BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: SOTHYS

Sothys is contributing 10% of all sales on products in its Beauty Garden collection to "A Prom to Remember", a charity raising funds to give teenage cancer patients a memorable high school prom experience by providing free formal attire and limousine transportation, and facilitating red carpet-style arrivals.

Sothys' Beauty Garden collection bears the ECOCERT certification and includes face and body care products.

2009: One of Our Favorite Things - Sothys Secrets

Women 38+ will appreciate not only the result and function of this cream, but the sheer pleasure of its texture and glide. The key active ingredient is 'Tex-OE' from prickly pear, an ingredient that triggers the skin to neutralize the negative effects of stress, or free radical damage, in a couple of hours. This is the normal time frame for younger women to process damage due to stress, but as hormone levels start to change the proteins in the skin responsible for this activity may take up to eight hours. The result? Slow cellular repair, slow regeneration and increased degeneration, all culprits of aging. Sothys Secrets offers a powerful cocktail of anti-oxidants to accompany Tex-OE, including the peel of an apple, peptides to trigger collagen renewal, and iris extract to increase and protect the dermal proteins (collagen and elastin). Marjoram and ylang ylang are responsible for the fragrance and add to the destressing effects of this velvety textured cream. An addictive luxury? In a word, . . . yes.

2009 GIFT SETS - SOTHYS PARIS HYDROPTIMALE GIFT SET

Sothys Hydroptimale Gift Set includes two great products. The first product, Hydroptimale Comfort Hydrating Cream, treats the skin to instant hydration that will last up to 16 hours while regulating and strengthening the skin's own natural protection.

The second product, Active-Contour Age-Defying Cream, is formulated to reduce dark circles and puffiness under the eye area and prevent the appearance of fine lines. A perfect duo!

Sothys - Face and Body Self Tanner

Sothys France launched a new sun line this year and it includes this incredible self tanner. It has both DHA (from canola) and erythrulose (from sugar). The combination of these two self tanning ingredients gives an impressive, longer-lasting color (not orange). Erythrulose minimizes the dehydrating effects DHA can have on the skin, . . . this slows desquamation keeping the color longer. The polyphenols of jasmine contribute to the pleasant, soft fragrance of the product, but also help increase antioxidants in the skin, which is always a very good thing. Our skin needs an arsenal of anti-oxidants to deal with the free radicals that continually attack.

The velvety texture of this product makes it easy to apply and spread. Like all self tanning products, follow the guidelines to get the best and longest lasting results . . . exfoliate, hydrate, then apply. Within a few hours you will have a beautiful tan and a sunny glow without the sun. For a darker tan simply apply a few days in a row. This product gives incredible results on the face as well, but remember, it will not last as long on your face as it will on your legs. The continual cleansing exfoliates the skin on your face faster.

FYI . . . the new Sothys sun line also has a Progressive Sunny Glow lotion that has a lower concentration of DHA and Erythrulose that is designed to be used daily to gradually give color or to keep your color.

* Skin Care Hint - It is a great idea to apply a serum under the self tanner to treat your skin type at the same time. Double up!

Sothys C Double Renewal System

Sothys offers a two part cosmeceutical for those who are serious about changing their skin, not only by promoting cell regeneration, but for boosting the health of the cells going through a renewal process. Research on the C-Renewal line shows a significant boost in the pool of healthy cells.

The Double Renewal System is made up of two products specifically focused on detoxifying, repairing and reconstructing the skin. The target specific glycolic acid promotes cell renewal, exfoliation, and brightening the complexion. Quercetine flavonoids decongest the skin, rice phytosterols repair, and water lilly soothes. The trademarked ingredient, H2CR™, is composed of two peptides and an antioxidant more powerful than vitamin E. These powerhouse ingredients trigger a great line of defense protecting the cells from damage caused by free radicals and then get on with the serious business of repair. If all of this sounds impressive, . . . that is because it is.

The Double Renewal System contains two products to be used on clean skin at night. Apply the Peeling Serum (step 1) and the Comfort Solution (step 2) on top of it. While you sleep your skin will be detoxified, repaired, and rejuvenated and a difference should be noted by morning. Of course, for best results use the products nightly for 4 weeks. Our recommendation? This simple to use product gets two thumbs straight up.

Sothys Total Resculpting Serum

Velvety smooth skin anyone? Loaded with plant extracts to put the fat cells on a diet, this serum promotes elimination from the cells thanks to the caffeine and the polyphenols of Boldo, Prunella and Celosia. These plant polyphenols, along with L-carnitine (an amino acid naturally found in the skin), inhibit the fat cells from storing triglycerides blocking the formation of more cellulite. The complex of Vitamin B3 and Vitamin E improves the microcirculation facilitating the elimination from the fat cells and drainage from the stagnant surrounding tissues.

It is important when treating cellulite to help improve the structure of the connective tissue surrounding the fat cell. This improves circulation, elimination and minimizes (or eliminates) the “dimples” in the skin caused by the challenged fibers. Sothys has used Centella Asiatica, known for its influence on stimulating collagen and elastin, to take care of this task.

This product has a light cream/gel texture and is applied like a body lotion. For best results it is recommended to use the serum twice a day on the areas of concern. Like all products designed to attack cellulite, the results are improved with exfoliation, dry brushing and stimulating the circulation giving better absorption of the product.

SOTHYS Double Lightening Serum

Sothys has created a great serum to address hyperpigmentation. There are two sides to the product's container, one offering a serum to use in the morning and one offering a serum to use at night.

The morning serum (white side) incorporates ingredients to inhibit the enzymes needed in melanin production, chamomile extract to block melanin production, white tea extract and vitamin PP (niacinamide) to slow the transport of melanin to the skin cells, as well as MSH-Control™ to disrupt the melanin production. It has a light, quickly absorbed texture that is easy to use.

The night serum (navy side) is formulated to promote the exfoliation process offering an immediate action by removing darker surface cells, stimulating cell renewal to promote newer, healthier, and less pigmented skin cells faster. Again, an easy non-irritating serum that promotes the absorption of the morning serum and is simple and pleasant to use.

If you are willing to invest the time to use a serum in the morning and at night, are patient for the cell renewal to take place, and of course, protect your skin from UV rays, the results will be apparent without any aggression to your skin. It can be used to treat each pigmented area, or used all over for those who appreciate lighter, brighter complexions. What a duo!

SOTHYS Lift Defense 2 Serum

Serum Category: Anti-Age
Sothys again? Yes, after posting our last piece many readers contacted us to point out they are younger than 38 and would like us to include a serum with no age restrictions. We are, therefore, honoring their request. Thanks for your emails. We are listening . . .

Lift Defense 2 Serum is a reformulation hailed as an 'anti-wrinkle, firmness program' offering proven efficiency of up to 41% filling wrinkles (visioscan measurements) and 72% increased density and firmness, although it would be interesting to see more in-depth studies. This anti-age serum is great for any age with each application leaving the skin feeling as smooth as velvet. This formula is geared to prevent and repair damage to the dermal fibers with more than one approach. It will defend and restore collagen damage making it essential for women who are concerned with trying to minimize degradation of the skin and work on issues of repair.

This serum offers the tri and hexapeptides to boost collagen and elastin production and contains ingredients to rebalance the enzymes that regulate these proteins. There are also anti-oxidants to protect from free radical aging and a few ingredients, including some EFAs (essential fatty acids) to ensure the hydration is sufficient enough to allow for the best penetration of the other active ingredients. There are also dipeptides claimed to relax the features to help minimize stress and energize the tissues giving a smoother surface to she skin. The downside? The exquisite texture will have you using more than you need. Ohhmm . . .

SOTHYS Secrets Global Anti-Age De-stressing Serum

Serum Category: Anti-Age
Sothys Secrets Serum is aptly described as a 'triple-action time fighter' providing exceptional clinical results - a 21% decrease in the depth of wrinkles after 15 days of use and a 26% decrease after 30 days. Skin firmness was improved by 19% after 15 days of use and 25% after 30 days.

The Secrets Serum is only for those who are 38+, looking for a concentrated formula of anti-age actives, and who are beginning to notice age related (hormone-stressed) skin. This light, creamy serum has an interesting mix of powerful peptides along with the fragrance of ylang ylang and marjoram to help the skin destress. Why is that important? A destressed skin is more receptive to other active ingredients. The Secrets Serum contains a cocktail of anti-oxidants to address free radical damage, peptides to promote cellular nutrition and function, and an iris extract to promote regeneration and longevity of dermal proteins giving the skin back some of its firmness. Sothys has incorporated two extracts from the prickly pear into this formula, one to promote natural exfoliation giving radiance to the skin and promote cell renewal, the other to trigger a neutralizing action on stresses or irritations to the skin thereby preventing the free radical activity that would normally result.

This is a very active serum that helps defend the cells against aging. Recommended for use twice a day, however, we would advise that once a day may be enough for delicate skin. A great boost especially for the perimenopausal woman. A perfect pairing for Sothys Secrets Cream. An addictive luxury's accomplice? Indeed.

1.35 oz US (40 ml Canada)

SOTHYS Secrets

Women 38+ will appreciate not only the result and function of this cream, but the sheer pleasure of its texture and glide. The key active ingredient is 'Tex-OE' from prickly pear, an ingredient that triggers the skin to neutralize the negative effects of stress, or free radical damage, in a couple of hours. This is the normal time frame for younger women to process damage due to stress, but as hormone levels start to change the proteins in the skin responsible for this activity may take up to eight hours. The result? Slow cellular repair, slow regeneration and increased degeneration, all culprits of aging. Sothys Secrets offers a powerful cocktail of anti-oxidants to accompany Tex-OE, including the peel of an apple, peptides to trigger collagen renewal, and iris extract to increase and protect the dermal proteins (collagen and elastin). Marjoram and ylang ylang are responsible for the fragrance and add to the destressing effects of this velvety textured cream. An addictive luxury? In a word, . . . yes.
Available exclusively in Spas and Salons.
Price: $199 for 1.69 oz/(50ml Canada)

SOTHYS Active-Contour Age Defying Cream

Active Contour Age Defying Eye Cream celebrates a wise combination of plant extracts that improve the micro-circulation, decongest, hydrate, soothe, neutralize free radicals and promote tissue repair. Its creamy texture is great for protecting the eye area and preventing, or slowing down, the signs of degradation, in other words, . . . aging. Prevention is always hard to see, but if you start using a simple high quality cream like this at the first signs of any fine lines you will have given your eye area the much needed protection it requires. It does not offer the extra ingredients to deal with perimenopausal aging, but is a nice eye cream. The pump bottle delivers a little too much cream at a time; half a pump is more then adequate for both eyes. A commendable eye cream worthy of a recommendation for the 25 to 40 age group.
$46 for 0.5 oz US
$52 for 15 ml Canada

Is Sothys Secrets a Stand Alone Cream?

SOTHYS SECRETS
Is Secrets a stand alone cream or do I need something else with it like a night cream? (Article Feb. 11th)

The answer rests on a whole host of information on your skin type. As a general rule, a treatment cream should be used at night in tandem with your skin care routine depending on the specific condition of your skin. If your skin is dehydrated, a moisturizing product that will hydrate your skin should be added to your program. Hydration problems could also be treated with a serum worn under the Secrets cream. Note: It is highly recommended that you stay within one line of skin care products to avoid problems that could be caused by a collision of ingredients between the two lines. Skin care companies only formulate their products to work within their own lines, not across the board. A recommendation for a cream that will work with Secrets will be one of our new posts. Check back.

SOTHYS SECRETS

Women 38+ will appreciate not only the result and function of this cream, but the sheer pleasure of its texture and glide. The key active ingredient is 'Tex-OE' from prickly pear, an ingredient that triggers the skin to neutralize the negative effects of stress, or free radical damage, in a couple of hours. This is the normal time frame for younger women to process damage due to stress, but as hormone levels start to change the proteins in the skin responsible for this activity may take up to eight hours. The result? Slow cellular repair, slow regeneration and increased degeneration, all culprits of aging. Sothys Secrets offers a powerful cocktail of anti-oxidants to accompany Tex-OE, including the peel of an apple, peptides to trigger collagen renewal, and iris extract to increase and protect the dermal proteins (collagen and elastin). Marjoram and ylang ylang are responsible for the fragrance and add to the destressing effects of this velvety textured cream. An addictive luxury? In a word, . . . yes.
Available exclusively in Spas and Salons.
Price: $199 for 1.69 oz/(50ml Canada)


*Rate and review this eye cream by sending us an email to beautyeditorpost@gmail.com



Comment:
After I turned 40 my skin started to age more than ever. It might be that I have been taking a closer look but I think I am beginning to wear my age and stress levels. Will Secrets help?

Beauty Editor:
40 is that magical age where age knocks is definitely knocking at your door, . . . which, by the way, is not a bad thing. It is our strong belief that beauty truly comes with age and wisdom. Aging is also directly related to how well you take care of yourself. Remember, it takes the 40+ group four times longer than a younger person to recover from stress triggered by emotions, moisture loss, diet, environment, hormones, lack of sleep, not protecting the skin from UV exposure. You name it, you wear it. Secrets is a luxurious weapon to have in your skin care tool box to help mitigate damage done and combat future problems.