Clinique Comfort On Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream

A few weeks ago, my skin just up and decided to stage a mutiny. My upper body broke out in a rash. From my hairline all the way down to my torso, I was covered in itchy, sandpaper-like bumps (I now suspect eczema was the culprit). My lips didn't even escape unscathed; they were bumpy and inflated to almost twice their normal size. And on the worst day, my left eye was so swollen and droopy, I looked like a female Forest Whitaker.

As the days wore on, the bumps started to dry out and my skin became dessicated and extremely flaky. It was as if I was a snake, shedding an exoskeleton. The dryness of my face was unbearable. With every facial expression or movement of my mouth, it seemed like my skin would literally tear; it was so painful. Up until this point, I had only been using Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser - as it was all that my traumatized skin could handle. But it begged for more, so I dug through my skin care arsenal looking for a moisturizer substantial enough to quench my skin's thirst, but gentle enough not to send it into another tizzy. I hit the jackpot when I came across a sample of Clinique Comfort On Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream that the brand sent me a few months ago to review.

I can't say enough wonderful things about this cream. My skin is the true testament. After just a few days of using Comfort On Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream, I started to recognize the reflection in the mirror again. And now that the rash (and its remnants) are almost gone, I continue to apply the cream after cleansing in the AM and PM.

According to Clinique, I've got their "exclusive, patent-pending Enviro-Soothe™ Complex" to thank for soothing and saving my face. Clinique also promises that when "used over time, it strengthens skin's lipid barrier to support natural healing."

Comfort On Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream also works wonders on dry, cracked hands. I can't think of a better winter skin care pick than this one; it earns Holy Grail status. If you suffer from reactive, sensitive or dry skin, you'd be a smart gal to add it to your shopping list.

Clinique Comfort On Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream is available at clinique.com, Sephora, Bloomingdale's, and Nordstrom.

Do The Dew: DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew SPF 15

I was very excited to try DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew SPF 15, considering it was recently named a finalist in the CEW 2009 Beauty Awards. And after testing the moisturizer, I agreed with CEW's assessment, as I found that the product did - indeed - deliver on all of its promises.

The ultra-lightweight formula absorbs quickly and doesn’t clog pores. It protects skin from UVA and UVB rays without that telltale white finish that many SPF-infused products leave behind. Since it’s oil-free and fragrance free, Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew SPF 15 is ideal for those with sensitive skin and acne. It’s man-friendly too. And with warmer weather just around the bend, I’ll definitely be using this product when I move my heavier winter formula to the back of my bathroom cabinet for its summer hibernation.

But despite this ringing endorsement, there is one minor caveat. With a name like Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew SPF 15, you might expect that the moisturizer would give your skin a dewy effect. At least, that’s what I assumed. It doesn’t. This moisturizer is going to quench your skin’s thirst, but the finish is definitely matte...which is great for shiny sistas like me.

DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew SPF 15 is $38-$40 and is available at Beauty.com, BlueMercury, DermStore, Sephora, Ulta and ddfskincare.com.

I’ve Been Holding Out On Y’all

I’ve been holding out on y’all. Not on purpose, though.

Just now, I was searching around the blog – taking inventory, if you will, of what products I’ve tested thus far. When I went looking for my glowing review of Atopalm’s MLE Cream, it was nowhere to be found.

I must have told so many people about this miraculous moisturizer that I tricked myself into thinking I had reviewed it on Spoiled Pretty. But, alas, I did not – so here’s the 411, without further ado.

There’s nothing special or sexy about the packaging, fragrance (it's unscented), or name of this cream. But what I absolutely adore about this moisturizer is that Atopalm obviously put all of its resources into making a stellar product, rather than clever marketing.

Do you have dry skin? Do you suffer from dry flakes, no matter how much you moisturize? Is your skin extremely sensitive? Is rosacea your skin’s arch nemesis? Got a nasty case of eczema? Then you need to get this wonder cream!

Atopalm MLE Cream has plant-derived ingredients to aid in the replenishment of natural skin lipids to form a protective barrier against the elements. It also helps prevent the over evaporation of the skin's own moisture. And it helps in restoring the skin barrier depleted by microdermabrasion, facial peels, and other harsh treatments. It can be used on both the face and the body, is suitable for adults and children, and is side-effect free!

MLE Cream is the only moisturizer that quenched my perpetually parched face this winter. It fully hydrated my skin without turning greasy, even hours later.

Atopalm products are available at Amazon.com, CVS.com, and SkinStore.com.

Five Reasons To Cleanse With T’Fivve

The top five reasons to wash your face with T’Fivve Moisturizing Facial Cleansing Foam:

5) The rich foam gently melts away makeup and pollutants
4) Doesn’t strip the skin's natural hydration
3) Helps maintain normal pH balance
2) After cleansing, your face feels refreshed, not dry or tight
1) Because I said so (and because it’s one of the best cleansers I’ve used in a very long time)

T’Five Moisturizing Facial Cleansing Foam contains Bergamot Fruit Oil, to act as an anti-bacterial; Orange Peel Oil to smoothe skin; Lemon Peel Oil softens; and Ylang Ylang Oil controls sebum production.

If you have very dry and sensitive skin - like mine - you’ll give T’Fivve Moisturizing Facial Cleansing Foam five enthusiastic thumbs up.

Available at skinscientifica.com and skinstore.com.

Feed Your Face

Did you know that our skin absorbs up to 64% of what we put on it? It’s a scary statistic, considering the ingredients found in most cosmetic products. Juice Beauty prefers to do things the natural way, using certified organic ingredients in their paraben-, fragrance-, and petroleum-free formulas. This line of cleansers, moisturizers, masks, and treatments uses freshly-squeezed organic juice concentrates as its base, not water – so products are rich in potent antioxidants, essential vitamins, phytonutrients and hydroxy acids. Juice Beauty gets your skin glowing while leaving you with peace of mind.

My favorite Juice Beauty product is the Green Apple Peel – Sensitive Skin. This powerful (yet gentle) hydroxy acid complex of certified organic apple, lemon, grape juices, and raw cane sugar exfoliates and brightens for visibly improved skin tone and texture – and it smells good enough to eat!

If you’re a bit hesitant to spend $39 for 2 ounces of the Green Apple Peel, go to juicebeauty.com and pick up a sample for $4.75. Trust me, you’ll be back for more.

Their motto is: “Try it because it’s organic. Use it because it works.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Juice Beauty is available at Sephora, hsn.com, and juicebeauty.com.

Baby Your Baby's Skin

When it comes to beauty, you are a woman who demands nothing but the best. But what about your baby? Why should your little beauty junkie in-the-making settle for Johnson & Johnson?

In 1991, Jessica Iclisoy was concerned about the potentially harmful ingredients that she found in her son's baby shampoo, so she turned a personal interest in healthful living into a professional mission to create safe products.

Today, she is President of California Baby, an L.A. based, all-natural baby care line. California Baby, which is sold online at californiababy.com and at Whole Foods and specialty stores around the country, includes the popular staple product California Baby Shampoo & Bodywash, as well as aromatherapy bubble baths with names like Overtired & Cranky and Chamomile & Herbs.

California Baby is also wonderful for older children, as well as adults who want to baby their sensitive skin.

Baby Your Skin

These gentle soaps won’t irritate or dry out even the most sensitive skin.











Splurge
Royal Jelly Treatment Soap by Gianna Rose is a bountiful six ounce bar that sparkles with splendor. This luminous soap is enriched with shea butter and royal jelly. Available as a single or trio, both elegantly boxed and equally indulgent. $14 each











Steal
Baby Bee Buttermilk Soap by Burt's Bees is made with buttermilk - a natural, soothing skin cleanser and moisturizer. Oat flour calms irritated skin, and honey and glycerin moisturize baby's (and your) skin. $5 each