Welcome to another installment of Bionic Beauty Homemade with Joycey Couture!

1 cup freshly ground dirt
4 cups chlorinated water
3 cups salt water
3 tbsp sunscreen

Add a dash of sweat and you’re set… for one harsh summer. Now of course we all know summer is coming to an end, but the heat is still raging in the majority of the USA.  Why not protect your skin and hair, and rejuvenate them for a beautiful fall!

Here are a few do-it-yourself beauty treatments that I’ve found and tested to help you do just this.  And like always, the ingredients are inexpensive and all-natural!

For the Mug

• Looking for a face mask designed for most skin types? Try this one~ Combine 1 egg yolk, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt and 1/2 teaspoon of virgin olive oil.  Just leave the mixture on your face for 10 minutes and rinse it off.
• For oily or acne-prone skin~ Try a mask that will help soothe the skin.  Take 1 ripe banana and blend it with 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.  Leave on for 15 minutes.
• If you have dry skin~ Mix half of a mashed avocado with 1/4 cup of honey for a mask that will add tons of moisture to your face.  Leave on for 10 minutes.
• Fruit based facial toners~ Sliced strawberries, grapes and cucumbers act as natural toners to tighten skin and shrink pores.  Yum!  Just rub the slices over your skin after cleansing.  Got oily skin?  Use sliced lemons to reduce shine.

For the Locks

• To whip up a simple deep conditioner for hair~ Blend 1/4 cup of plain yogurt, 1/4 cup mayo and the whites from one egg.  Cover your hair with the mixture (using a comb to make sure it’s evenly distributed) and leave in for 30 minutes.  Then rinse!  This is a perfect solution for dry, damaged, overly beached hair.
• Clarify and get rid of product build-up~ Mix a small amount of baking soda in with your shampoo.  This will clarify your hair, making it more manageable over time. Hint: Add the baking soda into your palm, then squeeze a dollop of shampoo on top. And like Nenette from LifeCandy.net pointed out in the comments section a few weeks back, baking soda makes a great cleanser if you go with the no-shampoo routine!
• Want to lighten up your hair but don’t have the money for highlights? Who does!?  Dilute 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice with 1/4 cup of water.  Spritz through your hair, and don’t forget your sunscreen!  Are red tones more your style?  Do the same thing, but use apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice.

As you can see from the photograph above, Jami (aka ‘Bionic Beauty’) and I spent some great vacation time outdoors, but we also spent time testing and retesting these various recipes! I’d love to hear if you’ve tried any of the “Bionic Homemade” beauty recipes and how they are working for you.

Stay Bionic,

Continuing Bionic Beauty’s “Three Years of Powerful Beauty” celebrations, one of my favorite skin care brands, Jeune D’Age Organics is sponsoring an absolutely wonderful giveaway worth over $165!!

One lucky Bionic Beauty is going to win a Jeune D’Age skincare gift set that includes:

• Serum box – Packed with CoQ10, DMAE, Hyaluroan, Acai, and Vitamin A. This facial serum is not only good for you, but it’s packed in a cool box that you can plant and it’ll sprout wildflowers! Don’t miss Bronnie’s full review of Jeune’s serum.
• Marin Toner – Both Bronnie and I LOVE this toner… it’s packed with lots of extra product and lasts forever!
• Facial Cleanser – Not only does it cleanse but it also gently exfoliates. Check out Bionic Beauty’s review!
• Body Lotion – This body lotion will protect and soften your skin this summer and is also perfect for fall!
• Pumpkin Peel – Jeune’s Pumpkin Peel is one of their newer products. It’s designed to help with skin cell turnover and clear out pores.
• Argan Oil – Unless you’ve been hiding in a cave, you know Argan Oil is one of the new leading skin care ingredients. Many companies use diluted amounts in their products, but not Jeune D’Age. Their Argan Oil is 100% Pure!

How do you enter to win Bionic Beauty’s Jeune D’Age Organics skin care giveaway?

Simply leave a comment below telling me about one of Jeune D’Age’s ingredients that interests you. Name the ingredient and why it is used in their skin care products. This way we can all learn a bit more about what we are putting on our faces and bodies!

The Rules: One (1) winner will be chosen randomly from the qualified entrants and will receive the Jeune D’Age Skincare set, as detailed above. Approximate retail value is $166.70. To qualify for entry, you must follow the entry rules as outlined in this post. This giveaway is open to residents of the USA and Canada only. Please enter only once; duplicate entries will be detected and discarded. Entry deadline is July 30, 2010 at midnight USA ET. The winner will be chosen via Random.org and will be announced here on Bionic Beauty and contacted via email. *Please note that I will never share your email address with anyone! I only use your email address to contact you if you are a winner. If you do not enter a valid email address, you will be disqualified.

Please don’t forget to sign up for the Bionic Beauty blog newsletter (or you can subscribe in your favorite RSS reader). This way you can easily keep up with the free samples, product reviews, beauty and makeup news and giveaways offered on the blog.

Good luck Bionic Beauties!!

FTC Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by Jeune D’Age Organics Skincare in honor of Bionic Beauty’s Third Anniversary. All opinions in this article are based on my own personal experience and were not influenced by any source. I received no compensation for this giveaway. Feel free to read Bionic Beauty’s disclosure policy for more information.

L’Occitane has a long-standing and well deserved reputation as a leader in skin and body care. Now Bionic Beauty readers have the chance to win one of their best-selling skin care gift sets- The Immortelle Day Skincare Discovery Set! Have you been itching to try a new skin care regimen? Or are you already hooked on L’Occitane products? Either way, this giveaway is your chance to get your skin in shape!

The Immortelle Day Skincare Discovery Set is a 3-step anti-aging skin care system loaded with essential oils, vitamin C, and raspberry extract (to name a few ingredients). This set is a perfect travel companion or a wonderful introduction to L’Occitane’s skin care products. The kit comes with:

• Immortelle Brightening Toner (1.6 ounce bottle)
• Immortelle Precious Cream (0.5 oz jar)
• Immortelle Eye Balm (0.2 oz jar)
• And a pouch that makes packing a breeze!

Each Immortelle product focuses on balancing your skin, improving texture, increasing firmness, and reducing the signs of aging.

How do you enter to win Bionic Beauty’s L’Occitane skin care giveaway?

Simply leave a comment below explaining your current skin “issues” that you’d like to resolve; or your favorite L’Occitane product!

If you’d like a second entry into this giveaway, you can post the following on Twitter: “I just entered to win a L’Occitane skincare set from @BionicBeauty! http://bit.ly/9K9bUj”

The Rules: One (1) winner will be chosen randomly from the qualified entrants and will receive the L’Occitane Immortelle Day Skincare Discovery set, as detailed above. Retail value is $35. To qualify for entry, you must follow the entry rules as outlined in this post. This giveaway is open to residents of the USA only. Please enter only once; duplicate entries will be detected and discarded. Entry deadline is June 19, 2010 at midnight USA ET. The winner will be chosen via Random.org and will be announced here on Bionic Beauty and contacted via email. *Please note that I will never share your email address with anyone! I only use your email address to contact you if you are a winner. However, if you do not enter a valid email address, you will be disqualified. Please DO NOT post your email address in the comment body… *just* in the email address field (for your own safety).

Please don’t forget to sign up for the Bionic Beauty blog newsletter (or you can subscribe in your favorite RSS reader). This way you can easily keep up with the free samples, product reviews, beauty and makeup news and giveaways offered on the blog.

Good luck Bionic Beauties!!

FTC Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by L’Occitane public relations. All opinions in this article are based on my own personal experience and were not influenced by any source. I received no compensation for this article. Feel free to read Bionic Beauty’s disclosure policy for more information.

This week’s Bionic Asks… Do you use a facial toner on a regular basis?

Since I’m a product junkie and am constantly testing something new, I usually have toners in my skin care routine. Right now my absolute favorites are Jeune D’age Organic’s Marin Toner (Bionic Bronnie gives it a raving review here) and plain ole’ all-naturale Witch Hazel. If you’re going to use Witch Hazel, be sure you look for the pure witch hazel. Many of the brands and bottles you’ll see are mostly alcohol… which is just going to dry out your skin. Pure Witch Hazel can usually be found in your natural food stores. Or if you live in Florida, southern California or other areas with a large international/foreign speaking population- check in the international skincare section. And there’s not just Witch Hazel to be found in there… loads of treasures await your shopping treasure hunt… sulfur ointment (for acne), “Florida Water Cologne” (which is actually a great toner, body splash, hair refresher, on & on), Black Ash soap, and many more. I’m trying them as I can. For the record, I’ve spotted these “special skincare sections” in my local Kmart, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, and Target!

But back to toners… I know many people think toners are an optional step. And I guess for some people they are. Since I tend to have large pores and am prone to acne, there’s almost always a toner in my skin regimen. I’ll also put a tiny confession in here… if I haven’t worn makeup on a certain day and am tired, I’ll just use a toner to clean my face up before bed. It’s quicker and less hassel (for me anyhow).
But if you’re blessed with normally perfect skin, then you’re probably able to skip a toner… and those of us battling skin imperfections hate you… (just kidding of course, but we are jealous…).

So what’s your favorite toner? Do you use it daily? And if you don’t use toner, why not?

Happy Monday Bionic Beauties! Here’s some free samples to keep you occupied while I churn out some product reviews and makeup intel. Enjoy your week!!

Walmart is offering freebies of Frederic Fekkai hair care!! These are sure to go super quickly, so act fast! You can choose from either the Glossing Shampoo and Conditioner; or Technician Color Care Shampoo and 3-minute Mask.

Multitudes of women, men, and teen’s swear by witch hazel not only for skin care, but for house hold cleaning, disinfecting, treating wounds and much more. Try out a sample of Humphrey’s Witch Hazel Astringent and Toner for free!

Aloe Sense Fluoride Toothpaste – Get yourself a travel sized toothpaste sample for your next weekend trip!

The following samples are free but you’ll have to pay shipping/handling fees…

• Get a free full sized Derma e hand cream when you pay for the shipping/handling costs ($5.95). The hand cream is a $9.50 value. Simply enter TW2FB at checkout and then pay for the S/H.
• You can also grab a free sample of Body Lily lotion. This one you’ll have to pay $2 in shipping/handling fees, and it doesn’t say how big the sample will be, so I’m not making any guarantees…

~Jami

Now that you all know my fave beauty products from 2009… it’s time to share some super-special news about a few of the brands!

In honor of being named on of “Bionic’s Best of 2009″, Jeune D’age Organic skincare has offered Bionic Beauty readers an EXCLUSIVE discount! Enter “BestOfBionic” (without the quotes) at checkout and you’ll get 25% off your order! Sorry but it’s only open to USA residents. This discount expires on February 14th at midnight US ET.

Seriously ladies, this line rocks. You won’t regret it. Bionic Bronnie and I are both hooked. Have questions on what you should try, or the products themselves? Leave your questions in the comments section below and I’ll get them over to Jeune D’age (or just use their contact form). Happy shopping!!

Besides having wonderful makeup, Robyn from Purely Cosmetics also runs a beauty blog. She’s currently holding an amazing giveaway…

for a full size bottle of Perricone’s High Potency Eye Lift serum. I know this line is on many a woman’s wish list, but also on the “I don’t have the budget for that” list (it normally costs $95 for a 1/2 ounce bottle). So here’s your chance to win a bottle! It’s simple to enter, just comment and you’re golden. More entries for those who tweet, Facebook, etc. Read her article for details.

And now for some lovey themed quotes to get in you in, or out of the mood, for Valentine’s Day. For the record, I asked my dog to be my Valentine. He accepted with a “Woof”. So now I have a Valentine and don’t even need a special makeup look or dress!
For the jaded, Vday’er…

“Happy endings are just stories that haven’t finished yet.”
~Jane Smith, from the movie Mr & Mrs Smith.

And here’s one that truly speaks to me, since I believe our society has lost the definition of true love. So many people approach relationships as something disposable- like a rental agreement or a car that they’ll own for 5 years and trade in…

“Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being “in love” which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.”
~St. Augustine

Feel free to share your favorite finds from the week, quotes that you love, or plans for Valentine’s Day in the comments below!

I hope all the Bionic Beauties out there have a fabulous rest of your week and a happy Valentine’s Day, and whatever that may mean for you.
Stay Bionic,

Last week I introduced you to the L’uvalla Organic Skin Care brand by reviewing their Balancing System. For ladies looking for help battling the signs of aging skin, I also tested their Age-Defying System.

During my review period, I found the L’uvalla Age-Defying System to be as incredibly gentle as their Balancing System. And that’s saying quite a bit since many anti-aging products can really create a flare up for sensitive skin types

Bionic Bronnie reviews the L'uvalla Organic "Age Defying" skincare regimen.

The Age Defying System

The Cleanser: A milky hydrating cleanser that gently removes makeup and pollution from our environment without drying the skin. The active ingredients also help will skin cell sloughing, which in turn encourages new cell growth. The end result is clean, smooth and hydrated skin. This face wash also has strong aromatherapy properties using Lavendin Oil to quiet the mind, lift mood, balance mood swings, and encourage restful sleep. Other standout ingredients include: Sunflower Seed Oil, Betaine, Hazel Seed Oil, Lotus Flower, Orange Peel, Meadowsweet Extract and Ginseng Root. The Hydrating Milk Cleanser comes in a 7 ounce plastic flip-top bottle.

Eucalyptus Toner: This toner utilizes Eucalyptus Leaf Extract to renovate and purify skin. The Eucalyptus Leaf Extract combined with Yarrow Oil work together for strong aromatherapy benefits to invigorate, soothe, and can assist you through major life changes such as menopause. Additional toner ingredients include: Maris Salt Extract, Sage Oil, Niaouli Leaf Oil and White Lotus.  This toner was by far my favorite of the two from L’uvalla. It feels wonderful on my skin! Like the toner in the Balancing System, the Eucalyptus toner is also pH balanced and it really helped clear up the splotches on my face. I used a cotton pad for application, but since it’s pourable you could use your fingers, a sponge, or anything in between. Just be sure to keep them in the glass bottles- glass is inert and won’t react with anything packaged in it. I truly appreciate the incredible amount of thought L’uvalla put into each ingredient in this toner… everything in it has a documented purpose.  Packaged in a 6.7 ounce cobalt-blue glass bottle.

Regenerating Age-Defying Day/Night Cream: Designed to nourish and hydrate aging skin.  The essential aromatic oils are Rosewood and Thyme- known to balance the mind and body, strengthen nerves, aid in concentration and combat exhaustion.  The ingredient list for this face cream is long, but a few of the highlights include Argan Oil, Hazel Seed, Palm Kernel, Castor Seed, Rosewood, Rose Geranium Flower, Wheat Germ Oil, Cypress, Thyme, Chlorophyllin-Magnesium and Bitter Orange. This lotion is a real workhorse with intensive moisture (great for winter, dry climates, or normal to dry skin types) and can improve skin texture, smooth fine lines, and reduce puffiness.

Is this face cream effective as an anti-aging skin regimen? In my opinion, I feel that long term use may help reduce signs of aging including fine lines, dull skin, puffiness, etceteras. But even the face cream on its own is deeply nourishing and packed with so many wonderful natural ingredients!  My favorite skin care products typically don’t have a list of additives and L’uvalla certainly fits that bill.

Here’s a helpful tip I picked up while testing the L’uvalla products- the company suggested mixing the two moisturizers/cream in a half and half ratio. It worked great for my combination skin. You could alter the mix to your own custom needs depending if you want more anti-aging benefits, specific moisture levels, and so on. The L’uvalla customer service was fabulously helpful in getting my ratio right.

Other L’uvalla Products
The dual-use Eye and Lip Cream is similar to the Day/Night Creams in L’uvalla’s regimens, except it’s a bit more concentrated. With an SPF of 20, it’s perfect for day use; then just use your Day/Night Cream at night.  Due to my sensitive skin, I usually have a hard time finding a sunscreen that doesn’t irritate my face. L’uvallas Eye/Lip Cream didn’t cause any burning… I didn’t know that was possible! It works as a physical-barrier sunscreen (which are effective immediately and block all the sun’s harmful rays; as opposed to chemical sunscreens which take around 30 minutes to work and must be absorbed by the skin… hence the occasional burning.) against UVA and UVB rays. I love it!

In summary, the entire L’uvalla Skin Care product line is a wonderful skin regimen. It works well with other products. In my opinion, you just can’t go wrong if you have some L’uvalla in the bathroom! Don’t forget Bionic Beauty readers can enter coupon code BIONIC25 at checkout to get 25% off your entire purchase (valid until December 22, 2009) ~and~ later this week check back for L’uvalla Skin Care giveaway!

The L’uvalla Age-Defying skincare regimen runs $109.22 and it should last you about 3 months.

~Bionic Bronnie

FTC Disclosure: This item was sent to me free of charge in return for an honest review. The opinion in this article is based on my personal experience and was not influenced by any source. I was not compensated for this article. Feel free to read my disclosure policy for more information.

I recently spent a fair amount of time testing products from L’uvalla Organic Skin Care which originated in France.  I’m truly impressed by the quality and high standards held to all their face products. L’uvalla skin care would be a great line for anyone, but especially those Bionic Beauties who have very sensitive skin.  When I first started testing L’uvalla, they patiently taught me about why your daily skin care should be pH balanced.  As a result, I will always consider the pH value when testing new skin care products.  L’uvalla considers skin’s natural “sweet spot” pH value, which falls in the 4.4 to 5.5 range, when formulating all their products. Many soaps and cleansers have a very high pH level, which is where I learned and understood why a toner is so important (even though it’s the most overlooked skincare step). I also love this company’s 100% certified natural, organic, vegan and animal-friendly philosophy.

Bionic Bronnie reviews the L'uvalla Organic "Balancing System" skin care regimen

I frequently have skin irritations or flare-ups while product testing and it leaves my skin raw and sore. Throughout my L’uvalla testing, it never burned or irritated.

L’uvalla has two basic skin care systems (or regimens): Balancing and Age-Defying.  Each system has three steps- cleanser, toner and moisture cream. To complete the offerings, there is a nice daily sunscreen and eye/lip cream that can be used with either system.  L’uvalla also incorporates unique aromatherapy benefits into each product to further enhance the skin care experience.

L’uvalla’s signature ingredients include-

• Lotus Flower Extract: Used to cleanse, purify, act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. When considered from the aromatherapy perspective, the Lotus Flower is said to relax the soul.
• Moroccan Argan Oil: Rich in Vitamin E, essential fatty acids. This is one of the most buzzed about skin care ingredients in recent years.

The Balancing System

Foaming Facial Cleanser: A gentle, deep-cleansing and purifying face wash that removes makeup and impurities. This is intended for congested or oily skin.  It contains the signature Lotus Flower extract, Betaine, Bilberry, Madder Root, Rose Geranium Oil with a hint of Orange. This cleanser is a joy to use- foamy lather and is gentle enough to let the product stay on my face for a minute or two (for an even deeper cleaning). I felt a slight tingling, but it was pleasant and refreshing! 3.4 ounce bottle.

Balancing System Toner: A pH balancing Orange toner that is safe for sensitive skin and just about any other skin type.  It contains Bitter Orange Leaf and Lotus, Verbenia, Peppermint, Horsetail Leaf, Alfalfa, and Mistletoe. This toner calmed and soothed my skin, leaving a feeling of freshness and comfort. The toner comes in a beautiful cobalt-blue glass bottle (6.7 oz).

Balancing Day/Night Cream: A moisturizing cream that purifies and balances skin without clogging pores or leaving a heavy residue. Packed with powerhouse ingredients including Palm Kernel Oil, Hazel Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Lotus, Thyme, Clove, Bitter Orange and Cinnamon to name a few! It is a very clean, soft, gentle and effective moisturizer.  This is one of the kindest moisturizers I have ever used on my skin. It’s gentle and effective, and didn’t produce a hint of irritation on my delicate skin. 1.4 ounce tube.

If you have sensitive skin and hesitate to invest in a new skin care brand, I highly recommend L’uvalla’s Balancing System. It is high quality, gentle, and can even help reduce irritations and sensitivities. To save you even more money this holiday season, L’uvalla is offering Bionic Beauty readers an exclusive discount! Enter the coupon code BIONIC25 at checkout, and get 25% off your entire purchase (valid until December 22, 2009).

L’uvalla Balancing System costs $101.62 and will last you 2-3 months depending on personal use.

Next week I’ll provide a thorough review of L’uvalla’s “Age-Defying System” which is perfect for women looking for help battling lines, loss of collagen, and other problems common to aging skin. Plus you’ll have a chance to win an entire system from L’uvalla. Stay tuned!
~Bionic Bronnie

FTC Disclosure: This item was sent to me free of charge in return for an honest review. The opinion in this article is based on my personal experience and was not influenced by any source. I was not compensated for this article. Feel free to read my disclosure policy for more information.

Like the Jeune D’Age Organics’ serum I reviewed last week, their Marin Toner also “makes my face giggle”. I tell you, I’m one happy skin care gal with this line around!

Toner is such an important part of a proper skin care regimen, yet it is so often overlooked. Jeune’s Marin Toner’s purpose is the balance the skin’s pH level, tighten pores, act as an anti-inflammatory, provide some hydration, stimulate new cell growth. It is even loaded with ingredients that help activate the product you follow it with (usually your moisturizer). Many ingredients are derived from sea water and natural algaes that are chemically similar to skin- making this toner very gentle and non-irritating.

Bionic Bronnie reviews Jeune D'age Organics' Marin Toner!

The beauty (sorry, no pun intended!) of Marin Toner, and all Jeune D’age products, is Jeune’s focus on pure, natural ingredients and without additives like parabens or synthetics. I don’t have to worry about irritation due to chemicals or potential long term effects!

Jeune D’age Marin Toner comes in a generously sized jar with application pads. There is so much extra toner in the bottle, that I used the two of the included pads (which are great for exfoliation!) plus a cotton pad sandwiched in between. This “toner sandwich” was perfect for my neck, chest and back. You could also use a Qtip or cotton ball for application on small, delicate skin areas.

Marin Toner is rich in various sea minerals and Dead Sea salt. This concentrated formula has over twenty skin-healthy minerals-

• Kelp – Draws out impurities and helps bring amino acids back into the skin.
• Blue Green Algae – Builds soft tissue, packed with vitamins.
• Hyaluronan – Dermal hydrator that plumps and smoothes skin.
• Willowbark Extract – A topical astringent that’s a natural source of Salicylic Acid. Helps slough away old skin, stimulate new cell growth, and clear acne.
• Tea Tree Oil – An antibacterial, anti-fungal, natural cleanser, that’s also great for acne!
• Aloe Vera – Acts as a moisturizer and a carrier for the other ingredients into the skin.

I LOVE this stuff!! If feels amazingly good and leaves a natural glow. I went through my full size bottle for this review, bought another bottle just so I could use it on my chest and back. Now I’m so taken by this toner, that I’ve placed a third order! From my results with this brand, I have a feeling that Jeune D’age is going to explode into the skincare world and create quite a stir!

Jeune D’age Organics “Marin Toner” costs $24.95 for 6.76 oz. jar or check out the full line Gift Set for $97.50 (a savings of $17.30!).

Stay tuned for my next two reviews of Jeune D’age skin care!

~Bionic Bronnie

First motto… “Oil is not bad”. I can’t say that enough OIL IS NOT BAD. Cosmetics companies have drilled the opposite into us for ages. If you strip all the oil away from your face, your skin will respond by producing excess oil and that leads to more clogged pores and breakouts.

And a little background on my skin issues- I have acne (which is pretty much resolved), skin allergies, hyper-sensitive skin, am very prone to clogged pores and cystic acne. I’m allergic to Glycerin, some parabens and Salicylic Acid; and Benzoyl Peroxide dries out my skin so badly that I end up red with more breakouts. Ugh.

Now on to the tips…

Cleansing

Use a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip. My go-to choices are: Noxema (in the tub), a plain glycerin bar or Cetaphil. Good ole Noxema is still one of my personal favorites.

Wash gently twice a day and be sure to remove all makeup. If your teen wears heavier eye makeup- maybe use something to remove that first. Visine eye wipes work great or I mix up my own makeup remover.

In the evening, I suggest washing twice: once to get all the gunk of the day off, and then again to actually cleanse skin and pores.

Don’t scrub with a rough wash cloth or those darn “exfoliating” walnut scrubs and such. They are way too harsh on a teen’s sensitive skin. Plus those beads and scrubbies can settle into pores and actually create blackheads. Ick.

For a wash cloth, I use a microfiber cloth (I found mine at Wal-mart). I know they say “dusting cloths” but they are so very soft that you’ll realize why I picked them up for my face.

Toning

Use full Witch Hazel if you can find it (meaning- don’t use the diluted kind that is full of alcohol), or I found this great stuff called “Tate’s The Natural Miracle Acne Solution” at my local natural food store. It was a bit pricey ($20!) but I only use a few drops on a cotton ball after washing in the evening and before lotion/moisturizing. It does contain some alcohol plus also has Witch Hazel and Tea Tree oil.

Moisturizing

Use something mild like a Cetaphil lotion or my favorite, 1 or 2 drops of Jojoba Oil. Jojoba is the closest oil/moisturizer to a human’s natural sebum. Hence, it doesn’t make your pores go into overdrive producing more oil. And remember that motto I mentioned “Oil is not bad”!

Face Masks

I have 2 personal recommendations. Both work for me although one is pricier than the other. Astara’s Blue Flame Purification mask- here’s my review. It’s harder to find, but works well. It can also be used as a spot treatment.

My favorite though by far, is the Aztec Secret Clay Mask (my review). I use it EVERY week on Sundays- have your teen set a schedule. I can tell if I skip a week because my pores start clogging up again. For acne, mix 1 heaping tbsp of the clay with equal amount organic Apple Cider Vinegar. You can also add 1-2 drops of Tea Tree Oil (very small drops, start with just 1 drop for the first time). Mix well and apply thickly on face, let it sit until dry. Wash off with the above mentioned wash cloth and tepid/luke warm water. Her face may be red/pink after the first few times. This is due to increased blood flow to the face. It’s completely normal and will fade within 30 minutes to an hour.

A side note on masks and all skin care in general: It will take at least 6 weeks to see benefits from any regimen. Be patient and encourage your teenager to continue. That’s why it takes me so long to test skin care. It’s such a looooong process. Also, after first starting face masks, your skin may break out after a few days. This is normal. It’s the skin detoxing and “blowing out” all the ick, goo and buildup.

Acne Treatments

My favorites are all sulfur based ones because they are more natural, not as drying, you use less, and they are less likely to cause irritation when used daily. Plus they seem MUCH more effective. The bad side? It seems like most stores don’t carry them.

• I recommend Murad’s Blemish Spot Treatment (from my “Other ways to treat acne” article) and Mario Badescu’s Buffering Lotion. Shake both of them well before using since the sulfur settles to the bottom. (By the way, you don’t need both, just one.)
• With the Buffering Lotion- it’s VERY runny. I put a few drops in my cupped hand, then use my finger to wipe it around on my cheeks, nose, T zone or whatever is breaking out. The bottle lasts a REALLY long time. I only suggest using them once per day- at night is best (before lotion or Jojoba) so it can work overnight. If you put the sulfur treatments on after washing & toning, then follow up with the Jojoba- the Jojoba works as a “carrier oil” and brings the treatment deeper into your pores which is another plus for Jojoba!
• I’m also a fan of Mario Badescu’s Drying Cream (for spot treating already broken out pimples). I put it on at night and by morning they are much improved. Plus you can use it in the AM too since it is tinted a bit- it works a little as a concealer.
• Tea Tree Oil can be fabulous. Start slowly, even though it’s natural, it can still be drying. Dab a tiny amount of Tea Tree Oil (using your finger or a Q-Tip) on breakouts or areas that tend to have breakouts. A little goes a long way. Wash hands after because it can make your eyes super, uh… “tingly”. I speak from personal experience.

Other Tips

Other Tip 1: Don’t wear any cream blush or liquid blushes (cheek stains, etc) until everything gets under control. Never use lipstick for blush while you are breaking out on your cheeks.

Other Tip 2: If teen skin is really irritated by acne and she did a thorough cleansing before bed, she can just use the soft cloth with plain water and lightly wash her face. Toner can follow, or just a bit of lotion/jojoba before makeup. Washing with plain water is always my first step if I get an allergic reaction breakout.

Other Tip 3: Does she wear mineral makeup or fluid foundation? If it’s fluid, maybe see about switching her to a TRULY pure mineral makeup, like from PRIIA Cosmetics or Purely Cosmetics. Whatever brand, just make sure there is no bismuth or other filler minerals that aren’t really minerals. Bare Escentuals does not qualify as mineral makeup, in my opinion (no offense, it’s just they have marketing money, their products are NOT what they claim them to be, and they’re over-priced).

Other Tip 4: Yes, picking at pimples and popping them is bad. We all know it. But if she’s like me, she probably won’t be able to stare at that whitehead waving at her for more than 2 minutes before she’s heading to squeeze. Instead of squeezing though, teach her the proper way to be bad (hee hee!). At your local drugstore you should be able to find a “blackhead extractor” tool. They’re usually by the tweezers- mine is by Revlon. It’s a silver tool (about 4 inches long) with a loop at each end. First, wash hands & area that has the pimple. Then use a bit of toner over the area with the pimple. Basically we are pretending to prep for surgery. You want the area clean since you are going to “open the skin”. Next use the skinny loop if it’s a whitehead (or the flatter loop if it’s a clogged pore or balckhead) and press down until it pops. Kaboom. Immediately clean the area again with toner & face wash. Be sure to wipe down the extractor tool with toner to disinfect it!

Yep, it can create scars, and I’m not advocating squeezing pimples, but if you must… this is the way to do it. keep that area clean before and after; think of it as an open wound. And the puss that comes out is bacteria that can cause further infection (since it can actually cause pimples to spread and create new pimples)- sort of like a growing virus I guess.

Other Tip 5: Hands off your face when sitting, reading, at the school desk, and whenever possible. At home, tie hair back with a head band or rubber band. Even hair products can contribute to breakouts when skin is sensitive.

Other Tip 6: Cell phones. Use a corded headset/headphones or bluetooth headset when possible. If not, make sure she cleans the cell phone sections that go up against her face while taking at least every 2 days. I use a very slightly damp (with water) cotton ball, and add a drop of tea tree oil. Wipe it across the screen, buttons whatever. So few people think of this as a contributor. But teens (and me) are on phones so much that it can push makeup right into the pores.

Other Tip 7: Have your teen wash her hair with Head & Shoulders or other dandruff shampoo a few times a week. With the left over suds on her hands, swipe them across her face. The sulfur in the dandruff shampoo works wonders against acne. These shampoos also work great as body washes to prevent back and body breakouts. I use some on a loofah every other night on my back as a prevention.

Of course, no regimen is perfect for everyone. You have to tailor things to your specific face, skin and needs. These tips are ones that I have researched extensively and tried on myself with excellent results. And don’t forget to see a dermatologist to get a doctor’s advice on your acne.