skin – Chocolate 'N Children

August 25, 2016August 25, 2016

Ark Skincare: Age Targeted Skincare Products – Review

I received these products free for purposes of my review. All opinions are my own.

ARK Skincare is an award winning British skincare brand loved by Beauty Editors at top magazines like ELLE and Glamour ! ARK Skincare products uniquely treat skin at every age providing a daily skin regimen that protects, defends, and defys. Created in England, ARK Skincare products deliver professional, salon grade results using the most innovative natural formulations. The result is a highly effective personalized skincare regime for every individual.

The ARK Skincare family of age targeted products is divided into three age intelligent product lines to treat skin. Complemented by the Skin Perfector range of treatment products and the Skin Essential range of daily necessities, Ark Skincare offers a solution for all of your skincare needs.

Since I’m in my 30s I got to try the Age Defend Ark Skincare line. This line is formulated for women in their 30s and 40s and is designed to reduce wrinkles and moisturize my skin.

ARK AgeDefend Replenishing Moisturiser

This is a twice a day (morning and evening) facial moisturizer. Designed for women in their 30s and 40s. It’s designed to reduce wrinkles and moisturize my skin. Because in my 30’s I want to keep my skin healthy and protected so I can maintain good skin as I age.

My first big beauty product concern is scent. It’s really important to me that I like the scent of whatever beauty product I’m using. This AgeDefend Replenishing Moisturizer smells great. I think it’s the combination of the SheaButter, Kiwi, and Blue Lotus. It’s refreshing and relaxing at the same time. The perfect scent for morning and evening. The scent doesn’t linger long, I really only smell it until I have the lotion rubbed in, which is perfect.

Next up is convenience. This bottle is easy to use and non-messy. Both very important. I just push the top down a little bit and I can easily get the amount of lotion that I want.

Last but not least, effectiveness. I’ve been using this for a week and have not had any breakouts or other problems with this product. My face is moisturized throughout the day without being greasy, and since this is non-greasy my makeup goes on fine over this moisturizer.

This is a great facial moisturizer and it is refreshing and works well on my skin.

ARK SkinPerfector Hydration Injection Masque

This Masque is formulated for all ages. The older you are, the longer you leave it on. You can even leave it on overnight if desired.

Since I’m in my 30s I followed the directions and put the masque on for 10 minutes.

The masque feels like a thick lotion when you put it on, it smells great, just like the AgeDefend Replenishing Moisturizer. It’s a relaxing and refreshing scent. But not that strong because I’m pretty sure that only the person wearing the masque can smell it.

It also goes on clear. With it on, my face just looked a little shiny. Which wasn’t enough to alert my husband to the fact that I was wearing a masque.

I put the masque on, said goodnight to the kids, and sat down in the kitchen to wait until I could wash it off. My husband walked over and I was barely halfway through warning him when he gave me a big kiss on the cheek. And then there was no need to tell him that I had a masque on. The masque apparently does not taste very good.

The masque was easy to wash off with warm water and I applied my ARK Age Defend Replenishing Moisturizer afterwards. My skin was soft and well moisturized.

Both of these products work well, are non-irritating, and smell great! For more information and to find the products designed for your skin check out Ark Skincare’s Website. You can shop by age, skin concern, and product type to find something that’s just right for you.

May 5, 2016

Valentia Skin Detoxifying Clay Mask – Review

The Roman Goddess of healing, Valentia, relied on nature’s gifts to heal the citizens of Umbria. Whether matriarchs seeking to maintain their youthful look or farmers seeking help for sun damaged skin, Valentia used berries, herbs, barks and other natural ingredients.

Just like their namesake, Valentia Skin Care products have been formulated with natural and organic cosmetic ingredients that will repair and protect the skin. Valentia products are Made in the USA, Vegan Friendly, Cruelty Free, and contain Natural and Organic Ingredients.

I received Valentia’s new Skin Detoxifying Clay Mask for free to review.

KEY INGREDIENTS

– Kaolin Clay: Clay minerals draw impurities, improve skin tone, and tighten pores for smoother firmer skin.

– Plant Stem Cells: Naturally decreases the level of pro-aging toxins and works to soother the skin, reduce redness, and improve evenness.

– Spirulina: A botanical stimulant full of vitamins that hydrates the skins surface and contributes to tissue regeneration of the skin.

– CoQ10: Lessens the appearance of wrinkles by reducing free radical damage and stimulating health collagen production.

– Hibiscus & Cranberry Fibers: Both lend their anti-aging properties to firm and reinforce the skin, helping to reduce the creation of new wrinkles.

I love this Clay Mask. It’s so refreshing. My skin feels smooth and refreshed after I use it. And it smells so good!

I put it on and left it on for 15 – 20 minutes. Then washed it off as the instructions specified. The results were great. The clay mask left my skin refreshed, smooth, and clear.

The Valentia Skin Detoxifying Clay Mask has a bit of texture to it. The instructions say to rub the mask on and then exfoliate when you rinse it off. This didn’t work really well for me. It was difficult to exfoliate and rinse the mask off with a washcloth at the same time. It worked way better to use a circular motion to rub the mask on and basically exfoliate at the same time. And then just rinse off when the mask set time was over.

My most important test for a good mask is whether or not my face breaks out the next day. I did not have any trouble with my skin the next day, my face was still refreshed and clear.

To keep up with Valentia’s Newest products you can follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

I received this product free for purposes of my review. All opinions are my own.

April 14, 2016

Plant Powered “Non-Prescriptions” for Eczema, Psoriasis, and Scalp Issues

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Thanks to derma e, I received all of these product for free for purposes of my review.

If you’re living with eczema or psoriasis, you know how painful, frustrating, and even embarrassing it can be. Recurring patches of dry, red, itchy, flaky, irritated skin can make you want to hide.

You may have turned to prescription treatments or over-the-counter products only to be dissatisfied with the results, or the fact that they contain ingredients like steroids, coal tars or pine tars. The good news is that derma e has formulated something incredibly effective, and so safe that the entire family could use it.

derma e Psorzema® Crème is made with a safe and effective blend of herbal extracts and skin vitamins such as Neem, Burdock, Bearberry, Vitamins A and E to help soften and soothe dry, irritated, scaling skin. It’s natural blend of ingredients help reduce redness and encourage healthy looking skin without the use of steroids, coal tar or pine tar.

Family owned and operated for over 30 years, derma e has pioneered the development of vitamin-rich, high-performance antioxidant skincare solutions. The award-winning line features doctor-developed, consumer-tested and clinically-tested face care, body care and treatment products that are free of parabens, phthalates, mineral oil and petrolatum. Every formula is cruelty-free, gluten-free and 100 percent vegan. Manufacturing and operations are offset 100 percent by wind power. derma e can be found in over 16,500 retail outlets across the U.S. such as Whole Foods Markets, ULTA Beauty, CVS and more!

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My kids have sensitive skin. My oldest is sensitive to scents and dyes so we were already using the free and clear laundry products by the time my little guy came along. He’s sensitive too, but since I’ve already cut most scents and dyes out of the kids skincare sensitivity wasn’t my problem with him.

Dry skin was a problem. Not all over, but little patches of dry skin around his knees, elbows, and legs. And dandruff in his hair. At his 1yr checkup my dr suggested that I use cortizone on him for a week to clear up his dry skin. It did a great job of clearing up his skin problem, but I truly hate using something with a steroid in it every month or so on my child’s skin. It just can’t be good for him. I’m supposed to use an anti dandruff shampoo on him as well but I can’t stand the smell of it and it really stings his eyes if the soap gets in his eyes when I’m rinsing his hair – and, there’s no 100% effective method for keeping all soap out of a wiggly toddler’s face when you’re washing his hair. So, I’m constantly on the lookout for safer products for my child.

I was super excited to try out this new Psorzema Creme. Something to help my child’s skin that doesn’t have steroids in it. Plus it’s natural, gentle, dye and scent free, and affordable. At $20 for a 4oz container on their website, it’s worth it to keep my child’s skin moisturized without steroids.

I got to try out the Scalp Relief Shampoo and Conditioner, the Body Wash, and the Psorzema Creme. I’m so pleased with all of these products! The Scalp Relief shampoo and conditioner really did help my child’s dandruff – and without the nasty smell of the anti-dandruff shampoos. The body wash was gentle and non-irritating to his skin. And best of all, the Psorzema Creme is just wonderful. It hydrated and softened his skin and all those little dry spots, that appear every time the seasons change, were gone after just a couple days of using the Creme. I couldn’t be happier.

I was already starting my annual spring hunt for a product that will keep his skin moisturized all summer. Because, once summer arrives and we’re swimming or in the sprinkler most days, it’s next to impossible to catch up if his skin gets too dry. I’ve found what I was looking for! The Psorzema Creme is so perfect for his skin, and it moisturizes so quickly and effectively, I’m going to be able to easily keep his skin moisturized all summer long. And I’ll definitely be purchasing more of this once my free product runs out.

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If you suffer with Eczema or Psoriasis, or just have dry or irritate skin, this is an awesome product that is really working well for my family.

Free sample!
As a special bonus for my readers. derma e is giving away samples of their Psorzema Creme to the first 10 readers who request a sample. You can go to their form here and request your free sample. And after you’ve tried it, I’d love to here in the comments what you think!

I received this product free for purposes of my review. All opinions are my own.