Do I even need to tell you about Proactiv?

You’ve seen the commercials.  You know that millions of people (both normal chickadees like us and celebs like Katy Perry, Julianne Hough, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jessica Simpson) swear by it.  Considering that it’s so insanely popular, you’ve probably even used it yourself.

But if you haven’t tried it yet–or if you’re running low on your currently supply–here’s your chance: Proactiv is offering 3 kits to Jolie readers!

As you might know, the core of the line is a 3-step system (benzoyl-peroxide-based Renewing Cleanser, alcohol-free witch-hazel Revitalizing Toner, and benzoyl-peroxide Repairing Treatment), plus an Oil-Free Moisture with SPF 15 day treatment and Daily Oil Control balancer.  Because you’re throwing a lot of powerful ingredients at your skin, when starting any anti-acne regimen, go slowly, to ensure your skin can slowly adjust without molting.  (That shedding snake look?  Not so sexy.)

Still, Proactiv is pretty much the industry leader for a reason, so I’m excited that you guys can get a little free action for yourselves!  Enter on my Facebook page, by leaving a comment (about anything at all, really) under the post.  We’ll pick 3 winners next Monday August 9th.  Good luck!

Lazy gals like me appreciate one-stop shopping when it comes to beauty, which is why my latest skincare love is Cor, a natural soap with nano-silver that penetrates skin for maximum results, and which acts not just as a cleanser, but as a moisturizer, too.

Silver has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and has been used in hospitals to speed cellular repair. Since Cor’s products also contain a bevy of collagen, silk proteins and fibers, the cumulative effect is a protective shield for the skin that locks in natural moisture.

Plus, the sericin silk proteins provide an SPF 15 UVA/UVB barrier, so in the unlikely event that you forget your sunscreen (which you never do, right? Right?!), at least you’re covered.

The soap effectively removes dirt, oil, makeup, blah blah blah, and so rocks my world, but I also love the Silver Anytime Moisturizer, which contains all of the goodness above, plus pentapeptides to stimulate exfoliation and skin renewal.  When I apply it, my skin feels softer, treated, happy.  Jolie likey.

Have you heard of Cor Silver Soap?  A few of my friends haven’t been able to shut up about it…and then I met the creator at a party, and I thought, “What the hell…I’ll give it a go.”  New skincare that randomly comes into your life is hard to truly gauge–you need to use it for at least 2 months to properly assess how it works with your skin and to monitor benefits.  That being said, I’ve used the soap several times and have been impressed; it features silver, which has anti-bacterial properties, fights acne and speeds cell repair.  Other ingredients in the soap include marine collagen, natural silk proteins, and Chitosan, a fiber that evens skintone and helps combat excess oil.

So, that’s the scoop.  The soap is pretty damn expensive ($125 for 120 gm, although you can get a travel version here for only $14), but it’s billed as a hero-product, miracle-in-a-bar situation that replaces your need for everything but sunscreen.  I must admit, it feels a little iffy to advise people to pay $125 for something that they’ll only have on their faces for 10 seconds a day.  (The website says it will last you 6 months if you use “with discretion.” 

(Side note: I have also been testing the Wonderbar off and on for the past couple of months, another miracle bar soap I really like, which–at $40–is cheaper than Cor and seems to inspire equally fervent devotion.  Check out the Testimonials that result after the “Healing Crisis.”  Good stuff.)

Where I get a bit geeky, however, is with the Cor Silver Anytime Moisturizer…which I am rapidly becoming obsessed with.  Obsessed.  It’s also $125…but really is worth it.  It smells divine, is luxurious and sinks into skin quickly, helps increase collagen production, and also does your laundry.  (Well…) 

Facial moisturizers are a tricky thing–none of them are the fountain of youth they claim to be, but you can see real benefits from a quality product.  To my mind, what it comes down to is the “It Factor” — it has to work, of course, and make your skin look glowy and feel soft and steer clear of breakouts…but does it also have that ineffable star quality that makes you panic when the tube runs dry and you find yourself in need of more?  If “yes”…then you’ve found a winner.

Cor Silver Anytime Moisturizer?  Yeah, it’s a winner.

By Jee Suh

My skin is finicky. I thought I’d mastered catering to its every whim, but I recently experienced some horrible reactions to new products I was using.  I love Bare Minerals, so naturally I was excited to use Rare Minerals Purely Nourishing Facial Moisturizer, but apparently, my skin decided it’s too much moisture and decided to spout oil like a geyser all day long.  When I switched to an organic oil-free moisturizer, my skin broke out in the worst form–there were mountainous pink things all over my face.  It was not pretty.

If you have finicky skin that ranges from normal to combination to oily depending on what you’re eating and using, and if it also tends to be sensitive, you need to prepare yourself to switching and mixing up your skincare routine. This is what usually does it for me.

- Through much trial and error, I’ve discovered that my skin loves salicylic acid. The week that my skin freaked out, I had just run out of my favored Benefit Whoosh wash and, since they are discontinuing it, was not able to get it at my beloved Sephora. Thankfully, I found another that has been working great: DDF Salicylic Wash. It’s definitely been doing the job.

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Retin-A is beauty’s closest thing to a miracle product: it clears up breakouts, softens and smooths skin, and is one of the only things on the market (short of Botox, fillers or plastic surgery) that will truly, visibly remove lines and wrinkles and make you look younger.

So what’s the problem?

For many women, it’s overly drying and causes dramatic skin irritation.  (Retin-A is a prescription retinoid…a cousin of the retinol you can buy in products from brands like Green Cream, RoC and Philosophy–both are Vitamin A derivatives.  A retinol or retinoid is a must-add to your skin regimen and both work wonders, but retinoids will provide better results when used properly.)  If you’ve been given a prescription for Retin-A but find yourself flaking and peeling like a shedding snake, dial the application amount and frequency down a notch (or five).  Start by using your Retin-A cream or gel every three days, to give your skin time to adjust.  Alternate non Retin-A nights with a gentle, non-irritating moisturizer such as Weleda Iris Night Cream.  After a week, increase the frequency to every two days, and then a week later, apply it every other day.  Don’t glop it on as if you’re applying with a trowel, either!  A pea-sized amount will do, and you’ll see results (without dramatic shedding, praise Jesus!) within a month.

By Gloria Yang:

To fight acne successfully, you have to fight smart. It’s easy to be tempted to try just anything out–anything that promises to provide smooth acne-free skin. After weeks of using it, I can confidently say that, with IQ Derma Clear Remedy, you’ll be armed with everything you need to ward off those breakouts.

IQ Derma Clear Remedy is formulated with intelligent ingredients that help you fight acne, and without irritating ingredients such as fragrances or parabens. The complete line includes a super gentle Purifying Cleanser, an Acne Treatment Lotion that contains 2.0% salicylic acid, a moisturizing and oil-free Hydration Lotion, and an extremely effective Spot Acne Treatment Lotion that contains 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide. So what makes this line better than hundreds of other lines out there?

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