Nature's Best Vitamin C Serum

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

First, I would like to start by explaining what experience I have with skincare. Several years ago I was a Licensed Esthetician; although I am no longer licensed or practicing as an Esthetician, I do still have a lot of knowledge of skincare, skincare products, what ingredients to avoid and what ingredients are good for your skin, as well as what products and ingredients are good for specific skin concerns. Although I can no longer able to give professional advice since I am not licensed as an Esthetician, I can give you my personal opinion. Again, this is ONLY my personal OPINION and I am not saying in any way that I am an expert, you should ALWAYS consult a physician first and foremost.

Now that I’ve got that out of the way, I love Vitamin C and the benefits it gives to our skin. Vitamin C is something our skin needs and is extremely important in maintaining our skins natural glow and youthful appearance. When were young our skin is full of Vitamin C, but as we age our bodies Vitamin C diminishes and causes our skin to not be as youthful looking as it once was. There are other factors that can diminish our Vitamin C in our skin such as exposure to UV lights and pollutants (smoking, ozone, etc.) But we’re in luck since we can purchase Vitamin C in the form of a serum and use it to replenish the Vitamin C our skin loses and needs. 

Here are some of the benefits you will find with Vitamin C:

• ·         Reduces Wrinkles: As we age our skins collagen production decreases which causes wrinkles; but Vitamin C counteracts wrinkles from forming by increasing your skins collagen production. 

• ·         Treats Age Spots: Vitamin C works as an antioxidant which can reduce the sun-damaged cells and actually reverse age-related sun damaged skin. Vitamin C helps repair UV damage that causes fine lines and wrinkles!

• ·         Acne: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and is known to reduce redness associated with acne and can clear up any scarring from acne as well.

• ·         Young, Radiant Looking Skin: Since Vitamin C helps your skin produce collagen and is an antioxidant; it is known to get your skin a glowing, radiant, looking appearance. 

• ·         Evens Skins Tone and Texture: Again, Vitamin C promotes collagen production; stable collagen levels of collagen will help ensure your skin tone and texture stay even.

Vitamin C Serums can be used in the morning during your normal facial routine, remember that although Vitamin C has sun-protecting properties you will always want to use sunscreen as well! Vitamin C Serums can be used after cleansing and before moisturizing. Vitamin C can rarely cause dryness and flaking, especially when used more than once per day. You can use a moisturizer to avoid this from happening. Another great thing about Vitamin C Serums is that they’re safe to use with your other skincare products.

According to an article from Dr. Oz (Click “Dr. Oz” to read more) on Vitamin C Serums; you can start to see results in as little as 2-4 weeks, for others it may take as long as 6-8 weeks, but around 6 months is when you will start to really see the maximum results. 

Now: My experience with the Mystelic Beauty “Nature’s Best Vitamin C Serum”: 

 

I haven’t been using it long enough to see any results as of yet being that you would need to wait several weeks after using it daily to see real results from ANY Vitamin C Serum (See “Results Time-frames” Below). However, I can give a review on what I have experienced with this product so far. 

First, if you read the Dr. Oz article I mentioned above, you will see that he says Vitamin C Serums work well when mixed with other antioxidants. Nature’s Best Vitamin C Serum not only has Vitamin C in it, it also has Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid. 

Let’s take a look at the two other ingredients in Nature’s Best Vitamin C Serum that I have mentioned: (Please note: I am only speaking of the main ingredients; this serum does have other ingredients beyond the three I have mentioned above.)

Vitamin E: Another great antioxidant! Unlike Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid, our bodies can’t produce Vitamin E and we must make sure we get this powerful antioxidant through our own means (diet, supplements, etc.) According to United HealthOne (click “United HealthOne” to read more) Vitamin E destroys free-radicals that can cause damage to our skin. Vitamin E can also speed up the healing process for scars and acne.

Hyaluronic Acid: According to Cleveland Clinic (click “Cleveland Clinic” to read more) this is used in Vitamin C Serums to help with effective penetration of the product. It is also used for its ability to “reverse” or stop aging. Our bodies already naturally produce Hyaluronic Acid, but as we age, and also other factors, can cause our bodies to destroy levels of Hyaluronic Acid over time. This product is frequently used to reduce wrinkles.

So what does this all tell me? Well, it tells me that a lot of thought went into putting all of these amazing ingredients into one serum by Nature’s Best!

From my experience so far with Nature's Best Vitamin C Serum, I love the way the serum feels on my skin! When applying this serum to my face I have noticed how silky and smooth it feels. Once the serum dries, my face feels firmer and tighter which makes my fine lines and wrinkles look smoother and less noticeable.

Recommendation: I would have to say based strictly on my experience so far with Nature’s Best Vitamin C Serum that I would recommend it. This recommendation is based off of the ingredients, my experience with the product so far, price, and packaging of the product. 

I will continue to update this post with my experiences, before and after pictures, as well as results, in the next few weeks or as soon as I start to see any changes.

If you would like to view this product on Amazon.com click HERE. 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelettes Ultra Soft Clothes

I really like Neutrogena and I've always had some great experiences with their products so far. I was at Target shopping one day and had come to their skincare aisle; I saw that the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelettes Ultra Soft Clothes Twin pack were on sale, since I trust Neutrogena’s skincare line so far I decided to try it out.

I liked Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelettes Ultra Soft Clothes, If I was rating this item from 1-5 (5 being the best and 1 being the worst) I would rate it a 4. They are very soft for the most sensitive skin and remove my make-up with ease! The only reason I would give it a 4 is because I wasn’t crazy about the smell. It had a cucumber scent (I believe), although I like cucumber melon scent on many things I can now honestly say I really don’t like it on my face! I normally wash my face after using the towelettes and basically use them to ensure that all my make-up is removed before I wash my face so I don’t really have to smell them for too long. I would recommend them to anyone, the smell may be something that only bothers me and it’s hard to find great make-up removing towelettes that are this sensitive!

Here are some Pros and Cons I found with this product.

Pros:

• They come in a easy to use pouch which is great for traveling.
• They are very sensitive on skin.
• They are gentle enough to use near your eye area.
• Each towelette is a perfect size to use on any face!
• Using disposable clothes are a great way to keep your skin healthy and prevent breakouts!

Cons:

• I personally wasn’t crazy about the scent.

So as you can see from my pros and cons list Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelettes Ultra Soft Clothes are a great buy! Feel free to ask me any questions and thanks for reading!

 

CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation

I received a coupon to redeem for a bottle of the New CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation in exchange for my honest feedback. 

After reviewing the different colors that were available I selected the Natural Tan 860 and felt this color would best match my face. When I returned home I immediately washed my face so that I could try my new foundation. After washing my face I applied L’Oreal’s BB Cream and then L’Oreal’s RevitaLift Miracle Blur. I opened the bottle of CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation because other foundation’s I have used in the past didn’t have the pump feature that this bottle has. I dabbed a little bit of foundation in several areas of my face and then blended it into my face first using my fingertips and then finishing with a sponge applicator paying close attention to under my eyes and around my jawbone making certain that it was blending well. I was impressed with how well it blended with my natural color and the matte finish it left my face with. 

The next day I was going on a 12 hour field trip with my son and his 2^nd grade class. This would be the real test if this foundation could last a full 12 hours in sunny Florida, with the humidity, at an amusement park. I went through the same steps I had taken the day prior when applying the CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation. I also applied my Mineral’s loose powder that I normally wear, as well as a little bronzer on my cheeks and eye area and finished with clear gloss.

Several hours into the field trip we all had stopped to take a bathroom break. I went to grab my powder out of my bag as a habit of needing to refresh my makeup during the day, but when I went to apply it I noticed I didn’t need to and put it away. A couple of hours later, after lunch, I went to the rest room again. When I looked in the mirror the only thing missing was my gloss! I was very impressed, but still had my doubts. As the day went on it became very hot, it was the middle of April and it happened to be a very hot day. Although I was sweating from the heat my makeup was still withstanding the day. At the end of the day when I returned home and went to go wash my face I took a few minutes to stare at my reflection in amazement with the reality of the situation; my makeup looked almost identical to what it did when I applied it that morning. Not only did the CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation prove to be all that is in its name by outlasting the day and staying fabulous but the bronzer I applied that morning was also nearly perfect. My bronzer has never made it a few hours into my day before which made it clear that the foundation was an excellent primer as well.  

I have now been using the CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous for over 2 weeks and I am still amazed at the end of each day. I’ve also noticed that more and more I am leaving the makeup bag at home, because I don’t need to refresh my face several times a day as I use to have to do. I can be confident that when I apply my makeup, it will outlast even me!

Here are some Pros and Cons about the New CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation:

Pros:
·         It works well as a primer, making sure your other makeup stays on all day too

·         It has an amazing matte finish
·         It blends well with your natural skin color
·         It stays where you apply it all day long for outlasting results
·         Evens your skin tone, giving you a smooth look

Cons:

·         It didn’t work well for me as a concealer on darker blemishes

·         It dries quickly which may not be suitable for everyone
·         It isn’t very moisturizing for people with dry skin; but great for people with oily skin

If you would like to learn more about the new CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation please click on this link: http://www.covergirl.com/beauty-products/face-makeup/foundation-makeup/outlast-stay-fabulous-foundation

L'Oreal RevitaLift Miracle Blur

I received a free sample of L’Oreal’s New RevitaLift Miracle Blur in exchange for my honest feedback.

When I first received it in the mail I was excited by all the different benefits it had for my skin and was very anxious to try it. As a mother of two boys I can assure you that my skin isn’t what it once was before kids; daily stress, aging and make-up use doesn’t help my skin look any better either! The next day when I was getting ready to leave the house for the day I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to try it out. My skin was fresh out of the shower clean and dry to my combination skin I must first apply some kind of skin care moisturizer. I applied L’Oreal’s new BB Cream which I also received as a sample. I then applied the RevitaLift Miracle Blur to only half of my face. I noticed that the lines around my eyes, my smile lines, and my dark circles around my eyes, were all noticeably improved. I took the time to see if my husband could point out which side of my face had the RevitaLift Miracle Blur applied and which side only had the L’Oreal BB Cream. He was able to point out the side that had the L’Oreal RevitaLift Miracle Blur immediately. I was very impressed. I continued with my make-up regimen as normal of course making sure to apply the RevitaLift Miracle Blur to the other side of my face first.

We then left the house for the day, our first stop was church. The real proof came after service when I ran into a friend, she noticed that my facial appearance seemed younger and more refreshed looking. I took the compliment with a smile and shared my secret with her. She was grateful for the tip and couldn’t wait to try it herself after seeing how flawless my skin looked. This isn’t an easy task in our state of sunny and humid Florida. I’m lucky if my face continues to look nice after even leaving the house. But getting a compliment hours after applying the RevitaLift Miracle Blur let me know that not only did it seem to smooth out my lines and give me a flawless appearance but it was able to withstand the humidity and heat as well.  

I have now been using L’Oreal’s RevitaLift Miracle Blur for about two weeks and these are the Pros and Cons I found during my experience: 

Pros:

• Immediately gives your face a flawless look
  
• Smooth’s out fine lines and wrinkles
  
• Helps with dark circles under your eyes
  
• Stays looking flawless and giving you coverage for hours

Cons:

• Seems to leave a sleek finish on your face which could make it difficult if you applied it over your eye brow area and then want to fill in your eye brows
  
• It has a scent, I didn’t mind the smell but others may
  
• It will burn your eyes if you get it to close so be sure to use caution if you will be applying it near your eye area
  
• Although there are a couple of Cons I don’t believe any of them outweigh the Pros of L’Oreal’s RevitaLift Miracle Blur. I haven’t found a product that has come close to giving my skin such a flawless look. I am very satisfied with the product.
  

For more information on L’Oreal’s RevitaLift Miracle Blur you can go to their website by clicking on this link: http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/Brands/Skin-Care/Revitalift.aspx?notification=mboss

Neutrogena Complete Acne Therapy System, It's Amazing!

As I'm aging I've noticed that my skin is changing. Although I've never previously had any issues as a teenager with acne or problematic skin now that I'm in my 30's my skin has chosen to not be so friendly. I originally started using a product from The Body Shop which seemed to make it worse, I then tried several of their other facial products in hopes that one of them would work as good as there body butters and other products I've always liked, but I still struck out. Months went by and my face became worse.

I trust Amazon.com for their reviews on different products, so while I was at Publix one day grocery shopping I stopped by the skin care aisle. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a box from Neutrogena's skin care line, it was there Neutrogena Complete Acne Therapy System. It included one 5.1oz bottle of Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser, One 1.7oz bottle of Oil-Free SPF 15 Lotion, and one 1.4oz bottle of Acne Control Lotion. I immediately picked the box up and began reading some of the ingredients on the back; I then opened my smart phone and clicked on my Amazon app. I looked up the kit and saw that the reviews were amazing! People were saying it was better than Proactiv (I must state I have never tried Proactiv, so I couldn't give my opinion on this product however, I was considering trying Proactiv when I found Neutrogena's System). After reading all of the reviews I decided to purchase the kit and give it a shot. I believe the price at Publix was around $22.00. I also decided to purchase another item from Neutrogena which was the Neutrogena Rapid Clear On-the-Go Acne Treatment Pen, I believe the price was around $8.00 or $9.00, I did however find it on sale a few weeks later for $4.49 at Publix. It is meant to be used for when you have a break out; you can apply it directly to the pimple. It is supposed to reduce the size of the pimple, redness, and swelling within 4 hours. My face was just not happy with me at the time so I thought the additional product may help me a bit faster.

 When I made it home I was anxious to try my new found hope so I quickly rushed to the bathroom and began to get myself ready to wash my face. At the time I had an enormous pimple on my chin and another on my nose. I started the warm water, wet my face and the applied a small amount of the cleaner onto my fingertips, the first amount quickly slipped off onto the sink which is when I learned quickly that the cleaner can be a bit tricky to keep on your hands, I reapplied it onto my palm this time and rubbed my two palms together, then I applied it to my face in a circular motion paying close attention to my problem areas. I must say I loved the feeling of the superfine micro beads on my face, it made me feel as though my face was really being cleaned. I then rinsed my face and then patted it dry with a clean towel. My face felt immediately refreshed! I then applied a small amount of the Acne Control Lotion on my entire face, after I applied a small amount of the Acne Treatment Pen to my two large pimples. Within hours both the pimples had reduced by over 50%. At bedtime I reapplied the Acne Treatment Pen directly onto the pimples, by morning they were both hardly noticeable.

The only con I found was that my face did have some white crust left on it from the Acne Treatment Pen, so I did need to make sure to rinse my face before leaving the house or applying makeup. I only use the Oil-Free SPF 15 Lotion before I apply makeup or leave the house during the day. I began using these product about 6 months ago, since I've noticed that if I don't wash my face at least once a day (preferably twice), if I accidentally sleep with my makeup on, or while I am on my menstrual cycle I will at times still break out. But as soon as I start back up with my daily routine again my skin clears up immediately. My son who is just starting puberty is beginning to have skin are issues, I bought him his own kit and he is also having great results. I also purchased a kit for my husband because he travels for work a lot which makes it difficult to share, he too is very happy with the results. All three of the kits included a $4.00 off coupon inside for you to use on your next purchase of Neutrogena's Complete Acne Therapy System.

As far as pros and cons:

Pros:
· Works well
· Fast results
· Easy to use in the shower or at the sink
· Feels good on face
· The SPF lotion is very lightweight

Cons:
· Doesn't make my face dry (Pro) but when my husband used it twice a day he did experience a little peeling in some areas
· The face wash is slippery on your hands causing you to possibly drop the product (must use care)
· The Acne control lotion may make your skin feel tight temporarily which some people may not like
· In the end everyone has different experiences with different products, but for me and my family Neutrogena's Complete Acne Therapy System work great
If you would like more information about Neutrogena's Complete Acne Therapy System please click on the link below.

http://www.neutrogena.com/product/complete+acne+therapy+system.do