The Best Damn Skincare Products Of 2016

If you follow my blog regularly, you know that I am a big skincare advocate and fan.  In 2016, I got to try out some amazing skincare products and have included some into my regular skincare routine.  Please see my round up of the best skincare products for 2016.

The Michael Todd Beauty Soniclear
We are constantly subjecting our skin to dirt, environmental pollutants and of course makeup.  All of this leaves a film on our face acting as a barrier to skincare products.  This buildup can leave us with an uneven skin tone, roughness, and creates false wrinkles; it can also clog our pores.  And if that wasn't bad enough, all of these can make us appear older!

That is why it is important that we have a great SONIC skincare device that is properly cleansing and exfoliating our face and the Michael Todd Beauty’s, Soniclear has been here to my rescue! It is better than any other sonic device out there! Not only is this the world's first antimicrobial brush it also helps to...

• Buff away those dead skin cells, revealing a more radiant, healthy-looking skin.  
• After sonic cleansing, it will be easier for the skin to absorb moisturizers and other skin treatments. 

Colleen Rothschild Comprehensive Radiant Cleansing Balm 

This product is like no other I have used. It is literally like a balm for your face that effortlessly dissolves all traces makeup and other impurities on the skin. And it has Clove and Rosemary for a natural aromatherapy smell that is to die for! This Cleansing Balm leaves my face feeling so smooth and radiant. You can see the glow on my skin. Plus, it was very hydrating, giving me a luminous, dewy look.

Paula's Choice: Skin Perfecting 1% BHALotion Exfoliant
An exfoliant is one of my favorite skincare products especially if you have any sun damage. Why? Because an exfoliant will remove the built up layers on the outside of the skin, it ends up revealing that younger looking skin.  Removing these dead skin cells can also improve any dull, uneven skin, you may have, as well as minimizing the appearance of fine lines.

I also liked that this BHA exfoliant has some anti-bacterial properties that helped when I start to get a blemish. 

Michael Todd Beauty WILD BERRY SKIN PEEL
This is a berry good peel, and a must have in your skincare arsenal. Not only does it smell amazing, but this weekly AHA & BHA exfoliating peel/mask is formulated with Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid and Fruit Enzymes in a soothing base of 100% Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, so it is all organic.

What it is formulated to do:
Intensely exfoliates to help remove dead dulling skin, improve the appearance of pore size, fine lines, wrinkles, rough texture and uneven tone. The Michael Todd Beauty Wild Berry Skin Peel is a cruelty free product that provides a more radiant, glowing, youthful look.

BeautiControl, BC Facial Exfoliating Polish
We expose our skin to so many environmental pollutants, and this polish helps to combat those.  It contains a mega antioxidant complex consisting of encapsulated Resveratrol, Acai berry, and green tea extract to protect skin from oxidative and environmental damage.

It gently exfoliates dead surface cells to invigorate and polish skin with natural jojoba beads.  It also provides skin-brightening benefits and antioxidant protection for newly exposed skin cells.

Skinlogics® Essentials Foaming Cleanser
This is an amazing cleanser that I have been using for years.  I included this in this round up as in 2016; I started using it in conjunction with my Michael Todd Beauty Soniclear.  The combination of both of them whisks away impurities and makeup while replenishing lost moisture, leaving skin energized and refreshed.

Regeneration Tight, Firm & Fill® Face Contour Creme
This is my go to moisturizer.  It leaves my skin looking smooth and firm with increased elasticity and luminosity. With consistent daily use, the patent-pending triple-action peptide complex creates an optimal environment for the skin to naturally produce collagen, the skin's building block of youth, so skin appears firmer.

Key Benefits:
• Hyaluronic Filling Spheres® attract and bind to moisture to instantly fill in the appearance of wrinkles, for a dramatically younger-looking appearance.
• Provides extreme moisture
• Helps to smooth the skin
• Helps skin appear plumper

Now that I have mentioned my favorite creams and serums, none of them mean anything if they don’t work at their full potential.  So make sure to keep a look out for my upcoming post on the best device ever that I just recently implemented into my skincare routine.  The Michael Todd Beauty Soniceraser PRO. 

This skincare device allows you to get more out of your anti-aging serums and creams when you apply them using the Sonic Eraser Pro. With a 3-in-1 technology called Triplex Cellular Infusion, this handy tool helps the beneficial ingredients in your skincare products break through the skin's outer barrier to reach deeper layers of the skin.

UPDATE, MY REVIEW... Click here to find out everything you need to know about the Michael Todd Beauty Soniceraser Pro.

6 Ways To Treat Sensitive, Irritated Skin…As Well As Redness

With the cold winter air, dry, irritated skin is sure to happen. And if you are like me where I also have a bit of redness on my face, it can make having BEAUTYful skin, a task! That is why I was excited to partner up with Paula’s Choice Skincare, to try out their Calm line.

They promote this line as a must have for sensitive skin. Now before I get into the product(s), I’d like to address a false assumption, for people who have sensitive skin, as I think it is important to bust this myth!  The myth…“Because I have sensitive skin, I should stay away from anti-aging skincare products.”  But beauties this is not always the case!

I am a big proponent on skincare, even with my sensitive skin!  The key is using the products that have the right ingredients.  First and foremost, you want to stay away from products that contain fragrances; even the natural ones can be irritating and worse yet, like in my case, allergy prone.

Secondly, you want to be using is a skincare line that has ingredients that can rebuild the skin's barrier function as well as an anti-inflammatory.   

So if you want to see how you can soothe your sensitive, irritated skin, continue reading! 

As I mentioned above, I was given some products from Paula’s Choice Calm Line.  This line comes in two formulas. One for dry skin and the other for oily skin. And yes, they are fragrance-free and have a gentle blend of ingredients that help to reduce inflammatory factors within the skin’s surface that trigger signs of sensitivity!

So What Did I Get?

The kit came with six products, which I use in the morning and evening.  And as with all skincare products, layering them in the correct order is essential, and I will share this with you below.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of  Paula's Choice Skincare. The opinions are mine.

How To Layer Your Products:

Step 1: Calm Redness Relief Cleanser

Cleansing your face is the first step in your skincare regimen.  Seems a bit obvious to me, but for those of you who may have just used water because you were afraid of what a product could do, to your sensitive skin, STOP!  Using a facial cleanser is important as it helps to prep your face so to speak, for the other skincare products that follow.

So how to use this bad boy?  Get your face wet and then apply a small amount to your face in a circular GENTLE motion, rinse when finished.

Step 2: Calm Redness Relief Toner

A toner is going to help to remove any leftover makeup you may have missed with the cleanser.  This is one step I would skip as toners always seemed to trigger a burning sensation in my face. But not this one! As unlike some other toners I’ve tried, the Calm Toner is an alcohol-free formula, which helps to reduce inflammation that triggers sensitivity and redness. Toners also, contribute to softening and calming your skin.

How to Use: Apply with a cotton ball all over your face and DO NOT RINSE!

Step 3: Calm Redness Relief 1% BHA Exfoliant

Yes, you read that right I said exfoliant. And no worries it is not irritating at ALL! Aside from it helping to remove that old skin, it also has some anti-bacterial properties, which I SO LOVE!

Calm Redness Relief Repairing Serum

Step 4: Calm Redness Relief Repairing Serum

Your serums are your treatments. If you recall, in the beginning, I mentioned having a product that helps to rebuild your skin's barrier is key, and this serum does just that.  This anti-aging serum is very light weight and can be worn under your makeup, now how awesome is that?!

A few drops of this goes a long way, and it is safe to use near those tired looking eyes!

Step 5: Calm Redness Relief Mineral Moisturizer with SPF 30

The last step in the morning is to apply a moisturizer with an SPF.  Yes, even in the winter time we need an SPF. Don’t let the fact that it is cold outside confuse you into thinking you don’t need one.  In addition to the SPF, hydration is also essential in aiding to repair and strengthen your skin, so it looks and acts less irritated and younger! And who doesn’t want younger looking skin?

For the evening, follow the same steps with the exception of your moisturizer.  You want to use the Calm Redness Relief Moisturize instead of the one with SPF.



My Experience

I am in love with this line.  My favorite is the Calm Redness Relief 1% BHA Exfoliant; this is going to be a staple in my skincare arsenal.  First the anti-bacterial properties have helped with some outbreaks that I get. And for the anti-aging lover in me, I loved that this gently assists in removing the built up layers on the outside of the skin, revealing that new skin below.

In case you don’t know, dull skin is what contributes to false wrinkles, and makeup can sit in these lines.  Using a product like “CALM” can smooth out the texture of skin, allowing for a better makeup application!  You can see the new skin reveal from my photo above, it is still a bit red, but the skin has a nice glow that I like. Now I'm ready to apply my makeup!

So beauties you see the missing piece to reducing redness and irritation is… A SKINCARE REGIMEN. As overtime, you skin will become less sensitive, irritated and red.  Enabling you to feel eventually better about your skin's appearance and more importantly, yourself!

Wanna try this or maybe another Paula's Choice Product? Well now you can while saving 20% OFF! 

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Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of  Paula's Choice Skincare. The opinions are mine.

5 Ways To Repair Damaged Skin And Reduce Facial Redness- A Paula’s Choice Review

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of  Paula's Choice Skincare. The opinions are mine.

If you follow my blog regularly, you know how adamant I am about skincare.  Although, I do have my favorites, trying and testing out other products opens an opportunity for me to step up my skincare regimen!  This is why I was so excited to be able to Partner up with Paula’s Choice and PRIMP (Pretty In My Pocket) an awesome beauty app. for who I am one of their expert beauty bloggers.

The journey started with a personal consultation with a skincare specialist from Paula’s Choice.  Way to go Paula’s Choice, that really gave me a great first impression, as they understand that not everyone's skin and more important skincare needs, are not all the same. Their product line includes something for everyone, acne, rosacea, aging, pores. They treat it all.  

While, I don’t have a lot of blemishes, I do have some redness in my cheeks due to sun damage from my younger sun goddess years, so my consultant recommended a skin care regimen to help with the redness, as well as some anti-aging products. 

The Importance Of Layering Your Skincare Products

Before I get into the products they sent me,  I think it is essential for you to be aware that in order for you to get the best results from your skincare products, you need to understand the significance of layering them.  This means applying them in the correct order.

The information that I will be sharing with you will be in the order in which you need to apply them.  So please keep this order in mind, when using your own skincare products.

So What Did I Get?

As you can see from the picture, they sent me a lot of products, needless to say, I was excited!  The products included items from the HydraLight and Resist line.

Hydralight Advanced Kit

This Hydralight kit included everything that I needed to calm the redness I have on my face as well as helping to reduce signs of aging.  And for those who have oily skin, which I do not, it helps to reduce that oily shine.  (Keep in mind I am listing these in the order in which they need to be used).

PRODUCTS: 

 

Hydralight One Step FaceCleanser

Skin type: Normal to Oily/Combination Skin

Cleansing your face is the first step in your skincare regimen.  Seems a bit obvious to me, but for those of you who may have just used water or any ole soap in the past, DON’T!  The reason being is a facial cleanser is designed to prep your face so to speak, for the other skincare products that follow. 

So how to use this bad boy?  Get your face wet and then apply a small about to your face in circular motion, rinse when finished.

 

Hydralight Healthy SkinRefreshing Toner  

Skin type: Normal to Oily/Combination Skin

This is the second product you apply to your face as toners help to hydrate, replenish, restore and repair the skin's surface when used right after cleansing.

How To Use: You can apply with a cotton ball or pad.  Do not rinse off.

Benefits: This antioxidant-rich formula helps to improve the skins function and reduces cellular damage and inflammation.

Bonuses: This toner is 100% fragrance- and colorant-free, and helps to remove any left over makeup you may have missed with the cleanser. 

Skin Perfecting 1% BHALotion Exfoliant

Skin type: All Skin Types

An exfoliant is one of my favorite skincare products especially if you have any sun damage. Why? Because an exfoliant will remove the built up layers on the outside of the skin, it ends up revealing that younger looking skin beneath.  Removing these dead skin cells can also improve any dull, uneven skin, you may have, as well as minimizing the appearance of fine lines.

I also liked that this BHA exfoliant has some anti-bacterial properties that helped when I started to get a blemish.  For the anti-aging lover in me, it is supposed to increase my collagen production, obviously it is too earlier to see these types of results yet, but I‘m excited to find out.

Bonuses: The unique formula is a LEAVE ON exfoliant that works instantly to remove dead skin cells, now how cool is that?

Important: This BHA lotion (beta hydroxy acid), the same thing found in aspirin, so if you are allergic to aspirin, you won’t be able to use this product.

Resist 1% Retinol Booster

Skin type: All Skin Types

Treatment is the next step in your skin care routine and in my case it is an anti-aging product.   In the kit I received I was given two products from their resist line, which are to be combined with your moisturizer. While I know there is no magic potion that will erase my wrinkles, a retinol can sure aid in diminishing them!

By combing this retinol concentrate product into my moisturizer, I was able to customize the strength, creating my own Retinol cream!  LOVE THIS IDEA!

Retinols are another fav. of mine because they are great at stimulating collagen production & repairing past skin damage!

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised that this product did not irritate my skin, as some retinol's strength can give you that burning sensation.  This one didn’t which is a plus for those that have sensitive skin or redness, like me. THUMBS UP!

Here are some other pointers that I got from Paula’s Choice website on the 

Resist 1% Retinol Booster

 (Their website has a full encyclopedia of advice for every type of skin care concern. Paula Begoun, the founder of Paula's Choice, is all about truth in beauty, skin care, ingredients and proven research.)

The dispenser that this product comes in allows you to measure out by the drop! Just press lightly on the top until one drop dispenses and tailor your moisturizer or serum to your desired strength.

•     One Drop: A mild anytime anti-aging boost (AM and/or PM).
•     Two Drops: The perfect moderate-strength PM treatment.
•     Three Drops: Prescription-strength power for extra stubborn concerns.     

Hydralight Shine-Free DailyMineral Complex SPF 30

Skin type: Normal to Oily/Combination Skin

The last step is a moisturizer & an SPF.  While,  I did use this moisturizer in combination with the retinol, I would like to let you know a bit about the product. 

If you don’t do anything to your skin, at least apply an SPF moisturizer.  Protecting your skin from the sun is SO IMPORTANT! Hydration is also essential, aiding to repair and strengthen your skin, so it looks and acts younger! And who doesn’t want younger looking skin?

So there you have it beauties, 5 Ways To Repair Damage Skin And Reduce Facial Redness with the help of Paula's Choice.  Make sure to keep checking back to see my followup on this skincare line, as I've only been using this for a few weeks.

And yes I know this was a long one, but for those of you who stuck around all the way to the end of this post, 
I do have a goodie for you! See offer below.
Click Here to get your 20% Off

Expires: Dec 31, 2015

PLUS...Keep in mind Paula’s Choice is committed to customer advocacy, education and helping people find the best products for their skin. In fact, everyone can receive a FREE personal skincare consultation by calling this number: 1-800-831-4088! 

Until next time!