I love that the entire line is free of parabens and petrochemicals. So that means there are no preservatives and no chemical products formulated from the raw materials of petroleum or hydrocarbons (some people think petrochemicals might be cancer causing, but that hasn’t been proven!). So when you can buy paraben-free  petrochemical-free products, do! The bottle says that the formulas are free of phthalates, but I can’t confirm if that is true. Phthalates are essentially “plasticizers” that are used in beauty products to moisturize skin and to boost the fragrances in personal care products. And since companies are not required to list fragrance ingredients on their packaging I cannot say that this product is 100% natural.

However, I still very much enjoyed using all these “guddies”! I was asked to review the Natural Body Lotion in Vanilla Flame, Natural Foaming Hand Wash in Floral Cherrynova, and Natural Body Wash and Natural Hand Cream Orange Petalooza. My favorite had to have been the body wash in Orange Petalooza. The bottle says “If you don’t sing in the shower, you will now” and that is literally how I felt when I lathered up. The scent was intoxicating (it’s a combination of blood orange and hyacinth) and filled my entire shower with a fresh, warm crispness! I left my shower feeling clean and in a much better mood! And knowing that I can get high-quality products that don’t contain parabens or petrochemicals (and don’t cost a fortune) will have me singing in the shower for weeks on end!

1. Switch to a cream-based cleanser. Every step in your skin care routine should be about moisture and nourishment, including your cleansing step. Switch away from your gel cleansers, to a nice milky, creamy cleanser (like our Alchimie Forever Excimer gentle cream cleanser, my personal favorite).
2. No matter the cold outside, avoid showers or baths that are very hot. Hot water will break down the skin’s natural lipids and leave it even dryer. Limit your bath or shower to 5 minutes, and never leave the house with wet hair (your scalp will thank you!).
3. Switch to a heavier moisturizer. Even if you are combination or oilier in the summertime, your skin needs extra nourishment during the colder months. The best-selling of our three moisturizers between November and March is always our Kantic+ intensely nourishing cream.
4. If even with a cream cleanser and a more hydrating cream your skin is still uncomfortable, dull, and dry, add in a cream moisture mask, and leave it on for as long as you can. I am applying our Kantic brightening moisture mask almost on a daily basis these days…
5. Combat the air’s dryness with a good humidifier. A low-cost alternative is to place a bowl of water in the rooms you spend most time in. As the water slowly evaporates, it will add moisture to the air.
6. Give your hands a hand! Never go out in to the cold without gloves. (And avoid wool as it is so rough or cotton, which traps moisture; my favorite gloves are in cashmere). Apply your favorite hand cream frequently, at least following every time your hands are in water. (In case you are wondering, I keep my 532nm antioxidant relief for hands and feet everywhere at home and in the office, even in my car).
7. Watch for over-exfoliation. In particular if you are experience flakiness, do not pick. Avoid strong grainy scrubs, look for nourishing, gentle, exfoliators, such as our Excimer+ gentle antioxidant refining scrub.
8. Take care of your lips. Don’t lick them, and don’t pick at them if they are chapped. Keep soothing lip balms in your purse, car, and desk drawer, and reapply as necessary (I don’t believe reapplying makes your lips get addicted to your lip balm…)
9. Don’t forget sunscreen. Even if the sun is not shining, and you are not in a bathing suit, those pesky UV rays are still attacking your skin. Remember also that sun is double strong when reflected on snow, so up your SPF before hitting the slopes.
10. Last but not least, remember beauty is internal too. Hydrate with calming teas, and eat “clean and green.” This is true year round of course, but somehow I always have an easier time drinking water and eating salads when my closet is full of dresses and short skirts…

About the Author:

Ada Polla, who was recently featured on the cover of Business Week Small Biz, is the co-creator of the Swiss antioxidant skin care line Alchimie Forever. She launched this 17 SKU line and is the driving force behind the business’ development and expansion.

Ada manages an international team of 8, has developed the line’s brand and visibility, has established international distribution for the products (securing flagship retailers such as Fred Segal Beauty in LA, Henri Bendel in NY, Sephora in France), and has driven the company’s double-digit annual revenue growth.

Ada has professional experience in consulting and product management in the medical device industry. She is on the editorial board of PCI Magazine, a committee member of the International Spa Association, a contributor to numerous magazines, and a frequent guest speaker at leading universities and industry conferences. Ada is also the founder of the Network of Entrepreneurial Women (www.new-women.org), an association for women entrepreneurs in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Ada graduated in the top 5% of her MBA class at Georgetown University in 2004 and received her Magna cum Laude BA at Harvard University in art history and political science in 1999.

Q: My face gets very dry through the winter months, so of course my makeup looks flaky and patchy. What do you suggest? Got any dry skin tips or recommendations?

A: I recommend Phytomer HydraContinue Instant Moisture Cream. It uses Vitamin E to improve moisture levels for plumper, more comfortable skin and also contains small amounts of alpha hydroxy acids to slough off dead skin cells without causing irritation. Switching to a cream cleanser rather than a gel or a foam this time of year is also a great idea!

 Throughout the years, his fascination with natural remedies remained strong and Dr. Adhami spent the majority of his career researching potent, healing herbs from around the world and handpicking the most effective combinations for his skincare line. His mission has always been to combine his vast knowledge of medicinal plants with his medical knowledge to treat any skin condition.

In the mid 80’s, Dr. Adhami moved his family to Southern California. Initially, Dr. H. Adhami made the products in his own lab and treated only patients in his clinic. His two children, Shawn and Noushin currently work as doctors in Los Angeles.  As his son Dr. Shawn Adhami explained, “These products were personally developed by my dad. As a practicing dermatologist, he was also an herbalist, so early on in his practice he started doing research on various herbs that had a therapeutic effect. He started mixing and matching and after much success, Vivoderm was started. When I became a Doctor, I used some of my father’s products in my own patients with skin problems and began to see wonderful results.”

Dr. Noushin Adhami elaborated, “During our childhood my brother and I frequently heard from our father’s patients and acquaintances about how their skin and lives were transformed as a result of his treatments,” Years later, despite our busy practices, we were passionate about sharing our father’s line with the rest of the world.” In the spring of 2010, Shawn and Noushin founded Vivoderm Natural Skincare to make their father’s products available to the public.

About the Vivoderm Product Line

Vivoderm supports not resorting to harsh and potentially harmful ingredients in your skin care products. Skin care should be about true health – not punishing and shocking your skin. They choose to use natural ingredients, harvested from renewable and sustainable sources. The nine piece Vivoderm line is a unique, easy to use skincare routine for all skin types.

Their signature products are the 100% herbal, Anti-Aging and Anti-Acne Facial Masks. Unlike anything else on the market, both masks are a blend of actual pulverized herbs and natural lighting ingredients. It is so pure, you can actually eat it, (but they prefer you use it on your skin).

The remaining line of basic skincare products  – intense moisturizer, zinc cream, anti-aging eye cream and cleanser and toner – contain a majority of natural ingredients like Vitamins A and E, Chamomile, Comfrey, Rosemary, Aloe Vera, Beta Carotene, Green Tea and Lavender.

“We believe that our products are the best skin care you can give your skin and we hope you will agree,” said Dr. Adhami. 

Vivoderm’s collaboration with nature goes further than natural skincare products. Their products are also 100% cruelty free, which means no animals are harmed in thier production process or that of their suppliers. In addition, Vivoderm packages are recyclable. Vivoderm is a member of the Better Business Bureau and the Natural Products Association, and they are certified by the Leaping Bunny Program.

Read more about Vivoderm and see their natural skincare line at www.vivoderm.com

Some are dark. Some are light. Some are wide. Some are raised. Some are easily seen. And some are almost invisible.

One thing that we know for sure is that genetics play a huge role in the appearance of scars, but there are several professional treatments that can improve their appearance if your genes didn’t do as good of a job as you would have liked.

Keep Reading for The Top 6 Scar Treatments!

 1. Silicone Therapy

Silicone scar therapy is widely used in the treatment of burn scars, and is one of most effective ways to prevent both keloids and hypertrophic scar formation, both of which are more common in scars from burns, scars over joints, and scars in darker skin types. Many plastic surgeons also use specially designed silicone sheets to improve the appearance of the scars associated with breast augmentation, breast lift, and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery. In my practice, I routinely start silicone therapy at 2-3 weeks after surgery. I instruct my patients to wear ScarLine Rx ® Silicone Sheet which are extremely soft, thin, and comfortable. The ScarLine Rx® sheets are self-adhesive so it’s possible for patients to wear them for 2-3 months. I’m convinced that these sheets make a real difference in the final appearance of their scars, particularly after cosmetic breast surgeries like breast augmentations and breast lifts. No one knows for sure why silicone therapy works, but the leading theories suggest that a combination of hydration and compression play key roles in the success of silicone sheets.

2. Laser Therapy

Non-ablative laser treatments can help red and pink scars blend into the surrounding skin. Most patients need 3-5 treatments for an ideal result. The treatments themselves take less than 30 minutes. In addition to silicone therapy, which starts at 2-3 weeks after surgery, I also routinely start laser treatments at 3 months after surgery. It really helps scars fade more quickly, and it’s another easy way to ensure that you wind up with the nicest looking scar possible.

3. Micropigmentation

For scars that are much lighter in color than the surrounding skin (hypopigmented), which is a common appearance with healed burns, micropigmentation might be an option. Micropigmentation is essentially medical grade tattooing done by trained medical micropigmentation specialists. Careful and precise pigments are placed into the scar to match the surrounding skin and make it much less visible. Micropigmentation is also a very common technique in permanent makeup for eyebrows, lip color and lip liner, as well as in nipple areola reconstruction after breast cancer surgery.

4. Scar Revision

For most patients, a combination of silicone sheet therapy and a series of laser treatments are enough to give a satisfactory appearance to their scars, but these treatments are only effective if the scars are treated early (within 12 months). For scars that aren’t treated early, surgical scar revision might be the only option to improve the appearance. During a scar revision procedure, your plastic surgeon will remove the visible scar from the skin, and also remove the scar tissue underneath the skin. After all the scar is removed, the incision will be closed meticulously with specially designed suture materials that lead to a minimal amount of inflammation, which leads to more favorable scars. Most scar revisions can be done in the office under local anesthesia, and most patients can return to work the same day. I still use routine silicone therapy starting at 2 weeks after scar revisions, and laser therapy starting at 3 months. This is actually the most interesting part about scar revisions… they turn old scars into new scars so that silicone and lasers can be effective!

5. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is one of the most commonly used scar treatments, but probably not the best. There is no sound evidence that Vitamin E makes any difference in the appearance of scars, but it does lead to quite a few allergic skin reactions that may actually worsen the appearance. I’ve seen quite a few patients have allergic reactions to topically-applied Vitamin E, and I’ve also seen a few patients who wound up with hyperpigmented (dark) scars that resulted from severe rashes, or even blistering, around their scar. My advice… don’t use it. It probably won’t help, and it may actually end up hurting your efforts to improve the appearance of your scar.

6. Mederma

Mederma is probably in the same boat with Vitamin E, but without such a high risk of an allergic reaction. I recommend Mederma to patients who can’t, or don’t want to, use silicone sheets after their surgeries. I’m not sure if it makes a difference, but I know that it doesn’t hurt either.

SPF for Scars

One of the most important ways to keep your new scar looking good is to always, always, always use sunscreen for the first year after surgery or injury! Sun exposure is one of the leading causes of scar hyperpigmentation (darkening), which will not go away. The best sunscreens for scars contain zinc oxide, which blocks UVA and UVB rays, but it can be difficult to find sometimes. If you have trouble finding a zinc-containing brand, use the heaviest sun protection you can find (Neutrogena makes SPF 100). And remember, the suns rays are strong enough to penetrate most clothing and bathing suits, so you should still apply sunscreen even if your scars are covered!

How can I get more information about scar treatments?

You can contact us by phone or text message at 917-703-7069, by email at MAS@ManhattanAestheticSurgery.com, or by visiting our website at www.ManhattanAestheticSurgery.com.

 Nicholas Vendemia, M.D.                                                                                                                                                                                                  Plastic Surgeon, New York City                                                                                                                                                                                                   MAS / Manhattan Aesthetic Surgery                                                                                                                  http://www.manhattanaestheticsurgery.com/

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Photo Credit: istockphoto

NOTICE: None of the celebrities or individuals discussed here have ever received treatment, surgery, medical advice, or evaluations from any author, physician, surgeon, or representative of this blog. All images and photos in this article represent models only. No actual patients or clients are shown.

Developed by David and Erica Chung, along with two well-known chemists and a celebrated dermatologist, 3LAB combines innovative technology and advanced ingredients with formulations that are as effective as they are luxurious. It aims to deliver quality, high-end skin care to improve your skin’s overall health and youthful beauty.

Their newest star product, the Perfect BB SPF 40 cream, may just be the “Perfect Product” that Erica Chung sought to develop and the reason for creating 3LAB. The sheer tinted moisturizer works to firm, lift, brighten, hydrate, renew and protect skin … all in one step! It features 3LAB’s signature bio-engineered hormone to regenerate skin cells, apple stem cell technology to delay the aging process, along with brightening peptides, collagen-boosting protein, antioxidants and anti-aging botanicals. Available in three shades to match your skin tone, Perfect BB may be your new go-to for a flawless, natural appearance!

Our latest giveaway gives you the chance to try it for free! Like DermStore and 3LAB on facebook, then tell us:

How many products do you use to protect, moisturize and add color to your skin?

**10 winners will be chosen at random. Post a comment and tell us how many products you use to protect, moisturize and add color to your skin. Giveaway starts on 1/24/12 and ends 2/7/12 at 11:59 pm PST. The winners will be announced during the time of 2/8/12 – 3/8/12. If a winner does not reply within 5 business days of being contacted, another winner will be chosen.**

Q: Are moisturizers with SPF sufficient, or is it better to use 2 separate products? What’s the best moisturizer with SPF, in your opinion?

A: Nowadays there are so many great moisturizers with SPF—and unlike products from decades past, they provide outstanding protection from the sun. Just keep in mind, it’s important to make sure the SPF is high enough (I prefer 30 or higher for everyday use). One of my favorite products is Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protectact – SPF 30. It never feels heavy or oily, yet it gives my skin the moisture it needs and leaves a nice matte finish. It’s the perfect product to use under makeup!

If you’d rather use two separate products, that’s fine. Just make sure that you apply the SPF after you moisturize.

Do you ever find yourself buying hair care products based solely by the smell? Guilty! It’s an awful habit I have, instead of looking into the ingredients I care more about the way it smells. The problem with doing that is you may not be benefiting your luscious locks; you could instead be hurting them!

 A New Year’s resolution of mine is to dig deeper and investigate the products I use. One ingredient to keep an eye out for is Argan Oil for hair. Not only is this ingredient beneficial for your hair—it’s great for cosmetic purposes across the board! One brand I have discovered and fell in love with is Nick Chavez, who offers a ‘heavenly’ product called Angel Drops.  Now if you are working with a dull mane, this is a product that can leave your hair with softness and shine!

Argan oil for hair— so many benefits!

1. It has the capability of repairing damaged hair and acting like a moisturizer. Whether from natural elements, or if you tried too hard to be a beach blonde.

2. Suffering from dry scalp? This oil hair treatment will cure that.

3. Hair extensions can leave you with less than what you started with, argan oil can increase hair growth (phew)!

4. After too much dyeing that natural shine can be gone, and it restores shine.

5. Ever tried counting split ends; this can also prevent those pesky things!

From thickening shampoo to ‘Scrunch Spray’ (which I am dying to try) this Hair Care line has it all! It even smells amazing, which you all know is very important to me. For the New Year ladies, try to make sure you look great and feel great! This statement could be easier said than done. However, I do think that with the right products you can achieve a great look that boosts confidence.

For the last few months BB cream has been a hot buzzword in the DermStore office. Hearing that it’s been a huge success in Asia for years, it got me thinking: what is it, how do I get it and is it really that amazing? Lucky you and thanks to my beauty product junkie ways, I have the answers for those questions. I’ve been using the product on and off for the last month and guess what? Yes, it really is that amazing. 3LAB has managed to perfect their BB cream to rival those top brands in Asia.  Their new anti-aging treatment and tinted moisturizer hybrid is appropriately named: Perfect BB SPF 40. What I love most about this product so far is it’s long lasting coverage and UV protection. Plus, it’s infused with 3LAB’s signature bio-engineered growth hormone and apple stem cell technology. So how does this benefit you? Well, let’s count the ways:

1. RELIEVES: Its active ingredients help to soothe irritated skin.
2. PROTECTS: This wonder product features SPF 40 – keeping all those UV rays at bay.
3. MINIMIZES DISCOLORATION
4. LOADED with VITAMIN E: Your protector against free radical damage.
5. Features BETA WHITE: 3LAB’s innovative biomimetic peptide that whitens skin by decreasing proteins involved in the pigmentation process. There’s some science for you!
6. Just like 3LAB’s skin care line, this make-up product TREATS fine lines and wrinkles.
7. COVERAGE for age spots and blemishes.

Try it for yourself and see those 7 wonders above in action. Take it from this product junkie you won’t regret it!

PS: Be sure to keep a look out for an upcoming give away featuring our star 3LAB BB CREAM above.

Botticelli's Birth of Venus

Here are my favorite ways to feng shui your beauty routine and feel like a goddess right now:

1. THINK BEAUTIFUL THOUGHTS.  Its true, radiance starts on the inside. No matter what you look like, without confidence you will not shine. Even a few minutes a day of pure admiration in a mirror will set the day on a new course.

2. Now, clean those mirrors!!!  Often.  Always keep your reflection super clear.

3. Full-Color Light is so important. If you don’t have sunlight where you apply makeup, try adding FULL-SPECTRUM light bulbs.  This will both boost your mood and mimic the colors of sunlight to show you more of your beauty!

4. Make it a fresh start daily.  Wash your face with a Clarisonic brush if you can. You can’t get a fresher start!  Exfoliation literally sweeps away old skin like filing papers clears clutter.  Both your face and body could need a gentle but true scrub daily. 

5. Define your facial architecture! Learn to use a brow kit  – it’s transformational and so easy.

6. Use color deliberately- and USE IT!!! Red lips  add attractive fire and corals  communicate cheer and health.  A high gloss of any color  will grab attention like a mirror does on a wall.  A smoky eye in violet shades is more spiritual, browns are more grounded and stable, blues are more self-loving, greens more creative and black…pure mystery.  Any place you use highlighter you will also add sparkling metal energy which defines and refines.

Also:  always remember to have fun, eat well (starvation makes you look aged while ruining your health and chi!), drink lots of water and rest!  You are as beautiful as you allow yourself to be, so get out of your own way and shine!!!  xoxo Dana

Dana Claudat is a Pyramid School Feng Shui Consultant, writer, designer and founder of the feng shui lifestyle blog The Tao of Dana. A Stanford-educated Art Historian based in Hollywood, she does very personalized feng shui and art consulting with a client base composed largely of brilliant artists and the entertainment set.  She also works online with clients spread around the globe to make her user-friendly, unique feng shui approach available to anyone with a computer. Dana’s mission is to help everyone in the world become more positively in control of their environment and, thus, their lives.

Website: The Tao of Dana 

Twitter: @thetaoofdana