2 Rich Face Creams I'm Enjoying For the Winter

After revisiting this cream in my collection and falling in love with it, I was interested in add in a few more richer creams to help my skin deal with the recent dropping temps. Though I have combination skin typically, it has been quite dry in certain patches lately and I enjoy a thicker cream to help comfort and nourish my skin. Here are two that I have had in regular rotation:

1. Aerin Rose Night Table Cream - While I have a ton of anti-aging serums and creams, I still reach for products that provide intense hydration. One of the best ways that I keep my skin looking its best is by keeping it hydrated. This night cream by Aerin is delicate, calming, soothing and incredibly nourishing which I greatly need in the colder weather. I find myself even scooping a bit out for my morning routine on days when my skin requires a bit more comfort. As I am already a fan of Aerin's skincare line (love this oil and recently discovered this cleanser that is lovely for winter), I knew that this overnight cream would be a great addition to my collection. For those that are averse to fragrance, just note that this has a rose scent. Not overpowering, but it definitely lingers on my skin for about 30 minutes after. I find it to be calming and one of the reasons I am drawn to Aerin's line over and over again!

2. Algenist Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream - I haven't tried too many Algenist products, but so many of my readers tell me they are obsessed with the line! I've heard tons of buzz about the peel, the oil and this face cream. I was immediately intrigued because it is designed for all skin types, and targets almost any and all anti-aging concerns - fine lines, firmness, dullness, etc. While the cream looks quite rich in the picture below, I was shocked to find that it breaks up into a thin watery texture that instantly absorbs into the skin. My favorite way to use this is when my face is still damp from using a hydrating mist (this one is in my routine currently) and pressing it into the skin. It's as if my skin drinks it up because it disappears immediately and looks plump, fresh and radiant after. After using it for the past 2 months, I find my skin looks bright, even and while it's not incredibly apparent, there is some change in my skin's firmness. If you are looking for an overall anti-aging cream that targets a multitude of concerns, this may be a great one to try.

*pr samples included 

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Night Cream Update

I am always changing cleansers and masks regularly in my routine, but I've found two night creams that I really enjoy and have been using regularly for the past few weeks and months. Before these creams, I was using this night cream regularly but it is almost empty so I felt it was time to usher in a few new ones.

1. Restorsea Restoring Night Cream - After enjoying the Restorsea cleanser so much, I was excited to get started on the night cream. As many of you know, I am a huge glycolic acid fan and the fact that the Restorsea line uses enzymes released by baby salmon (read more here) which mimics glycolic acid without the harsh side effects is what instantly drew me in. In fact, what stood out to me while using this night cream was how soothed and calm my skin looked a few minutes after applying it. While it definitely does a phenomenal job at helping retexturize and revitalize my skin overnight, I can use it even when my skin is feeling a tad sensitive or out of balance. Many times when my skin is acting up due to hormones or a change in weather, etc I have to put aside my powerful anti-aging products until my skin goes back to normal. Thankfully this was not the case with the Restorsea Night Cream. I was still able to get the fantastic benefits and keep my anti-aging skincare routine going even during times when my skin was acting out.

2. Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Transformative Energy Creme - I'm not gonna lie - this stuff is fancy. Between the name and the ingredients, I was a bit intimidated to dive in to this one. My first thoughts were this is going to be way too rich for my skin so I let it sit on my shelf for a few weeks. Then one night, I just put it on because I was feeling adventurous, and absolutely loved it. (This normally happens with me - I avoid products that do not initially excite me and then feel like a fool for not trying sooner because I end up loving them. - womp, womp. #themoreyouknow) The "wow" ingredient in this that makes it such a splurge item is the black diamond truffle and the formulation is designed to help sculpt, lift, contour and address radiance and tone. Basically it's a workhorse that targets a slew of concerns. After the first week, I was loving how fresh and radiant my skin and felt that my jawline especially looked more taut and sculpted. It is  a rich cream so a small amount goes a long way for me, but it melts into the skin beautifully without any residual tackiness. But all this aside, I do feel this is better suited for a more mature skin type with concerns about aging, as well as someone who prefers luxury lines and is comfortable spending a bit more on their skincare.

*pr samples included

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The Top 3 Anti-Aging Ingredients Most Prevalent In My Skincare Routine

I have a few standard ingredients I have in my skincare routine that I've found to make the most difference for my skin and figured I would share them with you today. Though so many of my favorite products have various formulations and active ingredients that make them so effective, I have three that are the most prevalent and important to my regimen. They are retinol, vitamin  C and glycolic acid.

1. Retinol - I first began experimenting with Retinol earlier this year (read that post here), and found it did wonders for my acne and regular breakouts. Though retinol is designed to help target anti-aging concerns by helping stimulate collagen production, tighten/tone skin and help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, one of the additional side effects was that it helps reduce breakouts and acne. It helps remove dead skin cells which can contribute to clogged pores and blemishes. The entire Verso skincare line is formulated with a type of retinol called retinol-8, which is 8 times more effective than standard retinol, and I have been loving their Night Cream. Since it is such a strong form of retinol, I did begin with every other night or every third night to ease my skin into it. I find that when my skin is acting up or overly hormonal, this night cream helps to get it back into balance. It helps with breakouts, texture and overall tone of my skin - a true anti-aging powerhouse product!

2. Vitamin C -Vitamin C can act very similarly to Retinol in the way that it helps to target anti-aging concerns such as fine lines, dryness and wrinkles. In addition to the ways it helps reduce the signs of aging, it is also an antioxidant that can help to reduce skin damage and improve the overall tone, texture and appearance of the skin. I find that using Vitamin C in my routine helps with brightness, fading of dark spots and an overall healing of the skin. The Kate Somerville Dual Radiance Serum is formulated with both Vitamin C and omegas 3,6, 9 and 7, and is housed in two separate chambers to preserve the potency of the ingredients until it is released. Adding this into my skincare routine has made a significant difference in making my skin look very even toned - and helping to reduce any dark spot issues that often arise after a breakout subsides. It is quite a strong formula so I don't use it every single night, but rather every other night or every third night. However when I do, I wake up the next morning and my skin is literally glowing. Project age backwards is now in full effect for 2015. :)

3. Glycolic Acid - As a member of the alpha-hydroxy acid family, the biggest benefit of glycolic acid is it's ability to treat acne. It acts as an exfoliant to help break down the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, removing any of the debris that clogs pores. In addition to helping treat blemishes, glycolic acid can penetrate into the pores helping to eliminate and kill bacteria that can contribute to future breakouts, blackheads and whiteheads. Though glycolic acid is seen primarily as an acne fighting ingredient, it's strong exfoliation properties make it perfect for helping to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. As with any of these three ingredients (Vit C, retinol and glycolic acid), using an SPF during the day is vital so be sure to add one into your routine ( I currently love this one and this one). One of my favorite ways to incorporate glycolic acid into my skincare routine is with a facial pad, such as the Radical Age Defying Exfoliating Pads. I use them after cleansing for a slight exfoliation, before continuing on to the rest of my routine. I find that not only do my subsequent serums and moisturizers work better, it helps me keep breakouts away, minimize the appearance of pores and deal with any congestion my skin may be suffering from at the time.

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Beauty Bits: Nighttime Correction

While it's important to get the proper amount of rest each night for our minds and bodies, I find that the biggest tell tale sign of little sleep is on my skin.  If I don't have the proper amount of rest, my skin looks dull, lackluster and often begins to break out.  But interrupted sleep is inevitable so I need to do my part to help it in every way I can - and the answer for me is using an effective night cream.  Adding a multi-purpose cream that is designed to help address numerous different concerns has made a world of difference in my morning after skin.  Currently I have two products in rotation, one a long time staple and the other a new discovery.  The Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial is a mouthful to say but a favorite (and cult classic) to use.  The texture is quite thick so a little goes a long way, but with ingredients designed to target uneven tone and premature aging, this cream packs quite a punch.  I find that my skin has a significant glow when used regularly, and any summer pigmentation issues that have carried over to the fall have disappeared.  The Kiehl's Multi Corrective Cream (c/o) is new to my arsenal but has quickly earned its stripes.  With ingredients that help to retexturize, smooth and and sculpt the skin, my first initial result was waking up with texture-less skin.  No lumps, no bumps, no dry patches - nothing!  As I began to apply makeup after my shower, the foundation melted right into my skin and wore beautifully that day. A coincidence? I think not.  Since then this cream has been on repeat each night (though suitable for the day as well), and my skin cannot thank me enough.     

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