Swell Skin: Sebamed Soap-Free Cleanser

I was recently sent a bottle of Sebamed soap-free cleanser to try for review. Sebamed is intended for both face and body. It's formulated with a low pH, which makes it a great choice for anyone with sensitive skin.

The Science Behind Healthy Skin

Every sebamed product is meticulously formulated to a pH balance of exactly 5.5 - precisely the pH of healthy skin. This is essential in maintaining your skin's natural hydrolipid barrier against environmental stress. Any other pH level, such as found in soap may leave your skin open to break-down and deterioration. Discover what 150 clinical studies have already shown -- pH 5.5 is vital for healthy skin.

I have the bottle in my shower, where everyone in my family can get to it. It's intended for use on both the face and the body. It's very gentle and doesn't leave my face feeling dry or tight. My husband has a fair freckled complexion. He has a lot of trouble with soaps and washes irritating his skin - poor kid gets super-itchy. He's been using the Sebamed for a couple of weeks now and I've noticed a definite lack of itchiness. Sarah has 13-year-old skin and it's working great for her, too (no breakouts). 

Formulated with Vitamins B5, B3, B6, and H, Sebamed would also work well on a baby's sensitive skin. It reminds me a lot of the Phisoderm my mom used to get. Your skin feels clean, but comfortable after use. You can find more info here.



Image credit: SebamedUSA.com

Swell Skin: LUSH Massage Bars

My boyfriend is one of those manly wood-cutter types. He can cut, split, load, and deliver a cord of wood in a day. What is a cord of wood? My point is this - my man works hard. Working hard usually translates to a sore back, so I give him massages just about every day. I've used a variety of oils on him, but my favorite thing to use is a massage bar. I got one from LUSH last year and that worked perfectly.


LUSH sent me one of their newer bars to try last month. It was one of their Once A Year Massage Bars (similar to this one) made especially for warming with cinnamon essential oil and a touch of glittery gold. I found it to work as well as the first bar, melted nicely, very smooth for a massage, but after awhile I got tired of sleeping next to the cinnamon scent every night and the glittery bits went through my sheets onto my feather bed underneath. Next time I'll pick up a bar that has more of a neutral scent or maybe one with a cocoa butter fragrance like the first one.

LUSH products are made with pure essential oils. They are handmade with no preservatives and they contain only vegetarian ingredients. These bars are great for massages or moisturizing straight out of the shower. They come with a little tin, so you can take it with you (our bars have gone camping with us). The bar is much more convenient than an oil. I've shopped around for a similar product locally and have been unable to find anything that works as well.



Image credit: LUSH.com

Swell Skin: Get Great Skin In 2011

Where do you stand on the subject of New Years Resolutions? I usually make a few and I sometimes even keep a few. This year I need to get serious about taking care of my skin again. I used to be so good (bordering on militant) about cleansing, moisturizing, treatment, etc, but lately I've been lazy and I'm afraid it shows.
How about you? Could you use a nudge as well?

Sephora has a new Limited Edition, online only deal going on the Korres Brightening & Anti-Aging Rose Collection. It's a set of 6 products that work to bring your dull skin back around to brightness. Korres skin care is made without Parabens, Petrochemicals, Phthalates, GMOs, or Triclosans.

If blemishes are your particular challenge, then take a look at Murad's Get Clear Live Clear collection. It's a Sephora exclusive and features products made without Sulfates, Synthetic Dyes, Petrochemicals, Phthalates, GMOs, or Triclosan.

Image credit: Sephora.com

Swell Skin: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream

I'm finally back!

My life has taken a few twists and turns since this past Summer. I'm now settled into a new life in Northern California........and after 4 weeks worth of me begging, pleading, and even raising my voice, I've got my internet connection back. Sheesh. I won't say what company I'm working with, but I will say that some of the people who work for the company appear to have no interest whatsoever in giving good customer service. I suppose they are paid the same amount - whether they provide good service or bad.

I have a new day job these days and it requires a lot of outdoor time. My hands, especially my fingertips, were becoming dry and cracked, so I picked up an old, tried & true favorite - Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream.  I tried a lot of products before I grabbed a tube of the Norwegian Formula the other day. It started to work immediately and in 24 hours, there was a noticeable improvement. It's an excellent product and you can get a tube for less than $5. Swell price.

Image credit: Drugstore.com

Swell Skin: Pacific Shaving Co for Men & Women

Awhile back I had the opportunity to try some of the wonderful products from Pacific Shaving Company*, but as my primarty sampler was my wonderful son, Max, I found it difficult to write my review until now. Max had Cerebral Palsy and I did all his shaving for him. He had very sensitive skin and I really had to try quite a few products before I found something that wouldn't irritate him.

I tried both the All Natural Shaving Cream as well as the Blade Oil that you spray directly on the razor on Max. It worked wonderfully - gentle, effective, smelled great. Max's face looked extra handsome and felt very smooth. The Shaving Cream, it's a little misleading - it comes in a little jar. I thought, wow, we are going to blow through this thing, but you use a smaller than normal amount, possibly because it's not all air.

The girls and I also tried the cream. It works well on legs and underarms. The Blade Oil extends the life of your razor and the All Natural Shaving Oil is a perfect for a girl like Bailey - no more shaving bumps. Instead of cream, you use a few drops of oil for a smooth shave.

All Pacific Shaving products are made with essential oils and certified organic ingredients. You can find them at Whole Foods, Harmon Discount Health & Beauty, Drugstore.com, Bed Bath & Beyond, Path Mark, Snyders, or your locak A&P.

*Product sample furnished to writer for review.

Image credit: Pacific Shaving Company

Swell Skin: Euphoric Skin Care, Plus Free Shipping Offer

Kenzo recently added a couple of new items to their Kenzoki Euphoric skin care collection. Fresh Jelly and Gumdrops is an exfoliating gel cleanser and the Nighshift Cream is a creamy night-time skin replenisher.

Kenzo shipped me both of these new products to try for a Girl Looks Swell review. As with each and every Kenzo product I've ever tried - I love them both. (I admit it, I have had a Kenzo crush for a few years now...... It all started with Kenzo Amour....). I have combination skin that is starting to show some signs of my age (I'm 44). It can be sensitive skin and I sometimes get little tiny pimples on my forehead. I am always on the look out for good skin care products.

The Nightshift Cream is rich, but not greasy. Plus, it smells incredible. I want a product with anti-aging properties, but I'm not a fan of anything that stinks. I don't want my pillow to smell like chemicals. This cream smells gingery and pretty. It's formulated with both Plant and Ginger Water. Both of these waters are full of mineral salts, trace elements, vitatmins and essential oils, which is...... here let me use this quote to explain, "... bio-compatible with physiological liquids and optimizes the efficacy of the active ingredients contained in the formula by improving their absorption by the skin." In addition, Ginger Water reinforces the "anti-radical activiy of anti-oxidizing agents". In short, don't let the pleasant fragrance fool you - this cream means business. And it did not make my forehead break out.

In the past I've tried another cleanser in this line, the Cleansing Ice Jelly, also excellent.  I like a creamy or gel-type cleanser that does the job, but does not leave my face feeling tight. The Fresh Jelly and Gumdrops cleanser is a keeper - it gently exfoliates and leaves my skin feeling fresh, but not tight. It's infused with mineral salts, trace elements, and vitamins (like the Nightshift Cream), with the addition of Ginseng. Ginseng is known for it's stimulating and toning abilities. That means you can skip the toner.

Place any $50 order at KenzoUSA until September 7, 2010, and receive free shipping when you use the code GINGER10 at checkout.

Image credit: Chase Your Bliss Photography

Swell Skin: Self Tanner & Cellulite Smoother

Earlier this Summer I tried the two-step Cellulite smoothing system from St. Ives. It works better than anything I've tried before, but I've had a hard time finding the first step, the gel, around town. I've been assured that it's available at places like Drugstore.com, so I'll be checking that out.


In the meantime, I say this new combo self-tanner/cellulite smoother from Tarte today..

CelluFIGHT™ Anti-Cellulite Self-Tanner is a Weekly Special at Sephora right now. It's on sale for $15 for 5 ounces. It's usually $40. It doesn't have a huge amount of stars - only 3 out of 5, but it's a "natural" product with no glycols, gluten, dye, talc, MEA, DEA, TEA, formaldehyde donors, or fragrance. Also free from parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs, or triclosan.

It's supposed to give you a healthy glow while toning and smoothing your skin. I wonder if the lack of stars is due to people with super high expectations? No moisturizer is magic - a smoothing effect is pretty than nothing, in many cases.

CelluFIGHT™ is formulated with skinTIGHT™ complex, a proprietary anticellulite complex that firms and tones skin while improving elasticity. Plant and bionutrient extracts boost cellular metabolism, shedding excess fat tissue, and caffeine helps stimulate blood flow, immediately reducing "the orange-peel" effect on problem areas such as waist, hips, thighs, and buttocks. This anticellulite, natural self-tanner contains clinically proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that prevent the long-term buildup of fat tissue under the skin.

Image credit: Sephora.com

Swell Skin Care: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunblock

Recently, I received a boat load of sunscreens to sample for review. I took advantage of a visit from my family to try out quite a few (still more to come). The kids come in various ages and skin tones - Chance, Sarah, and Trinity all have a medium to tan complexion, while Casey, Bailey, and I are prone to freckles and red noses after a day in the sun. (Seriously, we go out for a swim and it's like an hour in the sun has super-charged the freckles).


One of my favorite of the new products is Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunblock SPF 55. It's thin and liquid, just as the name suggests. Super-easy to apply to a squirmy kid's face, but also great to apply before makeup. It basically disappears into the skin. No mask-feel, no glop, no sticky. Just good sun protection. No got a sunburn. No one broke out. Everybody who used it - grownups included - thought it was a great product.

The formula is waterproof, sweat-proof, non-comedogenic, oil-free, PABA free, and titanium dioxide free (so good for oily or skin prone to breakouts). It's made with Neutrogena's Helioplex technology and it's available in a SPF 55 and 70 formula.

I have more sunscreens to review, so stay tuned. So far the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid is my favorite of the new sunscreens I've tried. If you want to see what I think of the Aveeno sun care line, take a look here.

*All products furnished to me for review by Neutrogena.

Image credit: Michelle Hamor Smith

Swell Skin: ROC Anti-aging Moisturizer with SPF 30

I tried the first of my new sunscreens today. ROC Multi Correxion 4-Zone Daily Moisturizer SPF 30*. The formula works to improve the texture and appearance of 4 facial zones - it's both an anti-aging treatment and a sun-protection moisturizer.

The 4 zones that it focuses on.......
*Forehead
*Eyes
*Cheeks
*Jawline

It works to smooth and tighten facial contours, fade dark spots, smooth and diminish fine lines, plus it contains light reflecting silk pearls to give the face a brighter, more luminous appearance. In addition, it contains a Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB Sunscreen with Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, and Octocrylene.


The non-comedogenic formula continues to improve skin over time, so I'll check back in with my progress later. My first impressions are that it smells okay, and it has a nice light texture, so it's easy to apply. At first I thought it felt hot and mask-like, but once I left the heat and humidity of my bathroom, it felt very comfortable. I applied Bare Mineral bareEscentuals over the sunscreen and my face stayed fresh and non-greasy all day. I like that, because I have an oily t-zone and I usually have to blot midday.

Also, here's an update on the St. Ives Cellulite smoothing system that I've been using for a little over 2 weeks now - St. Ives®Cellulite Shield Gel Crème and Advanced Body Moisturizer. It works really well. My older daughter said that my legs look smooth, so a 100% improvement, but I think it's more like a 50% improvement, which is still very, very good. When I was sick, I still applied it everyday, but I didn't do much to "work" it in, just a quick smooth, then back to bed and tv. This week I'm going to massage it in a bit and see if I can get even better results. I'll update you again next week. In the meantime I feel confident advising you to give this system a try.

One last thing, I haven't had a chance to close out my Lubriderm giveaway yet, so if you'd like one last chance to enter, please do so by leaving a comment on this post. I'll contact the winners by Thursday of this week. Thanks!!

*This product was given to me for review, I did not purchase it myself.*

Swell Skin: Lancaster Retinology Total Age Solution

I've been using a couple of the Lancaster Retinology Total Age Solution skin care products for about a month now. Lancaster sent me the High-Efficiency Day Cream and the Eye Recovery Cream to sample for review. I waited a month before reviewing, because I wanted to it give a fair assessment before writing the review up.


The Lancaster Retinology line uses Active-Retinol to improve moisture content in the skin, improve skin texture, reduce wrinkles, and firm skin. Users reported that their skin could look approximately 15 years younger. It takes up to 8 weeks to see full results.

"Gene therapy uses one of the most advanced levels of delivery vector known to contemporary science. This is why Lancaster turned to this area to search for our “ideal” Retinol vector. Active-Retinol is delivered “intact” to the cell for 100% efficiency, thanks to the Intra-Cellular SystemTM."

So, does it work? Yes, my skin does look better, but not so much on my forehead area, for some reason. My cheeks are smoother in tone and texture, the lines under my eyes are less noticeable. My skin does have a firmer feel.  The product doesn't sting, which is sometimes a problem with anti-aging creams. It doesn't feel greasy. The eye cream is good, very soothing. Good stuff. I'd rate it a 9 on a scale of 1 to 10 - not the best results I've had with an anti-aging skin care line, but very, very good.

Image credit: Lancaster-Beauty.com

Swell Skin: Win Lubriderm Advanced Therapy SPF 30

I'm a long time Lubriderm fan. I first started using it as a young mom, when the constant hand-washing the mommying job requires lead to dry, cracked hands. My grandma kept a bottle on her sink and I found that it was the only moisturizer that really made a difference in the feel and appearance of my dry skin.


Lubriderm has continued to improve their line, adding new products along the way. One of the newest is the Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30. This formula is the first of it's kind - a daily moisturizer with a SPF of 30. I've been looking for something like this forever. I want to be able to shower, moisturize, and be protected for the entire day.

Lubriderm Advanced Therapy with SPF 30 is formulated with essential lipids which help to form a moisture barrier keeping your skin hydrated for 8 hours. It contains Vitamins B5 and E, plus "Sheer Protection," which is Lubriderm's patent pending UVA/UVB protection technology. This product is recommended for use by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Lubriderm is giving me 5 tubes of the new Advanced Therapy Moisturzing Lotion with SPF 30 to giveaway to Girl Looks Swell readers! To enter the giveaway, you need to be a resident of the US and you need to leave a comment on this post. I will contact the random winners next week.

Have you seen Lubriderm's new commercial, featuring the Mr. Freeway, the alligator? If not, click here for a link to the commercial. If you'd like to save $2 on a Lubriderm product, click here for an online coupon offer.

**I'm running the same giveaway at Gadabout Media's Beauty Section. Feel free to enter both giveaways, but you can only win once.**

Image credit: Lubriderm.com

Swell Skin: LUSH Bath Goodies

I love a bath. Fill the tub, grab a cool drink, and a book - I'm set. LUSH, known for their bath bombs, is THE place to shop for handmade, good-for-you, bath goodies. My favorite product is their Comforter Bubble Bar. The bars make a lot of bubbles, so I break one  into pieces, which means I get 3 or 4 bubble baths from a single bar. (Lots of bubbles for your money).


LUSH sent me a few new products to try for review last week. One of the items in the box was a Bath Bomb. They make their Bath Bombs with Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, and Essential Oils. You add them after filling the tub and they bubble and fizz. They are kind of fun, in addition to making your skin feel soft and smooth.

The Bath Melts are made with 50% Calamine Powder and Cocoa Butter. The Melt that I tried is called Happy Blooming. It's made with dried cherries and passion fruit juice. It melts in the warm tub, giving the water a "milky consistency" which really leaves your skin feeling soft and smelling great.  Each Melt breaks into three pieces for three separate baths.

LUSH products are made with fresh, organic ingredients. They are handmade with vegetarian ingredients and contain little or no preservatives. If you are looking for something special for Mom, then take a look at their line of "Mum Gifts."



Image credit: Michelle Hamor Smith

Swell Skin & Swell Savings

Youth Corridor is an anti-aging skin care line developed by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Gerald Imber. The idea behind the product line name is that "The Youth Corridor is that part of adult life when one looks one's healthy, youthful best." With proper maintenance, it's possible to extend the length of this time period.

The basic Youth Corridor philosophy is:

*Prevention
*Maintenance
*Correction

"The centerpiece of our product line is Youth Corridor Antioxidant Boost, a unique serum that incorporates the natural antioxidant melatonin along with high concentrations of vitamins C and E. This combination has been shown to dramatically increase the antioxidant properties of vitamins C and E alone, and no other product offers this scientific advantage."

I am a firm believer in the power of proper skin care. I use a combination of sunscreen, serums, eye cream, soap-free facial cleanser, and moisturizer on a daily basis and the feedback that I get from friends and family is that my complexion does not show my age. (I'm 43).

I'm lucky - I get to try a lot of wonderful products for free in my line of work (the best part of my job!!!). I can't give you something free, but I can save you a little money. Youth Corridor is allowing me to offer Girl Looks Swell readers a 25% discount on their Soothe & Defend Moisturizer with SPF 30 and their Antioxidant Boost Skin Serum.

To get your 25% discount, simply use the promo code YCSUN at checkout.



Image credit: Youth Corridor

Swell Skin Care: Bioéthique Organic Cosmetics Giveaway

Go Green........with your skin care routine. Bioéthique cosmetics are certified organic by Nature et Progrès, which is Europe's strictest organic certification agency. The plants used in Bioéthique products are cultivated away from polluted areas, harvested when at their peak, and then processed with a method called bio-extraction.

This technology allows us to employ much higher concentrations of each selected botanical ingredient, thereby resulting in a product that is highly effective in visibly repairing damage to skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and visibly firming and toning the skin.

I had the opportunity to sample some of the Bioéthique skin care products for Gadabout Media's Beauty section. (Have I mentioned before how much I love that part of my job??)  The products are wonderful. They absorb quickly and leave the skin feeling incredibly smooth and silky.

Bioéthique's Eye Cream is made with a variety of botanical oils including: Chamomile Extract, Extra Virgin Sunflower Oil, Europaea-stearyl-ester, Extra Virgin Evening Primrose Oil, Rose Geranium Essential Oil, Lavender Essential Oil. It's rich in anti-oxidants and works to effectively firm and smooth the under eye area. Would you like to try it? Good, because Bioéthique is allowing me to give away one 30 ml bottle. WooHoo!

To enter the giveaway, please leave me a comment telling me one of your favorite beauty secrets. Make sure that it's a secret you'd like to share, because I plan to use the comments in an upcoming post. I will announce the random winner next week. Good luck!

*This giveaway is open to US residents only*

**WE HAVE OUR WINNER!! Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway.**

Image Credit: Bioéthique Organic.com

Swell Skin: Olay Offers $20 Rebate

Good skin care is a big thing with me. I have the opportunity to try all kinds of products, so I have a good idea of what works and what does not. For example, the best night cream I've used is AVON's Reversalist. I've used plenty of $60-$90 creams and it's the AVON that works best.

Another good product is Olay Regenerist line. It's both affordable and effective. Right now Olay is offering a $20 rebate when consumers spend $50 on Olay facial care products. The rebate is available online, you can click here to download it.

The rebate is good until May 9, 2010 and it needs to be postmarked by May 21, 2010. It is not limited to the Regenerist line. It also includes favorites like the Total Effects and Definity line. To find out which line will give you the best results, click here for a consultation.



Image credit: Olay