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Keep skin hydrated and feeling increeeeedible this winter with @ceraveskin
Apologies to my neighbors this past week — those screams of ecstasy were brought on by my discovery of CeraVe Skincare.
This fantastic line of skincare was developed with the help of dermatologists to help repair and strengthen the skin barrier. It’s also accepted by the National Eczema Association to treat skin conditions. And what’s more, it’s the first brand to contain the essential ceramides, cholesterol and “fatty esters” that healthy skin needs (delivered through their patented controlled-release MVE system over 24hrs).
So that’s the background of CeraVe. What about the products?
Well, CeraVe has quite a few products to choose from (all of which you’ll love, no doubt) and I got started with the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion, Therapeutic Hand Cream and the SA Renewing Cream.
First, let me tell you that all these products are fragrance-free and non-comedogenic (it won’t block your pores). And while CeraVe is perfect for dry or coarse skin, no matter what product you use, your skin is going to benefit from each and every use.
The CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion is smooth and creamy and locks in moisture throughout the day, which in effect helps restore the skin and keep it healthy. This stuff is luscious and just what you’d expect from a patented cream. It was also given the 2013 Nylon Beauty Hit List Award!
CeraVe’s Therapeutic Hand Cream is also a winner. This stuff is smooth and rich, protecting the hands against any kind of daily stress you put ‘em through. I haven’t been a major user of hand cream but CeraVe has totally changed my daily skincare routine. This one won Redbook’s 2013 MVP Award!
And while I love every CeraVe product, my ultimate fave is the CeraVe SA Renewing Cream. This stuff is pure magic. It’s enriched with Vitamin E and has a thick consistency that I love. I’ve been using it on areas of rough skin around my chin and felt a huge difference within a couple of days. So there’s no way I’m living without this anymore!
But CeraVe’s line of amazing products doesn’t stop there. CeraVe also provides a line of high-performance sunscreens that are water resistant and suitable for all skin types. And because this sunscreen comes from CeraVe, you can be sure you’re getting the most powerful protection while out and about (even in the winter, ladies).
CeraVe uses invisible zinc technology in their sunscreen that delivers a unique dry, clear finish. And because it’s so gentle, you can grab some and incorporate it into your daily skincare routine, too (like me!).
Winter’s just upon us—let’s be prepared with our skin this year with CeraVe! Check out CeraVe.com and then go stock up on your soon-to-be-favorite skincare line at drugstore.com or your local pharmacy.
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@EightSkincare is a TEN out of TEN!
Is there anything better than discovering a wonderful new bath & body range? Nope! And this one has me a little obsessive because it’s sooo good for dry skin!
Eight Skincare stays true to its name because it uses eight core ingredients in all of its products: aloe vera, monoi oil, evening primrose oil, vitamin e oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, and apricot kernel oil. Together, all these ingredients increase your skin’s natural moisture, promote new cell growth, help with anti-wrinkle and anti-aging, while toning and firming. True story!
And while each product can be used separately, there’s a 4-step rejuvenating process that’s been developed by Eight Skincare that leaves your skin feeling incredibly soft and supple with the Dry Skin Body Brush, Crème Body Wash, Sugar Body Scrub, and Body Moisture Lotion. Use these four products to firm, tone, cleanse, nourish, and increase moisture content in the skin.
I tried the tangerine scented rejuvenating kit and was not disappointed. Apart from the scent being so delicious (sweet and citrusy—I love it!), each product is made perfectly and doesn’t leave your skin feeling all soapy and sticky afterward. Thumbs up!
The Eight Skincare range has a couple more scents I want to try out too—Ginger Lime & Lavender…delish!
Read all about the 4-step rejuvenating process here and do yourself a favor and go buy yourself the kit at EightSkincare.com now!
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Benefits of Using Coconut Oil
I recently purchased a couple jars of @Kelapo Virgin Coconut Oil from Opensky.com. This product was being sold for the purposes of cooking and food but I decided I wanted to use it for topical purposes.
“We harvest our coconuts from the lush, tropical island of Sri Lanka. Our fair trade farmers collect the fruit at its peak ripeness, and extract the virgin coconut oil through a cold expeller press. Kelapo Virgin Coconut Oil is 100% natural, unrefined, and certified organic. Plus, it is the only Fair Trade approved coconut oil on the market.”
I’ve been wanting to try coconut oil for the longest time because I’ve been hearing so much about how great it is whether you’re ingesting it or using it for your hair, skin, etc. I was in the market for a great coconut product but when I saw the Kelapo Virgin Coconut Oil I knew this was it! Why get a product that I know will have fillers, preservatives, and chemicals when I could get it in its purest form. Coconut oil is packed with antioxidants, lauric acid and other MCTs all beneficial for your system.
“Extra virgin coconut oil is extracted from the meat on the insides of the coconut through a cold-expeller press. The coconut oil is a stark, bright white color and has a fresh coconut smell. The taste profile of coconut oil is light and sweet, with subtle hints of actual coconut.”
Photo cred: Gaelle OrganicMy uses of pure Coconut Oil:
Hair
The coconut oil comes in a somewhat solid, white form like butter. After I get out of the shower, I towel dry my hair as dry as I can get it then smooth a little bit of the coconut oil to my ends. Scoop maybe a dime-sized about into your palm (maybe even less depending on how much hair you have) then warm it up til you get a serum-like consistency. I only smooth it from about 4 or 5 inches from my ends downwards or my hair would be super greasy. I have extremely long hair, passed my belly button kind of long, and it’s color-treated so my ends are pretty dry. The coconut oil not only scents my hair lightly with the yummy scent of coconut but it gives my hair the right amount of moisture. It takes a bit of trial and error to know exactly how much to put in your hair so you don’t cross that line of greasy looking locks.
I’ve also used the coconut oil as a mask. I like to slather my hair with the coconut oil then put it in a braid. I’ll leave it in for hours running errands or doing whatever I need to do all day long. I also like to blow dry the braid for a few minutes to heat the oil up for ultimate absorption. This has been all through personal experience, i’m not a hair stylist or anything but it’s definitely been working for me. My hair is soften and shinier. My ends aren’t as straw like. After you’ve left the oil in for a while, rinse with warm water. Make sure you rinse thoroughly. If your hair still seems to be overly greasy like my hair gets, shampoo your roots only. The run off from the shampoo will run through the ends of your hair rinsing away a bit of the oil without undoing all of it.
Face
With the weather changing so quick, my skin has been taking it pretty rough. I’ve got a few dry patches on my cheeks and around my mouth so I like to put a few drops of the coconut oil on my face after I shower (when my face is dry). Your skin is most receptive to products especially moisture products after you shower because it’s freshly cleaned and your pores are clear and open. Just like how your body lotion seems to absorb the best right after you shower rather than when you first wake up. The coconut oil doesn’t make my skin super greasy looking, although it will be slightly shiny because it is oil after all. I shower and night before bed anyway so it’s not like I have anyone to impress. Slather some on, go to bed, and your skin will be smooth, softer, and more even in the morning. It’s probably the best, most natural, most effective mosturizer I can recommend. Best of all, it smells yummy so you can smell fresh coconut before bed instead your synthetic creams and lotions.
Cuticles, Hands, Elbows, Legs, etc…
I didn’t intend on using the coconut oil on places besides my hair and my face but I was being super lazy one night and didn’t feel like washing my hands after I had put the oil in my hair and I rubbed the residue on all over my hands. AMAAAZING. I was really surprised that it didn’t leave that oily feeling while I had it on. I gave it a while to absorb and it went away leaving my skin super soft. If you know me well at all you’d know I’m a freak about washing my hands all the time and in the winter, it totally kills my hands. I put on a little of the coconut oil on my hands, elbows, and wherever else I’m feeling I need a little more moisture that my body lotion isn’t covering and my skin loves it. It’s awesome on your cuticles too.
If you can’t tell already I’m kind of in love with my Kelapo Virgin Coconut Oil… well coconut oil in general. It costed my about $12.50 for two 14 oz jars plus shipping which I think about now is a totally steal! Thanks Opensky 🙂 But I will definitely be repurchasing it again after I’m out. A jar seems to last so long. I’ve been using my for a few weeks now and I’ve barely dented it. Just remember, if you’re trying coconut oil or any oil at all, a little goes a long way. No one likes a big old grease ball! If you’re looking for a good coconut oil I would recommend the Kelapo one. Why not buy something in its purest form and avoid all the bad stuff while you can? Us beauty lovers put enough of the bad (but pretty) stuff on ourselves on a daily basis already, it’s good to give your skin and hair a rest!
You can purchase the Kelapo Virgin Coconut Oil on their website!
xo, June 🙂
