March 10, 2010
Posted by Summar
Coffee addicts take note: The bean in your ritual cup of joe may perk you up on a daily basis, but the fruit of the coffea arabica plant could also shed years off your face with its potent antioxidant properties. We first touched on the benefits of coffee in cosmetics and the coffee berry in 2008, but the arrival of National Coffee Month brings us back to the caffeinated subject once again. According to the Institute of Anti-Aging Research, coffee berry extract has potential anti-aging benefits in the skin because of it’s high concentration of polyphenols, and has shown significant improvements in dyschromia, fine lines, wrinkles and the overall appearance of the skin. Read more...
March 9, 2010
Posted by marta
I have been seeing double recently. So have some of our readers – especially the eagle-eyed Kim and Joan. We have been finding products with exactly the same formulas made by completely different companies. Often the only thing that is different is the price and that can be vary by as much as 100% or even 300%. I got the double vision thing only the other day when I started to test the new Nutra-Lift Lash Renue ($49 at the TIA shop) and began to think there was something very familiar about it. Sure enough, it was a nearly identical twin of Cilea ($69.99). Read more...
Due to weather, hormones, testing products that don’t suit me or something other than lifestyle as I have been rather saintly recently (well, at least for me), my skin is blotchy and unhappy and, horrors, the pores on my nose are enlarged. Various remedies are being tried out and will be the subject of future posts, but I am pleased to say that I am finding toners can be a quick fix for troubled skin. I often turn to Amala’s Rejuvenating Toner, but recently I have been trying out Rilastil’s Intensive Toner ($45).
Both are European newcomers to the US, but unlike Amala’s, Rilastil’s toner comes alcohol free. I really like that one of the most dominant ingredients is cornflower. This plant is rarely used in cosmetics (probably because it has been almost eradicated by pesticides and is, therefore, expensive) although it is a known anti-inflammatory and has been used for treating ocular disorders for more than a century. The extract is rich in the polyphenols called flavonoids and anthocyanins. Read more...
March 8, 2010
Posted by marta
There is no doubt that vitamin C is a great antioxidant and helpful against hyperpigmentation, but C serums can be drying and unpleasant to use. Not to mention that you could be wasting your time and money with unstable forms (read more to get to know your vitamin C). For those who want to cut straight to the car chase, we’ve rounded up a few of the best vitamin C cosmetics.
A new find is Dr Christine Rodgers’ range called Enpointe with its Eclairci C Serum with a kitchen sink full of antiagers. A very C focused serum is by Somme Institute. An affordable, but effective alternative is John Masters Organics, while to prove that C can enhance more than just your face cream, we nominate Clinique for its Lip Smoothies. Yes, you did read Clinique (the tired department store brand is doing a few interesting things these days). Inspired by Ildi’s vitamin C-rich DIY parsley mask, we raid the refrigerator for a tropical treat. Read more...
March 7, 2010
Posted by marta
I was recently introduced to the Kaplan MD line of antiaging cosmetics and I’ll be writing more on the full range and the approach behind it in future posts. In the meantime, I have been getting acquainted with the Lip 20 Treatment ($30), a lip plumper with Dr Kaplan’s signature tally of ten antiaging actives.
The first thing to say about Lip 20 is that it does plump the lips. Mine are thinner than a snake’s when left to their own devices and lip plumpers generally don’t work or are uncomfortable. When I looked up into the mirror after applying Lip 20, I couldn’t help but break into a big grin. My lips were pleasantly full, darker and smooth. This is a look I could get used to. Read more...
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