Folligen Cream and Osmosis Replenish are not for nothing our two bestsellers. They quite simply work, they both feature copper peptides (effective for wrinkle repair and encouraging hair growth) and they are priced to encourage repeat buying (despite our tough economic times).  This bundle makes them a no brainer and for a limited period you can 15% off the full combined price of $64. Click to buy and use the Coupon Code: OSM15FOL.

The antiaging face serum, Osmosis Replenish, is one of Truth In Aging’s Best Beauty Products of 2009. It has it all. A concise ingredient list with only hardworking actives. Nothing at all from the TIA nasty list. And the price to quality ratio is fantastic. It is powerful enough to make its mark on full-blown wrinkles as well as fine lines.

Folligen works restores hair growth with strong, healthy hair and it even works for eyelash and eyebrow growth. The key ingredient is copper peptides. Copper peptides are well-established wound healers. Copper’s ability to assist in hair growth was discovered when it was noticed that the hair follicles around treated wounds were exceptionally large. It seems to work on the follicle in two ways: increasing follicle cell proliferation increased follicle size; and copper also decreases programmed follicle cell death, which results in smaller follicles. Use the cream to target specific areas and the lotion for all over the scalp. You can use it with, or without emu oil.

Ingredients in Folligen

Purified water, squalane, octyl palmitate, PEG-100 stearate (glycerol stearate + PEG-100 stearate), cetyl alcohol, copper peptides (hydrolyzed soy protein and copper chloride), stearic acid, saw palmetto oil, allantoin, polypropylene glycol, diazolinydinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, herbal fragrance, tocopheryl acetate, retinyl palmitate, ergocalcifero

Ingredients in Osmosis

Purified water, phosphatidycholine, ethyl, niacinamide, glycerin, catalase, superoxide dismutase, L-glutathione, ferulic acid, CoQ10, tetrahydrocurcuminoids, spin trap, R-lipoic acid, astaxanthin, chlorella, trans resveratrol, GHK copper peptide, grape seed extract, curcumin, green tea extract, ginkgo biloba, essential oil blend

No related posts.

Lovely L’uvalla (certified organic, L’uvalla’s skincare products are not only formulated with vegan ingredients straight from nature, but they are also sustainably produced, from seed to shelf) is offering TIA readers a great 5% off deal on their three Age-Defying products. AND from July 19th to July 26th the bundle will have an additional discount of 25% which will bringing it down to $86. Head to the TIA shop now and use the coupon code LUVALLA25.

This exclusive L’uvalla bundle contains:

Age Defying Day/Night Cream. Two botanicals with a good pedigree, lotus flower extract and argan oil, are L’uvalla’s signature ingredients. This cream spreads easily across the skin without leaving a greasy residue. As it gets absorbed almost instantly, it smoothes out texture, mattifies oily areas, and thoroughly hydrates dry spots.

Orange Toner. In addition to antioxidant lotus, it has mistletoe of which there is more than kissing and pagans worshiping oak trees. The pearly berried parasite is an antioxidant. Plus there is birdsfoot trefoil which is full of lipids.

Hydrating Milk Cleanser. Antiaging, cleansing and brightening with antioxidant lotus, soothing chamomile and exfoliating meadowsweet, a natural beta hydroxy acid.

Like an innocent puppy, L’uvalla’s moisturizers are hard not to love. All of the common toxic offenders, including parabens, phenoxyethanol, PEGs, DEAs, propylene glycol, active chemicals, and synthetic fillers are conspicuously MIA.

Ingredients in Age-Defying Day/Night Cream:

Natural Spring Water, Hazel Seed Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Argan Kernel Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Lotus Flower Extract, Sunflower Seed Oil, Rosewood Wood Oil, Rose Geranium Flower Oil, Lavendin Oil, Palmarosa Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Cypress Oil, Thyme Oil, Myoinosite, Chlorophyllin-Magnesium Complex, Citric Acid

Ingredients in toner

Bitter Orange Leaf Extract & Oil,  Natural Spring Water, Peppermint Leaf Water,  Sodium Chloride, Lotus Flower Extract, Potassium Sulfate, Verbena Leaf Oil, Mallow Extract, Birdsfoot-Trefoil Flower Extract, Horsetail Leaf Extract, Alfalfa Extract, Mistletoe Leaf Extract

Ingredients in cleanser

Natural Spring Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside,  Sunflower Seed Oil, Cocamidopropyl Bétaïne,  Hazel Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum,  Lotus Flower Extract,  Orange Peel Oil,  Lavendin Oil, Matricaria Flower Extract, Meadowsweet Extract, Passionflower Extract,  Ginseng Root Extract, Palmarosa Oil

No related posts.

Perhaps you are new to KaplanMD. If so, the travel set, which we’ve just introduced to the TIA shop for $75, is a great sampler set. If you already love this brand, you now have convenient sizes to slip into your makeup bag or carry-on luggage. And you can save money on getting your hands on it because the TIA shop now offers complimentary shipping on all products.

There are ten active ingredients in each KaplanMD product to prevent and treat the three types of skin aging . These include black cohosh, soy, and grapeseed. There is also carnosine, a natural amino-acid that acts as a potent antioxidant, which helps to chelate ionic metals (flush toxins from the body) and increase the number of times cells will divide and reproduce. Then there is Matrixyl 3000, which works by stimulating the matrix molecules – collagens 1, 3, 4 and fibronectin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

The Travel Set includes:

Cleansing Lotion (2.0 oz)

Revitalizing Toner (2.0 oz)

Day Cream SPF 15 (0.33 oz)

Replenishing Night Cream (0.33 oz)

Perfecting Serum (0.33 oz)

No related posts.

Summar’s informative and revealing interview with Joanne Purvis of Skin Nutrition published earlier today has already prompted a lot of interest and I’ve been getting some emails asking if we have any deals on their lovely Cell CPR. This was a great find of mine and I get compliments whenever I use it, but at $170 its definitely an investment-in-your-skin product. We ran a 20% discount on this dewy skin maker with over 70 really high quality ingredients a couple of months ago. I have just reactivated it and from now until Thursday July 8th you can get 20% off the normal price of $170 if you use the coupon code CPR20. Head to the TIA shop now.

No related posts.

I was put on to NCN Professional Skincare and their 20% Matrixyl 3000 Serum by someone called Curious. I hadn’t heard of it and so went to check it out and what I saw made me curious enough to buy a bottle ($38 for 1oz) and start to test it out. Four weeks later I am impressed.

I decided to test NCN 20% Matrixyl 3000 on my left hand. Now, I would have to say that not much seemed to be happening for the first three weeks. Nothing bad happened either – none of the dryness that some serums can cause. But no real change either way. And then it kicked in and for the last week or so, my left has been catching my eye and it is looking smooth and the skin a little plumper. Best of all, if you pinch the skin, it is firm and springs back to place.

In my experience, Matrixyl 3000 is a very good antiaging ingredient. Made by combining two peptides – palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 and palmitoyl oligopeptide – Matrixyl 3000 outperforms vitamin C (and unlike some of the Cs, it doesn’t irritate) by stimulating the matrix molecules, specifically collagens 1,3, 4 and fibronectin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

The thing is that the clinical trials conducted on Matrixyl by the company that makes it, are all at a concentration of 4%. So in the back of my mind, I’ve been wondering if there is a law of diminishing returns and that 20% looks impressive on the label but isn’t doing a 4X job on my skin. I don’t know and I am not sure that I need to care. NCN’s potion is good and they aren’t jacking up the price on the basis of their 20% Matrixyl 3000 claims (unlike the scamy Protoype#37). In fact, at $38 this is excellent value. Buy at NCN.

The litmus test is that even though my month long trial is officially over, I am still reaching for it in the morning – and my left hand is looking good (so is my right, but that’s another product review for another day).

Ingredients:

De-Ionized Water, Aloe Leaf Gel, Vegetable Glycerine, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Cucumber Fruit Extract, Chrysin, Hydroxy- succinimide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Steareth-20, Polysorbate- 20, Carbomer, Diazolidinyl Urea, EDTA

No related posts.

KaplanMD’s Perfecting Serum has become a regular component of my skincare routine and my skin is looking really good these days. I also use and really like the company’s eye cream. This is a high end range, but I wanted to give you the opportunity of trying them out. So for one week until the 25th of June, you get 25% off in the TIA store if you buy both: Down from $238 to $178.50!

The eye cream is a gentle, but effective lid lifter, keeps crepiness at bay and is an excellent depuffer.  A key ingredient in this eye cream is MDI Complex. In the ingredients this is listed as glycosaminoglycans. Its primary role is to maintain and support collagen, elastin and turgidity (bounce) in the cellular spaces and keep protein fibers in balance and proportion. It also promotes the ability of the collagen and elastin fibers to retain moisture, therefore remaining soluble (Source).

Unlike many serums, KaplanMD’s is very hydrating. This is surely due to the fact that this product is a whopping 50% sodium hyaluronate with a helping hand from glycosaminoglycans. The ten actives include Dr Kaplan’s signature black cohosh, which along with grape and soy, is supposed to counteract to depletion of estrogen that women experience as they age and is one of the three causes of skin aging identified by Dr K. Phytogenic (plant derived) hormone therapy is widely touted as a way  for women to control hormonal imbalance.

For one weekly only: Go to the TIA store and enter the coupon code KAPBUNDLE25 to get a 25% reduction, bringing the combined price of the eye cream and serum down to $178.50

Ingredients in eye cream

Water (aqua), Butylene Glycol, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Jojoba Esters, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil Unsaponifiables, Cetyl Alcohol, Algae Extract, Cetyl Phosphate, Dmiethicone, Glycosaminoglycans, Soy Isoflavones Aglycones, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa (Black Cohosh) Root Extract, Lecithin, Phospholipids, Polysorbate 80, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Olihopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tribehenin, Ceramide 2, Peg-10 Rapeseed Sterol, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Chrysin, Lentinus Edodes (Shiitake Mushroom) Extract, Glycerin, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Peg-6 Isostearate, Hesperetin Laurate, Steareth-20, Panthenol, Disodium Edta, Sodium PCA, Aspalathus Linearis (Red Tea) Leaf Extract, Peg-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Diopotassium Glycyrrhiazate, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

Ingredients in serum

Water (aqua), Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Glycosaminoglycans, Gylceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Soy Isoflavones Aglycones, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa (Black Cohosh) Root Extract, Lecithin, Phospholipids, Maltodextrin, Polysorbate 80, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3, Algae Extract, Yeast Extract, Carnosine, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Glucosamine HCI, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polysorbate 20, Urea, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Fragrance

No related posts.

“Perfect” is a subjective word. What I call perfect weather (cloudy with a cool breeze by day, thunderstorm at night) would make a summer beachgoer curse the sky. But a perfect complexion – now that’s something where we can all find some common ground…in the form of flawless, glowing, youthful skin. Is one product capable of delivering complexion perfection for all skin tones and types?

The only rotten egg is phenoxyethanol, which is surrounded by so much goodness that it’s hard to really scold. Overall, the formula dishes out delicious extracts and powerful actives with the best of them. As a carbon-neutral company committed to merging modern science with beneficial botanicals, Pure Skin Formulations succeeds in finding what’s best for the face.  “Perfect” may be pushing it, but the Perfecting Day Lotion definitely delivers.

No related posts.

Between eating, drinking, talking, yawning, smiling, frowning, and every emotional expression in between, lips are probably the face’s most active part. Yet, I don’t typically consider the lips when calculating my skin’s cosmetic intake. I smear on whatever balm, stick, or gloss is stuffed in my purse or waiting on my bedside table.

When I wrote about my beauty regime before bedtime, a reader asked why I left out my lips. It’s a rather good question, considering that I physically cannot turn off the lights to go to sleep without first coating a layer of moisture on my lips. I do my homework before shopping for a lip product and try to spare my pout from unnatural nasties. I also play favorites, so much so that I could be accused of lip balm addiction. A new favorite has recently entered the rotation, making its way onto my lips day and night.

Lypsyl LypMoisturizer is my mouth’s flavor of the month. It is unique in more ways than its shape: an oblong stick with a large applicator head and a one-handed slider (in the form of a bumblebee). This vessel makes Lypsyl ideal for moisturizing on the go, with one hand holding a phone, bag, drink, etc. The balm glides on smoothly and conditions fully with a single swipe. There is little sheen and zero color, making Lypsyl a lovable moisturizer for dainty and manly lips alike. While the immediate effects include a slippery surface and a minty tingle, Lypsyl’s long-lasting hydration does not disappear from a mere lick of the lips. I could still feel its comforting presence a full hour after application.

What makes Lypsyl a superior lifeline for your lips? Encased in extremely thin, tender, vulnerable skin, the lips are low in melanin and prone to chapping. Lip cancer from sun damage is the single most common form of oral cancer. As the mouth’s gatekeepers, the lips pose a precarious entryway to the body, making safe ingredients a must. Lucky for lips, Lypsyl’s formula is loaded with hydrating components and therapeutic properties.

Organic shea butter, which is considered a Natural Moisturizing Factor, helps heal, soothe, and regenerate skin. Its moisturizing benefits are two-fold: Not only does it help the lips retain moisture by forming a barrier on the skin’s surface, but it also reduces the appearance of dry flakes on the skin. Swedish beeswax also protects by building a barrier over the lips, while coconut oil contributes additional moisture. An extract from the South American fruit shrub Bixa Orellana, endowed with various anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, gives skin a “sunny” glow and may function as an antioxidant due to its high carotenoid content. Vitamins A and E heal cracked and irritated lip skin. Ceresin, a binding wax, holds it all together.

Nothing not to like on that list. However, the leading three ingredients (mineral oil, petrolatum, and paraffin) gave me pause, since they so starkly diverge from the rest of the all-natural formula. Mineral oil and petrolatum, or soft paraffin, are cheap petrochemical byproducts from oil production.  As such, they need to be refined. It is feared that some methods of production present hazardous, toxic, or carcinogenic components. But cosmetic-grade petrolatum and mineral oil must meet precise specifications requiring all contaminants to be removed.

The Environmental Working Group considers mineral oil, petrolatum, and paraffin to be low hazards. Ultimately, the specter of danger associated with these emollients is no match for their benefits. Mineral oil softens the skin by holding in water, while petrolatum essentially melts into the skin, filling in gaps in the lipid barrier and preventing skin from losing moisture to evaporation.

Lypsyl may not be for everyone. Nay-sayers might include organic purists, SPF sticklers, and alligator lips. But this lightweight drugstore balm is one of the best beauty buys on the market. At around $3, Lypsyl surpasses the conditioning power of more high-end lip moisturizers for only a fraction of the price. Lypsyl’s sleek glide and silky feel reminds me of Dr. Hauschka Lip Care Stick, which retails for about $14. Both deliver a soft, nourished pucker. But Lypsyl makes the experience more fun, less costly, and equally enjoyable.

Ingredients in Lypsyl Original Formula:
Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, Paraffin, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Ceresin, Beeswax (Apis Mellifera), Flavor, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit (Organic), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate), Bixa Orellana Seed Extract

No related posts.

After a brutal May (economy-wise), it seemed time to put together a roundup of some of the best good buys that we’ve found. By which I mean, products that punch above their weight. They have top notch ingredients without compromise and they do their job. Perhaps an eye cream around the $30 mark isn’t going to work as well as YBF’s $150 Correct, but you’ll see some results and get great value for money with Nutra-Lift Maximum Eye Repair ($31 in the TIA shop) or Dermaradiant’s Ageless Eyes ($29 in the TIA shop). Talking of YBF, an affordable and ingenious way to get to know the brand is with YBF’s Concentrate ($45 in the TIA shop and until next week we are making it even more affordable with a 15% off coupon: CONCENTRATE15.

Hankering after a high end serum that won’t break the bank? Look at Reviva’s Alpha Lipoic low cost alternative to to Dr Perricone ($22. 79 in the TIA shop) or Osmosis Replenish ($40 in the TIA shop). A drugstore find we love is Planetary Formulas Horse Chestnut Cream. And Copley’s nose for a good buy is as sensitive as that of a truffle hound and so I had to include new find, the green and keen (price-wise) Episencial. Finally, of course, Folligen ($18 in the TIA shop) still seems to be the bargain of the decade.

Click on the images for details:

No related posts.

When it comes to eating, sleeping, and defecating, babies get the royal treatment. Shouldn’t that same care be bestowed upon a baby’s oh-so-soft, virginal skin? Well, take a close look at the ingredients lists on some of the most mainstream drugstore baby products, and you might wonder, Where’s their poison symbol? Big-name brands like Johnson & Johnson and Huggies seem to have thrown caution to the wind when crafting cosmetics for young skin. Luckily, a lesser-known skincare line named Episencial was developed by a real parent with an eye for affordability, sustainability, and safety for sensitive skins.

One of my favorite books growing up was The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. So when I saw the packaging of Episencial’s product line–each item sporting its own colorful etching from the book– I instantly had a warm and fuzzy flashback. That feeling did not subside once I got a closer look at the products’ ingredients. Episencial’s range is designed to support the connection between a child’s delicate skin and vulnerable immune system. And if it’s gentle enough for babies, whose skin is less physiologically developed, you better believe it’s equally safe and effective for adults.

Episencial appeals to green parents looking for a high-quality alternative to expensive, kid-friendly, organic cosmetics. Beyond using solar manufacturing processes and packaging in sustainable materials, its formulas are entirely natural and there is not an alarming chemical in sight. At the bare minimum, each product is 50% organic, which means that for plants which tend to be laced with pesticides during commercial production, the formulators sourced these ingredients from organic producers; for plants which have a lower likelihood of contamination, they relied on non-organic agribusiness. This careful balance manages to keep price points refreshingly low, ranging from $5.99 to $14.99. Understanding the thought process that went into each formula should allay the fears of certain organic sticklers.

I took Episencial’s Soothing Cream for a spin on my dry and inflamed patches of skin. This almost gelatinous lotion spreads on beautifully and doesn’t leave a greasy sheen, making it functional for both face and body. I tried it on my itchy hands, my cracked heels, and in the peeling creases around my nose. Each trial felt like a cool dip in the pool on a sweltering summer day. On top of excellent natural emollients like plant-derived glycerin, beeswax, shea butter, avocado oil, borage seed oil, jojoba seed oil, the formula is fortified with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. I was intrigued to see the inclusion of probiotics (extracted from yogurt), which are more commonly known for their ability to balance the flora and fauna within the digestive system. But new research is suggesting that probiotics administered topically may help balance skin pH and address a range of skin disorders.

Young skin loses moisture more readily than mature skin, making it more prone to dryness and irritation, which can ultimately leave the body vulnerable to infection and immune inefficiency. When children’s skin comes into contact with toxic cleaning products, allergenic laundry detergents, or cosmetics containing artificial fragrances and other harmful chemicals, it can lead to eczema. Episencial’s all-natural formula is designed to relieve eczema breakouts. Thanks to organic aloe vera and cucumber extracts, the lotion cools and soothes bothered skin on contact. Organic green tea, calendula, chamomoile, safflower, and neem oil naturally boost epidermal defense against environmental evils. With the swelling, heat, and pain removed from the area, skin can begin the healing process.

Compare nutrient-rich, all-natural formula to Johnson & Johnson Cooling Cucumber Melon Baby Lotion, whose first ingredient after water is mineral oil, followed shortly thereafter by phenoxyethanol, artificial fragrance, three parabens, and propylene glycol. Or compare it to Palmer’s Bottom Butter, which claims to be brimming with vitamins A, D, and pro vitamin B5, but offsets the middling amounts of these vitamins with petrolatum (30%), aluminum, artificial fragrance, propylene glycol, diazolidinyl urea, two parabens, and a PEG. No skin of any age should come into contact with that many chemicals in one dose.

Episencial is quick to identify the origin of every raw material, especially those with a checkered past. Take, for example, PEG-120 methyl glucose dioleate, used in cleansing products for its thickening properties. At TIA, we have pointed out the risk of contamination associated with PEGs. But Episencial notes that its PEG-120 is produced from sugar, not petroleum, and that it employs additional precautions to test for contaminants and purify every product. Unlike other cosmetics manufacturers, Episencial appears to recognize that a baby’s skin deserves only the best.

Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis (ORGANIC Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Glycerin (Plant Derived), Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oleosomes, Octyldodecanol, Simmondsia Chinensis (ORGANIC Jojoba) Seed Oil, Beeswax, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil Unsaponifiables, Persea Gratissima (ORGANIC Avocado) Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf (ORGANIC Neem) Extract, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, Lactobacillus/Milk Ferment Lysate Filtrate (Yogurt Derived), Cucumis Sativus (ORGANIC Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Matricaria (ORGANIC Chamomile) Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius (ORGANIC Safflower) Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis (ORGANIC Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis (ORGANIC Marigold) Flower, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Borage (Starflower) Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus (ORGANIC Raspberry) Juice, Sclerotium Gum, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Capryl Hydroxamic Acid (Natural Preservative), Ethylhexylglycerin (Plant Derived Preservative), Caprylyl Glycol (Natural Preservative).

No related posts.