Have you heard of Cosmedix?  This line claims to be the answer to a healthy complexion without irritation (who wouldn’t want that??). An advanced cosmeceutical line works to enhance the physiology of the skin through the use of only the most purified, chirally correct and effective ingredients that are safe and beneficial for the skin. Know as the chirally correct pioneer, CosMedix is the choice dermatologists, physicians and aestheticians worldwide for enhanced treatment results.  Learn more about chirality here.  Thei latest body line is just what the doctor ordered for a beach body ready back side in no time.

CosMedix Body Revolution Collection is formulated with a degree of care and efficacy usually reserved for the complexion and reverses the signs of aging for head-to-toe skin health.  The chirally correct, medical-strength formulation safely absorbs into the body to produce an inside-out change (something we are all looking for).

• Body Shape: Just in time for summer, this anti-aging, body-firming lotion tightens, smoothes and repairs dull and damaged skin. Developed to treat cellulite, stretch marks, signs of aging caused by sun damage and sensitive skin conditions, Cosmedix Body Shape is a multi-tasking total body anti-aging solution.

• Body Build: Give skin a healthy workout with Body Build. Working deep within the skin, this product stimulates and restructures, restoring the body’s youthful glow. Fortified with L-retinol AGP, Body Build literally builds the skin by stimulating cell regeneration and reversing splotchy, dull, sun damaged and discolored skin.

• Body Clean: The revolution begins with Body Clean - a gentle yet effective cleanser and exfoliator. Key ingredients include L-lactic acid, which softens and exfoliates, and soothing shea butter. Body Clean is free of harsh ingredients like sodium laurel sulfate.

• Body Lift: No body transformation could be complete without the professional application of Body Lift. Specifically developed to treat skin conditions of the body, this all-over peel will firm, tighten, lighten and brighten. Containing a hefty dose of L-lactic acid and L-retinol AGP, as well as pomegranate and green tea, Body Lift works deep within the skin to soften, exfoliate and encourage the growth of fresh, young cells.

All products are now available at www.cosmedix.com.

Image:  Cosmedix

Looking for an anti-aging  moisturizer but have yet to find one that cooperates with your sensitive skin?  Clinique Youth Surge SPF 15 is just the ticket. This revolutionary formula features antioxidants such as polygonum cuspidatum (better known as Japanese knotweed) root extract, algae extract, birch bark extract and linoleic acid.  It also contains a patent-pending Sirtuin activation technology, which has been proven to help slow down the visible signs of aging while simultaneously promoting natural cellular repair.

With anti-glycation science, collagen boosters and UVA/UVB SPF 15 sun protection, Youth Surge is a comprehensive anti-aging skin care product that enables skin to prevent and repair the signs of aging simultaneously.  One of the biggest enemies and contributors to visible aging is sun exposure.  The SPF in Youth Surge contains photo-stable UV protection that helps skin resist premature aging by helping to guard against the UVA “aging” rays which cause future lines and wrinkles.

Youth Surge SPF 15 Age Decelerating Moisturizer is available in three skin-typed formulas:

• Very Dry to Dry – a luxuriously, velvety cream that delivers intense moisture while providing comfort and cushion.
• Dry Combination – an ultra soft, emollient cream with a whipped texture to moisturize and protect skin, leaving it soft and supple.
• Combination Oily to Oily – an exceptionally lightweight cream delivering moisture where it is needed most, leaving skin soft, smooth and feeling fresh. Oil-free.

As with all Clinique products, this is allergy tested, 100% fragrance free, dermatologist tested and non-acnegenic.

Suggested Retail Price: $48.50.

Youth Surge SPF 15 Age Decelerating Moisturizer is available now at Clinique counters nationwide and at www.clinique.com.

Image: Clinique

When I was in New York last September for Fashion Week, I had the pleasure of getting my skin mapped by Dermalogica.  Just so you know, I just turned 42 this past April so I am excited about any skin care that will do anything to keep my skin looking good!  I was introduced to their anti-aging line called Age-Smart.  The line is formulated for mature and prematurely aging skin.  I have always been a fan of skincare that is formulated by dermatologists because they have science behind them.  This line is amazing because it strips away all the fragrance and extras and gives you just great skin care.  This would be great for skin that has sun damage and also ideal for sensitive skin because of the lack of fragrance.

Allure magazine says, ” The peptides and glucosamine in Dermalogica’s Age Smart target integral damage before it becomes visible to the naked eye.“  I have used it for 3 months and have noticed a significant difference in the texture of my skin.  The line is a bit pricey BUT it works.  get your feet wet with the starter kit and see if you like it.

• Skin Resurfacing Cleanser
• Anti Oxidant Hydramist
• Map 15 Regenerator
• Multivitamin Power Concentrate
• Multivitamin Thermafoliant
• Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque
• Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 30
• Super Rich Repair
• Power rich
• Multivtitamin Power Firm
• Renewal Lip Complex

Image: Dermalogic

So many people are affected by Rosacea, and the care that they recieve is not always the best.  To find out more on this skin care issue I consulted with  Anouchka Ferrer, a licensed esthetician with 30 years in the skin care industry, and to get the real scoop. First of all, Anouchka made it very clear that “it is not acne.” Understandably, there is a lot of confusion between rosacea & acne because they often look alike.  Even though, as it progresses, rosacea develops papules and pustules that create pimples resembling acne.

Acne is actually a disorder of the sebaceous gland accompanied by blackheads and whiteheads over the face, neck, decollete and back.  Rosacea is a vascular disease that affects only the face and displays no blackheads.  Unfortunately, some people are genetically predisposed to Rosacea like those with thin fragile skin who have an Irish, English or Scottish background.  Lately though, more and more people seem to be affected as well, even those with a light olive complexion.

Unfortunately even knowing who is likely to get it, still doesn’t help to find the cause of Rosacea. However, we do know that it is a weakness of the capillaries which causes them to become permanently dilated over time.  Rosacea appears in a butterfly shape on the cheeks, chin, forehead and nose.  It is characterized by a persistent redness & flushing, scaliness & papules.  People with Rosacea should not smoke since smoking destroys Vitamin C & tightens capillaries which prevents circulation of the blood.  Anouchka also recommends avoiding the sun at all costs, and to always wear SPF. Try to avoid hot showers and baths, saunas, and, oh no, spicy foods.

Here is Anouchka’s Facial Regiment for anyone with Rosacea or even a mild case:  Use a gentle cleanser, followed by a toner without alcohol or any aggressive ingredients, and make sure to use creams with anti-inflammatory & anti-irritant ingredients (such as chamomile, licorice root extracts and allantoin).

Vitamin C, an antioxidant that promotes collagen synthesis is also very beneficial as it strengthens the capillaries and is vital in supporting the skins auto-immune system. Vitamin A is an anti-oxidant which normalizes cell turn over for Rosacea along with Vitamin E an anti-inflammatory & free radical catcher.  All help in alleviating rosacea conditions. Pevonia, Kinerase and Dr. Grandel all offer excellent skincare products to help calm and to a certain extent, control Rosacea.  In extreme cases of rosacea, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist.

Do not confuse rosacea with “couperose,” which is a very mild case of dilated capillaries on the cheeks and is not accompanied by a diffuse redness and flushing like rosacea.

For more information on Rosacea, and your skin care concerns, you can email Anouchka: anouchka@roadrunner.com

image credit: The petcenter.com

March Madness continues at Splendicity all month long and here is another opportunity for you to win something really great. Rx Systems is giving away its Anti-Aging Skin Care System filled with amazing products enriched with Glypoic Complex which uniquely couples the nature of Glycolic Acid with the restorative benefits of the powerful Antioxidant, Alpha Lipoic Acid.

The Anti-Aging Skin Care System from Rx Systems

The System contains 2oz of Reparative Cleanser, 0.5oz Reparative Cream 1 (or 1oz Reparative Lotion 1) and 0.5oz Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30. It is gentle enough to use everyday, and contains four to six weeks of applications, depending upon usage. In just a few weeks you will begin to see a noticeable reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as an improvement in the tone, texture, and color.

This Kit sells for $39 but is yours absolutely free! Yes, that’s what I said, free:-) To win simply leave a comment and tell me “why you just have to have this”. You have 24 hours to enter and I will be selecting one winner at random on the afternoon of March 18th.

Good luck to everyone, and as always thank you, thank you, thank you for keeping Aging Fabulous on your beauty radar.

xx,

B

image credit: Rx Systems

We put on our face cream every morning but how many of us forget our neck and decollete area? I know there were plenty of days when I did, but ever since I started using Somme Institutes Neckline I make sure to pamper not only my face but my neck & decollete too. Did you know that the neck and chest have very thin, delicate skin that can easily be damaged by too much sun.

Neckline which it the latest addition to this already amazing skin care line contains a breakthrough complex of scientifically advanced ingredients that you will not find in any other serious skincare lines available. It is fragrance free and instantly tightens, while firming, hydrating, and best of all improving the appearance of neck lines, ugh…crepiness, even more ugh, and hyper-pigmentation/sun-damage over time.

MDT5 the key element to Neckline reduces fine lines and wrinkles, promotes resiliency, hydration, and cell renewal. It contains Vitamin A, which prevents elastin from breaking down too quickly, Glycolic Acid, a gentle exfoliant that assists with product penetration, and Theophyllisilane C for discolorations. Regu-Age, breaks the accumulation of fat around the neck, prevents further fat deposit, and improves collagen and elastin production for firmer skin.

I have been using Neckline for a little over two months and have already noticed how much firmer my neck and decollete look. The Somme Institute Skin Care Line was also one of my Top 10 beauty favorites for 2008

xx,

B

image credit: Somme Institute

This is one hydrating mask that has made its way into more celebrity and beauty editor’s beauty regimes. Calm Yourself from Mark, I just love the name, is fantastic! and I have to agree. At just $7 a tube you’ll feel like you’ve taken a yoga class for your face. Loaded with antioxidants and moisturizers to immediately increase your skins moisture, and help to improve your overall complexion.

As we gear up for the Grammy’s this weekend and the Academy’s soon to follow, everyone is buzzing in town about whose doing what and where are they going for their pre-spa, beauty and skin care treatments. My sister and I have been running around from one event to another checking out the latest products from Botox for the hands, to a new treatment for diminishing cellulite and tightening the skin. This little tube has come in handy for all of those late nights with little sleep and way too much coffee.

xx,

B

image credit: Mark Cosmetics

Every time I hear about another skin care product promising to give your skin a youthful boost and fill out all of those lines, each with their own story, I am so there. I work hard everyday to defy the signs of aging because honestly, I am not ready to go under the knife. Many women at my age have, but I am holding off for as long as I can.

Thanks to shows like NipTuck that are so explicit in all of their medical procedures I am even more put off by what goes on and have become a blogging crusader in discovering beauty products that are giving plastic surgery a run for its money. TNS Line Refine is one of them. Created to visibly fill in the lines around the eyes, mouth, and crow’s feet while providing long term anti-aging benefits, even after using just once I noticed a difference.

TNS instantly relaxes facial expression lines, and softens their appearance with light reflectors that conceal skin imperfections at the same time. A tube will cost you $70, but a little goes a long way and the results are worth the investment.

xx,

B

image credit: SkinMedica

The gel formula in this gentle eye make-up remover from Avene makes it easier to remove all traces of make-up around the delicate eye area. If your eyes are sensitive, easily irritated, or you wear contact lenses then this is the product for you ladies. One swipe takes off all of your eye makeup without leaving any oily residue. It safely removes even waterproof eye make-up while soothing and hydrating the sensitive eye area.

Avene has been featured in InStyle, Allure, Life & Style and Healthy Aging Magazine just to name a few.They has a fabulous line of skin care products that are definitely worth checking out. I love their Soothing Eye Contour Cream. You can usually spot their eye make-up remover and eye cream backstage during fashion week, as many of the models come from other shows where the make-up needs to be removed quickly.

All of their products are available at Spalook.com and Drugstore.com

xx

image credit: Aveneusa.com

Cate Blanchett swears by this product that was introduced to her several years ago by a close friend. Since then she has become the face of SK-II Skin Care and and says it is part of her beauty ritual. Some women have even called it their “miracle Water”.

Facial Treatment Essence

The miracle ingredient Pitera, found in all SK-II products, helps restore vital balance by promoting the skin’s natural 28-day surface renewal process. First discovered in a Japanese sake brewery almost 30 years ago when it was noticed that the older workers who handled the fermented sake had remarkably youthful looking hands.

The “age-defying” phenomenon prompted extensive research which resulted in Pitera. An exclusive blend of vitamins, minerals, organic and amino acids, which work together to help rejuvenate the skins appearance.  With over 90% pure Pitera, Facial Treatment Essence is the ‘heart’ of every SK-II Skincare ritual, drenching the skin and raising the moisture levels instantly.The result is clearer, smoother, more radiant-looking skin.

SK-II is available in Bloomingdales & Saks Fifth Ave, in store and online.

image credits: Newscom.com, SK-II