NeoStrata

Winter Dry Skin Woes… Solved!

January 30, 2018 By Lena 26 Comments

There’s no denying that this winter has been one of the coldest in recent memory. With the wind chill making it feel like – gasp – almost -30°C on a daily basis, it’s no wonder that so many women are seeking a solution for their dry skin woes. And, with another blast of artic weather just around the corner, the time to implement preventative and restorative measures is now.
So, what can you do to ensure your skin is looking and feeling its best? Here are my top tips for counteracting the cold:

1. Check the humidity levels in your home. It’s recommended that relative humidity in your home be between 30-40% during cold winter months. Any higher, you may experience condensation and mould on windows, and any lower may lead to dry skin, irritated sinuses and itchy eyes. …

Tales of a Spotty Minor Niner

September 25, 2017 By Lena 23 Comments

For most, grade nine is hard. For me, it was downright traumatic.

Okay, okay… obviously I survived, and looking back, I didn’t have it nearly as bad as some. But there’s no denying that it was painful experience – emotionally, socially and mentally. In fact, I’ve blocked most of it out… except at night, when I have that dreaded dream (nightmare?) that it’s the first day of school all over again. Shudder.
I know you’re thinking, what made is so bad, Lena? Ahh… settle in friends, let me count the ways.

1. I arrived from a relatively small elementary school; all the other feeder schools were at least twice (and sometimes three times) the size. I actually went through most of high school without ever crossing paths with kids I had grown up with for ten years. This meant that I had to make a new set of friends – an almost impossible feat when most of the kids in my class had already formed cliques with their elementary school buddies. …

Beauty SOS: Hydrating & Plumping Sheet Mask

August 13, 2017 By Lena 73 Comments

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Friends, let me know if this sounds familiar. Perhaps you’ve been working late, taking in too much caffeine and neglecting your skin. Maybe facing elements such as wind and sun – or worse, indoor air conditioning – has caught up with you, leaving your skin dry and dehydrated. Or, it could be even more basic than that – you have dry skin, have always had dry skin, and have learned to live with your dry skin.

It’s time for a Beauty SOS.

For those times when you’re faced with a dry skin “emergency” – placed in quotes because really, first world problems, right? – it’s good to know that fast-acting relief for dehydrated skin is available. Introducing NeoStrata Hydrating & Plumping Sheet Mask.
Featuring 0.15% pure hyaluronic acid, as well as a blend of botanicals, the mask rehydrates the skin and replenishes its moisture barrier, while also enhancing its protection against external aggressors. It’s extremely gentle and after just 15 minutes, you can tangibly feel the improvement: softer, more comfortable and supple skin. …

The Not-So-Secret Trick to Youthful Skin: SPF

May 30, 2017 By Lena 43 Comments

We live among a generation that is obsessed with finding the fountain of youth.

Social media. Celebrities. The cover of every fashion magazine. We’re constantly confronted with the notion that youth = happiness, and so we invest time, emotion, and of course, cold hard cash into fighting Mother Nature with a vengeance. We attempt to erase a variety of skin sins from our past: excessive sun exposure, smoking, poor diet, high stress, and a multitude of other grievances that have slowly but surely manifested into fine lines, spots and shadows.

We are constantly looking for a quick fix, a miracle cream, a secret trick to reverse the effects of time.

But what if I told you that there’s a simple way to protect, nourish and improve the look and feel of your skin? What if I told you that there’s proof that sunscreen reduces the signs of aging?

It’s the truth, of course. In addition to protection from skin cancer, regular use of sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 protects against photoaging: the wrinkling, spotting and loss of elasticity caused by exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. In fact, simply adding a quality sunscreen to your daily skincare regime can help halt skin aging in its tracks.
Of course, all sunscreens are not created equal. NeoStrata Protective Lotion Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45 is a light, non-greasy lotion that protects skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Quickly absorbed and invisible, this daily lotion is non-comedogenic, so it’s suitable for even the most sensitive skin. And, when it’s paired with a quality moisturizer like Neostrata Wrinkle Repair Moisturizing Cream, you have the ultimate protection against the aging effects of the environment. …

Smooth Move: Is it Time to go Glycolic?

February 19, 2017 By Lena 28 Comments

If you haven’t heard of Glycolic Acid, chances are, you’re missing out on the secret to smooth skin.

But first, what is it? Glycolic acid is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA). Alpha Hydroxy Acids are a family of naturally occurring mild acids that work as exfoliants. Remember those sharp, beady scrubs you grew up with? Same principle, except there’s no manual scrubbing component. Instead, by speeding up the skin’s own natural shedding process (which slows down as we age), they encourage the skin to slough off dead cells, allowing newer ones to reach the surface more quickly and evenly. Glycolic acid, the AHA of choice, is a discriminatory exfoliator, as it only affects the dead cells.

Did you hear that? Science, friends.

The small molecular size of Glycolic acid makes it effective in removing the build-up of dead cells on the surface of the skin.

So, do you need Glycolic acid in your life? It really depends. If you have uneven, dull or flaky skin, the answer is yes. If the texture of your skin is rough or “ruddy” to the touch, it’s a yes, again. If you’re looking to reveal your skin’s radiance and decrease the look of fine lines, DEFINITELY yes.
FullSizeRender (2) Here’s where to start. Introducing NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal Antioxidant Smoothing Serum. Harnessing the exfoliating power of Glycolic Acid, as well as the antioxidant protection of Lipochroman, NeoStrata’s new Glycolic Renewal Antioxidant Smoothing Serum “works like a daily fitness regimen for your skin, revealing smoother, more radiant skin while protecting against external aggressions.” …

No Filter? Fabulous.

October 18, 2016 By Lena 172 Comments

NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Instagram filters. I love them. You love them. They are, without a doubt, the best thing since sliced bread. (Which, by the way, filters well with “Lo-Fi.” Really brings out the crusts and such.)

The thing about Instagram filters is that they hide the little stuff we don’t necessarily want the world to see: fine lines, age spots, pesky under-eye shadows and enlarged pores. In fact, whenever I apply a filter to one of my photos, I visualize a fairy godmother waving a wand and saying “Poof! You’re gorgeous.”

It’s a beautiful thing.

But something happened recently. A few weeks ago, I posted a photo to Instagram. It was a rare selfie of my husband and I (we manage to squeeze in about three to four dates per year), and I was happy to show off my new blonde highlights (I clearly don’t follow the crowd that goes darker for fall).

However, when I accessed the screen to select a filter, something – quite fabulous – happened: I realized that my skin looked healthy and luminous… and the photo actually looked better without a filter. I looked young, fresh and happy! Hashtag: #nofilter!
13671950_187517688335085_434322412_n Now let’s be clear: I am wearing makeup in this photo. I have concealer under my eyes, a hint of eye makeup and blush, and a fabulous fuchsia lip gloss.

But other than under my eyes? Completely foundation-free. My pores? Almost non-existent. The fine lines and wrinkles around my eyes? I dare you to point them out.

And then I realized that I had recently made a change to my skin care routine – for the past three weeks, I’ve been using NeoStrata® All-in-One Night Serum and All-in-One Eye Serum. …

All About Cleansers

August 3, 2016 By Lena 38 Comments

Combination skin. Also known as the least desirable skin type known to womankind – and also the most common! In fact, many women think they have oily or dry skin, but actually have a combination of both.

Here are some signs you have combination skin:

– You experience excessive oil and shine in your t-zone (forehead, down the nose to the chin), while your cheeks feel tight and dry.
– Your skin is oilier in summer and dry in winter, and even if you switch up your skin care, 11:00am shine in your T-zone is pretty much a guarantee.
– During menstruation, you may experience breakouts in your T-zone. However, once your period is over, the breakouts clear right up and your skin begins to feel extra dry and flaky.

Sounds like you? Welcome to the world of combination skin!

Now you may feel like your skin has a split personality, and unfortunately, it kind of does. I’ve dealt with the consequences of combination skin for decades and am acutely aware of the importance of finding the right cleanser. In fact, using the incorrect cleanser – whether it be too stripping or too moisturizing – can derail your entire skin care regime. So, take some time, do a little trial and error, and uncover the perfect cleanser for you!
13767626_1018845368235334_1146099638_n The first step? Choose a brand with proven, superior skin care solutions that really work. As the first cosmeceutical brand in Canada, NeoStrata develops leading-edge skincare products that are supported and endorsed by the medical community. NeoStrata’s cleansing products refresh and cleanse, revealing smoother, clearer and younger-looking skin. …

Is There a Science to Great Skin?

July 18, 2016 By Lena 33 Comments

Heredity. Genes. Sheer, dumb luck.

I’m actually not certain what contributes to naturally fabulous skin. I suppose it could be a combination of genetic and environmental factors, coupled with an individual’s commitment to care. How do I define a “commitment to care”? Simple –

1) The good sense to live a healthy lifestyle, which includes being mindful of diet and exercise
2) The ability to abstain from smoking, excessive drinking and of course, recreational drugs
3) The desire to practice safe sun habits, including wearing sunscreen and protective clothing

And 4) – the willingness to help nature along, by being open to trying new things.

This year, I’m trying new things.

As the first cosmeceutical brand in Canada, NeoStrata offers Canadians of all ages greater confidence in themselves through healthy, beautiful skin from proven, superior skin care solutions that really work. Having recently celebrated their 25th anniversary, NeoStrata continues to develop leading-edge technologies that are supported and endorsed by the medical community.

I’ll admit it: Although I’m very familiar with the brand’s name and reputation, NeoStrata is new to my skincare regime. Based on incredibly positive feedback from friends who have tried the line, and a desire to select innovative, dermatologist-recommended products for my skin, I am so excited to have the opportunity to try their products throughout the year! …