Skinceuticals Blemish & Age Defense Serum Has Joined My Skincare Arsenal

I recently got my hot little hands on a sample of Skinceuticals Blemish & Age Defense after a friend told me it was recommended to her by Gee Beauty (one of my favourite shops & experts in all things Skinceuticals). We have similar skin types, and she really like this product. Well, I'm sold.

I don't know if I can blame the planets for my zits...but I will anyways.

Skinceuticals Blemish & Age Defense is a serum chock full of ingredients that fight acne & oil, help maintain even skin tone, and to refine the surface of the skin. It decongests pores while it reduces acne bacteria. I loved it within 3 days of using every night at bedtime. Then, as is my wont, or perhaps the curse of a beauty blogger, I turned to another product. Bad idea. Almost within 24 hours my skin broke out. Distracted by many things, I just figured it was something else (Mercury Retrograde? Can it cause zits?) and went about my business, which is ADD skincare and cosmetic use. A few nights ago, the Skinceuticals B&A serum caught my eye and I thought "Hey I should use this again". Lo and behold, it's already working it's magic. My pores are less noticeable, and my skin feels smoother and radiant when I wake up. If my skin feels a bit sensitive, I use it with the Skinceuticals Phyto-Corrective Gel serum, for a perfect combination and lovely skin. I am still using my Vichy proEVEN lotion during the day, and can't imagine being without it, either.

Next on my list: Skinceuticals Retexturing Activator. 

Erin from The Waltons - squeaky clean with Sea Breeze

Banish Future Blemishes & Hide The Ones You Have With Vichy

I am recent lover of Vichy skincare. After Vichy proEVEN pretty much changed my life and my life and my skin, I have a lot of faith in what Vichy can do for me. Since using Vichy proEVEN my skin tone has changed to the point where my poor concealer collection is gathering dust.  I used to have spots left behind from blemishes that seemed to last forever. I was covering up all the time. Vichy proEVEN has made that unnecessary. I can say honestly as well, that every woman I have recommended proEVEN to have told me the same thing. Usually within the first week of use, they see a dramatic difference.

I do love to use a mask and scrub for my pores still, however. I like a deep cleansing mud-type mask, and I like a scrub that is not too abrasive. Enter Vichy Normaderm Tri-Activ Mask. The website says "a triple action mask that cleanses, exfoliates and mattifies. A formula associating a high concentration of clay, ''peeling'' ingredients and a soothing agent.". And it's true. I don't get irritated or red from using it, and my skin feels baby soft. I like to put it on before the shower and let it dry, then use gentle circular scrubbing motions to rinse it off 10 minutes later in the shower. Use it as a cleanser to thoroughly yet gently eliminate sebum/impurities without drying skin. It also unclogs pores to help reduce blackheads/whiteheads and evens out skin tone. Use it as a mask, and it draws out impurities, as it is enriched with 25% natural clay to remove excess sebum to clarify complexion

The emphasis on this product, besides the efficacy of it, is the gentle formulation. It's hypoallergenic, soap & paraben-free, and made with the famous Vichy thermal spa water. I love it now, but I know I'm going to love it even more in the summer. 

The only concealer I use is one under my eyes, and one to cover the occasional evil zit that decides to set up shop on my face. And the one I am using for that is, big surprise, Vichy Normaderm Anti-Imperfection Stick. My friend uses it and told me she loves it's mattifying qualities as well the fact it is medicated to help up those zits. It's in a nifty twist-up pencil format, which makes it perfect for the purse. The colour is supposed to be universal, which is a bit of a stretch. It's on the darker side, yet not dark enough for a dark complexion. It works for me, and I can dab a little powder on top to lighten it. If I am using self tanner or in the summer, the colour is perfect. It actually helps dry up the little zits without drying out the skin. Most medicated concealers contain so much stuff they dry out the skin, and non-medicated ones can clog pores. Vichy Normaderm Stick is just right. My 16 year old uses on her acne as well and really likes it.

Vichy is available at Canadian drugstores: the Tri-Activ Mask is around $20 for 125ml and the stick is around $15. Vichy Tri-Activ Mask will be available in the US August 2012.

Even Dreamy Skin, Thanks To Vichy proEVEN

I can't think of any woman who isn't concerned about the aging effect sun spots and assorted dark spots/scars have on our skin. There are a bajillion whitening brightening products out there, most of them containing Vitamin C, which has the seemingly magical ability to even out blotchy and spotted skin tone. Well the latest product from Vichy, proEVEN, delivers results and more. It is chock full of wonderful science that includes vitamin C and E to target excess melanin and dark spots. Innovation and 11 (yes, 11!) patents later, it's no surprise.

The texture of this cream is wonderful. It is not too thick, not too thin, and spreads beautifully on the skin. And, miraculously, this is not thanks to silicones, which are way too often added for slip and texture, but that give a false sense of smoothness. Some silicones will also irritate certain sensitive skin types and can even cause acne. Not an issue with proEVEN. After around a week of using it every night, I definitely saw a difference in my complexion. I'd had a bad bout of hormonal acne over the holidays and was feeling rather spotty and adolescent. After two weeks of use the little spots left behind by acne were almost invisible. It usually takes a long time for those marks to heal, so long that even when there is nothing but a mark left, I still have to use a spot of concealer on it.  Not now. There was no discomfort or irritation as a result of using this cream and would say it actually feels wonderful and soothing. If spots, sun spots and discoloration are an issue for you, then you must try proEVEN.

Spots might be cute on her, but not on us.

Vichy proEVEN is available at drugstores and online for Amercian consumers.

photo of sweet puppy from here