Yehwadam Revitalizing Moisture

I've spent the majority of my summer avoiding makeup. It's been too hot, too humid and I just haven't felt inspired to wear makeup that will quite literally melt off of my face. In the absence of makeup, skincare has become my best friend. I've always been into skincare, but I've never become obsessed with it. Until now. When I'm not out and about with the kids, I'm researching new ways to better my skin. In my quest to find the latest and greatest, I stumbled upon premium skincare brand Yehwadam.

The people at The Faceshop were kind enough to gift me the brand new Yehwadam sub-line; Yehwadam Revitalizing Moisture. This new line is formulated for those with combination to oily skin and promises intense moisture without a sticky, heavy or greasy feel. Although my skin type is typically dehydrated and dry, the summer has my skin all f'd up. I'm currently somewhere between normal/dehydrated/combo. The joy!

"Yehwadam is an anti-aging skincare line that brings traditional Korean herbs, ginseng and flowers into modern anti-aging. Yehwadam products are made with natural Korean ingredients processed by traditional methods passed down from one generation to another." 

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Yehwadam Revitalizing Moisture Fluid ($40, 150 ml) is a water based product that combines toner and lotion into a single step. It's formulated with Fresh Water Flower which contains 5 types of traditional herbal ingredients including Korean Ginsing, Safflower and Goji Berries.

I'm all about simplifying my routine, so I'm happy that this product can eliminate a step for me. I apply it after my serum and I find it absorbs very quickly - within a minute or so. It has a light scent and a non-sticky texture. What I like most about this lotion is that it feels very hydrating but without any sort of residual greasiness, heaviness or stickiness. My skin feels quenched and what I can only assume one would call 'normal'. I really feel like this is the perfect summer moisturizer for me. I'm not so sure it will cut it come fall, but for now it works amazingly well. If you have combo or oily skin, you will love this! Oh, and it comes with a pump and the bottle is huge. The value of this product is great - you get much more product, for less money than most.

Yehwadam Revitalizing Moisturizing Cream ($55, 50 ml) is a lightweight gel-cream that claims to hydrate the skin without leaving it sticky. It's formulated with oriental herbal ingredients grown in Korea. Peony, Lotus, Safflower, Chrysanthemum, Honeysuckle, Ginsing and Goji Berry to name a few!

Yehwadam Revitalizing Moisturizing Cream is light but more substantial than their Moisture Fluid. It applies like a gel but feels hydrating like a cream. I found it to absorb a lot slower and not entirely. I can still feel it on my face hours after applying it and it does feel slightly tacky for the first little while. I don't love it for summer days, unless I've been in the pool and my skin is parched, then it's great! I'm putting this one on the back burner for now, hoping to revisit it once the temperature starts to drop.

Yehwadam Revitalizing Moisturizing Sleeping Pack ($35, 100 ml) restores moisture to skin overnight leaving it looking refreshed the next morning. It contains the same ingredients as the other two products in this range; Peony, Lotus, Safflower, Chrysanthemum, Honeysuckle, Ginsing and Goji Berry.

I really, really like this sleeping pack. I think I may even like this as much as Shiseido's Ibuki Sleeping Mask. It goes on slightly sticky (like virtually all sleeping masks/packs) but unlike a lot of others, that feeling goes away fast. It feels crazy hydrating, I don't stick to my pillow and I wake up looking amazing. Can't beat the price either, it's a total win-win!

This was my first venture into Yehwadam and I'm very happy so far. Two out of the three products I would purchase with my own money (Revitalizing Moisture Fluid & Revitalizing Moisturizing Sleeping Pack) and I'm certainly interested in trying more from the brand. If you've used any products from Yehwadam, I would love to hear your thoughts on them!

Till next time beauties ✌

*PR samples were generously provided for editorial consideration. As always, all opionions are my own.

NeoStrata's New Acne Clear Line ~ Review

If you suffer from breakouts, you should check out NeoStrata's new Acne Clear line. Widely available at most major drugstores, this line will help treat active pimples while helping to prevent future breakouts. There are 2 different treatment options and today I'm sharing my thoughts on the system for severe acne.

The first step in any anti-acne routine is cleansing. NeoStata's Acne Clear Clarifying Gel Cleanser (200ml, $24.50 CAD) deep cleanses to wash away bacteria, oil and impurities. It's formulated with 2% salicylic acid to help dry up any active breakouts and unclog your pores to prevent future breakouts.

I love how clean my face feels after using this cleanser! I use it in the evening after oil cleansing and it leaves my face feeling deeply cleansed. A little goes a long way - which means this bottle will last a long time. Since my skin is prone to drying out, I only use this in the evening. If you have oily skin or have lots of breakouts I'd recommend using it twice daily.

The next step is applying NeoStrata's Acne Clear Clarifying Solution (200 ml, $29.50 CAD). Chemical exfoliation is key to treating and preventing acne. This clarifying solution contains both BHA (2% salicylic acid) as well as AHA (10% glycolic acid). In case you're not sure how BHA's and AHA's work here's a quick breakdown as found on NeoStrata's website .

GLYCOLIC ACID

The alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) of choice. Its small molecular size makes it effective in removing the build-up of dead cells on the surface of the skin. Has an ideal pH for better results.

SALICYLIC ACID 

A beta hydroxyl acid that dries and helps clear up acne pimples while reducing the severity of acne pimples, allowing skin to heal.

If you're new to using chemical exfoliants, its best to start slowly to build skin tolerance. Start by applying it at night, every other night, and gradually increase the frequency of applications. If you have severely problematic skin you can use it twice daily. If you have minimal breakouts or just want to prevent them, you can get away with applying it a few times a week. Alternatively, you can use it as a spot treatment. Always wear sunscreen when using AHA and BHA because they make your skin more susceptible to sun damage.

I personally use it every other night and as a spot treatment because my skin tends to dry out fairly quickly. Even though I don't use it daily, the effects are still noticeable - smaller pores and reduced breakouts.

The final step is to apply NeoStrata's Acne Clear Acne Fluid Treatment (50 ml, $29 CAD). It helps to dry out pimples, absorb excess oil and minimize dilated pores. It also moisturizes leaving a shine-free finish, soothes skin and calms redness.

I don't know why, but I was expecting this to have more of a lotion texture seeing how it's the final step in this anti-acne routine. As the name suggests, it is indeed a fluid. Even though it is quite viscous, it feels very hydrating and that feeling lasts. It absorbs quickly and leaves my face looking calm and shine free. I only apply it once a day because my combo skin is prone to drying out when I use too much salicylic acid.

This anti-acne treatment plan has been helping my skin stay clear amidst the stress of moving so it gets a definite thumbs up from me!

You can find NeoStrata's Acne Clear range at most mass drugstores and online at well.ca

*press samples were provided for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own.

Preventing Visible Signs Of Aging With Vichy's New Idéalia Line ~ Review + Swatches

I started using Vichy products in my 20's to treat breakouts (the Normaderm line) and I still reach for their products now that I'm in my 30's (the Idéalia line).

My skins needs have changed a lot since I hit 30 and so has my skincare. Nowadays I'm looking for products to prevent/manage early signs of aging. Vichy has a bunch of new products in the Idéalia line that do just that!

Vichy Idéalia Radiance Booster Serum (30 ml, $49.95) is the first step in my skincare after cleansing. This serum has been reformulated to absorb into skin straightaway and to reduce stickiness. It also guarantees an optimum hydration rate for 24 hours and is suitable for all skin types.

I love how it's lightly scented and gives my skin an instant boost of hydration with a touch of luminosity. It leaves my skin feeling smooth and soft. I use this serum day and night and it works wonders on keeping my combo skin radiant.

Vichy Idéalia Anti-Fatigue Eye Care (15 ml, $39.95) is a dual action eye contour cream that is formulated with caffeine to instantly perk up your eye area. It's suitable for all skin types and will help to reduce the appearance of dark shadows and fine lines.

The biggest issue I have with my eye contour area is sensitivity. I'm prone to eczema there and have an extremely hard time finding eye products that will work without causing irritation. After using this eye cream for a few weeks I can safely say that it is suitable for sensitive eyes!

Vichy Idéalia Anti-Fatigue Eye Care has quickly reached HG status for me. Upon waking I have a few small lines under my eyes and this stuff smooths them right out. It also brightens my eye area with light reflecting particles and wears beautifully under makeup. The one and only thing I don't like about it is the rubber spatula applicator. It tugs on my skin and requires too much finesse to not pull on my eyes. To avoid this, I just squeeze it out and apply it with my fingertip.

Vichy Idéalia Smoothness & Glow Mattifying Sorbet-Cream (50 ml, $39.95) contains a complex of natural actives to boost natural glow, even skin tone, refine pores, smooth the skin and provide all day oil control. It's formulated with fermented black tea extract and micro-beads to take care of excess sebum (oil). This cream is recommended for combination-oily skin types.

As someone with combo skin I know the struggle to find a product that will give a glowy finish without ending up looking oily mid afternoon. This cream is it! I apply it after the Radiance Booster Serum and it gives me a gorgeous glow without being too heavy or looking too shiny. My skin is left matte yet glowing. Vichy Idéalia Smoothness & Glow Mattifying Sorbet-Cream is the real deal. If you have combo skin and want the glow without the shine, you need this in your life!

Vichy Idéalia BB Cream (40 ml, $37) is formulated with mineral pigments that blend into the skin to impart a second skin finish. It's formulated with fermented black tea extract to improve skin quality with continual use. This BB Cream is suitable for all skin types and is available in 2 shades (light and medium).

I usually don't wear BB cream, it's typically either foundation or nothing. Having said that, I have been reaching for this when I don't have the time to perfect my base but still want some coverage. It has a light, pleasant scent and it adds subtle luminosity to my skin. The coverage is fairly light but can be built up. It will last a few hours on me as is, but I can extend the wear by setting it with translucent powder.

Vichy Idéalia Radiance Activating Night Peeling Care (100 ml, $39.95) is a gentle peel that can be used nightly to stimulate skin regeneration, fade dark spots & acne scars and to smooth wrinkles. It's suitable for all skin types - even sensitive!

I love to use chemical peels; they tend to cause less damage to the skin (surface tears) and I've found that they produce much better results. This peel contains glycolic acid which is great for cell regeneration and fighting breakouts (something I still occasionally deal with). Vichy Idéalia Radiance Activating Night Peeling Care has a wonderful scent that I love and it is incredibly gentle. I've noticed that my skin looks much more radiant, even and smooth in the morning after using it.

Vichy Smoothness & Glow Energizing Cream (50 ml, $45) gives a boost of nutrients to the skin that's needed to combat signs of stress and to add glow. There are two versions available; normal - combination and dry skin.

I've been using the normal - combination cream in the evenings. Technically it's a day cream, but I find it to be a bit heavy for day use in the summer. Like all of the products in the Idéalia range, it smells amazing! It comes in a beautiful jar with a mirrored top that looks gorgeous atop my vanity. This cream feels great on my skin and adds a lovely, natural glow. The light reflecting particles give the illusion of blurred pores and rested skin. I feel like this would be the perfect day cream for me come late fall/early winter when my skin leans more dry.

You can find Vichy products in-store at Shoppers Drug Mart or online at vichy.ca

Have you tried Vichy before? What are your skin concerns? Lets keep the conversation going in the comments below 👇

*PR samples were provided for editorial consideration. As always, all opinions are my own!