Guiltless Goodies: Start 2010 out right with a guiltless and beneficial skincare regime

Hi all!

As part of a 'welcome to the New Year' series, I will be profiling three different product lines for the face, body, hair and cosmetics. It's 2010, and it's always good to start out the New Year the way you mean to go on - and I encourage you all to ensure that that means a regimen to maintain your looks and health while benefiting the planet and, of course, animals.

As the first part of this four-part series, I'm taking a look at skincare. Showcasing a different product line for each budget level, there is something for everyone here. In the January issue of SELF magazine, Boston dermatologist Dr. Jeffrey Dover, is quoted as saying "[t]he key to beautiful, healthy skin is consistency", meaning that skin prefers for you to stick with the same products rather than switching things up all the time. Now, research has shown that your various skincare products do not have to come from the same product line, but because companies usually manufacture their skincare products to work in conjunction with each other, these tend to be the most complementary, so here I am showcasing entire lines of products. Use some or all of the items in the line and see your skin - and conscience - improve this year!

You don't have to be cruel to be kind,
GiGi

Bargain Buys


St. Ives has come out with a great new-look line of face care products - this is the line I use on a daily basis, because it's just so affordable. The line comes with exfoliating scrubs, blemish-fighting cleansers, gentler cleansers which incorporate make-up removers, deep cleansing masques, hydrating masques, microdermabrasion and moisturizers. There's literally something for everyone. Because it would be impossible to showcase every product, I'm going to feature the ones that I use, and that - therefore - I know work. But I encourage you to hop over to the company's website, because it's full of information and you can browse each product to choose the best one for you.

St. Ives Make-up Remover and Facial Cleanser, drugstore.com or drugstores, $5.49

I use this product every day; it's amazingly gentle, especially because it's a make-up remover, so if you accidentally get any in your eyes you don't need to worry about screaming in pain while rushing to the tap.

St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub, drugstore.com or drugstores, $4.29

I get worried about using too harsh an exfoliant on my face, but this product is super gentle, with small seeds for exfoliating that don't make you feel as though you are scratching up your face! Time and time again estheticians have emphasized to me the importance of exfoliating. Without exfoliating, the dead skin cells on your face build up, not only giving a dull complexion but also blocking pores, so that acne will develop underneath. Exfoliate at least once a week.

St. Ives Mineral Moisturizer with SPF 15, drugstore.com or drugstores, $10.99

This moisturizer smells great, but besides that, it's great for your skin. I love that it has SPF in it - and yes, I live in a hot climate but everyone, everywhere, needs to wear SPF on a daily basis to protect your face from the elements. Even in cloudy climates the sun peeks through, though we may not notice it. As you know, I'm moving back to Canada in a week and it will be the middle of winter there, but you can bet I'll be taking this with me - not just for the moisturizing properties, but also for the SPF.

Ideal Investments

Kiss My Face is such a fantastic company - it creates its products with the planet and animals in mind, while also ensuring that they are manufacturing items that people will want to use. Although I have not used the line's skincare products, we always have their bar soaps in the shower and I absolutely love them. They recently came out with a new skincare line called Potent & Pure Face Care, which is what I will spotlight here. The line has a product for every skin type. Check out the website for more information.

Kiss My Face Potent & Pure Clean for a Day Creamy Face Cleanser, kissmyfacewebstore.com, $15

As I mentioned before, this line has products at each level (cleansing, toning, moisturizing and more) for every skin type. So while they recommend this creamy face cleanser for normal to dry and sensitive skin, it also has a cleansing option for normal to oily skin, which is its Start Up exfoliating face wash. Also, if you prefer to cleanse with a soap bar rather than a creamy product, normal, dry and sensitive skin types can also use the Shea Soy facial cleansing bar.

Kiss My Face Potent & Pure Balancing Act facial toner, kissmyfacewebstore.com, $13.99

Keeping things easy, the line has one toner for all skin types - incorporating antioxidants with organic ingredients for a refreshing and effective facial toner.

Kiss My Face Potent & Pure C the Change Ester C serum, kissmyfacewebstore.com, $21

Using serum is a really valuable part of any skincare regime, so I was really pleased to see that Kiss My Face has included a serum in its line - many lines don't unless they are very high-end. Serums help prepare the skin prior to moisturizing, which means that the skin is able to absorb more of the hydration and nutrients from the moisturizer you apply. Many serums also have their own helpful properties, such as firming and hydrating properties.

Kiss My Face Potent & Pure Under Age ultra-hydrating moisturizer, kissmyfacewebstore.com, $21

This rich yet light daily moisturizer is recommended for normal to dry and sensitive skin, while the line also includes options such as a facial creme with SPF 10 for normal to oily skin, a brightening day creme with SPF 4 for all skin types and, for night, an intensive repair night creme for all skin types. I was really happy to see the night creme there - although they can feel heavy, it is equally important to apply moisturizer at night as in the daytime. If your skin is not hydrated enough, it will work to produce more oil to try to soothe some of its thirst, which can lead to more breakouts, so even if you have some acne, don't shy away from using a good hydrating creme moisturizer, or else you could get locked in the vicious cycle of dryness and oil production!

Expensive Elegance

When I have a bit of extra cash, I invest in Clarins' products. For a start, as they are made using botanical oils they all smell divine. Plus, I have always found that they really work. And, of course, Clarins was one of the companies that paved the way for abolishing animal testing back in a time when that was quite unheard of. So they really deserve our support!

Because Clarins' main business is skincare, they have a plethora of products to choose from, mainly separated by skin type and also by age. Therefore, I am just going to focus on the products I use, as I did with the St. Ives products, in order to share my experiences with you and try to sift through the vast array of products available. However, if you want to find the right products for you, visit the company's website or don't be afraid to go to a Clarins desk in any department store. Their sales reps are highly knowledgeable about the company's products and can take a look at your skin and make their own recommendations for you.

Clarins Water Comfort One-Step Cleanser, clarins.com, $30

This is my favourite Clarins product, hands down. A cleanser and toner in one, this saves time and smells heavenly - you'll want to put more and more of it on your face but actually it lasts a really long time - a sample-size bottle lasted me well over a month! It's perfect to use when leaving the gym, or somewhere where you need to freshen your face fast. Though the line has an array of 'proper' cleansers and a line of separate toners, I wanted to spotlight this one because I just love it and it's such a time-saver.

Clarins HydraQuench Lotion SPF 15, clarins.com, $48

                    

The company's HydraQuench line is often recommended for younger skin, but it can really suit anyone. This moisturizer is recommended for normal to combination skin or for use in hot climates, so if you are ever going on holiday, this is the thing to take. It includes an SPF, and cools skin down when it's feeling overheated, so you can guarantee it's not too heavy, but its hydration qualities are not hindered by this lightness. It's a great product.

Clarins HydraQuench Cream-Mask, clarins.com, $35

                         

I was given a sample of this to try once and I just wanted to put it on every five minutes. It has that quality that makes you feel as though you are in the spa having a facial - it's cool and creamy but intensely hydrating. A masque to use once a week - though you could use it more often if you wanted.

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, clarins.com, $45

                           

This is one of those odd products that doesn't really 'fit in' to any specific category, but I just had to mention it because it's one of my favourites. I would use it at the gym - when you've showered and you've used the cleansing water, put some of this on your fingertips and press it in to your face (don't rub it in) for a real 'glow'. It gives skin a dewy texture while moisturizing on the go.