Magic Potions

Serums, brighteners, wrinkle diffusers....you don't have to go far to find something full of promises to put on your face.  'Hope in a bottle' I think they call it.  Years ago, I used to be a buyer for a natural bath & body care company and I know quite well that there really is no 'magic' in these products but I do believe that good skin care does help out big time, with sun protection being the #1 best habit you could possibly have.

But I have to admit...now that I'm (gasp!) in my 40's, I find that I'm much more gullible when it comes to beauty product claims.  I really want to believe in magic!  Or at the very least to believe that I'm doing the best I can to slow down the inevitable.  So I've been on a bit of a mission lately - to find good, organically based products that I like and that won't break the bank.  I've had fun trying out lots of magic potions!  Whether you're a believer or not, you might want to check out this sampling of high quality natural skin care products:

   

There's a reason why I like the new facial care line by Emerita so much.  It was developed specifically to deal with the body's natural decline in hormone levels after age 40. That's when our skin starts to become drier and rougher, the wrinkles begin to set in a bit deeper and the skin starts to lose its ability to heal itself as well.  Depressing huh? 

I ordered Emerita's facial care sampler pack ('free' except for a $1.50 handling charge) and got to try out 5 products that included 2 face creams, 2 eye serums and a skin brightener.  They are all made with natural ingredients, organic botanicals and are paraben-free and unscented.  And you certainly don't have to be as ancient as me to appreciate these products - I think they would be great for women of all ages.

• The Day Face Cream with SPF 15 is definitely on my to-buy list.  It's rich but goes on light.  Pretty good price too at $19.99 (current on-line sale price) for 2 oz.  I just love it!  The Night Face Cream is great too - it leaves your skin feeling soft and totally nourished.
• I was hoping the Dark Circle Eye Serum would work its magic on my dark circles but I have to say I didn't notice any difference.  I'm a bigger fan of the Fine Line Eye Serum which is very cooling to the eye and I can at least hope that those fine lines are less noticeable. 
• The Skin Brightener is a bit of a mystery.  It feels great going on...super smooth and slippery...makes your face feel like a baby's bottom.  But I'm not sure what it really does.  Apparently it is supposed to even out your skin tone and minimize age spots.  My face is covered with freckles so I can't say my skin looks any evener (or brighter for that matter).  This product just isn't meant for me right now.

But here's something I do love:  Juice Beauty's Antioxidant Serum.  You put it on before your moisturizer so it can soak in and do its magic.  It is loaded with antioxidants and other rejuvenating ingredients to help firm your skin and smooth fine lines.  All Juice Beauty products are made with a 100% organic fruit juice base and the total organic content is 95%. 

All I can say is I feel fabulous whenever I put it on.  It feels so cooling to my face and I can just imagine all those nice little antioxidants protecting my skin.  Is it a bunch of hype?  Maybe - but I'm obviously willing to buy into it.  This one was a stretch for me though - at $45 for a 2-oz bottle it was the most expensive facial care product I've ever purchased!

I was also lucky enough to pick up samples of some products from Nature's Gate's Organic Advanced Care line while shopping at Whole Foods recently.  They have goofy names but are quality products.  Of all of them I think the only one I would really consider buying would be the Forget Your Lines Wrinkle Diffuser Serum.  It sounds like it is similar to the Juice Beauty product but at $24.95 for 1.7-oz it is an easier price point to swallow.  The Have a Vine Day Chardonnay Hydrator for Daytime (could the name be any longer?) is another very nice product but it does not have sun protection which I consider a MUST these days so I'll have to pass.

Wanna read about more fun facial care products?  Check out last summer's post about Facial Care Treats.  I could have a closet full of beauty products and never get bored with trying them!  Anyone have any other facial care favorites to share? 

Comments

[Cara Fletcher]

Those body care products sound very interesting.I've never used them but I am up to trying them because they seem helpful and reliable.

[Stacey Griffith]

I don't think we can say that any product out there be it skin care to diet pills are magical. There are great products though that really do work and aren't a rip off. I enjoyed what you had to say in the article. I think with a good product,exercise,diet,sleep and drinking a lot of water can help with anti-aging. I use hydropeptide face cream by azure cosmeceuticals. It's a really good line. I did research before using their products and have been very happy with the results. This product contains 11 antioxidants and 3 peptides all in one. It goes on smooth, just a small amount. It hydrates and refreshes. I love it.

[Dana all about Skin Care Drewer]

Hi,
Knowing what skin care products are out there is one thing, but you also need to know how to apply them and use them safely without harming your skin or causing more damage to your face...

Dana