If You Have Acne, You Should Consider Yourself Lucky

Updated 10/21/21. If you currently experience a lot of breakouts or you used to in your younger years, you should consider yourself lucky (yes, you read that right!). I wholeheartedly believe this to be true, and there’s even a scientific study to back it up. Keep reading to learn all about the unexpected benefits of acne!

The Upside of Acne

I’ve been an esthetician working hands-on with clients for over 30 years now, and one thing I have found to be true is this—those who make their skin a priority and take care of it day in and day out are the ones who often have the best-looking skin in their adult years. In my experience, those who excel at this are often the ones who had a history of breakouts in their younger years.

Why is this? Well, if you’re someone who has struggled with your skin, you’re most likely super diligent about taking care of it, since ignoring it will only make breakouts worse. Sleeping with makeup on? Nope. That surely doesn’t happen for someone who is prone to breakouts. How about using any low-quality skincare product? Nope. That certainly won’t work either.

People who experience regular breakouts are also most likely to put their skin in the hands of an expert, consulting an esthetician or dermatologist early on. This is invaluable (regardless of whether or not you have breakouts)—especially if you follow their advice and stick to a consistent routine.

Good Habits Last a Lifetime

In the process of dealing with your skin concerns, you surely picked up some really good habits. Maybe you pay attention to skincare ingredients and only use high-quality products formulated specifically for your skin type.  You might be super diligent about sticking to your morning and nighttime routine. You possibly go in for regular facials.

Knowing this, it makes sense that many people who become estheticians used to struggle with breakouts in their youth. They developed a passion for skincare and wanted to help others address the problems they personally encountered. (I know so many estheticians like this).

On the flip side, I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met who never had any breakouts and therefore barely took care of their skin (or, at the very least, weren’t very consistent about it). This lack of care often begins to show once they get into their 40s when they see dull skin and premature lines and wrinkles form.

So, while it may be frustrating that you’re dealing with acne now, know that breakouts will come and go (as will the discolored marks left behind), but adopting good skincare habits will last a lifetime. Trust me, the rewards will pay off in the long run.

What Studies Have Shown About Acne

According to this study, people who have previously suffered from acne tend to have longer telomeres in their white blood cells compared to those with perfect skin. These telomeres―sometimes referred to as protective caps―help keep chromosomes from deteriorating. As a result, cells are better insulated against aging. Pretty cool, right?

So there you have it, two solid reasons why acne may just end up working in your favor!

What to Do If You’re Currently Dealing With Breakouts

If you’re someone who is in the midst of dealing with breakouts, I completely understand how real the struggle is. When you’re in the middle of it, sometimes it feels like the road to clear skin is completely obscured. The first thing I always tell people is that acne is a disease for which there is no known cure. I don’t say this to discourage anyone, just to help people understand what’s realistic and how they should set their expectations.

However, just because acne can’t always be eradicated doesn’t mean it can’t be successfully managed. I’ve helped more clients with acne than with any other skin condition, and it’s so gratifying to put them on the right path and watch all their hard work pay off. I’ve published a lot of advice for managing breakouts throughout the years, including the science behind breakouts and how to prevent adult hormonal breakouts.

I also highly recommend scheduling a  consultation with someone who will personalize your skincare routine or, if your breakouts are severe, seeing a dermatologist. Severe breakouts can lead to indented scarring that lasts a lifetime, and a dermatologist will be able to start you on a prescription retinoid to help prevent this.

Next, make sure you’re not falling for these 35 skincare myths and mistakes.

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Lots of Updates, Featuring Some (Surprise!) Book News & Giveaways Galore

Between working (on work) and hustling together some exciting book launch events (which are going to kick ass and I can’t wait to tell you about them), I’m not sleeping much these days. BUT. I’ve also been working on some kick-ass blog posts about beauty oils and body care routines!  In fact, I was hoping to post them this week, but my plans were foiled. They were foiled, however, for the very best reason, and that reason is that our Korean Beauty Secrets book started shipping 3 WEEKS EARLY!

Korean Beauty Secrets Book

It was insane, actually, as we had absolutely no idea that was going to happen!  We found out about it when people started messaging us on Sunday to tell us their book had just arrived from Amazon. First we did a lot of squealing, and after that we panicked. The original release date was supposed be November 3rd. Coco and I have been working on a companion website, the URL of which is actually in the back of the book. But that website isn’t ready yet because we thought we had a couple more weeks to work on it! So I’ve been in a frenzy since this past Sunday, frantically trying to get the book website ready for prime time. I haven’t showered in a couple of days, I’ve been subsisting on cereal and black cherry seltzer, and sleeping for 8 hours in a row is my new life goal.  This is how the hot dogs are made, you guys!

Korean Beauty Secrets Book

But the good news is: books are shipping! And I finally got a couple of copies of it today, and they look really, really good! Not only is the content great, the actual production is amazing. The binding, the weight, the print quality are all absolutely gorgeous; better than we ever imagined it would be. I’m so proud of this book that I have to restrain myself from shoving it in people’s faces and saying, “Have you seen this? I wrote it. Look at it. I SAID LOOK AT IT!”

Korean Beauty Secrets Book

Korean Beauty Secrets Book

Book-Related Instagram Giveaways

We’ve got a couple of pretty exciting Instagram giveaways surrounding this book going on right now! Here are the details for both:

Giveaway #1

Club Clio USA Book Launch Countdown Instagram Giveaway Event

Club Clio has been awesomely supportive of this book launch. They are doing a whole series of giveaways leading up to November 3rd (the original book launch date), with different bloggers getting to choose the giveaway prize. Today marks the start of my Clio giveaway, and the prize I’m choosing to bestow the winner is: Goodal Repair Plus Essential Oil! This is a moisturizing oil blend with fermented rice yeast, so it combines a few of my favorite things: fermentation, beauty oils, and Goodal. It’s rich but light, and perfect now that cooler, fall weather is setting in.

Goodal Repair Plus Essential Oil
This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents. Entry is easy! Just complete the following 3 steps:

Step 1: Post or regram the giveaway post from my Instagram account (@skinandtonics), with hashtags #beautywolfxclubcliousa #kerryxcoco #koreanbeautysecretsbook #clubcliousa #clio10dayskbeauty
Step 2:  Follow us on Instagram: Coco is @thebeautywolf, I’m @skinandtonics, and Club Clio USA is @clubcliousa
Step 3: Tag three friends you think might enjoy this giveaway

You can enter once a day, just tag three different friends each day!

Giveaway #2

Kerry & Coco’s “Show us Your Book” Mega-Hardcore-Balls-Out K-Beauty Giveaway

Okay, you got me, I actually just made the name up for this giveaway just now. It could be a little tighter! We thought we had a couple more weeks to think of a name! Luckily, we already had the prize all ready to go. Hold on to your hats:

Show us Your Book Giveaway Price Package

One lucky winner will get an insane prize package that includes the following full size products:

• Acwell Bubble Free pH Balancing Cleanser (a recent favorite, review forthcoming)
• S:um37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick
• Leejiham (LJH) Cosmetics Tea Tree 90 Essence
• Leejiham (LJH) Cosmetics Vita Propolis Ampoule
• Graymelin Hyaluronic Acid 100% (Serum)
• Illi Total Aging Care Body Oil (This oil changed my life)
• I’m Lip Liquid by XO Memebox in color OR601
• I’m Lip Liquid by XO Memebox in color VL600

and the follow deluxe sample/travel-size products:

• Illi Total Aging Care Body Oil
• Illi Total Aging Care Body Lotion
• Goodal Moisture Barrier Cream
• Whamisa Organic Flowers Deep Rich Essence Toner
• Whamisa Organic Flowers Cleansing Oil

This prize is serious. We did not want to mess around, and we hope you’re as excited about it as we are!

How to Enter:

It’s super easy! All you have to do is post a picture on your Instagram of an in-person copy (preferably your personal copy) of Korean Beauty Secrets: A Practical Guide to Cutting-Edge Skincare & Makeup. You can style the photo however you want, but it has to be a picture of the physical book or e-book (as opposed to a picture you found on the internet). For e-books, just show us a shot of the book on your e-reader! Then follow and tag @kerryandcoco, @thebeautywolf, and @skinandtonics, and add hashtag #showusyourbook.

Once you’ve done that, voila! You’re entered! We’ll be choosing a winner at random on November 15, 2015 and announcing on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. This giveaway is open internationally!

If you haven’t ordered your copy yet, now is a great time to do it. It looks like it’s only ~$14 on Amazon right now, which is a fantastic deal. It will also be available from a huge number of other retailers in the U.S. and internationally on November 3rd; Amazon just happens to be the only one I know is already shipping right now.

It’s an amazing book; we’re really proud of it, and we can’t wait for all of you to read it and tell us what you think!

The post Lots of Updates, Featuring Some (Surprise!) Book News & Giveaways Galore appeared first on Skin & Tonics : Skincare Guides & Product Reviews.

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Sleeping in Your Makeup Might Not Be So Bad—IF You Follow This One Tip

We’ve all heard it before—sleeping in your makeup is the ultimate skincare sin. While it’s true that sleeping in your makeup is far from ideal, I actually don’t think it’s as bad as it’s made out to be. But wait…hear me out. 

The way I see it, it isn’t sleeping in makeup that’s so bad for skin. Instead, it’s the fact that when most people sleep in their makeup, they go 24 hours without washing their face. This may sound like an unnecessary distinction, but I do think it matters! Keep reading to learn when I think it’s okay to sleep in makeup plus my favorite tip for when you’re feeling “lazy” about your skincare.

Why I Don’t Think Sleeping in Makeup is as Bad as It’s Made Out to Be

As I said, I don’t think the act of sleeping in your makeup once in a while is that detrimental. People talk about it like your makeup is harming your skin, but if this were true we wouldn’t be wearing it for 8-12 hours almost every day! You definitely want to use high-quality makeup that’s compatible with your skin type (check out my list of the best foundations for oily skin), but the ingredients in makeup aren’t harming you. I even recommend that people wear some sort of foundation makeup every single day of the year as part of their “skincare” because it provides additional sun protection.

Pro Tip—Focus on the Importance of Cleansing Every 12 Hours 

Where I really think people really get into trouble is when they go 24 hours without cleansing their skin. This would mean you wake up, wash your face, do your makeup (or not), then go to sleep without washing your face. Regardless of whether or not you wear makeup during the day, this is definitely a no-no, and here’s why:

  1. Dehydration and Irritation. The few times a year I fall asleep without washing my face (rare, but it happens!), I always notice how tight and dry my skin feels when I wake up. When you don’t cleanse and moisturize your skin properly before going to bed, your skin can’t hold on to water very well. Plus, moisturizers evaporate after they have been on the skin for many hours. This results in dehydration and tight-feeling skin and can lead to irritation over time.
  2. Clogged Pores. Between sunscreen, makeup, and your skin’s natural oils, your pores can easily become congested if you don’t wash your face.
  3. Free Radical Damage. Over the course of the day, our skin accumulates pollutants. If left on the skin, these may cause free-radical damage which is a major source of skin aging.

With that in mind, my tip is this: if you’re staying out late at night and know there’s a chance you won’t feel like doing your skincare routine once you’re home, wash your face before you head out for the evening. Even if you put makeup back on and end up sleeping in it, you’ve now removed all the oil and pollution that accumulated on your skin during the day. It’s not perfect, but your skin will be much better off the next day. 

Doing this every once in a while isn’t going to hurt your skin in the long run, but of course, I obviously don’t suggest making a habit of it! The real downside to skipping your evening routine is that you aren’t giving your skin any serums or other products that help with recovery and regeneration. Nighttime is when our skin repairs the damage incurred during the day and also when it’s more receptive to active ingredients. Basically, not doing your skincare at night is a wasted opportunity.

Learn how to put together the perfect nighttime skincare routine. 

What to Do if Sleeping in Makeup is a Habit for You

Like I said, sleeping in your makeup here and there really isn’t all that detrimental, but you don’t want to make a habit of skipping your nighttime routine. If not washing your face at night is something you struggle with on a regular basis, try performing your skincare routine as soon as you get home for the day. I don’t know about you, but my motivation definitely starts to wane as I settle in for the night, and sometimes washing my face is the last thing I want to do right before bed. 

Even if finding the motivation to wash your face isn’t something you struggle with, there may be a benefit to performing your nighttime routine earlier in the evening. We used to think that the skin’s natural repair processes took over once we were asleep, but research has shown they actually start to kick in as soon as it gets dark. By washing your face and getting serums with active ingredients on your skin earlier in the evening, you’ll be getting a little more out of them than you would if you waited. Learn more about how circadian rhythms affect your skin.

If You Slept in Your Makeup, Here’s How to Reset Your Skin

Even if you washed your face before re-applying makeup, your skin isn’t going to be looking or feeling its best after you sleep in your makeup. Here’s how to get it back in shape.

Want more tips? Here’s how to repair your skin when you’re hungover (shhhh, we won’t tell).

So there you have it, my thoughts on sleeping in makeup! I wanted to share my point of view because I feel like everyone incorrectly puts the emphasis on makeup when it should be put on going 24 hours without washing your face. I hope you found this perspective interesting and that some of these tips gave you inspiration. Finally, remember that skincare should be something that brings you joy, not stress. If you fall asleep in your makeup here and there, go easy on yourself. The reality is, not wearing sunscreen during daylight hours is way more problematic for your skin so be sure to have it on your skin from sun up to sundown, 365 days a year and make sure you’re not making these sunscreen mistakes

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COMMUNITY REVIEW: JUNO & Co. Moonshine Miracle Cream

I am a total makeup geek. I am willing (and honestly, wishing) to try every eyeshadow, blush, cream, you name it, regardless of how many products I already have in my collection. I am that girl. So when the chance to try the JUNO & Co. Moonshine Miracle Cream came about, I was geeking out. Here’s what I thought:

Let’s Take a Look at the Product

According to the JUNO & Co. website, the Moonshine Miracle Cream is “a luxurious, super hydrating, creamy makeup primer that nourishes skin and diminishes imperfections for the perfect canvas before makeup.” I’ve heard this kind of claim from tons of products, so I needed more convincing that this product was worth the $35 price tag (ya girl has bills to pay).

The company also claims that this product is special because of the ingredients used in the formulation. It is “infused with JUNO’s patented sodium hyaluronate and avocado extract which provides 12-hours of moisture for a dewier complexion. It helps to maintain moisture levels to help visibly smooth and plump skin with ultimate hydration. Evens surface so foundation effortlessly glides on and stays put for longer-lasting makeup wear.”

Sodium Hyaluronate

Since I’ve started working at FutureDerm and one of my jobs is to literally read the FD blog, I have been way more interested in the ingredients and products I put on my face and body. I’m not necessarily skeptical or wary enough to turn a product away, (as I’ve said before, I will try all the makeup) but just more interested. So, in true FutureDerm fashion, I wanted to take a closer look at the patented ingredient used that makes this product special.

So, we know that as people, we’re mostly water. This is also true for our skin, and as we age, our skin begins to lose its moisture, causing loss of flexibility and resilience. Sodium hyaluronate is the key molecule involved with skin moisture, and according to the Derm Review, “the most dramatic histochemical change observed in aging skin is the marked disappearance of sodium hyaluronate in the epidermis (the top layer of skin).” By adding this ingredient to skincare it will help to attract moisture to the skin, resulting in a smoother, softer complexion. Pretty cool, but does it work in the Moonshine Miracle Cream?

Personal Use & Opinion

The very first thing I noticed was that the packaging was gorgeous, and I am a sucker for packaging. The jar itself looks like it’s speckled with stars on a dark purple background, and it’s a little heavier, making it feel expensive. The cream itself is thick and luxurious feeling. It’s lightly scented and feels like a really nice moisturizer when you put it on; it reminded me of a mix between E.L.F.’s Poreless Putty Primer and cold cream texture-wise.

When I received this product, I was just getting ready to head out to my vacation at the Grand Canyon, and it was a lifesaver! My poor Pittsburgh skin was not happy about the change from rainy/snowy and cold to dry and cold. I used this alone without makeup the first few times just because my skin was drinking it up in the desert. With makeup, I did feel a difference in how my foundation wore — it went on smoother and didn’t settle in my fine lines as much compared to other primers I’ve tried before. Overall, I was really happy with the product and ecstatic it saved my skin from drying out on my vacation. Timing is everything.

Bottom Line

I love the JUNO & Co. Moonshine Miracle Cream! It’s a luxurious feeling cream that can be used alone as a beautiful moisturizer, or as a primer under any foundation for a smoother look. And it includes proven ingredients like sodium hyaluronate working to retain your skin’s natural moisture to reduce the signs of aging. If you’re in the market for a new primer, this one is definitely worth a try.

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Using These Skincare Ingredients At the Same Time Could be Damaging Your Skin

When you’re constantly hearing about the many benefits of different buzz-worthy skincare ingredients, it’s hard not to want to use them all. (As a self-proclaimed beauty junkie, I know this feeling all too well!) While I definitely believe using a well-rounded combination of ingredients is the key to achieving great skin, certain combinations can do more harm than good when applied simultaneously.

Keep reading to learn which skincare ingredients you’ll want to avoid using at the same time. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of skin care’s most popular antioxidants, but you’ll want to think twice before you start layering it with other potent skincare ingredients. One thing to be mindful of is that topical vitamin C can come in many different forms. While you’ll want to keep the following combinations in mind regardless of which type you’re using, I want to specifically call out L-ascorbic acid. L-ascorbic acid is used in lots of skincare products and is the pure form of vitamin C, meaning it’s bioavailable and doesn’t need to be converted by your skin before it can be used. This makes it a very potent ingredient but also means it carries a higher risk of irritation than other forms of vitamin C. It’s also notoriously unstable thanks to how easily it oxidizes. 

Vitamin C + Benzoyl Peroxide

As I mentioned, vitamin C is a popular antioxidant. When applied topically, it plays a key role in preventing oxidation, a process that contributes to skin aging. Benzoyl peroxide, on the other hand, is a powerful oxidant (this is how it kills acne-causing bacteria). This means that it can prematurely oxidize your vitamin C serum so that it gets “used up” before it has a chance to protect your skin from environmental aggressors, like UV light and air pollution. 

In short, benzoyl peroxide will render your vitamin C serum ineffective, and you’ll be throwing money down the drain by applying them at the same time. 

Vitamin C + Retinol

While vitamin C and retinol don’t interfere with each other chemically, I recommend people avoid using them at the same time because there’s a high possibility of irritation. This is especially true if you’re using L-ascorbic acid over other, gentler forms of vitamin C.

This doesn’t mean you can’t use both ingredients in the same routine, though. I always tell people to use their vitamin C serum in the morning because it helps protect the skin against free radical damage and to use retinol at night to help restore skin while it’s in repair mode. 

Here are 5 things to look for in a vitamin C serum if you use retinol. 

Vitamin C + AHAs/BHAs (Exfoliating Acids)

Vitamin C is an acidic compound (again, especially if you’re using L-ascorbic acid), and exfoliating acids like AHAs and BHAs work by lowering the pH of your skin to encourage dead skin cells to slough off. The combination of vitamin C and exfoliating acids can easily throw your skin’s natural pH levels out of whack, resulting in a compromised moisture barrier and irritation. 

Again, I recommend people use vitamin C in the morning and exfoliating acids at night. 

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is a powerful oxidant that’s used to manage inflammatory acne. It’s an effective treatment because it’s able to actually target the bacteria that cause acne, but it’s also a very strong ingredient that’s known for causing lots of dryness and skin irritation if not used correctly.

Benzoyl Peroxide + Retinol

Both retinol and benzoyl peroxide are known to cause dryness and irritation, so this alone is reason enough not to use them at the same time. But in addition, these two ingredients don’t play well together chemically. 

Because of the way benzoyl peroxide molecules are structured, they really, really want electrons and will “steal” them from other molecules—including retinol. Compounds like retinol have lots of electrons, which makes them quite susceptible to oxidation. All this is a fancy way of saying that benzoyl peroxide can destabilize retinol and make it ineffective.

Note: There are certain pharmaceutical formulations of prescription retinoids like tretinoin that are designed to have stability against benzoyl peroxide. If you consult with a dermatologist and they recommend you use both, do so under their guidance. 

Benzoyl Peroxide + Vitamin C

Benzoyl peroxide and vitamin C shouldn’t be combined for the same reasons retinol and benzoyl peroxide shouldn’t be used together. Benzoyl peroxide will oxidize vitamin C and make it ineffective.

Benzoyl Peroxide + AHAs/BHAs (Exfoliating Acids)

Both salicylic acid (a BHA) and benzoyl peroxide are effective against acne, but using them at the same time can lead to excessively dry skin. Try using them on alternating nights instead for an equally effective anti-acne regimen

Retinol

Retinol is certainly a superstar ingredient in the world of preventative skin aging, but it’s incredibly biologically active. For this reason, I prefer that people use it on its own and let it do its thing. I recommend people use other active ingredients either on nights when they aren’t using retinol or in the morning.

Retinol + AHAs/BHAs (Exfoliating Acids)

Both retinol and exfoliating acids, like AHAs and BHAs, stimulate cell turnover in the skin, so using them at the same time is often too aggressive for most skin types. Using exfoliating acids in your routine can be a good way to manage dryness and flakiness from retinol, just make sure you’re using them on different nights. 

Here’s the weekly routine I suggest most retinol-users work up to: 

  • 2 days of retinol
  • 1 day of exfoliation
  • 2 days of retinol
  • 1 day of exfoliation
  • 1 day of hydrating serum
  • Repeat

Retinol + Vitamin C

Applying these ingredients at the same time can cause irritation, especially if you’re using a more potent form of vitamin C such as L-ascorbic acid.

Retinol + Benzoyl Peroxide

As I wrote about earlier, benzoyl peroxide is a powerful oxidant. This makes it a bad pairing for an ingredient like retinol, which oxidizes very easily and can become ineffective when combined with benzoyl peroxide. 

Exfoliating Acids (AHAs and BHAs)

AHAs and BHAs refer to alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids. These are used to exfoliate the surface of the skin by dissolving the bonds that keep dry, expired cells attached to the surface of the skin. (Learn more about the different types of exfoliating acids and how they work.)

I’ve already covered why exfoliating acids shouldn’t be combined with the following ingredients, but here’s a recap. 

AHAs/BHAs + Retinol

Both retinol and exfoliating acids stimulate cell turnover, so using them at the same time can send skin into overdrive and result in irritation.

AHAs/BHAs + Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is quite drying on its own, so combining it with another acne-fighting ingredient like salicylic acid (a BHA and also a drying ingredient) is a recipe for irritation.

AHAs/BHAs + Vitamin C

Both exfoliating acids and vitamin C are quite acidic, so applying both at the same time can disrupt your skin’s natural pH levels leading to a damaged moisture barrier. 

Niacinamide

Let me start by saying that niacinamide has no known ingredient interactions and is gentle enough to be used in combination with just about anything. Niacinamide is showing up in a lot of skincare formulations because it’s really versatile (seriously, here are all the ways it can improve your skin) and is typically tolerated well by all skin types. 

But here’s the catch. The highest percentage at which niacinamide has been studied for irritation is 10%, which was found to be a safe level. (Niacinamide can be effective at concentrations as low as 2%, proof that less isn’t always more when it comes to ingredient percentages.) I see companies including it in products at 15%, 20%, even 25%. This is more than your skin is meant to handle and can lead to irritation either on its own or when applied in combination with other ingredients.

Finally, be aware that if you’re using multiple products that contain niacinamide, you could be using an overall higher percentage than you think.

Note: Niacinamide pairs particularly well with retinol when used at 10% or less. It can even make it easier for your skin to tolerate a new retinol product! Learn more about how to start using retinol without getting side effects.

The Niacinamide + Vitamin C Myth

There’s a widely-held belief circulating on the internet and social media that niacinamide can’t be used at the same time as vitamin C, but there isn’t really any research to back this claim.

This belief seems to stem from a study published in 1963, which showed that vitamin C and niacinamide stuck together and combined into one molecule when they were in a bottle together. This is called “complexing” and sometimes makes the molecule inactive, but sometimes it doesn’t. Either way, there isn’t any definitive proof that this happens when these two ingredients are applied to the skin at the same time.

A Summary of Which Skincare Ingredients Not to Combine

Phew, I know that was a lot, so here’s a summary of skincare ingredients that shouldn’t be combined:

  • Don’t use vitamin C with: benzoyl peroxide, retinol, AHAs/BHA
  • Don’t use benzoyl peroxide with: vitamin C, retinol (unless under the guidance of a derm), AHAs/BHA
  • Don’t use retinol with: benzoyl peroxide (unless under the guidance of a derm), vitamin C, AHAs/BHA
  • Don’t use AHAs/BHAs with: vitamin C, retinol, benzoyl peroxide

Next, read about how to use your serums in rotation to get a full spectrum of ingredients and benefits.

The post Using These Skincare Ingredients At the Same Time Could be Damaging Your Skin appeared first on Expert Skin Advice from Renee Rouleau.

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COMMUNITY REVIEW: JUNO & Co. Moonshine Miracle Cream

I am a total makeup geek. I am willing (and honestly, wishing) to try every eyeshadow, blush, cream, you name it, regardless of how many products I already have in my collection. I am that girl. So when the chance to try the JUNO & Co. Moonshine Miracle Cream came about, I was geeking out. Here’s what I thought:

Let’s Take a Look at the Product

According to the JUNO & Co. website, the Moonshine Miracle Cream is “a luxurious, super hydrating, creamy makeup primer that nourishes skin and diminishes imperfections for the perfect canvas before makeup.” I’ve heard this kind of claim from tons of products, so I needed more convincing that this product was worth the $35 price tag (ya girl has bills to pay).

The company also claims that this product is special because of the ingredients used in the formulation. It is “infused with JUNO’s patented sodium hyaluronate and avocado extract which provides 12-hours of moisture for a dewier complexion. It helps to maintain moisture levels to help visibly smooth and plump skin with ultimate hydration. Evens surface so foundation effortlessly glides on and stays put for longer-lasting makeup wear.”

Sodium Hyaluronate

Since I’ve started working at FutureDerm and one of my jobs is to literally read the FD blog, I have been way more interested in the ingredients and products I put on my face and body. I’m not necessarily skeptical or wary enough to turn a product away, (as I’ve said before, I will try all the makeup) but just more interested. So, in true FutureDerm fashion, I wanted to take a closer look at the patented ingredient used that makes this product special.

So, we know that as people, we’re mostly water. This is also true for our skin, and as we age, our skin begins to lose its moisture, causing loss of flexibility and resilience. Sodium hyaluronate is the key molecule involved with skin moisture, and according to the Derm Review, “the most dramatic histochemical change observed in aging skin is the marked disappearance of sodium hyaluronate in the epidermis (the top layer of skin).” By adding this ingredient to skincare it will help to attract moisture to the skin, resulting in a smoother, softer complexion. Pretty cool, but does it work in the Moonshine Miracle Cream?

Personal Use & Opinion

The very first thing I noticed was that the packaging was gorgeous, and I am a sucker for packaging. The jar itself looks like it’s speckled with stars on a dark purple background, and it’s a little heavier, making it feel expensive. The cream itself is thick and luxurious feeling. It’s lightly scented and feels like a really nice moisturizer when you put it on; it reminded me of a mix between E.L.F.’s Poreless Putty Primer and cold cream texture-wise.

When I received this product, I was just getting ready to head out to my vacation at the Grand Canyon, and it was a lifesaver! My poor Pittsburgh skin was not happy about the change from rainy/snowy and cold to dry and cold. I used this alone without makeup the first few times just because my skin was drinking it up in the desert. With makeup, I did feel a difference in how my foundation wore — it went on smoother and didn’t settle in my fine lines as much compared to other primers I’ve tried before. Overall, I was really happy with the product and ecstatic it saved my skin from drying out on my vacation. Timing is everything.

Bottom Line

I love the JUNO & Co. Moonshine Miracle Cream! It’s a luxurious feeling cream that can be used alone as a beautiful moisturizer, or as a primer under any foundation for a smoother look. And it includes proven ingredients like sodium hyaluronate working to retain your skin’s natural moisture to reduce the signs of aging. If you’re in the market for a new primer, this one is definitely worth a try.

The post COMMUNITY REVIEW: JUNO & Co. Moonshine Miracle Cream appeared first on FutureDerm.

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Lots of Updates, Featuring Some (Surprise!) Book News & Giveaways Galore

Between working (on work) and hustling together some exciting book launch events (which are going to kick ass and I can’t wait to tell you about them), I’m not sleeping much these days. BUT. I’ve also been working on some kick-ass blog posts about beauty oils and body care routines!  In fact, I was hoping to post them this week, but my plans were foiled. They were foiled, however, for the very best reason, and that reason is that our Korean Beauty Secrets book started shipping 3 WEEKS EARLY!

Korean Beauty Secrets Book

It was insane, actually, as we had absolutely no idea that was going to happen!  We found out about it when people started messaging us on Sunday to tell us their book had just arrived from Amazon. First we did a lot of squealing, and after that we panicked. The original release date was supposed be November 3rd. Coco and I have been working on a companion website, the URL of which is actually in the back of the book. But that website isn’t ready yet because we thought we had a couple more weeks to work on it! So I’ve been in a frenzy since this past Sunday, frantically trying to get the book website ready for prime time. I haven’t showered in a couple of days, I’ve been subsisting on cereal and black cherry seltzer, and sleeping for 8 hours in a row is my new life goal.  This is how the hot dogs are made, you guys!

Korean Beauty Secrets Book

But the good news is: books are shipping! And I finally got a couple of copies of it today, and they look really, really good! Not only is the content great, the actual production is amazing. The binding, the weight, the print quality are all absolutely gorgeous; better than we ever imagined it would be. I’m so proud of this book that I have to restrain myself from shoving it in people’s faces and saying, “Have you seen this? I wrote it. Look at it. I SAID LOOK AT IT!”

Korean Beauty Secrets Book

Korean Beauty Secrets Book

Book-Related Instagram Giveaways

We’ve got a couple of pretty exciting Instagram giveaways surrounding this book going on right now! Here are the details for both:

Giveaway #1

Club Clio USA Book Launch Countdown Instagram Giveaway Event

Club Clio has been awesomely supportive of this book launch. They are doing a whole series of giveaways leading up to November 3rd (the original book launch date), with different bloggers getting to choose the giveaway prize. Today marks the start of my Clio giveaway, and the prize I’m choosing to bestow the winner is: Goodal Repair Plus Essential Oil! This is a moisturizing oil blend with fermented rice yeast, so it combines a few of my favorite things: fermentation, beauty oils, and Goodal. It’s rich but light, and perfect now that cooler, fall weather is setting in.

Goodal Repair Plus Essential Oil
This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents. Entry is easy! Just complete the following 3 steps:

Step 1: Post or regram the giveaway post from my Instagram account (@skinandtonics), with hashtags #beautywolfxclubcliousa #kerryxcoco #koreanbeautysecretsbook #clubcliousa #clio10dayskbeauty
Step 2:  Follow us on Instagram: Coco is @thebeautywolf, I’m @skinandtonics, and Club Clio USA is @clubcliousa
Step 3: Tag three friends you think might enjoy this giveaway

You can enter once a day, just tag three different friends each day!

Giveaway #2

Kerry & Coco’s “Show us Your Book” Mega-Hardcore-Balls-Out K-Beauty Giveaway

Okay, you got me, I actually just made the name up for this giveaway just now. It could be a little tighter! We thought we had a couple more weeks to think of a name! Luckily, we already had the prize all ready to go. Hold on to your hats:

Show us Your Book Giveaway Price Package

One lucky winner will get an insane prize package that includes the following full size products:

• Acwell Bubble Free pH Balancing Cleanser (a recent favorite, review forthcoming)
• S:um37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick
• Leejiham (LJH) Cosmetics Tea Tree 90 Essence
• Leejiham (LJH) Cosmetics Vita Propolis Ampoule
• Graymelin Hyaluronic Acid 100% (Serum)
• Illi Total Aging Care Body Oil (This oil changed my life)
• I’m Lip Liquid by XO Memebox in color OR601
• I’m Lip Liquid by XO Memebox in color VL600

and the follow deluxe sample/travel-size products:

• Illi Total Aging Care Body Oil
• Illi Total Aging Care Body Lotion
• Goodal Moisture Barrier Cream
• Whamisa Organic Flowers Deep Rich Essence Toner
• Whamisa Organic Flowers Cleansing Oil

This prize is serious. We did not want to mess around, and we hope you’re as excited about it as we are!

How to Enter:

It’s super easy! All you have to do is post a picture on your Instagram of an in-person copy (preferably your personal copy) of Korean Beauty Secrets: A Practical Guide to Cutting-Edge Skincare & Makeup. You can style the photo however you want, but it has to be a picture of the physical book or e-book (as opposed to a picture you found on the internet). For e-books, just show us a shot of the book on your e-reader! Then follow and tag @kerryandcoco, @thebeautywolf, and @skinandtonics, and add hashtag #showusyourbook.

Once you’ve done that, voila! You’re entered! We’ll be choosing a winner at random on November 15, 2015 and announcing on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. This giveaway is open internationally!

If you haven’t ordered your copy yet, now is a great time to do it. It looks like it’s only ~$14 on Amazon right now, which is a fantastic deal. It will also be available from a huge number of other retailers in the U.S. and internationally on November 3rd; Amazon just happens to be the only one I know is already shipping right now.

It’s an amazing book; we’re really proud of it, and we can’t wait for all of you to read it and tell us what you think!

The post Lots of Updates, Featuring Some (Surprise!) Book News & Giveaways Galore appeared first on Skin & Tonics : Skincare Guides & Product Reviews.

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Are Waterless Skincare Products Better for Your Skin and the Environment?

Waterless skincare products have slowly been making their way into the market ever since rising to popularity in South Korea. Although the category of waterless skincare has only emerged in the last few years, some of the products it includes have always been inherently water-free. Many of them, like butters, balms, and facial oils, are oil-based instead. Some products circumvent water by compressing ingredients into bar form (you’ve probably seen cleansing bars making a resurgence of late). The most recent addition to the waterless category is powders. Performance ingredients, such as vitamin C or enzymes, are kept in powder form and activated by water at your bathroom sink once you’re ready. 

Like everything else, waterless skincare is accompanied by marketing claims that can be confusing to navigate. In this post, I’ll break those claims down as well as explaining exactly what role water plays in your skincare products. Let’s dive in!

Am I Getting My Money’s Worth if Water is the First Ingredient in a Skincare Product?

One misconception is that water is a “filler” ingredient used to dilute skincare products and make them cheaper to produce. This is absolutely not true! Yes, water is inexpensive compared to most other ingredients, but that isn’t why it’s used. At the end of the day, it’s a necessary component of most successful skincare formulations, and there isn’t anything comparable that could be used in its place to get the same results.

So what exactly are those results? Here are some of the ways water enhances your skincare products:

  • Acts as the main carrier in product formulations. This means that without water, all the other wonderful ingredients in your products wouldn’t be able to get into your skin where they’re able to make an impact. A lot of products (especially serums) also use penetration enhancers that are designed to help deliver active ingredients into the skin. Many of these penetration enhancers are made using water.
  • Allows the use of certain active ingredients. Most (and I do mean most) active ingredients in skincare are water-soluble. This means they have to be dissolved in water in order to be “activated.” You wouldn’t be able to use your beneficial AHAs, peptides, and more without water!
  • Enhances texture and usability. Texture is an undeniably important factor when it comes to skincare. A product may have all the right ingredients but if it doesn’t feel good on the skin, you’re probably not going to use it. Water is the number one way chemists are able to create products with beautiful textures. (As you can see in the photo above, I had samples of a cleanser and a peel from my line dehydrated. This isn’t a totally accurate representation of waterless products and how they’re made, but it’s a good visual demonstration of how important water is when it comes to the texture and usability of a product.) 

How Much Water Should be in a Skincare Product? 

It’s completely normal for water to make up anywhere from 70%-90% of a skincare formula. I know this sounds like a lot, but you have to think about it in terms of understanding ingredient percentages. For example, we all know retinol is one of the most effective and potent ingredients in skincare. This is despite prescription creams containing 0.1% at most! Much more would be far too irritating for most people. 

All ingredients have an appropriate use level that makes them both safe and effective in a formula. Cosmetic chemists are well aware of these levels and the levels are often a lot lower than people expect, as I talk about in this post. Meanwhile, water is safe to use at any amount. It’s the perfect base thanks to its simple chemistry and the fact that it’s really stable all on its own. This means it’s unlikely to cause a negative reaction when mixed with other ingredients. All this to say, water is the real MVP when it comes to formulating skincare products and is so much more than just a “filler!”

Are Waterless Skincare Products More Potent? More Stable?

Generally speaking, waterless skincare products are more potent because they’re more concentrated. As you just learned though, more potent doesn’t always mean more effective. Most waterless products that contain highly-concentrated amounts of an ingredient, such as vitamin C powders, still need to be diluted with water before they can actually be applied to the skin. I can’t think of a single active ingredient I’d want to be applied on the skin at “full potency” and do worry about products like this being too strong or irritating. You also can’t really formulate with penetration enhancers when creating waterless products, so while the raw ingredient may be stronger it may also not be getting into your skin as effectively. 

To tackle the topic of waterless skincare products and stability, let’s stick with the example of vitamin C powders. You may have heard that L-ascorbic acid is more stable in dry form than in liquid form, and this is true! Water is notorious for making vitamins unstable. Remember though that this is a relative statement. Powders with L-ascorbic acid are more stable than their liquid counterparts, but this doesn’t mean powders can’t oxidize—it just takes longer. You still want to make sure they’re stored in opaque, airtight packaging. I also worry that some companies aren’t including desiccants in their formulas so that the powder stays truly dry and protected from moisture in the air. 

I love vitamin C as a skincare ingredient but am personally not a fan of L-ascorbic acid because it is so unstable. Instead, here are five things to look for in a vitamin C serum.

What About Preservatives?

Let me start by saying that the preservatives used in personal care products are well-studied and closely monitored, and I absolutely believe they’re safe to use (otherwise I wouldn’t formulate with them!). Beyond this, they help keep our products from growing bacteria, mold, and other organisms that can be harmful to our health. You can read more about my thoughts on preservatives, clean beauty, and the safety of ingredients in this blog post.

With that said, it’s actually not correct to assume that waterless skincare products don’t require preservatives. Even if you have a dry product like a powder, you have to consider the environment it will be in. All environments have some amount of ambient moisture in the air, and most products are stored in a bathroom—hello, humidity! This could cause unwanted organisms to grow, even in a “dry” product. Products like balms that are made up entirely of oils are also more prone to rancidity than most skincare products and need a system in place to prevent this. 

Is Waterless Skincare More Sustainable?

While some aspects of waterless skincare can be more sustainable, you can’t really make a blanket statement saying it’s more sustainable than more traditional skincare products. Water is a huge source of energy, so if you’re not using it, what are you using in its place? If there isn’t any water in your formula, what are you using instead? Is it sustainably grown and manufactured? 

Pros

One of the pros of waterless products is that they tend to take up less space than their liquid counterparts, so the packaging can be smaller thereby reducing waste. A waterless product might also take you longer to get through than a liquid product, so again, you’re reducing packaging waste by repurchasing less frequently. Another pro is that, without liquid, products tend to weigh less. This can reduce the carbon footprint of shipping them to customers.

Cons

Even if a finished product doesn’t contain water, the manufacturing process usually still requires water (and lots of it). Some waterless skincare products, like facial cleansing bars, are bound together by being exposed to high heat for a long period of time. This heat usually comes from tanks that are powered by—you guessed it—water. Water is also required to clean all the equipment used so it’s ready to go for the next batch. (These are only a few examples of how water is used during the manufacturing process but as you can see, it’s ubiquitous.)

You also have to consider what goes into the raw ingredients used in your products before they ever even make it to a lab or factory facility. For example, if your product is waterless by way of being oil-based, the footprint of growing the plants from which these oils are extracted can ultimately be greater than using water in your product.  

Bottom Line

Any type of skincare will have its unique challenges as well as benefits, and waterless skincare is no exception. I wanted to write about this because I’ve heard a lot of sweeping claims made when, in reality, it isn’t all so black and white. This isn’t to say there aren’t some great, effective water-free skincare products out there but, like anything, you have to weigh the pros and cons and decide what’s best for you. I hope this post gave you the insight to do just that!

The post Are Waterless Skincare Products Better for Your Skin and the Environment? appeared first on Expert Skin Advice from Renee Rouleau.

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COMMUNITY REVIEW: JUNO & Co. Moonshine Miracle Cream

I am a total makeup geek. I am willing (and honestly, wishing) to try every eyeshadow, blush, cream, you name it, regardless of how many products I already have in my collection. I am that girl. So when the chance to try the JUNO & Co. Moonshine Miracle Cream came about, I was geeking out. Here’s what I thought:

Let’s Take a Look at the Product

According to the JUNO & Co. website, the Moonshine Miracle Cream is “a luxurious, super hydrating, creamy makeup primer that nourishes skin and diminishes imperfections for the perfect canvas before makeup.” I’ve heard this kind of claim from tons of products, so I needed more convincing that this product was worth the $35 price tag (ya girl has bills to pay).

The company also claims that this product is special because of the ingredients used in the formulation. It is “infused with JUNO’s patented sodium hyaluronate and avocado extract which provides 12-hours of moisture for a dewier complexion. It helps to maintain moisture levels to help visibly smooth and plump skin with ultimate hydration. Evens surface so foundation effortlessly glides on and stays put for longer-lasting makeup wear.”

Sodium Hyaluronate

Since I’ve started working at FutureDerm and one of my jobs is to literally read the FD blog, I have been way more interested in the ingredients and products I put on my face and body. I’m not necessarily skeptical or wary enough to turn a product away, (as I’ve said before, I will try all the makeup) but just more interested. So, in true FutureDerm fashion, I wanted to take a closer look at the patented ingredient used that makes this product special.

So, we know that as people, we’re mostly water. This is also true for our skin, and as we age, our skin begins to lose its moisture, causing loss of flexibility and resilience. Sodium hyaluronate is the key molecule involved with skin moisture, and according to the Derm Review, “the most dramatic histochemical change observed in aging skin is the marked disappearance of sodium hyaluronate in the epidermis (the top layer of skin).” By adding this ingredient to skincare it will help to attract moisture to the skin, resulting in a smoother, softer complexion. Pretty cool, but does it work in the Moonshine Miracle Cream?

Personal Use & Opinion

The very first thing I noticed was that the packaging was gorgeous, and I am a sucker for packaging. The jar itself looks like it’s speckled with stars on a dark purple background, and it’s a little heavier, making it feel expensive. The cream itself is thick and luxurious feeling. It’s lightly scented and feels like a really nice moisturizer when you put it on; it reminded me of a mix between E.L.F.’s Poreless Putty Primer and cold cream texture-wise.

When I received this product, I was just getting ready to head out to my vacation at the Grand Canyon, and it was a lifesaver! My poor Pittsburgh skin was not happy about the change from rainy/snowy and cold to dry and cold. I used this alone without makeup the first few times just because my skin was drinking it up in the desert. With makeup, I did feel a difference in how my foundation wore — it went on smoother and didn’t settle in my fine lines as much compared to other primers I’ve tried before. Overall, I was really happy with the product and ecstatic it saved my skin from drying out on my vacation. Timing is everything.

Bottom Line

I love the JUNO & Co. Moonshine Miracle Cream! It’s a luxurious feeling cream that can be used alone as a beautiful moisturizer, or as a primer under any foundation for a smoother look. And it includes proven ingredients like sodium hyaluronate working to retain your skin’s natural moisture to reduce the signs of aging. If you’re in the market for a new primer, this one is definitely worth a try.

The post COMMUNITY REVIEW: JUNO & Co. Moonshine Miracle Cream appeared first on FutureDerm.

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Lots of Updates, Featuring Some (Surprise!) Book News & Giveaways Galore

Between working (on work) and hustling together some exciting book launch events (which are going to kick ass and I can’t wait to tell you about them), I’m not sleeping much these days. BUT. I’ve also been working on some kick-ass blog posts about beauty oils and body care routines!  In fact, I was hoping to post them this week, but my plans were foiled. They were foiled, however, for the very best reason, and that reason is that our Korean Beauty Secrets book started shipping 3 WEEKS EARLY!

Korean Beauty Secrets Book

It was insane, actually, as we had absolutely no idea that was going to happen!  We found out about it when people started messaging us on Sunday to tell us their book had just arrived from Amazon. First we did a lot of squealing, and after that we panicked. The original release date was supposed be November 3rd. Coco and I have been working on a companion website, the URL of which is actually in the back of the book. But that website isn’t ready yet because we thought we had a couple more weeks to work on it! So I’ve been in a frenzy since this past Sunday, frantically trying to get the book website ready for prime time. I haven’t showered in a couple of days, I’ve been subsisting on cereal and black cherry seltzer, and sleeping for 8 hours in a row is my new life goal.  This is how the hot dogs are made, you guys!

Korean Beauty Secrets Book

But the good news is: books are shipping! And I finally got a couple of copies of it today, and they look really, really good! Not only is the content great, the actual production is amazing. The binding, the weight, the print quality are all absolutely gorgeous; better than we ever imagined it would be. I’m so proud of this book that I have to restrain myself from shoving it in people’s faces and saying, “Have you seen this? I wrote it. Look at it. I SAID LOOK AT IT!”

Korean Beauty Secrets Book

Korean Beauty Secrets Book

Book-Related Instagram Giveaways

We’ve got a couple of pretty exciting Instagram giveaways surrounding this book going on right now! Here are the details for both:

Giveaway #1

Club Clio USA Book Launch Countdown Instagram Giveaway Event

Club Clio has been awesomely supportive of this book launch. They are doing a whole series of giveaways leading up to November 3rd (the original book launch date), with different bloggers getting to choose the giveaway prize. Today marks the start of my Clio giveaway, and the prize I’m choosing to bestow the winner is: Goodal Repair Plus Essential Oil! This is a moisturizing oil blend with fermented rice yeast, so it combines a few of my favorite things: fermentation, beauty oils, and Goodal. It’s rich but light, and perfect now that cooler, fall weather is setting in.

Goodal Repair Plus Essential Oil
This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents. Entry is easy! Just complete the following 3 steps:

Step 1: Post or regram the giveaway post from my Instagram account (@skinandtonics), with hashtags #beautywolfxclubcliousa #kerryxcoco #koreanbeautysecretsbook #clubcliousa #clio10dayskbeauty
Step 2:  Follow us on Instagram: Coco is @thebeautywolf, I’m @skinandtonics, and Club Clio USA is @clubcliousa
Step 3: Tag three friends you think might enjoy this giveaway

You can enter once a day, just tag three different friends each day!

Giveaway #2

Kerry & Coco’s “Show us Your Book” Mega-Hardcore-Balls-Out K-Beauty Giveaway

Okay, you got me, I actually just made the name up for this giveaway just now. It could be a little tighter! We thought we had a couple more weeks to think of a name! Luckily, we already had the prize all ready to go. Hold on to your hats:

Show us Your Book Giveaway Price Package

One lucky winner will get an insane prize package that includes the following full size products:

• Acwell Bubble Free pH Balancing Cleanser (a recent favorite, review forthcoming)
• S:um37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick
• Leejiham (LJH) Cosmetics Tea Tree 90 Essence
• Leejiham (LJH) Cosmetics Vita Propolis Ampoule
• Graymelin Hyaluronic Acid 100% (Serum)
• Illi Total Aging Care Body Oil (This oil changed my life)
• I’m Lip Liquid by XO Memebox in color OR601
• I’m Lip Liquid by XO Memebox in color VL600

and the follow deluxe sample/travel-size products:

• Illi Total Aging Care Body Oil
• Illi Total Aging Care Body Lotion
• Goodal Moisture Barrier Cream
• Whamisa Organic Flowers Deep Rich Essence Toner
• Whamisa Organic Flowers Cleansing Oil

This prize is serious. We did not want to mess around, and we hope you’re as excited about it as we are!

How to Enter:

It’s super easy! All you have to do is post a picture on your Instagram of an in-person copy (preferably your personal copy) of Korean Beauty Secrets: A Practical Guide to Cutting-Edge Skincare & Makeup. You can style the photo however you want, but it has to be a picture of the physical book or e-book (as opposed to a picture you found on the internet). For e-books, just show us a shot of the book on your e-reader! Then follow and tag @kerryandcoco, @thebeautywolf, and @skinandtonics, and add hashtag #showusyourbook.

Once you’ve done that, voila! You’re entered! We’ll be choosing a winner at random on November 15, 2015 and announcing on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. This giveaway is open internationally!

If you haven’t ordered your copy yet, now is a great time to do it. It looks like it’s only ~$14 on Amazon right now, which is a fantastic deal. It will also be available from a huge number of other retailers in the U.S. and internationally on November 3rd; Amazon just happens to be the only one I know is already shipping right now.

It’s an amazing book; we’re really proud of it, and we can’t wait for all of you to read it and tell us what you think!

The post Lots of Updates, Featuring Some (Surprise!) Book News & Giveaways Galore appeared first on Skin & Tonics : Skincare Guides & Product Reviews.

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