New From Clinique; Youth Surge

Clinique's new Youth Surge SPF15 Age Decelerating Moisturiser promises to put the brakes on the ageing process with the brand's groundbreaking new technology and research.

From the Clinique website:

"New patent-pending science creates an age decelerating moisturizer. But we also take a lot of inspiration from a Slider Turtle named Maxine closing in on 60 although, really, she doesn’t look a day over 30. The scientists at Clinique believe we, too, can slow down visible aging.

New Youth Surge SPF 15 builds on Sirtuin technology, using youth-extending agents with visible effects. Lines and wrinkles seem to evaporate. Skin gains strength over environmental agers.

Of course there will be a time when age catches up with us.
What’s the rush"?

Worldwide release March 09.

Suggested retail price $48.50 USD, 565 SEK

Anyone tried this yet?

xoxo

Review: Clarins Renew Plus Body Serum

Hello lovelies!

This is going to be my very first review, so please bear with me and don't hesitate to ask questions in case there is something I miss out on.




Ok: so I've been using Clarins Renew Plus Body Serum for some time now, I got it as a pressie from my sister; thank you sis :)
This is a 125 ml (4.2 Fl.Oz.) glass bottle with pump. I like pump bottles; I think they are much more hygienic.


Product description from the manufacturer's website:
"Eliminates dead skin cells, smoothes and softens skin. Smoothes lines and slackened skin, leaving it soft, toned and luminous. Water Lily extract ensures optimal hydration. Christophine and Olive extracts strengthen the moisturizing action and prevent signs of skin ageing.

Active Ingredients:
Pre-Retinol : revives cellular renewal. Water Lily extract (rich in Vitamin C) : softens skin and prevents signs of skin ageing. Christophine extract and plant-based perhydrosqualene from Olive Tree : strengthen the moisturizing action. Cashew Nut extract : evens skin tone".



My take:
This is a soft and silky light fluid lotion that absorbs almost instantly; great for those mornings when you're in a hurry to get dressed.
It has a lovely smell to it; very clean and fresh. It does leave my skin smooth, silky and supple. However, I haven't noticed my skin being in any better shape than it was before I started using this, so I don't think it lives up to its "intensive renewing" claims. Also, it's pricey; and in my honest opinion, I think a cheaper body lotion can do at least as good as this one. If you don't mind the price, this is a nice lotion to pick up.
It's very thin, so those with drier skin types would probably benefit from choosing a richer lotion/cream, at least for winter.

Final verdict:
Love the scent!
I would probably not go out and purchase this for myself since I think it's way overpriced and not that special of a product. I love the soft and silky feeling on my skin, but I really don't feel it makes any big difference as far as the overall skin condition is concerned.

Well; this was my very first review. I'll have to do more, it was fun :)

Winter Skincare

Winter season can be extremely stressful for our skin due to winds and cold temperatures outside as well as drying low-humidity resulting from heating inside.


What happens to our skin in winter:

When you are outside, the cold temperatures result in a poor blood circulation in your facial skin. As a result your skin does not get enough nutrients and oxygen and the healthy, regenerative processes in your skin slow down. As a result, skin looses its healthy color and becomes dull or pale. When you are inside, your skin is losing its moisture due to the dry environment created by indoor heating. As a result, it feels tight, dry and can start flaking. When you shift between the cold outside and the warm and dry inside environments the difference is so big and stressful for your skin that your skin naturally cannot balance itself quickly enough, resulting in loss of hydration, irritation, widened capillaries and redness.

To keep your skin healthy during winter you should:
*help it to restore the protective hydro lipid barrier
*protect and balance your skin
*moisturize, moisturize and again moisturize
*provide protection against UV-light

Rethink your skin care routine and the skin care products you normally use.

Go easier on daily cleansing and products containing alcohol:
Since extreme weather weakens skin’s balance and protective lipid barrier, you need to save your skin the additional stress of an intensive cleansing routine that will only worsen the situation. Choose a non-stripping cleanser: a rich cleansing milk or mild foaming cleanser.
If you are using a toner containing alcohol on a daily basis, it is better to stop for winter or substitute it with a non-alcohol toning product. Remember, alcohol strips skin of lipids, natural protective oils and contributes to skin’s dryness and increased sensitivity!

Peels:
If you are a fan of daily peeling products, it is advisable to change your routine for winter and to do a maximum of 2-3 peel sessions per week. Peeling your skin surface on a daily basis does not let it restore its protective lipid barrier and balance itself. It becomes more susceptible to free radical damage and even to break-outs. If you notice that your skin has become very dry, sensitive or even started flaking, exclude all products containing peeling ingredients such as Retinol and AHA's.

Go heavier on your moisturizer:
Moisturizers are mostly based on humectants and emollients.
-Humectants (such as hyaluronic acid) keep our skin moisturized by attracting water to its surface (epidermis).
-Emollients (oils, butters) soften and soothe the skin; increase its ability to retain moisture and create a protective layer on the skin to prevent it from dehydration.
Look for heavier moisturizing products to use during winter. Some skin care specialists suggest using protective emollient-based skin care products for the day and humectants-based at night.

Timing is Important:
Apply your moisturizer at least 30 minutes to an hour before going outside. This is especially true if your moisturizer is humectant based or has high water content. If you do not let your moisturizer penetrate and get fully absorbed by the skin it can freeze (!) into micro ice particles on your skin’s surface.

Hot Bubbly Baths:

It is not recommended to have prolonged hot showers or long hot baths in winter. (I know it's hard getting out of there). The fact is that long showers/baths do not add to the moisture level of our skin but on the contrary take away the protecting lipid and fat layers and further contribute to skin’s dehydration. When you shower make sure the water is not too hot and use shower milk that contains oils and emollients. If you are a fan of bubble baths as a way to escape the winter blues make sure to add moisturizing oils to the baths and apply a moisturizing body product afterwards.

Nobody Cancelled Sun Protection for Winter.
In winter the sun’s reflective powers on the snow can be higher than on the sand of a beach in the summer. Use sun protection to prevent UV damage and photoaging. Your sun protection should not be lower than SPF15.

Chapped Lips and Dry Hands.
Usually lips and hands suffer most during the winter season. Lips get sore and chapped and hands get dry and flaky. For your lips, protective and moisturizing lip care products are available as tinted glosses or balms.
Take special care of your hands since skin on the hands is thinner than on the rest of the body. In addition, hands are often exposed to stressful or stripping factors like soaps, winds, water etc. It is also a known fact that hands are among the first to show signs of aging.

*What else can we do?

Vitamins and Antioxidants:

Help your skin regain its energy and strength in winter by eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and veggies. Important antioxidants for the skin are vitamins C, B, E, Zink and Magnesium.

Mini Winter Facial:
Give yourself a mini-facial at home once or twice a week. Cleanse your skin. Use a mild exfoliating product selected for your skin type. Take a soft fluffy towel and soak it in warm water (not hot!). Add 2-3 drops of an essential oil such as lavender to sooth, de-stress and refresh the skin. Press the towel to your face and inhale 3-4 times slowly and deeply to let the oil do its aroma work. This will stimulate blood circulation as well. Apply a hydrating and soothing mask for 10-15 minutes. Take off the mask and apply your daily moisturizer with light, massaging movements. Direct the movements from the center of your face outward and a bit upward. Finish up by slightly tapping with your fingertips all over your face. This express facial will stimulate blood circulation, give your skin new energy, restore its balance and help it regain its healthy radiance!

Stay Active:
Do not give in to the winter blues! Keep up your daily fitness routine. This keeps you fit and stimulates blood circulation in your whole body and of course your skin!