I am a skin care fanatic! I love creams, lotions, potions, serums, cleansers, and anything with high-grade exfoliant power. Just recently, one of my local clients (thank you Elaine!) gave me a sample of Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment. I’ve seen it all over the Internet, but I’ve never gotten around to trying it.

Now, ExfoliKate is getting a lot of use in my bathroom.  A salicylic-based exfoliant designed to brighten and decongest, I put a small amount  on the tip of my finger and apply in circular motions.  ExfoliKate has scrubbing microbeads and three powerful enzymes – papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin – designed to effectively clean pores. I leave it on my skin for up to two minutes, sometimes longer, and then rinse it off. I also like to use it in the shower because steam helps activate the ingredients.

The smell is earthy and spicy and rather pleasant.

As a side note, I was a little concerned with irritation. Some of the reviews out there had strong warnings about intense stinging and burning sensations. I’m happy to report that I did not experience that whatsoever. However, for those of you with sensitive skin ExfoliKate Gentle Exfoliating Treatment may be a better option.

I use it a two to three times a week depending on how my skin looks and feels, and I’m really happy with the results. I think my skin glows brighter and definitely feels smoother after each use.

The price is killer – 2 oz. for $85 – but thankfully a pea size of the product goes a long way.

Studio Marie-Pierre rating: A

What skincare products have you been loving lately?

I wrote about skincare cleansers and exfoliants. Time chat about moisturizers.

I keep my facial moisturizers simple and light.  I don’t buy into the anti aging campaign of  heavy cream, day cream, night cream.  Heck, I don’t even do eye cream.  I have tried dozens of them, I don’t really like the way they feel.  And quite frankly I’ve never noticed any improvements justifying the hefty price tag associated with eye creams.

I want my face to feel hydrated and light.  I assess its needs daily and act accordingly.

I rotate 3 moisturizers

Dermalogica Active Moist

Even thought I have oily, acne prone skin that’s sensitive, the need for hydration is still crucial even during breakouts.  Active Moist (3.4oz/$54)  has been by my side for years and I love how well it plays with pimples.  I never feel like I have a greasy mask after using it.  On the contrary, my skin absorbs it easily and feels happy.  Lightweight and calming. Contains no artificial fragrance or color  Highly recommend.

Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream

Skin Smoothing (3.4oz/$58) is a medium weight cream that leaves my skin so well hydrated, in a cinch.  I use it mostly during the winter when my skin feels extra thirsty.  It never ever causes me to break out.

Skin Smoothing cream is also restorative with Antioxidant vitamins C, E, and Grape Seed Extract help reduce skin-damaging free radical activity; Aloe moisturizes to help prevent appearance of dehydration lines; Silk amino acids help smooth and improve skin texture. I love it.

Murad Essential-C Night Moisture

Essential-C Moisture ($60) is the heaviest of all the moisturizers I use.  I know it is recommend for night time, but I use it whenever my skin needs which is not often. The shea butter feels like silk and I love the Vitamin C in there.

What are you go to moisturizers?

I’m off decorating Cookies and painting Easter eggs.

Have a wonderful Easter weekend!!!

Right after posting about my favorite cleansers I received several emails asking about exfoliants. So here we go.

I am very passionate about exfoliation. It is a must for my lazy skin or else blocked pores and breakouts will start manifesting in a blink of an eye.

Now I don’t like to use scrub. The rough grainy particles feel damaging to my skin, and I believe they give broken capillaries. Then if you have oily skin, all that stimulation only encourages more oil production. Scrubs are my skincare No no.

What I do use is lactic acid.  I talked about it in my previous post and I can’t say enough about it.  It is my favorite skin care ingredients. I can honestly say it has changed my skin.

Dermalogica Gentle Creme Exfoliant

I first discovered Gentle Creme Exfoliant ($36) while going to beauty school, I’ve used it ever since a couple of times a week.

You put it on like a face mask, wait 10 to 15m then rinse off with lukewarm water. What the lactic acid does is dissolved all the dead skin. So while you wearing the mask, without any scrubbing or rubbing, it eats away all the dead cells, and also stimulates collagen. The result is a much fresher, brighter complexion. It pretty much suits all skin types and I couldn’t live without it.

Dermalogica Multivitamin thermafoliant

Another favorite of mine. Multivitamin Thermafoliant ($49) has microgranules that feel like sand on the face and warms up upon skin contact. These granules along with the lactic acid will refine skin texture and enhance penetration of age-fighting vitamins into skin.  It’s not a scrub more like a skin polisher that gets the dull skin off without any irritation.  Feels wonderful.

Contains all kinds of yummy skin care ingredients: Prickly Pear Extract to accelerate skin’s natural exfoliation process. White Tea to suppress the formation of collagen-degrading MMPs while Licorice and vitamins A, C and E brighten skin tone, provide antioxidant defense against damaging free radicals (Reactive Oxygen Species) and help promote skin firmness. Works on all skin types.

Kinara Lactic Acid Hydrating Serum

I LOVE this. Kinara Hydrating Serum is so gentle and so hydrating, but yet it’s clearing out dead cells and impurities.  It’s packed with anti aging puryfying ingredients. I put it on at night right after cleansing and before moisturizing.  My skin always looks great when I wake up, fresh and clean.

Because of its price (1oz/$70) I use it Kinara Hydrating Serum sparingly, couple of times a week, plus I don’t want my skin to get used to it.  Kinara serum does wonder during that time of the month, minimizing skin eruptions and helping breakouts heal faster. Containd Lactic and Glycolic acid.  This serum is for oily skin. The scent is divine.

Skinceutical Gel Peel

Skinceuticals Gel Peel ($218) is a professional product with high concentration of Glycolic and Mandelic acid. Although it contains one of the strongest AHA it remains non irritant.  This is considered a light chemical peel suited for problematic or oily skin.

Apply  in a thin layer over cleansed face.  Let sit for 3 to 5 minutes. It will dissolved sebum and cellular debris in pores, improves collagen synthesis and elastin fibers in the dermis, encourages cell renewal and improves the appearance of skin discolorations. I don’t use this during the summer month because of the strong South Florida sun.

Word of caution

When using exfoliants it is imperative to protect your skin from the sun. Use sunscreen EVERYDAY. And use bronzer instead of getting a tan.  Your skin will thank you.

What’s your favorite way to exfoliate?

What’s your favorite facial cleanser?… What do you use to wash your face with?…  Are questions I get asked often.

I’m a bit of a diva when it comes to the old skin care routine.  My philosophy in cleansing is to keep it as simple, natural and gentle as possible while being very thorough.

My skin is quite oily with combination depending on the time of the year. I also get blocked pores with blackheads and breakout.  And Acne can also be a problem if I don’t really take care of it. Diligent face cleansing along with proper exfoliation helps with keeping things under control.

Harsh detergent have a tendency to strip the skin of its first layer and a constant removal of the lipids will stimulate the skin to create more oil. No Bueno.  I found the more gently I cleanse the less oil it will produce. The better my skin looks.

I use 3 cleansers that I rotate depending how my skins looks and feel.

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

I’ve been using Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel ($33/8.4 oz) for  years, like 15.  Every night faithfully.

Soap free, foaming gel cleanser that thoroughly remove all skin impurities and makeup without leaving a hint of tightness on my skin. Contains no artificial fragrance or color.  A staple in my bathroom.

I like to cleanse my face twice back to back with.  First wash remove all the surface grim and dirt and makeup.  Second gets the pores clean. Squeaky clean.

Dermalogica Skin Resurfacing Cleanser

Skin Resurfacing Cleanser ($37/5.1 oz) is another product from Dermalogica  I cannot live without.

This non foaming cleanser contains my all time favorite skin care ingredient, lactic acid.

Lactic acid is part of the AHA and is a derivative of sour milk.  It’s one of the mildest yet most effective exfolliant.  And this is just amazing at taking the dead skin cells away making your skin brighter and fresher.

Contains Vitamin E an  antioxidant that improves skin softness and Rose Flower oil which helps calm and soothe skin sensitivity. It smells divine. I use this 2 to 3 times a week. My skin love it!

Murad  Essential C Cleanser

Along with exfoliating, I am very passionate about antioxidants. Living in Key I am obsessed with sunscreen and anything that can help fight sun damage.

Antioxidants help reduce the daily impact of pollutants and environmental aggressors. Gotta love that!
I use Murad Essential C Cleanser ($35/6.75 oz) usually in the morning to give my skin a little pep.  Contains Mandarin Orange, Basil and Grapefruit.  This cleanser is lightly foamy and has a very light scent.

So there you have a glimpse at my skin care routine. What do you use?