An Apple a Day Helps Keeps Aging Skin at Bay

Envision a skincare line infused with an ingredient so special, it has the power to help an apple heal itself after being punctured. Then imagine the ingredient comes from natural, plant stem cells. Factor in that 100% of subjects experienced visible decrease in wrinkle depth in clinical studies - 100%!

Nope, we're not talking about a Retin-A or a retinol product, not talking about products boasting acai berry, and one doesn't need to visit the dermatologist to reap its benefits. What's the ingredient? The latest buzz in skincare is a rare Swiss Apple called the Uttwiler Spatlauber.  These rare apples boast an extremely long shelf life; they last four months longer than typical shriveled apples. The Swiss Apple has a self-renewal power that rejuvenates aging, saggy skin. Apple stem cells are rich in epigenetic factors and metabolites that assure the longevity of skin cells.

Allow me to introduce you to Eclos!  Eclos uses the super apple to boost the production of human stem cells. It protects skin from stress, and decreases wrinkles for fresher looking skin. Eclos takes the revolutionary technology of super apple and plant-based stem cells to create younger looking skin. The application of plant cell cultures to maintain human skin stem cells is a breakthrough in anti-aging.

For the past two weeks I've been using three products from the Eclos line with fantastic results!  Truly, I've been amazed.  The three Eclos products I tested: Instant Radiance Facial Scrub, Skin Renewal Clay Mask and Cellular Activator Face Serum. 

The facial scrub with its dermabrasion properties gently but effectively exfoliates the skin leaving a glowy, healthy radiance. I noticed how smooth my skin was after the first use, but twice weekly application has also assisted my skin's overall texture. The scrub smells of a lovely aromatherapy-ish botanical scent, provided mainly I would guess by the rosemary, a highlighted ingredient that helps to restore and retain a youthful balance.  Other ingredients you'll appreciate of the scrub include ginkgo biloba (helps re-energize skin), willow bark (a natural beta hydroxy acid aids in exfoliation) both part of a PhytoPlex24 combination of plant extracts unique to Eclos, horse chestnut, gotu kola, green tea, turmeric, matricaria, cucumber, comfrey, West Indian Rosewood, vitamin E, palmarosa, cardamom, geranium and ylang-ylang.

The clay mask was an instant favorite too.  As one might expect, it helps to absorb skin impurities. The mask additionally invigorates, detoxifies and clarifies with its Kaolin Clay, Moroccan Lava Clay, anti-oxidizing green tea, rosemary and of course its Plant Stem Cell technology.  A thin layer is all that's needed to reap the effects (in fact, it's recommended).  I noticed a warming sensation the first couple of times I used the mask, which faded with additional usage.  This is typical for me, though, when using a clay or mud based mask. It's not at all irritating, though you will feel it tighten as the mask dries, generally after about 5 - 10 minutes.  What's amazing is how firm my face feels after rinsing the mask off.  My facial skin is definitely tighter, firmer (not that awful dry tightness though), to the point that I actually notice it when I wake up in the morning.  At first I wasn't sure if it was the mask or the serum providing the result (and probably long-term both work to produce the firming result), but even when not applying the serum - you know, just to do my own little test - the firmness is still there next morning. Please understand, this isn't an, "Oh, I think if I really concentrate hard enough I might just perhaps feel a little firmer in the face," kind of result; this is a, "Yes! My face is definitely firmer, even still this morning and I am amazed," kind of result.  As with the scrub, the clay mask uses the high potency plant stem cells extracted from the Swiss apple to stimulate skin stem cells, encouraging aging skin to behave like younger skin. It's enriched with the PhytoPlex24 to minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and tired skin while delivering a smooth and radiant complexion. The mask's use of ginkgo biloba, turmeric & green tea's anti-inflammatory properties help slow the signs of aging, chamomile & cucumber soothe, revitalize and hydrate skin, horse chestnut and willow bark help to firm skin and enhance cell turnover and gotu kola improves skin firmness and elasticity by boosting collagen. Use of the botanical mask provides an aromasensory experience ... altogether now, deep breath in, and let it out. Again, in and out ... And once more ... in ... and out ..... now relax.

Alright, now for the serum. Love it!  Here's why. This is a light creamy-gel textured serum that once applied instantly reveals firmness and youthfulness to the skin.  You can feel it; you can see it; and it lasts.  Now this is a little funny, and shhhh please don't go telling people, but over this past week I've not been able to resist a double-task in the mirror delighting in what a noticeable difference I'm seeing in my skin.  Lines are definitely less noticeable, even forehead and those awful "11" lines between the eyebrows are diminished in appearance.  I am delighted that not only are the results visibly noticeable, I can actually feel how much better toned and resilient my skin is. Remarkable. The serum boasts many of the same ingredients as the scrub and the mask including the rosemary, turmeric, green tea, comfrey, gotu kola and more.

All Eclos products are FREE of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragances & dyes, and petro-chemicals. (Happy Earth Month!)

The idea of using the rare super apple's plant stem cells as an anti-aging element in a skincare line is not altogether brand new. Super apple skincare lines are around and typically they are quite pricey. From Chantecaille's $260 Nano Gold Eye Cream to ReVive's $1,482 Peau Magnifique.  They're out there, but really, who can afford them? Not many. So here's the piece de resistance.  Are you ready for this?  Eclos is a drugstore brand of skincare.  Yep, that's right - drugstore!  Believe me, no one is more surprised than I to find such a fabulous, plant-based, sensory delighting, results driven, line of skincare coming from a drugstore.  The prices are going to blow your mind.

The whole range of plant-based Eclos products costs less than a single product from some of the other brands utilizing the super apple plant stem cells, and even two, three, ten times over (and then some). Eclos' range consists of Facial Cleanser Skin Prep, $14.99, Facial Scrub, $12.99, Clay Mask $12.99, Cellular Activator Face Serum $24.99, Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream $24.99 and Restorative Eye Cream.  Check Ulta, Rite Aid, Walgreens.com and soon, CVS for this amazing line of anti-aging skincare. For more information about the brand, visit Eclos Beauty and their presence on facebook. Enjoy!

REVIEW: 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Naked Berry Lip Pencil

Proving once again that green beauty can please on so many levels, 100% Pure's Naked Berry Lip Pencil gives us a creamy lip pencil, in gorgeous shades excentuating the lips with pure fruit pigments and none of the stuff that leaves us asking, "I put what on my mouth?"

We've heard the horror stories about cosmetic companies using crushed beetle shells to color lipsticks, glosses and pencils (yes, the insect beetle), coal tars and more.  Oh yes, my loves, they do. Google it. You'll see.  Some question whether or not the coal tars used may be carcinogenic, others are put off by the possibility of lead being used in lip products, and still others of us simply just don't want to paint our precious puckers with anything even potentially questionable.

If you fall into one of those categories, or if, like me, you just prefer the thought of using a lip product with 100% pure ingredients - antioxidant rich natural fruit and vegetable pigments, no lead, no synthetic chemicals, no artificial fragrances or chemical preservatives - then this is a product you'll want to know more about. And what better time to celebrate a brand like 100% Pure and a product like Naked Berry Lip Pencil then during Earth month.

Ok, so here's my experience. The first thing I noticed upon removing the cap from the pencil was the fatness of the tip.  This shouldn't be construed to mean it's too broad for use as a lip liner; it's easily used as such.  However, the pencil is versatile enough to also be applied to the whole lip as a lipstick would be.  The color of the berry pencil (more of a mauve-y berry than a plummy berry) is pleasing enough to the eye (as are all the shades the pencil comes in), but what do you think of when one says, "lip pencil"?  I think of a dry coloring utensil one must almost drag across the lips, catching and "tripping" as it makes its way across a lip line, requiring the user to go back and fill in little areas where the pencil skipped.  However, this is a pencil, this is a product actually of a different kind.  These are very creamy and effortlessly glide across the lip, whether you're lining only the edge or coloring in the whole lip area.  When used as a whole-lip color, the result is a matte appearance, yet hydrated in feel.  Used as a lip liner, I can apply any of my favorite lipsticks (yes, even the ones with crushed beetle shells) or swipe a gloss and enjoy how easily the liner blends and fuses with my other favorites. What's more, as a liner it keeps other colors and products from feathering and bleeding outside the lip.

100% Pure confidently lists the ingredient content of their products in entirety.  Their lip pencils contain these ingredients, and only these ingredients: Jojoba Oil, Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Beeswax, Coconut Stearic Acid, Vitamin E (Tocopherol), Rosehip Oil, May contain all or some of the following fruit pigments : Cherry, Cocoa, Strawberry, Plum, Blueberry, Blackberry, Peach, Apricot, Tomato, Pomegranate, Acai, Raspberry, Chokeberry and Cranberry, Rice Strach Powder.

You got a problem using any of those on your lips? I didn't think so.

So, how would I rate 100% Pure Naked Berry Lip Pencil, five stars being the highest rating?

+   +   +

The color payoff is fantastic, the application is smooth and creamy, the size is substantial, at $15 each they are very reasonably priced and the ingredients used are, well, appreciated. What more do we need to share? Oh, how about where to purchase them.  Allow me to introduce you to Green 4 Your Soul.  If you're new to them, though enjoy a shopping experience where all the product offerings are eco-friendly, green, and cruelty-free, you'll adore this niche little store. 

Green 4 Your Soul shoppers benefit from their staff’s exhaustive research and testing of every product they carry. They are committed to providing their clients with the safest and highest quality organic and natural products on the market. Shoppers will find a full disclosure policy shown on their site, which lists all ingredients for each product carried in order that we might make informed purchasing decisions. Add to that excellent, personalized customer service as this is an operation intent on pleasing their clients.  Check 'em out.

REVIEW: REN F10 Enzymatic Smooth Radiance Facial Mask

Yes, Louise, you can exfoliate without sugar, salt, particles or harsh granular scrubs.

Got a question via my little Contact Me option from my banner up top. Louise of Charlotte, NC asks, "Can you recommend a gentle product that doesn't have grains in it but still gives the face an excellent exfoliation?"

Your wish, Louise, is my command. Now I suppose I should qualify this by reminding everyone I am not a dermatologist or skincare professional; I'm just a woman who loves skincare, so you should check with a professional if you want more information about what you read here. There are many products on the market that offer chemical versus physical exfoliation. Chemical exfoliation generally consists of applying forms of alpha hydroxy acids and/or beta hydroxy acids. The acids help to dissolve the "glue" around the cells, ultimately shedding several layers of the epidermis. We're not talking about the potency of say battery acid, we're talking about gentle acid found, for instance, in many of the fruits we eat.

One such product I enjoy with excellent results is REN's F10 Enzymatic Smooth Radiance Facial Mask. The mask has the consistency of a sweet honeyed jam of sorts. There are no harsh granules to bother sensitive skins. Fruit enzymes provide a deep yet safe and gentle way to slough away dead cells and debris. There's no burning and no irritation. The mask is formulated to gently exfoliate and detoxify, and boosts cell renewal leaving the complexion smooth, toned and bright. Enzymes from papaya gently remove dead cells while Vitamin C from Barbados Cherry extract and essential oils of orange, mandarin, grapefruit and pineapple neutralize antioxidants and fight free radicals. In addition Arctic Blackcurrant oil rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids help to repair and soothe skin. 1.7 oz pump bottle retails for $37

Using this mask just once a week helps keep my skin in check and very smooth. I've often noticed little bumps or dry patches that have been present the day before are gone by the next morning after using the mask. The mask has a slight fruity tea-like scent to it, very natural; it's effective for all skin types. Apply generously after cleansing the skin, leave on for about 10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. Apply a moisturizer to enhance hydration and you're set to go.

For more information or to purchase this gentle, lovely facial mask, visit REN Skincare. Also available at Apothica, Skin Botanica and Sephora.