Posted on May 29, 2009 at 4:26AM
The Working Girl divulges a secret while singing the praises of Murad Post-Acne Lightening Treatment
The skincare giants have turned me on to their Post-Acne Spot Lightening Gel. I get the occasional breakouts and I'm a picker.
I pick scabs.
I pick zits.
TMI.
Call it OCD, call it boredom, but I have never let my acne heal correctly. From this obsessive picking, I have small scars, which are not noticeable when camouflaged with makeup. However, I know they're there.
Murad Post-Acne Lightening Treatment is cooling, clear, and effective. It transformed my small scarred blemishes into mere nothingness. The main ingredient, Hydroquinone, has been proven to help fade acne. AHA clarifies and tones the skin. Licorice and allatonin reduce irritation and inflammation of the skin.
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! Antiaging Bonus points! Murad Post-Acne Lightening Treatment not only reduces acne scars but gets rid of unwanted age spots and freckles created by the sun's damaging rays.
Brains on Beauty: Any woman can start loving their skin again for only $60, compared to laser treatments that will run you up to $1000.
To lighten your mood, check out the current headlines on Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog.
Posted on May 20, 2009 at 6:28AM
Health and Wellness Wednesday: Skin Cancer Prevention
We haven't always been ardent about using sunscreen, but after having a few questionable spots removed, we have gotten smarter and discovered mineral sunscreens that we love.
Mother Blogger: My old-time fave is Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45 (Sephora $30). It is truly brains on ageless beauty. It's the best thing I've added to my handbag, beach bag, and car since 1970 when fresh and wholesome CoverGirl Cybill Shepherd touted CoverGirl's Sugar Nut lipstick. Of course I bought into the look, which included blonde hair, a white shirt, and a dark tan highlighted by CoverGirl Sugar Nut lipstick. Egads, were we idiots! Now every time I get in the car, I swish this transparent mineral powder on my face (over makeup) and my pitifully spotted hands to provide protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays. (Okay, my pretties! Please learn from Mother Blogger's mistakes and use sunscreen when you are young and save yourself from sun damage and wrinkles) My favorite sunscreen to wear under makeup is La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizer and Sunscreen SPF 15.
The Working Girl: Sorry, Mom, but I'm still in the learning phase. BUT I just tested Innovative Skincare Powder Sunscreen SPF 20 in Sun Medium, which is a tinted version of the SPF 20 Sunscreen Powder ($40). I have to admit, I was surprised how this product gave my face a healthy "tan" glow. The tinted coloration blended easily with my natural skin tone and would be excellent for all skin types and ethnicities. I have now added this to my fabulous White House Black Market White Woven Satchel ($88). (Gotta plug my wares when I have an opp. LOL.)
Both products contain Micronized Titanium Dioxide and Microfine Transparent Zinc Oxide, which are the two finest “physical” UV blockers. Both powders are applied easily through a retractable brush, without creating a pale look often associated with most forms of Titanium Dioxide.
Safe for all ages and skin types, these odorless sunscreens can be applied and reapplied quickly and easily over makeup or alone.
Also excellent for post-procedures like light skin peels and microdermabrasion.
Related Articles:
For current articles on Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog click here.
Posted on May 6, 2009 at 7:45AM
Health and Wellness Wednesday's Giveaway is brains on beauty! One lucky reader will win a Beach Bag 'O Beauty filled with Banana Boat Sport Performance Sunscreen products.
We know that some of our readers don't think they need to apply sunscreen, but consider this: If skin cancer doesn't scare the bejesus out of you, maybe vanity will: Exposure to sun causes most of the wrinkles and age spots on our faces. One woman at age 40 who has protected her skin from the sun actually has the skin of a 30-year-old!
Banana Boat products have been tested in the sun, not just the lab -- and tested on us! The products are also an excellent option for outdoor sports enthusiasts who need to grip their equipment. Tennis players will love that your racquet stays in your hand and not on the other side of the court. We tested golf clubs, tennis racquet's, iPods and we maintained a velcro-like grip on our equipment.
Although we give Banana Boat products the Antiaging Award, the products contain avobenzone for complete broad-spectrum protection, but may not be appropriate for sensitive skin. Experts say that physical blockers -- titanium dioxide and zinc oxide -- are gentler and better suited to sensitive skin.
What's in the Bag O' Beauty?
- Banana Boat beach bag
- Banana Boat water bottle
- Two New Banana Boat Sport Performance Sunscreen Sticks SPF UVB 50
- Banana Boat Sport Performance Suncreen Lip Blam SPF UVB 50
- Banana Boat Sport Performance Broad Spectrum Sunscreen
- Banana Boat Sport Performance Continuous Spray Sunscreen SPF UVB 30
- Banana Boat Sport Performance Faces Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF UVB 30
- Banana Boat Sport Performance Broad Spectrum Suncreen SPF UVB 85
- Two Banana Boat Sport Performance Continous Spray Sunscreens SPF UVB 50
Answer the question below. The answer does not affect the outcome. Giveaway expires on midnight EST on May 14, 2009. You may enter only one email address for this giveaway. One winner will be picked randomly by Contest Machine and will be notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email. If there is no response, Contest Machine will randomly pick another winner.
The winner will receive the Banana Boat beach bag filled with the products listed above. United States and Canadian residents only. Please see our site’s Terms and Conditions of Use for a complete list of our Contest and Giveaway Rules. This promotion is void where prohibited by law. Fulfillment provided by sponsor.
Giveaway closed. Congrats, Molly.
Sources: Web MD
Posted on Nov 11, 2008 at 5:09AM
Beauty Product Review of Obagi Medical Condition and Enhance System
Preparing for microdermabrasion about five years ago, I succumbed to my doctor's advice and plunked down the cash for Obagi Condition and Enhance System. Although it was extremely effective, I stopped using it, primarily because I changed derms. Somewhere in the recesses of my mind, I also remember "The System" being too much of a system, too complicated, too many products. But testing it for this review refreshed my memory and skin on its efficacy.
Discover the results.
Posted on Oct 19, 2008 at 4:44PM
Beauty product review of DDF and Correct UV Moisturizer SPF 15 reviewed by Mother Blogger
New!
Product Promo: Reclaim the natural radiance of even-toned, youthful skin while helping to prevent future discoloration with DDF Protect and Correct UV Moisturizer SPF 15™. This facial moisturizer contains a potent micro-radiance complex™ that diminishes the look of discoloration for translucent, healthy-looking skin. It also contains SPF 15 to help protect from UVA/UVB damage and future hyperpigmentation. Read more.
Posted on Aug 5, 2008 at 8:00AM
Warning: Don't go to your aesthetic treatment provider before reading this.
Written by Schmicker for Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog. (Don't forget to any aesthetic treatment questions that are bothering you.)
Posted on Jul 4, 2008 at 8:00AM
Posted on Apr 8, 2008 at 12:02PM
From the brown streaks to the stains in my bathroom to the orange skin that clashed with my pale pink dress, I have had my share of sunless tanning catastrophes, but through trial and error, I finally discovered the secret to sunless tanning when your skin is stippled with age spots or freckles. Aging gracefully is a work in progress, but tanning gracefully has never been my forte.
Before a trip to the beach a few years ago, I opted for the mist-on tan at a salon. A newbie in this department, I suffered comically embarrassing difficulties with the button inside of the booth. I inadvertently pushed the button twice and ended up with a double dose of dihydroxyacetone. By the time I reached my tropical destination, I looked like an angry Jackson Pollack abstract painting -- a collection of spasmodic splotches of brown and white.
Having arrived in Florida last week with skin as white as the snow that I left behind in the Midwest, I needed a little tanning oomph. I performed the requisite skills of an experienced sunless tanner:
Before bedtime, I shaved and exfoliated until I had less scales than the indigenous Floridian crocodiles, and then I carefully applied Glow Fusion Micro Nutrient Face and Body sunless tanner (Sephora $58).
GlowFusion Micro-Nutrient Face & Body Natural Protein Tan: What it is: A revolutionary new self-tanning technology that delivers your perfect shade of sun-kissed glow. The first ever clear, all natural, fast drying, odor-free, self-tanning mist. No odor. No streaking. No staining. No kidding. What it is formulated to do:Breakthrough micro-nutrient technology delivers a potent blend
of vitamins and powerful antioxidants to boost skin's inherent, sexy, "lit-from-within" luminosity. The pure, natural sugarcane-derived formula works with your skin's natural keratin proteins to create your perfect, customized shade of glow -every time, all the time. GlowFusion™ is completely odor-free, stain-free, and streak-free. The crystal clear mist dries immediately, evenly, perfectly. What else you need to know: Lasts up to two weeks without fading. Dermatologist tested. Non-comedogenic. Suitable for all skin types. Will not stain fabric. Available in two formulas: light and medium.
Upon looking in the mirror the next morning, to my surprise, instead of a Pollack abstract, I looked more like a brown spotted skink, with my age spots darkening to the color of Nestle's chocolate morsels.
Not to be beaten by my age or spots, I lemon-juiced my extremities, I once again exfoliated, and I started my sunless tanning process from scratch. This time I applied the Glow Fusion and with a Q-Tip dipped in alcohol, I wiped the sunless tanner off of my freckles and age spots. Now that was a grim and interminable task. Do you know how many spots occupy my epidermis? Well, I'll put it this way: If I played "Connect the Dots" with my body, I could create -- uh -- well, a squirrel.
Last evening, scheduled to attend a pool party, my arms and legs were still white enough to blind you, but searching through my makeup bag, I stumbled upon a quick and easy fix -- Clinique's Non-Streak Bronzer for men (Clinique.com $14). I have used this beauty product on my face for a decade because it was the most natural color I could "fake."
Clinique Skin Supplies For Men Non-Streak Bronzer: This transparent, oil-free gel goes on easily and produces a natural-looking glow that lasts through rain or swim. 2 oz.
I moisturized my legs and arms and then applied Clinique's bronzer, which to my delight, camouflaged my little adversaries. My fellow vacationers wanted to know how I achieved such a great tan with all the sunscreen and Coolibar clothing that I wear while at the beach. (By the way, the bronzer has never stained my clothes.) I had finally discovered the secret to sunless tanning for women with age spots or freckles.
But I don't want to leave this to your imagination, so to show you the difference, I applied Glow Fusion sunless tanner to one leg and Clinique's bronzer to the other.
Can you tell the difference? As you are looking at the picture, the leg on the left is the bronzer and the leg on the right is the sunless tanner.
I will continue to use Glow Fusion -- when I have time! -- but it's comforting to know that I now have two weapons in my sunless tanning arsenal.
Beckie
P.S. For those wrinkled areas, like your knees and elbows, hold the area tight before you smooth on sunless tanner and hold for a minute. In that way, you won't get darker areas in the creases.
Posted on Feb 29, 2008 at 6:00AM
I think Lady Macbeth must have been referring to her age spots when she muttered, "Out, damn'd spot! out, I say." As you girls may know, I have tried to get rid of my "damn'd"
age-induced freckles or
sun spots for some time now. Recently I have been test-driving Lumedia Facial Brightener on one hand and Murad's hyperpigmentation treatment on the other hand.
Lumedia Facial Brightner is a 100 percent hydroquinone-free blend of pigment lightening agents specifically developed for overall facial brightening. What it is formulated to do: This light emulsion is specifically formulated to reduce visible discoloration, spots, blotching, and uneven skin tone resulting from photoaging and environmental factors, while a unique full-spectrum luminizer helps restore the translucent clarity of a fresh, "baby-like" complexion. (Sephora $90)
Murad's Hyperpigmentation Treatment targets and protects against unwanted pigmentation. Smoothes texture and helps reverse hyperpigmentation caused by environmental exposure, while preventing future damage. (Sephora $135 for $85)
The war between these two lighteners is over. Murad wins this battle. The spots on the Murad hand were much lighter than the spots on the Lumedia hand. I now use sunscreen on my hands to prevent further damage, but The Spotted War continues. In the immortal words of John Paul Jones, "I have not yet begun to fight."
(Images: Sephora)
Posted on Feb 13, 2008 at 4:48AM
Before leaving for New York, I wandered into Sephora looking for a concealer for my hands that would cover my sun-induced age spots -- well, maybe a few spots are age-induced. If you women are like me, I didn't use my brain when it came to my hands. I covered my face with sunscreen when I was out in the sun, but my hands were always exposed.
I have had the age spots lasered off, but the stubborn devils keeps returning. If you remember my obsession with concealers, I did find one that I liked, but it didn't work for my hands. So while in Sephora, I played around with a few different concealers on my hands and found that Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation did the trick.
Cover FX is not your daughter's concealer. This is heavy-duty camaflouge. If your skin is sensitive or you have a skin condition such as acne, rosacea, or eczema, makeup can often aggravate the condition, but this beauty includes Vitamin E and Bisabolol which are both anti-inflammatory ingredients that reduce redness and sensitivity.
Cover FX has more shades to choose from than there are skin colors. It also provides sun protection with SPF 30, and it is transfer-resistant. Maybe I can stop further sun-induced age spots, because I can't do a darn thing about the age-induced freckles. C'est la vie.
(Image: Sephora)
Call them what you want -- brown spots, age spots -- they are as a result of sun-damaged skin -- I know. I've been there, done that, and got the t-shirt that says, "You Sun-Damaged Ijit!" -- and then there's blotchy skin or rosacea, all of which can be helped by good camouflage techniques. 
