula officinalis (calendula) Flower Extract*, Chamomilla recutita (Matricaria) (chamomile) Flower Extract*, Avena sativa (oat) Extract*, Chondrus crispus (Irish moss) Extract, Montmorillonite, Illite, Kaolin, Mentha piperita (peppermint) Leaf Oil*, Natural Fragrance, Benzyl Alcohol**, Salicylic Acid**, Sorbic Acid**, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer**

* Certified Organic   **Ecocert Certified  *** Non-GMO Cruelty-Free, Vegan, Gluten Free

SANCTUARY Vita 3 Anti-Ox Defense Serum

SANCTUARY Vita 3 Anti-Ox Defense Serum is a lovely antioxidant serum with so much to recommend it.  Let’s start with its dynamic Super Fruit Complex that features skin-protecting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory Pomegranate, emollient and UVB-protective Red Raspberry, hydrating and wound-healing Rosehip, nourishing and fatty-acid-rich Cranberry, and healing and hydrating Sea Buckthorn Oils.  Together, SANCTUARY’s Super Fruit Complex provides an exceptional blend of protective antioxidants, nourishing phytosterols, skin-protective polyphenols, anti-inflammatory tocopherols, anti-inflammatory carotenoids, protective bioflavonoids, detoxifying chlorophylls, skin-enhancing vitamins (e.g., A, C, E), and nourishing fatty acids (including linoleic, a-linoleic, oleic, punicic, and omegas 3, 6, 7, and 9).  Not only doe this powerful blend nourish skin and improve tone and elasticity, it also but helps to protect skin against negative exposures from our environment, including pollution and UV rays.

In addition to the incredible Super Fruit complex, SANCTUARY also features an amazing form of Vitamin C that is both highly active and perfect for sensitive skin: Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate.  This stable and non-irritating Vitamin C Ester is proven to provide incredible anti-aging benefits by providing antioxidant protection, boosting collagen production, fading hyperpigmentation, and minimizing inflammation.  Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (TA) has special advantages over other forms of Vitamin C in that TA: is powerful yet non-irritating to sensitive skin, penetrates all the way to the dermis (where it can exert maximum benefits) and is highly stable in formulations and in the air.  Despite being less irritating than L-Ascorbic Acid, Hema Sundaram, MD., a Board-Certified Dermatologists states that TA provides five times greater collagen production and twice the suppression of matrix metalloproteinases (enzymes that degrade important structural proteins) [than l-ascorbic acid].  Thus, with TA, SANCTUARY provides the ideal form of vitamin C in terms of potency, stability, and lack of side effects.

As if the blend of TA plus the Super Fruit Complex were not already impressive enough, SANCTUARY also provides potent antioxidant, collagen-boosting CoQ10 as well as precious oils and botanicals like Watermelon and Shiso Oils and Rhatany CO2.  The result is an incredible blend of valuable ingredients that combine synergistically to provide a wealth of skin benefits–from calming to rejuvenating to protecting to hydrating and strengthening.  The potent formula is nonetheless gentle on contact, with a light oil texture that sinks right into skin.  SANCTUARY is a beautiful daily investment in overall skin vitality and health.

SANCTUARY Vita 3 Anti-Ox Defense Serum Ingredients:  Perilla ocymoides (shiso) Oil*, Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) Oil, Rosa rubiginosa (rose hip) Oil*, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) Oil*, Rubus idaeus (red raspberry) Oil*, Punica granatum (pomegranate) Oil*, Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) Oil*, Argania spinosa (argan) Oil*, Calophyllum inophyllum (tamanu) Oil, Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C ester), Hippophae rhamnoides (seabuckthorn) CO2*, Krameria triandra (rhatany) Root CO2, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) Leaf CO2 Extract*, Helianthus annuus (sunflower) Oil, Lavandula angustifolia (lavender)*, Cymbopogon martinii (palmarosa)*, Thymus vulgaris (thyme ct. linalool)*, Leptospermum scoparium (manuka), Pogostemon cablin (patchouli), Commiphora myrrha (myrrh)

* Certified Organic            Cruelty Free, Vegan, Gluten Free

CONCLUSION

LILY DE MAI’s tagline “The Purity of Nature + The Power of Science” is an apt description of what you can expect from the line’s formulations: the best of natural and clinical actives expertly blended to visibly benefit sensitive skin.  With LILY DE MAI Sensitive Skincare, you are not forced to choose between clean and green versus innovative science, because the line incorporates both.  Moreover,  you are not forced to choose between gentle versus high-performance, because LILY DE MAI is carefully crafted to deliver dramatic benefits and visible results without irritation, with careful attention paid to issues of sensitivity.  Every ingredient in LILY DE MAI RENEW Restorative Calming Cream Cleanser, BLISS-NMF Transformative Moisture Mist, and SANCTUARY Vita 3 Anti-Ox Defense Serum has been meticulously researched and selected for its gentleness and clinically-proven ability to soothe, hydrate, minimize signs of aging, and promote skin’s vitality.  All three LILY DE MAI products feature gorgeous, highly-effective blends of scientifically-proven clinical actives and luscious botanicals that deliver benefits without drawbacks.

• RENEW is my favorite cleanser ever, nourishing skin as it effectively cleans.
• BLISS is the first mist I have used that is as high-performance, indispensable, and hydrating as a great serum.
• SANCTUARY is the ultimate high-performance antioxidant serum to protect, fortify, and bolster skin against the elements.

LILY DE MAI Sensitive Skincare offers transformative results, gently and healthily, such that even highly temperamental skin visibly benefits—without irritation or side effects. 

As a special treat for my readers, use the code SENSITIVE15 for 15% off any LILY DE MAI purchases!

The post LILY DE MAI: All the Benefits, None of the Compromises appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

Iremia in Iremia Skincare translates to mean tranquil or serene, and this is an apt description of what you can expect from this gorgeous, clean, ultra-soothing line. Elaine Li, the founder and formulator of Iremia Skincare, knows the challenges of sensitive skin firsthand, having struggled with eczema, hypersensitivities, and redness as long as she can remember.  She knows how frustrating it is: to purchase a product specifically designed to be “sensitive” only to have it sting and burn on contact, to discover after making a purchase that harmful ingredients are deceptively hidden in proprietary blends rather than declared, or to finally find a sufficiently gentle formula only to discover that it has little impact on skin, or worse, is merely causing more problems (e.g., breakouts).  Iremia Skincare was born out of frustration with these limited options for sensitive skin.  When Elaine found no workable solutions for her skin on the market, she created her own.  Iremia Skincare offers what has been largely missing from the industry:  gentle yet effective, healing skincare for sensitive skin.  Based on my experience using this line, Iremia Skincare is proof that gentle and effective do not have to be antonyms in skincare.

Iremia Skincare embraces a less-is-more philosophy in which each ingredient is carefully chosen, and each of the line’s products is designed to deliver multiple benefits.  Rather than suggesting dozens of products for an elaborate routine (that may end up overtreating sensitive skin), Iremia Skincare keeps things clean and streamlined, with just three multitasking products: a Soothing Lotion, a Protective Cream, and a Restorative Facial Oil.  In crafting Iremia’s exceptional formulations, Elaine relied on clinical and scientific studies as well as ingredient notes she had meticulously taken over years of trial and error while searching for a workable solution for her skin.  As a devoted working mom of two children, it was imperative to Elaine that Iremia products be pure enough for children’s delicate skin and also multifunctional enough to streamline the routine of a busy working mom like herself.  As a result, Iremia Skincare is unique in the fact that it is extremely gentle and pure, yet still high-performance, delivering many benefits in each product.

I had the chance to try two of the three products in the Iremia Skincare line:  Soothing Lotion and Restorative Facial Oil.  Both have been matches made in heaven for my dry, inflammation-prone, sensitive skin.  Below, I will tell you about each one.

Iremia Skincare Soothing Lotion

Iremia Skincare Soothing Lotion

Iremia Skincare Soothing Lotion has a luscious texture that is rich and creamy but sinks into skin easily, leaving just light hydration behind.  Soothing Lotion has a faint-yet-delicious natural scent from its beautiful botanical ingredients, and it feels amazing on contact—even on skin that is compromised due to sensitivity, dryness, or both.  In addition to providing nourishing hydration, Soothing Lotion is also truly calming and efficiently eases inflammation and irritation.  I saw a lovely turnaround in my skin after using Iremia Skincare Soothing Lotion for four days; redness/irritation and flakiness from dryness steadily healed, until my skin was as serene as ever.  In just a few days of use, my complexion felt dramatically soothed, more comfortable, and nourished.

In the short time I have been using this luxurious gem, I have come to count on it to calm and hydrate my skin when it’s at its fussiest with redness or flare-ups of inflammation.  Soothing Lotion quickly, gently, and effectively calms, heals, and hydrates my sensitive skin at it’s most challenging.  On occasions when my skin is being well-behaved, Soothing Lotion is a beautifully nourishing moisturizer that glides on and sinks in for lasting hydration.  I find it to be pure, effective, and versatile.  Having studied Soothing Lotion’s ingredients, I know that the benefits do not end with soothing and hydration; with regular use, several actives deliver anti-aging benefits in addition to hydration and soothing.  What is the secret to this luscious healer?  I have to credit Elaine and her meticulous approach to ingredient selection and formulation.  This is a truly multipurpose lotion appropriate for sensitive skin!

Iremia Skincare Soothing Lotion’s beautiful blend of carefully-selected ingredients includes:

• Shea Butter—derived from the nutrient-rich nuts of the African Karite tree, this active is highly emollient, healing, hydrating, anti-inflammatory, contains natural vitamins A, C, and E, and even delivers skin-strengthening and anti-aging benefits by boosting collagen production
• Aloe Leaf Extract—used topically since ancient times for its healing and soothing capacities, Aloe is anti-inflammatory, hydrating, soothing on contact
• Grape Seed Oil—rich in flavonoids, including those called proanthocyanidins (PCOs), excellent free radical scavenger
• Calendula Flower Extract—with active components including flavonoids, polysaccharides, triterpenes, carotenes, and more, Calendula Flower Extract is proven to be soothing, anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, and hydrating
• Lavender Flower Oil—improves circulation and thus facilitates the healing process
• Manuka Honey—naturally rich in a variety of B vitamins, reinforces skin’s ability to regenerate, offsets free radical activity, improves healing, and increases fibroblast ability
• African Mahogany Tree Bark Extract— clinically proven to strengthen the skin and significantly reduce wrinkles after 56 days of use

Soothing Lotion Full Ingredient List: WATER/AQUA, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, GLYCERYL STEARATE, COCO-CAPRYLATE CAPRATE, DICAPRYLYL ETHER, SODIUM OLIVOYL GLUTAMATE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA BUTTER), CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CETYL ALCOHOL, STEARYL ALCOHOL, CERA ALBA, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED OIL, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, GLYCERIN, PHENOXYETHANOL, IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE, KHAYA SENEGALENSIS BARK EXTRACT (AND) MALTODEXTRIN, XANTHAN GUM, TOCOPHEROL, LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA (LAVENDER) FLOWER OIL, CITRUS MEDICA LIMONUM (LEMON) PEEL OIL, CALENDULA OFFICINALIS FLOWER EXTRACT, HONEY( MANUKA), SODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE

Iremia Skincare Restorative Facial Oil

Iremia Skincare Restorative Facial Oil

Iremia Skincare Restorative Facial Oil is an antioxidant-rich multivitamin for the skin that strengthens, soothes, and balances.  The luxurious blend of 11 beneficial oils leaves skin feeling incredibly soft, smooth, hydrated, and plump.  As with the Soothing Lotion, there is no added fragrance, and yet Restorative Facial Oil naturally has a subtle, delicious scent from its blend of fresh natural actives.  The vibrant orange hue of the blend hints at the nourishing antioxidant goodness delivered to skin with every drop.  The texture is light, and it sinks into skin quickly rather than leaving a greasy residue.

Each of the 11 oils adds value to the overall formulation of Restorative Facial Oil, but some highlights include:

• Avocado Oil—nourishes dry skin and provides a rich source of Vitamins A, B1, B2, D, and E
• Camellia Oil—highly antioxidant, emollient, and anti-inflammatory
• Jojoba Seed Oil—soothing and anti-inflammatory and excellent for eczema-prone skin
• Rosehip Fruit Oil—rich in essential fatty acids that help regenerate and repair damage to skin
• Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil—rich in antioxidants, provides vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene, and plant sterols, as well as healing Omega 7

Restorative Facial Oil is a wonderful hydrating oil blend with a full range of soothing, antioxidant, strengthening, and skin-plumping benefits.  Both the aesthetics and the performance of Restorative Facial Oil are magnificent.  This product is elegant and enjoyable to use and has left my skin calmer and better hydrated than before I started using it.

Restorative Facial Oil Full Ingredients: HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL , PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL, CAMELLIA OLEIFERA (CAMELLIA) SEED OIL , SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, ARGANIA SPINOSA (ARGAN) OIL, ROSA CANINA(ROSEHIP) FRUIT OIL, HIPPOPHAE RHAMNOIDES (SEA BUCKTHORN) FRUIT OIL ,TOCOPHEROL, CYMBOPOGON MARTINI( PALMAROSA) OIL, ROSA DAMASCENA FLOWER OIL, PELARGONIUM ROSEUM LEAF OIL

CONCLUSION

Iremia Skincare Soothing Lotion and Restorative Facial Oil

With pure, clean formulas and carefully selected ingredients, Iremia Skincare offers gentle-yet-effective healing solutions for reactive, sensitive, or inflamed skin.  Soothing Lotion offers calming hydration that quickly resolves flakiness, redness, and/or inflammation, while also delivering antioxidant protection and a proven anti-aging active.  Restorative Facial Oil, in turn, provides well-rounded topical nutrition and skin-plumping hydration in an elegant, quickly-absorbed blend of 11 beneficial oils.  Together, this duo serves as a high-performance, streamlined skincare routine that dramatically improves the condition of sensitive skin.   Both products are available at Natural Avenue.  Highly recommended!

The post Iremia Skincare: Tranquility for Sensitive, Reactive Skin? appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

A Line with Appeal

I am excited to share my experience in this Blissoma review.  In my tireless internet searches for “healing skincare for acne-prone skin,” I kept coming across Blissoma Holistic Skincare and Apothecary.  I was familiar with the Blissoma name and knew this natural line was a favorite of many beauty lovers, green and otherwise.  Then I discovered that the beauty blogger I trust more than any other, Mercy Hopkins, of Green by Mercy had written not just one, but several articles raving about Blissoma (for instance, she raves about a Blissoma serum, nearly all of the Blissoma moisturizers, and shares delight over her latest haul of Blissoma favorites).  I asked her if the line was as good as she made it sound, and she told me, “Blissoma is one brand that I love because they have such an extensive collection of products and are excellent at formulating for specific skin types and skin concerns. Their products are pretty great across the board; I really haven’t tried one product of theirs that I didn’t like!”  This is high praise, and it piqued my interest.

I read about the company and its products, and I quickly found myself both schooled and charmed by Blissoma founder, herbal chemist, Julie Longyear via her blog, which is packed with useful insights about skincare and infused with scientific knowledge, all without ever feeling stuffy.  Ms. Longyear writes in a down-to-earth style even while citing scientific literature and conveying a keen understanding of chemistry (for one of the countless great examples, see this enlightening article she wrote explaining the importance of pH in skincare).  Perhaps the most revelatory reading of all for yours was a three-part series entitled Consult the Herbal Chemist: Acne Rescue (see Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3) in which Ms. Longyear outlined a smarter, kinder way to treat (and heal!) acne than I had ever seen before.  She provided an explanation for and specific recommendations on four steps:

1. Eating a healthy diet of organic foods
2. Getting adequate sleep and relaxation
3. Using a gentle, natural cleansing routine each day to exfoliate, balance sebum, kill acne bacteria, and maintain proper pH
4. Moisturizing and spot treating with something soothing and anti-inflammatory

Each step jolted me with clear truth and merit.  Why hadn’t I thought of this stuff?  Ms. Longyear discussed the tendency to overtreat acne, pointing out that in attempts to kill acne bacteria or “zap” a pimple, many of us (ahem, guilty) turn to harsh actives that may dry a blemish only to also dry out, irritate, and inflame all the skin surrounding it, making a bad situation even worse.  In Ms. Longyear’s own words, “Acne is an inflamed situation—the pimple itself is swollen, aggravated, and painful. What it needs more than anything is soothing.”  I touched my flaking, painful face and nodded in agreement.  As a person with a whole variety of uncomfortable skin issues (acne, sensitivity, dehydration, signs of aging), I needed a line able to address a range of different troubles, all with an overarching emphasis on healing, regeneration, and taming inflammation.  Imagine my delight and relief when I discovered that Blissoma Skincare is intentionally formulated to create healing, regenerative results for specific skin concerns.

Choosing the Right Blissoma Product(s) for You

Ms. Longyear designs each of their skincare recipes with a specific skin problem in mind and tries to understand the root causes of that particular problem to create a true and targeted skincare solution.  Each ingredient–from herbs to oils, to juices, to vitamins and minerals—is chosen for its benefits to the specific problem, and ingredients are utilized and combined in levels proven effective by science.  Blissoma simplifies selection by allowing consumers to shop by Skin Type, yet many of Blissoma recipes’ benefits are multifunctional and extend beyond just one skin type.  If it sounds like making a choice is difficult, it is, simply because it’s hard to narrow down so many good options!   Not to worry, though, because Blissoma has a licensed esthetician on staff who offers free email consultations for personalized skin regimen advice!   If you have particular concerns, you can get expert guidance tailored to your needs before you spend a penny!

Stubborn as I am, I wanted to pick things out for myself.  Rather than restricting myself to just one skin type, I browsed the skin types that even partly applied and selected the individual products in each category that addressed my specific concerns.  Since I deal with acne, I chose two products designed for Oily/Acneic/Irritated Skin, Smooth A+ Correcting Serum and Refine Clay Renewal Treatment mask.  With my sensitivity and inflammation in mind, I chose two products from Blissoma’s collection for Ultra-Sensitive/Irritated/Dry Skin, Pure Sensitive Skin Soothing Complex, and Lavish Loving Recovery Beta-glucan Mask.  Finally, to address hormonal acne and Dry/Mature/Imbalanced skin, I selected Restore Deep Healing Oil Serum.  The Refine Clay Renewal Treatment and Restore Deep Healing Oil Serum were kindly provided as samples for my review, and I happily and eagerly purchased the remainder myself.

My order placed, I was eager to entrust my complicated, problematic skin to Ms. Longyear and her formulations.  How did the products work out for my challenging skin?  Check out my full five-product Blissoma review below.

Blissoma Review: Products for Oily/Acneic/Irritated Skin

Blissoma products for oily/acneic/irritated skin are carefully formulated to fight bacteria and calm skin simultaneously.  This novel approach will come as such a relief to anyone like myself who has suffered through the acne treatments that either made no difference or left skin parched, painful, flaking, and barrier-compromised.  But Ms. Longyear’s uniquely brilliant approach to treating acne results in products far more helpful than acne treatment-as-usual.

 Smooth A+ Correcting Serum

This gentle, healing, corrective serum has been Blissoma’s best-selling skincare product for 8 years, and for good reason; Smooth A+ is gentle, healing, and delivers turnaround skin-calming results to red, troubled, acneic skin.  This serum calms and heals acne and inflammation, all while being microbiome-friendly and supporting a healthy balance of hydration for all skin types.

Smooth A+ Correcting Serum combines 13 whole-herb extracts that provide protection and support to acneic and inflamed skin, all in a super lightweight formula hydrating enough to serve as a moisturizer for oilier skin or a hydrating serum for drier skin.  Among its many actives, Smooth A+ Correcting Serum has a strong dual emphasis on fighting bacteria and taming inflammation.  Rather than relying on harsher antibacterial actives like Tea Tree Oil, Blissoma opted to highlight Roses and Rose Essential Oil, which deliver anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects suitable for all acenic skin types, including mature and/or dry; as an added benefit, the emphasis of Rose in the recipe makes applying Smooth A+ Correcting Serum an aromatherapeutic and sensory delight.   Smooth A+ features 20 actives including anti- antibacterial and anti-inflammatory Coriander, healing Goldenrod, antibacterial Fennel, and astringent Yarrow, all of which combine to gently decongest skin and clear pores while minimizing inflammation.  The serum also features Licorice and Heather Flowers that combine to brighten the complexion and reduce the hyperpigmentation that so frequently comes with acne, with additional beneficial compounds like skin-calming Glycyrrhizin from the Licorice, anti-inflammatory flavonoid Quercetin from the Heather Flowers, and skin-healing Oleuropein from cold-extracted Olive Leaf.

The A in the serum’s name refers to its vitamin A.  Smooth A+ Correcting Serum is a rich source of vitamin A in the form of Beta Carotene, derived from freshly juiced Carrot and Carrot CO2.  With acne, vitamin A is a tried and true remedy that helps to slough off dead skin cells and to reduce sebum, reducing clogged pores.  Beta Carotene is a retinol precursor, but unlike retinol, this form of Vitamin A is not prone to causing irritation, nor does it have toxicity or sun damage issues.  Beta Carotene offers antioxidant photoprotection and also inhibits the breakdown of collagen, making it a great active for preventing signs of aging besides keeping pores clear.

Vitamin A is not the only star ingredient because Niacinamide/Vitamin B3—included at a generous 4%–is perhaps the most dynamic of all the actives in Smooth A+ Correcting Serum.  A 1995 study demonstrated that 4% Niacinamide outperformed the potent antibiotic Clindamycin in treating acne.  Besides taming acne, Niacinamide delivers a wide-ranging assortment of other benefits: building collagen, evening discoloration, maintaining hydration, reducing inflammation, and helping to maintain optimal barrier function (through its role in the production of ceramides and fatty acids in the outer layer of skin).  With so many advantages for skin, perhaps not surprisingly, Niacinamide is proven to benefit Rosacea by reducing inflammation.

The serum’s soothing hydration feels amazing on contact when applied to irritated and/or dehydrated skin.  Unlike so many acne treatments, Smooth A+ Correcting Serum does not sting or burn even when applied to sensitive or compromised skin, and rather than irritating, the serum calms and soothes.  The serum has a refreshing, lightly floral fragrance that comes from including Bergamot, Frankincense, and Rose Otto Essential Oils, which contribute therapeutic benefits in addition to enhancing the sensory experience.

The result is a product that tames acne with none of the downsides or irritating side effects of traditional acne treatments.  With regular use of Smooth A+ Correcting Serum, my skin not only became clearer, but also calmer, less irritated, and more even in tone. As someone whose skin simultaneously suffers from sensitivity, inflammation, and dehydration, this serum has been a remarkable find for me—finally, something that treats blemishes while calming my skin rather than ravaging my face!  Smooth A+ Correcting Serum delivers both clearer and calmer skin simultaneously; this is a true game-changer for sensitive and/or dehydrated acne-prone skin.

Smooth A Correcting Serum – $34.00
from: Blissoma Holistic Skincare

• Ingredients: Infusion of Coriandrum sativum* (coriander), Achillea millefolium* (yarrow), Solidago virgaurea* (goldenrod), Foeniculum vulgare* (fennel), Rosa damascena* (roses), and Taraxacum officinale* (dandelion), Aloe barbadensis (aloe) Juice*, Cetearyl Alcohol and Cetearyl Glucoside, Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel), Niacinamide, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Daucus carota (carrot) Juice*, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) Oil*, Extracts of Olea Europaea* (olive leaf), Gluconolactone, Lonicera japonica* (honeysuckle), Glycyrrhiza glabra* (licorice), and Calluna vulgaris* (heather flowers), Essential Oils of Citrus bergamia (bergamot) FCF, Boswellia carterii (frankincense), and Rosa damascena (rose otto), CO2 Extracts of Daucus carota (helio-carrot) and Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile), Populus Tremuloides (aspen) Bark Extract, Xanthan Gum, Grain Alcohol* Essential oils in this product contain: citronellol**, geraniol**, linalool**, limonene**
  *from Certified Organic Agriculture
  **natural components of essential oils

Bottom Line:  Smooth A+ Correcting Serum is a gentle, lightly hydrating serum/lotion that delivers potent anti-bacterial, skin-clearing action while promoting skin health and balance.

 Refine Clay Renewal Treatment

I have a weak spot for pre-mixed masks, so I was thrilled to try this one, which targets oily/acenic skin, congestion, discoloration, and dullness. Refine Clay Renewal Treatment is a creamy clay mask that exfoliates, detoxifies, and improves skin texture and tone.  Three things you should know about Refine: first, it is not drying like the majority of masks with clay bases, second, it offers benefits for just about any skin type, and third, it has a lovely texture that is creamy with just the very slightest hint of gentle grit; imagine a delicately textured consistency that is gentle enough that it feels lovely on sensitive and reactive skin like mine.

Refine Clay Renewal Treatment has a base of Moroccan Rhassoul Clay, which provides the skin with high levels of hydration-boosting minerals like Magnesium, Potassium, Silica, Sodium, and tissue-repairing Zinc.  Although you may think of clays as drying, Rhassoul Clay has been shown to actually improve skin hydration and discoloration and irritation.  Next, Willow Bark and freshly-juiced Celery deliver gentle enzymatic exfoliation that leaves the skin brighter and fresher, better able to breathe, and more able to absorb and benefit from other topical actives.  Soothing Chickweed and antibacterial Fennel further decongest pores and tame and prevent blemishes.  Refine is an excellent treatment mask for acneic or troubled skin. Its formula is gentle and balanced enough that even someone like me with dehydrated skin can leave it on for extended periods and maintain comfort.  This makes Refine Clay Renewal Treatment not only that much more enjoyable and versatile to wear, but also a brilliant, non-irritating spot treatment that can be left on stubborn blemishes overnight.

Refine Clay Renewal Treatment provides an excellent antidote for acne, but it is so much more, with the potential to benefit all skin types.  Luxuriously creamy Reine is definitely not your typical clay mask; rather than sucking moisture from the skin, Refine Clay Renewal Treatment helps balance the skin’s moisture, infusing hydration where it’s needed, while calming sensitivity, redness, and irritation.  The skin-calming Rhassoul Clay in Refine is enhanced with vitamin-rich Nori Seaweed as well as nourishing Cranberry Seed Oil, Red Raspberry Oil, and Omega-fatty-acid-rich Hemp Oil for restorative, antioxidant goodness and rich hydration.  The mask also delivers regenerative nutrition from Organic Roses, Olive Leaf, and Echinacea, actives that improve tone and firmness.  The resulting treatment provides a true wealth of benefits, suitable for drier and more mature skin types and oily or acneic skin.  Refine Clay Renewal Treatment is a versatile detoxifying, conditioning mask that provides a little spa luxury to home treatment.  I highly recommend it for anyone dealing with blemishes, dullness, discoloration, or texture issues.

Refine Clay Renewal Treatment – $40.00
from: Blissoma Holistic Skincare

• Ingredients: Infusion of Foeniculum vulgare* (fennel), Stellaria media* (chickweed), Lavandula angustifolia* (lavender), Rosa damascena* (roses), Porphyra umbilicalis* (nori seaweed), Ruscus aculeatus* (butcher’s broom), Rhassoul Clay, Apium graveolens (celery) Juice*, Cocos nucifera (coconut) Oil*, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Zinc Oxide*, Cannabis sativa* (hemp) Oil*, Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) Seed Oil*, Rubus ideaus (red raspberry) Seed Oil*, Extracts of Glycyrrhiza glabra* (licorice), Symphytum officinale* (comfrey), and Salix alba* (willow bark), Populus Tremuloides (Aspen) Bark Extract, Gluconolactone, Cetearyl Alcohol and Cetearyl Glucoside, Extracts of Olea europaea* (olive leaf), Echinacea purpurea*, and Calendula officinalis*, Essential Oils of Litsea cubeba, Commiphora myrrha, Pelargonium roseum (rose geranium), Citrus reticulata (mandarin), Lavandula angustifolia, Pogostemon cablin (patchouli), Coriandrum sativum (coriander), Cedrus atlantica (cedarwood), Grain Alcohol*, Rosemary Oleoresin Extract citral**, xanthan gum
  Essential oils in this product contain: limonene**, citronellol**, geraniol**, linalool***
  *from Certified Organic Agriculture
  **natural components of essential oils

Bottom Line:  Refine Clay Renewal Treatment is the creamiest clay mask I have ever used!  It feels comfortable and non-drying and offers gentle exfoliation and detoxification appropriate for any skin type.

Note:  For the ultimate troubled/acneic skin turnaround, I recommend combining twice daily use of Smooth A+ Correcting Serum with Refine Clay Renewal Treatment weekly for a general brightening, restorative, and exfoliating treatment, 2-3 times weekly treatments on more actively troubled (e.g., flaky and/or acenic) skin, and as often as daily as a potent anti-inflammatory blemish spot treatment.  These two beautifully balanced acne-fighting healers complement each other beautifully and offer benefits to even dry, sensitive, and/or mature acne skin types.  Blissoma’s formulations for Acneic/Irritated Skin are a refreshing change because they tame not only bacteria but also the underlying issues of inflammation and oxidation.  This three-pronged approach offers a transformative and healing solution to acne and accomplishes it with no detrimental side effects for sensitive, dry, and/or mature skin types. Smooth A+ and Refine easily stand heads and shoulders above other acne treatments I have tried, because they address acne without ravaging the surrounding skin, compromising barrier function, or resulting in dehydration.  Instead, both products gently hydrate without clogging pores, calming redness and irritation and taming acne.

Blissoma Review: Products for Ultra Sensitive/Irritated/Dry/All Ages

Besides outstanding formulations for troubled/acneic skin, Ms. Longyear and the Blissoma team have also devoted a great deal of time, attention, and research to the treatment of sensitive skin.  Their approach is different.  As Ms. Longyear has written on her blog, “Filler ingredients (commonly found in mass-market cosmetics, shunned by Blissoma) are not “neutral” for many people.  Many will likely cause skin irritation for many customers, prompting inflammation, acne, and other problems the item was purchased to fix. Silicones often cause breakouts as they form a film over pores. Petroleum fillers and synthetic emulsifiers can confuse and clog skin, damaging its protective barrier and microbiome.” Besides utilizing only the safest and most beneficial ingredients in products, Blissoma offers consumers a free Sensitive Skin Reset Plan that details triggers of skin sensitivity, educates on the worst common synthetic chemical offenders, and provides suggestions on healing irritation and sensitivity.  If you are perplexed and frustrated with skin reactivity, the Sensitive Skin Reset Plan will help set you on a better path, with answers.  Meanwhile, feel free to peruse Blissoma’s product line of healing botanical recipes curated for sensitive skin.  I tried two of the products in the Ultra-Sensitive line and found rapid and soothing relief with both.

 Pure Sensitive Skin Soothing Complex

Carefully formulated with a range of nature’s most calming botanicals, Pure Sensitive Skin Soothing Complex is gentle enough to provide comfort on contact to even the most sensitive, irritated skin.  Plantain, long used as a soothing remedy for reactive skin, joins emollient and healing Marshmallow with its lubricating mucilage, protective and regenerative Self-Heal, and inflammation-taming, resilience-boosting Calendula hydrosol. Nettle and Butcher’s Broom are excellent sources of minerals, why are an often-overlooked key to skin hydration and also help to speed healing.  Butcher’s Broom also provides an antioxidant flavonoid Rutin, and Heather Flowers provide the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic flavonoid Quercetin.  This is blended with Shea Butter for a creamy lotion consistency that is neither too light nor too thick, and topped off with healing oils of Baobab, Tamanu, Camellia, Pumpkin, and Perilla that further combat irritation and inflammation with a mix of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, plant sterols, and vitamins A, C, D, E, and Zinc.  Though Pure Sensitive Skin Complex is free of fragrance, these oils lend it a pleasant, subtle botanical scent that is refreshingly pure, like the product itself.  Warning: sniffing Pure at length may leave you tempted to taste the recipe.  Finally, Ms. Longyear carefully designed Pure’s recipe using the feedback of countless clients suffering from allergies, sensitivities, irritation, dryness, and reactivity; as a result, Pure is free from potentially irritating ingredients like gluten, grain alcohol, petrochemicals, parabens, essential oils, phenoxyethanol, and even common botanical allergens

With trial and error, I have discovered that sensitive skincare tends to fall into one of two disappointing camps:  it is either inert (accomplishing nothing for skin) or else it’s too harsh for compromised skin (burning and/or stinging painfully on application, leaving a sensitive face even more reactive).  With Pure Sensitive Skin Soothing Complex, Blissoma has avoided both common pitfalls.  They have created an incredible product that will not sting sensitive skin and yet delivers true healing and hydrating benefits!  As someone with sensitivity and skin inflammation due to lupus, I have found Pure Sensitive Skin Soothing Complex to be gentle, actually comforting my irritated skin on contact.  More than just gentle, as I indicated before, Pure is also healing and anti-inflammatory, this is a true skin calmer for anyone dealing with allergies, sensitivities, irritation, or dryness and reactivity.

Pure Sensitive Skin Soothing Complex hydrates deeply in a light and absorbable formula, leaving skin supple and nourished with an array of botanicals that reduce reactivity and redness while improving texture and tone.  The result is skin infused with healing, non-comedogenic hydration.  Painful skin becomes healthier, soothed, more resilient, and more comfortable. For any of us looking to remedy fussy skin, this is a little miracle in a bottle.  Pure has changed my skin for the better; using it regularly, my skin has become dramatically calmer, more even and less red, with improved smoothness and hydration.  Pure Sensitive Skin Soothing Complex is my Holy Grail sensitive-skin moisturizer in a wide field of disappointments!

Pure Sensitive Skin Soothing Complex – $30.00
from: Blissoma Holistic Skincare

• Ingredients: Infusion of Plantago major* (plantain), Althea officinalis* (marshmallow), Prunella vulgaris* (self heal), Urtica Dioica* (nettle), Calluna vulgaris* (heather flowers), Ruscus aculeatus* (butcher’s broom), and Trifolium pratense* (red clover), Calendula officinalis* hydrosol, Butyrospermum parkii (shea) Butter*, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glyceryl Stearate and Cetearyl Alcohol and Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Camellia sinensis (tea) Oil*, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) Oil*, Adansonia digitata (baobab) Oil*, Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) Seed Oil*, Cetearyl Wheatstraw Glycosides, Perilla frutescens Oil*, Calophyllum tacamahaca (tamanu) Oil*, Gluconolactone, Euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Xanthan Gum
  *from Certified Organic Agriculture

Bottom Line:  Pure Sensitive Skin Soothing Complex offers soothing relief for even the most sensitive skin–healing and hydrating without any stinging or burning on compromised skin!

 Lavish Loving Recovery Beta-glucan Mask

Lavish Loving Recovery Beta-glucan Mask is Blissoma’s richest, thickest recipe yet and has quickly become my favorite skin-soothing and hydrating mask ever.  One of the first things that caught my eye about Lavish Loving Recovery Beta-glucan Mask was its inclusion of both Maitake and Reishi Mushrooms, along with Oatmilk, all of which supply skin with ample Beta-glucan, dynamic immune-stimulating Polysaccharides shown to lessen the appearance of redness and inflammation, to significantly reduce wrinkle depth, and to infuse skin with hydration.  Beta-glucans are uniquely hydrating because they can penetrate more deeply than most ingredients, and as they travel through multiple layers of skin, they bring moisture to places most other ingredients simply cannot reach.  Besides Beta-glucans, the two medicinal mushrooms in the recipe are also rich in Vitamin D and Kojic Acid, leaving skin bright and luminous.

Next in Lavish Loving Recovery’s rich and hydrating formula, Cupuacu butter is an extremely rich source of Phytosterols (the substances that give structure to plant’s cell membranes the way cholesterol does in animal cells), which further hydrate skin, protect it from and minimizes irritation, and also help seal in moisture, while also providing over 10 antioxidant compounds.  Add to this rich hydration Omegas 3, 5, 6 that lend anti-inflammatory, skin repairing, moisturizing, and anti-aging effects while improving skin elasticity and comfort.  Next, Lavish Loving Recovery Beta-glucan Mask also features the topical nutrition of an array of beneficial vitamins: regenerative A, antioxidant E, brightening and collagen-boosting C, glow-enhancing F, and healing Zinc.  Organic oils of Pumpkin Seed, Apricot Kernel, and Perilla add to the formula’s richness and help further tame inflammation while imparting a pleasant natural scent.  Finally, Soy Lecithin provides Phospholipids, an ingredient that easily penetrates cell membranes, enhancing the nutrient absorption of the recipe’s many other incredible actives by carrying them further into the skin.  This translates to maximum benefits in skin-plumping hydration, wrinkle-smoothing regeneration, and inflammation quenching.

Lavish Loving Recovery Beta-glucan Mask provides the best hydration, soothing, and comfort of any mask I have ever used.  The texture is thick and creamy, and yet by some miracle, it does not break me out.  My dehydrated, acne-prone skin loves Lavish!  No matter how irritated my skin is, I relief the moment I apply this mask, and after wearing it, I see a much calmer, smoother, more nourished complexion.  I have found I love enjoying Lavish in several ways:  as a comforting and deeply hydrating mask treatment, as a nourishing and calming leave-on moisturizer that rebuilds the lipid barrier, as a deep conditioning hair mask, and as the most magnificent hand cream you can imagine.  Last but not least, I have mixed generous amounts of Lavish with all of my non-Blissoma clay masks—Lavish delivers the ultimate hydrating boost that transforms an otherwise overdrying clay mask into a lush balanced and creamy skin treatment.  (Seriously, Lavish improves everything it touches, including other products!)  Of all the ways I use Lavish, it’s hard to choose a favorite, but I cannot deny that it is phenomenal as an overnight leave-on moisturizer.  Whether I wear it for 20 minutes or 8 hours, treating my skin with Lavish calms areas of redness and leaves my skin plump and hydrated.  Whenever my skin reacts another product and/or become inflamed or dehydrated, Lavish is my go-to treatment.  It quickly soothes my complexion, deeply infusing my skin with calming actives and hydration, all without clogging my acne-prone pores!  I am so happy that I can use this.  Lavish Loving Recovery Beta-glucan Mask delivers dreamy comfort.  Lavish is the perfect mask for anyone with dry, mature, and/or sensitive skin, and a perfect antidote for harsh colder weather approaching.  This mask is nurturing and would make a wonderful gift!

Lavish Loving Recovery Beta-glucan Mask – $42.00
from: Blissoma Holistic Skincare

•  Ingredients: Avena Sativa (oat) Kernal Milk*, Infusion of Passiflora incarnata* (passionflower), Astragalus membranaceus* (astragalus), Plantago major* (plantain), Prunella vulgaris* (self heal), Hypericum perforatum* (st. john’s wort), and Porphyra umbilicalis* (nori seaweed), Glycerin (vegetable origin), Theobroma grandiflorum* (cupuacu) seed butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate and Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) Seed Oil*, Prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel Oil*, Extracts of Grifola frondosa* (maitake mushroom), and Ganoderma lucidum* (reishi mushroom), Aqua (and) Glycerin (and) Sodium Levulinate (and) Sodium Anisate, Perilla frutescens Oil*, Soy Lecithin*, Aspen Bark Extract, Sorbitan Stearate, Adansonia digitata (baobab) Oil*, Punica granatum (pomegranate) Seed Oil*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Xanthan Gum, Gluconolactone
  *from Certified Organic Agriculture

Bottom Line:  Lavish Loving-Recovery Beta-glucan Mask is thick, rich calming care that is a joy to use as a mask and/or as the ultimate overnight moisturizer.

Blissoma Review: Products for Dry/Mature/Imbalanced Skin

 Restore Deep Healing Oil Serum

Blissoma’s products are multifunctional problem solvers and Restore Deep Healing Oil Serum is a perfect example of this.  This lovely oil serum is deeply hydrating for dryness, nourishing to aging skin, balancing for hormonal fluctuations (including those that contribute to hormonal acne) and is wonderful for many skin types.  Restore Deep Healing Oil Serum is blended entirely cold and raw, preserving all the nutrients in its ingredients.  Over 10 unrefined seed oils offer essential fatty acids (Omegas 3, 5, 6, and 9), vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and Zinc, Xanthones (beneficial phytonutrients with potent anti-inflammatory activity), and Phytosterols (plant compounds shown to have anti-aging benefits through their effects on collagen).  Grapeseed Oil is a rich source of Proanthocyanidins, highly potent antioxidant polyphenols that are 20 times more powerful than vitamin C; Proanthocyanidins are an excellent anti-aging and skin-repairing compound, as they are anti-inflammatory, reduce skin irritation, have UV protective effects, and help remedy loss of collagen and elastin.

Red Raspberry, Cranberry, and Pomegranate Oils in the formula provide yet more antioxidants that further protect skin from free radical damage, which is one of the biggest causes of aging.  Restore’s Cranberry and Grapeseed Oils are abundant in vitamin E, which promotes skin healing and minimizes scar tissue.  Next, the Rosehip Oil in the recipe offers broad-spectrum Vitamin A in the forms of trans-retinoic acid and beta-carotene, which combine to help regulate sebum, soften scars, and boost skin regeneration.  Hemp Oil, rich in chlorophyll, lends Restore its slightly emerald hue, and Tamanu Oil helps reduce skin irritations and blemishes. Additionally, Restore’s organic Evening Primrose and Pomegranate oils are rich in omegas including GLA, which is beneficial for hormonally-impacted skin of all ages.  Finally, Pomegranate Oil also offers the additional benefits of phytoestrogens that help leave skin elastic and plump.  This dynamic serum delivers an impressive array of healing, protective, and anti-aging results.

Restore Deep Healing Oil Serum offers excellent, deep hydration and skin-plumping with a soft, nongreasy feel that is at once rich and yet fully absorbed after a few minutes.  Restore Deep Healing Oil Serum is rich enough it can be a complete moisturizer on its own, or it can be mixed into other moisturizers to make them more regenerative and hydrating.  In one smartly-crafted recipe, Restore Deep Healing Oil Serum successfully remedied several most stubborn skin challenges: irritation, extreme dryness, signs of aging, and hormonal shifts, and it left me with calmer, softer, and glowier skin.  Due to the remarkably balanced blend of actives in the recipe, this healing, regenerative serum is decadent and rich, so it feels like wonderful refreshment when applied to sensitive/mature/dehydrated skin, and yet it does not contribute to breakouts.  The fact that, despite being highly-acne prone, I was able to enjoy the sumptuous, repairing hydration of the serum without experiencing any blemishes –or even any congestion–is undeniable evidence that this multitasking formula is acne-safe.  When combined with Smooth A Correcting Serum and Refine Clay Renewal Treatment, Restore Deep Healing Oil Serum actually seems to help balance my skin and minimize hormonally-influenced blemishes.

Restore Deep Healing Oil Serum – $48.00
from: Blissoma Holistic Skincare

• Ingredients: Oenothera biennis (evening primrose) Oil*, Vitis Vinifera (grapeseed) Oil*, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) Oil*, Rubus ideaus (red raspberry) Seed Oil*, Rosa rubiginosa (rosehip) Oil*, Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) Seed Oil*, Calophyllum tacamahaca (tamanu) Oil*, Cannabis sativa (hemp) Oil*, Punica granatum (pomegranate) Seed Oil*, Hippophae rhamnoides (sea buckthorn berry) CO2 Extract*, Calendula Officinalis CO2 Extract, Essential oils of Cedrus atlantica (atlas cedarwood), Cymbopogon martinii (palmarosa), Citrus aurantium (neroli), Helichrysum italicum (helichrysum)*, Rosemary Oleoresin Extract, Tocopherol (vitamin E)
  Essential oils in this product contain: geraniol**, linalool**, limonene**, farnesol**
  *from Certified Organic Agriculture
  **natural components of essential oils

Bottom Line:  Restore Deep Healing Oil Serum is an exceptionally nourishing oil that delivers antioxidant-rich hydration and helps to minimize signs of aging.

Conclusion

Blissoma Holistic Skincare and Apothecary is one of the best skincare lines I have ever used.   Using time-tested botanicals validated by science, Blissoma offers a diverse array of standout problem-solving products with unique and naturally potent recipes that provide tailored topical nutrition, all at an outstanding value with price points half what other comparable lines charge.  Whatever your skin type or trouble, Blissoma likely has a solution. Better yet, unlike so many skincare products, Blissoma provides solutions without unwanted side effects.  The quality is excellent, and the price points are refreshingly accessible.  Plus, Blissoma has a staff esthetician that will offer you a free personalized skin consultation (just email esthetician@blissoma.com), and they offer Samples and Trial Sizes of their products so you can try them out before committing to full-sized versions!

As someone with a varied array of skin complaints (e.g., acne, signs of aging, dehydration, sensitivity, and inflammation), I highly recommend all five of the products I enjoyed. Blissoma’s Smooth A Correcting Serum and Refine Clay Renewal Treatment are excellent for oily, acneic, dull or irritated skin; both products tame inflammation and gently eliminate acne bacteria while also providing balancing noncomedogenic hydration and brightening skin tone.  For ultra-sensitive, reactive, or irritated skin of all ages, Pure Sensitive Skin Soothing Complex provides healing hydration, redness reduction, and instant soothing relief on contact (rather than stinging or burning), and Lavish Loving Recovery Beta-glucan Mask delivers regenerative nourishment and deep, plumping hydration. Happily, both are acne-safe.  Finally, for mature, imbalanced, or dry types, Restore Deep Healing Oil Serum offers healing, restorative moisture with wrinkle-minimizing benefits and the huge feat it actually helps to minimize hormonal breakouts; Restore is effective as a standalone moisturizer and can also seal in hydration from another moisturizer.  I benefitted greatly from these multifunctional products.  My complicated skin transformed with Blissoma SOLUTIONS, and I now feel comfortable in my skin and confident without concealer for the first time in a long while. Highly recommended!  

Next…

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