acne - A Girl's Gotta Spa! (sm) Top beauty blog, spa, hair care, makeup, beauty trends, skin care | A Girl's Gotta Spa! (sm) Top beauty blog, spa, hair care, makeup, beauty trends, skin care

NightCare Heel Treatment Kit Review

If you are a gal who tries to extend the life of a pedicure as long as possible, then you probably know the first thing that usually needs attention in between pedicures are your heels. I mean really, who has time to get pedicures weekly or even every Read more

Sun Bum Continuous Spray Sunscreen Review

With May being Skin Cancer/Melanoma Awareness month, now seems like the perfect time if any to talk sunscreen! As you may have read earlier this month, I was diagnosed with Melanoma just a couple of years ago. Life after Melanoma requires a lot more preparation when spending time Read more

Suave Moroccan Argan Styling Oil Review

Moroccan Oil is all the rage for the benefits of argan oil on both skin and hair. Suave's Moroccan Infusion line of hair care products aim to deliver incredible shine, softness and conditioning to your hair. I had the opportunity to try the new Moroccan Argan Styling Oil from Read more

EnvyDerm Lip Volumizing and Conditioning Plumper

As I get older I notice the collagen making a prompt exit from my lips leaving them looking lifeless and thin. The best way to combat thinning lips (or if you have thin lips to begin with) is to keep them hydrated and to use a lip plumper. When Read more

No3 Berry Face Oil Review

Can I use face oil if I have combination skin? Of course you can, simply avoid pore-clogging oils and use only the ones intended to moisturize your face. L.A. Christine's No3 Berry Face Oil is comprised of Lingonberry, raspberry and acai berry, yet smells of an herbally sweet concoction. High Read more
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acne

Review: Proactiv Oil Blotting Sheets

It’s been a hot, muggy summer here in NYC, and the time spent underground on the subway has taken a serious toll on my skin. I hate having to re-apply my makeup every time I emerge from the depths below (also known as the NQR line), so I’m always in the market for a quick fix.

Oil blotters are a great option for removing excess oil and pore-clogging dirt. Curently, I’m carrying around Proactiv’s Oil Blotting Sheets to take care of any midday shine that comes my way – and it’s been doing a great job so far. I was a loyal Proactiv customer in my youth (hel-lo, awkward teen years), so I already knew that it would work for me.  Read more

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Amanda Huggins in acne, beauty, skin care, Travel Beauty Leave a comment

Acne Treatment Review: Rx for Brown Skin Hydrating Acne Lotion and Acne Spot Treatment

My skin, for the most part, is pretty problem free but every once in a while…or more like once every month without fail…I tend to develop a serious case of acne that always seems to appear right before a big event or a photoshoot.  As soon as I notice that tiny red bump or feel that all too familiar tender spot on my skin, I start to attack it with lotions and potions intended to treat and prevent those bumps from transforming into pimples.  This plan of attack has resulted in one of two scenarios thus far; either it does not work and I just deal with a ginormous pimple for a few days…or a full week, or it works but also turns my skin into a dry flaky mess.

During this month’s battle of the breakouts, I used Rx For Brown Skins’ Clear Luminosity Acne Lotion and Precise Clarity Acne Spot Treatment as my weapons of choice and am ecstatic to say that I emerged victorious from this battle…finally.  The Clear Luminosity Acne Lotion did not leave my skin feeling dry and flaky like every other acne treatment lotion I’ve used in the past.  It was actually very hydrating and left my skin feeling softer and smoother, it also seemed to soothe my skin instead of irritating it.  The Precise Clarity Acne Spot Treatment helped to clear up my pimples, and while it was noticeably more drying than the lotion it still did not leave my skin a flaky, irritated mess.  With both of these products, the suggested application frequency is one to three times daily but I only needed to use it once a day and I generally used it at night, which worked out really well for me.   Read more

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Gail Lewis in acne, beauty, skin care Leave a comment

Review: LARA Polishing Microderm Abrasion for Sensitive Skin

I absolutely love traveling, there’s nothing better than seeing and experiencing new places and getting out of my comfort zone for a few days, weeks or as my last traveling adventure would have it…an entire month.  One of the pitfalls of traveling for me though is that my skin always throws a tantrum.  The change in temperature, altitude, different water and change in region causes my pores to become clogged and I break out like I am still going through puberty.  As mentioned above, the last trip I took lasted for an entire month and I thought that just maybe since it was a road-trip my skin would behave, but I thought wrong.  I once again had clogged skin, which led to breakouts which in turn led to acne scars…ughhh.  Just my luck that modeling season in Miami was in full swing and the week after returning home I had three castings lined up, I needed help big time.

I thought about doing a series of microdermabrasion treatments, but was scared that my skin would be even more irritated, peels were not an option either as I have yet to find one that is not too aggressive.  So I opted to try LARA Beauty Polishing Microderm Abrasion for sensitive skin.  LARA Beauty is a line of anti-aging skincare for sensitive skin that contains natural and botanical ingredients, clinically proven anti-aging  compounds, a blend of antioxidants and peptides and is also free of retinol, phthalates, synthetic color, synthetic fragrance, parabens, GMOs, petrochemicals, sulfates or triclosan.  With such a cocktail of goodies, I hoped my skin would return to its usual clear, glowy state and the acne scars that I had picked up on my travels would begin to fade.

It’s important to also state that before exfoliating with the Polishing Microderm Abrasion, I could clearly see the blackheads that were clogging my pores.  I could not be happier with this scrub/polishing treatment.  It did not feel  abrasive or rough on my skin at all.  After using it, my skin looked immediately brighter and a lot more refreshed.  My face also felt smoother, I could no longer see, nor feel, the blackheads that were very noticeable before using the Polishing Microderm Abrasion.  The tiny acne scars that are a result of me picking at my face (I know a big no no but I always think it’ll be better if I pick…yet another habit to break) are still present but they do seem to be slowly fading, I think exfoliating twice a week for the next month will definitely erase them.

I absolutely love the Polishing Microderm Abrasion and cannot wait to see how a few other products from this line perform.  One thing I did forget to mention is that LARA Beauty also lists each ingredient used in their products so that you can test for allergies and also better understand why their products work the way they do…definitely a fan of this skincare line. Have you used it?

For more anti-aging tips and advice, Safer Cosmetic Surgery offers a range of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

*Disclosure, press samples, ad

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Gail Lewis in acne, anti-aging, beauty, skin care Leave a comment

Salma Hayek Nuance Spot Correcting Treatment

I recently got to know Salma Hayek’s new Nuance range by starting with the Facial Serum.  After three weeks, I gave up on it, concluding that it nothing for me. Nothing bad, but nothing good. Just nada. I wasn’t surprised that the touted skin lightening didn’t happen, but it didn’t even moisturize. Still I feel that I should give Salma Hayek the benefit of the doubt and so I’ve been looking at a more targeted product in the range, the Salma Hayek Nuance Correcting Spot Treatment 10% Sulfur ($16.99).

Although I haven’t tried it, Nuance Correcting Spot Treatment looks as if it may be an effective and well-priced treatment for zapping zits. The key active is sulfur at a 10% concentration, plus a couple of clays that will help control oily breakout-prone skin.

Sulfur has a mild antifungal and antibacterial activity, yet its precise mechanism of action on acne is unknown. Some researchers, according SkinCarePhysicians.com, believe sulfur can actually make acne worse by promoting blackhead and whiteheads through increased cell adhesion and can be a little drying to the skin. However, a double-blind study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, done over six weeks on acne-free volunteers, found that after applying a 5% it didn’t clog the skin (the study did not say whether it helped with acne). Overall, though most studies show sulfur to be successful in the treatment of acne and rosacea as well as safe (dryness and irritation can be experienced though).

There are a few of Salma Hayek’s signature botanicals, including mimosa (albizzia julibrissin), which seems to have exciting possibilities as a free radical scavenger that is more potent than L-ascorbic acid, and cactus pear (opuntia).  However, since they were also in the Facial Serum that I tested to no avail, I suspect that they are in quantities too small to be effective.

One really off-putting ingredient is the magnesium-aluminum-silicate, especially as this comes high up the ingredient list. Generally concentrations must be limited since there is a known risk of any ingredient containing aluminum compounds, which are neurotoxins. At the end, thankfully, is o-cymen-5-ol, a neurotoxin that is restricted in Japan and Europe.

Ingredients: Sulfur 10%, water, glycerin, bentonite, kaolin, magnesium aluminum silicate, octyldodecyl neopentanoate, sorbitan stearate, butylene glycol, glyceryl stearate, xanthan gum, isopropyl myristate, shea butter, aloe extract, green tea extract, albizia julibrissin bark extract, opuntia ficus indica stem extract, physalis angulata extract, agave, tequilana extract, zinc glyconate, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, o-cymen-5-ol

For more honest reviews and information about beauty and personal care products, visit Truthinaging.com


Posted on November 1, 2011 by Marta Wohrle in acne, beauty, skin care Leave a comment

Murad Acne Complex Kit

With a hint of insomnia last night, I lay awake transfixed on an infomercial for a new acne treatment called Murad Acne Complex. It is not endorsed by big name celebrities that I have never believed to have skin care issues to begin with, it is endorsed by real users of the product. The before and after pictures were quite amazing, however, I realize that in this day and age “touch ups” happen all the time. From an untrained eye, I cannot tell if these are true-to-life before and after pictures or a little bit doctored. The only thing obvious to me is that they were makeup-less in the before picture and done up in the after picture. What is undeniable is that their acne is gone.

The Acne Complex system is designed by Howard Murad, a board certified dermatologist and trained pharmacist.

The Acne Complex consists of a Clarifying Cleanser with Green Tea and Salicylic Acid, the Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel with Glycolic Acid and Retinol and the Skin Perfecting Lotion that contains Retinol, Queen of Meadow Extract and Arnica.

How they say it works:

The Clarifying Cleanser: Salicylic Acid clears skin and helps prevent future breakouts and the Green Tea Extract and Menthol calm and cool irritated skin.

The Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel: Patented delivery system allows for maximum treatment penetration, while the Retinol and Glycolic Acid exfoliate to control breakouts.

The Acne Spot Treatment: Treats breakouts while promoting healing with anti-inflammatory ingredients that soothe and reduce redness.

The Skin Perfecting Lotion: Retinol and Queen of Meadow Extract reduce oil production and tighten pores. Arnica helps to heal and calm irritated skin.

The kit costs about $60. Has anyone used this? If so, what are your thoughts?

*Disclosure

Posted on July 14, 2006 by Shannon Nelson in acne, beauty, skin care 3 Comments
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