Skinceuticals New Gel Based Serums Impress

Despite the fact that I mostly write about the pretty things, at heart I'm a true science nerd and skincare junkie.  Learning about ingredients, upgrades in product technology and delivery systems excite me more than finding out how much the newest Chanel polish is going for on eBay. Therefore, I feel it's only right to dish about a new two products I'm using – Skinceuticals Phloretin CF Gel and AOX Eye Gel.  Why?  Because I know a thing or two about effective products and I want good skin. I've always used a form of a Vitamin C serum and if you don't yet, you should.  It's a powerful antioxidant that helps promote collagen while fighting free radicals.  The Skinceuticals Phloretin CF Gel includes Vitamin C and also Frulic Acid and Phloretin, which are antioxidants as well, you just don't recognize the names because they don't sound as sexy as "gogiberry" and "pomegranate" so the media doesn't really talk about them.  Truth is, these three ingredients are super potent and penetrate deeper into the skin than most.

The AOX Eye Gel is technically the same formulation at a lower concentration (since the skin around your eye area is more delicate) with added caffeine and an ingredient called ruscus aculeatus, a super fancy name for evergreen shrub that helps to reduce puffiness under the eyes.

When it comes to skincare I use a combination of drugstore and more expensive products because I'm super picky about what I put on my face so I'll use what works for me.  While these are a bit expensive, I believe in them because I believe in the science behind them and can say so far, so good.  I use them once a day in the morning under my moisturizer and SPF. I also like that they have a gel base so the serum doesn't get runny on my face.  You can find them at skinceuticals.com.

Introducing a Retinol with Instant Gratification: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Collection

Retinol has been and still is the most powerful anti-aging ingredient on the market.  Not only does it reduce fine lines and wrinkles, but it also improves your skins tone, texture and pigmentation.  When using a prescription strength or over the counter retinol, the earliest you'll start noticing results is in about three to four weeks, but Neutrogena just launched something that will give you instant gratification.  After all, isn't that what we're all seeking? When you're young your cellular turn over rate is every 21 days and as you age it's about every 40 days, which is why your skin starts to look dull.  Therefore, the earliest products kick in is about 21 days depending on your age.  Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair Line claims to use "accelerated retinol" so you'll see results in just one week, and yes, studies prove that women saw results that quick, which encouraged them to continue using the product.

Even though the main ingredient is retinol, the quick results came from a water extract that helps to repair your skin's barrier, therefore making it look better in a short amount of time.  The retinol sinks deeper into your skin and its effects kick in as they normally would, a few weeks later after continued use.  So is the retinol working faster, no, but Neutrogena found a way to give women what they want – instant results and efficacy over time.

Latest Self Tanner Obsession

I'm a huge self tanner snob. Having tried almost all of them, liking a handful, but loving only a very select few I have to dish about my latest fave: Lancome Flash Bronzer Tinted Anti-Age Self-Tanning Face Lotion SPF 15. I've always been a fan of Lancome self tanners because they're tinted so you can see where you're applying them and they leave you with a natural looking tan that develops in less than a half hour.  It's not a gradual self tanner (like Jergens that you apply every day as your moisturizer), but it is buildable so after three days you can self tan again to get darker.  The color also fades gracefully.

So why is this new Lancome tanner different?  It contains anti-aging ingredients in it so it works to prevent aging while making you a bronze goddess.  You can even put it on in the morning and use it as your moisturizer because it has SPF of 15 in it.  Pretty sweet deal.

Be Aware of Emotional Aging

Believe it or not, your emotions can age you.  Not just mentally, but because there's a direct connection between your brain and your skin, it ages you physically as well. This direct correlation allows negative emotions of depression, stress and being overworked to take a toll on  your once radiant complexion. The results of emotional aging can be dull, colorless skin, deep under eye bags and wrinkles can appear quicker than normal.  An example of emotional aging can be seen when celebrities go through separations or divorces.  Truth is, almost everyone suffers from it at some point in their lives.

The Orlane laboratories came out with a skin care cream called Hypnotherapy that interrupts the neuronal connection protecting your skin from suffering from any negative emotions.  Going for $490, it's pretty pricey, (I'd rather buy a new Marc Jacobs bag!) but if you're going through a time of need you may want to think twice about your investments.  Save your skin!

A Workout for Your Face

In the olden days celebrities used to dip their faces into ice baths daily to tighten them.  The coldness constricts the facial muscles, which minimizes fine lines and wrinkles.  Lucky for us and modern technology, we can skip the daily dunk! Recently, I discovered a new anti-aging product that actually gets delivered to you on dry ice.  Votre Vu Les Sorbet, $165, contains marine collagen and elastin, which are most effective when kept cold. By first breaking down the collagen and elastin in your skin, it helps to reproduce new and speed up the plumping process.

Much like dipping your face in an ice bath, this product makes the facial muscles to do mini sit ups.  It must be kept in the freezer, but is definitely a more civil way of working out your face to rid fine lines and wrinkles.