I hope I'm not jinxing it...

...but I really like PTR's bronzing powder WITH built in SPF. Zinc-based, of course.

The "dial" method to scroll between light/med/dark needs a little work, as does the secure lid (or lack thereof) but I figure if it looks natural, provides some security and doesn't make me a zitty mess...I'M TOTALLY IN.

I couldn't find the appropriate review on MUA so I thought I'd put it here. It's rare that I get a full-size face product from Sephora that I actually really like.

Exclusively @ Sephora- (source of the pic too!)

Another modality that is controversial...

READ MORE HERE on Thermage

if it's a "Miracle"...

...then I want to try it!
There's a new tinted lotion called Miracle Skin Transformer. It was recently featured on Dr Oz as a replacement for those of us who spend a bit of time in the ahem...I mean...A.M. staging our applications: antioxidant, ((wait)), concealer, ((wait)), SPF, ((wait)), foundation and/or powder.
Only it looks like some of the folks who gave testimony on the website (also very new) are friends of the creator or somehow in 'relations'.
Prior to the full release this fall, you could order a trial but no longer.
My main concern was whether the product was non-comedogenic but emails (discovered after MUCH sleuthing!) have gone unanswered.
It would be nice to know what the main SPF ingredient is too since some of us are sensitive. But the ingredients are secret; who wants to give a way a miracle, right?
As of yet, there are no MUA product reviews on this.
Stay posted!

Epi what?

Several months ago, 3 to be exact, I asked my derm to "zap" (technical, huh?) some skin tags. She decided to freeze 'em with liquid Nitrogen instead. No muss, no fuss. Plus she could do some of the hyperplastic mole-looking things that weren't pigmented enough, or big enough, to remove and send off for testing (mandatory). I ended up looking like I had chicken pox. Now it just looks like I'm spotted. No more skin tags (the other things are still there) but in it's place are little dots of hyperpigmentation. Like 20 of 'em.
I complained. Twice. Now I'm trying an expensive prescription cream called Epiquin. It has a base of hydroquinone so you can't use it indefinately.
It's made by SkinMedica's companies.
Fingers crossed.
Decided to spot try it on some areas of facial melasma.

Seasonal changes - yes or no?

When the seasons change, does your skincare?

For me, and for the most part, no. I try to address skin issues as they come up and regardless of the season.
That being said, I think skincare products needs to be switched up now and then (like we do with our shampoos and conditioners), so "seasonally" sounds like a good time to change things up.

In the a.m. I mostly use La Roche Posay's Effaclar foaming gel cleanser on the Clarisonic but every few days I use Mario B's glycolic foaming face wash with or without Dermalogica's Microfoliant.
Then, it's the Co-Q10 toner by DHC and DHC's Vitamin C cream with spot zit treatment by Dermalogica or some natural zit stuff with sulfur I got at the health food store. (!)
Since I don't see the light of day, if I'm managing persistent zits on a particular day, I do not use my zinc-based sunscreen on my face- but I DO everywhere else.
If I don't use my "day" products and/or I'm going to be in a bit of sun (even a bit), I use SolBar's tinted sunscreen.

In the p.m., I mostly use Clean & Clear's antibacterial wash. It contains triclosan which is controversial. Whatever. [If I have heavy duty sunscreen, mineral based powder, mascara or the SolBar tint, I FIRST use an oil (yes) cleanser like the one from DHC. I've tried Dermalogica's but not Shiseido's.]
Afterwards, I put on the vitamin C if I didn't already during the day. Otherwise, I had been either spot treating for the zits and blackheads or using Micro Retin-A on the other nights. But now my doc wants me using a strong gylcolic or a retinol complex on alternating nights.
The reason for this: I complained that I think the Retin-A breaks me out. And apparently I'm not the only one, so I am hearing from folks out there...

I'm trying to be more diligent with the decolletage area! I'm also trying to be more consistent with body brushing. Did you read about that recently on at http://www.thefitchick.com/ ??


I haven't written in awhile because...(KNOCK KNOCK ON A BIG PIECE OF WOOD)...my skin has been less problematic. I figured if I talked about it, I'd jinx it!

I've also been dealing with some major hyperpigmentation as a result of a procedure at the derm's office. Let's talk about that next time!!

natural anti-bacterial ingredients...

...per Marie Clare's July 2010 issue:

sandalwood
aloe vera
red clay
rosemary
--perfect for your facials!

It's very soothing and good for you to use sea salt and baking soda in your bath tub. If, of course, you can't get yourself to the beach and swim in the wonderful ocean!
Salt "fights bacteria and inflammation and creates a negative ion environment."

Here are additional natural beautifiers:
grapefruit oil (purifier and astringent)
rosemary oil (circulation benefits)
cinnamon oil (also boosting circulation)
lemon oil ("ditto")

Been awhile...

But if you followed me from www.TheFitChick.com then you know I one-up-ed my yoga practice by taking yoga teacher certification last, and this, month.

I was a bit nervous about what would happen to my skin during this time; I'd be indulging in yoga practice all day with little time, if any some days, to shower & wash up. Remarkably, my skin faired well. Better than I expected. I was even told that I glowed.
Must be that yoga.

Must be something b/c the week I was done, I headed over to my derm's for a glycolic peel. 50%. (I go as high as 70%.) The results to my face area were pretty nice, I'd say. But I also had it done to my decolette and my neck. About 2 days later, if that, I started noting breakouts on my upper neck and underneath my jaw. Then it spread. Then it was just ridiculous.
I concentrated the Dermawand and also the Tanda light on this area. I "alcohol-ed" and peroxided. I used my regular zit zappers: sulfur, BP, tea tree oil...nothing.
And that's what worked-nothing. Or I should say, nothing worked.

My sebaceous cysts on my face (like a pore turned inside out) were zapped and burned by my PS a few months back. The pinkish areas have healed and resolved and unfortunately, the bumps are still there.

Right now I'm using my LRP face wash most mornings except for 2x/week when I use MB Glycolic foaming wash. At night and post-workout, I use Clean & Clear which does have "triclosan" as its anti-bacterial, anti-zit remedy. There is a controversy regarding its use...