Acne Treatment | Beauty and Fashion Tech

Dec 24, 2012

Arcona AM Acne Lotion Review

December 24, 2012 By Carleenp Leave a Comment

this is a reader/guest review of Arcona AM Acne Lotion. Thanks Kymm for the review!!!

Arcona's AM Acne Lotion has to be my favorite tool in my beauty tool box. The first thing I love about it is the fact that it has all natural ingredients (like witch hazel, tea tree leaf oil, and eucalyptus leaf extract.) Since AM Acne Lotion is a serum rather than an a cream or actual "lotion" type product, it rubs in my face easily and doesn't feel heavy or greasy like a lot of other face creams are. It doesn't sit on top of my skin either, which I think helps it work better. I like the fact that I only need one pump (of Arcona's AM Acne Lotion and Magic White Ice) every morning and I'm ready to go.

I do have to admit that it took me a while to LOVE this product. It took a several months to really work and keep acne at bay, but once it did I haven't had a breakout since and it's been about six months since I started using it. Some of my old acne scars also seem to be fading, which is a total added bonus to using this product.

I have only a few complaints about it. The pump can be very hard to work. You really need to use both hands to stabilize the bottle and pump otherwise the pump can be unpredictable in the amount of product that comes squirting out. Sometimes, if you don't rub the product in enough, makeup can be funny to apply over top of it, especially foundation. I noticed that if I wasn't paying attention to the application of Arcona's AM Acne Lotion, my foundation would look heavier on the areas that I didn't rub in well.

On a side note: I have started using Arcona's Magic White Ice as well. I live in Wisconsin and the ever changing weather does some bad things with moisture and dryness, especially in the colder months when the heater is on, so I do feel that in dry areas an extra "moisturizer" might be necessary.

Shop for Arcona Acne AM Lotion

Disclosures: Beauty and Fashion Tech at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page

Filed Under: Acne Products, Skin Care Tagged With: Acne Treatment, Arcona, Skin Care

Oct 24, 2012

Avene Cleanance Blemish Control Kit. Take The Clear Skin Challenge!

October 24, 2012 By Carleenp Leave a Comment

Looking for a solution for acne for sensitive skin? The Eau Thermale Avène Cleanance Blemish Kit is pretty impressive. I have been using it for a couple of weeks now and love the products. You can also enter the Avene Clear Skin Challenge for a chance to win a five-day trip for two to Avene France! Details are at the end of this post.

The Avene kit, which is $29.99 at Dermstore, includes the following products:

Cleanance Gel Soapless Cleanser: This is a rather nice gel cleanser that removes dirt and oil, yet does not dry the skin. Both the cleanser and toner are formulated with patent-pending Glyceryl laurate, a substance that prevents blemishes by limiting sebum production.

Cleanance Toner: The toner is paraben-free and does a good job at removing excess oil.

Cleanance K Cream-gel: This is my favorite product in the kit. I love the ingredient selection for it! The treatment lotion/gel is formulated with Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, and BHA Salicylic Acid for a nice acne treatment combo that will exfoliate and kill bacteria. It also contains a mattifier for oil control and Pumpkin Seed Oil to regulate sebum production. That all makes for a unique combination of products that I feel work together beautifully.

Avène Thermal Spring Water: A soothing thermal spring water spritz that is great to spray on for a bit of skin softening moisture. So, if the treatment gel irritates your skin at all, spray this on for some soothing balance.

Enter the Avene Clear Skin Challenge

From October 2012 through February 2013 you can take the Cleanance Clear Skin Challenge for a chance to win a trip to France. To participate, post a “before” photo to the Avène Facebook page, use the Avene Cleanance Blemish Control Solution Kit for six weeks, and then submit and “after” photo. Avene will send you tips throughout the contest period to help with your success.

Check it out on Facebook!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I was also sent the product to review by a representative of the company.

Filed Under: Acne Products, Contests, Promotions, Skin Care Tagged With: Acne Treatment, Avene, Contests, Skin Care

Jul 30, 2012

Aspirin Masks 101

July 30, 2012 By Carleenp 1 Comment

Do it Yourself treatments are rather popular right not and seems that a new one pops up every day. One of the more popular items that has been circulating for some time now is the aspirin mask for skin. Before continuing, I will note that this use of aspirin, while fairly popular in the DIY beauty realm, is an off label use of aspirin, meaning it hasn’t been approved by any governing body. So, I am not vouching for its safety or effectiveness. Instead this is a general report on their use. Be sure to read the safety portion of the article to see if you are one who particularly should not try an aspirin mask.

WHAT IS AN ASPIRIN MASK?

Just as it sounds, the aspirin mask is made up of crushed aspirins that are usually mixed with water and honey. The reviews on such a mask are mixed, but a majority report that the mask works well to clear acne, remove blackheads, and clean the pores. Many swear by the masks as part of their normal skin care routine.

WHY ASPIRIN?

The idea behind the use of aspirin for a mask is two-fold. First, the gritty texture of aspirin is ideal for exfoliating skin. In addition, aspirin contains salicylic acid which is known for safely removing dead skin cells and is used in many skincare products. Exfoliation of skin is necessary to remove dead skin cells and give skin a polished glow. Aspirin, when crushed, is great for this. However, aspirin dissolves quickly in water. Therefore, an aspirin mask must be applied seconds after the concoction has been made. A slight bubbling action will occur in the mask which is very normal and not harmful.

The second idea behind using aspirin as a mask for skin is to reduce skin’s inflammation. Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory agent that is proven to reduce inflammation in the body. The idea behind using aspirin topically is the same as when taken orally. Aspirin is believed to calm and soothe stressed out and irritated skin. However, these beliefs are not necessarily founded in science.

ARE ASPIRIN MASKS SAFE?

While people in the beauty industry recommend aspirin masks, the FDA and the official board of skincare science have yet to prove that aspirin masks are either safe or unsafe. There are several cases in which an aspirin mask should definitely not be used, as in the following:

• If you have allergies to aspirin or salicylic acid
• If you have severe acne and are being treated with medication for acne
• If you are breastfeeding
• if you are pregnant
• if you have sunburned skin or wind chapped skin

HOW TO MAKE AN ASPIRIN MASK

The basic recipe for making an aspirin mask is simple. Just crush six to eight aspirins and mix with a few tablespoons of water. The mixture will bubble and must be applied immediately after mixing the water and aspirin so that the aspirin will not dissolve. However, if the aspirin does dissolve, salicylic acid is still present in the mixture but the texture will no longer be gritty. This grittiness helps the salicylic acid in the exfoliation process.

Some people like to use honey in the water/aspirin mixture. Honey is a great moisturizer and has been used for years in skincare products. Other popular ingredients in the aspirin mask are:

• crushed oatmeal
• essential oils such as jojoba or coconut oil
• mayonnaise for really dry skin
• crushed avocado
• a favorite skincare lotion
• cold cream

After applying, leave the mask on the skin for a few minutes until it dries and then massage the mask on the skin with wet fingertips before rinsing off. You can also do the opposite and massage for a bit first and then let it sit for a minute or two. Massage carefully, especially if you have sensitive skin, as the aspirin is rather gritty and can be a bit heavy as a scrub.

Aspirin masks are often used as little as once every week to several times per week by people who swear by them.

Have you used an aspirin mask? If so, what were the results?