Melasma Treatment | Beauty and Fashion Tech

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Exfoliating Treatment

Boy do I love this exfoliator! This one will definitely make my best of the year list, and I have use very little else since I bought it.

Update: This product now comes in a tube instead of a tub, which is a huge improvement in my opinion because my tub was having some issues pumping the product after it started getting past half used.

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate is a combination of a light scrub and an enzyme exfoliator that gives a rather powerful, but still fairly gentle feeling exfoliation. The scrub is packaged in a tub with a push top that puts out just the right amount for a light application. It is applied to damp skin and during application feels like a light scrub. Once on, it is left on the skin for at least 20- 30 seconds (although I usually go longer), during which its enzymes go to work. You can feel the tingle of it working, but it isn’t anything too heavy. Then the product is washed off.

I love the results that I get from ExfoliKate. It works like a good scrub, but does not feel irritating and my skin always looks fresh after using it. Anyone who likes a light scrub and also like enzyme masks would probably be a fan of this one. I use ExfoliKate about three times per week to help with skin turnover as part of my acne and melasma treatment.

Because there is some tingling and such connected with ExfoliKate, those with sensitive skin might want to be cautious. Kate Summerville does make a sensitive skin version: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate® Gentle Exfoliating Treatment.

I have read good things about the entire Kate Somerville line. It is a bit expensive, but based on my good experiences with ExfoliKate, I will likely try a few more items. One option for trying a number of items is through the Kate Somerville A Stocking Full Of Kate! The Discovery Kit ($105 Value) A Stocking Full Of Kate! The Discovery Kit
ExfoliKate tends to sell at around $85 for the standard ExfoliKate, and $65 for ExfoliKate Gentle. That is pricey, but the tub is decent sized and not much needs to be used for each application. This is a product that I will repurchase when my current tub is gone, and I am a bit of a cheapskate!

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Popularity: 2% [?]

Exuviance Sheer Refining Fluid, SPF 15.

I tend to like Exuviance products, and I certainly like the latest item that they sent to me. Exuviance Sheer Refining Fluid SPF 15. Sheer Refining Fluid is a light daily moisturizer that is perfect for people with oily skin and hyperpigmentation. That would be me!

The lotion is thin and absorbs quickly , making it perfect for a bit of moisture without feeling oily. It also contains oil reducing agents. Then, for those with pigment issues or melasma, it contains NeoGlucosamine. Glucosamine has been one of the popular ingredients of late for treating pigmentation, so I am happy to see it included. Finally, it includes SPF 15 from a variety of chemical sunscreens.

The fluid can be worn under Exuviance Matte Perfection, which is a nice oil control primer that I have been using quite regularly (read previous review)

Exuviance is sold at various online sources and beauty specialty stores. The Sheer Refining Fluid runs around $32.

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Popularity: 2% [?]

Exuviance Matte Perfection

I am in love with this mattifier! Exuviance Matte Perfection is a light, oil-free gel primer. Aside from acting as a mattifier, it also contains Mandelic Acid, a naturally occurring Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) found in almonds, and Gluconolactone to improve uneven pigmentation and roughness. Mandelic Acid can also help a bit with acne.

The primer feels like most silicone primers and absorbs quickly. It can be worn alone as a mattifier and treatment product, but it also provides a nice base for makeup by filling in fine lines and smoothing the skin. When I use it I find that I tend to stay shine free for most of the day with it.

Exuviance has a real winner with this one!

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Popularity: 2% [?]

Bliss Spa Peeling Groovy

Bliss Peeling Groovy Facial Serum is a basic light AHA serum that is perfect for easy and effective light exfoliation. I gave it a try over a period of a month and found that I got effective exfoliation with no irritation. I also found that it prevented blackheads for me quite nicely.

This one is a bit on the light side though. I did see a nice increase in general brightness of my skin, but it really had no effect at all on my areas of melasma or other discoloration. So those with more serious skin issues will likely want a stronger product or will want to add an additional item, such as a more powerful lightener or wrinkle treatment, to the mix.

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Popularity: 2% [?]

Review: DermaDoctor Poetry in Lotion Retinol Lotion

I am a pretty big fan of retinol. It is one of the few active ingredients that I have found that actually shows visible results on fine lines. It also brightens a bit, which I like since I have areas of melasma. Unfortunately though, it can also be irritating, especially in prescription strength. DermaDoctor Poetry in Lotion is a great middle ground for me. It has the highest concentration allowed for over the counter (1%), and it is formulated to have less irritation.

I have been using it for a month now with good success. It is pricey, but I like it better than any other over the counter retinol cream that I have used so far, although I also really like Remergent (read previous review). The lotion is on the thicker side and is quite moisturizing, which off-sets any dryness from the retinol. I had no issues with irritation and, although the lotion seemed a bit thick, it did not break me out.

If you are looking for a full strength retinol lotion over the counter, this is a good one to try! customers at DermaDoctor also rave about this one. You can read those reviews through the link above. I will also be giving away a full size bottle of Poetry in Lotion beginning Tuesday of next week. So check back to enter the drawing!

Popularity: 3% [?]

Starlite In-Home Laser Skin Care

The Starlite in-home laser skin care device is an at home light treatment product used for anti-aging and acne treatment. Known as a “soft laser,” it works by using the power of a specific wavelength of light to heal. According to the product’s website, that wavelength tends to be effective for superficial skin use without penetrating to deeper tissue and has been shown to be best for wound healing and skin conditions. The company lists the following as conditions that the starlite laser can treat:

•Wrinkles and Fine Lines

•Age Spots

•Blemishes

•Scars

•Stretch Marks

•Collagen Stimulation

•Cuts and Bruises

•Chapped Skin

•Sun Damaged Skin

I gave the Starlite a try for a period of 4-6 weeks. The “laser” is hand held and easy to use. Simply turn it on and massage it over your skin. If it is taken away fro the skin, the light automatically goes off to avoid accidentally shining it in the eyes. Treatment times vary from six minutes to upwards of fifteen, with multiple session per day recommended.

After a couple of weeks, I saw some effect on my adult acne and perhaps a tiny bit on some of my areas of minor hyperpigmentation when I used the Starlite with two 15 minute daily treatments. I was particularly happy with how it worked for acne, because the results were certainly noticeable after 4 weeks of regular use. I also detected some overall skin brightening. But I did not see any effect on the areas of dark melasma. I think that to have success there, the device would need to be used more than twice daily and for a longer period of time.

If you have the patience to use the Starlite enough to see results, it is a fairly decent product– it really does require regular and lengthy use. At a retail price of around $160, it is certainly cheaper than full blown pulsed light or laser treatments.

Popularity: 3% [?]

DDF Protect and Correct UV Moisturizer SPF 15

DDF always tends toward impressive skin care products, including melasma treatments and sunscreen. I particularly love DDF Protect and Correct UV Moisturizing sunscreen aimed at treating and preventing hyperpigmentation and melasma. I have always been a fan of double duty skin care products, so this one goes high on my recommended item list.

DDF Hyperpigmentation Protect And Correct UV Moisturizer SPF 15 is a light moisturizer with four chemical sunscreens for SPF 15 coverage. It also contains various extracts, including licorice root extract, to help treat pigmentation. So, the sunscreen prevents melasma discoloration, while the extracts treat it.

The lotion has a decent feel to it, absorbs fairly quickly, and I had no issues with acne with it. I do wish it had a higher SPF though. I really prefer to use SPF 30 and above for melasma treatment and prevention. A physical sunblock in it instead of all chemical ones would be nice too. Regardless, it still is a quality product.

Protect and Correct retails at around $58 and can be found at various online sources.

Buy DDF Protect and Correct UV Moisturizer SPF 15 at Spa Look

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