Review- Alpha Hydrox Oil Free Treatment

Proven to significantly reduce and delay the onset of fine lines, wrinkles, forehead creases, crow's feet, laugh lines and more. With 10% Glycolic AHA at an effective pH 4, Alpha Hydrox Oil Free Formula effectively and safely lifts dead cells from the skin's surface, revitalizing & helping restore younger, healthy, more radiant-looking skin. Renews moisture, refines texture, improves elasticity and skin tone.

I have oily, acne-prone skin that gets really out of control in the summer months. Thankfully Alpha Hydrox's Oil-Free Treatment has been keeping my skin lovely in these smoldering temps. The lightweight gel is surprisingly gentle, given the strong does of glycolic acid, and I felt absolutely no stinging or irritation like I have with other alpha-hydroxy products. I've used it every night for about six weeks, and haven't seen a single pimple. Just smooth, glowing (not greasy) skin. It really hasn't done much for my fine lines/emerging wrinkles, but a great product for controlling oily skin.

Review- Embryolisse Anti-Ageing Cream

The Anti-Ageing Cream is a smoothing, restructuring vitamin concentrate, for effective firming action. Its nourishing, non-greasy formula counters cutaneous dryness, which speeds up skin aging. Skin is visibly firmer and more toned. $55 for 1.4 oz.

This might be a pun in poor taste but I swear the reason this lotion has "embryo" in it's name is because your face is as soft as a newborn baby's pretty much immediately after the first and subsequent uses. Honestly, I used this before bedtime and the next morning, my skin felt like satin. Also, it smells so pleasant-faintly like roses and something vaguely European. I am in the nascent stage of using this lotion so I don't yet know it's potential transformative qualities but my skin did not disagree with it in any way and the softness my face has taken on has had a big impact on my makeup routine in that I do not need any primer underneath my foundation/tinted moisturizer.

Review- Priori Smooth Lines

The focused, high-performance anti-aging treatment. PRIORI Smooth Lines with 0.5% Idebenone excels at helping to smooth fine lines and wrinkles as it protects skin from environmental oxidative stress. 1 fl. oz. $95 (price taken from an online discount site)

This is one of the oddest product recommendations you’re likely to read, but the truth is important. I’d been testing this product for four days when I received word my father had passed away. This product was the correct size for travel, so I took it with me. We’re looking at a high-level stress event, lack of sleep, and one other key matter: effects of travel. Any time I’ve ever flown, it didn’t matter how much I hydrated or if I used heavy grease on my skin . . . when I arrived at my destination, my skin was seriously lined and stayed that way for one or two days. So, when I went to the restroom immediately after landing, I was astonished to see in the mirror that my skin was unlined. And, despite more stress and lack of sleep during the week I was home for my father’s funeral, my skin was perfect. This Smooth Lines product even defeated the change of climate effects. All I can say is if a product can have this kind of effect against these odds on a woman in her fifties, that’s Skin Care in the truest context. Priori, you created something remarkable. Thank you.

Review- Aloette Flawless HP Rapid Skin Perfection

Restore a healthy glow and even tone to mature skin with this color-correcting face serum. With a yellow tint to offset age spots and discolorations, Flawless HP Rapid Skin Perfection’s light-diffusing properties clarify and illuminate splotchy skin while minimizing the appearance of pores.

To be entirely honest, I couldn't figure out what this stuff was/did when I first took a look at the bottle. It said to put it on before applying make up, but I wasn't sure if it was a moisturizer... a peel.. some sort of make up base... or what. When I went to the website, I realized it was a corrector, it covered up spots and illuminated the skin to mask visible pores, signs of aging, all those types of things. I tried it out a few times this week under my foundation and was pretty shocked at how well it worked. It's tinted and the color offsets a lot of age related issues, but also discolorations in my skin from dullness and overdrying, and a few scars that are light but annoy me. I'm not sure if this is one of the benefits Aloette touts for this product, but it also seemed to make my foundation last longer, which is always appreciated because of long days hauling around the office and the city.
p.s. did I mention that they don't test on animals? Another great bonus!
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CitySlicker Says: I too was in the dark upon receiving this product... I was thinking Flawless HP, sounds good to me... I like the term flawless when applied to skincare – it’s a sell for me! I have been using this for just shy of one week. I really like the formula. I find that it agrees with me skincare that I apply first. As you ladies know when something doesn’t agree, well the results are nightmarish. I have applied with my fingertips and will my foundation brush. For me fingertips works much better so I get a more complete application. It really feels like a foundation primer. My face is very smooth and feels and looks like all the little lines are filled it. I think it helps with the foundation too, keeping in on and giving a longer wear time. The result after applying foundation is a smooth look that is natural. I think my skin tone has a more alive look – it’s brighter and plump too. I will use scrape this out of the tube also! My skin seems to maintain the hydrated look throughout the day too. I am using this in conjunction with look alive.

Review: Sea breeze Actives Astringent

Daily control for oil and breakouts with 1% salicylic acid, the #1 dermatologist recommended ingredient for the treatment of acne. Salicylic acid to help unclog pores and reduce oiliness, to reduce breaks without stripping natural moisture. Skin-conditioning natural botanicals including camphor for lasting oil control without over-drying.

I'm not big on heavy astringents, but I do use Sea Breeze Actives (and I stress the "Actives" type because I don't much recommend the other types of Sea Breeze). If you're having a PMS breakout, a stress breakout, whatever... It really seems to work wonders. I use it at night and apply almond oil to my skin afterward, which sounds counterproductive but you'll just have to trust me on this one. I look super young for my age and it's thanks to almond oil, which does not, I repeat NOT cause breakouts. This Actives stuff.... it really clears my skin. AND ladies (and gents, because my boyfriend uses this stuff to) it does NOT dry my skin out. and i am prone to flakes. I use it only a few times a week (never more than 3 unless my skin is a mess) and it helps a lot.

MAJOR ADDED BONUS HERE: You know those super expensive pads and creams you can buy to eliminate bikini line bumps from waxing or shaving down south? well this Sea Breeze Actives has the SAME exact amount of active ingredient as those $20+ rip offs and works exactly the same. If you use it for 3-5 days after waxing or 2-3 days after shaving, you should be bump free. This stuff is cheap too, you can buy it almost anywhere.

Review - Nia 24 Sun Damage Repair for Decolletage and Hands

• Clinically shown to improve skin tone, texture and hyperpigmentation.
• Strengthens the skin barrier.

I am pretty young (33) and don't have a ton of sun damage because I do try to avoid too much sun exposure, but I do get tans and I do go to the beach and so on. I've developed these little spots on the backs of my hands and a few below my neck from the sun, and I really wondered if they'd just disappear over time, so I left them alone. But they haven't. So I tried this stuff, and already after a week's use the ones on my hands are actually just plain GONE and the below my neck isn't even noticeable anymore. I'm really glad for this stuff, because I think the spots were looking pretty weird and making me feel like I'd done a terrible undo-able misdeed to my skin. I recommend this to people with sun spots for sure, it will definitely help.

Sheba says:

Maybe they should call this Sun Damage Miracle Repair. Back when I was around 33 I was constantly out in the sun. Tans were good for you and to get one I needed to burn first. My face and neck and arms tanned up beautifully - strange thing though -- my legs never burned or tanned. I loved the tan -- it covered blemishes and looked fantastic without makeup but add some eye color and it popped. Let some years go by and I learned the error of my ways - - - YIKES! At first I wondered what the heck those spots were -- but then I realized they were from the sun and the worst ones are on my legs where I never got any color. I guess they were saving the damage for later. I have tried Vanishing creams galore - skin lighteners - you name it -- I tried it. Let's put it this way -- if any of them worked, do you think I would still be trying new ones?? Well, my search is over. This Nia 24 Sun Damage Repair is just plain incredible. I cannot say enough about this product. It does what it claims -- these spots will soon be history. I could not believe my eyes at first. After wasting so much money on useless products I was prepared to add another to the list. I think I actually noticed a difference within days. Now some spots are no longer there while others are faded and on their way out!! This may cost a little more than you want to spend. If I consider all the money I spent on useless creams -- this is actually cheap. This is an investment in your skin and is definitely worth every single penny. Two thumbs (with no sun spots on them) up!!!


Joyce says:

When I posted about their facial skin care, I said I loved this product line, especially for someone in my age category (50s). This particular product has impressed me just as much. I’ve stuck with applying it daily for three weeks and have to say my chest area and shoulders are noticeably improved. My hands and forearms got some serious sun damage last summer from forgetting to apply sunscreen, plus they see more sun daily than other parts. Well, the damage is not as repaired there as I’d like; but I have to say that these areas do look much better when I apply the product, and there is improvement. I think this is a case of allowing the right amount of time for more-affected areas to repair.

CitySlicker Says:

I have religiously been applying to my sun damaged chest area. I too used to worship the sun and one occasion comes to mind, a trip to Daytona Beach, me on the sand and staying there for hours, that night my chest was filled with multiple blisters. The ramifications of those blisters, I still bear and this is the first and only product I have used actually experienced results with. I am prouder than proud to report that my skin's appearance has changed the brown spots left from other infamous blisters are fading and the smallest ones are gonzo! I have been applying twice a day and will continue to use till I have to cut open the tube and scrape out... This is a perfect combination to use with their mineral sunscreen (my personal favorite product, hands down BEST sunscreen I have EVER used). I am utterly shocked that my skins looks so much healthier and I didn’t have to go to a plastic surgeon for help! Thank you NIA 24 for making a product that all have access to!

Maria says:
Well, I shouldn't be surprised that I'd like this product b/c it was love at first application on the other NIA24 products I used (and have been using for a solid three months). My favorite and star of the line (in my opinion) is the skin strengthening complex...how I love thee.....so when I got the chance to try the Sun damage repair for other areas (decolletage/hands) I was like "heck, yeah". After years and years of basking in the sun - the sins of my stupidity have come back to haunt me in the form of sun damage...so what, a combo of baby oil and iodine was NOT good sunscreen? Who knew? (yes, that's what we used - baby oil mixed with iodine - slathered it on and fried right up). I would say that this cream seems to be really addressing the areas on my chest - really well actually. I have been finding some of the tougher "spots" are fading and that there's a smoothness there. I haven't really seen too much of a change on my hands or forearms - but I truly don't think I've given it enough of time. I'll update if I see a more pronounced improvement there - but hands down, this is a line that delivers on it's claims. I have to laugh at what City Slicker says about about cutting open the tube to get every last drop - that's what i ACTUALLY did with the Skin Strengthening Complex! I can see me doing that with this as well.

Review - Eau Thermale Avene Redness Relief Soothing Cream

Light green cream neutralizes redness as a trio of ingredients help minimize redness. Sun protection helps protect against environmental exposure.
• Formulate with Avène Thermal spring water to soothe and soften• Ruscus extract combined with other redness reducing ingredients helps minimize redness and blotchiness• Sun protection helps prevent future rednessLight green tint offers redness neutralization.

One of my friends gave me several samples of this cream. It is an extremely pale green cream which you can use over any red that you are trying to offset. I use green concealer so I know that green is used for the purpose of covering up red areas. I find that it blends in more than my concealers so that it doesn't cover as well. However, it does soothe the skin as it says while at the same time protecting it with its spf 25. In their line of products they carry spf 50 which I intend to investigate further. My only problem with this cream is its scent which is rather strong. It does die down a bit after a while. I am not sure how to describe it -- sort of like a medicine smell, perhaps. It is a drawback to me as I am using it on my forehead -- how much closer to my nose can I get?? - it is just too close to the old sniffer!! I would love to be able to continue to use it as it works wonderfully but the scent just gets to me. If there is a way to neutralize the scent that anyone knows -- please pass it along. I bet the scent would not be a detraction to many people. I am super sensitive to different scents.

Review: Steven Victor's Miracle Serum

Steven Victor MD Miracle Serum .5 oz $150.00
Revs up skin's crucial lipid barrier and increases essential hydration by significantly escalating ceramide levels that have depleted with time. These aren't your average ceramides, these lipids mimic skins own natural hydration system and increases moisture retention by 90%. Enhanced moisture means skin looks and feels more supple and smooth with improved radiance and fewer signs of fine lines and wrinkles.
Can be used anytime for moisture touch up
Ideal for lines around the eyes or mouth

Review:

This is AMAZING. I have been using this product for about 6 months daily and I am still on my first .5oz. I use this tiniest amount that can be distributed and voila, it's enough for my entire face. It's got no perfumy scent and seeps into my skin almost instantly so I can keep on going; there is no absorption time. I have found since using this my skin's overall appearance is better, it looks plumper and more radiant. Since I live in the Northeast, this winter has been really good for me, no dryness from the weather & elements and this moisture lasts all day for me. It is super expensive, but guys & dolls, when you find something called "Miracle Serum" and it's a miracle for you, it would be worth it to panhandle to come up with the coin for this product. I am a huge fan of Steven Victor; in fact, I use the entire line and I will review the other items also. When I use everything, I swear, like no other line I get more compliments that I do with anything else. His line really fights the signs of aging and is quick to correct skin that is out of control!! I can't give this a true rating, since for me, it's off the charts!!