About time that warm weather has arrived? Well, yes. It is. And with warm weather the jackets come off. But specifically, I was referring to someone finally coming out with a replacement for the absurdly expensive body lotion with mineral sunscreen I've been using. CerAve has a new one, and I can't wait to try it. Details coming soon.....
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Product Review - IS Extreme Protect SPF 30
I'm a total sunscreen geek. (Just thought I'd point that out, on the off chance that slipped by you.) Every year, a whole new batch hit the shelves, and since I go through multiple bottles over the course of spring and summer, I can go crazy trying out as many as I can get my paws on.
I was psyched to try the IS Extreme Protect SPF 30 after having fallen madly in love with the Clinical line's Hydra Cool Serum, even though it took me a while to figure out what the heck the difference was between Clinical and the not-Clinical line. Other than the not-Clinical line coming in different packaging.
PACKAGING: Fat white plastic bottle with a pump. PLUS. I had to think for a while before I decided to rate this a plus. Given the texture, and my pathological need to use every last iota of product, I'd normally prefer a tube. However, the clever folks at IS have pulled a fast one on the sunscreen-skimping general populace with this package (intentional or not), in that it dispenses a full teaspoon per pump. Ha! Tricks you into using the amount that will get you to that SPF 30 without my even nagging you.
TEXTURE: Medium thick white cream. Medium-low shine factor. Zero residue. The texture reads more 'sunscreen' than moisturizer, which took me aback initially, but again, this may be a strategy. I know any number of guys who will use sunscreen, but almost none who will consent to moisturize.
USAGE: Last step in the morning before makeup. Or by itself if you're zooming out the door, natch.
MIRACLE INGREDIENTS: Beloved Zinc Oxide at a concentration of 4.12%, Octinoxate at 5.5%; Vitamin E (hydrating); Aloe (anti-irritant and hydrating); Olive Leaf Extract (anti-oxidant); Centella Asiatica (anti-oxidant, with circulation-boosting potential); and Extremozymes. I have no idea what Extremozymes are, the IS team claims that they're enzymes that allow micro-organisms to survive in extreme environments, which then confer these miraculous protective capabilities on your skin. Got it?
Even without the extremeozyme thingies, this is an excellent, non-comedogenic sunscreen that moisturizes like a champ, while managing to be not at all greasy. For me, its huge that a moisturizer provides such great sun protection and I LOVE it that the bottles dispenses the right amount without the user having to think about it. Finally, there is something weirdly satisfying about the hefty, fat white bottle. I'll have to discuss that with my shrink but in the meantime, check it out!
I was psyched to try the IS Extreme Protect SPF 30 after having fallen madly in love with the Clinical line's Hydra Cool Serum, even though it took me a while to figure out what the heck the difference was between Clinical and the not-Clinical line. Other than the not-Clinical line coming in different packaging.
PACKAGING: Fat white plastic bottle with a pump. PLUS. I had to think for a while before I decided to rate this a plus. Given the texture, and my pathological need to use every last iota of product, I'd normally prefer a tube. However, the clever folks at IS have pulled a fast one on the sunscreen-skimping general populace with this package (intentional or not), in that it dispenses a full teaspoon per pump. Ha! Tricks you into using the amount that will get you to that SPF 30 without my even nagging you.
TEXTURE: Medium thick white cream. Medium-low shine factor. Zero residue. The texture reads more 'sunscreen' than moisturizer, which took me aback initially, but again, this may be a strategy. I know any number of guys who will use sunscreen, but almost none who will consent to moisturize.
USAGE: Last step in the morning before makeup. Or by itself if you're zooming out the door, natch.
MIRACLE INGREDIENTS: Beloved Zinc Oxide at a concentration of 4.12%, Octinoxate at 5.5%; Vitamin E (hydrating); Aloe (anti-irritant and hydrating); Olive Leaf Extract (anti-oxidant); Centella Asiatica (anti-oxidant, with circulation-boosting potential); and Extremozymes. I have no idea what Extremozymes are, the IS team claims that they're enzymes that allow micro-organisms to survive in extreme environments, which then confer these miraculous protective capabilities on your skin. Got it?
Even without the extremeozyme thingies, this is an excellent, non-comedogenic sunscreen that moisturizes like a champ, while managing to be not at all greasy. For me, its huge that a moisturizer provides such great sun protection and I LOVE it that the bottles dispenses the right amount without the user having to think about it. Finally, there is something weirdly satisfying about the hefty, fat white bottle. I'll have to discuss that with my shrink but in the meantime, check it out!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
This Is Not a Product Review
But it would be if I had tested the product for the proper period of time. Even though it isn't an actual review, the effects (overnight) were so remarkable, I had to report.
L moved to a very, very dry climate about a year ago. At the same time, she changed a part of her routine that caused her to start breaking out pretty badly. Like most people who suffered from teenage acne, she launched a full-on assault with every harsh astringent, peel, and anti-microbial she could load into her CVS basket. The result? Dry, red, cracked skin. With acne.
Even if you break out as an adult, it is unlikely that oil is the primary culprit, as our skins produce less and less oil over time. In a dry environment, with all oil stripped away from the surface, this leads to massive dehydration and a compromised barrier, and ultimately a reduced ability to repair itself. Or, the situation that L found herself in.
I busted out a sample of Sunday Riley's Good Genes, and insisted that she try it. I had a vague (stress on vague, this all happened at 3 or so in the morning) recollection that it contained a high concentration of lactic acid and, um, other stuff, which would not only help to turn over the affected skin more quickly, but decongest and pack a wallop of hydration. On top of that, a very thin layer of YonKa Creme PG for any active breakouts, and those lurking that I couldn't see yet.
Lo and behold, the next morning, a visible difference. Reduced redness. Much smoother. Just...calmer looking, and even a bit plumper. (If that makes sense.)
I've been a fan of Creme PG for a zillion years, but Good Genes warrants further investigation. Stay tuned.
L moved to a very, very dry climate about a year ago. At the same time, she changed a part of her routine that caused her to start breaking out pretty badly. Like most people who suffered from teenage acne, she launched a full-on assault with every harsh astringent, peel, and anti-microbial she could load into her CVS basket. The result? Dry, red, cracked skin. With acne.
Even if you break out as an adult, it is unlikely that oil is the primary culprit, as our skins produce less and less oil over time. In a dry environment, with all oil stripped away from the surface, this leads to massive dehydration and a compromised barrier, and ultimately a reduced ability to repair itself. Or, the situation that L found herself in.
I busted out a sample of Sunday Riley's Good Genes, and insisted that she try it. I had a vague (stress on vague, this all happened at 3 or so in the morning) recollection that it contained a high concentration of lactic acid and, um, other stuff, which would not only help to turn over the affected skin more quickly, but decongest and pack a wallop of hydration. On top of that, a very thin layer of YonKa Creme PG for any active breakouts, and those lurking that I couldn't see yet.
Lo and behold, the next morning, a visible difference. Reduced redness. Much smoother. Just...calmer looking, and even a bit plumper. (If that makes sense.)
I've been a fan of Creme PG for a zillion years, but Good Genes warrants further investigation. Stay tuned.
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