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.

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.

Every now and then, I encounter a skincare line created so much depth, passion, and love that calling the line’s offerings “products” would be demeaning, as it would discount the soulful artistry and sacred alchemy involved in their conception and creation.  Elaa Living Organic Skin Care is such a line.  This is line that is natural, vibrant, handcrafted with love, and dazzling in its beauty and its effectiveness.  Elaa Skin Care is a wildcrafted, fresh, living/raw (e.g., never heated above 115 degrees, such that actives retain all their nutritional value), 100% natural, cruelty-free, 95% vegan/5% beegan (i.e., vegan + bee-produced ingredients carefully managed so no bees are harmed in the process) skin care line packed with beneficial skin nutrition.  Crafted with living, healing, transformational, and highly-active superfoods, oils extracts, and nectars, the line appropriately takes its name from the Finnish word for “to be alive.”

The woman behind Elaa Living Organic Skin Care, founder and formulator/alchemist Jill Stacey, is as lovely, soulful, and vibrant as the line itself.  The way she approaches her craft hints at the wonders you will experience with her treasures.  For instance, Jill describes Elaa Skin Care as “an expression of what lights me up” and views her creations as a way to share her passions, wisdom, and gifts.  Jill understands that our culture makes true self-acceptance difficult, writing, “Due to the conditioning of our culture for unrealistic, artificial, and impossible standards of beauty, girls and women (and boys and men as well) are punishing and self-abusing themselves in subtle to life-threatening ways. Almost everyone I have ever known, including myself, has struggled with body image and/or skin issues.” Jill herself has found that loving self-care is a valuable practice for embracing ourselves exactly as we are and cultivating and deepening self-acceptance.  She handcrafts Elaa treasures with the belief that each of us is inherently sacred and that skin care is a way to cherish our bodies and help propel each of us to our highest potential of vitality, health, and beauty.  Elaa Skin Care is a truly inspired line that offers the highest quality, highest performance, natural skin care treasures to inspire self-care and self-love.

Jill Stacey, Elaa Skin Care Founder & Alchemist

Elaa Living Organic Skin Care founder and alchemist Jill Stacey has the words of a poet, the vision of an artist, and a unique depth and breadth of skills that come from merging passion and natural gifts with a wealth of formal education and training.  An Ivy League graduate with a deep and longstanding love of nature’s bounty, the expertise Jill brings to her craft includes training as a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and Nutritionist, an Herbalist, and an Aromatherapist, among other qualifications.  Though this wealth of formal expertise is evident in Elaa’s uniquely nutritious skin treasures, so is an undeniable depth that goes beyond book-learning.  Jill’s approach to alchemy and creation is informed by her deepest passions, her life-learned wisdom, and perhaps even a bit of divine inspiration.  As Jill shared in a recent social media post, “Much of the creation comes from knowledge, science, research… but also a large portion comes from my heart and soul… and how they speak to me while I’m creating. My intuition is really the most critical instrument of all in guiding me as I create Elaa formulas. My inner guide speaks to me when my mind is quiet and I’m dropped into being and feeling the creation that’s wanting to come into form.”  The results are spectacular.

Elaa Skin Care Superfood Dream Cream

The recipes of Elaa Living Organic Skin Care formulas are something to behold, each one bursting with bountiful nutrition.  Jill’s understanding of and appreciation for superfood nutrition is evident in the abundant superstar ingredients she includes in each Elaa treasure, and the ingredient blends in Elaa treasures offer the ultimate wholesome indulgence for skin and spirit.  For just one shining example (of many), we can admire the impressive array of beneficial actives in Elaa’s Superfood Dream Cream.  This luscious creation features wildcrafted Goji Berries, Organic Cacao, MSM, Organic Mangosteen, Wildcrafted Amla, Organic Rhodiola, Organic Baobab, Organic Camu Camu, Organic Acai, Organic Reishi and Chaga Mushrooms, Organic Spirulina, Organic Pomegranate Oil, Frankincense Essential Oil, and more!  In another line, any one of these dynamic actives could easily serve as a sole star active in a formulation rounded out by copious fillers; in fact, one of Superfood Dream Cream’s dozen or so star ingredients, MSM, is arguably the basis of/inspiration behind an entire skin care line (i.e., OSKIA).  With Elaa, you get treasures that are completely filler free and literally packed to the brim with an array of superstar actives.

Elaa Skin Care Superfood Dream Cream, once more

Jill’s alchemy is dazzling across the entire Elaa line, including two Elaa treasures that particularly caught my eye:  Bee Blessed- Bee Venom Elixir and Bee Beauty Facial Oil.  I had the privilege of trying this dynamic, beegan, age-defying pair.  Both treasures draw on the amazing benefits of bee-produced actives (and, as I mentioned before, no bees are harmed in gathering these actives).  Bee Blessed- Bee Venom Elixir and Bee Beauty Facial Oil both deliver high-performance results using dynamic natural actives in gorgeous, synergistic blends.  Let me tell you about each one.

Bee Blessed- Bee Venom Elixir

Elaa Skin Care Bee Blessed Bee Venom Elixir

Elaa Skin Care Bee Blessed- Bee Venom Elixir is a skin-smoothing dream for aging skin.  The elixir features one of nature’s most potent and dynamic anti-aging ingredients:  bee venom.  Bee venom itself contains at least 18 active components that include enzymes, peptides, and biogenic amines; among these, substances called melittin, phospholipase A2, and a small amount of histamine are thought to act together to have circulation-boosting, tightening, and brightening effects on the skin.  Elaa founder Jill first became enamored with bee venom after experiencing apitherapy (i.e., the treatment modality in which bee venom is utilized as an anti-inflammatory treatment for pain and illness).  The healing Jill experienced with this left her in awe of bee venom and inspired her to incorporate this versatile active in this Elaa treasure.  The Bee Venom used in Elaa Bee Blessed is pure, potent, undried, and unadulterated.  The active is carefully sourced such that bees are unharmed and maintain their stingers throughout the Bee Venom collection process; a panel of glass is placed alongside a hive, and a very weak current is run through the glass panel, prompting the bees to pump out a minuscule amount of venom, such that it takes a million stings to create just 1ml of the star venom.  Talk about a truly precious ingredient!

Called nature’s Botox, Bee Blessed- Bee Venom Elixir’s star active delivers clinically-proven anti-aging effects.  For example, a bee-venom serum containing a mere 0.006% concentration of the active significantly reduced wrinkle area, wrinkle count, and wrinkle depth. These striking results were obtained using a far weaker concentration of bee venom than that contained in Elaa Skin Care’s potent, active-packed Bee Blessed- Bee Venom Elixir, in which bee venom is a top ingredient.  As bee venom is water-soluble, Jill has formulated the elixir in a water-based serum for maximum penetration with a pinch of black pepper essential oil to facilitate and boost absorption.  Not only does Bee Blessed deliver the equivalent of 212 bee stings in a single ounce, it also further boosts the anti-aging potency of bee venom by including it in a synergistic anti-aging blend that also features:  six Anti-Aging Peptides, PhytoElastin, Liposomal Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, Organic White Tea, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and select Organic Essential Oils.  These actives offer a wealth of rejuvenating, hydrating, antioxidant, and skin-firming benefits that make a beautiful difference for the complexion.

Elaa Skin Care Bee Blessed Bee Venom Elixir, anti-aging masterpiece

Bee Blessed- Bee Venom Elixir is a transformative anti-aging gem.  Moreover, in addition to anti-wrinkle actions, bee venom has serious anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects as well, so this elixir truly offers benefits for nearly any skin type, including one as challenged as mine (e.g., inflammation-prone, sensitive, acne-prone, and aging).  I love that Bee Blessed promotes calmer and clearer skin in addition to delivering serious wrinkle-reducing results.  Bee Blessed is a beautiful, high-performance treasure that will benefit all sorts of complexions, and I feel confident recommending it.

Bee Blessed- Bee Venom Elixir Ingredients:  Organic Aloe Vera, Hyaluronic Acid, Radish Root Ferment, White Peony Tea Extract, Bee Venom, Peptides (6 varieties), Phytoelastin, Retinol Liposome, Silver Citrate, Organic Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils of Lavender, Frankincense, Rose Geranium, Neroli, Rose Otto, Black Pepper, Alpha Lipoic Acid.

Bee Beauty Facial Oil

Elaa Skin Care Bee Beauty Facial Oil, liquid gold hydration

Bee Beauty Facial Oil is another beegan gem from Elaa.  If you are a lover of natural facial oils, you will not want to miss this, and if you are not, this will make a believer out of you.  The star active is Triple Concentrated Royal Jelly, the substance that, when consumed by bees, turns them into queen bees.  The fact that royal jelly influences bee development this much (see Jill’s description in another incredible Elaa blog article) is pretty incredible, and it turns out that royal jelly also has amazing benefits for the skin.  Even at regular strength, Royal Jelly has been shown to boost collagen production, minimize inflammation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines, and improve hydration; the 3x concentrated Royal Jelly in Bee Beauty delivers these benefits in a big way, leaving skin calm and plump.  The gorgeous blend that rounds out the formulation includes Wildcrafted Goji Berries, Organic Elderflower, Organic Green Rooibos, Organic Seabuckthorn Oil, Organic Pomegranate Oil, Organic Horsetail, and more.

Bee Beauty Facial Oil is a standout in terms of its ingredients and its results.  I have tried dozens facial oils in my day, and most of them are pleasant, but few really qualify as high-performance. Bee Beauty Facial Oil is one of these special few.  This oil moisturizer markedly changed my skin for the better–noticeably improving my skin texture and leaving my skin softer, smoother, and suppler.  Bee Beauty left me so impressed that I marveled at its results–I could not stop touching my face because my skin was so smooth and hydrated that it almost felt like I was touching the soft, plump face of one of my young daughters.  Bee Beauty is easily one of my all-time favorite facial oils.  It is incredibly hydrating without being heavy and, as is the case with Bee Blessed- Bee Venom Elixir, Bee Beauty is a dynamic, multi-benefit skin care treasure suitable for a variety of skin types and concerns; this gem delivers potent anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects, along with skin-plumping hydration.

Bee Beauty Facial Oil Ingredients: Organic Jojoba Oil, Immortality Alchemy’s Organic 3X concentrated Royal Jelly, Organic Rose Hip Seed CO2, Wildcrafted Goji Berry, Organic Red Clover Blossom, Organic Horsetail, Organic Nettle Leaf, Organic Oolong Tea, Organic Comfrey Root, Organic Chamomile, Organic Burdock Root, Organic Red Rose Petals, Organic ElderFlower, Organic Licorice Root, Organic Alfalfa, Organic Green Rooibos Tea, Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil, Organic Seabuckthorn Oil, Organic Unrefined Vitamin E Oil, Organic Supercritical CO2 extracted Rosemary Antioxidant, Organic Therapeutic Essential Oils of Sandalwood, Frankincense, Rose Otto, Organic Jasmine Sambac.

Elaa Skin Care Bee Beauty Facial Oil, in a gloriously fresh batch

CONCLUSION

Both Bee Blessed- Bee Venom Elixir and Bee Beauty Facial Oil are sumptuous, high-performance, multi-benefit skin care.  Bee Blessed is an anti-aging, wrinkle-smoothing powerhouse treatment serum, and Bee Beauty is one of the most effective skin-plumping facial oil moisturizers I have ever tried.  Each is a treasure on its own, but together they are a began masterpiece, offering countless benefits in just two (deeply enjoyable) steps.  Highly recommended.

The post Elaa Skin Care: Alchemical Treasures to Inspire Sacred Self-Care appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

Can topical probiotics live up to the hype?  First, up
TULA Probiotic Skincare

 

 

 

 

What Attracted Me to the Line:  I have seen probiotics do amazing things for health when taken internally, so the idea of applying them topically was very intriguing to me.  The idea is that topical probiotics can strengthen the skin barrier and microbiome. It struck me as a smart innovation in theory, but I did not know if it would actually “work.”  As I read more, I discovered that the TULA line was created by a leading gastroenterologist and internist, Dr. Roshini Raj, and that there is a lot of medical knowledge that went into the line’s probiotic technology.  In addition to probiotics, the serum incorporates incredibly nutritious ingredients like yogurt extract, rice nutripeptides, chicory root extract, turmeric, white tea, blueberry extract, vitamins such as A, C, and E, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids from flax oil.

 

First Impressions: The packaging and bottles are lovely and designed in serene, calming shades of aqua that bring to mind a spa experience.  All of the ingredients are listed on the box, so you can inspect and know every single thing you are putting on your skin. The bottle is made of thick glass. The scent of TULA products is a barely noticeable, but pleasant, fragrance.

TULA’s special probiotic complex is supposed to stimulate the production of vital defense cells, making skin healthier, less sensitive/inflamed, and more resistant to environmental stressors and the aging process.  At first, I was intrigued enough to want to try it, but also a little skeptical, because how many times have I read about some new “innovation” in skin care only to end up disappointed?  Well, if you read on, you’ll see that TULA represents one of those rare, amazing times when an innovation actually lives up to its claims.

I wondered if I would immediately need to refrigerate TULA. I looked into this, and it does not require refrigeration because TULA’s probiotics are no longer alive.  As Dr. Raj explained in an interview with Forbes, “They’ve been broken down to release only their most useful elements ….[giving them] a longer shelf life without losing their powerful benefits on the skin.”

My Experience Using TULA: As I mentioned, I was intrigued, yet a little skeptical about what TULA’s “probiotic technology” could actually do for my dry, aging, sensitive skin.  Since my skin is parched, sensitive, and reactive, I am a tough test subject for skin care; I want visible results like anyone else, but harsh products do me more harm than good. To put the line to the test, I applied everything to my entire face and, more importantly, a wound on my neck where I’d had a biopsy–an area that wasn’t healing and seemed that it might scar.

 

Results? I saw the first improvement in my wound within just a couple of days; the red mark from the biopsy faded more over 2 days with TULA products than it had in weeks with other creams.  In just days, my face, too, started looking healthier and “glowier.”  What’s more, after using TULA just days, my skin tone was even enough that I didn’t even have to consider foundation or concealer (a big deal given my skin’s usual reactivity/redness).  No other product line I’ve tried (and there have been many) has given me visible improvements this rapidly. With Tula, I really do feel like my skin has a radiance it didn’t have before, and what really impresses me is that the radiance lasts all day–not just for the first five minutes after I apply it!  Best of all, after using TULA a few weeks, I got carded!  (Hasn’t happened in a while….)

The Players

TULA Exfoliating Treatment Mask – $54.00This dual phase treatment provides both a chemical and physical exfoliation to gently slough off dead skin cells to reveal a polished and glowing complexion.

My Experience with Exfoliating Treatment Mask–The Exfoliating Treatment Mask uses both physical and chemical exfolation to reveal softer, brighter skin.  I found this left my skin smooth and fresh, and despite the inclusion of clay, it is not too drying for my parched, sensitive skin.  The Mask delivers smoothing and brightening exfoliation that is gentle enough for sensitive skin.

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TULA Illuminating Face Serum – $78.00This light, easily absorbed formula helps to promote softer, even-toned skin, diminish the appearance of dark spots and helps to maintain a fresh, youthful-looking glow.

My Experience with Illuminating Face Serum–The Illuminating Face Serum is very light and absorbable, and it leaves skin gently luminous.  The glow is really remarkable because it is not a superficial shimmer nor an oily sheen, but rather a subtle, natural-looking brightness and luminosity.  Not just a temporary effect, this Serum truly seems to illuminate the complexion in a way that lasts all day and into the night.

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TULA Hydrating Day & Night Cream – $52.00Like a multivitamin for your skin, this rich, age-defying cream delivers intense sustained hydration and antioxidants protection to reduce fine lines and help improve the youthful appearance of the skin.

 

My Experience with Hydrating Day & Night Cream–Day & Night Cream provides light but effective hydration that I find perfect for daytime and under other products, as it absorbs so well it leaves little behind. For normal skin types, this would be an excellent double-tasking product for day and night, Personally, as dry as my skin is, I prefer something heavier and more deeply hydrating for night, but this suits me during the day under SPF.

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TULA Advanced Neck Cream – $80.00This super hydrating balm-like cream works to firm the delicate skin on the neck and decolletage while attacking fine lines, wrinkles and crepey skin.

My Experience with Advanced Neck Cream–-Advanced Neck Cream delivers amazing hydrating, rich and luxurious moisture that has been very healing to my parched skin.  Truly sumptuous, this is definitely one of my favorite products of the line (I like it so much I use it all over my face as well!).

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TULA Volume Defense Serum – $98.00This weightless, milky serum feels like a burst of hydration on your skin. Packed with vitamin C and retinol, this anti-aging powerhouse will leave your skin plumper and bring back its youthful bounce.

 

My Experience with Volume Defense Serum—Volume Defense Serum combines probiotic technology and Tula’s other beneficial ingredients with anti-aging Retinol to dramatically reduce wrinkles and sag.  This Serum is definitely effective; I have seen some softening of lines with just short-term use.  The inclusion of soothing and healing probiotic makes it more tolerable for my sensitive skin than other Retinol products I have used.  All in all, a highly effective anti-aging serum gentle enough for dry, sensitive skin.

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                                                  CONCLUSION

Overall Pros, Benefits, Cons:  Using TULA has lead to a dramatic improvement in the softness, evenness, hydration, and “glow” of my skin.  I have seen these improvements faster than I have with any other line.  With TULA, I am starting to see my worry lines soften as much as they ever did with prescription Retin-A (which left my skin a red, flaky mess). All the products I tried were suitable even for my sensitive, reactive, aging skin.  In fact, TULA achieved these “turnaround” results while *reducing* irritation and skin sensitivity!

BOTTOM LINE:  Highly recommended.  Slightly pricey, but worth the cost.  In my opinion, a FIND for anyone with sensitive skin.  Plus, TULA just came out with a new Overnight Rescue Treatment that promises to be even more potent, with three carefully selected strains as opposed to just one.  I have not tried it yet, but I would bet money that it’s fantastic.

The post TULA Probiotic Skin Care Review: More than Hype? appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

Not long after I started researching interesting actives, I came across Your Best Face (YBF) Skincare, an artisanal skincare line that seemed to feature almost all of them across its range of products. I inquired about the products, and YBF Founder and Formulator Darrell Owens personally responded, generously granting me the opportunity to sample and feature an amazing assortment of Your Best Face Skincare.  Before I dive into the individual products themselves, all of which warrant attention, let’s give some attention to what makes this line unique.

Mr. Owens formulated his first product when a dear friend requested that he create something to make her skin radiate on her wedding day. She was thrilled with the results, and Mr. Owens’ knack for formulation began spreading by word-of-mouth.  Your Best Face Skincare (YBF) was founded a few years later in 2004, and Mr. Owens has been creating his handcrafted, actives-loaded products for a loyal and growing fan base ever since. Mr. Owens’ unique approach to formulation is, in part, a response to his frustration with the skincare industry’s widespread gimmicks and ineffective formulas.  From the beginning, Your Best Face has offered a refreshing alternative to industry norms, forgoing flashy marketing and gimmicks and instead developing a solid reputation based on multitasking formulas with highly concentrated, innovative actives.

Master of Formulation & Founder of Your Best Face (YBF) Skincare, Darrell Owens

When asked in an interview what distinguishes Your Best Face Skincare’s products from other lines, Mr. Owens explained, “As a consumer, I don’t think there’s anything more frustrating than spending money on a product with an expectation and have that product not perform. That drives me crazy.  We wanted to make good products with effective ingredients. We’re not making claims that set somebody up to expect more than what the products can deliver.”  As a consumer, I have found this to be true. Mr. Owens formulates by drawing on tried-and-true ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide as well as cutting-edge new actives like spin trap and innovative peptides such as Telangyn—all at high enough concentrations to deliver real results.

When consumers purchase YFB Skincare, they are investing in expertly-formulated, results-driven products from a small business that retains the kind of responsive, personal attention that is so rare today.  Indeed, Mr. Owens is uniquely responsive: personally answering emails sent to YBF, including personal handwritten notes along with orders, and even creating new products in response to customer feedback and requests.  Out of all the cosmetic formulators I have yet encountered or sought out, Darrell Owens is by far the standout in terms of taking time to listen to what his customers want for themselves.  For instance, he developed his lip area product, Define, in collaboration with Truth in Aging’s testing panel, and then after releasing it and receiving consumer feedback on its first iteration, Mr. Owens reformulated the product accordingly. Not one to rest on his laurels, Mr. Owens frequently reformulates commercially-successful products along with relevant ingredient advances to make them even better (see Balance below for a recent example).

The Concentrates and Other Essentials from Your Best Face (YBF) Skincare

• Advanced CE Concentrate—This concentrate combines three non-irritating forms of vitamin C along with vitamin E in a creamy formula with skin-calming alpha bisabolol and meadowfoam.  With a 12% concentration of vitamin C, this is a great skin brightener and tightener, as well as a great antioxidant concentrate to combine with UV protection, and unlike so many vitamin C products, it is truly non-irritating.  I experienced no redness or burning, which are often issues for me with harsher, less balanced vitamin C serums.  For anyone with reactive skin, YBF Skincare’s CE Concentrate is the best formulation I have found for harnessing the considerable benefits of Vitamin C (a potent, highly effective dose of it, at that) without causing redness, irritation, or burning.

• Hydrate B Concentrate –This concentrate contains three forms of vitamin B (Vitamins B-5, B-3, B-8) along with hyaluronic acid, and Syn-Hycan, which helps to boost the natural production of hyaluronic acid.  This is a deceptively lightweight concentrate that helps boost hydration, particularly when used under other moisturizing products. What I noticed is that Hydrate B Concentrate feels refreshing on application and imparts a subtle suppleness and glow to the skin, especially with ongoing use.

• NEW! Brightening Concentrate–This silky cream contains a new–and very special–form of kojic acid called kojic dipalmitate that is highly stable, gentle on skin, and powerfully effective when it comes to brightening.  Brightening Concentrate feels good on the skin, mixes well with other products, and delivers on its promise in a big way, bringing back the radiance of yesteryear in almost no time. It works rapidly, with dramatic brightening results overnight.

• Defend—With a myriad of photoprotective peptides and antioxidants, Defend is another ideal product to apply at the start of the day and to pair with sunscreen. The formulation includes photoprotective and antioxidant peptide Preventhalia, photoprotective peptide Juveleven (that also boosts skin repair), Colhibin (which reduces inflammation and inhibits enzymes that cause the breakdown of skin), along with vitamin E, licorice root extract, turmeric root extract (a fabulous antioxidant and anti-inflammatory active I love to see), and spin trap.  Defend is a product packed with actives that truly protect and defend skin, and it is one of my favorite products in a fantastic line.  I highly recommend incorporating it into an AM regimen.

• Balance—This soothing formula calms irritated skin, fights blemishes, and encourages an even complexion.  The Balance formula I tried featured vitamin B3, olive squalane, L-carnosine, Tetradecylthioacetic acid, sodium hyaluronate, alpha bisabolol, azulene, and calming essential oils and was fantastic at calming my skin. Since I tried Balance, Mr. Owens has updated the formula to make it an even more incredible redness/irritation tamer by keeping the fantastic actives included in the previous formulation and adding high concentrations of: Telangyn (which is what I consider the best soothing and anti-redness peptide available), plus aspen bark extract (for skin smoothing), and licorice extract for yet more skin-calming power.  If you ask me, the new formula is a must-try and truly one of the best options on the market for anyone whose skin tends towards inflammation of any kind. Update:  I can hardly believe it’s possible, but the new formulation is even more effective at calming inflammation of all sorts!

• Control—This potent anti-aging serum combines Relistase (to firm skin and improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles), Syn-Hycan (helps the body produce more hyaluronic acid and stronger collagen fibrils for firmer skin), Matrixyl 3000, Renovage, vitamin C, trans-resveratrol, vitamin E, turmeric root extract, and alpha lipoic acid to target existing skin damage and expression lines while minimizing future damage as well. This is a highly effective anti-aging product, but unlike the instant gratification products that produce temporary results, Control takes a little longer, works deeper, and produces lasting improvements.  Mr. Owens has cautioned people to be patient for the full results. The results will come.  Indeed, Control is probably the most action-packed an anti-ager I have ever seen, tackling everything from hydration to free radicals to inflammation.

• Boost—This lightweight moisturizer includes white tea, cucumber, caffeine, and Homeostatine (which helps maintain homeostasis in the dermal extracellular matrix), as well as vitamins, and spin trap. Boost has a great texture and provides supple hydration while at the same time reducing oiliness, taming redness and reducing breakouts. When I started Boost, I had just broken out, and it quickly tamed and healed my skin. Boost is a fabulous choice for anyone who has combination skin or skin inflammation.

• Correct—Your Best Face’s best-selling product, Correct is the most actives-loaded eye cream you can imagine, targeting contour, lines, firmness, and dark circles (e.g., there are six brightening actives alone) in one incredibly high-performing product. I am genetically disposed to prominent dark circles and puffiness, and Correct has improved my eye area better than anything else I have tried.

• Define—This creamy lip cream is designed for the entire lip area extending to the nasolabial lines and corners of the mouth.  It smooths, plumps, and contours with six advanced peptides: Hilurlip, Matrixyl synthe’6, Preventhelia, Syn-Hycan, TEGO Pep 4-Even, and Syn-Tacks.  This has made my lips more supple than ever and has also started improving my nasolabial lines, which have, to date, been very stubborn.

• Restore—This concentrated PM moisturizer is concentrated with skin brightening and smoothing peptides: Syn-TC (boosts collagen and smooths wrinkles), Uplevity (to boost elastin and combat sagging), TEGO Pep 4-Even (brightens and minimizes discoloration), Elhibin (to protect and maintain elasticity), vitamin E, meadowfoam seed oil, and cupuacu butter.  For me, Restore is particularly special for the unique emphasis its formulation puts on maintaining optimal elasticity (so many products focus on collagen and neglect elastin).

• Uplift Toner Mist—While you might expect the toner mist of a product line to be a lightweight in terms of actives, this is not the case here.  This refreshing mist packs a high concentration of Uplevity (to boost elastin and combat sagging), EGCG, spin trap, licorice root extract, chicory root extract (a powerhouse antioxidant and anti-inflammatory), horse chestnut extract, vitamin C, algae extract, kojic acid, and more.  The result is a mist that goes beyond refreshment to visibly firm and brightens skin while reducing redness and discoloration.

Your Best Face Skincare, Targeted AM & PM Formulas

As if this is not enough goodness in one line, Mr. Owens also let me try a few of his luxurious Private Reserve Antioxidant Infused Oils, each of which is an incredible and unique sensory experience with fantastic natural scents in addition to containing wonderful antioxidant ingredients.  These oils hydrated and soothed my skin, and unlike many oils that I have tried from other lines, none of them have never caused me any breakouts.

As someone with chronic inflammation and lupus-related photosensitivity, I can vouch for the way in which YBF’s generous use of antioxidants, photoprotective ingredients, and anti-inflammatories along with anti-aging ingredients helps to calm and restore skin.  I know just how effective YBF is because before I started testing it, I was suffering from a bad reaction that had left my skin: dry, tired, peeling, red, and broken out all at once. Despite trying nearly everything in my huge skincare arsenal, nothing was giving me any net improvement. Then I gave YBF a try.  My skin looked visibly healthier the next day. At first, I thought maybe it was a fluke, but YBF healed my array of skin complaints in less than a week. Since then, I have been using YBF Skincare pretty much exclusively, and I’ve been amazed at the results.  My skin looks healthier and more supple than it has in ages. YBF has transformed my skin.

You can see why I think Mr. Owens is a brilliant formulator.  I have had remarkable results. Your Best Face is not in any way exclusively designed for or targeted to sensitive skin, and yet it is the first single skincare line I have found that effectively addresses every skin issue I have in formulations that are universally good to (and for) my challenging, reactive skin.  Most anti-aging skin care lines have at least one “anti-aging” product that leaves my skin an inflamed mess, essentially contributing to premature aging rather than combatting it.  In contrast, I have been able to benefit from every YBF product I have tried without ever experiencing any irritation or discomfort whatsoever.  The dual tolerability and effectiveness of YBF impress me because a) this combination is a rare achievement and b) it is an essential one for long-term success.  My experience with a chronic inflammatory disorder has shown me firsthand that inflaming/irritating skin—as so many lesser anti-aging lines and products do– accelerates skin aging, ultimately undermining any efforts to rejuvenate or restore it.

What makes these dynamic formulas truly remarkable is that despite being non-irritating, YBF products are highly potent (in fact, they are so concentrated that a using a small amount of product goes a long way in terms of results).  Every single YBF product I tried is loaded with results-driven ingredients, yet the anti-aging actives are non-irritating and balanced with skin-calming and anti-inflammatory ingredients.  The result of these dynamic formulas is that anyone with any problematic inflammation whatsoever—whether related to redness, breakouts, premature aging, or all three–will benefit that much more.  In conclusion, Your Best Face is an aptly-named line, driven by a brilliant formulator who understands how to treat skin and never rests in his pursuit of excellence.

Hydrating Must-Haves from Your Best Face (YBF) Skincare

The post Your Best Face (YBF) Skincare: A Line that Lives Up to Its Name appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

• Seaweed extract–tightens skin, accelerates skin renewal, nourishes and reduces inflammation
• Water–hydrates (and helps serum consistency to be elegant and usable)
• Hyaluronic acid–super hydration
• Acetyl Hexapeptide-8–to help minimize those pesky expression lines!
• Pentapeptide-18–helps to relax the muscle to limit dynamic wrinkles
• Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate–Syn-ake–relaxing agent to ultimately decrease the formation of wrinkles
• Glutamyl Heptapeptide-1–similar to famous Argireline, but even more effective by about 30%
• Palmitoyl Oligopeptide–similar anti-aging effects to retinol, but without the irritation
• Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7–suppresses chemical messengers that cause inflammation
• Phenoxyethanol-preserves potency of actives
• Ethylhexylglycerin–skin conditioning agent

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