Skin Care News

Anti Wrinkle 55® - Wrinkle Serum Product Review

Posted on February 18, 2010 with 16 Comments

There’s nothing more frustrating than a lotion or cream that doesn’t work.  Why?  Because you never really find out how good a given topical ointment, liniment, or whatever else is until it’s too late. The fastest a cream can get in giving you results is two weeks to a month, and that’s being optimistic. 

But AntiWrinkle 55® is different - its fast.  Not and “instant facelift”, but continued use will show smoothing and less wrinkles within hours and sustained smoothing within days.

Anti Wrinkle 55 Wrinkle Serum

Whether it’s an anti-aging cream to get rid of wrinkles, a skin whitening cream to whiten skin, or a skin moisturizer to replenish lost skin moisture, you never know what you’re going to get even up until you’ve finished your bottle of skincare product.  That’s what product reviews are for, in a sense; you need these to tell whether you should even bother trying out a cream for months-on-end or not.

As such, it sort of begs the question: Is Anti Wrinkle 55® worth your money and your time? There are a lot of anti-aging products presently out in the market; perhaps too many, even.

The more disenchanted consumers would probably daresay that you’ve used one anti-aging cream, tablet, and whatnot, you’ve used them all.  Barring Botox®, is getting yet another anti-wrinkle product (that’s actually named “Anti Wrinkle” from the get go) really necessary?

Nourish’s Anti Wrinkle 55® seems to be aware of this dilemma, which is why they made their product the most potent and high-level anti-wrinkle cream (serum) possible when it comes to taking away fine and deep lines as well as preventing their onset for years to come.

Argireline & Hyaluronic for Wrinkle-Free Skin

Granted, the previous sentence is a marketing byline that’s been used thousands of times before by different cosmetic companies, but the thing that makes this brand stand out is its two active ingredients: argireline and hyaluronic acid.

To be more precise, these two main components of Anti Wrinkle 55® are the ones that make the product so potent in the first place.  After it has sloughed off the deadened and aging layers of your skin, it will then promote the growth and healthiness of the newer skin underneath via facial muscle relaxation, skin rehydration, and collagen application reminiscent of the Botox procedure.

Yes, Anti Wrinkle 55® isn’t a better anti-wrinkle cream all-in-all, but it’s a serum that simply works, and that’s what customers are looking for.  And, as important for most consumers - the “price is right”. 

Best for the Money

Having evaluated possibly hundreds of serums, anti-aging creams, and wrinkle solutions, Anti-Wrinkle 55 is probably one of the best values for the money.  With a price in the low to mid $30’s and its “top-shelf” ingredients, the effectiveness per dollar is phenominal and its price is half to a third of many competing solutions.

In conclusion, because Nourish’s Anti Wrinkle 55® isn’t any better or worse than most other hyaluronic-acid-and-argireline-based anti-aging products (or, for that matter, any anti-aging products in general) currently available, it gets an above average grade of 9.00 out 10 stars.  It’s unremarkable, but useful - but, its price makes it amazing!

Buy Anti-Wrinkle 55

Cold Weather = Dry Skin

Posted on October 19, 2009 with 5 Comments

For many of us it only took a matter of a few days as we saw temperatures drop from the mid-60’s to the mid-30’s as colder, drier weather hit us fast.  Chicago, Buffalo, and Philadelphia are being hit with the earliest snow falls on record (even New England played football in the snow this weekend!), and the cold, dry air is drying-out skin just as fast.

With that said, here is a short primer on why our skin gets dry when fall and winter hits.  Well, for one, colder air is

Moisturizing Dry Skin

less dense than warm air.  Therefore, it is unable to hold as much moisture or water molecules.  Cold air - as in “canadian fronts” - often brings with it wind that “wisks” away moisture and tends to dry-out tissue - causing oils and water vapor to evaporate more quickly.

An interesting observation for those who have swimming pools or jaccuzis…as with many folks we know, we cover our pool during the winter.  We keep the pump and filter going, but cover the entire pool with a floating plastic sheet.  I assumed this was to keep the leaves and debris out of the pool and the cleaner.  Well this is in-part true, but I was informed by our local “pool expert” that the primary reason for the covers is to lessen evaporation.  He told me the cold, windy weather would cause as much, if not more, evaporation than the heat and sun during the summer.

Well, that is what happens to our skin!  So, what do what should you do?  Here are a couple of ideas our staff and consultants suggest:

1. Keep your skin moisturized.  While this may seem an obvious first note, it is difficult for most folks to do.  First, you start your day with a hot shower (which depletes oils and moisture), then you go out into the cold, dry air - often windy, too.  So, by the time you get to work or school, you face is tight, and the skin on your hands hurt or are notiably dry and flaking.  The best thing to do is pat dry following a shower and immediately apply a light moisturizing lotion.  We recommend those that contain ingredients like aloe, lanolin and/or emu oil.  Generally an emu oil lotion is not greasy, is absorbed deeply into the skin, and lasts much or most of the day.
2. Stay hydrated - Again, kind of an obvious issue, but for any of you who like to snow ski know, you can easily become dehydrated without knowing it because of the cooler temperatures.
3. Use vitamin supplements - There is a bit of debate as to whether most folks need a daily supplement for their ski, nails or hair.  Personally I think it is a good idea - and there is no evidence that it hurts - none that I know of, anyway.   I believe this especially holds true during the winter.  Our diets change, level of active outdoor activities decline, and our skin and hair are constantly exposed to a barrage of UV rays and cold air.  Help keep your skin elastic and healthy by boosting up on some supplements.

You know your skin best.  What you do during the winter generally has an impact as you enter the spring and summer.  Care should be taken now to avoid wrinkles, dry patches, skin rash, and flaking.  While careful care can be given to protect your skin, a little bit of prevention can help reduce the rate at which your skin ages and helps to keep your complexion smooth and soft.

StriVectin-SD - Product Review

Posted on August 19, 2009 with No Comments

Botox injections are all the rage nowadays when it comes to temporarily removing wrinkles and leaving your face a lot less wrinkly and more “youthful-looking” than before, all the jokes about how downright creepy a deadened, frozen face looks aside. However, aside from this Botox injection trend, there’s also another way of achieving a more youthful, less wrinkly you—and it’s a lot less of an unnatural process to boot. We’re talking about the top-recommended Strivectin-SD, of course.

StriVectin-SD Stretch Mark Cream

Now, the concept of the stretch mark cream is hardly as innovative or new as Botox, but there’s a good reason why Strivectin-SD is so popular anyway. In fact, it’s not that much of a “stretch” to say that this product is among the best-selling and most famous topical stretch marks products next to skin resurfacing. Hundreds of vendors have published lists that have the Strivectin-SD as a consistent, high-level performer.

Then again, lists are one thing, and trying out the cream for yourself is another thing entirely. Is it worth the hype it’s receiving? The ever-growing stretchmarks cream market is inundated with all sorts of creams, ointments, liniments, cleansers, and whatnot, so you have to take even the top ten lists of merchants with a grain of salt. The proof, after all, is in the pudding, and the actual conclusion lies within the Strivectin-SD’s stretch mark solution, scar reducing ability itself.

Moreover, the constant comparisons to this cream and resurfacing are partly induced by the company itself. The product’s slogan is actually, “Strivectin-SD: Better Than Botox”. It takes a lot of moxie to claim such a thing, but it inevitably leaves consumers suspicious and more than a little skeptical. For people who’ve tried out the Botox procedure and staunchly support it, they’d probably take personal offense at the gall of alleging that a comparatively cheap anti-aging cream applied daily is more effective and impressive than a $500 or so cosmetic treatment.

As a note, this particular product from StriVectin was orginally designed as a treatment for reducing and diminishing stretch marks.  Interestingly, women noticed that it tightened the skin where it was applied and wrinkles disappeared.  So, as chance would have it, women began using it as a “wrinkle cream”.  As a follow-on, StriVectin introduced a new product (Eye Cream) with a few less-harsh ingredients specifically for wrinkles.  Thus our review may seem a bit confusing.  Effectively we’re evaluating its (their) success at both - wrinkles and stretch marks.

Checking out Strivectin-SD reveals first and foremost that, no, it’s not superior to Botox or isn’t even the next best thing to Botox. To be true, it’s just about as effective as any other anti-wrinkle cream currently available in the market.

On the other hand, it’s quite potent and it’s undoubtedly among the better anti-aging topical agents available right now. It’s particularly effective against fine lines and early onset wrinkles. Using this as daily maintenance on your face will at the very least help you age gracefully, if not look ten years younger in the long run.

The verdict? The product is worth recommending, but it is definitely overrated and very expensive compared to other products that contain essentially the same ingredients and provide similar results - both as a stretch mark cream or wrinkle cream. It gets 7.88 out of 10 stars, with points mostly taken from its expense and the fact there are very worthy competitors - on both fronts.

Adding Services for Increased Spa Traffic

Posted on August 5, 2009 with No Comments

Increasing revenue and traffic for spas and MedSpas can be done several ways.  One, open new locations, increase marketing efforts, or adding new services or products.

For many spas, opening new stores or locations may be part of a long-range growth plan, yet may not be suitable while operating in a down economy when spa treatments are viewed as either a luxury or discretionary.

Marketing efforts can be categorized as advertising or direct sales.  Advertising can come in many forms.  Direct mail, email campaigns, joint marketin efforts with related products or services, TV or radio.  Many spas I have seen are flying banners outside their locations (local laws permitting), putting up billboards, and putting advertisements or discount inserts in papers, local news, press releases, or handing out discount or “specials” to customers and guests coming through the spa.

Increasing marketing efforts or expanding services is your best ROI when the economy has slowed.  Massage Therapy, Botox or anti-wrinkle procedures, facials, and vein therapy can be supplemented with several ideas.

Another opportunity is making available additional services or products inside the store. 

Selling in-expensive consumable products can help boost sales, improve traffic, and get consumers coming back.  Spider vein creams can be excellent ancillary products following sclerotherapy or laser therapy.  For pregnant women or those who have had children, a preventive or repairing stretch mark cream can help aid recovery and prevent scarring.  And while injections can help smooth wrinkles and puff lips, anti wrinkle creams and serums help neck wrinkles, crow’s feet, and puffiness or dark circles under the eyes.

These products are designed to supplement and enhance procedures and improve weekly or monthly revenue.  Choosing products that are expensive with luxurious packaging and “rock star” name brands may work against you.  While they may certainly enhance the image of your spa (and to many that is important), high-priced skin care products have been shown to be great initial purchases, but lack the consumable “punch” needed for return purchases.

Tips for Smoother Skin - Part II

Posted on June 15, 2009 with 4 Comments

In the first post on smoother skin, we talked about the “top 3″ of proper care - cleansing, hydrating (moisturizing), and treating.  Each are equally important to prevent enlarged pores, avoid rashes and keep your complexion soft and smooth.

Not to get to detailed, but we (the consuming public and manufacturers) can break down each of these areas and take a closer look at some things that work and some that don’t - and why.

There are a lot of skin care products for smoother skin - they come in a wide range of applications, mix of ingredients and a multitude of bases.  The market has been segmented to the extreme as everyone looks for the miracle product that will make us look younger.  Cream, abrasions, exfoliators and moisturizers all vie for the dollar you are going to spend. 

But do they work?…do they help?…really?  Well as a researcher, formulator and manufacturer, I would argue that it depends on the ingredients and what your goal is.  I’m ot trying to talk in circles, but that’s what it boils down to. 

For instance, moisturizers have been considered a regimen staple going back a long time.  I remember my Mom applying a mask every night.  The general purpose is to rehydrate the tissue.  Even years ago, we recognized dryness and tightening and believed re-hydration was good.  In fact, it was and is.  The cool thing now is we have so many more effective ingredients than 40 years ago.

In the past 10 years, the most popular ingredient for moisturizers has become Hyaluronic Acid.  It has found its was into wrinkle creams, solutions for skin rashes, burn treatments, and for chronic or acute drying.  It is naturally found in our cells and becomes increasingly depleted as we age. 

Many biologist and dermatologists believe it is the accumulated effects of free-radical damage that causes us to lose and produce less hyaluronic acid.  If so, it certainly is a convenient response to why tissue becomes thin, dry, and wrinkled as we continue to age.  So, to re-hydrate and moisturize look for creams or serums with Hyaluronic Acid.  The effects are almost immediate.

Another couple of ingredients to loo for are Aloe and Emu Oil.  Aloe most of us are familiar with.  It makes a great base for a cream - especially serums.  Its widely used in beauty and anti-aging products - working well for facial and wrinkle solutions, especially as an eye smoother.

Emu oil is less well known, but has become a premier (and fairly expensive) ingredient for pitted acne scar treatment, burns, and stretchmarks.  I’ve put up a few posts regarding Emu Oil, and at the risk of oft repeating myself, it is great.  It has been used for years in Australia and New Zealand for wound healing.  It deep moisturizes, and clinical studies have shown it is super-effective at both repairing and improving the complexion.  A pretty good combo.

So, there are a few things you should look for when considering products for smoother skin. Each help soften, reduce enlarged pores, help retian moisture, and in some cases, help purify tissue to rid bacteria, oil and dirt.