Tag: skincare review

Melanin is Amazing but I Need Sunscreen?

Published on by Lee6 Comments

In the black community it’s a common misconception that our melanin infused skin completely eliminates the need for sunscreen as protection. Yes, our melanin does protect from some UV rays, but we actually do need to wear sunscreen too.

Skin cancer and aging lines don’t discriminate. Every skin tone on earth is at risk of being dried out, aged and burnt by the sun. It’s not too late to properly take care of your melanin.

Let’s take a moment to explore the reasons why sunscreen is a must, even for darker tones.

Cancer

This alone is good enough reason to buy sunscreen for your melanin. Skin cancer effects both light skin tones and dark. Your natural skin protectant blocks UV light up to SPF 13. This isn’t as strong as the sunscreen (SPF 30 is recommended) which is created for skin protection.

That means cancer can and will develop in your skin, if not properly protected. Studies also show that we are more likely to die from skin cancer than those with lighter skin. Melanated people are simply more likely to die from skin cancer because we aren’t looking for the signs and don’t take the necessary precautions to prevent skin cancers.

While people with dark skin have more melanin, which helps to protect their skin from UV rays, they are still at risk for developing different types of skin cancer, including melanomas. UV rays also contribute to photoaging, and regular use of sunscreen can help prevent the formation of wrinkles, dark spots, and sagging leathery skin.

You can find important information on skin cancer and melanin on Health Care’s website.

Aging and Dark Spots

One of the benefits of dark skin is the ability to look as if you haven’t aged a day. You want to keep these good looks, right? Don’t let the sun dry out your skin creating fine lines and wrinkles. It’s simply not worth it when you can purchase sunscreen designed specifically for your needs.

Sunlight also creates uneven skin tones and dark spots which can be totally avoided with a little sun screen. Aging spots and lines aren’t the only thing to worry about. Your skin will lose tone, and volume.

Sagging skin will become a reality if sunscreen isn’t used while you’re in the sun. This is especially true for those who live in areas like Texas, Florida and other places where the sun always shines.

Unwanted Burns

If you’ve never experienced a sunburn lucky you. It’s the worst feeling and seeing your skin peel right before your eyes is pretty weird. Sunburns can happen on all skin tones. Sure, you won’t burn as quickly as those with fair skin, but you can still develop burns.

Take the extra precaution of choosing the right sunscreen designed for your skin type. It doesn’t hurt to take these measures. In the long run your skin will truly thank you.

While you’re in the sun your skin will become darker, everyone knows this but do you know why? The tanning effect isn’t really a tan it’s a sign of skin damage from the sun. Your body produces more melanin in effort to protect that previous outer layer of skin.

Your melanin is amazing. It performs super hero like duties but unfortunately it cannot completely protect you from harmful UV rays. Take the time to research skin cancer in African Americans and purchase sunscreen. Your body will thank you.

Knowing the ingredients and the resulting properties isn’t on every shoppers mind, but the undesirable outcomes are. The majority of shoppers look for a product that isn’t greasy or that doesn’t leave a noticeable residue on the skin. A good deal of people also look for a product that is in line with their own ethics. I, for one, look for Vegan/ cruelty free products that also hydrate the skin. I normally just stick with Aveeno PROTECT + HYDRATE Lotion but today… well read on to see why Bolden SPF 30 Brightening Moisturizer got me singing ♪♪♪. (Click here to continue)

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Boscia Chia Seed Moisture Cream

Published on by Lee3 Comments

Th season of gel texture moisturizers, quick-absorbing serums, and refreshing facial mists is gradually coming to an end, and you’ll soon need to swap in richer, more heavy-duty hydrators as temperatures start to dip and the air dries up. Kick off the skin care shelf transition with Boscia’s new Chia Seed Moisture Cream, which provides intense, long-lasting moisture to dehydrated skin — and uses one of your favorite superfoods to do it.

According to Dr. Kolansky, your skin is drier in the winter because the cold weather causes your blood vessels to constrict, resulting in less blood flow to your skin’s surface. And the changes in temperature between your warm home or office and the bitter outdoors causes an additional loss of moisture. When the weather outside is frightful, I bulk up my regimen with more hydrating ingredients like:

  • Ceramides
  • Fatty acids
  • Hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate
  • Selected skincare oils
  • Shea butter

With the cold weather, comes skincare companies releasing more hydrating products and thicker creams. One such product is the Chia Seed Moisture Cream from Boscia. According to the company’s website, “since 2002, plants have been the secret to our skincare success. We use ingredients rooted in nature—plant-to-bottle formulas that show results with fun formulas. Good skin comes naturally because, in our world, beauty really does grow on trees.” And the Clean Beauty Chia Seed Moisture Cream is “a super-rich cream that provides an instant restoration of deep hydration to dry skin while nurturing and locking in moisture for soft and supple skin.”

Is it worth adding to your winter routine? Let’s take a look:

What Can Chia Seeds Do For Your Skin?

Chia seeds are a superfood for the body, but do those superpowers benefit your skin at all? Kind of… Chia seeds are a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are anti-inflammatory fatty acids naturally found within the skin. Omega-3 fatty acids are documented to be substantially lower in those with dry/very dry skin types than those with normal to oily skin types, though omega-3 supplementation (whether oral or topical) can help this, returning skin to a more youthful, supple state. The topical chia seed oil has also been documented in the journal Annals of Dermatology to relieve severe symptoms of pruritus or skin itching.

The itty bitty seed in pressed oil form is clinically proven to increase skin hydration by reducing moisture loss, aka it locks in all of those skin-plumping omega fatty acids for healthy, glowy skin that lasts. Mineral-dense Swiss Glacier Water joins in to help moisture soak in deeply, protect skin, and improve smoothness, while elderberry extract brings a major dose of vitamins A, B6, C, and E to promote brightness and defend your complexion against stress and environmental pollutants. Long story short, it’s the naturally effective moisturizing cocktail your complexion never knew it needed.

So is chia seed oil going to remove your fine lines and wrinkles? Fix hyperpigmentation? Encourage collagen production? Probably not. However, if you suffer from dry to very dry skin, the chia seed oil is likely to temporarily plump up your skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines somewhat.

So the Chia Seed Moisture Cream can be great for temporary hydration (perhaps under makeup in the morning) but the long term benefits aren’t quite there.

Glacier Water; Marketing Gimmick or Effective Ingredients?

One of the ingredients that popped out at me when I first saw this product on Sephora’s website was “Glacier Water.” What does that mean, and does it have any benefit at all or is it simply a gimmicky marketing thing?

After doing some digging, I found that companies use “glacier water” as a hydrator in their products. Glacier water starts as rainfall, snow, and ice residing on, you guessed it, a glacier! As it trickles down it is filtered through the mountains’ porous, volcanic rock, also known as “tuff,” and collects trace minerals before running underground to pick up volcanic minerals from lava rock. And after all of that, it then emerges via ancient lava fields and thermal baths.

According to Tom Vichorski, a chemist who works with Skyn Iceland, this process results in water that is purified naturally. “Think of your standard carbon water filter,” he says, “now think of that filter extending miles beneath the Earth’s surface — that’s why the water is so pure.” So, I’m just going to be honest here… trace amounts of minerals in purified water are not going to do anything life-changing to your skin. There is no peer-reviewed published research that says “glacier water” will result in better skin. But it does make for fun and fancy marketing.

Personal Use and Opinion

The product is housed in a bulky, matte pink jar. For a product that’s selling point is its use of antioxidants, jar packaging isn’t the best as these ingredients aren’t known for being very stable. It’s also not the most hygienic thing in the world to constantly be dipping your fingers into your product and exposing it to the bacteria in the air, however, Boscia includes a funky looking scooper with the product which helps to mitigate this somewhat.

The cream itself is very thick, and a little bit goes a long way. I think that for those with oily skin this would be too heavy, but if you are on the drier side this would be great! I used this nightly for a few weeks and didn’t notice any irritation or adverse effects. Overall it was a solid product, but not sure there are any real long-term benefits outside of hydration.

Bottom Line

While “glacier water” is pretty gimmicky, the Chia Seed Moisture Cream from Boscia is a solid night cream. It’s thick and hydrating and I would recommend it for those who have dry skin.

Disclaimer:

The purpose of this blog is for skin, makeup, and beauty care-related reviews and tips only. It is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. Information posted should not be construed as personal medical advice. Posts are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure disease.

Chia Seed Moisture Cream

$38 |BOSCIA

The super hero of this incredibly rich moisture cream, chia seed oil, instantly and deeply moisturizes for a healthy and revitalized complexion

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KYLIE SKIN LAUNCHES FACE MASK & LIP MASK

Published on by Lee2 Comments

When Kylie Jenner first announced she was launching skincare, thoughts were mixed if it fits in with her brand or if it’s best left up to skincare pros. And then the first collection promptly sold out and Kylie Skin was officially a hit. Next came a summer collection and now, a face mask and lip balm are here. “The @kylieskin family is growing,” Jenner wrote on Instagram. “My hydrating lip and face mask are available NOW on KylieSkin.com! My secret to moisturized skin all day long.”

Since Jenner has dry skin, her first face mask is a moisturizing one. The Hydrating Face Mask is fragrance-free and contains niacinamide (one of two forms of vitamin B3), shea butter, glycerin and sodium hyaluronate (a water-soluble salt form of hyaluronic acid). Jenner promises it keeps her skin soft and moisturized. And she keeps that hydration on her lips, too. The Hydrating Lip Mask—a fancy way of calling it lip balm—features pomegranate sterols, shea butter, sunflower and kiwi seed oil. You can use it anytime throughout the day or layer it on thick overnight for “mask” action.

What’s especially nice about masks is that, unlike the rest of the products in the brand’s lineup, they don’t necessarily have to be used every single day, so you can work them into your current routine when you need a little hydration boost, without having to sacrifice your regular faves.

I’m a face-masking fiend, and even though my collection is already quite large, I’m curious as to how much Kylie Skin’s Face and Lip Masks cost, as I can almost guarantee I’ll be adding them to my collection. According to Jenner herself, the brand’s first-ever masking products guarantee hydrated, happy skin, and with cold winter weather here, a little extra hydration doesn’t sound half bad. Will the new duo end my seasonal chapped lips and dry skin for good? Fingers crossed, y’all.

What I love about this instead of using just a regular balm, is this is more like a treatment for your lips,” Jenner explained in a video on the Kylie Skin Instagram account. It definitely locks in the moisture in my lips and keeps them feeling good all day,” she added. As far as formula goes, Jenner dishes that the Lip Mask features nourishing oils, shea butter, and vitamin E, and can be used whenever you’d like. I love to put it on before bed — I feel like my lips feel the most chapped at the end of the day,” she said in the video. Apparently, it’s also a great option for no-makeup days: “It gives it a little bit of a sheen, so it almost looks like you’re wearing lip gloss, which I love,” she raved.

This! There is nothing like this,” exclaimed Jenner in her Instagram explainer video, “This is the most moisturizing mask you can find. This helps smooth, soothe, brighten, hydrate… it’s ideal for anytime use. I love to put this on, again, at all times of the day. I didn’t want to just say Night Mask for this, because I use it all the time,” Jenner explained, adding, “You don’t have to wash this off, although you can. She also uses the mask prior to applying makeup – applying it 15-30 minutes before she does her makeup and then washing it off like any other face mask.

While the Hydrating Face Mask has a thick, moisturizing formula, it still feels lightweight and easy to blend, much like a classic moisturizer:

As for ingredients, Jenner describe the lineup as, “Pretty much just a magical mixture of things to really help out your skin.” That includes vitamins C, E, and B3, as well as shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and kiwi seed oil, so she’s certainly right about that.

I love that she’s listening to her buyers’ requests! And honestly, I can’t help but wonder what’s next. Another type of face mask? What about a clay mask, or a sheet mask? You can’t deny that a pink Kylie Skin sheet mask would be cute AF. While you wait for her to announce her next drop, shop the Hydrating Face and Lip Masks now on the Kylie Skin website.

Our mission at BEAUTYLEEBAR is to bring beauty to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

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Glow Recipe’s New Banana Moisturizer Just Became Our Go-To

Published on by Lee5 Comments

In less than two years, K-beauty aficionados Glow Recipe has created sell-out product after sell-out product. The trend-quenching brand has transformed some of the most iconic fruits in pop culture – watermelons, avocados, pineapples – from pool float and phone cover necessities into bomb skincare products that feed your skin and your #shelfies with goodness.

From juicy watermelon to the revered avocado, Glow Recipe has made it its M.O. to craft the most fun, at-times viral skin-care products from nature’s fruit basket. Well, insert banana emoji here, because their latest launch has arrived, and unlike anything they’ve done before.

The latest super-fruit to join their family has less of an Instagram following, but its skincare powers are definitely on par with the rest. Meet the Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream, $39, that harnesses the moisturizing, nourishing and calming properties of banana, which launches online at Sephora.com on Dec 5th (and today on the Sephora app)! We were lucky enough to get a first try of this moisturizer, and we’ve been using it non-stop for the last two weeks to ensure we can give you a thorough review!

What it is: The Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream is a lightweight moisturizer bursting with banana, turmeric and chia goodness to give you plump, hydrated and happy skin that smells like banana cream pie filling.

What it does: This bouncy, banana-packed formula helps skin recover from dryness, dehydration, stress, and irritation by delivering an intense hit of magnesium naturally found in bananas to balance moisture levels and recover skin barrier health. Potassium works to hydrate the skin while manganese gets to work on healing stressed skin – aka when you’ve overdone it on AHAs or your skin is hella thirsty.

The ingredients: Well, if not for the color. Glow Recipe’s $39 Banana Soufflé cream is a telltale shade of pastel yellow that looks like the dreamiest, creamiest, banana-filled smoothie ever blended into existence — even though the formula relies on banana water, according to Byrdie’s behind-the-scenes look at how the moisturizer is made. The intriguing ingredient acts as a source of hydrating potassium and useful magnesium, which helps keep your skin barrier happy, healthy, and properly balanced, moisture wise. Take that, other superfruits.

Soothing Centella Asiatica (aka cica, a classic K-beauty ingredient) and turmeric are full of antioxidants to protect the skin while the essential fatty acids in chia moisturize deeply. Added vitamin A, B, and C reduce inflammation and help brighten dull skin. Jojoba seed oil also makes an appearance and is amazing for repairing the skin barrier as it naturally mimics your skin’s sebum while squalane, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin boost hydration.

glow recipe banana souffle moisturizer

Who it’s good for: This is great for all skin types. It’s light enough for those with oily, acne-prone or sensitive skin and will help regulate and balance your skin while it’s also really hydrating so it’s great for dry and normal skin types too. It’s not too heavy for daytime and rich enough to hydrate all night long.

What we thought: Another little glass jar full of goodness! This richly-scented moisturizer is just as potent as its sisters, and although it has no synthetic fragrance, the first thing you’ll notice is the smell – which, as banana pudding fans, we LOVED! The texture is super lightweight and feels whipped, just like a soufflé, with a seriously addictive, gooey-bouncy consistency that melts into the skin and blends out beautifully with no need to tug or pull your skin. A little goes a long way, and once applied the formula sinks in quickly with no heavy feeling, which is rare with a product this nourishing and moisturizing.

The results: True story, trying products non-stop is testing on your skin, and the Banana Soufflé could not have come at a better time. After testing a new toner, our skin was pretty parched, sensitive and tight, and not only did we feel immediate soothing effects with this moisturizer but, within days – we used it morning and night – our skin felt hydrated and plump again. This moisturize really came through to hydrate our skin and help it feel balanced and comfortable. In 10 days, our skin is feeling its best, healthy self, and definitely looks less dull and feels fuller.

We also tried their hack of combining the Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream with the Glow Recipe Pineapple-C Bright Serum, and we loved the feel and the brightening boost this gives.

The verdict: Naturally, Glow Recipe made it easy to integrate the new cream into your pre-established skincare routine. You can pat on a dollop of Banana Soufflé cream as the next step after your serums both in the morning and before you hit the hay, or create an extra-brightening version by mixing in a drop of Glow Recipe’s Pineapple-C Bright Serum.

If you need a moisturizer to keep your skin glowing on happily, we highly recommend this. Although it doesn’t contain ingredients to target any more problematic skin issues, mix this up in the evenings with one of Glow Recipe’s sleeping masks to target other skin concerns. For us, this is the perfect everyday moisturizer that will keep your skin supple, nourished, protected and balanced, which is especially important at this time of year. It works great under makeup too, which is always a win!

Launched Party: The new fruity creation from the brand dropped on Dec. 4 for pre-sale on the Sephora app, and the following day, Banana Souffle will be available to shop online at Sephora. If you do want to test out and feel the product before purchasing, don’t worry. It will be coming to Sephora stores a few weeks later on Dec. 27. The new product will retail for $39 making it the same cost as the brand’s existing Pink Juice Moisturizer.

The Banana Souffle Moisture Cream marks one of the first products to launch from the brand since founders Christine Chang and Sarah Lee decided to eliminate their K-beauty curations. Back in June, the brand announced that it would be focusing on its in house projects (Glow Recipe and affordable brand Sweet Chef) in order to launch more innovative and exciting skin care. Now, one of those creations is here in the Banana Souffle Moisture Cream.

If you were one of the thousands of people who joined Glow Recipe’s wait list when it first launched with the Blueberry Bounce Cleanser and Watermelon Glow Mask, there’s a new product to be added to your wishlist, and this time, you can avoid that waitlist.

Glow Recipe Banana Souffle Moisture Cream $39

SEE ON SEPHORA

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