Super Antioxidant Moisturizer!

Skin Script Acai Berry Moisturizer   ($30)                 

As most of you know from reading my prior reviews, I’ve been using the Skin Script line of skin care products lately, and have been very happy with them.  My skin looks and feels awesome, even now as the drying winter weather is setting in.   The tight, dry skin on my hands is a different story . . . but I digress.  

Just when I think that my skin care regimen can’t get any better, Skin Script has developed an amazing new moisturizer packed full of the antioxidant “superfood”, the acai berry.   Acai berries are grown in the Amazon rainforest, and are popping up these days in everything from concentrated juice to dietary supplements.  They are a tremendous source of antioxidants, which have been clinically proven to combat the signs of premature aging and to protect the skin against the environmental damage that we all encounter every day.   Skin Script’s Acai Berry Moisturizer also contains vitamins B, C & E, as well as aloe for added hydration and Co-Q10 to minimize fine lines and wrinkles.  All I know is that this moisturizer feels like silk on my skin.  It is rich and nourishing, without feeling heavy or greasy.   The Skin Script website says that this moisturizer is perfect for normal, combination, and sensitive skin.  I think that it would be great for anybody, especially during the winter months that can wreak such havoc on our skin. 

You can check out the brand-new Acai Berry Moisturizer and the rest of the Skin Script line at www.skinscriptrx.com

Denise’s Skin Care Quest continues . . .

New skin care line ALERT! www.skinscriptrx.com

Many of you will know that I am always on the hunt for the latest and greatest in skin care products. It seems that my quest for the perfect skin care regimen is never ending. Well, I’m happy to report that I’ve discovered a new line of products that have left my skin happy, glowing and renewed. And one of the best things about it is that the line’s creator, Lisa VanBockern, lives right here in Tempe, Arizona – so I can feel good about supporting a budding local woman-owned business too!

Skin Script is a line of professional grade products, which means that they can only be sold under the supervision of a skin care professional (i.e. a licensed aesthetician or a physician). These products have been designed using cutting edge chemistry and skin care research. But rest assured, Skin Script products are NOT tested on animals – which is an absolute must in my world. They are an amazing blend of natural botanicals, antioxidants, and effective active ingredients. As such, they are extremely effective and definitely results-oriented.

The Skin Script line has been developed to be “chirally correct”, which is something that I knew nothing about before I came across this line. Chirally correct basically means that the molecules in the active ingredients have been formulated so that they work with the molecules in your skin, not against them. They are designed so that they can be used by and integrated into skin cells, so that you reap the maximum benefits. For a much more cohesive description of this, check out the Skin Script website. I’ve learned a lot about the chemistry of the dermis (skin) from researching the Skin Script line, and I’m happy to pass along my findings to you!

I went to a local med spa and asked an aesthetician to design a skin care regimen for my normal to combination skin. Skin Script has products specifically designed for every skin type. I came home with the following products, and I’ve been using them for about three months now.

Cranberry Antioxidant Cleansing Gel ($27.00)

This is a great gentle, foaming cleanser for both morning and evening use. It’s packed with cranberry and green tea antioxidants which leave my skin radiant and clean, but not over-stripped at all. I never experience any tightness or drying with this cleanser, which is rare when it comes to foaming-type cleansers. Check out the Skin Script website for descriptions of all of the active ingredients in these products, such as Yucca Schidigera Leaf/Root/Stem Extract (to improve cell growth) and Litchi Chinesis Pericarp (Litchee) Extract (to aid in cellular regeneration and protection). I don’t know what half of these things are, but I can tell you that they are very effective — in a gentle, non-chemical way. This cleanser also smells great and lasts forever, since a dime-sized dollop is all you need for a nice, foamy face wash.

Pomegranate Antioxidant Creamy Cleanser ($24.50)

When the weather is cooler, I prefer to use a creamy cleanser to keep my skin from becoming too dry and dehydrated. The Skin Script Pomegranate Cleanser is the perfect soothing and nourishing cleanser. It leaves my skin soft and smooth, and never feels like it leaves behind any residue, which I have found with other creamy cleansers. This product is also packed with effective ingredients, my favorites of which are the grape seed and pomegranate extracts. I feel like my skin just had a refreshing botanical bath every time.

Retinol 2% Exfoliating Scrub ($43.00)

In the mornings, I use the Retinol Exfoliating Scrub in the shower; just to make sure that all of the little jojoba beads (used for gentle scrubbing) get completely rinsed away afterwards. This is a powerful cellular turnover scrub containing retinol (vitamin A) and kojic, which is a gentle skin lightener to reduce the signs of sun damage or even reduce the appearance of scars. I have never experienced any irritation from this mild scrub, and I use it just about every day. My skin always feels soft and glowing afterwards.

Cranberry Antioxidant Toner ($24.00)

Anybody who has read my reviews in the past knows that I am a devoted fan of toners. I just love the idea of a “clean sweep” if you will, after cleansing and before applying moisturizers and sunscreen. The Skin Script Cranberry Antioxidant Toner is a gentle yet effective step in my skin care regimen. At first I was a little freaked out by the color, which has sort of a yellow-orangeish hue to it, but now I’m used to it, and I realize that the color comes from the recipe of botanical ingredients that make up this soothing concoction. The Cranberry Antioxidant Toner would be great for all skin types.

Vitamin C/Green Tea Serum ($36.00)

I was going to save this one for last, since it’s my favorite product in the line, but I just couldn’t wait. This serum is amazing, and I say that because of the way my skin feels “the morning after”. I apply the vitamin C/green tea serum at night, under the Skin Script night moisturizer, so that my skin can drink it in overnight. When I wake up, my skin is so soft and supple; sometimes I just can’t believe it. As with all of the Skin Script products, this serum is chock-full of powerful antioxidants and other natural ingredients to encourage skin cell regeneration and repair. It contains Acetyl Octapeptide-3 to smooth and reduce the appearance of wrinkles in the “expression zones” of the face. Talk about a great alternative to injection therapy! I’ve noticed a brighter, firmer, and clearer complexion for sure. This stuff is a lifesaver.

Peptide Eye Serum ($30.00)

I don’t use eye creams or serums regularly, although I probably should. Skin Script’s Peptide Eye Serum is designed to reduce the appearance of dark circles and under-eye puffiness with a mixture of peptides and green tea antioxidants. I have noticed that the skin under my eyes is firmer and less puffy. As for my dark circles, well – I think they’re a lost cause. That’s why I love my concealer!

Ageless Skin Moisturizer ($15.00)

This is an awesome light, non-greasy moisturizer for all skin types. It contains aloe and Co-Q10 to stimulate collagen growth and tighten the elastin in skin. I find that I use quite a big of this moisturizer, which is fine by me. It leaves my skin soft and soothed any time of the day.

Night Moisturizer ($23.00)

I have talked often in the past about the feeling of “feeding my skin”, and that is exactly how I feel about using Skin Script’s night moisturizer. I pretty much slather my face in this great smelling cream before I hit the hay, and wake up with soft, nourished skin every day. It has a shea butter base, which is well known to be a rich and yet non pore-clogging hydrator for skin, as well as other amazing botanicals such as honey extract for its antibacterial and healing properties, and rose hip fruit oil to strengthen capillaries. Skin Script recommends this moisturizer for dryer, non-oily skin types.

Sunscreen Day Moisturizer ($34.00)

Skin Script also developed a moisturizer with SPF 36, which is a must for daytime use. The Skin Script replenishing sunblock contains micronized zinc and botanicals, and is perfect for daily use – even around the eyes! I call it the “pink cream” because of its distinctive pink coloring and rich consistency. A little bit of this moisturizer goes a long way, so this jar will last me forever. It goes on smooth and absorbs quickly into my skin, so it wears fine under makeup. And I can rest assured that I’m protecting my skin from the sun’s dangerous rays.

There is a list of authorized distributors on the Skin Script website who can help you to design a customized skin care regimen and get you the products that you need. And if you have other questions, you can always contact Lisa VanBockern or her staff at Skin Script directly. I have found them to be very helpful and hands-on. Lisa is a licensed aesthetician herself, and takes great pleasure in helping her clients to find the most beautiful version of themselves.

The Skin Script website has complete contact information, and tons of other interesting facts!

My Stress Cream was stressing me out!

It was Beauty Week at Neiman Marcus and I wanted some new fall skin care.  I’ve always had success with La Prairie so over to their counter I went.  The sales rep was very nice but not 100% up to speed with everything in the brand.  And, of course, she wanted me to try their new luxury item Cellular Cream Platinum Rare (at $1,000.00 a jar…so not for me in this economy or any economy!)  However, she did recommend the La Prairie Anti-Aging Stress Cream, different from their Swiss Care line, as the core is a herbal complex.  It had a bit of a smell, not offensive, but not really pleasant either.  Since the seasons are changing here in the northeast, I thought this was just the cream I was looking for.  Wrong!  After two days of using the cream, my face broke out and my skin was red.  Normally, I can go without wearing foundation, but I had to do some major covering during the rest of the week.  I don’t know if it was the mushroom complex in the cream or the Valerian Root extract, but it did not like my skin.  Needless to say, it’s going back.  However, I’m not giving up on La Prairie; their Foam Cleanser and Cellular Refining Toner are the best, and they just came out with a new marine biology collection that I might try.  And if that doesn’t do the job…that’s okay, I won’t stress out about it! 

- Marissa

Do you really need a $175 eye cream?

I hate getting lured into the wrinkle-free promise of an expensive cream, and for a few seconds, I often do. I want what it says it will do, I want it to work, yet I know it’s a promise that only delivers an empty wallet.

Think of what you could buy with $175

My most recent weakness - Chanel Sublimage Eye Essential Regenerating Eye Cream, for a whopping $175 for a half ounce jar. I must be crazy! I have a responsibility to discover if it’s really worth that much, so I dutifully apply, morning and night, until the jar is empty.

I feel like there should be so much more to the story, but unfortunately I got just what I expected: I still have wrinkles. My eyes look the same as they did before I started using Sublimage Eye. I still have fine lines. I still have dark circles. I still don’t look 25 anymore. These are all areas the cream promises to address (maybe not the part about not looking 25 anymore).

Not $175!

Do yourself a favor and save your money! A few weeks post-Chanel, I headed over to my local Walgreens drugstore and picked up at $25 tube of RoC Multi-Correxion Eye Treatment, to see if a drugstore brand could tackle the anti-aging job any better. While I think $25 is a little expensive for the drugstore, I already notice more improvement in my skin after just a few weeks using the RoC cream. Nothing dramatic - it’s still just a cream - but it imparts a nice soft glow and makes the rather wrinkly areas a little less noticeable. I look more rested (and trust me, I am not), and my skin looks brighter.

I also appreciate it that it works well with my other skincare (Care by Stella McCartney) and my foundation (Lancome Teint Idole Ultra) without clumping or pilling. It sinks right in with no greasiness or plastic-y residue. Finding this eye cream is a welcome reminder that RoC has some nice products that I may consider in the future.

- Heather