Exuviance OptiLight Tone Corrector

I have been a fan of Neostrata products for a fair amount of time and was curious about their moisturizers and Vitamin C products. This specific product drenches skin with moisture, while brightening (turmeric yes please!), gently exfoliating with NeoGlucosamine. A combination of Retinol and stable Vitamin C gently fade existing dark marks. Like any brighteners, this product should be use religiously with SPF 30+ on a daily basis. Sunscreen will keep those pesky marks from re-darkening and allow the product begin it's work on your skin. The hydroquinone free formula guarantees your skin is in good care and the many antioxidants provided improves the health of your skin.

I was pleasantly surprised by the citrus smell of this yellow lotion and enjoyed it so much, I have incorporated it into my evening hand moisturizer. This powerhouse brightening formula is excellent for sun damage and acne scarring! Upon first application, my skin instantly looked brighter and felt hydrated and loved. I highly recommend for those with sun damage and acne scarring!

Products Available at Ulta & Neostrata $65 1 oz.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Acetyl Glucosamine, PEG-8, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Propylene Glycol Hydroxystearate, Nylon-12, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Arginine, Retinol, Citric Acid, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tocopheryl (Vitamin E) Acetate, Glycerin, Melissa Officinalis (Lemon Balm) Leaf Extract, Veronica Officinalis Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustfolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris (Lady's Mantle) Extract, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower/Leaf Extract, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract, Hedychium Spicatum Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Extract, Gardenia Tahitensis Flower Extract, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Polianthes Tuberosa Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Steareth-20, Ceteth-20, Polysorbate 20, PEG-75 Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, CI 19140 (Yellow 5), CI 17200 (Red 33).



Product provided by Neostrata. This review is my honest opinion.

Elta MD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer & UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40

A leader in protecting and maintaining healthy skin, Elta MD has been a favorite over the years. This line makes sure to include ingredients that will give your skin long term benefits and prevent skin cancer by use of physical sunblock. I have tried numerous products over the years post peel or in colder weather, but Elta MD has been reliable in hydrating my skin without fragrance and irritants. This season, I tried the two new products and loved them both! My skin has taken a dramatic turn from greasy to complete dehydration and these products have helped my skin repair itself. If your skins is over exfoliated, over processed these products were made to heal and protect vulnerable skin like yours.

Elta MD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer $30 1.7 oz
Hydration has become an important step in my skincare regime to maintain some balance and this takes the cake. The formulation is not to heavy or light, making it an option for someone with extremely oily skin or parched skin. I used it following a peel and didn't have any burning or redness. My skin felt comforted by the many hydrating and healing ingredients including, niacinamide (Vitamin B3 evens skin tone), Thioctic acid, Vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid. Ceramides strengthen the skins moisture barrier, allowing it absorb other hydrating ingredients in this moisturizer. It glides onto skin, doesn't ball up, and feels like silk on the skin. Other brands contain these skin ingredients to heal and protect the skin, but this product delivers it without irritants. This multifunctional moisturizer will help your skin rebound from dehydration, traveling, peels, and sun exposure.

Elta MD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 (Tinted) $25 1.7 oz.
This tinted spf contains 9% transparent Zinc Oxide  and 7.5% Octinoxate, offering skin a solid shield against the suns damaging rays. The light bronze tint was a little too light for me. Vitamin E fights free radical damage, hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines. There was no residue, oily feeling, or tight feeling (which is quite common in spf.) My dehydrated skin liked this formulation. It is recommended for normal, combination and post procedure skin. I am pretty picky about spf and this sunscreen can be used around the eyes without any stinging sensation and is a great option for those wanting to quickly even out their skin tone.


Products provided by Elta MD.

Holy Grail Products Safe for Acne Prone Skin & Hair

1) Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel for hair (must be clear, dyes are drying & irritating).

2) Pure Aloe Juice for skin & hair. Brand does not matter, just make sure it's 100% aloe.  Both are great for natural & curly hair!

3) Bain De Terre All Day Straight Safflower Smoothing Gel.  Can be used for curly hair or a blow out. My all time favorite gel, very light, silky, no flakiness, crunchiness, oil, not drying on hair, allows my short curls to pop. There is Amodimethicone in this gel, but I have never experienced clogged pores with this gel.

4) Neostrata Antibacterial Facial Cleanser kills acne bacteria, lightly exfoliates, hydrates (even oily skin needs it), doesn't strip skin, is soothing and fragrance free making it perfect for the most sensitive skin!

5) Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash Pink Grapefruit is the only Neutrogena product I will use.  It effectively clear body breakouts, I use this everyday with a exfoliating glove.  Don't over use, it will dehydrate skin, the reason why I do not use their other products.  You just need a quarter size for back, chest and shoulders.

6) Retin-A Cream 0.05% prescription.  I apply every night to face & neck.

7) Clarisonic Cleansing Brush 2x a day. I can't stress this enough.

8) Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation.

9) Alima Pure Mineral Makeup.  Absolutely no pore cloggers or irritants.

10) 100% Tea Tree Oil is a great spot treatment, for irritated hair follicles.  Avoid eyes and can be diluted with water.

11) Murad Acne Skin Perfecting Lotion has been the only moisturizer I can use without breakouts.  For evening hydration or under spf for day if you need extra moisture.

12) Murad Acne Spf 20 moisturizer for Daily use every morning.


Avoid: Silicone, "cones", silica, ALL oils (except tea tree & geranium oil), Neutrogena products.
Refer to the Zero Zits list, which provides a list of pore clogging ingredients.  Print it out & carry in your purse if you have to- it can safe you money and future breakouts!  Check your current products for their pore clogging capacity, I just found out my blush was causing irritation and clogging.

Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer SPF 30 Sensitive Skin

The answer to my SPF prayers, Olay delivers with a light, non greasy SPF with no white cast, doesn't cause breakouts or irritate eyes and is under $15!  I've tried an array of brands and stunned this is my favorite. My oily skin does not feel greasy, heavy or like a oil slick.  I can apply this SPF on my eyelids and under eyes with absolutely no burning or tears!  Apply SPF 30 daily to face, neck, chest, ears and all exposed areas.  Recommended for everyone including extremely sensitive skin, acne prone and oily skin

"Gives your skin complete care, providing everything it needs most to stay beautiful, plus extra protection against sun damage in a light, non-greasy formula."-Olay

Key Features:

• Contains both Physical UV blockers (Zinc oxide) & Chemical UV blockers (Octo, Octi, Octin).
• Light, non greasy cream formula.
• Does not clog pores or cause breakouts.
• NO white cast and absorbs well into hydrated skin.
• Replenishes moisture and contains Vitamin E, Green Tea, Aloe.
• 100% PABA free.

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate (7.5%), Zinc Oxide (6%), Octisalate (2.5%), Octocrylene (2.5%).

$10-$15
Available @ all drugstores

Update 1/20/13: I experienced dehydrated skin, minimal moisture, some irritation and clogged pores- the hunt for my perfect spf continues.  I have since tried The Spf 15 version and my dark marks have returned.

Skinceuticals Sheer SPF 50

"A groundbreaking first-to-market mattifying fluid with transparent finish, this paraben-free, all-physical filter sunscreen provides increased protection in an ultra-sheer texture for all skin types, even very sensitive. Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 offers the photoprotection of trusted broad-spectrum, physical filters, zinc oxide (Z-COTE) and titanium dioxide, and is enhanced by artemia salina, a plankton extract, to increase the skin’s defenses and resistance to UV and heat stress.  The unique ‘shake then apply’ action assures even distribution of active ingredients in this silky sheer fluid that dries quickly and leaves no residue."-Skinceuticals 

I wanted to love this, but the white cast is ridiculous and makes my foundation look HORRIBLE.  Great UVA/UVB sun protection with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.  It took some time to get used to it and find a way to get rid of the white cast- I've given up on this SPF.  I mixed moisturizer and this spf in the palm of my hand to warm it up and it spreads easily onto skin.  The fact that it is liquid makes it lightweight, easier to absorb and less likely to clog pores.  I had a few clogged pores on my neck and jaw. Suitable for FAIR, sensitive, oily, acne prone skin.  I do NOT suggest for brown skin (the white cast is terrible.)

Pros:

• Provides non-chemical UVA/UVB protection (contains zinc oxide & titanium dioxide)
• Matte Finish.
• Non-comedogenic and Paraben free
• Liquid formulation

Cons:

• Leaves a very noticeable white cast on brown skin (try mixed with moisturizer.)
• Contains dimethicone (can prevent skin from breathing and breakouts.)

Update 5/11/12:  This SPF must be mixed with a moisturizer to diminish white cast.  I tried mixing  equal parts spf & moisturizer, but it still leaves a unnatural white cast on my bronze skin.

$28-$32

50 ml

Bottom line: A good SPF for fair skin tones.

*Daily (that means rain or shine, indoors & outdoors) use of SPF 30+ will prevent sun damage:age spots, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles and the general visual signs of aging.  SPF should be reapplied  every 2-3 hours and MUST be reapplied at the beach or during water activities.  NO SPF IS WATER RESISTANT OR WATERPROOF.

*Update: 1/22/13
I experienced irritation, a white/blue cast and clogged pores.

Lady J's Favorite Primers for Acne Prone & Oily Skin

• Tarte Recreate Sillicone free Primer $32 
• Ulta Hydro Primer $22
• Derma-e Vitamin A Pore Refining Gel $14

Lady J's Favorite Primers for Acne Prone & Oily Skin by ladyjskincare featuring heart shaped jewelry

Plastic Bat heart shaped jewelry
£6 - hannahzakari.co.uk

Korres Face Primer 1.01 oz
$28 - sephora.com

Clinique 'Pore Refining Solutions' Instant Perfector
$18 - nordstrom.com