Kelly Bonanno

Your soulful coach for eco friendly living, organic beauty & wellness Savvy | Sexy | Beautiful | Healthy | You

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InLight Organic Skincare Review & Giveaway

Allow me to gush for a moment… I simply love this line. The products I tried for this review are sublime. They prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that we can have luxurious, effective, high performing skin care products without turning to toxins.

Inlight Organic Skincare is formulated with effective organic food-grade and cold-pressed oils, herbs, the purest essential oils and beeswax. The products are formulated by homeopathic doctor, medical herbalist and skin expert Dr Mariano Spiezia, the company’s founder.

One of the products they sent me to review is their facial cleanser. It’s a deeply hydrating oil-based balm that lifts skin impurities, fights blackheads and spots and removes makeup. The scent of this cleansing balm is absolutely divine. My first thought was ‘do they make a fragrance in this scent?!’ I seriously want a perfume version of it!

It’s different from any cleanser I have tried. You leave it on for a few minutes to allow it to deeply decongest and cleanse then wipe it off with the ph balancing floral tonic or for added exfoliation remove it with their organic cotton glove or your own wash cloth. This lovely cleanser is the recipient of beauty awards such as Anti-aging Beauty Bible and Green Parent Natural Beauty.

The face oil is one of the best that I have tried. It glides onto the skin beautifully giving a silky feeling. The scent is very nice; subtle with notes of vanilla and rose. Every ingredient is clean as is the scent but even some organic fragrances can be too overpowering, this is not! It’s designed to moisturize and nourish the skin as well as balance production of skin sebum.

My skin felt wonderful after applying it. It absorbs nicely and works very well under make up. I also used it at night and do believe I see some improvement in my skin.

The packaging is also lovely. Performance is what really matters but presentation is important, baby!

Check out my latest video, I give my full review and interviewed Lucie Husarkova, founder of Hug Your Skin. She shared interesting information about some of the effective anti-aging ingredients they use.

Holiday shopping is under way so I know you’re looking for great gift ideas, luxurious skincare is always a wonderful gift. Treat yourself and the women on your list.

Enter the giveaway for your chance to win an InLight product. There will be 2 lucky winners! One of you will win the chocolate mask and one of you will win the face oil.

They are also kindly giving all of my fabulous savvy readers 15% off any purchase. Just head to my affiliate link and enter coupon code KELLY15 at checkout. Discount valid through end December 31, 2017.

If you purchase Thursday, November 23 through Monday, November 27 you’ll get the special Black Friday deal: 25% OFF with promo code BFCB25. Purchases over $60 will include beauty glove made from 100% organic cotton.

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Get Glowing ~ 4 Tips For Radiant Skin

Guest post by Naomie Pierre       

  • Keep Things Shaded

Most of us have heard by now that it’s smart to use sunscreen and stay out of the sun for long periods of time when possible. However, experts are finding that avoiding sun all together can be harmful. It actually does the body good to take in a little sun each day, you’ll get a natural dose of vitamin D. Morning exposure has the least harmful rays. The sun’s rays are strongest between the hours of 10 am to 4 pm. So, try stay out of the sun during those hours or seek shade and wear a hat. It’s also important to use sunscreen that does not contain harmful chemicals.

 

  • Avoid Smoking

We know that smoking cigarettes is one of the worst things you can do for your health but it’s also one of the worst things you can do for your skin. Taking in the heated, chemically-infected air of a cigarette dries out the skin, makes the skin appear aged and adds to the creation of wrinkles. Smoke decreases blood flow to the exterior layers of the skin which takes away important nutrients and oxygen. In addition, the components that aid in youthful, tight skin – collagen and elastin – are also destroyed by smoke. Another way that smoking wreaks havoc on the skin is by the same facial gestures being done over and over again as required by a repetitive habit like smoking. These facial gestures will eventually become wrinkles.

Healthy, vibrant skin helps us feel better about ourselves and more ready to face the world head on 
  • Be Kind To Your Skin

Despite what many facial cleansing companies might tell you, it’s actually very damaging to the skin to wash it too frequently. It is also harmful to use water that is too hot, soaps that are too strong (they strip oil from the skin), or to dry with too much gusto. Instead, pat your skin dry, use mild cleansers without toxic ingredients and be sure to moisturize every day.

  • Eat Plenty Of Fruits And Vegetables

Mother Nature’s resource for vitamins is one of our great friends when it comes to helping our skin shine. By eating organic vegetables and fruit, you are aiding your cells in staying healthy and being able to fight off pollutants, sun damage, free radical and acne outbreaks.

Naomie Pierre covers lifestyle, health, beauty, skincare and women’s health topics for My Doc Hub, a trusted online doctor reviews and medical information website.

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Can Microdermabrasion Ruin Your Skin?

Guest Post by Igor Marcikic

We`ve all heard of microdermabrasion, a mild, non-invasive method of removing dead skin cells found in the surface layer of the skin. It was introduced in Italy, almost 30 years ago. Today, it`s one of the most popular methods for dealing with acne, mild scarring and wrinkles, skin exfoliation and rejuvenation.

Can it ruin your skin? Not if it’s done properly. Microdermabrasion boosts skin circulation and helps rid skin of toxins and impurities. However, as with any procedure, there  are dangers and hazards to be aware of.

Aluminum Oxide Crystals

Although this technology is outdated, you have to be aware, especially if you are looking for a machine for microdermabrasion at home. Some older machines use aluminum oxide crystals to blast the dead skin cells off your skin. Research shows that aluminum in personal care products is linked to Alzheimer`s disease, breast and prostate cancer.

These crystals can:

  • Cause skin irritation and inflammation
  • Scatter into your lashes, hair and ears, causing discomfort and possible health problems
  • Irritate your eyes, causing corneal scratches and abrasions
  • Cause the powder from the crystals to get into the lungs and lead to health problems, especially with asthma sufferers

The solution to this problem was found in the use of a new technology – diamond tip exfoliation without the use of crystals. It is less irritating and far more gentle on the skin so it can be used even on more sensitive areas.

So, before you schedule a microdermabrasion procedure (or order a machine for home usage), make sure they use a machine with a diamond tip!

Sensitive Skin

“Is microdermabrasion safe for sensitive skin?” Since sensitive skin often goes hand in hand with acne breakout, this question is incredibly difficult to answer. If your skin is already affected by severe acne inflammation, rosacea or if you spot broken capillaries, you should steer clear of this procedure.

Those with sensitive skin should get a professional do to the job properly with a diamond tip since it will allow better pressure control depending on the skin`s reaction. After the treatment, moisturize and hydrate your skin with pure non-toxic products since it will be very dry. The second treatment should be scheduled at least 2-3 weeks after the first one, to give your skin enough time to fully recover.

Microdermabrasion And Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a challenging time, as far as the skin is concerned. You may be faced with new breakouts, rashes and all sorts of skin problems, but pregnancy is definitely not the best time for microdermabrasion.

The skin will be far too sensitive and the normal post-procedure changes (dryness, redness and itching) may greatly intensify. Not only that, your skin will take more time to recover, opening a doorway to various bacterial skin infections. I advise waiting until after the baby is born. Everyone, particularly expectant mothers, should avoid skincare products containing harmful chemicals.

Post-Procedure Problems

Redness and dryness is normal, to a certain degree, it usually feels like a mild sunburn. This usually goes away after two days. If they are still present after 48 hours, you should consult a medical professional. It is also advised not to expose treated skin to direct sunlight for a couple days.

At the end of the day, skin type and sensitivity vary from person to person, so there are no ultimate rules and regulations.  Arm yourself with knowledge and always ask questions if there are some parts of the procedure you are not 100% on board with.

Igor Marcikic is a beauty & skincare writer, for more info & tips visit his blog, Skincare Panda.

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Skin Care for your 20s, 30s, 40s & Beyond

Guest Post by Lee Ann Buttery

From college sorority sisters to centenarians and everything in between, everyone should practice good skin care. With each subsequent decade, we must adjust our skin care regimen accordingly. If we take proper care of our skin (along with eating healthfully and exercising regularly), we can be confident that we’ll age gracefully. Whether you’re 20 or 100, keep reading to learn skin care tips appropriate for your age.

20s

Your skin is still very young but it requires a little more attention than it did in your teen years. Simplicity is still key here, but now is the time to take a small step toward anti-aging for preventive purposes. If acne is an ongoing battle it may be because you are using the wrong skin care products for your skin type. If you have oily skin, opt for a gel-based cleanser. If you have dry skin, choose a cream-based formula. For acne-prone skin, use a cleanser that contains acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid. After cleansing, apply a toner on the face and neck—well formulated toners can offer amazing benefits to the skin.

To treat blemishes, use a spot treatment that contains salicylic acid and/or colloidal sulfur. The last step is to apply a moisturizer with a built-in broad spectrum sunscreen for daytime. Choose one with a physical barrier like zinc so you don’t absorb harmful chemicals. For nighttime, choose a formula without sunscreen. It is crucial to take proper care of your skin now, because you’ll reap the benefits (or lack thereof) in your 30s and beyond—especially when it comes to protecting your skin from the sun; sunscreen is the top anti-aging product. When you approach your early 20s, you can incorporate an eye cream into your regimen to slow the formation of crow’s feet.

30s

You may start to notice your complexion is not as vibrant as it used to be in your 20s. Also, you may notice a few fine lines and crow’s feet around the eyes. Now is the time to really address signs of aging. Aside from basic cleansing, toning and moisturizing, it would be wise to include a serum in your skin care routine. Choose an antioxidant-packed serum such as a vitamin c serum to help address discoloration and dullness.

Moreover, now is the time to be a little more aggressive with exfoliation—use a cleanser that contains an alpha hydroxy acid such as Glycolic Acid. Exfoliating two to three times a week will instantly slough away dead surface cells to reveal a fresher, more youthful-looking complexion. It will also help increase cellular turnover, which slows down as we age. Cellular turnover is the speed at which skin cells die and are replaced by new ones. The process of cellular turnover is what determines the youthfulness of our skin. For instance, a child’s skin has very fast cellular turnover, which is why their skin looks so young and smooth. At this stage of the game, you should be using an eye cream to nourish the delicate eye area, especially since it gets more fragile and thin as we get older.

40s & Beyond

When you reach your 40s and beyond, hydration is more important than ever before. Continue the basic regimen suggested for those in their 30s but step it up a bit. Your skin care products—from cleanser to eye cream should contain hydrating ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin and Lactic Acid. Retinols work wonders too. Furthermore, continue to exfoliate two to three times a week with a product formulated with an alpha hydroxy acid (Glycolic Acid), for higher grade resurfacing.

Regardless of your age, there are universal skin practices that everyone should abide by. Aside from the basics such as cleansing, toning and moisturizing, everyone should wear sunscreen on a daily basis, moisturize and exfoliate regularly.  Be careful of the products you use, most skin care lines contain harmful chemicals. Beauty comes with every age and good skin care will yield the healthiest skin possible.

Lee Ann Buttery is a Licensed Esthetician and Professional Makeup Artist who works for Mario Badescu. She is passionate about all things beauty-related and has a particular obsession with anti-aging.