FALL TO WINTER TRANSITIONING ~ PRODUCT SOLUTIONS

(Image from gallery.nicholas.whittal.com)

It’s that time of year again when colder air and decreased levels of humidity converge, assaulting the delicate mantel of skin, causing irritation, drying and an imbalance to healthy normal skin.  What better way to combat these negatives with appropriate skincare and body care products that restore, nourish, balance, and rehydrate assaulted skin. 

When seasons and climatological conditions change, it’s always best to reassess the types of products and their formulations you’re using, and adjust accordingly with more appropriate products.  You might also have to adjust your regimen to adapt to these changes.  Cooler and colder temps call for different formulations and product consistencies, which often translate to altering your daily skincare and body care regimen.  Following are a grouping of skincare and body care products I tested, which accomplish those very things.  Enjoy!

~ For the Face ~

Guinot Institut Paris Age Logic Cell Renewal For Eyes and Hydra Finish Face Cream SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer ~ Hands down, the Age Logic Cell Renewal For Eyes is the best eye care treatment product I’ve ever used.  Not only was it extremely gentle, its silky consistency made for easy application, without any tugging at the fragile under eye tissue.  The product was non-irritating and was quickly absorbed; hydration levels were well maintained throughout the day.  I noticed a softening of the skin, and fine lines, with wrinkles plumped and filled; overall, the appearance was improved and healthier looking.  Product is ideal for morning and evening application, and recommended for all skin types.  Key ingredients include olive oil, algae extract, and Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), energy molecules that aid in cell regeneration.  For the Hydra Finish Face Cream SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer, I rarely use a moisturizer that’s tinted, so I was eager to try this one; my problem with these types of products has been that the color tint tends to be too dark for my fair complexion.  The two plusses for this new product include an SPF 15 broad-spectrum aspect for sun protection, plus a Lavender tint, which is an ideal tint color for me because it neutralizes my sallow skintone.  The product also leaves a matte finish, which felt a bit drying to me; it did, however, minimize my pores, fine lines, and wrinkles.  Although the product had a grainy feel to it, similar to a gommage, it did go on smoothly, and was quickly absorbed.  I definitely think this product would work better during the summer months when my skin is less dry and temperatures and humidity levels are warmer.  Key ingredients include mallow extract, apple seed extract, and Vitamin E.  For more information, visit http://www.guinotusa.com

Jane Iredale Lemongrass Love Hydrating Spray ~ This exceptional Hydration Spray conditions, protects, and adds a subtle layer of hydration.  It’s also gentle and refreshing.  I enjoyed using it throughout the day. For warmer months, or hot flashes, try keeping the Spray in the fridge for an invigorating and cooling spritz.  The aroma is also uplifting.  This is also a treatment product that helps to minimize pore size and oiliness, and is ideal for sensitive and finicky skin.  Favorable Ecocert certification of natural and organic ingredients makes this product a real winner. Key ingredients include aloe leaf juice, radish root, lemongrass oil, orange peel oil, calendula flower extract, chamomile flower extract, lemongrass extract, lemon peel extract, orange oil, sunflower seed oil, and lavender oil.  Another great reason to use this beautiful product is that all profits go to Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a non-profit organization that helps support women impacted by breast cancer.  For more information, visit https://janeiredale.com

Skinphonic My Girl Twice Daily Cleanser, AM Hydration and PM Treatment Complex ~ This new skincare line was very gentle on my often finicky skin.  All products were non-irritating, and the AM and PM products maintained hydration levels through the day without any greasy or tacky residue.  My skin’s texture was smoother and more even looking, and looked healthier; fine lines, wrinkles, and pores were minimized.  Key ingredients for the Twice Daily Cleanser include camellia sinensis leaf extract, cucumber fruit extract, avocado fruit extract, mango fruit extract, aloe vera leaf juice, avocado oil, bergamot fruit oil, and rosemary fruit oil.  Key ingredients for the AM Hydration include coconut oil, sweet almond oil, plankton extract, olive fruit oil, avocado oil, shea butter, grape seed oil, bergamot fruit oil, and rosemary leaf oil.  Key ingredients for the PM Treatment Complex include jojoba seed oil, orchid flower extract, Vitamin E, licorice root oil, and uva ursi extract.  All products had a rich consistency with subtle aromas.  For more information, visit https://www.skinphonic.com

~ For the Body ~

Bee Love Skincare Replenish & Soften Body Lotion and Soften & Protect Ultimate Body Balm ~ Products are made by the Sweet Beginnings in Chicago’s North Lawndale area.  A big plus for Sweet Beginnings is that they have their own sustainable urban apiary as part of their operation, which enables them to regularly extract pure honey for their food and skincare products.  Another plus for this organization is that their operation enables the community’s North Lawndale Employment Network, which benefits those having difficulty with transitioning to work; the program also teaches critical work skills to program participants.  Both the Replenish & Soften Body Lotion and Soften & Protect Ultimate Body Balm were very gentle products that provided exceptional hydration that was maintained throughout the day.  Products were non-greasy and quickly absorbed; the aroma for each product was also lovely. I especially enjoyed using the Body Balm on my lips and cuticles.  With consistent use, my skin’s texture improved and dry patches were eliminated.  Key ingredients for the Replenish & Soften Body Lotion include shea butter, wheat germ oil, meadowfoam seed oil, avocado oil, rosehip oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, aloe, vitamin E, and their signature aroma.  Key ingredients for the Soften & Protect Ultimate Body Balm include olive oil, Neem leaf, comfrey root, eucalyptus oil, rosemary extract, lavender oil, vitamin E, sweet almond oil, honey, and their signature aroma.  For more information, visit http://www.beelovebuzz.com

 ~ In Closing ~

(Image from ww2.kqed.org)

With colder and drier air setting in, it’s key that you pay a bit more attention to the types of products you use, making certain that they’re formulated to infuse your fragile and delicate skin with a heavy dose of hydration that’s maintained throughout the day; make sure to also adjust your daily skincare and body care routine as well.  That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to take care of yourself and those you love.

By Terry Herman

TERRY HERMAN is a recognized expert in the industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management, operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In the 1990s, she authored an extensive "Glossary of Spa Terminologies" and holds two copyright registrations on her authored work.  Consumer and trade publications have also interviewed her as an expert.  She also conducted an extensive nationally broadcasted interview tour on aspects of creating an at-home spa, interior design, music, stress and time management.  Her work has been published extensively in print and digital in both consumer and trade publications.  In addition to writing, reviewing and being interviewed as an expert, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker.  She also served on the International Advisory Board for the former EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In Retreat To Wellness; the Advisory Board was comprised of ten international experts in various fields of wellness and spa.  She also served each of the Five Pillars Task Force groups for the Asia Pacific Spa & Wellness Council (APSWC).  She has been a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz, and is currently an Administrator for two Facebook Groups, Wild Food Society and Spa College.  In addition to her blogs, her social media outreach includes Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Pinterest.  Be sure to read her food, wine and culinary digital magazine, TERRY’S SECOND HELPINGS.  Don’t forget to “Like” her Facebook Page, Terry’s Second Helpings.  Please note that the “Comment Section” has been disabled.  For additional information, email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.

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(Photo credits as indicated, or as represented by the specific brand.)