Results tagged “Biotherm” from Style Flavors

The skin around your eye is one of the most delicate areas on your face and like your hands; they often show the first signs of aging. Hence, regularly using an eye cream should be an essential part of your grooming regime.

If however you find slapping on eye creams and slowing tapping them around the eye area tedious and frustrating; you will find this eye serum from Biotherm quite refreshing.

The roll-on applicator is a god-send to those of you who don't want the hassle of dealing with clumsy finger application.

I threw this in the fridge and used it twice a day and I would recommend doing the same. The easily absorbed gel-texture of this serum cools and refreshes your eyes on contact and by the second week, I could see a reduction in my dark circles. The skin around my eyes looked brighter and healthier - great for those post-party days when you still have to meet datelines and deal with bullshit.

Because of its easy application, you can throw this in your bag or keep one in your work desk and roll on whenever you feel like your eyes need some freshing up. Hands free!

Get this Biotherm Homme High Recharge Yeux Anti-Fatigue Cold Eye Serum 10ml for US$39.50 at Strawberrynet.com.

In this installment of Style Flavors' Skin Care Guide, I will be diving into targeted treatments from acne to oil control to whitening.

Using a specific product for your specific skin type and problem will help solve the skin issues you face quicker and more effectively.


Anti-Acne:

I used to have problematic skin in high school and all throughout junior and senior year, I was plagued with horrible teenage acne. I still have to deal with regular zits constantly and I have somehow accepted it as just one of the few bumps in my existence. Keeping your skin clean and balanced is all the more important if you're dealing with acne.

I especially like University Medical AcneFree Clear Skin System (US$19.49) - I first came across this at Costco 3 years ago and it just so happened I ran out of products and so I just threw it in the cart and didn't think much of it. After 2 weeks of daily use, I was hooked.

My skin was clearer and looked healthier and breakouts were reduced visibly. I especially love the University Medical AcneFree Sensitive Acne & Blackhead Terminator Medicated Spot Control Gel (1oz/28g) (US$5.99) [a combination of Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide] - it dries up zits and peels the top layer of the inflamed skin off to quickly combat persistent zits. I brought a few kits back with me when I left the US and gave them to my brother and my brother-in-law who both now swear by it.

I also like Avene Cleanance K Oil-Control Lotion (1.35oz/41g) (US$18). This AHA & BHA (Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids) formula works to gently exfoliate skin daily while clearing up blemishes and blackheads. I love how the high concentration of Avene Spring Water as it helps soothe and hydrate my skin as it clears it up. I passed this product on to my sister and a few of my friends who now use this religiously.

 

I like Clearasil Ultra Rapid Action Treatment Cream, Vanishing (1oz/28g) (US$9.99). This maximum strength treatment cream works to quickly and effectively reduce spot size. This cream works and with regular use, my pesky zits become a thing of the past. The very affordable price tag makes this a winner.  

I like Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Acne Mark Fading Peel Acne Treatment(1.4oz/40g) (US$13.99). Acne and persistent zits leave behind physical reminders that they were once on our faces by means of dark post-inflammatory spots. This masks works to exfoliate dead skin cells while treating acne; removing signs that they were once there. My marks faded with regular use of this and breakouts appeared less frequent. And at such a great price, it's worth a shot.

 


Oil Control:

Oily skin individuals, like myself, are less prone to wrinkles and fine lines but enlarged pores, shiny skin and regular breakouts are just some of the main issues that we have to deal with. There is no physical way to alter the size of your pores; they are pretty much determined by genetics but you can improve the appearance of your pores by regulating oil production and regular exfoliation.

I like Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector #01 Invisible Light 15ml/0.5oz US$25 from Strawberrynet.com. This perfector works to deshines and mattify your skin while reducing the look of your pores. My complexion looked smoother with less visible pores, so much so that people actually think I use makeup. And this isn't makeup. What I like is how it helps resist humidity and sweat making this perfect for tropical climates.

I like Shiseido Men Anti Shine Refresher 30ml/1oz US$37 from Strawberrynet.com. This is one of my current skin staples and I have been using this for a long, long time. This cool gel works to refresh your skin while instantly mattifying it. This keeps my skin looking less shiny for hours. My pores looked smaller and my skin smoother and fresh. So much so that my brother's girlfriend demanded to know what I was using and then went to the store the next day to look for this.

I like Dr. Brandt Pores No More (1oz/30ml) (US$45). This oil absorber works to minimize the look of pores while keeping my skin less shiny for hours. Look forward to a matte, refined complexion.

Whitening:

Besides zits, dark spots are the other bane of my skin existence; especially the dark spots left behind by said inconvenient zits. Dark spots or hyperpigmentation are caused by various factors. The dark spots left behind by acne and pimples are known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that result from trauma to the skin - eg. acne.

UV light is a major cause of dark spots. The naturally occuring pigment in your skin is combination of sun damage and a decline in the hormones that regulate the production of melanin. When your skin is exposured to sun, the UV rays can easily break down the collagen and elastin and as a result the skin may become rougher and cause formation of brown, reddish spots due to the excess melanin.

Prolonged sun exposure causes the skin cells to produce more melanin and cause surface pigment changes. Melanin is a pigment that gives color to the skin and hair. It helps protect the skin from the harmful sun's rays but increased amount of melanin pigment often result in formation of dark, brown spots.

I like Shiseido Bio Performance Advanced Super Revitalizer (Cream) Whitening Formula 50ml/1.7oz US$98 from Strawberrynet.com. This rich, luxourious cream reverses the signs of past damage done by the sun. My uneven and dull skin looked brighter and more radiant after only a few days of usage. The extra smooth slate that my skin attainted was a wonderful bonus. Sure, it's a tad costly but it's worth the price tag.

Part 1 of Style Flavors' Skin Care Guide covered cleansing, exfoliation and toning. Part 2 will cover eye care and serums.

Eyes take the hit of late nights, stress and the lack of sleep. As such, it's always better late than never to start taking care of the skin around your eyes.

Eye-Care:

Your eyes show the first signs of aging and tiredness. The delicate eye area is thin and fragile hence it does help to take extra care of this specific area. Dark eye circles are caused by various factors like heredity, allergies, age and fatigue.

Dark circles are an inherited trait - when blood passes through the veins under the eye area, a dark tint is produced and the transparency of the skin around your eye determines how visible the dark tint appears.

Constant rubbing and scratching your eyes will cause dilation of blood vessels and will lead to more visible dark circles. So refrain from rubbing your eyes just like you would refrain from touching your face or popping your zits.

Although there aren't any permanent solution to reducing and removing dark circles, there are products that will help improve the appearance of dark eye circles.caused by burst blood vessels and thin, worn out skin. Fine lines are caused by various factors like dehydration and sun exposure. Using a eye cream/gel twice a day will help reduce fine lines, puffiness and the appearance of dark circles.

I like Patricia Wexler's Instant De-Puff Eye Gel (0.5oz/ US$19.50). This works best cold so I store this in the fridge for a hit of refreshment. This reduces puffiness visibly while reducing the appearance of fine lines.

I like SK II Signs Eye Cream 15g/0.5oz US$99 at Strawberrynet.com. This rich cream works to combat the signs of aging - lines, wrinkles and bags. Its rich formula ensures optimal hydration throughout the day; great for winter vacations. The area around my eyes look brighter, softer and healthier. I take this whenever I travel.

I like Nuxe Contour des Yeux Prodigieux Anti-Aging Eye Cream (US$27). This anti-aging eye cream provides optimal moisturization and works to reduce puffiness and signs of aging. I like how this easily absorbs to soothe and protect the delicate eye area. 

 

I also like Lancome Blanc Expert NeuroWhite X3 Anti-Dark Circle Eye Treatment 15ml/0.5oz US$60.50 at Strawberrynet.com. This rich yet lightweight whitening treatment works deep to lighten eye bags and dark circles while promoting hydration and soothing the thin skin around your eyes. The lightening effect can be seen in 2 weeks of usage and a smoother, healthier eye area is your outcome.

I like Kiehls' Abyssine Eye Cream (0.5oz/14ml) (US$32). This marine extract eye cream helps to reduce fine lines and prevent the signs of aging. I like how easy this goes into my skin to hydrate and encourage healthier, fresher looking eyes.  

  


Serums:

Serums pack a higher dose of nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins as compared to day/night moisturizers. Hence, serums are skin-savers that work effectively to regenerate skin cells, promote healthy skin growth, even out skin tone, banish zits and blackheads, intensively hydrate and prevent signs of aging. They go after your toner and before your moisturizer. 

Ingredients such as stabilized Vitamin C work to prevent and combat free radical damage. Salicylic Acid works deep into pores to prevent breakouts and blackheads. Potent exfoliators like Glycolic Acid work to reveal fresh, radiant skin while you sleep.

  I like DERMAdoctor Ain't Misbehavin' Intensive Medicated Blackhead Treatment(1oz/30ml) (US$42). This serum penetrates the pores to remove clogging blackheads, kills bacteria and trapped dirt all while minimizing the appearance of pores. Blackheads appeared less frequently and my skin looked cleared and my pores more refined. I also like how this keeps zits at bay. 

 

I like Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer 30ml/1oz US$54 from Straweberrynet.com. This time-released serum works to gently exfoliate and speeds up the cell renewal process revealing a brighter, fresher complexion with an even glow. I like how radiant my skin looks after this and how it evens out my complexion to remove traces of dullness.

I like Patricia Wexler's MMPi.20™ Skin Regenerating Serum (3.4oz/150ml) (US$150). This pink gel instantly hydrates while soothing fine lines and reversing the signs of aging to give you a healthy, glowing complexion. This also helps tame unruly brows so if you have them, just sweep a little over your brows and this serum will work like hair gel to keep your brows in place.

 

I like Clarins Double Serum Generation 6 Extra-Firming Botanical Intensive Care 2x15ml US$92 from Strawberrynet.com. This plant based serum is chock full of botanical benefits. The unique formula contains an oil and a water based serum that works together to bind essential moisture to hydrate and repair skin. Fine lines, wrinkles and dullness are erased. With regular use, my skin became softer, firmer and looked healthier. I take this to beach vacations where I slater this on twice daily after time spent in the sun. I know it sounds a tad passive-aggressive but this does help.

I also like Lancome High Resolution Collaser-48 Deep Collagen Anti-Wrinkle Serum 30ml/1oz US$45 from Strawberrynet.com. This rich anti-aging serum works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while plumping up skin to reveal younger, fuller looking skin. By stimulating collagen synthesis, this serum actively repairs and restores firmness and tone. I like how this instantly smoothes and hydrates, giving a healthy sheen. With regular use, my skin is firmer and healthier with reduction in lines.


I like Biotherm Line Peel Crystalescent Bio-Cellular Serum 30ml/1oz US$59 at Strawberrynet.com. This serum works to gently peel off surface layers of skin, promoting renewal and an even, healthier slate without fine lines and wrinkles. I like the glow I get from using this and the overall freshness and radiance this leaves me. 

 

Keep checking back for the next installment of Style Flavors' Skin Care Guide where we'll dive into moisturizers.  

I've been on the lookout for a moisturizer that would be great for a night on the town. One that didn't clash with my anti-shine serums and one that would keep my skin matt and reduce shine for hours. I have really oily skin and my T-zone can get distracting after a while.

This is the strongest anti-regreasing moisturizer that Biotherm has. I've been using Biotherm products ever since I was 16 so I was quite eager to try this one out.

It glides on smoothly and easily; while mattifying your skin in seconds. Despite its harsh sounding name, this moisturizer actually keeps your skin hydrated while regulating shine. Because your skin produces more oil to compensate for dryness.

It's got a blotter texture so you can be assured a less shiny complexion. Your pores are refined and skin is purified by natural fruit acids which help exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. 

I liked this so much, I went back to the store to get another bottle so that I have extra just in case.

Get this Biotherm Homme T-Pur Intense Extra-Matifying Moisturizing Fresh Gel for US$22 (2.7oz/75ml) at Strawberrynet.com. 

 

Summer brings along with it backyard parties, beaches, shorts, lots of frozen drinks, ice cream and all the fun and debauchery. That said, it's always my personal rule to have fun with protection - whatever the fun may be :).

So it is crucially important to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. And contrary to what some may belief, wearing a sunblock will still give you a tan - just more gradually and with the added assurance that you'll be protecting yourself from the signs of premature aging - fine lines, wrinkles, saggy skin, pigmentation spots.

I picked up this bottle of sunblock in preparation for Summer and it has served me well. This peachy creamy sunblock works to not only offer broad spectrum UV protection but also to help prevent wrinkles and brown spots and firm skin.

I use this on my face and a separate (cheaper) one on my body. This feels comfortable and soothing on my skin and I even tested it on my best friend's sensitive skin and it passed his test. I've been using this for a couple of weeks now and what I can see is how those tiny brown spots I get after spending lots of time in the sun, don't seem to appear as frequent or as dark anymore.

My skin feels moisturized throughout the duration of the time spent under the sun and this water resistant formula is great for when you decide to cool down in the pool. This is one product that will be my staple this Summer.

Get the Biotherm Sun Multi Protection Anti Wrinkle Sun Cream SPF30 UVB/UVA+++ 75ml/2.53oz for US$33.  

Despite my best efforts to religiously apply sunblock and treat zits with care, I am still left with uneven skin patches and unsightly brown spots. Getting rid of those and attaining an even complexion is my latest goal. So my first foray into whitening products saw me purchasing the Lancome moisturizer and this spot remover.

This handy sized spot remover targets the stubborn pigmented spots either from sun exposure, zits or premature aging. It works in 2 ways - by gentle exfoliation in the form of Procysteine which boosts natural exfoliation mechanisms to eliminate melanin formation and by lightening in the form of Vitamin C-SMA that removes dark particles that settle on cells.

I've been using this twice daily, sometimes 3 times a day on my brown spots and within days, I could see a visible improvement in my spots. The dark corners were lightened and looked less obvious. I like to use a little all over the face too for prevention. I apply this after my daily serum before my moisturizer. 

The first thing that you notice is the slight sour smell but it goes away in seconds and the light creamy texture is quickly absorbed into your skin. The small handy size is perfect for throwing into your everyday bag and/or for travel.

Get the Biotherm White Detox Biotanic[a] Lyzer Stubborn Spots Intense Shooter 15ml/0.5oz for US$50 at Strawberrynet.

Your skin repairs itself when you sleep and sometimes it needs a little bit of help; or a lot of help. Hence night creams should be an integral part of your grooming regime.

This night cream from Biotherm helps repair and treat the first signs of aging - fine lines, saggy skin and dullness. I started using this when my skin was freaking out - from zits, sun exposure and the general lack of sleep.

After 4 weeks of use, my skin looked healthier, brighter and felt firmer. The fine lines around my eyes have slowly disappeared and I have a more rested-looking complexion. With extracts of pure olive leaf concentrate and thermal plankton; this moisturizer helps repair worn out skin by stimulating the synthesis of collagen; making way for fresher skin.

If you're one who dislikes the feeling of heavy creams, this might also be up your alley as this neither too oily or too rich and its quick absorption means you don't even have to worry about getting it on your sheets. 

Get this for US$33 (1.69oz/50ml) at Biotherm.   

My skin gets a little dry and flaky occasionally from the use of acne products. There is a constant feeling of tightness and discomfort during those periods and my skin (glands) produces even more oil to compensate for the dryness.

I stay away from harsher cleansers during those times and I use this non-drying cleansing gel till my skin returns to normal. The blue-green gel has a fresh, pine-like smell and it works to gently remove daily grime, oil and dirt while toning your skin.

Its oil free, light texture and soap-free formulation ensures that I still get clean skin without the dehydration. I also like using this during the colder months of the year because my skin is already dried out by the icy winds and I don't need further aggravation from my skin products.

Get this for US$35.03 (5.07oz/150ml) at Cosmetic Mall.com.  

I've got very oily skin and huge pores; thanks in part to my years of baking in the sun without protection. I'd like to think I've smartened up now and have started using products with sunscreen. Given my skin type, slapping on sunscreen would mean looking as if I could fry 2 sunny side-ups after about an hour. I found this last week and I dig how it moisturizes, refines my pores, regulate sebum production and offer protection from those UV rays. It's got extracts of white clay and silica to combat sebum; giving your skin a matte finish while providing hydration. Get it at any Biotherm counter.