Father's Day discount on Freeman beauty lines.

Recommending Freeman products is easy because they have products that work really well and have a reasonable price point. Take advantage of this weeks discount and buy some of their paper masks or try the charcoal scrub to detox skin. They have a large option of things you can try as small samplers or the full size product. This way you are bound to find something that suites your skin care needs and beyond.

 Enter DADROCKS code for 20%off. 

https://freeman.mail.zingstudios.com/mail/click.php?314160188270937701

Bioré charcoal heating mask review

Wow, is all I can say to parenthood. Adding the twins to our lives certainly has left very little time for the things I love or even like to do. With three kids under three it's been a real challenge some days to even get dressed but I am getting the hang of it now and starting to find some time to write again. 

Recently on one of my diaper purchasing outings, I seen this product and wanted to try it out. Hopeful that I would be able to share my review with you. Two months later, here it is. Hope you find it useful.

Bioré Self Heating One Minute Mask 

Can't say a bad thing about this product. From the convenient individual packaging to the brand, this self heating mask made with charcoal works great for mild/average follical (pore) issues.  Here's why...

Charcoal works great on the skin because it absorbs excess oils, detoxifies by pulling out toxins from the skin and tightens skin. When the pores get clogged with oils, make up residues and whatever else, pores get stretched out. Over time your skin loses it's elasticity and the pores will keep the new stretched out skin. Scarring. However, a charcoal base mask or product can help by expelling all of that build up,  allowing pores to appear smaller. 

Earlier I mentioned that it's great for mild/average pore issues. What I meant is that it works for anyone with no acne to a mild cases of acne. If you have excessive acne (chronic) it will help detoxify skin some but you will still need some stronger treatments to reduce bacteria growth in pores. See past posts on Acne for more suggestions and ideas.

St. Ives had a heating a mask that I tried and used for a while but I never was able to get through a tube with out the remainder hardening and rendering itself useless. The fact that Bioré has thought of individually wrapping each treatment mask makes a whole lot more sense to me. It reduces over use of product by providing consumer with exact amount for treatment and reduces waste of product as well as your money. 

My skin tends to be very dry so while following instructions I start and focus on my T-zone for a bit. Rubbing in gentle circles and then working product to outside of my face. Leaving it for a about 2 minutes or so. Then removing as directed. Followed by a toner and moisturizer. This is great for a once a month treatment to detoxify and tighten skin. Perfect for in between facial treatments or for at home pampering. 

Professionally, charcoal is used all the time to detox skin. In treatment rooms, it is considered an add on treatment. That means they charge you an additional $10-$20 depending on spa for its use. It definitely works so it is worth it if your looking for the extra pampering time. However, if your wallet is looking to save for your rainy day fund, this is a great product for at home.

Bioré Self Heating One Minute Mask in packets of 4 cost about $6 and can be found in most pharmacy stores, Target stores and online. I purchased my box at my local CVS for $5.99.

Again, I really like this product and I think that if you give up a latte for the day you can buy yourself a box and see. Just how well it works. Test it out for yourself and let me know what you think. 

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Tweet from Elizabeth (@SkinYourIn)

	Elizabeth (@SkinYourIn)
2/18/14, 10:14 PM a traveling Wife: DIY Eye Makeup Remover atravelingwife.blogspot.com/2013/01/diy-ey… I use distilled water so that it last longer so the water does not go bad.

Sensitive Dry Skin

I was thinking about skin sensitivity for those with dry skin and here is what I want you to try. It may not be the products you use, so much as your regimen. 

1st drink plenty of water. Your entire body benefits from it, especially  your skin. You probably don't drink enough anyway, most people don't. 

2. Sleep with a cool mist humidifier so that the mist falls in the direction of your face. Not directly but in the vacinity. Use distilled water as it keeps the machine from getting corroded and reduces impurities in the air.

3. Cleanse & moisturize twice a day. Use an extra creamy moisturizer around smile lines, eyes & forehead at night. Include the serums that you like. Hyloronic serums are great or fesh aloe is a great hydrater and healer for the skin

4. Exfoliate once a week. Doesn't have to be anything fancy. Baking soda and honey works well. Light upward motions from décolleté to forehead. 

5. For a calming mask try oatmeal and yogurt or chamomile and milk. Leave on for ten minutes after exfoliation especially. Gently wash away with Luke warm water. Removing with gentle upwards circular motion.

6. For an at home peel once a month that is safe and easy, try Apple Cider Vinegar. Apply to cotton then face in upward motions, working from outside in. Apply up to three coats two minutes apart. Let sit for ten minutes then rinse with ice cold water. 

I think sometimes that with sensitive skin the best way is the most natural way. Be sure to take short  warm showers. The warmer the warmer and the longer you are in the shower increases your potential for increased dry skin as you are stripping away the natural defense oils from your body. This can leave skin feeling irritated, itchy and ironically feeling dehydrated, as there are no natural oils (sebum) to keep moisture locked in. That's why a good moisturizer or oil helps keep skin calm and hydrated, preventing the skin from loosing more of its water and natural oils. 

Let me know if you have any questions or need some product suggestions. 

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Product Review: Pineapple Facial Enzyme Mask

While wandering the product aisles, I have often seen these little pouches for facial masks but never grabbed one to try them out. Since I had some time, I grabbed one and new that at one point I could try it prior to jumping into the shower. Considering that now a days shower time is the only alone time I get anymore, I try to fit in a quick pampering session in.

Their claims:

 - Restores radiant skin

 - Contains natural ingredients

Made with natural, botanical ingredients, Freeman Feeling Beautiful products help you look and feel your best. This enzyme mask, with Pineapple extract and AHA's gently exfoliates while lightly moisturizing, leaving your skin soft, supple and younger-looking. 

Key Ingredients:

Pineapple Extract  - Contains the enzyme bromelain, which can break down the connecting layers between skin cells to exfoliate skin. However, bromelain used alone is a more effective source of exfoliation, and does not have the irritating properties of the pineapple.

 

Sea Kelp - Rich iodine, mineral, anti-oxidant and natural anti-inflammatory aspects, kelp is believed to moisturize, soften and help skin retain its moisture.  Kelp also contains elements that help remove toxins, soothe and can easily penetrate the skin for instant hydration. It also aids in keeping skin smooth. This nourishing extract has no adverse side effects and works well with other antioxidants and vitamins such as Vitamin C and E.

 

Alpha Hydroxy Acid - Similar to microdermabrasion - erasing fine lines and giving the skin a smoother appearance
Note: It is important to note that the effects depends on the percentage of AHA used. The higher the percentage the better and longer the effects last. Consumers use an AHA of ten percent or less. Trained professionals, Dermatologist or Estheticians can give a AHA treatment like a Glycolic peel ranging from fifty to seventy percent.

The Freeman Beauty lab is a familiar name in home beauty products that has been developing products for over 30 years. With that much time in the business you know they must be doing something right. Right?

The packet I chose was the Freeman Beauty Feeling Beautiful Pineapple Facial Enzyme Mask in the travel size for $1.99. This is a great way to try out a product before committing yourself to a large tube or tub. Following the instructions I cleansed my skin then while my skin was damp I gently scrubbed the mask into my skin and let stand for a few minutes before washing it off.

My final thoughts:
I have to say that I liked it. The product gives you a gentle exfoliation, slight tingle and it does leave your skin feeling refreshed and prepped for serums, gels or lotions. I don't think it left my skin glowing but I did feel refreshed. By refreshed I mean that it did the job of scrubbing away the dead skin cells on my face and neck. There by allowing my skin to absorb my Vitamin E serum afterwards much faster.

So if you are looking to fit in a Microdermabrasion like treatment, I suggest you try this. One packet can be used 3 times. I would use this every other day and I say it works for all skin types except for skin with extreme acne or lesions. Be sure to gently rub skin in upward circular motion from decolletage to forehead. Trust me it matters. Scrubbing up and down harshly can lead to damaged skin and scarring.

Check out the attached link to the Freeman website where they currently have a promo code for 25% off on their products. Happy shopping!

As always, Be Blessed, Be Happy, Be Beautiful! 

Diaper ouchies!

Motherhood once again has taken over. The birth of the twins hasn't allotted me much free time to write or research any new products. Mostly all baby, all the time.

However, I did get to try a variety of diaper rash ointments recently on the twins and I have the best one I found to treat the rash once it rears it's ugly head (get it, rears?).

So my newest of two babies developed a diaper rash while using a "prevention" cream. I was using a popular product called Butt Paste. I normally find that this works very well, however, this time around,  it wasn't and the rash got worse. Rashes are bad enough on infants but even worse with preemies. So off I went to the store to find a better product.

 

If you ask a mom, what A&D ointment is, she is sure to respond "butt cream" or "rash ointment". The original A&D is for prevention of diaper rash. I don't use it because it creates heat on the skin which I find unnecessary. My son was past the point of prevention. His diaper rash had small spots of raw skin and I knew the original A&D wouldn't help this situation. I purchased Triple Paste but that didn't help either and dried out the skin on my fingers from application. They used it at the hospital but it didn't seem to work for him at all.

When I can, I prefer to use the most natural products I can find. In my search for a cream to heal what ailed my son, I came across an A&D product, Treat cream, that I was not familiar with. It was new to me. Two of the ingredients listed were Aloe and Zinc Oxide. We know that aloe is great for helping repair damaged/injured skin.  Zinc oxide is a skin protectant often found in creams, lotions and ointments used to prevent or treat minor skin burns and irritation. So I purchased it because I felt the Aloe alone would be effective.

Final review:

A&D Treat cream works and works well! My sons rash was bad and in one days use, it was almost gone. By morning, it had completely disappeared. I can't say enough about it. Should I see their skin getting the slightest pink, I use it for a quick fix. Neither of the babies have had a rash since that second week after they were born. 

Other rash preventatives:

This may sound crazy but for me it works and if you can deal with the clean up, Ido recommend. When cleaning the babies up, I stopped using wipes and went back to using cotton balls or rounds to cleanse skin with simple water. Then I follow with a dry wash cloth to dry skin prior to putting another diaper on. There has been no need for ointment and they are doing very well. Also, I don't always use disposable diapers. Using cloth diapers more often helps the skin breathe better. My only issue is that you have to change these diapers more often and wash them regularly with a special detergent.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Happy, Be Beautiful! 

 

 

Sunblock, Why reapply?

We all have heard the importance of wearing sunblock but still so many of us don't adhere to the rules to prevent sunburn or the potential risk of skin  cancer. 

Recently, my sister was on vacation and came home to tell me about a women hanging out at the pool. She applied sunblock to her kids and then proceeded to lather herself up with baby oil. My sister stated that she wanted to grab the woman and knock some sense into her. I would have to agree. I'm often baffled by how people seemingly know better but still make bad choices. She knew enough to take care of her children but not herself. Don't people like this wonder, "If mommy/daddy dies of skin cancer, what happens to my kids?"

So here I am again pleading with anyone who will listen. Sun protection  is a great way to prevent sunburn and potential future skin cancer. Apply sunblock often, every day to areas that will be exposed to sun. That includes the winter months as well. Use protective clothing, eyewear and hats.

Not convinced, here is a great article by SkinCancer.org that breaks down the importance of sunscreen for you.

Still not convinced? The  American Cancer Society has reported "Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. It accounts for nearly half of all cancers in the United States. More than 3.5 million cases of basal and squamous cell skin cancer are diagnosed in this country each year. Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, will account for more than 76,600 cases of skin cancer in 2013." SkinCancer.org reports "An estimated 3,170 deaths from non-melanoma skin cancers will occur in the US in 2013. An estimated 9,480 people will die of melanoma in 2013" These are alarming numbers. 

So why are so many of us still going to the beach/pool/ tanning beds with out a thought or care to what will happen long term. When you wake up in the morning and give thanks for that day. Also remember to protect that in which you are grateful for, your life. It may seem silly but a simple lotion applied regularly can keep your entire family protected from at least this preventable illness.

To the lady or ladies, even dads, like the mom at the pool lathering up with oil, does your family not deserve you in their life for as long as they can have you? That should be the question you ask yourself before deciding to put on that suntan oil. Or if I had a choice, would I want to die from skin cancer when it could be prevented?

I realized this sounds grim but I have seen what cancer in general can do to a family with members of my own family. The pain it causes not only the person dealing with the illness but the family and friends as well. My best friend once had a friend, D,  who loved to worship all things sun especially the tanning salon. The woman was always tanned or red. When she became pregnant with if I recall correctly her third child, she was diagnosed with cancer. She only lived long enough to hold her baby in her arms for a few short months and died shortly after her birth. That child, was robbed of ever knowing her mother as well as the other siblings and could have been prevented. Her husband and family members robbed of her presence.

If this doesn't work, let me appeal to your vanity. To much sun exposure can lead to early wrinkle, skin spots and hardened skin. That skin that looks like a leather strap. Why would you want to look like a piece of suede?

Let me leave off by saying this, skin cancer can be prevented. You don't have to become a statistic. Empower yourself with knowledge and do your best to protect yourself and your loved ones. It's the simplest of cancers to prevent but lethal if not. Don't fear the sun, just protect yourself from it.

I like to recommend Aveeno Baby SPF 55 for kids 2+ , Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 50  and No-Ad or Panama Jack SPF 35+ for body. Always look for where it says UVA/UVB protection. Enjoy the sun but please, don't forget to read the directions and reapply regularly.

Here are some helpful links below to enlighten you.
 

Link:

http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts

Informational links:

http://m.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/sunanduvexposure/skin-cancer-facts

http://www.skincancer.org/

http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/q---t/skin-cancer

http://www.melanomaprevention.org/

As always, Be Blessed, Be Happy, Be Beautiful!