Fast-acting breakout help from Avon, Olay and Proactiv +!

Avon Clearskin Blemish Clearing Overnight Treatment - 50ml - $7.99 - helps treat and prevent blemishes while you sleep with 2% salicylic acid that you use every night as a spot treatment or all over the face to help prevent future breakouts and help fade the look of acne marks and redness but won't dry out skin.

Available from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca.

Olay Fresh Effects Clear Skin Spot Zinger! 2-in-1 Salicylic Acid Acne Spot Treatment - 15ml - $12.99 - an oil-free treatment with essences of citrus and mint along with 2% salicylic acid to improve the look of blemishes in just 10 minutes with a fine tip that lets you to target blemishes individually to instantly treat and beautifiers to blur to instantly improve skin’s appearance.

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

Proactiv + Emergency Blemish Relief - 9.45g x 2 - $46 - instantly delivers an extra dose of micro-crystal benzoyl peroxide to help fight stubborn blemishes and kill acne-causing bacteria on contact with an  invisible, oil-free formula fortified with soothing botanical ingredients to help moisturize and calm irritated skin.

Available online at www.proactiv.com.

- Lisamarie -

Acne-prone skin must-haves from Juice Beauty, Proactiv, Avene and Neutrogena!

Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Toner Pads - 50 pads - $32 - contains pre-soaked, 100% bamboo pads containing a treatment solution formulated with salicylic acid from willow bark to exfoliate, control oil and refine enlarged pores while toning to help reduce blemishes.Along with vitamin C and organic apple, lemon and grape acids to visibly brighten and organic aloe and cucumber to soothe. Finally,Vitamin B3 and licorice root reduce the appearance of unevenness caused by blemishes.With a cooling formula that soothes skin and promotes even skin tone and texture that manages oiliness without stripping skin of its natural moisture levels.

Available at Murale stores and online at www.murale.ca.

A daily pad to use after cleansing that will help clarify and deeply clean large pores to help reduce blemishes. This cooling formula soothes skin and promotes even skin tone and texture. Helps manage oil without stripping skin of its natural moisture levels. Each pad is pre-soaked with a powerful solution formulated with salicylic acid from willow bark, cucumber extract and soothing organic aloe juice.

Features and Benefits

• Exfoliates, helps clear pores and manages oil with salicylic acid from willow bark. • Helps tighten pores with witch hazel. • Visibly brightens with Vitamin C and organic apple, lemon and grape acids. • Soothes with organic aloe and cucumber. • Our bamboo pads are known to have natural bacterial-inhibiting properties. Bamboo is also a sustainable crop not sprayed with pesticides, unlike cotton, which is one of the most heavily pesticide-sprayed crops. • Vitamin B3 and licorice root reduce the appearance of unevenness caused by blemishes.

- See more at: http://www.murale.ca/16233-Juice-Beauty_Blemish-Clearing-Toner-Pads.aspx#sthash.NOWnGK8w.dpuf

Proactiv+ Complexion Perfecting Hydrator - 89ml - $29.95 - a lightweight, hydrating face cream that moisturizes and brightens skin, fades acne marks, and cleanses pores with Salicylic acid - to exfoliate; kojic acid, licorice extract, bearberry, and sophora root - to brighten; hyaluronic acid - to moisturize; and bisabolol - to reduce redness.

Part of the 3-step system - a thin layer leaves skin feeling supple and comfortable - if you are just dealing with occasional breakouts use the cream on it's own - the whole system can be overkill.

Available online at www.getproactiv.ca.

Avene TriAcneal Expert Emulsion - 30ml - $31.50 - offers skin care for oily skin with severe blemishes and the residual marks left behind. Contains: Anti-bacterial Diolényl - to limit the risk of bacterial proliferation (clinically in vitro proven on P. acnes), reduce redness and help eliminate spots; xxfoliating X-Pressin - to help reduce blackheads and smooth the skin's texture; smoothing Retinaldéhyde -limits new breakouts and prevents residual marks while correcting skin aging; and soothing Avène Thermal Spring Water- for its soothing and anti-irritating benefits.

Available at drugstores across Canada.

Now breaking out is no reason to avoid sunscreen:

Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen Lotion - 88ml - $12.99 - an ultra-light, oil-free sunscreen that provides superior sun protection without clogging pores which can lead to future breakouts especially on acne-prone skin. With a fragrance and PABA free formula that is water and sweat resistant and contains natural botanical extracts as well as Helioplex Technology - that delivers superior stabilized broad-spectrum protection from the sun. Available in SPF 30 and 60.

Available at food, drug and mass merchandisers across Canada. 

- Lisamarie -

Eye Love Wednesday - eye saviours from La Roche-Posay, Proactiv and Estée Lauder!

Sensitive skin with eyes plagued by dehydration, fine lines, puffiness and dark circles? Then you will love:

La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Eyes - 15ml - $34 - offers intense hydration with Tight Cellular Junctions Technology: Hyaluronic Acid Fragments ensure epidermal cohesion to infuse and lock water in for ultra long-lasting hydration and intensive rehydration to smooth eyes dehydrated fine lines; as well as decongesting caffeine for anti-puffiness action.

Available at pharmacies across Canada.

Acne prone skin with a delicate eye area that needs hydrating and protecting? Then you can't live without:

Proactiv Replenishing Eye Serum - 15ml -  $36 (member price $29.95) - designed specifically for acne prone skin, for hydrating and protecting the delicate eye area throughout the day. The hyaluronic acid is designed to diminish the appearance of fine lines, while antioxidant green tea and vitamins A and E work to fight free radicals.  

Available online at:  www.getproactiv.ca 

Fine lines, tired looking eyes and like instant gratification? Then don't miss out on:

Estée Lauder Perfectionist [CP+R] Line Smoother - 15ml - $72 - a touch-on treatment for fine lines on the face and around the eye area to help instantly reduce the look of lines. Featuring a convenient, flexible tip applicator, the line smoother is easy to control and allows for targeted application, creating skin perfection with just a touch. With innovative photonic optics to immediately transform skin with a virtual blurring effect, while CPR-75 technology supercharges skin's natural energy and supports skin's natural collagen. Not only will skin instantly look fresher and younger but over time it also helps dramatically diminish lines, crepiness and uneven texture.

Availabe at Estée Lauder counters across Canada and online at www.esteelauder.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Lighten up with NeoStrata, Proactiv, Avene, Maybelline and Olay!

Nothing, not even wrinkles, ages you faster then skin discolouration - those pesky brown spots and patches caused by sunlight, pregnancy and hormonal stress not only look awful, but make us look older - like I needed something else! Thankfully there are all kinds of products out there to help with this very issue and here are a few of the latest and greatest:

NeoStrata SecureWhite Duo - 30ml - $42 - boasts two dual-action skin-lightening ingredients to inhibit the melanin from forming into dark spots as well as titanium dioxide to immediately diminish the appearance of dark spots on the surface as well as retinol to reduce wrinkles and even out skin tone, texture and colour.

It also comes in an SPF30 format for $44 which is an excellent idea if you tend to forget to apply your sunscreen!

Proactiv Dark Spot Repair - $36 - oil and paraben free, it's formulated with the skin brightening properties of the most stable form of Vitamin C and enriched with ingredients to help lighten brown spots and promote a smooth, luminous complexion. Other key ingredients include Licorice Root, Amurense Bark and Barley Extracts, which work synergistically to lighten pesky dark spots, even the skin’s tone and improve its barrier function and moisture retention.

 

Available online at www.getproactiv.ca

Avene D-Pigment Dark Spot Lightener - 30ml - $49 - in 2 fragrance and paraben free formulations: Light for normal to combination skin - with a light quickly penetrating texture and mattifying powders or Rich for dry to very dry skin - with a soft, velvety texture and a nourishing protective effect - with either one, dark spots are visibly erased, irregularities are smoothed and the complexion is even and glowing.

Maybelline Instant Age Remind Eraser Dark Spot - Concealer + Treatment - $12.99 - in 5 shades: Fair, Fair/Light, Light, Light/Medium and Medium/Deep - super-concentrated pigment formula instantly conceals while Vitamin C works to actively fade the look of dark spots caused by age and sun as well as acne discolourations.

If you are looking for something to brighten and even out tone with age-fighting properties then you want:

Olay Total Effects 7 Tone Correcting Eye Treatment - 15ml - $34.99 - with a dual stream formula that fights 7 signs of aging: fine lines and crow's feet; dark circles; firming; luminosity; uneven tone; uneven texture and dryness - with a vitamin-rich complex that combines an eye serum and illuminating sheer coverage for younger looking, brighter eyes.

The same price will also nab you the Night Moisturizer if you want to do some additional tone correcting!

- Lisamarie - 

Pad your beauty routine with Nip + Fab, Proactiv, Lily Herbceuticals and Almay!

Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix - 60 pads - $12.95 - improve skin tone and texture with these innovative exfoliating wipes packed with a hydrating formula of glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid to stimulate cell turnover for a smoother and brighter complexion as well as blue daisy to soothe. Skin appears brighter, fresher and smoother after each use.

Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Proactiv Solution Clear Zone Body Pads - 75 pads - $29 - these dual textured pads help clear your pores of impurities with salicylic acid which penetrates to clear blemishes and helps prevent future breakouts as well as gentle botanicals such as witch hazel and green tea extract to soothe and soften. Perfect to keep in your gym bag for the perfect post-workout wipe-down when you can’t shower right away.

Available at www.getproactive.ca.

Lily Herbceuticals Jujube Youth Restore Facial Firming Pads - 70 pads - $48 - exclusive formulated pads that combine 5,000 years of traditional Chinese herbal medicines with Western science and technology and ingredients to work its best to keep radiant, revitalized, tightened and balanced skin.
exfoliate dead skin cells with infused nutrients to sink into skin. It helps accelerate skin cell turnover, improve elasticity and firmness and reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. It empowers the skin with nutrients to help achieve balanced, luminous, radiant and younger looking results. It also helps lock moisture level for longer period of time to help provide deep hydration, provide skin cell with energy, calmness and soothing effect to help restore natural freshness for a healthy looking appearance.


Available at The Shopping Channel - www.theshoppingchannel.com.

Almay Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover Pads - 80 pads - $7.99 - these convenient pads take off all your eye makeup in one easy step—with no mess and no irritation. With an oil-free, allergy tested formula that won't leave any greasy residue and won't blur or fog contact lenses.

- Lisamarie -

Pore solutions from Soap & Glory, Neutrogena, Proactiv, B. Kamins and Sephora!

There's a lot of opinions about pores out there and while I don't agree with the premise of pores opening and closing like little doors, I do concur that the best thing you can do for them is to keep them clean, without the blackheads they are a lot less obvious and if your skin is as matte as possible the shine won't draw attention to them!

Here are a few products great for cleaning a couple to keep you matte:

Soap & Glory The Fab Pore 15 Minute Facial Peel - 50g - $25 -a gentle exfoliator for your face with mushroom extract to help tighten pores, salicylic adid to loosen up the dead cells that contribute to pore clogging, kaolin to absorb excess oil and smooth and vitamins E & C to brighten the skin.

What I really like about it are the little green beads in it that will dissolve when you've massaged it in enough, as someone who gets distracted and loses track of time during beauty treatments this is a big plus! After massaging in, they recommend leaving it on for five minutes for a quick refresher or for 15 minutes as a mask for deep cleansing! If you have combination skin I recommend only leaving it on your oily areas for the 15 minutes and wiping the other parts off, I found it too drying when left that long on my normal areas.

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating 2-in-1 Cleanser/Mask - 118ml - $11.99 - it's a cleanser, it's a mask - that's right, the same product is both! Use the cleanser formulated with microbeads technology daily to gently exfoliate and help keep the pores clear and then once or twice a week leave it on for several minutes and let the 2% Salicylic Acid to its work and get deep into the pores. Not only will it help eliminate existing blackheads but it will also keep new ones from forming leaving you with clearer, more even looking skin!

Proactiv Solution Pore Cleansing System - 10 pore strips 15ml pore cleansing solution - $18 - helps improve skin's tone and texture by lifting away dirt, oils and impurities from pores with an exclusive Pore Cleansing Solution which activates the strips to clear blackheads and whiteheads as well as prevent future breakouts. With a soothing blend of botanicals that leaves skin feeling smooth and refreshed. Can be used on nose, forehead or t-zone.

Available at getproactiv.ca.

B. Kamins Corrective Mattifier - 50ml - $47 - great for oily to combination skin, it helps clear breakouts, reduce congestion and control shine with purifying and sebum-reducing ingredients help leave skin feeling fresher and cleaner with an all-day matte finish. Salicylic acid helps speed up cell renewal for a brighter complexion, while a combination of anti-oxidant vitamins help nourish and protect the skin. Soothing anti-inflammatory ingredients help ease discomfort from acne breakouts and mattifying and balancing actives help reduce shine and provide an all-day matte finish.


Available at The Shopping Channel - www.theshoppingchannel.com.

Sephora Blotting Papers - 100 sheets - $10 - gone are the days when all that blotting papers did was absorb oil and possibly leave a white film behind. These babies are infused with targeted skin-soothing ingredients to relieve a variety of skin needs! The vitamin C-infused papers protect the complexion from free radicals, the matte version controls oil, the tea tree sheets heal tired skin, the glacial clay and salicylic acid exfoliate and aid blemished skin and the lavender papers soothe agitated skin.

Available at Sephora and sephora.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Shine busters from Vichy, Proactiv and Fresh!

If your face isn't shiny right now (it's 44 Celsius/111 Fahrenheit in Toronto today) then you just aren't human! Whether the shine thing is an everyday occurrence for you or just something you deal with when the weather goes crazy, here are a few products that can help us all out - and what's most important to me on a day like today is that not only is the product effective, but super light and these all fit the bill!

Vichy Normaderm Total Mat - 30ml - $27.95 - the newest edition to the Normaderm family is a fresh hydrating gel that absorbs sebum and perspiration to prevent shine, even in extreme conditions - heat, humidity, stress, intense physical effort or whatever else you can think of thanks to the ultimate absorbing powder of perlite - which has an active ingredient of volcanic origin and can absorb more than 3 times its weight in water and encourages the evaporation of perspriation.

Don't worry that it will be too drying either, it also contains glycerine to hydrate the skin for up to 24 hours. As well the formula contains salicylic acid, a keratolytic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory active ingredient that gently exfoliates for a more even skin tone.

Not only does it make a great mattifyer and makeup base for your face, you can also use it on your hands to prevent clamminess - try that the next time you have a job interview!

Hypoallergenic, suitable for sensitive skin and paraben free.

Proactiv Daily Oil Control - 50ml - $23 -  a revolutionary, lightweight skin-care formula that absorbs oil and eliminates shine to keep skin balanced, stop the production of excess oil and keep skin matte, especially in the T-Zone. All it takes is one invisible thin layer to keep makeup in place - resisting streaking and lasting longer, for fewer touchups. 

Proactiv Oil Blotter Sheets - 130 sheets - $14 - made out of soft, 100% natural fiber paper that absorbs excess oil in seconds with no powdery residue or artificial ingredients to leave skin feeling fresh and clean.

Pick up yours at: www.getproactiv.ca

Now that the weather is warming up, my thoughts are turning towards how oily and greasy I know my skin will soon look! Enter Fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Serum - 30ml - $40 - specially designed for normal to oily skin, this lightweight treatment formula hydrates and tones while minimizing the appearance of pores and controlling shine.

What's its secret? Umbrian Clay - with a uniquely high mineral content that neutralizes acidity - too much of which can muddle skin tone and texture and cause breakouts - as well, it clarifies the complexion. Also in the serum is: ginger root, cinnamon bark and burnet root extracts - to reduce the size and appearance of pores, control excess sebum production and clarify the complexion; meadowsweet extract - regulates sebum to control oil and shine; olive leaf extract - rich in antioxidants that help restore suppleness to dry, damaged skin and protect against free radicals; cucumber extract - rich in amino acids and possesses powerful anti-inflammatory properties that soothe, hydrate and cool irritated skin; rosewater - for its balancing, soothing and astringent properties; lavender flower water - to hydrate, tone and soften the skin; and lemon fruit extract - to tone and condition the skin as well and regenerate and exfoliate.

I love that they've created this as a serum rather than a cream as I do love the light feel of a serum. You can wear it on its own or if you want more moisture, follow up with Umbrian Clay Oil-Free Lotion or your regular moisturizer. I've been using by itself in my oily areas and with just a touch of moisturizer in my dry zones and it feels great. I have also noticed that I have to do a powder touch up much less often during the day so I am very hopeful that this will be my summer saviour!

Available at Sephora and sephora.com

Source: beautycrazed (http://s.tt/17lJM)

Fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Serum - 30ml - $40 - specially designed for normal to oily skin, this lightweight treatment formula hydrates and tones while minimizing the appearance of pores and controlling shine. With Umbrian Clay - with a uniquely high mineral content that neutralizes acidity - too much of which can muddle skin tone and texture and cause breakouts - as well, it clarifies the complexion.

Available at Sephora and sephora.com

- Lisamarie -

Now that the weather is warming up, my thoughts are turning towards how oily and greasy I know my skin will soon look! Enter Fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Serum - 30ml - $40 - specially designed for normal to oily skin, this lightweight treatment formula hydrates and tones while minimizing the appearance of pores and controlling shine.

What's its secret? Umbrian Clay - with a uniquely high mineral content that neutralizes acidity - too much of which can muddle skin tone and texture and cause breakouts - as well, it clarifies the complexion. Also in the serum is: ginger root, cinnamon bark and burnet root extracts - to reduce the size and appearance of pores, control excess sebum production and clarify the complexion; meadowsweet extract - regulates sebum to control oil and shine; olive leaf extract - rich in antioxidants that help restore suppleness to dry, damaged skin and protect against free radicals; cucumber extract - rich in amino acids and possesses powerful anti-inflammatory properties that soothe, hydrate and cool irritated skin; rosewater - for its balancing, soothing and astringent properties; lavender flower water - to hydrate, tone and soften the skin; and lemon fruit extract - to tone and condition the skin as well and regenerate and exfoliate.

I love that they've created this as a serum rather than a cream as I do love the light feel of a serum. You can wear it on its own or if you want more moisture, follow up with Umbrian Clay Oil-Free Lotion or your regular moisturizer. I've been using by itself in my oily areas and with just a touch of moisturizer in my dry zones and it feels great. I have also noticed that I have to do a powder touch up much less often during the day so I am very hopeful that this will be my summer saviour!

Available at Sephora and sephora.com

Source: beautycrazed (http://s.tt/17lJM)

Adult acne fighting regimens from Olay Professional and Murad!

Everybody hates acne so of course no one wants to see it on their face - and it's especially frustrating when you are also dealing with wrinkles, I mean really, where's the justice in that!?! Dealing with adult acne can be a lot harder as many of the products out there are meant for teens and don't take into account the special needs of adult skin.


Of course the most popular way to deal with blemishes is spot treating - but experts agree that skin consistently prone to acne is better served through the daily use of special skin care products on the entire face, even when there are no blemishes present.

Fortunately companies are waking up and filling the gap in the market with acne systems suitable for older skin - here are a couple you might want to check out:

Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Acne Protocol - $49.99 - a 3 step daily skin care regimen that is designed to treat acne, minimize the appearance of pores and refine texture. The steps include:
Step 1 - Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Pore Cleanser - a wash off salicylic acid acne treatment that reduces oil and removes dead skin to help prevent clogged pores, while helping prevent new acne from forming.
Step 2 - Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Skin Clearing Treatment - a full face leave-on salicylic acid treatment designed to bring acne under control and help prevent future breakouts.
Step 3 - Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Complexion Renewing Lotion - a sheer moisturizer that hydrates to help fade the look of spots and redness for an overall renewed appearance.

Also available in the line are a SPF 15 Moisturizer which is oil-free - $34.99 and an Intensive Refining Sulfur Mask - $34.99 (which I have tried and you can find my thoughts here)

Murad Acne & Aging Skin Solution - $45 - a dual-function regimen which fights acne while minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It has 4 steps which include:
Step 1 - Cleanse & Tone - Time Release Acne Cleanser - extra-gentle, low foaming lceanser improves skin's appearance by: delivering a sustained release acne treatment, even after rinsing; and optimizing hydration to restore suppleness.
Step 2 - Treat & Repair - Acne & Wrinkle Reducer - clinically proven formula restores a clear, more youthful complexion by: clearing congested pores and neutralizing acne-causing bacteria; and diminishing the appearance of ine lines and wrinkles.
Step 3 - Hydrate & Protect - Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 20 for blemish-prone skin - multi-function, lightweight moisturizer improves skin's appearance by: fighting premature aging through advanced UV protection and healthy collagen support; and minimizing blemishes and oil-production
Step 4 - Treat & Repair - Acne Spot Treatment - promotes immediate healing of blemishes by: delivering targeted acne medication; and providing on the spot relief.

Available at Murale, Sephora and sephora.com.

I don't have the right kind of skin to test these products out - I am fortunate to only be bothered with occasional breakouts so my husband is my guinea pig. Problem is, he has now tried enough of these products that he's found a couple that work for him so he hates to try new stuff because you go through that period where you skin gets bad again before the product either starts working or doesn't. Bottom line: neither of these worked in his 3 week window - which is not to say they are bad or good, just not fast enough for my impatient spouse! It's hard to get good help!

If anyone has tried either of these (for more than 3 weeks) and want to give us your thoughts in the comments section, please do! And if you want to know which systems my husband loves, check out NeoStrata and Proactiv Solution!

- Lisamarie -

- Lisamarie -

Acne fighting body cleansers from Proactiv Solution, Avon Clearskin and Neutrogena!

Now that sweater weather is here, it's time to prepare for all the terrible things that can happen when forced to wear hot, heavy clothing every day! I'm talking about back acne or bacne if you want to be cute about it. Here are a few products that just might have your back!

Proactiv Solution Cleansing Bar - $22 - a soap-free cleansing treatment that contains 1% salicylic acid and micro-exfoliating beads to gently wash away excess dirt, oil and other impurities and unclogs pores to help clear existing breakouts. Great for acne-prone areas including neck, back and chest to help prevent whiteheads, blackheads and future breakouts from forming.

Avon Clearskin Blemish Clearing Acne Body Wash - 250ml - $9.99 - an oil free wash with salicylic acid and wheat germ extract to clear and help prevent future acne blemishes. Dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic.

Available from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca

Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash - 250ml - $10.99 - a refreshing, clean-rinsing body wash that helps fight breakouts on your back, chest and shoulders. This effective, yet gentle formula contains a proven acne-fighting ingredient that helps treat and prevent breakouts without over drying and irritating your skin with a foaming lather that rinses completely without pore-clogging residue, leaving your skin feeling clean.

These products from LUSH, Olay Professional Pro-X, Proactiv, Nip + Fab and Mederma don't just mask acne, they help clear it up!

LUSH Mask of Magnaminty Face Mask - 125g - $9.95, 315g - $19.95 - this oil fighting, exfoliating, acne blasting mask can be used on both your face and body. Peppermint oil stimulates and decongests your complexion, while bentonite gel and kaolin mixture absorb oils and deep cleanse to draw out the dirt which sinks into your skin.  

I just love this mask, the funky green colour never fails to horrify my husband when he happens on me wearing it and the peppermint oil makes it smell amazing! I let it sit for about 10 minutes then add a little warm water and gently rub in for some exfoliating action - after rising off my skin is smooth and glowing!

Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Intensive Refining Sulfur Mask - 50ml - $34.99 - part of the new Pro-X Clear line, it's a non-comedogenic mask that helps dry out current breakouts and immediately reduces overall shine for a consistently clear complexion.

I love a sulfur mask, they smell just like I imagine hell will smell like once I get there, just like mom always says. This one can be used 1-3 times a week and is meant to be left on for 5 minutes - my caution: don't leave it on longer than 10 minutes - more than that and my skin felt uncomfortably tight - 5-10 minutes and my skin feels smooth and perfect!

Proactiv Refining Mask - 70g - $26 - a deep-cleansing mask that is formulated with sulphur, a proven acne-fighting ingredient that reaches deep into pores where blemishes begin. Cool, soothing Kaolin, helps absorb excess surface oils while the special sulphur formula calms problem skin and refines skin tone and texture.

I've been intrigued by this mask since seeing it in the commercials so when my husband got the Proactiv Solutions System which came with a bonus mask, I stole it for my own. I know that some people like to use it as an overnight spot treatment but since I tend to roll around a lot in my sleep, the pillowcase ends up wearing more of it then I do. Another nice sulfur mask!

Available at The Shopping Channel - www.theshoppingchannel.com and on the Proactiv website - http://canada.proactiv.com - pricing is a little confusing so keep an eye out - The Shopping Channel had a single tube of the mask for $30 but a separate deal right now that gave you 2 tubes for $20. At the Proactiv site it's $18.95 for members and $26 for non-members.

Nip + Fab Spot Fix - Blemish Gel - 15ml - $12.95 - not a mask I know, but it's my newest favourite spot treatment from Nip + Fab's new products and I knew you would be pissed off if I didn't share! It's a fast acting gel that targets unsightly blemishes with an effective formula that helps reduce the appearance of problem prone skin quickly while decreasing the appearance of redness and swelling and preventing and reducing the appearance of UV-induced erythema for sensitive skin - contains: salicylic acid to deep clean pores and brighten the appearance of the complexion; vital et - a bio-functional complex that targets blemishes; eucalyptus to purify the skin with its antiseptic/anti-bacterial qualities; and tea tree oil to repair the skin and is animmune stimulant with anti-inflammatory qualities.

What I find different about it compared to my usual faves is the smell - which is really strange, I can't put my finger on what it smells like but it's not your usual acne medication, and the feel - it doesn't sting at all! What it does do is clear up pimples really quick especially if you get them at the red bumpy stage!

Mederma Scar Gel - 20g - $19.99 - clinically proven to improve the appearance of scars caused by burns, injuries, acne or surgery.

Available in the first aid section of Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, Walmart, London Drugs, Pharma Plus and other drug stores nationwide. 

My latest secret weapon! My old trick was to layer Polysporin over blemish gel to help the blemish heal faster, which I still do but once it's at the scabby stage I use the scar gel and so far none of them have scarred or left a red mark so I am pretty impressed with my new trick!

     

- Lisamarie -

Proactiv Solution - finally an acne clearing product that does what it says it will!

Proactiv Solution 3 Piece Kit - $34.99 - promises 3 simple steps to clear skin - the products for those steps are made up of:
Renewing Cleanser - may be used on your face, chest or back once or twice each day 

Revitalizing Toner - use at least once or twice daily after cleansing to hydrate the skin and help keep pores from clogging 

Repairing Lotion - apply to the entire face, chest, back or other acne blemish-prone are - can be used alone or under makeup.

Judging from the commercials you would think this stuff was magic in a bottle - Jessica Simpson goes from a frankly scarey pimply mess to a clear skinned beauty in 30 seconds so what's not to love?!

Since I'm blessed with mostly clear skin I was not the right person to test out the claims - so my husband not being quite so lucky became my Proactiv guinea pig! 

Let's just break the suspense right now - within 30 days his skin was totally clear!

It is recommended that you start using the Proactiv system once per day, or once every other day if your skin is sensitive, for the first 3 to 5 days. And then you advance to twice daily as your skin becomes accustomed to it - being a man, my husband didn't bother reading or following the directions so he started off using it twice a day from the beginning with no ill-effects - obviously I wouldn't necessarily recommend that. 

And again with the whole man thing, I had to drag every feeling and opinion about the product out of him in that painstaking process that men hate called "having a conversation" and here's what I got:

His likes are all related to the way the products feel: the cleanser has an exfoliating action to it but it's not overly harsh; and the toner doesn't sting as many acne fighting ones are prone to do. Of course what he likes the most is that the system works and his skin became clear!

His only complaint is the sizing of the products and that he wishes they made them proportionate to how they are used up - the lotion was emptied first, then the toner but he still has lots of cleanser left - sounds like they need to make the cleanser in the smaller size and make the lotion bigger!

If we needed anymore proof that the system worked, as soon as he ran out and was off it for about a week, his face started breaking out again - if I didn't need him to guinea pig something else, you can be sure he would have been buying more!

There are several easy ways to get it: directly from Proactiv - www.proactivsolution.ca or from The Shopping Channel - www.theshoppingchannel - they both also offer an auto delivery option if you want to receive regular shipments of it without having to re-order. If you don't want to buy online, I've also noticed Proactiv kiosks at the mall where you can buy it in person.

If you do have problem skin and have tried other products without success I would definitely recommend you give Proactiv a try - having seen the results for myself (if not on myself) I'm impressed!

- Lisamarie -

The Shopping Channel 14 Days of Beauty - July 13

Today's beauty steals are:

Proactiv 4 Piece System - 267-193 - $42.52 (regular price $49.99)

Dr. Denese Wrinkle RX Instant Wrinkle Press Duo - 432-231 - $22 (regular price $52)

Prices in effect until midnight on July 17th or while supplies last.

Tune in today and enjoy shows for Tanda Skin Care, Nail Tek and Kalaya Health and Beauty!

For more info or to order go to - www.theshoppingchannel.com/14days