Monthly Archives: May 2012

Is Lumixyl Revitaleyes the Ultimate Cure for Dark Circles?: Lumixyl Revitaleyes, Lumixyl Eye Cream Review

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Way back in December, the folks at Envy Medical sent me a sample of Lumixyl Revitaleyes ($65.00 retail, EnvyMedical.com).  At first, I was skeptical:  although a 2009 study in The Journal of Drugs in Dermatology reported statistically significant data that Lumixyl is effective in treating melasma (a darkening of the skin typically exhibited during pregnancy or hormone replacement therapy), the eye area is different.  Some dark circles are created by hyperpigmentation, others by excess blood pooling, and a third rare category by a deep... read more

5 Little Known-Facts Every Hydroquinone User Needs to Know – Immediately!

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PCA pHaze 13 Pigment Gel-1 oz
Recently, my friend Jessica over @ Out in a Pout wanted to know the potential side effects of discontinuing use of hydroquinone. Now, Jessica’s a beauty expert herself, so her question really made me ponder just how much the public knows about hydroquinone. So I started avidly researching the topic. Turns out there is so much to know: 1.) Hydroquinone should be used in four-month cycles, alternating with kojic acid, azelaic acid, arbutin, and other lightening agents. (Especially if you have darker skin). Hydroquinone works by... read more

Are BB Creams Worth It? Which is the Best?

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Dear Nicki, I’ve been seeing a lot of BB Creams on the market recently.  Are they worth it? -J Dear J, BB Creams are only worth it if you are looking for a makeup, not a skin care treatment, and have pretty good skin in the first place.  This is because BB creams are generally far more “makeup” than “moisturizer” or “anti-aging treatment.”  The main ingredients are primarily silicones, which can be hydrating as well as aesthetically pleasing to the skin.  Unfortunately, silicones lay on top of the... read more

Does Ambi Fade Cream Really Work?

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Dear Nicki, I noticed Ambi Fade Cream at my local drugstore, and I was wondering if it works.  Any thoughts? Sincerely, Jamie Dear Jamie, In a word:  YES, Ambi Fade Cream ($7.98, Amazon.com) does in fact work.  For the exceptionally low price – just $3.99 an ounce – it sounds almost too good to be true.  Yet it isn’t. The secret:  Hydroquinone A 2% concentration of hydroquinone is the secret to Ambi Fade Cream.  Generally available over-the-counter in 2% concentration and in prescription formulas in 4% concentration,... read more

Are Other Vitamin CE Ferulic Serums As Effective as Skinceuticals?: Cosmetics Solutions, Timeless, Skinmedica Compared

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Ever since Dr. Sheldon Pinnell discovered vitamin C as L-ascorbic acid could stimulate the production of collagen in the skin in 1992, vitamin C skin care has been popular.  Dr. Pinnell was instrumental in the development of Cellex-C and later founded Skinceuticals. The ingredients within its best-selling product, Skinceuticals CE Ferulic ($118.99,Amazon.com), were found to boost sun protection when applied under sunscreen by four-fold, as published in the American Journal of Dermatology in 2005. Despite the fact Skinceuticals CE... read more

Things to Love for Valentine’s Day: A Non-Profit Luxury Soap + FutureDerm.com Back to Just Beauty!

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I’ll admit it:  I love to splurge on luxury beauty items.  There’s just something about a Yves Saint Laurent Touche de Eclat concealer, or a jar of luxurious Eve Lom Cleanser that feels elegant and special.  Yet occasionally these luxurious purchases make me feel a little guilty, especially when I consider the number of people out there for whom the extra $20 USD between a drugstore brand and a high-end one could make a world of difference. That’s why I’m thrilled that I recently found The Life Soap Company, a... read more

Lush Golden Wonder Review

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A few months ago, I was sent a Lush Golden Wonder Bath Bomb for review.  At first, I was reluctant to post a review on my blog:  You see, the #1 ingredient is sodium bicarbonate, a compound that dissolves in water to be mildly alkaline, or with a slightly high pH.  Unfortunately, basicity has an undesirable effect on the skin.  The skin has a natural acid mantle that provides protection called “barrier function.”  This acid mantle works best when the naturally acidic pH of the skin is maintained somewhere between 4.0 and 6.5. When... read more

How Do You Estimate the Amount of an Ingredient in a Skin Care or Beauty Product?

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Dear Nicki, How do you estimate the amount of an ingredient in a product?  I would love to be able to make this type of calculation on the fly as clients, especially new arrivals, are always bringing me their products to screen.   -Christine of a Skin Care Company Dear Christine, The list of ingredients on the label for any skin care product must conform to the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) standard.  This requirement is from the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act and the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the FDA,... read more