Dr. Hauschka Rose Luxury Care Kit for Valentine's Day

A symbol of love since the beginning of time, the rose naturally has come to be the flower emblematic of St. Valentine. It's also an essential ingredient in many Dr.Hauschka products, prized for its balancing and protective qualities. Now, Dr.Hauschka presents the Rose Luxury Care Kit for Valentine's Day. Express the love in your heart to one who is dear with a gift meant to be shared in a spirit of comfort and harmony. The Dr. Hauschka Rose Luxury Care Kit contains a 145ml format of the classic Rose Body Moisturizer. Made from medicinal rose plant extracts and rose petals, this body emulsion stimulates the protective functions of the skin. It is created to protect and strengthen dry, sensitive skin, while aiding it to rebalance itself. This gift set also features a 5 ml travel size Rejuvenating Mask. This is the perfect time of year to try this purifying, regenerating product that gives skin a hydrated, healthy appearance.

Murad Body Firming Cream

Unfortunately, not only the skin on our face ages. It is vital to give the rest of the skin some much needed attention, too. Murad's body cream offers so much more than just hydration for the skin. It also plays the role of an anti-age cream for the body because it's loaded with a bounty of beneficial ingredients. The sunflower oil and shea butter make this cream an outstanding nourishing product for the skin. These ingredients provide essential fatty acids and anti-oxidant properties while promoting healing and cell regeneration. There is soya and other peptides combined with a nice cocktail of vitamins (C,B5, E) that offer firming properties as well as boost collagen and elastin, provide anti-oxidant activity and ensure the health of the cells. Of course, to ensure a long lasting hydration effect there is algae extract (a great hydrator) and dimethicone to protect the skin and prevent moisture loss.

This cream will firm and hydrate the skin on your body. You will not only see the difference, you will feel it. For best results, use it after bathing or showering to ensure the hydration is protected and reinforced in the skin. Once applied, the beautiful creamy texture disappears almost immediately, so no oily residue to rub off on your clothes. It is packaged in an easy to use, convenient tube. Smooth move, Murad.

AminoGenesis - Cocoon Total Body Emollient

AminoGenesis is a line developed around the properties of 17 amino acids chosen for the major role they play in the creation and function of all of our cells and tissues. The Cocoon Total Body Emollient offers this amazing cocktail of amino acids, which help the skin to regenerate, heal, boost collagen and elastin production, neutralize free radicals and promote healthy tissues.

Amino acids are the building blocks of all protein structures; think of all the attention given to peptides in diets, nutrition, skin care products, DNA, collagen, elastin, etc. They are essential and offer an incredible basis for skin care products. Amino acids makeup part of the NMF (Natural Moisturizing Factor) in our skin, making them essential for tissue hydration as well. The skin easily assimilates these amazing amino acids as they are vital to our existence. Glycerin is hydroscopic, meaning it will attract moisture. Its presence in this incredible body moisturizer ensures hydration, as does the dimethicone.

Here we have another great hydrating body lotion, but oh, so much more. There are incredible benefits of 17 amino acids, the building blocks for all of those peptides that keep our tissues vital and young. If you want a true “anti-age” body lotion . . . this is the one. Go to their site and take advantage of the buy one/get one promotion until the end of August. Now that's a deal!

Pevonia Botanica Dry Oil Body Moisturizer

Pevonia's body oil leaves the skin feeling soft and supple without leaving any oily residue, or slick on the skin. It is loaded with some great plant and nut oils that provide those essential omegas (EFA’s) for healthy skin cells and free radical defense. The safflower, squalane and macadamia oils have similar components as our natural sebum (skin oil) allowing for a great affinity with the skin, greatly increasing the benefits of the product. These oils supply some fat soluble vitamins, A, D, and E, which are essential for healthy functioning skin and also contribute to neutralizing free radicals, calcium assimilation, cell regeneration, etc.

There are more than oils formulated into this body moisturizer. It also contains some aloe to heal and boost hydration, lavender and chamomile to sooth, calm and counter any free radical irritations. The iris extract shows great results for boosting collagen and elastin regeneration. Lovely.

For those who enjoy a good body oil - you will love this product. For those who have never used a body oil - this should definitely be on your 'to-do' list. For those who use self tanners - this is a 'wow' product to use before the self tanning application. Oh, . . . and the spray applicator makes application a breeze.

Body Lotions, Potions, and Creams

Does the skin on your body cry out in desperation for some much needed attention? Think about the abuse it takes, . . . showers and baths with soapy cleansers, sun exposure, temperatures that are too high (or not high enough depending on the season), exercising, sweating, and being under your constant command. Surveys show that most of your time and money is being spent on pampering yourself from the neck up, forgetting all about the needs of the skin on your body. The truth is that our daily rituals are often very dehydrating, which escalates the aging process of the skin. You can certainly get away without using a body moisturizer, but in the long run, there will definitely be payback.

There is a wide array of body lotions and moisturizers to choose from. Body lotions range from light moisture sprays to thick, rich, creamy butters. Carefully choose one to suit your skin’s needs, the climate you live in, and your lifestyle. Look for one with great nourishing ingredients like shea butter, olive oil, avocado, and rose hip oil. Avoid body moisturizers with a high glycerine content. Glycerine is hygroscopic and will attract moisture, but beware, if there is not enough moisture in your environment it will actually draw moisture from the skin. Silicone ingredients can give you nice 'slip,' but don't get carried away with too much product as it will pill off in flakes or little balls. Not attractive. Sun blocks are limited in the moisturizing department as they are designed to sit on your skin and protect from UV rays. Bottom line . . . love the body you live in and take good care of it. All of it.

Top Ten Summer Skin Care Survival Tips

1. Add a new product to boost your skin care routine to increase its defense mechanisms and minimize damage from the extra exposure outdoors. This may be an oil control serum if you find your skin is oiler in the summer, an antioxidant product, a deep nourishing product for emolliency, and always hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
2. Drink more water. Many of us tend to be more active during the summer, which can lead to dehydration.
3. Wear sun protection. Be careful with extreme SPF numbers as they will have more chemical screens that can irritate the skin. A SPF 30 gives you about 98%. Select a good sun protection product that does more than provide SPF. Some contain other great ingredients to benefit the skin, i.e., anti-oxidants, dermal protein boosters, etc.
4. If applying SPF on top of your day cream feels too heavy, put a treatment serum under your sun protection. This will be lighter on the skin while still caring for your skin type. Don’t forget, when layering products always wait a minute or so between applications otherwise the products will build up on the skin surface and feel heavy.
5. Exfoliation for face and body will also benefit your skin as the skin thickens in the summer months as a defense action. Exfoliate once a week to improve the penetration of products you are using. It will also ensure a tan lasts longer.
6. Always use an after sun product. These products are designed to minimize the damage UV causes.
7. Body lotions will keep your skin hydrated and looking great and will help your tan (real or artificial) last longer.
8. Wear sunglasses with UV protection for your eyes. This will not only protect your eyes, but also minimize squinting which promotes crows feet. Larger sunglasses will cover the delicate eye area better preventing damage and concealing those fine lines that may already exist.
9. Hats can be fun and functional, add a little shade for our eyes and face, and protect hair from UV damage.
When you have had your limit of sun exposure, cover up or get out of the sun . . . applying more sun protection does not work.
10. Don’t forget to protect your lips, especially if you are prone to fever blisters (cold sores).