Fighting Hormonal skin with THIS....

Eminence Organics has this little hormone-induced breakout fighter serum that I have been using as my daily moisturizer during this HEAT wave of a summer. Having put aside my beloved Suki Balancing Day Lotion for fall and winter, I needed to use something that would help keep my skin clear, feel light, and have no adverse effects from sun exposure. I purchased Eminence Organics Eight Greens Youth Serum and the Eight Greens Whipped Moisturizer to try. Both products have a nice, and for lack of better word, herby scent. I am pretty impressed so far.

The concept behind the Eight Greens collection is that the main ingredient, Yucca Root, contains phytoestrogens and help balance out women's hormonal imbalance induced skin characteristics (aka: hormonal breakouts along the jawline, chin, and lip area) as well as restore a firmness and overall youthful radiant appearance. Women near their monthly cylce, perimenopausal, or menopausal...anything related to us wonderful women and hormonal changes, can benefit from this collection. After doing more research on the Yucca Root and it's power, I found this Yucca Root has been a treasured root, especially in Native American culture, as an anti-inflammatory and cleansing agent. The main medicinal agent in Yucca is saponin, which is a natural precursor of natural cortisones normally produced in the adrenal glands. Not only does this powerful medicinal root work as an anti-inflammatory, but also it has anti-aging qualities as well. Yucca is very rich in polyphenols as well, which suggest the ability to reduce the effects of aging. According to a piece of research published and done by Life Extension, plant polyphenols prevent tissue damage and block free radicals. The main polyphenol in Yucca is Resveratrol, known for its preventive power of degenerative conditions such as cellular damage. Basically this is one powerful inflammation, protector of cellular damage and breakdown little root.

I found that the Eight Greens Whipped Moisturizer is a little too heavy for such a sweltering hot summer for my skin for day time use. I have been experimenting (this morning actually) on the dilution of this product. All Eminence Moisturizers are concentrated and made for a customized dilution with water, depending on your skin's needs. I used a teeny tiny dab today with about 1-2 TBS water and found it was a good mix, though today is a little more mild than the 100 degree days we have been having here in Virginia the past couple weeks. Before I go to bed has been when I have been using the serum AND the moisturizer. For Day time I have primarily been using 1-2 drops of the Eight Greens Serum and my makeup and SPF powder go on flawlessly, without a heaviness underneath. So until the summer heat subsides, I will continue to use this little gem of a serum as my daily moisturizer/anti-acne treatment and save the whipped moisturizer for my Night Time treatment cream.

Clearly beautiful

This product has become my skin saving product this summer. Eminence launched the VitaSkin Collection a couple months back and I must say, it's pretty amazing. The Clear Skin Masque has been my weekly skin care treatment ,and it has helped me considerably. I had a minor set back in my pore clarity while my husband and I were camping the first week in July, but now it's balancing out beautifully. Since I am out in the sun so much, I've had to cut the use of my BELOVED Suki Balancing Day Lotion because of the high concentration of White Willow Extract (15%). Though it was a miracle at keeping my skin clear, White Willow or Salicylic Acid can cause photo sensitivity and hyperpigmentation when exposed to the sun. Kayaking, hiking, and concert going is our enjoyment of summer, and even though I would apply my Eminence Sun Defense Minerals SPF 30 religiously, I was still starting to develop some new hyperpigmentation spots. So reluctantly I stopped using my Suki, therefore my skin GASPED, pouted and started breaking out again. THEN this Eminence Miracle saves the day.

With the power of Probiotic that attacks bad bacteria that causes breakouts,cooling Cucumber that tones and revitalizes, Kaolin Clay which provides a gentle detox, plus Marigold and Tea tree with their antiseptic properties, this amazing facial masque helps exfoliate and eliminate the signs of acne so your skin will glow with newfound confidence in no time.

How to Use: After cleansing, toning and gentle using an exfoliator to ensure product penetration (I LOVE EMINENCE ROSEHIP AND MAIZE EXFOLIATING MASQUE as my exfoliator), apply a quarter size amount of the Clear Skin Probiotic Masque with a tsp. of water to the entire face. If you have already exfoliated once or twice this week, then skip the exfoliation prior to masking. I personally like to do my exfoliation with my masking treatment and treat myself to a mini facial every week. You will experience a refreshing and soothing cooling sensation a minute or two after application of the masque. Rinse after 20-25 minutes and follow with your toner and daily moisturizer or night treatment cream.

Results are even more dramatic when combined with the VitaSkin Clear Skin Vitamin taken daily. This is a multi-phase release vegan pill designed to regulate and calm your skin with borage seed oil that dilutes sebum, and acidophilus to regulate yeast and reintroduce healthy bacteria to the body.

I have had great feedback from clients about this combo and have first hand experience as a consumer myself. This masque I highly recommend for my acne/breakout prone friends. It feels wonderful to use and actually works. Visit www.eminenceorganics.com for more information over all Eminence's organic products.

Summer Sun Essentials

Glorious Summer is here. Beach time, pool time, concert going, biking, hiking or kayaking, all these activities we wait all winter long to bask in the joys when Mother Nature is smiling on us. While reveling in this wonderful time of the year, don't forget to protect yourself from too much sun and environmental aggressors. Here are a couple of my favorite Summer Sun Essentials!

1. Eminence Organics Sun Defense SPF 30

These beautiful brush-on, easy application and carry Micronized Zinc Oxide Sun Defense Minerals are fabulous for on-the-go Sun Protection. They are available in 5 different shades of minerals pigments and will match most skin types. Not only does it provide an SPF 30, but it also works as an anti-inflammatory, is water resistant, and is hypoallergenic. The easy pump brush is simple to apply and carry anywhere. Definately a new Nic Product Pick.

2. Tropical Vanilla SPF 32 Face Formulation and Body Formulation

This is the most heavenly smelling SPF product I have ever found. The uplifting scent of Vanilla is superb in these products and are more than just smell good sun protectant products. Using the power of Zinc Oxide and Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (a clear liquid compound that absorbs UVB light), Tropical Vanilla SPF 32 products give you great protection from the sun but also help restore the delicate water content in your skin. Studies show that after using the Tropical Vanilla Sun Cream over 7 days,your moisture content increases by 250%!

3. Aloe Mint Hydrating Gel Face Formulation and Body Formulation

This calming and soothing cream gel will help reduce skin irritation and inflammation while fighting against the damaging effects of overexposure to the sun and elements without clogging pores. It has a fabulous refreshing cooling sensation on the delicate skin and is a MUST HAVE for the Summer Season. It is available in a face formulation and a body formulation. If you find yourself a little over kissed by the sun, pick up this beautiful product to calm and soothe your skin.

4. Jane Iredale Foundation with SPF 20

This Foundation is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation and comes in a PurePressed Formulation, Amazing Matte Loose Finish Powder, and also Liquid Minerals. You won't believe the difference their mineral bases will make in how your skin feels and looks. You can apply as lightly or as heavily as you like. Jane Iredale products are free of oil, talc, FD&C dyes, synthetic preservatives or fragrance. Pure Makeup that actually helps the skin, doesnt clog pores, and gives you Sun Protection.

So There you have it, my Summer Sun Goddesses and Sun Gods! Four Fabulous Summer Sun Essentials to accompany all your Summer fun :)

Words that inspire me........

"All glory comes from daring to begin."~Alexander Graham Bell

Rosehip Maize Exfoliating Masque Traditional Series

For my loyal followers, you may have noticed I've written about this particular product before. It is one of my all time favorite Eminence products. I've faithfully have been using the Eminence VitaSkin Clear Skin supplements daily along with masking with the Clear Skin Probiotic Masque twice a week for the past two weeks. This is no exaggeration, my skin has never looked better...never. I've also been using my Suki Balancing Day lotion with Jane Iredale base for my daily protection, and at night Suki's Pure Moisturizing Balancing product. WOW. Really this is a winning combo for me. But I was out of my Rosehip Maize Exfo. Masque that I use not only for an exfoliator, but for also a treatment Masque (though the masking has been replaced with the Clear Skin). Yesterday I purchased the Traditional Series Rosehip and Maize Exfoliating Masque because even though I'm using the Clear Skin Masque, I still need a gentle exfoliator once or twice a week,and of course, had to use it last night. I've never used the Traditional series before (Traditional Series in the Eminence Line means extra rich and easier removal) and I gotta say......I LOVE IT even more than the original version. It has the same beautiful light scent and the maize pieces gently exfoliated my skin to perfection. I left it on for 20 minutes, rinsed with cool water, and followed with my toner and instead of the Suki Pure Moisture Balancing, I used Eminence's Thermal Spring Whipped Moisturizer, which I really liked. My husband sweetly nuzzled me and told me I was beautiful and smelled edible afterwards. It doesn't get better than that :)

So if you are looking for a beautiful gentle exfoliator that will give your skin a healthy glow without harsh chemicals or irritating particles, this product is for you. Even my Rosacea clients!! I promise you that you wont be disappointed. And better yet, leave it on a little longer (20 minutes or so) for a powerful calming treatment masque! It's a two in one zen skin product pick!

Sweet Sweet Rose

One of my new favorite Eminence products right now is the Sweet Red Rose Cleanser. The scent of this product is truly remarkable. Organic Red Rose Petal and Red Rose Juice along with the Red Rose Distillate gives this gentle cleanser a scent so pure and real, I look forward to cleansing with this every single night. It is designed for very sensitive skin and effectively removes impurities without over stripping your vital moisture. It is so gentle I even use it to remove my eye makeup! The milky consistency of this heavenly product feels luxurious and leaves my skin perfectly cleansed and soft. Nothing says spring and summer like the sweet scent of organic rose. Shower yourself in Roses every day.

words that move me........

" Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are."-Chinese Proverb