Anew Clean Affordable and Effective Cleansing Brush

Introducing Anew Clean!

The new Anew Clean line of cleansing products offers an affordable cleansing routine to make sure your skin is fresh and free of impurities every single day.

I've been using the cleansing brush every day for a few weeks now, and I can say that it really does make a huge difference. I used to wash my face with just my hands (I never did like using washcloths), and I love using the cleansing brush because its so much easier, and I really know it is cleaning my skin thoroughly. (5x better than hands alone!)

There are three cleanser options to use along with the cleansing brush: cream cleanser and mask, rich cleansing foam and gel cleanser. Choose a cleanser to match your skin type.

Additional cleanser options, such as the incredible micellar water, give even more options for specific cleansing needs.

Check out my YouTube video about the Anew Clean line!

Body Beauty: Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Body Spray

Senses body care is the rename of what was called Naturals. While all three body care products are awesome, my personal favorite is the body spray! When all three are used in the same scent, the scent will layer to help carry you through the day; especially if you do not or can not usually wear perfumes.

Shower Gel

5 ounces, moisturizing lather with delightful scents. $6.00

Body Lotion

Luxurious moisture in a creamy formula, with added fragrance. $8.00

Body Spray

Wonderful scented spray to moisturize and layer body scents. $10.00

TIP! Senses is OFTEN on sale, such as Buy 1, Get 1 for .99, or Buy 2, Get 1 Free, or as a 3 piece collection for $10.00

Senses is available in the following scents:

• Playful Pink Daisy & Lemon
• Pretty Passionfruit & Peony
• Silky Vanilla
• Energizing Green tea & Verbena
• Juicy Pomegranate & Mango
• Fresh Cucumber & Melon
• Blushing Cherry Blossom
• Vibrant Orchid & Blueberry
• Sunny Strawberry & Guava

Special, limited time scents are often available, as well. Cherry Blossom and Fruity Yogurt are currently "in season"!

Cleansing and Moisturizing is a Critical Daily Task to Manage Eczema

I sat down to begin writing a blog about eczema, and as I started looking for information, I found something very surprising: a LOT of people have eczema (30 million in the US), a lot of people have tried many things, and a lot of people are still suffering. Eczema is, in a word, complicated.

For starters, the medical community can't really pinpoint what causes eczema. There is a huge list of contributing factors, and those factors are all very clearly different for everyone.

The atopic dermatitis condition called eczema can be caused by:

• genetics
• allergies
• sensitivity to irritants
• sensitivity to temperatures
• photosensitivity
• "thin" skin that does not produce enough fats/oils to create a protective layer
• an immune response

Symptoms of eczema:

• itching, often intense
• red, dry patches
• severely sensitive skin
• rough texture or welts
• itching that leads to scratching and damage to the skin
• damaged skin may be raw, wound-like and might crust over
• pus filled blisters may form

Treatments are also diverse. Everything from over the counter, prescription topicals, diet changes, meditation, wet wrapping, medications such as antihistamines and steroids, even uv light therapy.

Cleansing and Moisturizing Every Day Is Critical

Cleansing and moisturizing are the first steps to take when treating eczema, and they should continue to be part of an eczema treatment routine. Bathing should be done with luke warm, not hot, water. Allow the skin to damp dry, patting, and not rubbing with a towel. Apply moisturizer immediately after bathing, and continue to apply moisturizer on eczema flare up sites throughout the day.

Moisture Therapy Derma Soothing Body Wash
Soothes dryness with vitamin E, aloe and chamomile.

Moisture Therapy Derma Soothing Body Lotion
Light cream moisturizes like an ointment. 

Moisture Therapy Derma Soothing products have been accepted by the National Eczema Association and carry the acceptance seal.

I have had bouts of eczema on my hands. The itching makes me crazy! I have itched my skin to the point of bleeding. I have sensitive skin that damages easily, sunburns easily, and a light fingernail scratch will leave a red mark on my skin for several minutes. I have tried everything from Aveeno to Cetaphil to hydrocortisone. The only products I have been able to use on my hands are the St Ives oatmeal lotions, and Avon's Intensive Healing and Repair. That Aveeno that is supposed to be for itchy skin, seriously makes my skin BURN when I use it. I threw it out.

Margo Young is an Avon representative in Missouri. She has been using the Derma Soothing on her young child's eczema, and shared this BEFORE/AFTER photo. This was from using the Derma Soothing body wash and body lotion for just a few days.

Photo courtesy Margo Young

Everyone who suffers from eczema has a unique situation. Different products are available, but everyone may respond to them differently. The Derma Soothing products may or may not work for you, but I have been seeing very honest reviews from many people with eczema that state these cleansing and moisturizing products work for eczema skin. What I can suggest is to try them out, and if they do not work for your eczema skin, Avon does have a 90 day return policy! But from everything I have seen, Moisture Therapy Derma Soothing is an excellent solution for the daily skin maintenance required for eczema, and at an affordable cost.

Types of Facial Cleansers

Liquid/Gel

Liquid/gel based facial cleanser is simple and effective. It usually comes in a pump, and when combined with water, will work into a lather. Acne cleansers often come in a liquid or gel form, but include acne fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

Cream

Cream facial cleansers have a thick consistency. There are foaming cream cleansers that can be applied to damp skin and then rinsed off. There are also cold cream cleansers that can be applied and wiped off with a soft, damp cloth. Cream cleansers are not recommended for oily skin.

Bar

Bar soaps that are specifically designed for facial use are the best choice. Other bar soaps are going to be too drying for the facial skin. The Neutrogena original transparent facial bar is the most well known facial bar soap product. The biggest clue that the bar soap is too drying is if your face feels tight after you have cleansed. To counter this, moisturize immediately and avoid using that particular bar soap.

Cleansing Cloth

My personal favorite, the cleansing cloth is a disposable fiber based cloth that is immersed in a cleansing liquid. When pulled from the package, the cloth has moisture and can be used to gently cleanse the face. However, it is important to rinse with water to remove all of the dirt and oil that was loosened with the cleansing cloth.

Scrub/Exfoliant

Scrubs and exfoliants contain physical ingredients that exfoliate the skin to slough off contaminants and dead skin cells. There are scrubs and exfoliant products such as crushed or powdered fruit or nut seeds, salts, sugars, sands, oatmeal, seaweed, and microbeads (plastic). There are also chemical exfoliants that use acids or other chemicals. Exfoliants are great for the skin when used once a week, for example. Daily use is simply too abrasive.

Toner

Toners come in varying degrees of strength, from rosewater refreshing toners to alcohol based astringents. Many dermatologists suggest that using alcohol based "toners" (or astringents) are actually very damaging to the skin, causing severe dehydration. However, a rosewater or similar tonic can have positive contributions to your skin care routine, including balancing pH levels and managing oil on your skin.

Mask

Masks are so quintessentially spa, with the image of a delicious product slathered all over our face while we relax comfortably to the sound of running water or crystally new age music. There are also an infinite number of types of masks, including clay, cream, dry and peel, warmed, and cream or gel. Each of these could have a myriad of ingredients targeting specific skin concerns, so it is important to identify the purpose of the mask and follow directions carefully. There is even a new trend of multimasking where different masks are applied to different areas of the face to address multiple concerns simultaneously. That said, masks can really be wonderful tools when you have to freshen your facial skin for a big event, or manage a specific issue with some frequency.

Brush

The brush. It was the newest thing in skin care a few years ago, and you either love it or you hate it. The facial cleansing brush is motorized, and the brushes help to slough dead skin cells, reduce acne and increase blood circulation.

Skincare Focus: Cleanse

Wash your face every day, but use a gentle cleanser so natural moisture is not stripped away. There is no need to wash more than once a day unless you have gotten particularly dirty (with sweat, dirt, sunscreen, or environmental yucks). I like using a clean washcloth to dry off with. You can use a hand towel, but I find it easier to store clean washcloths right by the sink - I throw it right in the laundry and get a fresh one the next day - and it's big enough to do the job!

Cleansers remove oil, makeup and dirt

• Elements cleansers
• Anew cleansers
• Clearskin cleansers

Sweat clogs pores

Be sure to cleanse! Exercise and sweating is actually GREAT for your skin, as it helps remove toxins. Unfortunately, after you cool down, if sweat remains on your skin, it can contribute to pores getting clogged which can lead to acne issues. Find a cleanser. The best thing to do is cleanse your face before you exercise and after you exercise. You should cleanse before because leaving makeup on your skin can prevent the sweat from excreting and can block pores. You should cleanse after because the sweat accumulates and can clog pores or contribute to infections.

Keratolytics (acne treating ingredients)

Certain ingredients in cleansers and masks are keratolytics, which help to loosen the dead skin cells and hardened materials trapped inside pores.

• salicylic acid
• benzoyl peroxide
• glycolic acid

Why Facial Masks?

Regular cleansing is super important to help keep your skin clean and healthy. So why bother using a facial mask?! Here's why: When you cleanse your skin every day, you are removing makeup, dirt and other impurities from the SURFACE of your skin. Cleansing removes the oil build up, makeup we wear and other dirt and particles from the epidermis. But, the epidermis has multiple layers (5, in fact!). Mask once a week to avoid overcleansing, which can actually produce more oils!

Facial masks help do three key things in addition to cleansing:

1. Facial masks exfoliate dead skin cells from the epidermal layers. Exfoliating revealing the healthy skin cells below. 
2. Facial masks invigorate the skin and encourage blood flow, and that increased circulation will also give you a healthy glow. 
3. Facial masks will unclog pores, allowing cleansers to remove the built up oils and dead skin cells that have accumulated.

Facial Masks

• Clearskin® Pore Penetrating Black Mineral Mask
• Clearskin® Professional Liquid Extraction Strip
• Planet Spa Amazonian Treasures Hydrating Face Mask with Brazilian Acai and Berries
• Planet Spa Perfectly Purifying With Dead Sea Minerals Face Mask

Simple Skincare for Men

Skincare shouldn't be complicated for anyone. Cleanse, Moisturize, Treat... right? Men face (heh.. face) some unique challenges when caring for their facial skin. Namely, HAIR!

Facial hair requires shaving, or maintenance. Shaving can cause irritation, dry skin, and other annoyances. Anew men will help avoid those annoyances!

Shave
Shave gel with aloe and vitamin e keeps shaving smooth. After shave with aloe helps the shave feel great.

Cleanse
2 in 1 gel cleanser keeps the oils and dirt away.

Moisturize
Lotion with SPF 50 focuses on the number one factor for aging skin in men: SUN! UVA causes damage to the skin, and this lotion with SPF and antioxidants is a true fighter. For dry skin, men can choose the moisturizing cream.

Treat
Even men's eyes need some TLC sometimes. This will help dark circles, crow's feet or other skin concerns that make you look a little older than you need to.

Incredible new skincare options for men!

Skin Science

Skin, like every other part of our body, is alive. It changes because the cells are always changing. The skin has very unique roles for us – a barrier that protects us from the environment, a way for us to receive sensory information and it helps our body regulate temperature.

Skin has three layers… Epidermis, Dermis and Tissue/Fat.

Epidermis
The epidermis has five different layers, which includes dead skin cells, keratin and melanocytes that determine skin color. It is the epidermis that we can control through skin care.

Cleansing, moisturizing and treating the epidermis can help our skin look its best! 

Cleansing removes the oil build up, makeup we wear and other dirt and particles from the environment. Sunscreen protects the epidermis from UV rays, and also helps to prevent skin cancer.

Dermis The dermis holds hair follicles, sweat glands and sebaceous glands. A diet rich in vitamins and drinking plenty of water contribute to a healthy dermis.

Subcutaneous TissueThe subcutaneous tissue layer is where the blood vessels and fatty tissue are.

Ancient Secret to Removing Makeup with Cold Cream

Claudius Galenus was an ancient Greek medical scientist. His studies of the human anatomy were groundbreaking... and controversial! He is also the man who first developed cold cream. much to the delight of ancient Greek beauties.

Cold cream is an emulsion of fats and water. Emulsion is essentially the blending of two liquids that normally don't blend. As we all know, oil and water don't mix! Today, cold creams are typically made with beeswax and mineral oil, which will not spoil like vegetable oil or animal fats. (Ewwww)

If you're thinking what I'm thinking... cold cream is a relic of the past, once the domain of our mothers and grandmothers beauty regime. It is one of those beauty staples that has many uses.

Perhaps the most convenient use is to remove makeup at the end of the day, In fact, that should probably be its only use. Leaving cold cream on your face might dry out your skin. But the chemical composition of the ingredients make it perfect for easily cleansing makeup.

How to Use Cold Cream to Gently Remove Makeup

1. Scoop a bit of cold cream out of the container with your fingers.
2. Apply the cold cream in a thin, visible layer all over your face, including your eyelids!
3. Using a warm damp washcloth, wipe all of the cold cream and makeup from your face.
4. Rinse your face and pat dry.

All clean!

So what's the secret? The formulation for cold cream includes mineral oil to wash away the makeup and beeswax to retain moisture. Ancient Greeks found this secret!