It’s hard to tell what’s authentic nowadays. There’s Photoshop, plastic surgery, greenwashing (a term used to describe companies whose environmental is less than authentic). When we find a couple of companies who are serious about the pursuit of true, green skin care, we rejoice. It makes us want to celebrate St. Patrick’s style as a matter of fact. We want to wear it proudly and loudly. Despite the dozens of sustainable products that have popped up in the last couple of years, there are few who truly commit to the process.

Kahina Giving Beauty offers a travel kit for worldly types like founder, Katharine Phillips L’Heureux. It includes the collection’s essentials, 100% organic Kahina Argan Oil, Facial Cleanser and Facial Lotion. Argan oil, which reduces inflammation and protects from the environment, comes from Morocco where Kahina’s founder works with local women in the area.

The product itself is bottled in a carbon-neutral, wind-powered facility, and made from violet glass, which naturally protects from the sun and preserves the integrity of its contents.
Kahina Giving Beauty offers a 15 percent discount on product refills to clients who return their bottles to be reused.

Available: http://kahina-givingbeauty.com/

The area around our eyes is one of the most sensitive on the body. It is no place to experiment with lotions or potions—particularly anything toxic or unnatural.

This month we bring you products that are all two-part. You could say we’re giving skin care a one-two punch!

You know how I love the science of beauty, and though I don’t have a chemistry background, I really get into science-nerd mode reading about breakthrough technology that can be used to keep us looking better and younger longer. Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot about BioMimicry. Just last week at the AAD (American Academy of Dermatology) meeting, a new technology, called CYTOMIMIC™ Technology by Johnson & Johnson, was causing a buzz. While I’ve read three pages on it already, I won’t bore you with too much information, but just know that CYTOMIMIC Technology is based on creating and delivering biological levels of electrical micro currents to the skin and stimulating the body’s own rejuvenation process. In the eye area, the use of this technology in products can diminish the appearance of bags under the eyes, reduce the look of dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles and improve brightness. One company that’s now using this technology is RoC in their Brilliance Collection and I’ve recently tried their Eye Beautifier. Part one is the Activating Serum which is blue (but colorless once applied) and part two is the Day Rejuvenating Cream. The instructions say to apply both day and night; however, use very sparingly during daytime application so it doesn’t interfere with foundation on top of it. I saw nice results quickly as my eye area looked smoother and brighter in two days.

Available: CVS stores and http://www.ulta.com

When I think facial, I often imagine of a couple of hours spent at a day spa wearing a cotton waffle weave robe and slippers, sipping hot tea in a tranquil lounge, and perhaps even enjoying amenities like a steam room and post facial makeup application. I relish those moments and wish I could do them more often. However, the bottom line really is how my skin looks after the treatment. Of course, after a good spa facial my skin looks soft, dewy and lovely, but there are times when I need more – we all do – and the only way to achieve incredible looking skin is with the use of medical grade products, prescribed by a doctor, and not available outside the doctor’s office. I recently had such a facial at the office of dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross.

After lying down and getting comfortable, skin care specialist Bonnie went to work cleansing my face and conducting a skin analysis. We determined that for my skin, which is in pretty good shape, I should have the Firming Booster Facial with Professional Alpha Beta® Face Peel. She started with the peel, which is a blend of alpha hydroxyl and beta hydroxyl acids and used a very mild solution. After a minute she asked if my face burned or I was uncomfortable, when I said no, she then reapplied a slightly stronger solution. I felt a slight tingling, but no burning, and she then used a neutralizing solution which stopped the tingling completely. Side note: This exfoliates and stimulates the skin with no down time and you can do this process alone if you like and leave there without any redness. With the facial, the next step is a heated hyaluronic mask which feels wonderful and more importantly, minimizes fine lines as it plumps up the skin.

When I hear the word serum, I tend to think of a magical cream that revitalizes my skin and makes the “ugly stuff” go away – hopefully for good. I used to judge the quality of any serum by its price. I figured the higher the price, the better the quality. But, I never bothered to look at the back of the bottle for a quick glance at the ingredients working behind the magic—until now.

According to celebrity esthetician, Renee Rouleau, the following are key active ingredients to look for in any serum, regardless of the price. Soluble Beta Glucans – for lessening breakouts from inside out, White or Red Tea – for providing anti-inflammatory relief, Glycolic Acid – for exfoliation, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (or a less fancier word – Vitamin C) – for fading brown spots, anti-oxidants, such as vitamin E, for fighting off free radical damage, and Peptides for skin firming. “Any skin serum will do a great job at carrying active ingredients deep within the skin,” says Rouleau. “For daytime, use antioxidants and sunscreens as your skin is on the defense. At night, use repair ingredients like acids, enzymes and peptides.”

Rouleau never suggests the use of a serum by itself. Here is how you should incorporate using a serum into your routine…

Morning

Step 1: Cleanse with a sulfate-free cleanser
Step 2: Apply an alcohol-free toner (when left damp on the skin and followed with a serum, it acts as a carrier to bring the serum deeper in the skin)
Step 3: Apply a few drops of an antioxidant skin serum
Step 4: Apply a generous amount of sunscreen to the face and neck

Evening

Step 1: Cleanse with a cleansing lotion to remove makeup
Step 2: Apply an alcohol-free toner (remember – it acts as a carrier to bring the serum deeper in the skin)
Step 3: Apply a few drops of either a Glycolic Acid serum or a corrective serum
Step 4: Apply a moisturizer (without sunscreen)

So now that you know the key ingredients that should be a deciding factor when choosing the perfect serum, let’s take a look at where to actually find them! BN has searched the world over for the finest serums with the right ingredients and brought them directly to you.

NutriMinC Reactivating Facial Serum:

This zesty like gel will not only increase moisture retention and cell turnover, but key ingredients including vitamin C, activate healthy cells, increasing translucence while diminishing the look of fine lines. But, don’t go getting jealous. You can have this look all over your body with NutriMinC Reactivating Body Serum, which contains powerful botanicals that help protect the skin surface against free radical damage.

Available: http://www.arbonne.com