Eminence Rosehip Tonique

I swore by Sea Breeze when I was in high school.  I loved the tingly feeling it gave my skin and considering I needed to wash my skin several times a day because it was so oily, Sea Breeze may have been just what I needed.  I graduated at some point to using a Clinique toner, and then drifted away from toners in general, I can't remember why.

Eminence's Rosehip tonique, which is supposed to calm sensitive skin and balance oily skin, brought me back into the toner fold.  It contains Rosehip Juice to hydrate and improve the appearance of skin while providing antioxidant protection with vitamin C, and Salicylic Acid to help rid dead cells and smooth skin.  Lemon juice tones while removing surface impurities.  I give my face about 3 sprays after cleansing, wait for it to dry and then proceed with the rest of my routine.  I find the light scent and cooling sensation refreshing, and it does not dry out my skin.  My skin still produces plenty of oil, however, so I'm not sure how to evaluate the "balancing oily skin" claim. 

But what exactly is the purpose of a skin toner?  Is it even necessary?  Some say yes, others not really.  In their brochure, Eminence claims that toners are important to balance the natural pH of your skin (as well as infuse the skin with natural vitamins and minerals), but I've also read that your skin should be able to balance itself out.  If anything, I think the addition of antioxidants to combat environmental stress is probably the greatest benefit.  While these may also be included in your sunscreen or moisturizer, a layering approach may help. 

Eminence's Rosehip Tonique is on the pricier end of the range at $38 for 4 oz.  It comes in a spray bottle, which I like, but I've read some reviews where people indicated they used a cotton ball to apply in order to avoid waste. A bottle lasts me a good 8 months or so, and I use it twice a day.

The main appeal of Eminence to me is that they use fresh, organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs in their products.  They've also been around since 1958 and are certified organic.  All in all, I find their products to be of high quality and therefore worth the price.

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

Yes to Tomatoes Rollerball Spot Stick

I've been on a concerted effort to get my oily, blemish prone skin under control.  Enter salicylic acid, which is latin for willow tree, whose bark was originally where salicylic acid was derived from.  It's a beta hydroxy acid and helps skin cells to shed more readily, unclogging pores and neutralizing bacteria.  Pores then do not clog back up as easily, due to constricted pore diameter (thanks, Wikipedia).  Smaller pores, people!

I've been using cleansers, toners, serums, and masks that contain salicylic acid.  Now, I've got a spot treatment rollerball from Yes to Tomatoes to add to this arsenal.  In addition to 2% salicylic acid and tea tree oil to treat acne, bisobol and ginger help to reduce inflammation and redness.  I've got under the skin bumps that are the result of overactive sebaceous glands, and I'm targeting them to see if the rollerball makes a difference.  I can say that I've seen a reduction in at least one of my most stubborn under the skin bumps after only one week of treatment.  The metal ball feels very cool on my skin, which is a nice sensation.  I have to press firmly sometimes to make sure the solution comes out. 

According to the Yes to.... web site, a clinical consumer evaluation study saw an improvement in both the severity and size of blemishes in 3 days.   Also a plus, this product is 97% natural and relatively inexpensive at $9.99.  I bought mine at Rite Aid for 75% off, making it $2.49. 

Ingredients:  Salicylic Acid (2.0%).,Water, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Juice, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, SD Alcohol 38-B, Propanediol, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Extract*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Juice, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract*, Bisabolol, Maltodextrin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sucrose Stearate, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil

MD Formulatons Vit-A-Plus Clearing Complex Masque

Apparently, MD Formulations was the first company to license glycolic patents worldwide.  They developed a proprietary glycolic compound that is safe for all skin types and conditions because of a patented technology that raises the pH of the glycolic compound to match skin's pH levels, thus making it less irritating.  Originally operating as Bioceutix, MD Formulations offered its products primarily through spas and salons but also through physicians across the United States and in 17 countries.  Enter Bare Escentuals, who  acquired MD Formulations in November 2001, introducing it's product lines to the mass market.

I've been using Bare Escentuals products for about 5 years now, and somehow I was unaware of this.  When I bought the Vit-A-Plus Clearing Complex Masque from Beauty.com, I was surprised to see the Bare Escentuals info on the container.  Sometime the obvious escapes me, I guess. Regardless, I'm glad I bought this masque for problem prone skin, as I really like it!  Using dual action Alpha and Beta Hydroxy acids for exfoliation, it purports to improve skin texture and clarity.  Retinol-pure Vitamin A helps to eliminates oily shine, fight blemishes, and diminish the appearance of enlarged pores while Rosemary adds antibacterial benefits.  The base is french white clay, giving it a pale yellow green color.  

After smoothing a thin layer on my face, I can feel a slight tingling sensation.  The masque contains a 5% lactic compound and 1% salicylic acid, so I'm guessing these are what I'm feeling.  I leave it on for about 15 minutes and then rinse off.  This is not a masque that leaves my skin feeling particularly soft, but it does feel invigorated, clean and deslicked.  Recommended usage is 1-2 per week, and I've been using it once a week since I use several other exfoliating products as well.  I can tell that my pores are getting smaller and that my skin texture and clarity has improved, but I have to attribute that to more than one product since i have a rotation going.

This masque has earned a place in that rotation, however.  It retails for $30 for 2.5 oz, which should last quite a while since about a quarter's amount covers my face.  You can purchase MD Formulation products from a variety of online retailers, including Bare Escentuals, Skinstore, and Amazon.  The best prices seem to be on Amazon.

Yes to Tomatoes Clear Skin Daily Pore Scrub

Having recently ventured into the Yes To... brand with the Yes to Blueberries Cleansing Facial Towelettes, I was excited to see some Yes to Tomatoes products on sale for 75% off at Rite Aid recently.  The Yes to Tomatoes line is for oily and acne prone skin, a category I can click "yes" to.  The Clear Skin Daily Pore Scrub contains a blend of Ginger Root and Bisabolol, an extract derived from the Candeia tree in the Brazillian rainforest, to help reduce redness, sooth irritated skin, and calm inflammation.  The scrub also contains 2% salicylic acid to help unclog pores, break down blemishes, and control oil.  The scrubbing granules come from ground mango seed and bamboo.  Oh, and it's 97% natural!

This is a gentle scrub that can be used daily.  In my experience, it's not a cleanser, so I wouldn't use it expecting to remove makeup.  I use it in the mornings in the shower or at night after removing makeup with cleansing oil.  This is not a vigorous scrub, as the granules are somewhat sparse and rather soft.  After massaging my face for a bit, I like to leave the scrub on for about a minute to let the ingredients do their work, which is also why it's ideal for shower use.  It could be just the way my suspicious mind works, but I question how effective cleansers are in treating skin if they are only on the skin for a short time. 

I was curious as to what the recommendations are for levels of salicylic acid in acne products, and one source said to look for concentrations of 1-2%.  A 1% concentration is good for sensitive skin types, with 2% best for stubborn acne.  Given that you are rinsing away cleansers, the level of salicylic acid left on the skin would be minimal at best, I would think.  However, there is a warning on the tube that says "Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are using other topical acne medication at the same time or immediately following use of this product, as it may increase dryness or irritation of the skin".  I use a toner immediately after that contains salicylic acid and have experienced no problems.

The Daily Pore Scrub retails for $9.99, and I paid about $2.49 with the 75% off sale.  I like the scrub and think it would be a good option for those who do not want an abrasive scrub but do want the benefits of exfoliation for acne prone skin.