Tag: acne

SheaMoisture African Black Soap Eczema & Psoriasis Therapy

I have suffered from psoriasis for most of my life, but just this year I learned that there is a Psoriasis Awareness Month. And it just happens to be August! No wonder we get a month for awareness – I am far from alone in suffering. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, over 7.5 million people in the United States alone suffer from psoriasis. While Eczema and Psoriasis aren’t the same, I’ve had flare ups of eczema also, and was so glad to see a collection that addresses both conditions. And in such a cool, homeopathic way.

The SheaMoisture African Black Soap Eczema & Psoriasis Therapy collection harnesses the power of African Black Soap, an ingredient used throughout Africa for centuries. It is used for covering blemishes, diminishing dark spots and exfoliating skin. The formula works to calm irritation, soothe inflammation (the real culprit here in my opinion) and clean skin without harsh chemicals. I love the fragrance – or rather, the lack thereof. There is this really clean tropical feel, not cloying or sweet. But still with a hint of coconut and vanilla.

Reading some of the reviews, I can’t help but notice that so many of them rave about acne improving using the bar soap. And what a deal at under $5. With so much skincare getting prohibitively expensive, I find it refreshing a line that delivers results at a great price point. I can’t imagine my shower now without this bar of soap. It lathers beautifully and my skin is already clearer and less inflamed.

Available at Target and Amazon.

Paula’s Choice ‘Skin Perfecting’ 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant

My skin woes have been a little more intense this year. I used to singularly worry about pigmentation, but lately I have developed rosacea and some clogged pores on my forehead – not acne per se, but definitely less than clear skin. I read a round-up of best beauty items, and included this toner/exfoliant. I just had to give it a whirl – sounded like it was just the ticket for my issues.

And it really was! I use this in the AM after washing my face (my rosacea treatment is required at night). Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant has a lightweight lotion texture and is non-irritating. It works to exfoliate skin surface and inside the pores. BHA (beta hydroxy acid) increases collagen production and drastically smoothes the surface of the skin. It also has antibacterial properties that attack blemish-causing bacteria.

I apply on a cotton pad and then wait for a bit to apply a nourishing SPF (this is my current favorite). Made in the USA. Fragrance-free; colorant-free. Available at Nordstrom.

Wednesday On The Web

Hope you guys enjoyed yesterday’s post about my skin care routine. I try to throw those in there every once in a while so you know exactly how I use products together. I can’t say it always has perfect results but usually my skin is fairly happy. However, last week I had a really deep pimple on my chin. I hustled over to my derm and he was able to treat me. He had some interesting thoughts to share – those deep spots of acne are generally more about hormones and stress and less about topical treatments in his opinion. So I am working on yoga more days a week and watching the foods I put into my body. And I encourage all of you to reach out to your derm if you find yourself in the same situation – and always for a yearly mole check!

Some finds from around the web this week:

I wish I could eat like this every day – and I continue to try and do so.

I’m so in the groove of FOGO.

This is about the sweetest thing you ever did see. If you love dogs, you’ll agree.

My new favorite Instagram account.

I broke down and rejoined Shapchat. You can follow me at bellebellebeau. Still figuring it all out, but I need to give it the ole college try!

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La Lumière illuMask Anti-Acne Light Therapy Mask

I had reviewed this mask way back when, but asked some bestie blog friends to try it out on their slightly more acne-prone skin. Alas, my skin suffers from dryness and hyper-pigmentation. No complaints here, but wanted to give this gadget a real whirl on complexions dealing with breakouts.

A little about the mask: Using specific wavelengths of red and blue light, this mask prevents and treats breakouts. The red light reduces skin’s inflammation (the part I loved on my sensitive skin) and heals break outs. Red light also works to even skin tone. Blue light kills acne-causing bacteria, reducing current acne and future blemishes or breakouts.

I certainly did not expect a resounding love of the “Pink Power Ranger” mask (gotta love my testers’ sense of humor). Lauren‘s first reaction was “This Daft Punk mask really works! I had a zit at the outer edge of my cheek that just WOULD NOT go away for like a month, and now it’s gone after using this for a solid week!“

In Lisa‘s words:

I have combination skin, and if I get lax in my regular routine (which happens a bit more often than I care to admit), my skin starts to revolt in the form of patches of tiny breakouts, primarily on my chin and cheeks, and occasionally my forehead. This was the case when I started using Illumask.

Though Illumask has an opening for your eyes, with the light on it was hard for me to see — but I quickly came to embrace that as it forced me to relax for at least a short bit of time in my day. It feels a bit like sticking your face in a tanning bed, only the light is far more pleasant, and the heat very gentle. I’d put on an audiobook or some music and just lay on my bed for 15 minutes.

I noticed some slight dryness and tightness of my skin after each use, but I followed each treatment with my regular nightly moisturizer and my skin felt normal after that. The mask is good for 30 uses, but I actually stopped at 7 because it had done its job — my skin was clear again. I’ve been a bit lax again lately so I think it’s time to pull it back out again!

Lauren adds “Either way, having that zit go away was as fast as an anti-inflammatory injection from the derm, but cheaper.” I am all for a cheaper solution to a skin nightmare!

Available for $30 at Ulta, Walmart and Target. Thank you so much, Lisa and Lauren!

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

June Is Acne Awareness Month on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country

One of the most common skin concerns is acne and June happens to be Acne Awareness Month. Just under the wire, I am on FOX23’s Great Day Green Country tomorrow to share my picks for curing the dreaded clogged pores and pimples.

It is hard not to think about acne without bring up the premier acne fighting brand, Proactiv. The newest from the brand is X Out, a one-step Wash-In Treatment that infuses pores with bacteria fighting 8.5% benzoyl peroxide. Smooth beads exfoliate dead skin cells and a complex helps moisturize skin.

You regulars know that I am a huge fan of beauty from the inside out. New to Sephora, Hum Nutrition offers an array of supplements to fight all sorts of skin concerns. Daily Cleanse helps clear skin and the body from toxins. Detoxifying herbs and organic chlorella can help improve your complexion. And it is also gluten-free, contains no GMOs, and is sustainably sourced.

Bioré has long been a blemish fighting favorite brand. The newest trio has been a surprisingly awesome addition to my skin care routine. While I don’t have a ton of acne, these products have helped clear up my clogged pores on my nose that have plagued me since this spring. Bioré Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser is a refreshing and cooling salicylic acid acne treatment that clears skin of dirt and oil. Bioré Blemish Fighting Astringent also contains salicylic acid and tones and clears pores. Are you a scrub fan? Bioré Acne Clearing Scrub really goes after deep dirt and oil for the quickest fix. The minty citrus scrub is gentle enough to use every day and actually can be used to proactively prevent new blemishes.

One of my favorite super-powered skin care lines, SkinCeuticals, offers Blemish + Age Defense designed for those who might not be in the traditional acne prone teen years. By using 2% dioic acid with an alpha- and beta-hydroxy acid, it specifically targets and prevents adult acne. It can help with hyperpigmentation and fine lines as well.

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First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Collection

I confess to having an issue executing my evening skin care routine at the beginning of the year. A couple late nights and some changes going on in my life, I was guilty of snoozing with my makeup. And boy am I paying for it. While they aren’t large and obvious breakouts, they are pigmented congestion that can happen with my dry and sensitive skin. So I was in a perplexing situation – how do you deal with remedying clogged pores without striping skin of precious moisture?