Tag Archives: skin care

Like butter. Kiehl’s soy milk and honey cream

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Now that winter has finally roared in I’m paying more attention to my skin, a pre-emptive strike against blustery wind and cold outdoors and the drying effects of central heat indoors.

Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Soy Milk and Honey Body Butter provides a silky layer of moisture between me and the world. I keep it in the shower and smooth it on as soon as I towel off, before I leave that steamy sanctuary and venture out onto the jarring cold of the bathroom floor.

imagesIt’s nippy in my old house and I am in a hurry to get some clothes on. Happily, the butter absorbs quickly so it doesn’t stick to my jeans and sweater. The parts of my body that aren’t covered by clothes feel soft and smooth, so I figure the rest of my skin does, too. It also smells good, a slightly tropical scent that reminds me of the Shea butter in sunscreen… and a warm beach.

I like that the tub is decorated with figures of outdoorsy types and forest creatures you might meet on a wintry trek through the woods. It’s designed by Costello Tagliapietra, the New York duo Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra, who are nicknamed “the lumberjacks of fashion” because they are fond of wearing plaid flannel shirts and suspenders and have big, bushy beards.

I also appreciate that it’s plastic, not glass, in case I have an opps-y moment and drop it in the shower. Expect to pay $38 for an 8-ounce container, more than enough to last you until spring. (Full disclosure: the folks from Kiehl’s provided a review sample.)

Toning up with Amala

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Here’s a beautifully simple New Year’s resolution. Be good to your skin.

HydrateToner_100mlpkg.large_1It’s a vow that circles back to you. Because when you’re good to your skin, your skin is good to you.

If you don’t already use toner, ring in 2014 by adding a good skin bracer to your routine. Toner whisks away traces of oil or makeup you might have missed. It also helps to tighten your pores, while keeping skin hydrated.

Amala’s Hydrating Toner (MSRP: $48) is a high-quality toner that comforts your skin. It’s especially effective in winter, when harsh, drying winds swirl around us. It keeps skin refreshed without chaffing or reddening.

I’m the sensitive type — at least as far as my skin is concerned — and Amala understands skin that needs a little extra attention. So if you have hesitated to use toner in the past for fear of drying or dulling your skin, not to worry. This toner comforts the skin with jasmine, aloe and other whole plant extracts with antioxidant properties.

Made in Germany, Amala produces a extensive line of cleansers, toners and skin care products made from natural ingredients sourced from fair trade farmers.

Spot-on skin care

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Our skin is our first defense against the elements. Sun wrinkles it. Wind dries it. And age and blemishes leave us with dark spots.

Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution is formulated to correct dark spots and clarify the skin, especially on our face, neck and hands. The serum comes with a dropper in a one-ounce bottle and contains a complex made from activated C, a vitamin C derivative, as well as white birch and peony extracts.

In tests, 55% of women reported results within two weeks. After eight weeks, 87% of testers reported improvement. In testimonials, many users say Kiehl’s erased dark spots and scars created by acne.

So, how does it work? The activated vitamin C helps to fade dark spots. Peony extract keeps them from coming back. And white birch is known for its healing qualities. (Had I been this interested in the science of skin care back in high school, I would have fared much better in chemistry class.)

I’ve been using Kiehl’s on my hands. And while they have not been restored to the lily white state of my teens, I can report this middle-aged gal does not have any big dark age spots.

Kiehl’s was founded in 1851 in a pharmacy in New York’s East Village and makes a full line of skin care products. Expect to pay about $49.50 for Kiehl’s at Nordstrom and other high-end beauty counters. It’s currently selling on Amazon for $42.50.