Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion AM

One of this years's fab finds  was Peter Thomas Roth's Retinol Fusion PM.  A strong retinol product but gentle  with added buffers and moisturizers so as not to irritate skin. It worked and well. Now there's Retinol Fusion AM to have that retinol action but with SPF 30 to protect sensitized skin. You can  have anti-wrinkle and sunscreen in one.

This is  medium moisturizing , not heavy but not overly drying.  I do think that every other day use is best. It helps to brighten , smooth and even skin  and like it's PM  predecessor -works. The 1.5 % retinol is time released  over an 8 hour period, to gradually work throughout the day. It also has vitamins A & C.   You do get a whiteish cast from the lotion due to the zinc oxide, nothing major, but it needs blending.

I've been using this quite often  for about 2 weeks , along with several other rotating non -retinol products and my skin is looking brighter and smoother .   As the weather gets colder, I look forward to using this on the T- zone to battle the pores . It's also been great for after summer  sun skincare and ... hands. I love using this on the backs of my hands to keep them in shape too.

Available now for $ 78.00 at Sephora.com

Peter Thomas Roth Oily Skin Instant Mineral SPF 30

Last year Peter Thomas Roth's UnWrinkle Instant Mineral was one of my summer finds. Now I have added the one for Oily/Problem skin which is even better.

With my oily and perspiring skin, in summer keeping SPF on my face is very difficult. I can't use SPF creams all over my face, not at all in the T -Zone and what I do use is not going to last the day or even afternoon possibly. I rely a lot on my makeup SPF but that degrades some too. So in addition to light SPF mattifying moisturizers for my face , I need powder SPF. That's where the Peter Thoma Roth comes in. The oily skin version is mattifying and even has .4 % salicyclic acid and willow bark extract , both great for oily skin.

I love that no matter when , I can grab this and dust on SPF 30 . It's easy and portable. You just remove the cap and brush on. You may have to shake a little powder into the brush, but not usually. Now the retractable brush here isn't top grade makeup quality,but to swipe on a quick powdering, it matters not to me. It goes easily over makeup and is invisible.

There is also regular Instant Mineral SPF in the line. ( The UnWrinkle version seems to have been discontinued).

Retail for both is $ 30.00 each for .15 oz

Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM

Retinol Fusion PM is a new potent retinol serum from Peter Thomas Roth. It has Vitamins C and E ( 1%) to make it gentle on skin and provide a dose of moisture along with the retinol. The retinol is a concentrated and microencaspulated at 1.5 % .

Made for high efficacy without the dryness and irritation that straight Retin A can bring,this serum is very moisturizing . I wanted to use it on my T zone for blackhead clearing and pore reducing and it has done a good job of that, but it is making me break out a tiny bit on the chin. With warmer weather and therefore more oil on my T zone, I'll have to use it only on the other areas.

As for the rest of my face, I love it. I need no other moisturizing at night and this has lightened/brightened and smoothed a lot. I have no dryness from it, but my skin is ready for moisture in the AM after washing. There's been no irritation for me and I have used it nightly for 2 weeks. Your sensitivity may be different , but if you are looking for a strong retinol that is made to be easily tolerated, Retinol Fusion PM might be it.

A 1 oz. bottle is $ 65.00

Peter Thomas Roth New Eye Duo & UnWrinkle Foundation

Peter Thomas Roth gives us two new weapons to help skin look fab this fall. Both are now available.

First is Eye Overhaul Duo- This is , yes, a two part product. One for day , one for night. The night side is a thick gel ,very firming and lightly moisturizing . The day cream has SPF 30 and is very moisturizing . They work well . I could feel fast firming in the night gel and the day side is a fluffy, soft cream.

Both sides of the jar are loaded up with potent ingredients:
"COLLAXYL®IS* at 1.5% helps to hydrate and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles associated with aging while SUBERLIFT™* at 3% helps to tighten and firm the eye area , HALOXYL™* at 2%, REGU®-AGE* at 5% and light diffusers help to reduce the appearance of dark circles, EYELISS®* at 3% and EYE REGENER®* at 5% and caffeine help to reduce under eye puffiness and signs of fatigue. "

Up next is another addition to the UnWrinkle line-UnWrinkle Foundation . I have written about the powder in this line before , finding to be far better than I imagined it would be ( great for those with "fear of powder"). The new UnWrinkle foundation is medium/full coverage , oil free but imparts a dewy finish.

The Mom tried it and she is very fussy about foundations , but this new one she labeled " fabulous" Why ? She said when she uses it around her eyes she didn't even need concealer ( and she loves her concealer ). She loved the coverage and how smooth her skin looked.

UnWrinkle has loads of good for skin ingredients incl. 3 different neuropeptides, Matrixl3000, Licorice root and Vitamins A,C & E

Eye Overhaul Duo is is $ 58.00 and up now at http://www.peterthomasroth.com/ and more.

UnWrinkle Foundation is $ 45.00 at beauty.com , QVC , skinstore.com and sephora.

The Sunscreen Roundup

I have no idea why, but I find trying and looking for the best sunscreens , fun. Maybe it's because there's so many great ones out there incl. more high end ones that appeal to the luxist in me. For whatever reason, it means I use sunscreen more, so thats a good thing.

Now I have only touched the surface here. There's a lot of sunscreens out there, I am finding new ones I want to try every day. Hopefully this primer will help you either find one you love, or get you started on a search of your own.

Things to remember:
-According to a news report last week all sunscreens need re-appying after 40-60 mins., no matter what the bottle says. The government has been planning to regulate sunblock claims for years, but as they will, haven't gotten around to it. None are so waterproof as to last hours.

-Any SPF higher than 30 is not really needed. Ones with higher numbers only provide little more protection. However, it can't hurt either. Just know that if your favorite is 15 or 30, you're good.

-Lastly Mexoryl is the best protectant out there. Only one type is approved for use here sadly, but companies are making various antioxidant cocktails and mineral blocks to up the ante in protection and make up for lack of Mexoryl. Think Helioplex from Neutrogena among others.

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- Ambre Solaire by Garnier- The best with BOTH Mexoryls. But only available outside the US. I grabbed this in Paris 2 yrs. ago and wish I had bought more. If you or anyone you know is going to Europe, get 1 or 10. ( In US there are several with one Mexoryl -SX. Lancome, La Roche Posay and Skinceuticals (highlighted further down).

-Cosmedicine Medi Matte Tint SPF- One of my favorite products now comes in a tinted version with SPF 20. Fabulous. This mattifier really works, and it's rare to see a mattifier( or tinted cream) for us oily gals with SPF. $ 42.50 ( Murad has a great looking non- tinted version as well, but haven't tried it yet)

Skinceuticals Active UV Defense SPF 15- One of the Mexoryl SX sunblocks. This is light but strong. Has a very light scent, but it's a nice enough one. One of my new favs. $ 29.00

being TRUE Essential SPF 30 gel- a gel/cream thats great for oily skins. Light , sinks right in . Ingredients incl. phytomelanin ,white and green tea . Can be used on face/body and under makeup. Oil free and oil absorbing. $ 35.00

Shiseido Sun Protection Lip Treatment SPF 36- yes it's expensive for a lip product, but you're worth it. It comes from a great suncare line and looks very chic. Some complain of a white tint. If that happens, just blend. $ 20.00

Clinique SPF 25 Body Spray- I am loving the new Clinique suncare. Reviewed in detail Here this spray is easy , has their new Solar Smart technology and a high SPF. $ 20.00

Peter Thomas Roth Mineral Powder Suncare- There is a new oily/problem skin version with 4% Salicyclic Acid & Willow Bark ( This sounds awesome. Must Try) and an Unwrinkle version with their Syn-Ake wrinkle relaxing ingredient, a neuropeptide and Matrixl 3000.
The Unwrinkle one I have tried and it's a smooth powder that evens skin . Feels very light. Their Unwrinkle powder compact is great , now you can have a lighter sunblock version. These are perfect for mid- day touch ups or those who want no SPF cream on their face. $ 30-35.00

Hawaiian Tropic Aloha Kiss SPF 20 Lip Gloss- an older Hawaiian Tropic lip balm was all I used a few summers back poolside. Smelled so good. Now we have this yummy berry lipgloss version. I have Cat Marnell at Lucky mag and her column to thank for finding this. $ 5.99 approx.

Mission Skincare Fast Drying Spray- Yesterday I mentioned how Mission is now at CVS. One new item is the Quick Drying Mist in a pump spray. Especially good for the athelete, outdoorsy or men. $ 6.99

Neutogena Pure & Free Baby SPF 60- New formula made extra gentle for babies and acc. to Neutogena , made with PureScreen technology, a more natural mineral physical block. Has " a separate layer that sits on top of the skin. This layer reflects and refracts the dangerous UVA/UVB rays of the sun before they have a chance to touch your baby"
Plus if it's gentle enough for babies, then it's great for those with sensitive skin .

Sephora's Sun Safety Kit- remember I said discovering new sunscreens can be fun ? Well this kit gives you a chance to try a gazillion of them . There's some great stuff in here like Clarins, DDF, andSmashbox plus a bag. $ 22.50