Face Cleansing 101+ Clarisonic Mia

“It’s time to think beyond the washcloth and elevate cleansing to a sonic level.”

The Clarisonic Mia (can be found at Nordstrom) is the perfect compact skin cleansing system. It’s the convenient travel-friendly sized version of the original Clarisonic.  It will change your life.

Mia set contains:

– Clarisonic Mia One Speed Brush

– International pLink™ charger for worldwide use

– Sensitive Brush Head

– 1.0 oz Gentle Hydro Cleanser

Clarisonic Mia-loveleigh beauty

Embarrassing as it is, at 30 years old, I suffer from occasional breakouts. Truth be told, I have tried everything under the sun to prevent this travesty. I blame it partly on hormones (<<–pretty sure they need to simmer) and majority on my freakishly sensitive skin. Blah! Needless to say, I’m a little cray about keeping my peachy clean complexion.

This magic little machine not only has cleared my skin, but has actually made it softer and improved the texture when I added it to my current skincare regimen.

After 3 months of consistent Clarisonic use.
After 3 months of consistent Clarisonic use. I have a tinted moisturizer on with a light, mineralized powder dusted on top. Oh, and blush of course. 😉 No foundation and no filter.

The Clarisonic Mia Benefits:

+Suitable for all skin types

+Removes makeup 6x better than traditional methods

+Cleanses so thoroughly that skincare products absorb better

+Helps reduce blemishes, oily areas, and dry skin

+Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

+Lessens appearance of visible pores

+Promotes collagen

+Creates noticeably healthier looking skin

What else you need to know about the Clarisonic Mia:

It should be added to your daily skincare regimen to promote smoother feeling and looking skin. It will not strip your skin and is recommended by leading dermatologists, cosmetic surgeons, and Loveleigh Beauty’s very own skincare expert, Janee.

Be sure to pay close attention to your skins needs though. I use Tazorac (a retinoid) and sometimes I will refain from using my Clarinsonic Mia everyday if my skin feels extra sensitive. Sometimes I may skip a day, it depends.

DO NOT over exfoliate. Ever. Find your skins balance.

There are different bristle heads to choose from. I use the the sensitive skin bristles and I make sure to change them out every 3 months. It’s imperative you change them to avoid germs. Let’s face it, germs are everywhere and the last place we need them is on our face. Ew.

Another essential product to add to your skincare regimen is a quality manual scrub. [[I’m not talking about your drugstore St. Ives Apricot one either. That scrub will actually scratch the surface of your skin and cause more harm than good.]]

loveleighbeauty-torrey-pines-derm

I’m obsessed with Torrey Pines Dermatology Fortified Exfoliation Scrub. It delivers a soothing wave of cleansing heat[<<literally, like a heat wave] as it gently removes dead, dry skin cells, excess oil, and residue to reveal healthier, younger looking skin. This deep pore exfoliation scrub also contains minerals that trap impurities to be washed away while releasing moisturizing conditioners to soften and smooth the skin. It’s ah-mazing! No joke.

I like to use the manual scrub before a special event so my makeup glides on like butter.   Try it!

Love, LL

xo

Torrey Pines Dermatology is giving Loveleigh Beauty followers 20% off!

[photo courtesy of torreypinesderm.com]
With such a great response from Monday’s skincare interview with Janee, Torrey Pines Dermatology is offering Loveleigh Beauty readers 20% off all:

+cosmetic injectibles (botox, dysport, restylane, juvederm)

+lasers

+esthetic treatments [<<—with the one and only, Janeé]

+ALL skin care products

+OR–free shipping on all products if you can’t make it in to their office. Simply place your order over the phone. [[if only they could ship injectables, right? ;)]]

Um, please and thank you! How loveleigh is that?

So, what are you waiting for? Call now and take the first step toward achieving your “best skin”! Just mention the Loveleigh Beauty blog and that’s it. Easy peasy!

Also, a lot of people asked me about what specific products to use and when to use them. We all know that Vit C is vital for your skin in the AM; and retinol, is essential in the PM. Of course, don’t forget about a quality face wash, and the Elta Md Sunscreen paired with a great moisturizer in between.

Sooo, I decided to compile a list of highly recommended products from Dermatologists, skin care experts, and consumers (like me).

{All can all be found at Torrey Pines Dermatology with 20% off!}

Here you go dolls:

*Torrey Pines Dermatology Eye Cream: Contains retinol & arnica which are fabulous for dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines {+has an amazing texture!!}

Everything you need for healthy, glowing skin!

*Skinceuticals Vit C E Ferulic®[one word, emphasize each syllable with me: ah-may-zing!!]

A revolutionary antioxidant combination that delivers advanced protection against photo-aging by:

+ neutralizing free radicals, boosting collagen synthesis, & providing unmatched antioxidant protection.

+More protection means more youthful looking skin and better defense against environmental aging.

+Provides advanced environmental protection against UVA, UVB and infrared radiation A

+Stimulates collagen synthesis to improve signs of aging

+Increases firmness and replenishes lipids to reduce wrinkles

Once absorbed, this serum can’t be washed or rubbed off. It remains effective for a minimum of 72 hours, making it an excellent addition to sunscreen.

Skinceuticals C E Ferluric is an Allure Best in Beauty winner!

Favorite Retinol product(s):

*Torrey Pines Dermatology Retinol PLUS Antioxidant Serum 5X: assists in the achievement of smoother, firmer and more evenly toned skin.

[—>>Remember: Retinol (Vitamin A) itself helps to reduce the appearance of lines and surface wrinkles; revitalizes, smoothes and enhances skin tone and texture, and helps to minimize the visible signs of aging]

*Tazorac: is a similar chemical form as vitamin A, but it is slightly stronger and is more effective for acne treatment. [I personally use this type because I suffer from breakouts periodically.] This product is both available in cream or gel and comes in two strengths, depending on the severity of your acne problem and your skin type. [You need a prescription for this bad boy. However, one of the amazing derm docs at Torrey Pines Dermatology can help you with that.]

*Green Tea Polyphenols & Caffeine: offers antioxidant protection, calms the skin, and reduces redness.

*Hyaluronic Acid: hydrates the skin.

*Neocutis BioCream: the most complete protein blend of Human Growth Factors, Cytokines, and Interleukins available to help improve appearance of aged skin and soothe the skin.

+Helps reduce appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

+Improves skin texture and tone for renewed radiance.

+Enhances skin firmness

You can reach Janeé at janee@torreypinesderm.com, with any questions, concerns, or to make an appointment. She will change your life, she did mine.

{—>>Please remember to consult with Janee or any derm doc to assess your skin’s needs. Everyone is different, and every skin reacts differently to products.<<—–}

Please be sure to share with me your fav skincare products.

Love, LL

xo

Gluten-free beauty products-inspired by my daughter living with Celiac’s

Celiac kid-glutenfree-beauty products-loveleigh

No one ever forgets the day you find out your child has a genetic, life-long, life changing autoimmune disorder.

Why did my daughter have to live a life that would now be “different” and more difficult?

Don’t get me wrong, I am completely relieved to know what is causing my daughter to feel sick, tired, and “fuzzy” as she describes some days; even better, that the illness is completely treatable by something as natural as a change in diet. No medication necessary.

Yet, I could’t help feeling such sadness the day we found out. It is a kind of sadness that I feel through my whole body; it starts in the middle of my heart and carries down to the pit of my stomach. It is very overwhelming emotionally.

Thankfully, “gluten free” has become a well know term, but navigating the ins and outs of finding safe food she can eat often feel like a part-time job. But if anyone can do it, this mama will. My pity party is over and I will nourish her back to health.

Research for Celiac is minimal, but some say makeup that contains gluten can trigger Celiac disease symptoms. My whole life practically has been dedicated to beauty and beauty products, so don’t judge me when one of my first thoughts were “what if she can’t wear makeup?”  That thought quickly turned into: what beauty products can she have? Hence, inspiration for this very blog post.

Gluten is a very sneaky culprit. Celiac sufferers are discovering that more than dietary changes are necessary because it can be found in lipgloss, hair-sprays, eyeshadows-everyday products that some don’t even think twice about using.

Gluten is used as a binder to help ingredients stick together, and to add moisture to products through gluten-derived oils.

Experts are split over whether people living with Celiac should really avoid cosmetics containing gluten. Some adamantly believe gluten-free beauty products are healthy for them and prevent further reaction or damage to their insides; while some researchers say that gluten cannot be absorbed through the skin because the protein molecules are too large. Obviously, more research is imperative and needed.

Regardless, I will now be very aware as to what products do and don’t contain gluten for the benefit of my daughter.

These are ingredients in cosmetics that could contain gluten and are best avoided for those with Celiac:

avena sativa (Oat) kernel flour

barley extract

cyclodextrin

dextrin

fermented grain extract

hyrolyzed malt extract

hydrolyzed wheat protein

hydrolyzed vegetable protein

maltodextrin

oat (avena sativa)

stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl

samino peptide complex

phytosphingosine extract

triticum vulgare (Wheat germ extract)

Secale Cereale

Sodium C8-16 Isoalkylsuccinyl Wheat Protein Sulfonate

wheat germ

vitamin e

yeast extract

Here is my list (so far) of beauty products sans gluten:

Nars: All products are 100% gluten free

Smashbox: over 98% of products are gluten free and safe.

Mac: almost all products EXCEPT:

+tinted lip conditioner – wheat germ oil and soy

+amplified creme lipstick – hordeum vulgare (barley) extract, triticum vulgare (wheat) germ extract & soybean extract

+say SPF 15 light moisture – polysorbate 80 (wheat), biosaccharide

+fast response eye cream – wheat germ oil, barley extract and cornoil

+prep + prime skin-saccharide isomerate (wheat)

+satin, velux pearl, & velux eye shadows

+cremesheen lipgloss

+amplified lipstick

+plush glass

Estee Lauder Company Statement: 

“This is to hereby confirm that none of our lipsticks contain gluten, and they are not manufactured alongside products that would contain it.

While a formulation may contain no wheat, oat, barley or rye derivatives, for the benefit of our gluten-sensitive consumers who may have cross-sensitivities, Estee Lauder takes the extra precaution of including corn, rice and soy in our research. All Estee Lauder lipsticks contain either/or corn and soy with the exception of Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick which contains wheat, corn and soy.

My journey to finding gluten-free products has just begun, so my hope is that more companies will follow suit and choose ingredients that are beneficial to all.

+If you find any gluten-free products that you love send them my way!

xo

LL

Dry Skin Brush by Elemis

Skin. It’s the largest organ in the body. It is responsible for ¼ of the body’s detoxification each day. When the blood is full of toxic materials, your skin will surely reflect negatively with problems. Pretty important, don’t you agree?

Well let me fill you in on a little secret to help eliminate toxins and keep your skin looking fresh(!)…dry skin brushing. The practice of dry skin brushing may be old news to some; obviously you have held on to a classic piece of beauty advice. With all the overwhelming products to choose from and the hype in today’s “quick-fix” market, I feel it is important to re-introduce this basic beauty process. Dry brushing not only is a great way to maintain healthy skin, but also helps you to maintain a healthy body.

The Benefits Of Dry Skin Brushing

* Assists the lymphatic system in removing toxins from the body to promote healthy    and glowing skin.

* Helps to exfoliate dead skin cells; which can improve skin texture and cell renewal.

* Lessens the appearance of cellulite by increasing blood flow and circulation.

* Allows for proper absorption of nutrients by eliminating clogged pores.

Dry skin brushing is probably one of the simplest and cheapest ways of promoting overall health.

I purchased a new Body Detox Skin Brush by Elemis, at Nordstrom last week. It is important to find a dry brush with natural bristles; some can be made from synthetic material, which can be toxic. Elemis uses natural cactus bristles.

Dry skin brushing should be performed once a day. I prefer to do it each morning before my shower. If you are feeling sick, try twice a day to build up your immunity and until you feel better. Begin brushing your skin in long sweeping strokes starting from the bottom of your feet upwards, then from your hands towards your shoulders, and over your stomach area in an upward direction. Always brush towards your heart.

I have the most sensitive skin ever and dry skin brushing doesn’t irritate my skin whatsoever.

Commit to dry brushing for 30 days and be ah-mazed by the results.

It is recommended to wash your dry brush once a week, with hot water and mild soap, to keep it clean and sanitized. Hang dry.

Also, don’t forget to hydrate with a good quality lotion that will nourish the skin afterward. I use Hempz Pomegranate Herbal moisturizer found here.

This lotion is enriched with 100% pure organic hemp seed oil. It smells so yummy! It absorbs well and doesn’t leave a greasy residue on your skin.

Let me know when you start your new dry skin brushing regimen and keep me posted on your results.

Love, LL

References:

elemis.com

livestrong.com: Skin Brushing and Weight Loss