Dr. Gross Alpha Beta Daily Facial Peel

I recently tried a few samples of these peels and I really liked them.  It is a peel you can use daily, so it isn't anything drastic that makes you peel like crazy.  But at the same time, it is powerful enough to take that dead skin off your face and make it feel super fresh and clean.

The towelettes are pre-soaked, so application is super easy.  You just rub the pads on your face until they are dry... and voila, you're done!  My skin had never felt more clean after using these for a few days.  (I must note that I did not use them consecutively.  Due to the fact that I use other anti-aging products pretty rigorously I did not want to overdo it.  I used them every other day.)

They are a little pricey, but for the convenience and quickness of these, they are totally worth it!  You can purchase a set of 30 treatments or as little as 5.

Purchase:

• Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta(R) Peel Original Formula 5 Treatments

Obagi Exfoderm Forte

A product I cannot live without...

Adding Obagi Exfoderm Forte to your current skincare routine will be the best thing that ever happened to your skin.  I currently use Rodan + Fields products, and adding this stuff (an oldie but goody- I used with the Obagi system previously) definitely helps my R+F products work more effectively.  

Because Exfoderm Forte is 6% Glycolic Acid and 4% Lactic Acid, I do not use it every day... I stick to every other day or every 2 days- it really depends on the sensitivity of my skin.

Although it says to use in the a.m., I use it at night.  My routine is as follows:  R+F daily cleansing mask, R+F Toner, Exfoderm Forte (I let it absorb for a few minutes), R+F Night Renewal Serum, R+F p.m. renewing cream and eye cream.  The Exfoderm Forte has DEFINITELY made my Night Renewal Serum more effective!!

As I've said before, exfoliation of your skin is KEY.  Read more about the importance of exfoliating your skin in this post (it also includes my favorite scrub!).  Exfoderm Forte ensures that your skin cells are turning over more rapidly with its alpha hydroxy acids and helps your other skincare products penetrate better.

The Break Down:

• contains a high percentage of alpha hydroxy acids: (6% Glycolic Acid; 4% Lactic Acid)
• exfoliates dead skin cells
• smoothes and tones skin
• helps with fine lines
• great for dull skin
• avoid eye area
• for normal to oily skin (try Obagi Exfoderm for normal to dry skin)
• helps other products penetrate more deeply

PURCHASE w/ Free Shipping:

• Obagi Exfoderm Forte  
• (you can also purchase from a dermatologist or other doctor's office; this is a link to get a discounted price on Amazon... my friend and I have both ordered separately from this Amazon vendor, and the product was not expired and the exact same you get from the doctor!)
• If you have dry skin:  Obagi Exfoderm

About my Rodan + Fields skincare regimen:

• My Secret to Amazing Skin
• Purchase Rodan + Fields Products HERE (I use the REDEFINE... in love with the entire system!)

Oh snap. Clarisonic Sale for $99!

Guys, Sephora has the Clarisonic Mia on sale for $99.00!! (While supplies last; with free shipping)

Seriously, the Clarisonic is one of the best things that has ever happened to my skin... read why HERE.

Get it as a treat to yourself...or as a Christmas gift!

Purchase:

• Clarisonic Mia Limited Time $99 Offer

What is the Best Facewash Out There?

Which facewash is right for YOU?

Ok... what I have come to realize is that everyone likes something a little different when it comes to their facewash.  Some people like a foaming wash, some a creamy wash, etc...

So, I have picked out my favorites in each category.  All of these are tested, tried, and true!

1.  Obagi Foaming Gel  

A foaming wash that I truly adore.  Why? Because it takes off ALL my makeup and it's a great price for a high-end wash that will last you awhile.

2.  Rodan and Fields Daily Cleansing Mask 

A clay mask/wash that is pretty amazing.  You wet your fingers with warm water,  then massage the mask onto your DRY face (it also has a gentle exfoliator).  Let it dry for a few minutes... I then remove it with my Clarisonic (click HERE for more info on the Clarisonic Skincare Brush).  I love it because it removes impurities from your skin without being drying at all.  The fact that it doubles as a mask is great because Kaolin Clay actually draws impurities out of your pores.

3.  Vivite Daily Facial Cleanser 

If you're looking for something with chemical action, this one is for you... it contains 12% glycolic compound (due to this DO NOT use in or around your eyes!).

4.  Lancome Creme Radiance Clarifying Cleanser 

This one also removes your makeup... it is a cream wash that foams as you massage it onto your face with water.  

What do I use?  Usually a combo...  

If I have makeup on,  I use my Obagi Foaming Gel when I take my bath to take all my makeup off.  I then use my Rodan and Fields mask (avoiding my eye area) because I'm obsessed with it.   and it has really changed my skin... along with the entire R+F line that I use- click HERE for more info.

If I do not have makeup on, I use the R+F wash/mask by itself because I believe it is the most effective yet gentle facewash I have ever used on my face.  It truly makes my skin feel so smooth! (especially when used along with my Clarisonic.)

All About Acne: How to Treat Acne & The Unblemish Regimen

ACNE: You are not alone...

• 85-90% of teenagers suffer from acne for 7 years
• 30-50% of adult women suffer from acne for 20 years
• 50 million people in the United States suffer from acne

The doctors of Rodan + Fields have created Multi-Med Therapy to cure acne, post-acne marks, and to keep your skin clear and beautiful.

Although you may have heard of and used Proactiv (also created by the Rodan + Fields doctors), Unblemish was designed to treat the entire acne cycle.   It reduces redness, treats clogged pores, trapped oil, and bacterial proliferation while it fades post-acne marks and hyperpigmentation.  Best of all it includes a time-released oil-control sunscreen... we all know how important sunscreen is when it comes to aging, but sun damage can also worsen and intensify your acne marks and scars!

And if you did use Proactiv as a teen, remember that your skin changes and has different needs over time!  Unblemish is a pharmacological-grade regimen that helps stop pimples, blackheads, and post-acne dark marks from making an unwelcome appearance in your life.

Acne Treatment Sulfur Wash: 

• medicated cleanser with FDA allowed 3% Sulfur to penetrate pores
• Sulfur is the only acne medication to help reduce visible redness
• Contains Chamomile and Aloe Vera to help calm the skin

Unblemish Spot Fading Toner:

• Contains 2% Hydroquinone to lighten post acne marks
• Alcohol Free
• Salicylic Acid helps remove dead skin cells to keep pores clean
• Sea Whip and arnica calm and hydrate the skin

Unblemish Dual Intensive Acne Treatment:

• Unique dual-chamber delivery system ensures efficacy of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide into pores, helping prevent the development of NEW acne
• Chamomile and pomegranate calm visible redness and hydrate skin

Unblemish Oil Control Lotion:

• Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide to defend skin from UVA/UVB damaging rays that intensify post acne marks
• Time-released oil control to help reduce clogged pores and mattify skin
• Non-comedogenic

Did you know?

Every pore has pimple potential.  Blemishes take 2-3 weeks to come to the surface, and treating only the blemish you see will not prevent the acne of tomorrow!  When your skin becomes clear, keep your acne under control by continuing the use of the Unblemish Regimen.  EVERY STEP HAS A PURPOSE AND BUILDS UPON THE LAST- this is key in every skincare regimen.  You really must practice consistency when it comes to your skincare products.  Use the entire line because they work with each other and build upon each other.

When you get your regimen, START SLOWLY... make sure you read up on the products and use them as directed.

The Rodan + Fields Doctors' tips for an emergency pimple:

Apply ice (with a napkin wrapped around it) for 10-15 minutes to reduce redness and swelling.  Cleanse with the Sulfur Wash (it will clear pores and shrink swelling) and apply Unblemish Dual Intensive Acne Treatment to help reduce inflammation.  Then, apply a thin layer of a medicated concealer to camouflage.

IF you have time and the pimple is too enormous to be seen in public, get a cortisone shot from your dermatologist.

To Purchase and Enroll as a Preferred Customer:

• Click here and receive 10% off all R+F products and free shipping on your replenishment orders!

To check out the Rodan + Fields Redefine Regimen that I use:  My Secret to Amazing Skin

As always, email me with any questions you may have- I'm always happy to help... and I absolutely LOVE when people tell me how these Rodan + Fields products have changed their skin:

blondeandlippy@gmail.com

The MACRO Exfoliator ...(My New Favorite Thing)

Professional Level, Doctor's Office Results at Home?!  I was skeptical, but....

This is 100%, hands-down the absolute best at-home beauty tool beauty ANYTHING I have ever used.  I had been thinking about trying the Rodan + Fields Macro E for a long time, and I honestly never got around to trying it until recently.  I did not want to spend the money on it, but I have never been more amazed at the results of anything skincare related. After ONE USE, I could tell a major difference in my skin.  Don't believe me? Look at the below photo!  I swear to you... the before and after were taken 5 minutes apart.
My skin had never looked so vibrant and SMOOTH.  This is definitely the path to "luminous skin."

UNRETOUCHED- My forehead (yikes!) after my first time using the Macro E

Honestly, I should have known it was going to be fabulous after I read about it in "O Magazine"... you know Oprah knows her stuff! Haha!  But really, as I am getting older I am realizing that if there is one thing I want to invest in, it's my skin!

Here are a few things I DID NOT KNOW about the Macro E until I used it:
It is intense! There is a lot of suction going on, so use with caution.  You can do the auto-setting "Doc-Smart" patent pending technology, which varies the degree and duration of the macro-exfoliation.  The screen will show you which area of the face you should be exfoliating (and the direction and amount of time you should spend there).  This is how I started, but I did have to adjust the intensity throughout the process for my first use.  I love that you can adjust the intensity because you can start out easy and work your way up.
It comes with filters, so after each use, you can actually SEE the skin cells that shed during the exfoliation.  (Gross but cool.)
You can download a "Macro E" app on your phone to track your progress and have reminders sent to you for your next use.
You can only use it once a week!

The reason these Rodan + Fields products and tools are so great is that the doctors set out to create products that closely resemble what they used in their own practices.  The Macro Exfoliator sweeps away 5 million dead skin cells in just 5 minutes.  I was seriously shocked that just one use could so drastically change my skin and fine lines.  One thing I was worried about was that my face would be beet red for a few days... but thankfully, your Macro E comes complete with "cooling gels" that soothe your skin overnight.  

"Cooling gels" that come with your Macro E

I have only used mine one time, and I cannot wait to see how my skin looks after weeks of using it!  Another thing I think it helped with was blackheads... my skin just looked so smooth and clear after that one use!  I can't imagine blackheads would even be able to build up if you are continually using this.

You should hold your skin taut while using the Macro Exfoliator.

UNRETOUCHED results from using the Redefine Regimen with the Macro Exfoliator

SHOP THE POST:

Click here to purchase the Macro Exfoliator.*

Click here to purchase the Aging Redefined Value Set that includes the Redefine Regimen AND the Macro Exfoliator. **

To save $36.00 on your Macro Exfoliator and get free shipping and discounts ALL the time on ALL your Rodan + Fields products, sign up to be a Preferred Customer.

*Please read thoroughly before purchasing, as people with certain skincare conditions are not candidates for the Macro Exfoliator.

**For more information on the Rodan + Fields skincare regimen I use: My Secret to Amazing Skin.

As always, please feel free to email me with any questions:  blondeandlippy@gmail.com