April 15, 2019 at 07:29AM by CWC There are certain skin-care products that are considered the “holy grail” of the beauty world. Those few things that editors love (and dermatologists can’t stop recommending) like Elta MD Sunscreen, P50 Toner, and Bioderma Micellar Water all spring to mind. Then there’s Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum ($166). In my half decade working as a beauty editor, no product has been raved about as much as this stuff. Every time I ask pros to name their top three products, they mention it, and no lie, nearly every editor keeps it stocked in their routine 365. So, it would be an understatement to say that it has glowing reviews—if you scour the Internet hard enough, you’ll see that it comes with approximately 10,000 of them. So why is C E Ferulic so phenom? For starters, it’s got an exceptionally high concentration of vitamin C, which means it’s packed with all of the usual antioxidants you’d expect from the powerhouse ingredient. This allows it bring on all the benefits—like brightening, skin-tone evening, and all-around anti-aging. The addition of Vitamin E, though, means that it’s also ultra moisturizing and great for treating inflammation. But even knowing all of this, I resisted hopping on the SkinCeuticals Vitamin C serum train for, well, a half of a decade. I mean, I’m not going to sugar coat it: It’s expensive. I had a hard time justifying spending $166 on a vitamin C serum knowing that there were far more
Tag: Facials
These lash serums are so good, you won’t even need extensions
April 04, 2019 at 11:50AM by CWC In the world of lashes, the name of the game tends to be “more is more.” This is why you won’t find a mascara that doesn’t claim to lengthen and volumize your eyelashes, why eyelash extensions are becoming an increasingly popular beauty treatment, and why most beauty lovers say that the one thing they won’t leave their house without is—you guessed it—mascara. So I’m not surprised that every single person I speak to about beauty asks: How do you get longer eyelashes? Well, it’s not like growing out your hair—your little lashes are different. Lengthening them is really all about the ingredients you coat them with—hence the importance of using a lash serum. “Lash serums are treatments typically enriched with conditioning peptides and fatty acids that stimulate and promote growth and stronger eyelashes,” says Clementina Richardson, celebrity lash expert and founder of Envious Lashes. “Just like you condition your hair, you need to condition your lashes. Over-the-counter lash conditioners are a great option and typically contain ingredients that strengthen and moisturize them.” They’re also key for preventing your eyelash hairs from getting brittle and breaking. “So your natural lashes stay more intact, creating a thicker, fuller appearance,” she says. All you have to do is apply a serum to the lash line. “After removing your makeup and cleansing your face, brush the serum along the base of your eyelashes daily,” says Richardson. “With regular continued use, you’ll start to notice your eyelashes looking
The Body Part You Never Knew Your Should Be Putting Your Serum On
April 02, 2019 What products you should be using on your lips, including serum, SPF, and a moisturizer. Continue Reading… Author Gretchen Lidicker | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
Want to wash your hair less? Scalp serums are the hot-ticket item to know now
March 20, 2019 at 07:42AM by CWC 2019 is finally the year that scalps are starting to get the love they deserve. For as long as any of us can remember, “hair care” has centered around actual, well, hair. Lately, however, we’ve learned that good hair starts at the root, and that means taking proper care of your scalp. “Hair care is scalp care, and scalp care is health care. When your scalp is off, your body’s off,” says Paul Labrecque Salon and Spa hairstylist and trichologist Bridgette Hill. “We are now exploring what true hair care really entails. It has very little to do with the fibers of the hair, and for the most part, everything to do with the scalp.” After all, your scalp is actually skin, which means that it needs to be cared for in the same way you’d care for your face and body skin. Meaning: You wash it, scrub it, mask it, and now, slather it in a scalp serum. “Scalp serums promote healthy hair and hair growth,” says hairstylist Kim Navarro of Los Angeles’ 901 Salon. “When hair is washed too frequently, you’re not allowing the natural hair oils to replenish. If you’re on the the other end of the spectrum, not washing often enough and using dry shampoo can lead to dry scalp and flakes.” Just as different skin types require different serums to address their varying needs, the same principle also applies to your scalp. First things first: identify what kind of scalp you’ve got
Curious What Vitamin C Serums & Powders Can Do For You? Check Out Our Full Explainer
February 26, 2019 at 02:26PM Get the most out of this antioxidant vitamin. Continue Reading… Author Allison Young | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
I Tried Amazon’s Top-Rated Vitamin C Serum, Here’s What Happened
February 21, 2019 at 01:08PM Does it really deliver smooth, bright skin on a budget? Continue Reading… Author Stephanie Eckelkamp | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
Amazon reviewers can’t get enough of these vitamin C serums, and I can’t blame ’em
January 30, 2019 at 10:41AM by CWC When building out the perfect skin-care regimen, everyone can pretty much agree on the fact that it requires a few key products: a face wash, a trusty moisturizer, a retinol, and—my personal fave—a vitamin C serum. Dermatologists and facialists both recommend incorporating C into your routine for several reasons: It’s brightening, it neutralizes free radicals, and it’s a nourishing, powerful antioxidant. So if you’re in the market to pick one up (or restock your beauty shelf), you’re undoubtedly faced with tons of options—all of which differ in concentrations, textures, and are blended with different ingredients, making this kind of a hard shopping decision. Alas: I’m here to help. After scouring Amazon, I’ve rounded up the top-rated vitamin C serums that have seriously glowing reviews. They’ve touched people’s lives, guys. The most favored of all—TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Serum ($20)—is blended with hydrating hyaluronic acid, is cruelty-free, and has garnered over 8,100 five-star reviews (no joke). Take it from Nanine, who notes: “I have been using this for about 10 days and my age spots are already fading. Very excited to see what happens in a few more weeks.” Then there’s InstaNatural’s Vitamin C Serum ($17), which is revered for fading acne scars. “I have had deep acne scars for about 10 years and have tried every product out there trying to at least minimize their appearance,” writes Karen. “I have been using this vitamin C serum on my face, and in two months
A bottle of this drugstore serum sells every minute, so I tried it to see if it’s worth the hype
January 25, 2019 at 12:48PM by CWC If I had to pick a “favorite skin-care ingredient” (beauty nerd alert!) it would be hyaluronic acid. The moisture-binding agent may not be as trendy as vitamin C or be able to settle the qualms of quite as many skin woes as the ever-sexy retinol, but as someone with dry skin, it keeps water in my complexion on the driest days. Its most significant claim to fame is that it can hold a thousand times its weight in water, which makes it a major hero for instilling life into dehydrated skin. “Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning that it draws moisture into the skin,” says Austin dermatologist Ted Lain, MD. “It is an important ingredient, since this time of year the dry air tends to dehydrate the skin. Having a humectant helps to combat the actions of the winter climate.” Long story short: It’s amazing, and I am completely into it. That’s exactly why I had to get my hands on the best-selling, mass-market serum L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum ($24), a bottle of which sells every. single. minute. in the United States. After testing it out, I can see why. The jelly texture is super slick—almost like a primer—and it goes on seamlessly. It isn’t greasy, but it is a little bit sticky post-application, so I like to apply a layer of moisturizer on top to really seal it in. After using it, my skin felt hydrated, smooth, and slightly plumper
Make an A+ decision on what vitamin C serum to buy with this skin-saving checklist
January 24, 2019 at 03:09AM by CWC Along with popularity and the cult-fave status, comes some mystery—vitamin C serums, famous for their brightening and free-radical-fighting benefits, are recommended by skin pros and dermatologists alike, and yet, there are still plenty of questions that arise when you’re face-to-face with them on the skin-care shelves. “Vitamin C is well-loved for brightening and firming your skin, in addition to boosting collagen, strengthening elasticity, and providing a surge of antioxidant power,” raves Jenna Walsh, skin therapist at Heyday LA. “It’s shown to help with free radical damage from pollution and sun-drenched summer days, and results in noticeably smoother, brighter skin for those who use this ingredient consistently.” But boy, does it mean business. In part, superstar ingredients, like vitamin C, require some testing to figure out what works. The ingredient comes in different concentrations, in different textures, and in different bottles that are meant to help it from oxidizing and going bad. To know how to make the most out of vitamin C and make it work harder for your skin, here’s the unfiltered 411 on what to look for. The vitamin C checklist for brighter skin 1. Know the concentration: As far as the concentration goes, it really depends on your skin type. “It’s important to know if you have sensitive, dry, or oily skin when choosing a concentration of vitamin C,” says Purvisha Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare. “Start low with 10 percent and then work your way up over
Even the angriest skin is no match for anti-inflammatory elderberry serums
January 07, 2019 at 12:14PM Now that the buzziest natural ingredients of 2018 have become a part of the permanent skin-care conversation (I am personally proud to admit that I have committed for life to witch hazel toner and a rosehip oil serum), it’s time to start looking ahead to the skin saviors we’re going to be talking about through 2019 and beyond. One week into the year, and we’re already calling it: Get ready to get excited about “elderberry,” an ingredient that you’re about to see a whole lot more of in the beauty aisle. You may recognize the word “elderberry” from fancy cocktail menus, but in addition to tasting delicious when mixed with gin and simple syrup, it also happens to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties—which means its A-plus for certain skin conditions when applied topically. “It is a powerhouse for fighting free-radical damage and aging pollutants caused by environmental exposure,” says dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian of NYC’s Schweiger Dermatology. “It’s also high in vitamins (such as C and E), which will help decrease signs of aging such as sunspots and fine lines.” While the hype on elderberry is relatively new, the evidence supporting its skin-saving benefits is not. One study, for instance, found that it can help fight off the effects of aging by improving microcirculation (AKA blood circulation in teeny, tiny “micro” blood vessels), and it has been used in holistic skin care dating back to ancient times. Because it’s a natural anti-inflammatory, Dr. Nazarian notes that