SkinCeuticals Antioxidant Challenge & New Products

SkinCeuticals has two fab new products just  out,  AOX+ Eye Gel and Phloretin CF Gel . Both are a new gel-serum formula that feels great on skin and is called" gel that delivers like a serum ". Both are loaded with  high concentrations of antioxidants and skin smoothing and brightening ingredients that work.


SkinCeuticals AOX+ Eye Gel -An antioxidant combination of 1% Phloretin, 5% L-Ascorbic Acid, 0.5% Ferulic Acid,


SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel -Formulated with an antioxidant trio of 2% phloretin, 10% vitamin C, 0.5% ferulic acid

Through the end of this month, they are running a Facebook contest where you can not only learn more but win a trip to NYC.

Here's  the details  :

To celebrate SkinCeuticals latest antioxidant breakthrough, the brand has launched the “Antioxidant Challenge” Facebook contest – an interactive platform  to learn more about the benefits of topical antioxidants.

From now until October 31st, anyone can “like” SkinCeuticals, take the Challenge - a quick, four-question quiz that tests your knowledge on antioxidants and learn what makes an antioxidant work.

After taking the quiz, you are automatically entered to win a trip for two to NYC for an exclusive consultation with a top NYC dermatologist. Additionally, ten fans per week will be entered to win the brand’s newest antioxidant product – Phloretin CF Gel.

http://apps.facebook.com/antioxidantchallenge/

SkinCeuticals Blemish+ Age Defense

Managing oily skin and acne prone skin along with using anti-aging products isn't always easy. It's hard to find products that won't break you out or make you more of an oil slick but will also work on fine lines,  brightness etc.

Earlier this summer I  tried  out a product I'd been eyeing for awhile, Skinceuticals Blemish + Age Defense.  I also went 3 step, using their LHA Cleanser & LHA Solution( toner).

Because this makes you photosensitive I stopped using the serum after a week since I am in the pool a lot and therefore  in the sun. I use the best sunscreen  I can get but even with  re-applying  you still battle keeping it on in the water all day.

However , I can still say that it works .  In that one week I noticed a difference quickly.  Actually, I noticed a big difference  in how smooth/brighter my skin was in one application.

Overall skin was smoother, less oily and looked brighter. I can only imagine what a months long routine can do.  It's  very strong ( I'll get to the ingredients shortly)  which is one reason  I imagine it works. Nothing has fazed my skin before but this did irritate  a little, but only a little and very  briefly.  I didn't have any drying of my skin either .

Blemish +Age Defense  has 2 % Dioic acid to reduce sebum production and  acne causing bacteria as well as prevent hyperpigmentation, 0.3 % LHA which decongests pores and reduces signs of aging, 1.5 % Salicyclic acid, 3.5 % Glycolic acid and 0.5 % Citric acid.

Derms often say that high doses of Glycolic acid is one of the few ways to truly reduce lines and darker spots .With that,  I plan on starting back on the serum once fall sets in to whip my skin into after summer sun shape.

I've continued using the  LHA cleanser and toner ( both of which have smaller amounts of glycolic and salicyclic acid)  and  my skin has stayed  fairly blemish free , more than usual I think considering how hot it is . Most happily I think it's kept the pores far less clogged and that's a big plus.

Bottom Line- Skinceuticals in general makes great skincare and if you want anti-aging but are afraid to break out your skin, then this is one for you to look at.  It won't add any excess moisture but will blast oils and spots as well as exfoliate the skin to a smoother look.

Blemish+Age Defense is $ 78.00
LHA Cleansing Gel $ 36.00
LHA Solution Toner $ 36.00

http://www.skinceuticals.com/

The Sunscreen Expose - Many Questions and Some Answers

It's that time of year when we start to up our sunscreen use  and for me to once again wonder why I can't get sunscreeen with  both Mexoryls here in the US.  Yes you can get a couple with  Mexoryl  SX, at a premium price, but none with both Mexoryl SX and XL.  

I've used  Garnier Ambre Solaire  for years thanks  to a trip to France, and a  friend in Australia. Mexoryl is regarded as one of the best sunscreens, far better than what we use here , it's inexpensive overseas and if  thousands  of europeans have used it safely for years, then whats the FDA's probem? They preach safe sun but keep us from the protectants that work best. ( Tinosorb is said to be another top notch , only europe ingredient).

What I am only now reading is that not only is our sunscreens less effective, but many of the ingredients have the potential to be harmful to us. Hormone disrupting ( oxybenzone)  or might actually make skin cancer more likely ( Vitamin A) . So what are we to do ? The  obvious answer at this point is mineral -physical sunscreens. Zinc and Titanium Dioxide have no harmful efffect  unless inhaled ( so I read at ewg.org) which brings me to powder SPF. I LOVE powder SPF since I am so oily and can up my SPF whenever I want. Now I read that inhaling zinc oxide is dangerous? Not on skin , only if inhaled. Ok.  I am hoping using a sponge  applicator will jump that hurdle because powder is my best option during the day after my initial application.

To find out more I've been doing some research . I've got part of what http://www.ewg.org/  has to say on ingredients and also went to Ron Robinson, founder of Beautystat.com and also a cosmetic chemist who worked for years at companies like Avon and Estee Lauder.

First up my interview with Ron:

Q1. Why can we not get both Mexoryls here in the US? If they’ve been good enough for Europe etc. for so long and are among the best , why do we not have them ?

A. You can get it here in the US.( Note he means SX) It's been available here since 2006. It is considered to be the most effective FDA approved organic filter designed to protect against short UVA rays.

On XL he said  "the XL has not been approved by the FDA yet, so it's not available in the US. It is available in Canada and the EU countries.It is supposed to provide effective protection against both short and long UVA rays.

Q2. I’ve read that some sunscreen ingredients like Octisalate, oxybenzone and even Vitamin A can actually be harmful to us and our skin ? Is this true and do we need to worry about our sunscreen ingredients? Are there any chemicals we should avoid?

A. There was some controversy surrounding the use of Vitamin A in sunscreens. We addressed this last year with the help of our resident dermatologist, Dr. Ellen Marmur... see link... http://www.beautystat.com/site/skincare/the-truth-about-sunscreens-do-they-really-cause-cancer/

Q3- You told me  another time that sunscreens expire one year after opening. So basically even though they now have expiration dates, if opened that isn’t the case.  It’s just one year ?

A. I recommend you follow the expiration dates listed on the individual product.

From ewg.org:

"Sunscreen makers and users in Europe have more options than in the United States. In Europe, sunscreen makers can select from among 27 chemicals for their formulations, compared to 17 in the U.S. Companies selling in Europe can add any of seven UVA filters to their products, but have a choice of only three when they market in the U.S.

European sunscreens could earn FDA’s proposed four-star top rating for UVA protection, while the best U.S. products would earn only three stars. Sunscreen chemicals approved in Europe but not by the FDA provide up to five times more UVA protection; U.S. companies have been waiting five years for FDA approval to use the same compounds. Last but not least, Europeans will find many sunscreens with strong (mandatory) UVA protection if proposed regulations in Europe are finalized. Under FDA’s current proposal, Americans will not. "  Read full story here


So where does that leave us ? I'd love to hear your thoughts, so please weigh in.

I am also looking at as many  sunscreens as I can, both new that fit the bill or ones already out there .  For face, you can read about the newest from Skinceuticals here , a good light  day moisturizer  from Omorovicza  and I have Clarins new UV Plus HP coming soon.  For body there is also a SkinCeuticals with Mexoryl SX as well as Anthelios at drugstores. These will both cost you $ 25- 30.00. I have my eye one some new mineral/physical ones and will post as soon as I get info.


Image: Seaside Park, NJ via Seaside Park.

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50

I'm on the hunt  for great sunscreens right now. Ones that work with my oily skin but give me good protection, preferably a physical block.

New is SkinCeuticals  Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50. I've used the  Body Active UV Defense  Sunscreen with Mexoryl  before and know they make a good product.  Physical Fusion this hits all the bells. Ingredients include  5 % zinc oxide (Z-COTE®) and  6 % titanium dioxide, as well as artemia salina, a plankton extract, to increase the skin’s defenses and resistance to UV and heat stress.

 It's not heavy, adds the tiniest bit of moisture, sinks in fast ( very fast, you need to blend fairly quickly) and has SPF 50 with no white residue. There is  a  barely there tint. Think of it as tinted moisturizer for oily skin, but minus most of the moisture. The finish ends up fairly matte and it makes a great makeup base .

For me, this is all I need this time of year. And then use foundation on top of it .  If you need more moisture, you can easily layer over it and if you are low maintenance, it's fine on it's own.

50ml is $ 30.00 at http://www.skinceuticals.com/

 Also, May is  National Skin Cancer Awareness Month and SkinCeuticals   is teaming up with the MRA (Melanoma Research Alliance) to fight Melanoma.
SkinCeuticals is spreading the word on Facebook by asking users to post videos or written testimonials (i.e. how Melanoma has either affected them or someone they know) on the SkinCeuticals Facebook page.

Starting May 2nd, SkinCeuticals will donate $20 to the MRA for every video uploaded and $2 for every post. Additionally, each user who uploads a video will receive a free full-size Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50.

 SkinCeuticals on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/SkinCeuticals

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