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THE COSMETIC REPORT
September 29, 2000

We've had some gloriously sunny and warm days here in Portland recently, but we all know that chilly fall weather is just around the corner. If your skin is acting a little confused and unhappy, join the club! It's time to update your skin care routine so your skin gets everything it needs, but wanting great new products and actually finding them is not as easy as it sounds. Here are a few I've tried lately.

B. Kamins Chemist Bio-Maple Vitamin Face Cleanser ($42 for 8.5oz)
I selected this product for dry to normal skin based on its description "ultra-gentle skin lotion that thoroughly cleanses and removes residues from the skin's surface without irritating or depleting moisture content" - imagine my surprise when I discovered "refined nut shells" listed on the ingredient label! This exfoliating cleanser is not my idea of ultra-gentle, which is too bad because the lotion aspect of it is very nice. The nut shells are rough and make it impossible to use this cleanser around your eyes. For my sensitive skin, I am disappointed. I can't imagine who would be happy with this, since it's too thick and rich for an oily skin type that might not mind the scrub grains, and it's too scratchy for anyone with dry or sensitive skin.

B. Kamins Chemist Bio-Maple Revitalizing Booster Concentrate ($59 for 1.7oz)
This is the closest thing I have found to duplicate the great results I got from La Mer Moisturizing Lotion, and it's half the price! This lotion is specified for sensitive, irritated and reddened skin, and/or skin that needs relief from AHA irritation, microdermabrasion, rosacea, or related conditions or trauma. The main active ingredient in this and all B. Kamins products is their Bio-Maple compound, described on their site as a "naturally occurring balance of anti-oxidants, vegetable hormones, polysaccharides, minerals and AHA acids extracted and purified from selected Canadian maple trees." I can't speak to all those claims, but I can say that the redness in my skin from blemishes or general irritation looked better after applying this lotion. Revitalizing Booster is lightly moisturizing (for dry skin, just layer a heavier cream over it) and contains vitamin E, vitamin A, and chamomile, and is fragrance free. If you find you are constantly battling redness and irritation, this is a nice lotion to try for some relief.

B. Kamins Chemist Bio-Maple Cellular Renewal Serum ($59 for 1.7oz)
I was hopeful for the same success with this product as I had with the Revitalizing Booster, but I had no such luck. For some reason, every time I used this serum, it made me breakout. First, it was just an over-abundance of very clogged pores. Then, as I continued to use it, the pimples got larger. I stopped using it altogether, waited for my skin to clear up, then tried it again to be sure that this serum was the culprit and not something else. Again, more acne, and I honestly have no idea why. This serum is designed for sun and environmentally damaged skin and is supposed to act like an AHA to exfoliate damaged skin and encourage the growth of new cells for a fresher, healthier looking complexion. The only thing I can think of that caused the reaction for me is the bilberry, lemon, sugar maple, sugar cane and orange extracts right at the beginning of the ingredient list - maybe the botanicals were too strong for me? Cellular Renewal Serum also contains marine protein and their Bio-Maple compound. I am hoping to get more opinions of this product from our Panel because I think my skin's reaction was strange at best...

I've gotten my B. Kamins products from Beautydoor.com. You can also get more information on B. Kamins Chemist at their website, bkamins.com.

Back to Basics Raspberry Almond Intensive Conditioner ($9.50 for 16oz)
My hair tends to be dry (and I color it) so I am always looking for a good conditioner that is rich enough without pouring the whole bottle on my head at once. During a recent stop at Trade Secret beauty supply here in Portland, I spotted this and couldn't resist trying it. Back to Basics has a nice range of products at decent prices, so I hope to review more of the line in the future. I like this conditioner so much, I use it almost every day! It instantly detangles, smells amazing, and leaves my hair incredibly soft and manageable. Of all the conditioners that I've tried and liked, this ranks up there with Reflect.com's conditioner and Terax Crema, but Back to Basics is so much more reasonably priced.

Renee Rouleau Honey Blossom Milk Bath ($27.50 for 9oz)
I moved into a new house recently and now have a deep soaking tub, so I've put it to good use lately with this nicely scented milk bath. Along with buttermilk powder and milk protein, this soothing soak has shea butter, honey extract, and real dried flower blossoms. I used mine more generously than the instructions suggested: I used several handfuls of the mixture rather than just one, and I think you'd want to, too. It makes the water, and your skin, very soft and fragrant.

Renee Rouleau Honey Blossom Body Lotion ($21.50 for 8oz)
For the total honey bath experience, this lotion leaves your skin divinely soft and silky, and smelling like honey and flowers. Dry skin will appreciate its soybean oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, and jojoba oil. I keep this one right on my bathroom counter with my bottle of Fresh Milk Chocolate lotion (for days when I feel the need for chocolate) and all my perfumes.

For more information on Renee Rouleau spa products, like her terrific Honey Tangerine Shower Gel, check out her site at reneerouleau.com.


 

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