Words from a Cosmetic Chemist

Happy Weekend Fabulous Readers!

This weekend we have a special blog for you all, the first of others to come, a series of interesting and amazing guest bloggers from various fields in the cosmetic and beauty industry. We hope you will enjoy J

Feel free to comment or ask questions!

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Meet John Kressaty

Cosmetic Chemist/ Pharmacy Minor

John Kressaty’s extensive background in bio-chemical research, development, manufacturing and marketing establishes him as one of a few true experts in the field of Skin Care. Before starting The Skinbar with his wife, Heather Chandler-Kressaty, a luxury skincare boutique in Brentwood, TN, he was the Chief Chemist and Executive Vice-President of 3LAB,Inc. He was also the key innovator, president and partner at June Jacobs Labs, LLC, a company owned and founded by Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Skin Care to provide research and development as well as contract manufacturing.

John has a degree in Chemistry from St. Francis College and in Pharmacy from St. Johns University. He is the 1997 Board Chairman for the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and is a member of ICMAD (Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors.) and CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association)

You can visit John at The Skin Bar: http://www.theskinbar.com/

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Face Serums

How do they really work? Is this all you need on a daily basis? Is it enough for my skin? So many choices and so many ingredients to choose from…..

Face serums are specifically formulated as a treatment product to apply under your moisturizer.  They can be used to plump up the surface of the skin especially prior to make up application. Most of these products are water based for optimum absorption into the skin. Once applied a moisturizer is used to help lock in the actives in the serum. Ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C are often incorporated into these formulas for immediate results. Many of the firming and lifting actives are added to serums as they tend to be water based ingredients and are very effective in these systems.

Face serums can be used once or twice daily and are usually compatible with creams that are layered. They often add to the hydration of the skin and help to lock in moisture, this is especially great for oily to combination skin clients that tend to avoid creams as they can build up on the skin or feel too greasy. I enjoy formulating face serums as I feel these are the products which give the quick results and make the skin look good immediately upon application.  

Serums also allow me to incorporate the maximum amount of actives into a system, whereas with a cream you are limited as to the amount you can add to keep the fine balance in the formula and make sure you have no issues with separation or stability.

As a man, I love the feel of a serum especially after shaving; it immediately hydrates and soothes my skin. It also calms down redness (even though every serum doesn’t contain anti-irritants). This is a good start to the day for me. After that, I apply my sunscreen for maximum protection.

My New Found Friend

Hey Everyone, Happy Friday to you…It’s Beckie here,

Well I don’t know about you, but this week has been quite a whirlwind.  You know one of those where you wake up and can’t remember what day it is.

So last week I admitted to being timid about asking questions about beauty products and never really had the courage to go into the beauty side of stores like Ulta or Sephora.  I now have a better understanding about what products do what and it’s just a matter of finding ones that fit my skin type.  This week we’re talking about face serums and what they do and their added benefits.

Having added different types of serums into my daily routine has really made a difference on my skin.  During the year I notice that my skin will change and need different types of care.  During the Fall and Winter when the temperatures are cold and dry I find myself adding in not only a serum but also a moisturizer to lock in the serum.  For the Summer and Spring, I mostly just use the serum because it’s just enough to moisturize my face.

One of my newly found BFF’s is from Bath & Body Works.  It’s from their Pure Simplicity white tea line and it’s called Nori, anti-aginglifting serum.  This stuff is awesome! I’ve been using it for about a month now and I’ve seen a true transformation in my skin.  My fine lines have become less apparent and the skin on my face is soft not weathered.  Lately I’ve been using this serum both day and night but in the past I’ve alternated different serums for different needs.

Another serum that I’ve used is Truth Serum Collagen Boosterfrom Ole Henriksen.  This serum has a delicious smell and instantly you want to spread it on some toast or something.  Its use of Vitamin C and E to help heel and restore and licorice extract aid in evening out your skin tone.  I love this serum because it’s all inclusive.  You don’t have to switch one for anti-aging and one for skin tone balance.  This one does it all.

Well friends as the weather changes and the holidays approach, remember to appreciate the small things and thank the person that just stole your parking spot, because stress causes wrinkles and blemishes. 

With that, have a fantastic weekend!

Cheers!

Beckie B

To Do Or Not To Do

 Greetings Grayce here!

 To do or not to do???

Are you finding it hard to decide what's better for your skin: a facial serum or a facial moisturizer?

Facial serums can give you added moisture, the main reason you'd want to use a facial serum is to get added nutrients into deeper layers of your skin that a regular moisturizer is not able to reach.

You can get many types of serums such as anti-aging serums, skin brightening serums and even acne preventative serums. You apply the serum after your toner and before your moisturizer.

A moisturizer has larger molecules than a serum. This means that a moisturizer will not penetrate the skin as far as a serum will. While serums deposit nutrients, moisturizers are meant to deposit moisture and hydration your skin.

If you have a specific problem with your skin that you want to improve, dark spots, fine lines even blemishes, a serum can help. There are a variety of serums on the market so you can decide which one will work best for you.

I can’t say enough about the Chantecaille products Sylvie Chantecaille IS a Visionary Woman in a World of Beauty

Chantecaille Nano Gold Firming Treatment

I know but I am in love with this product your skin will glow like gold. Nano Gold Firming Treatment is a pure and powerful treatment moisturizer with a blend of innovative ingredients that deliver immediate comfort and hydration while firming skin and providing a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Upon application, skin begins to restore its natural equilibrium and well being. Intracellular communication increases energy flow at the molecular level allowing oxygen and nutrients to repair and strengthen skin. Skin’s density is restored and elasticity is sustained. The signs of age are visibly reduced while skin is protected from future age aggression.  Gold, Botanical stem cell extracts, Tetrapeptides, Microalgae, Co-enzyme Q10, Antioxidants The Nano Gold Treatment is a high performance moisturizer-serum hybrid for women and men with normal, normal-to-dry or dehydrated skin. It can be used as a day moisturizer or night cream depending on skin type. http://www.chantecaille.com/ Bottom of Form

emerginC multi vitamin +retinol serum is a must have

A dual phase product the multi vitamins plus retinol brings dull and tired-looking skin  to life with a serious dose of nourishment and protective qualities

Fights free-radical damage, antioxidant, helps increase cellular turnover, strengthens skin, can diminish appearance of broken capillaries, hydrates, co-factor in the production of collagen, improves tone and texture, soothes skin, can lessen redness associated with rosacea.

Boost collagen to combat lines & wrinkles over time exfoliates skin to diminish the signs of aging and protect against future damage antioxidant protection to diminish the signs of aging.
this fabulous blend of  ingredients such as retinol (vitamin A), sodium ascorbyl phosphate (vitamin C), vitamin B complex, vitamins E, F, H & K, licorice root, balm mint, green tea, sweet almond milk, chamomile, fennel, hops, yarrow, allantoin. http://www.emerginc.com/

Prevage® Eye Advanced Anti-Aging Serum

This is also a very nice serum lightweight and easy to apply around the eye area

This intensive eye treatment contains Idebenone. This complex of antioxidant ingredients is proven to minimize the appearance of dark circles and puffiness, firm and tone the look of skin in the eye area, and protect skin from all types of free radical assaults. www.prevageskin.com

enjoy the journey!

Keeping it Simple with a Serum

Happy Wednesday Fabulous Readers!

Jessica back with you this week as we talk about Face Serums :)

My history on the topic...I have never been one to use a serum, I didn't know why they were used or how beneficial they really were...plus they never seemed to sink into my skin like a cream or lotion did. I mostly would try them out in the day before my makeup, because I already had a strict night regimen that I would not break. All the ones I used never sank in though and it took too long to absorb before I applied my makeup...annoying! So I gave up on serums, scoffing at people who said they used them,  until I came across one that changed my whole way of thinking...

Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Serum, had me changing up my whole night routine and this is especially important now that the winter season is upon us and my skin is getting dryer and dryer as I continue my night rituals with my same old tried and true products. In my desprite attempts to prefect my skin, these AMAZING but harsh produtcs take a toll on my face as the months get colder...so my solution now is to add this Blemish Clearing Serum as a base before I apply stronger blemish treatments.

Usually I apply my CVS Acne Treatments Gel (last week's blog topic) as a cream and base for my overnight repair, then use it to spot treat the actual problem areas. Although it keeps my skin clear, in the winter it dries and flakes my skin and (as I have said before) it is impossible to apply makeup with skin in this condition. There is only so much my moisturizer can do when I wake up, look in the mirror and freak out when I see flaky skin everywhere! By that time it is too late to properly hydrate, espcially since the overdrying occured while I was sleeping...which, as I mentioned last week, is the best time to repair the skin and prep it for the next day strain of all the makeup and evironmental toxins it will come across.

I have tried a few serums and nothing has come close to Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Serum!!! It comes in a glass botle with a dropper and I love that method of getting the product out...maybe because I feel like some sort of doctor or chemist doing an experiment...probably has a lot to do with my dreamer personality! haha. But anyway, I apply the serum from the dropper to my hand and rub my hands together to warm up the product (as it says to do). I then apply it to my face and let it set for a few minutes, then apply my spot treatment. Some of the skin perfecting ingredients include a "powerful fruit acid complex of certified organic apple, lemon and raw cane sugar blended with salicylic acid, juice antioxidants and coenzyme Q10".

So, as I have been open minded and allowed a serum into my night routine, I have noticed the serum hydrates my skin perfectly, not too much like a cream or lotion would do...plus I hate wearing creams and lotions at night, I save that for the day. I am pretty stubborn when it comes to my skin care products, I try SO many that when I find one that actually works and I can't live without I will never give it up. So I tend to use my must have products as standards when I test out new products. If a new product can't do what my existing one does and better, why bother? If it 'aint broke, don't fix it...but I do give everything a chance to at least try and exceed my current loves :)

Wow I rambled on this week! I hope my crazy banter was useful to you.

As always, Keep on Being Beautiful YOU!

A Deeper Level of Nutrients

Hi friends. It’s Tara here, writing this Tuesday about face serums (or in my case, a serum-like product). I realize that I should’ve probably saved this product for Cert Fab’s upcoming “wild card” week, but seeing that I don’t generally use face serums, I thought this was a good time to discuss a product I love, and actually use in lieu of a serum—Australian Scent’s Intensive Wrinkle Therapy.

Okay, Okay…if you follow this blog, you’re probably wondering why a mid-twenties gal uses something with both “intensive” and “wrinkle” in the name. It’s a big name, yes, but I find that it works incredibly well for my normal/dry skin. In my mind, serums should be used to fulfill needs that a moisturizer can’t. Serums are formulated in such a way that their nutrients can reach a deeper skin layer than a standard moisturizer. This means their ingredients are that much more important!

This product has more of a balm texture than a standard gel or liquid-y serum—which is one of the reasons I prefer it to a serum. Serums can be SO EXPENSIVE, and in a liquid form, I feel as if I’m losing more product than I’d like... With Australian Scent, the teeniest amount of product goes an extremely long way—and is very easy to apply. Most importantly--if I stick to using a dab of it daily for a couple weeks straight, my skin will glow. Perhaps due to its nutrient-rich ingredients like evening primrose (below), frankincense, and goji, I can’t recommend this effective and fragrant product enough! Especially now that we’re approaching the winter!

Well, that’s it from me today. Hope that you enjoy the rest of your week, and get the chance to read up on the other Cert Fab ladies’ favorite serums!

Anti oxidants to the rescue

Sara

Good morning, I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.


As your skin care needs change with time or season, one thing I have found that is an easy step to add to my regime and alter based on my needs is a serum...

A serum is a gel type product that is used before your moisturizer or for some skin types it is used instead of a  traditional moisturizer.

I am not sure if it is generational thing or an age thing... in my 20s i did not understand the need for a serum... Never used them. Now in my 30s not only do I use them,  I have few if them and strategic uses for them...

A lot of serums have an a gel type consistency.   They are rich with anti-oxidants and other ingredients that will help to fight free radicals and fight off the signs off aging... There are also serums that are targeted for issues and concerns, like dry skin, sensitive skin, acne issues, etc...

So in summer, sometimes I am able to use just a serum, with out a moisturizer.  When I am using just a serum, it needs to be hydrating as well as nourishing.   I really like the brightening effect as well of some serums, like emerginc emerginc scientific organics phytocell serum,  John Masters Organics Vitamin Anti-Aging Serum  and last but not least mad-skincareWrinkle Repellent Environmental Protection Serum.

These as I said can be used alone or  in conjunction with a moisturizer which I need in the fall and winter...

Anti Oxidants are used in the skin care so when they are applied to the skin they help to fight off effects of oxidation or most commonly labeled, fights free radicals. These are used in skin care to help ward off damaging effects of the environment which will contribute to the skin aging.

Some great serum ingredients to keep a look out for are:
Vitamins, Flavonoids, Minerals, Berries, Carotenoids, Ubiqinone, lipoic acid and melatonin.

• Vitamin C - ascorbic acid, magnesium ascorbyl acid, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate
• Vitamin E - tocopherol acetate, tocopherol phosphate, tocopherol
• Vitamin A - retinol, retinal palmitate
• Lyconpene comes from Tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables, such as red carrots, papayas and watermelon-  
• Lutien
• Minerals are anti oxidants and are extremely important doe the proper functioning of the body to assimilate vitamins. 
• Berries
• Billberry
• Cranberry
• Acia
• Pomegranate
• Blueberry
• Rasberry
• Co enzyme-Q10 - ubiquinone.- This anti oxidant is present in every living cell. It provides the cells with energy to carry out their functions.  The levels of Co-Q10 decrease with age. Co- Q10 shares many of its antioxidant properties with vitamin E.
•  Lipoic Acid
• And many, many, more...

This is far from the end of the list, actually i woul look at this as the beginning of a list of thousands of great anti-oxidants to look for in a serum.

 

Have a Happy Monday!!!!

Sara

  

Last Week Leftovers with Blake

Good Monday Cert Fab Readers!

In preparation for Thanksgiving and all the awesome leftovers you will be eating for weeks after...we are giving you some leftovers from last week's topic of Overnight Treatments & Repair :)

Our girl Blake had some things to say about the topic, so as you wait for Sara to post her Monday blog, please enjoy her thoughts...
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Hi Folks

 Blake here – haven’t had too much to say lately but………….I have discovered a new (to me) product and it’s fabulous!

I have adult acne.  I goggled the words adult acne and found out that “between 25 and 35 percent of the adult population is affected by acne.”  I did a bit more reading and guess what……..there’s pre-teen acne, teenage acne, and adult acne.  Truth be told, I’ve had them all!! I researched what causes acne?  You name it – they sky’s the limit for causes.  I researched what helps control acne?  You name it – the sky’s the limit for remedies.

The reason I have adult acne is because I’m now older.  Ever since I started “blossoming” as a young woman I’ve had acne.  I have the same facial skin issues today that I had at the age of eleven.  That translates into a lot of years with bad skin.  Over the years I’ve tried many acne control products and let’s just say the results were less than stellar.  Like many of you I’ve resorted to covering up my acne with make-up.  The more acne I had the more make-up I used.  When your skin is as sensitive as mine you discover that make-up will not only cover up your acne but will help you develop more acne!!!  It’s a complete catch 22 situation……….

With many thanks to Sara I’ve found my solution.   It seems that everyone has an opinion on how to diminish blemishes and that now includes me!   The product that Sara introduced to me is emerginC blemish control tinted.  I can’t say enough about how good this product is.

 When I have a breakout I reach for my emerginC blemish control tinted.  I give the bottle a few good shakes and apply a “dab” to the offensive blemish.  Yep a dab is all you need.  I use this fantastic product twice a day for two days.  That’s all it takes……two days and the blemish is all but gone.   To be able to get such fantastic results in 48 hours is truly amazing! 

 Remember take time to enjoy life!