Help with Sunscreen

Sunscreen 101

**Warning: This is a long post, be warned!


So, how many of you read EWG.org/skindeep and got overwhelmed with all the information on their website, enough to say "forget it" and go back to ignorant cosmetic bliss?? (I raise my hand).


I remember stumbling upon the EWG website a few years back, and it was information overload.  Plus, most of the stuff I was using had not-too-hot scores. =(  What was a girl to do?  I wasn't just going to throw everything I owned out and spend money to sample healthier options (with the risk of breaking out).  So now that I've graduated school, I have a lot more time to research things and educate myself on this stuff, and hopefully change out my products little by little. 


Here's a quick breakdown of information regarding sunscreens, as well as some good, easy-to-read links that provide you with more information:

• There are two different types of sunscreen available: mineral/physical and chemical.  Mineral suncreens include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.  Chemical sunscreens include:  avobenzone, oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, octylcrylene, etc.  There are a lot more chemical sunscreens out there, but the ones I've listed are just a few.
• Mineral sunscreens sit on top of skin and primarily reflect or scatter UV light.   
• Chemical sunscreens get absorbed into your skin and absorb or scatter UV light.

So....which one should I use?

Well, that depends on you.  Some research indicates that chemical sunscreens may enter your cells and disrupt the functions of your hormones.  Some people have actually been tested and found to have oxybenzone in their blood!  Crazy.  EWG says they prefer people pick mineral/physical sunblocks over chemical sunblocks, and if you do opt for chemical, make sure it's Avobenzone 3%.  The problem with Avobenzone is that it tends to break down quickly in sunlight and needs to be stabilized.  How companies stabilize Avobenzone, I have no idea!  I'm moving from chemical sunscreens to strictly mineral/physical sunblocks, personally.  I don't want to add any additional chemicals to my skin care regiment....I'm pretty sure I use enough.

Mineral/physical sunblocks

Image from http://www.mommamuse.com/2008/09/29/dancing-stick-figures/

So, then, mineral/physical sunblocks are completely safe then?

Not necessarily.  It depends on the size of the particle.  I know, but don't stop reading now! I'll try to simplify what all this means for you. :)

The main problems with these physical sunblocks is that they can cause a whitish cast on your face.  To combat this, a lot of cosmetic companies micronize the zinc to minimize that whitish look to your skin.  The problem with micronizing particles is how small they make the particles.  As long as the particle size is greater than 100nm (nm=nanometers), research suggests that this size particle will not be absorbed by healthy skin for the most part, but may be more toxic "to living cells and the environment (1)."  They are also concerned about inhalation of powders and sprays, because then it can get into your lungs.  This is why EWG doesn't recommend sprays and fine powder formulations of physical sunblock.  The only way to really find out if your products are micronized and it's size, is unfortunately to contact the company.  This has also made me paranoid about my finishing powder that looks pretty micronized to me, but I'll save that for another post.   

And, to top it off, Titanium Dioxide doesn't protect you from the longer UVA rays like Zinc Oxide does.  Let me back up for a second.  I'm sure you've heard of UVB and UVA rays, right?  UVB rays are responsible for sunburns.  UVA rays are longer than UVB rays and are responsible for deep wrinkles, pigmentation and skin sagging (2).  This is why it's so important to get a broad spectrum sunblock that protects from both UVA and UVB rays.  Zinc Oxide protects from both long UVA and UVB rays, whereas Titanium Dioxide alone only protects against UVB and short UVA rays.  So, guess who's looking into a good Zinc Oxide sunscreen that doesn't clog pores? ME.  Reviews to come after I find a good one!

I've posted some good links below with good sunscreen information:

Badger Sunscreen FAQs

LUCA Sunscreen FAQs

EWG 9 Surprising Truths About Sunscreen

**Please note that I'm not endorsing either LUCA or Badger sunscreen, as I have not tried either one.  Their websites have good information, which is why I provided it as a resource!  I plan on trying the Badger body sunblock soon, although I've heard it does leave a white cast on your skin.  But hey, I'm not trying to win a beauty contest, so a white cast I can deal with. Just my two cents. :)

1. From the EWG website: http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/sunscreens-exposed/sunscreens-exposed-9-surprising-truths/
2. From LUCA sunscreen website: http://lucasunscreen.com/faq/sun.aspx#q3

Eye Makeup Remover Sticks

Almay Oil-Free Makeup Remover Sticks

I like these travel-size, throw in your purse makeup eraser sticks.  They're good for when your mascara/eyeliner smudges.  They're oil free so there's no oily residue that's left after you touch up using one of these sticks.  It's really easy to use!  

1.  Remove swab from container.

2.  Find end with the purple ring and bend it back until you hear and feel a "snap."

3.  Watch as the other end saturates with oil free makeup remover.

4.  Swipe the swab where you need it to freshen up your makeup!!

It may leave the area a little dry after use, so you may consider dabbing a little bit of eye cream.  If the dryness doesn't bother you or doesn't dry you out at all, you'll have no problems with this!

I like having this in my bag for when I'm out all day and decide to go out later without having any time to freshen up my makeup.  This one trick alone makes my eye makeup look much cleaner, without doing much.

Only $5 for a pack of 24!

Clairsonic Review

Clairsonic: To buy, or not to buy

When I first bought this, it physically hurt me to shell out $200 to purchase.  Now, they have the Mia for $119 and if you buy it from this website, they have a 20% coupon right now: SkinStore.  


I have been using this for about 2 years, and I have to admit, it does make my skin feel very soft.  Does it help remove zits?  Not so much.  But it supposedly helps wash your face and removes dirt and oil better than washing with your hands alone.  Since it does this, it allows your beauty products to work better.  It's the Sonicare for your face!


I used to use this every day for a year, but now I use it 1-2x/week more as an exfoliator.  I don't really think it helps with zits per se, unless the cause of your acne is from poor face cleaning (leaving makeup and dirt on your face in the PM before you go to sleep).  It's nice because it does make your face feel soft, but I'm not sure that it's a necessity.  I use the delicate replacement heads and replace them every 3-4 months.  It comes with a sensitive brush head, which was a little too harsh for my face.  


Verdict:  I like this as an addition to my skin care regiment.  If your skin is already soft, you don't really need to use this.  You could just use an exfoliating treatment 1-2x/week via mask/scrub.  If you have the money and are interested in trying this, you could also buy it from Sephora and return if it you feel that it doesn't really do anything for you.  I love their return policy!  Or, if you have a friend with a Clairsonic, you can buy a cheap replacement head on amazon and try out your friend's Clairsonic--you may feel less return-guilt that way. :)

EWG Website and How to read your results

Ok, so I probably have you a little freaked out now from my previous post, sorry.  Not to freak you out more, but make sure when you look up your item and you see the score, to click on the name of the item to get a break down of why that product got that particular score.  The page should look something like this:

This will give you the actual scary break down of what's in your product.  And don't be fooled by a low score of "1," you'd be surprised to see what the breakdown actually looks like.  The above screen shot is one that I created from "Build your own report" and not verified by EWG.  And yes, sigh, it is for my Algenist Serum.  When I first read that, I thought, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"  My first review, I got past my purge period to start actually liking the product, and now THIS.  I'm still debating on whether I'll finish the bottle or return it to Sephora.

The way I see it, you have to weigh the pros and cons of your product, then decide if it's worth keeping or not.  I have an overnight Retinol treatment that helps keep my skin clear that scored a 5.  I decided to try to look for something that will work just as well with a lower score, but continue using my product until I find my green, holy grail treatment product.  No break out vs. my health, I pick not breaking out.  Kidding!  But I know that breaking out can lower your self-esteem and make you feel terribly self-conscious, so each individual has to make that decision for themselves.  I'm just here to give you information and help you in any way I can. =)

Are skincare products bad for your health?

Do you know what's in your skin care and make-up products??

I think it's really important to be a savvy, informed consumer.   I know that I've personally been moving away from using cosmetics that contain preservatives and additives that aren't good for the environment or your skin.  But do you REALLY know what's in all of your skin care and make-up products??  


I went on the EWG (Environmental Working Group) Skindeep website.  It's a database that contains information on the safety of cosmetics.  You can look up your cosmetics and see what the potential health hazards are.  If you can't locate your product, you can click on the top link and "Build your own report."  You enter in all the ingredients of your products and voila, you can read your scary report about the hazardous stuff you've been using on your face and body!  


Check out their website and prepare to get educated/scared:  http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

In all seriousness, it's good to know what you're using and what the potential cumulative, long-term effects may be.  I mean, I try to only buy organic eggs, fruits and veggies, but if the stuff I put on my face and body are chock full of chemicals, what's the point in going organic at all?


Here's a good video that explains about chemicals in cosmetics by "The Story of Stuff."  It's in cartoon format so it's easy to watch, but also really informative: 

Stay tuned...soon I'll be reviewing skin care products that received low hazardous-to-your-health scores and let you know if any of these products actually work well and don't cause break outs.


Green beauty, here I come!

Beauty Tip of the day: Mascara Hygiene

Things you should know about mascara


I've been using make-up for years and years, and I still feel like I learn new things about it all the time.  Which is a good thing, considering I love useless and useful facts all the same.


Here are some things I learned and thought I would pass along the information, juuust in case you didn't know:


1.  If your mascara starts to smell funky, or it's been 6 months, throw out your mascara.
If it smells bad, it's probably ridden with bacteria, so throw it out girl!  I don't care how expensive it was, the last thing you want is bacteria near your eye and on your eyelashes.  No bueno.  Also, if you've had it for about 6 months, throw it out and get a new one.  Experts tell us that 6 months is around the time the mascara will start to have a lot of bacteria, hence the expiration date. 


2. After you're done using your mascara, make sure you cap the mascara tightly.
Capping your mascara lid tightly will ensure that your mascara doesn't dry up too quickly.  Plus we know that if it dries out, it doesn't go on as smoothly and you'll get clumpy, spider eyelashes.


3. Do not pump your mascara to get out more product!
Pumping your mascara is no good, only because when you pump the wand, it introduces more air into the mascara container, which again, will lead to drying it out.  You do not want this, especially for your more expensive mascaras that you want to last you as close to that 6 month mark as possible!  I was guilty of doing this, but now try not to do that because I love my mascara and want it to last as long as possible.


Here were just three easy tips to follow to keep your mascara use hygienic and to minimize drying out of your product!


If you have any other tips, feel free to let me know!! 

Oily Skin

De-Slick your face
I've always struggled with oily skin.  My skin is a strange combination of sensitive, dehydrated- underneath-and-produces-more-oil-to-compensate-for-the-dryness, acne-prone type.  I know, totally not cool.  Through the years of trial and error, I have used many a things to get this under control.  Here's my newest weapon to combat oiliness:  De-Slick by Urban Decay.


I bought this on a whim at Sephora about a month ago, and I'm so glad I did.  You apply your skincare and makeup as you usually would, then finish by spritzing this spray 3-4x and hold it about 8-10 inches from your face.  Then watch as you magically remain ungreasy for hours more than normal!  If I hadn't used this myself, I wouldn't have believed it, but it works.  Also doesn't break me out, WHEE!  They also have a version of this for non-oily skinned ladies that's more like a setting spray for makeup.  A sales associate at Sephora told me it really kept her makeup in place all night.  Of course, it's called "All Nighter." 

I bought this in the small-sized bottle (not sure how many ounces it is, but it retails for $11) instead of the large 4 oz. bottle ($29).  I would recommend either: 1) sampling this at Sephora first (make sure it keeps your oilies at bay and doesn't cause you to break out the next day), or 2) buying the smaller sized item and using it before buying the larger spray. 

I'll be buying the larger sized bottle once I run out of the small one.  We have a winner!

Random Funnies

This is a completely random post, made up of funny pictures and videos to brighten your day.


When I laugh out loud or think something is hilarious, I find it my personal duty to share the wealth!


Here are some things that hopefully make your day a little bit better!

This is hilarious!  These reactions are priceless!





Haha, I swear I've had this debate with guys I've dated and I guess I lose this battle...It's called "why girls and guys can't be friends."

This one is called "Sh*t girls say."  I love it because I'm pretty sure I've said almost all of these things!!

This one is called "Sh*t black girls say (I'm waiting for the asian girl version!):"

I love these photos of "the saddest dog in the world." They are soooo cute!! Check out her blog/website for more of these sad pics: 


http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/the-saddest-dog-in-the-world-4

Zits-what to do with them?

The Dreaded PIMPLE


We have all had those days where we have a Mt. Vesuvius on our face somewhere ready to erupt...snowy cap and all.  Some days, we show restraint and don't squeeze the crap out of it.  Other days, you can't stop staring at it until you show that zit who's boss by squeezing it until you tear or rip off some skin.  Before I got my skin under control, this was the story of my life every 1-2 weeks.....with a new enemy popping up that needed to be destroyed.  


I have four different ideas for this: 


1. Pop it--but if you do, do it the right way.  I'll talk about this more later.


2. Cover it up with a good concealing treatment.  This means it treats the zit while it covers it at the same time: GENIUS right??


3. Cover it up with a good concealer.  This does not involve treatment, but everyone handles their skin in different ways.  You can treat the zit before covering it up in two steps, it just depends on what your preference is.


4. Use a good overnight spot treatment.  A good strong one will make you look ugly at night, but will make that zit look better in the morning!


Needless to say, I have tried lots of zit products (drugstore, prescription, and high end brands).  My results ranged from useless to YESSSSS!  


I'll start with the less invasive method first, to the most invasive (which involves popping!).



#3:  Cover up.  I can't tell you how many concealers I've tried trying to cover up a zit.  Most of them looked cakey or just aggravated my pimple (made the snowy cap even bigger).  So I felt like I had to pick the lesser of the two evils and go with cakey.  Either way, I always felt like people were staring/talking to it.  That was until I met my concealer friend by Make Up For Ever.  Their "Full Cover" concealer is the best!!! The only concealer that I found that does not leave me cakey, doesn't aggravate the zit at all, and covers it well.   Now that I have found you I will never let you go Full Cover!  I know people that use this all over their face for coverage (under eyes, around the nose), so it's really a good multi-purpose item that's good to have in your make-up bag.  I would recommend going to Sephora and trying the product out yourself before purchasing, just to confirm it works for you.  I understand we all have different skin types...but I have sensitive skin, prone to breakouts, so I figure if it works for me, it hopefully works for you. =) It retails for $30 but it lasts forever.  If you know of a less expensive line that doesn't aggravate pimples and has good coverage, let me know!   *Image taken from Sephora.com



#2: Concealing treatment.  I discovered Dermalogica's Concealing Spot Treatment three years ago.  Since then, I've turned several of my friends on to this and they all love it.  I have always looked for something that would not only treat my zit, but give it some coverage as well, but I could never find anything that worked for me.  One day I found this at a Planet Beauty, decided to give it a try and never looked back.  I'm on my third bottle of this stuff.  Shake well, squeeze the dropper inside the bottle, then put a small drop on your finger.  Using a different finger, dab a small amount on your face and pat it in.  Keep building the coverage until you get the coverage you want that is well blended.  I find I can build up to 3-4x until I'm happy with the coverage with no signs of caking.  There is one down side to this product though....the main zit fighting ingredient is sulfur and zinc oxide.  If you've ever smelled sulfur, you know it has a smell.  Something like a burnt match or eggs that have gone slightly bad.  It's not an overwhelming scent, but know that there is one.  I don't mind it because I think people can only smell it if they get REALLY close to your face.  I like that this is both covering and treating the pimple.  It's not going to make the pimple go away, so you'll need a good night time treatment for that.




#4: Overnight treatment.  I have tried 2 that I really like...the first one is Sonya Dakar's Drying Potion.  After you're done doing your skin care routine at night, dab a little bit of this on the offending zit.  The next morning it should look smaller.  Make sure you cap this tightly after use, or it will dry out on you.  The second one is the Mario Badescu's Drying Lotion.  This one has the same premise, except you have to use a Q-tip to get into the bottle, dip it into the pink part, and dab that on your pimple.  Either way, your not going to look cute before bed, which is the only con to these products.  Otherwise, I love them!


#1: Popping a pimple.  Ok, just a disclaimer, I'm not endorsing this method!!  Popping can cause scarring, worsen the pimple if it's not done right and hurt.  BUT I also understand that if you see a white cap on a big pimple, it's gotta go.  Here's how I learned to do this...


Step 1: Cleanse your face. 


Step 2: Put a warm cloth over the zit for 5 minutes to loosen up the dirt/pus inside.


Step 3: Using a sterile needle, puncture the zit (if you do this right, it should go in smoothly and not hurt).  As for sterile needles, I bought a box of those glucose check needles.  Make sure you get the ones that don't require you to push on a button for the needle to come out.  You can find this at any drug store.  Get the one that is just a small needle with a lid on it.  These needles are sterile and better than using a sewing needle you find at home (do you know how many millions of germs live on a tip of a needle?? It's gross.  I saw a picture in my microbiology book. SHUDDER.).  


Step 4: Get a clean tissue and wrap your index fingers around the tips so when you squeeze the areas around your zit, your skin and nails don't touch the pimple (again, lots of bacteria on your skin and nails). Push down on both sides of the zit to push the stuff that's inside, out. 


Step 5: Once you get the root of the zit out, wash the area with water.  Then apply a thin layer of neosporin to prevent the area from getting infected.  


**If you did this correctly, the next day the area should be nice and flat, and a little pink.  The discoloration will go away over time (depends on how long your skin takes to heal).  I mess this up about 30% of the time....so don't feel bad if you can't get it every time. 


These are my emergency pimple fixes! If you have any questions on any of this, feel free to message me or leave a comment and I'll make sure I get back to you as soon as I can. 


Happy Thursday!

Amazing Mascaras **UPDATED**

MASCARA

I have heard and been asked this question so much I decided to post about it:  should I buy an expensive mascara?  Are they that much better than drug store brands?  I have struggled with this question myself....I mean, after all, mascara's are only really good for about 3-6 months, so should you go and spend $30 on a department store brand if the drug store one is a lot more affordable and does similar things?  Don't let drug store brands fool you, they put a lot of money into their product development and research too, so there are many good ones out there, you just have to find them.

I have tried a ton of mascaras, and once I found the ones that I thought worked for my sparse lashes, I stopped looking.  It's like dating in that way, you stop looking once you find what you're looking for.

Here are my two reviews on my two favorite mascaras (an expensive department store one and the other from Target).

#1:  YSL Faux Effet Cils -- If I could marry a mascara, it would be this one.  There are so many things to like about it!  It lengthens, it volumizes, it does all the things you want a mascara to do for your thin lashes, but better!  AND, it makes your lashes smell like roses.  No joke.  The first time I put this on, I wondered what smelled so good.  Then I realized, it was MY EYES!! Added bonus for me.  But this mascara costs $30, which is pretty expensive if you need to re-purchase regularly.  Of all the different mascaras I've tried in my life, this one definitely wins all awards.  


**UPDATE: As much as I love this mascara, it got a hazard level of 8 on the EWG website.  I'm not sure how much mascara would get absorbed into your system, but still, it's good to be aware of these things.  An added con about this mascara, I noticed it dries out a little bit faster than my Lash Accelerator.  I don't think it will last 6 months. :(**

#2: Rimmel Lash Accelerator -- Ah, my second, more affordable love.  I really love Rimmel's mascaras.  I have yet to meet one I did not like.  They are an affordable, drug store brand with mascaras that lengthen and volumize.  I have tried sooo many other drug store brands in hopes to find a cheaper alternative to all the expensive brands, and I finally met a mascara that can compare.  This one has an ingredient in it that is also supposed to make your eyelashes grow, so it's a two-fer!  If you're on a budget, this mascara is also a great addition to any make up bag. 

Until now, those are my two mascara loves....when the day comes that I find something that works better than these two guys, I'll be sure to let you know. :)

Beauty tip: How to prevent under eyeliner from smudging

I don't know how I never knew this before (it seems I have lived under a beauty rock regarding this), but putting on an eye primer on your lower lid REALLY helps!  I used to never do this and have smudges an hour or two after application of eye liner on my lower lid.  I would constantly be rubbing off the smudged parts throughout the day and it was just plain annoying.  I did this for YEARS, seriously. 

Here's what I do:  I apply my eye cream, then apply an eye brightener/concealer to hide some of my dark circles, then dab an eyeshadow primer directly on to the portion of my lower lid where the eyeshadow and eyeliner will go.  I noticed if i put primer on before my concealer, it tends to cake and look straight nasty.  If your eye skin looks a little crepe-y (read as thin, crepe-like and not creepy), add a little bit of eye cream to add moisture to your eye and that should help. :)  Adding some eyeshadow underneath will also help!  This is not to say that it will not be a little smudgy after 6 hours, because it will be a little smudgy.  But this technique has helped me.  



What I use: I used to love my Urban Decay Primer Potion, which is nice, but I recently got introduced to Too Faced Eye Insurance.  For now, I like it!  My eye liner barely smudges hours later (opposed to an hour or two later, and it used to smudge a LOT).  No raccoon eyes or looking like you cried--which is pretty sweet.  OOOOOOOOOoooh, I just saw that Too Faced has an eye insurance with a gold metallic sheen to it, which sounds pretty enticing too!  I'll have to check this out at Sephora the next time I'm there.  

Hope this helped someone!  This one piece of information has helped me mucho.  

Chapped lips be gone

I've decided to post a beauty item of the week.  This way, I can focus on a star product a week and be thorough about what the product does, it's pros and cons. As much as I love "top 10" lists of beauty items, I sometimes find them overwhelming because I want to write them all down and buy all ten of them...then become even more overwhelmed calculating the cost of all these additions to my beauty regiment.  I'm not hating on those "top 10" lists at all, because I will inevitably make one of those posts, just not today. :)   Now introducing.....


Beauty loot item of the week: THE Best Moisturizing Lip Treatment-- Lansinoh Breast Cream



Ok, before you get disgusted and turn away from this page, hear me out for a second.  I first read about people using this as a lip treatment a few years ago.  I thought the same thing when I read about people using something used for chapped nipples for breastfeeding mothers on their lips, believe you me.  But I was desperate for a good lip treatment.  I had been using tons of different products that were drying out my skin (from acne treatments to regular exfoliation), and nothing on the market seemed moisturizing enough.  I tried so many over-the-counter and department store lip remedies, nothing seemed to work longer than a 1/2 hour.  Lips would go back to their crackly, peely self.  Once I got over the fact it was a nipple cream, I went to Target, acted nonchalant at the register, and rushed home.  At first application, I LOVED IT!!!! From the first time I've used it until now, it moisturizes like a dream.  Moisturizes for hours and a little goes a long way.  Consistency is thick (similar to vaseline), color is also like vaseline, but applies clear.  Also, during these cold winter months, it has saved my lips from crazy chap-ness.  





Since it comes in a big, conspicuous tube, I recommend getting a small container to put this in (that way you don't have to answer any awkward questions).  This one tube will last you a VERY LONG TIME.  I've had my bottle for over two years and I haven't finished it.  If you have trouble squeezing out the cream, warm it up first.  This cold weather has been making it difficult to squeeze out the cream, so I've been putting it next to my heater for a few minutes before I make the transfer into my little, inconspicuous container. 


Pros:
-very moisturizing
-low cost
-contains no preservatives or additives 
-no color
-one tube lasts a long time


Cons:
-comes in a large tube
-need to purchase small container


As you can see, I'm all about this.  I have turned several friends on to this because they have all tried mine and they see why I like it so much.  If your lips need moderate hydrating and not intense levels of hydration like mine, Aquaphor is also a good substitute.  You can find small tubes of this at your local drugstore and it already comes in a small tube you can throw in your purse.  

Algenist

Hello blog world!  I've been meaning to start a blog about skin care and make-up for so long, and now that I have some time, it's finally happening!  I've got lots of different things to share, but I thought I would start off with my newest beauty product find--Algenist Concentrated Reconstructing Serum.

First off, let me tell you a little more about myself.  I'm 31 yrs. old, my skin type is sensitive/acne-prone/surface oily.  It's hard being a skin care junkie with this skin type, but alas, that has not stopped me from trying tons of products on the market.

Since it's winter, I thought I would need something extra to boost the level of moisture in my skin and set out to find a good serum to add to my skincare regiment.  Enter Algenist Concentrated Reconstructing Serum.

Sephora says "This antiaging serum contains a high concentration of the revolutionary microalgae-based ingredient alguronic acid. Within just four weeks of use, it minimizes wrinkles, leaving your skin looking radiant and noticeably younger looking."  Sounded good to me. I did research on this product before my purchase and was excited to try it!


My first week using the sample, I had a little break out in places I typically don't break out.  But it was a small one that didn't last beyond a week.  Plus, I had read in other reviews that some people broke out for three days when they used this.  BEWARE--I broke out for a week or so, don't be surprised if you do too. Don't start trying this product if you're going to any weddings, parties, or going on a first date in the next week.  Once the breakout subsided,  I started seeing results.  After the first week, I didn't break out.  I started noticing my skin was more hydrated and required less moisturizer.  I only use this serum in the day (over my vitamin C serum) and I see that I'm using less moisturizer BOTH day and night.  Skin seems a little smoother too.  Since my skin is less dry, it's less oily (my skin gets more oily when I'm dry to compensate for the dryness).  All good things in my book!  Sort of a steep price tag at $95 for a one ounce bottle (30ml), but if you're looking to try something new, I would do it.  I'm happy with my results thus far!

I don't have too many wrinkles to test out what the serum says it does, but I enjoy it for all the other above listed reasons.  I would definitely buy again...........unless I meet a new serum that sweeps me off my feet at a reasonable price.  Probably won't happen, but a girl can always dream.

Pros:
-Made without common preservatives
-An algae based replacement to retinol (per Sephora's website)
-gentle
-skin smoothing effects
-hydrating

Cons:
-expensive
-have to endure a week of purging (minor breakouts)
-contains dimethicone (a silicone)

Remember to always ask for a sample before making this purchase and try it out for a full week before making your decision!  The product is expensive and the sales associates are happy to make you a sample. Happy sampling. :)