M2 Skin Refinish 12% (sensitive) Bundle Review and Giveaway (Closed)

Even if you find that your skin cannot tolerate strong or exfoliating skin care ingredients, M2 Skin Technologies recently released the Skin Refinish 12% formulation that is specifically targeted for those with sensitive and rosacea-prone skin. When used in conjunction with the Exfoliating Cleanser and Skin Recovery Moisturizer, it completely renews the skin without being harsh.

M2 Skin Refinish 12%was created by leading dermatologist, Dr. Mark Taylor, and formulated with a rejuvenating formula of concentrated Mandelic and Malic Acids. Together, these two specialty ingredients work to provide powerful antioxidant protection and refreshment. Great for those with acne-prone, aging, or hyperpigmented skin, it’s the perfect path for the softest, smoothest skin around.

The products contain both Mandelic and Malic Acids that offer beneficial anti-inflammatory properties and skin-protective qualities that will make a noticeable impact on your complexion. Mandelic Acid is naturally antibacterial, making it a must-have for acne-prone skin. Malic Acid is a natural humectant and antioxidant, and keeps the skin protected throughout the day. The three products work together to comfortably promote an even skin tone, reduce breakouts, fade acne scarring, and smooth fine lines and wrinkles by resurfacing the skin – without causing further irritation and stress.

I was too nervous to try this.  I do have acne and I could benefit from any help with hyperpigmentation, but with the holidays coming up, I was just too scared to jinx myself!  you can see my before and after acne pictures here and understand why.

Sooo, I let a friend with rosacea have the bundle.  I didn’t get words for the review at first, but more like excited squeaks.  She was so thrilled that the M2 line was so gentle she couldn’t form words!  I think she traded her voice for Alvin, from Alvin and Chipmunks when she said, “my skin has never looked better, flawless, redness from my rosacea faded in less then 10 days!”

My friend is 40 and of course is battling the signs of aging.  She is more on the fair skinned side of things and has never had any luck using anti-aging treatments.  She complains they either broke her out with acne or more rosacea and this is the first treatment she plans on purchasing after giving it a trial run!

I call that a smashing success!

And SkinCareRx.com would like to give one of you an opportunity to try the M2 Refinishing Bundle!  A $91 value!

This includes:

• M2 Exfoliating Cleanser
• M2 Skin Refinish 12%
• M2 Skin Recovery Moisturizer

And just because I didn’t try it with my acne prone skin, doesn’t mean you should not give it a shot! My friend has acne prone, sensitive skin like me, but also with rosacea and she is still calling me squeaking about how awesome her skin looks!

To enter, please visit SkinBotanica.com and tell me one item you wish you had for this Holiday Season.  Skin Care of Make up to glam up your holiday festivities!

Extra Entries: (you must do the mandatory entry, then the extra entries, please leave a separate comment for all entries) =)

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• Become a Fan of Prissy Green on Facebook.
  

• Follow Prissy Green on Twitter and Tweet the contest. You can do this daily.
  

• Blog about this contest for THREE entries. ** You must link to the giveaway.
• Unlimited entries. Post on any non-giveaway post. Leave link. It must be relevant to the topic. Only one comment per post, but you can do this for as many posts as you like.  Each comment is worth 1 entry, so you can not use it for multiple giveaways.
  

Contest winners are always chosen by random.org and verified per rules. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST, on 12/25. Open to US.

disclosure: I did receive items for review, but was under no obligation to report with a review.  opinions are still 100% my own.

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©

Oh Clarisonic How I Love Thee! Giveaway

You might remember I did a review and giveaway for the 2 Speed Clarisonic a few months back.

Well I was offered the chance either of reviewing the new Clarisonic Plus with Body Brush, or giving it away.  Since my old school Classic still works great, I wanted to give you readers the chance to win this bad boy!

The Clarisonic Plus includes :

• Three speeds for the face

• Body mode for cleansing areas of the body needing extra care and attention.

• Body Brush

• 3 Cleansers plus the Body Refiner cleanser

Sonic Skin Cleansing System

• Sonic Skin Cleansing System

• 6 times more makeup removal

• Leaves skin feeling and looking younger and smoother

• Cleanses so well that products absorb better

• Gentle enough for twice daily use

• Helps reduce oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes

• Helps reduce the appearance of visible pores

• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

I love love love my Clarisonic.  I hardly ever feel the need to use an additional exfoliator.  I feel like it gives me a more even exfoliation then any cleanser, or scrub can do.

I only use the sensitive skin brushhead on my Clarisonic, I don’t feel a need a to use anything stronger.  I do wish i had the body piece too, only because I do get occasional breakouts on my chest and back, but the heads do run out.  If I used the same head on my body as I do on my face, it wouldn’t last very long at all.  And they are pretty expensive to replace, at $25.   You only need to replace every 3-4 months, I would imagine I would need a new one every 1-2 months if I used the facial brush on my body.

So yes, you heard me, I have a giveaway for you!  One Prissy Green reader will win a Clarisonic Plus!

Mandatory entry:  You must be an email subscriber.
Your first comment should simply say, “email subscriber” or something to that effect.  Then you can leave comments for your extra entries.  (there seemed to be some confusion)

Extra Entries:

(leave a separate comment for each you do in order for them to count!)  =)

~Tell me what Skin issue you would most like the Clarisonic Plus to help with.
~Subscribe to Prissy Updates (emails) You must must validate the email.
~Sign up for me RSS feed.
~Vote for me at Divine Caroline (if  you haven’t already) and get TWO extra entries.
~Use the Share button below, Stumble, Digg, MIXX, Delicious etc. Leave a link or User name. Do as many or as few as you like. ( You will need to redo any previous faves on technorati)
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~Blog about this contest for THREE entries, you must link to me and the sponsor

***If you haven’t voted at Divine Caroline, go there, VOTE for Prissy Green, come back here and leave your vote # in the comments and get an extra entry!***

FTC disclosure: I did get a Clarisonic Classic a few months ago from Clarisonic.  Clarisonic is sponsoring this giveaway.

Contest winners are always chosen by random.org and verified per rules.  Contest ends at 11:59pm EST, on 11/16.  Open to US only.

Buy all Clarisonic Systems and Accessories at Beauty.com and Sephora!

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©

I am DONE with Acne! My Skin is CLEAR!!

So I have some updated photos and wanted to tell you with out any reservation, that Carley’s Clear and Smooth has worked for me! Kicked some major acne a$$!

My routine is to use Carley’s Acne cleanser every morning, then wash with Carley’s simple soap. Then I use Carley’s Anti-Aging Night Cream for Acne. I have found this to be lighter on my skin then the daytime lotion, and really seems to heal anything that might be active on my skin.  The SPF I use during the day is 100% Pure’s Tinted Moisturizer.  It has natural zinc which also helps to heal acne.

At night I wash with Carley’s soap only. If I have makeup on, I usually wash it twice, but neither time vigorously and no washcloth. One thing I definitely realized, is no matter how gentle the wash cloth, it always hurts any active pimples I have, usually be tearing the tops off them, and thus making them scab.  About 3-4 nights a week I use my Clarisonic to help make sure my skin is 100% clean.

I am still on my first bottle of Carley’s (acne cleanser), but probably only have a couple week left of it. I am only about halfway through the bar soap. It was HUGE! About the same for the Anti-Aging Night Cream for Acne. I probably won’t reorder anything else at this time. I have plenty of the Daytime Moisturizer, which is what I use on my chest and back. And PLENTY of the mask. It is a huge container for the mask, and since I only use it once a week, I have not gone through much at all.

I think when I purchased everything it was $63, and by the time I am out, 2 of the four products I purchased lasted 2 months, and 2 are lasting longer then that! Well for full disclosure, I purchased, then he saw that I was going to review them and refunded my money. See he KNEW they would work! =)

I have been using the Alaska Glacial Mask since August 1 and I still have about 1/2 of it left too. It is amazing how less product I use now, compared to when I had active zits popping up all over the place.

There are even been a couple nights where I stayed out late, and didn’t wash my face before bed.   YIKES!

I will say that Carley’s isn’t helping my dark spots, old acne scars, but I am going to give Pevonia Lightening Gel a try. I will keep you posted on that too.  consider the pics below my first day before using Pevonia’s Lightening Gel.  I am going to start using it twice a day until I see improvement.

I am also trying to figure out what to do about the new clogged pores on my nose.  I have more white/black heads on my nose then before.  They aren’t so noticeable to others, but I see them!  So i will keep you posted on that too!

If anyone has any questions please let me know!  And remember, Carley’s has a 100% money back guarantee, they even pay back your shipping!!  And it isn’t 30 days, it is whenever you realize it isn’t going to work.

Okay so here are my before and here are my afters!  I even named this file “acne final!”  How exciting is that?  now I will keep you up to date with my skin lightening with the Pevonia Lightening Gel.

Before

after

isn’t that fantastic??  My face always looked the before pics, or worse.  Usually worse, Craig and my mom both said.  YIKES! I knew how bad it was, but everyonae pretended it wasn’t that bad.  And yes, I have lost some tan, but not as much as those pictures make it out to be!  HA!  I look like a ghost in my after photos!  But I will take pale over zits any day!

I also had the little milia that sits under the skin like pebbles?  It is dry and grainy feeling?  I estimate I had about 100 of those during this before picture.  Of course you cant see them, but I could!  And when I wore makeup it made them more pronounced.  Well they vanished too!  I had never had that problem before 6 months ago, so I was thrilled to see them leave too!

I really want to assure you to, that I am not just telling you Carley’s Clean and Smooth worked so you will buy via their Affiliate link for.  I swear on my dogs’ lives.  Not something I do lightly mind you.  It truly did work for me.  And those are the photos to prove it!  I am amazed, that something so simple, and so different then what I have been doing all of these last 5 years is what worked.  Less is more, and simple is better!

I will also mention that Andrea didn’t fair so well with Carley’s.  I think partially because she just had a baby. But don’t forget to read my acne tips too!  Oh, and here is my first post on the whole thing!

I should mention to you that I found a Women’s Multi-Vitamin that doesn’t contain a lot of Iodine, Rainbow Light Women’s One Multivitamin tablets.  Let’s face it, most of us get enough from food each day.  This only has 1o mcg, the US RDA 200 mcg.  I know I get plenty from the foods I eat, but you may want to double check your diet and see if you are getting any Iodine from any other source.

So for now, that is all!  I will keep you posted on the lightening of the dark spots, especially my upper lip and right cheek.  Those seems to be the worst spots.  Thanks for all your support while doing this!  I can’t believe the first time I grew enough nerve to post something like this, with photos and all, it WORKED!

They have oodles of testimonials on their website, but what actually triggered me into buying it and trying it, were the 391+ reviews for Carley’s Clear and Smooth on Acne.org.  Not everything works for everyone, but damnit, I finally found what works for me, and I want to share it with everyone!

I also use Carley’s Acne Mask once a week and a Natural Clay Mask (my choice is Alaskan Glacial Mud) once or twice a week. Also about 2-3 times a week I soak my face with Clarisea Salt soaks. I do this with a wash cloth soaked in a salt water solution. I rinse it out, then let it sit on my face for about 30 seconds. Then dunk it in the water repeat several times. If I am in a hurry, but feel like my face is getting clogged, i will fill the basin with the salt and water, and continually splash the water on my face, and semi-rub it in.  But that is it. No harsh creams, drying skin products, simplicity.

Clarisea is offering FREE SHIPPING this week only, plus has a set of Salts Buy 1 Get one!

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©

Some Helpful Acne Tips, and an Update on My New Regimen

I figure it is a great time to update you!  Last week my skin was a WRECK.  I have no clue what it was, if it was the whole “getting worse before better”, hormones, or what!  But I also admit, one spot was from me picking… But in my defense, I had a non inflamed white head, that has been sitting there forever (months) and saw that it was closer to the surface… So yes, I cleared it, but got a icky ol scab from it.  **dout!**

I had not previously been using my Clarisonic, but I added that back to my routine.  I use the sensitive/gentle brush, and I use it at night with the Clear & Smooth Natural soap only.  It really seems to help give me a more even exfoliation.  The problem I noticed with my Carley’s Clear & Smooth Kick A** is that it doesn’t seem to give an even exfoliation.  I have never been a fan of walnut shells for exfoliation, and I really wish this formula used jojoba beads instead.

I have continued using my Alaskan Glacial mask once a week, or even twice if I seem oily, but I am also using the Carley’s Acne Mask once a week too.  I really did find that it helps the old stuff go away.  I am thinking this might be week 4?  It can take up to 2 months for a blemish to appear, so who knows!?  I have also started doing my Clarisea Soaks twice a week.

My skin does look a lot clearer right now.  And i an almost get away with just throwing on my 100% Pure Tinter Moisturizer alone.  I just need a couple spots concealed which is not a huge deal, since I am prone to dark circles under my eyes anyways.

(forgive my zombie like look, these were taken at 5:30am…)  Overall I would say I am having a pretty good success rate with Carley’s.  He did tell me it might take 6 weeks to really see results, so I no complaints here!

A few random, but important Acne Tips!

One quick tip for pregnant women if you are starting to break out, beware of what Pre-Natal Vitamins you are taking.  Most of them contain a lot of Iodine, and you want to beware of that!  here are a couple you can talk to your doctor about.

• Duet DHA – Rx only along with Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplements
• Stuart Natal Pre-Natal Vitamins (which are over the counter).

I am not sure if this is true for all vitamins, I checked mine, and they do not contain any iodine. But check yours too!

Not just for pregnant women:

Going along with the whole Iodine thing…. Watch the peanut butter.  Or find a peanut butter that is salted with Sea Salt.  Ack, this has been hard for me.  And watch what you salt!  If you are a major salter, switch to sea salt!  Not only does it contain better nutrients, but it doesn’t contain Iodine.  I think this may be the reason people think fried foods cause acne.  think about it, when was the last time you had anything fried with out salt on it? 

I know you have heard about taking Zinc for acne?  Well yes, this is true, but the problem is that you need a specific form of Zinc, and it is not the Zinc that is contained in most supplements.  The one I have found is by Source Naturals and is called OptiZinc.  It is formulated with monomethionine, not zinc gluconate dihydrate, zinc picolinate.  All you need is one tablet once a day.  It contains 30mg, which is 200% RDA, plus it also contains some Copper.  When I was first told about this, I was told that it has been clinically shown to be as effective (if taken regularly) as taking an anti-biotic.  I like Solgar Supplements too, and it looks like they carry it was well.

OptiZinc is a unique, patented form of zinc consisting of zinc bound to the natural and more bioavailable “L” form of methionine (l-methionine), the amino acid best absorbed by the body. Studies show that OptiZinc is better absorbed and retained longer and is more effective than other forms of zinc tested.

OptiZinc promotes proper:

Take Fish Oil! I was actually told by my GYN, that this could be what was breaking me out… Well since I had started taking it because of my acne, i quickly stopped. Then found out, that it can actually help regulate hormones and is good for acne. Try taking about 1000-1800mg of Fish Oil. If you have issues with “fish burps” place your bottle in the freezer, you don’t want the caps breaking open in your belly, you want it to get all the way to your colon, where it will be absorbed.

L-Lysine. I have taken this Amino Acid off and on for years, but never for acne. I always took it for pesky fever blisters that I would get on the inside of my mouth. Usually from stress or eating too much citrus/tomatoes. Take 500mg twice a day. It helps to repair old acne. I am not aware of whether it helps to keep acne at bay, but whenever I have a nasty blemish, I take this, and it seems to make them go away twice as quickly. You can get this pretty cheap at most drugstores.

L-Lysine is an essential amino acid that is necessary for the building blocks of all proteins. L-Lysine has been suggested to inhibit virus Problem created due to harmful organisms and is recommended for herpes simplex, canker and cold sores, proper nitrogen balance, enzymes, collagen and tissue repair, after surgery and sports injuries.

I don’t support the products at this site, but this sheet telling us about what level of pore clogging/comodegenic ingredients is invaluable!

Oh, and the last thing…. Not sure how I feel about this one, but did you know that what you think are blackheads on your nose, are really just sebaceous filaments.  They will never go away. They are basically oil glands, and are meant to be there.  Now don’t ask me why the lord did this to us, but an actually blackhead is raised up off the skin.

I guess I believe it, since no matter how clear my skin has ever been, I have had them.  Although I do think they can get worse depending on what products used.

Get an Extra Entry into any ONE contest EVERY DAY for voting! Vote once per day! Just leave a comment, on the contest you want the extra entry for, and leave your vote #!!

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©

Clarisea Skin Clarity, From the Sea! Review and Giveaway

I have always noticed, how being at the Beach, and soaking in salt water always cleared my skin, as well as helped to heal any wounds I might have had.  It does this in a couple of ways, balancing your skins Ph level, as well as replenishing your skin with all the nutrient minerals contained in the salt water, plus the sodium chloride is a natural cleanser and deep pore exfoliant. It fights bacteria on the surface of skin while drawing out impurities from deep within pores. With the help of gently exfoliating sand, blemishes are brought to the surface and flushed out while redness is minimized and moisture re-balanced. I am sure you have heard how much better sea salt is for your health, so why not your skin?

Clarisea has taken this to a whole new level.  Alison, the founder and creator, had horrible acne. Not just on her face, but her chest, arms and back.  When she spent some time at the beach one summer she noticed how quickly it started to go away.  It was especially intriguing for her, as she had exhausted all her efforts with other medications, and acne treatments.

Clarisea created a specially formulated sea salt blend that naturally combats breakouts without over-drying or irritating skin. While you soak, sodium chloride deeply cleanses and exfoliates clogged pores so existing blemishes heal more quickly and emerging breakouts are brought to the surface and flushed out. Essential sea minerals including potassium, magnesium and calcium work to tone, soften and smooth out skin while minimizing redness and re-balancing moisture. With regular use this cycle repeats and skin is returned to its most natural state.

The Sea Salt blend is not the only item Clarisea has to offer. Scrubs, masks, and cleansers too! Not just for the face, but the body, because acne can show up anywhere.

When I got my kit to try Clarisea, a couple months back, the first thing I noticed was the snorkel.  I thought to myself, “well what in the world is this for?”  Well you need to soak, usually for about 2-5 minutes.  So the snorkel lets  you do this a whole heck of a lot easier then holding your breath and coming up for air.  Of course you have that option to if you like!

I got into the tub, dumped the right amount of salts in, used my facial cleanser and decided to give it a go!  Did I feel silly as ever using a snorkel?  hell yes.  But I did it, and it is pretty amazing how relaxing it is.  you can really only concentrate on breathing, no multitasking underwater, so it is a nice break.  My skin show marked improvements in no time.  Old acne healed, and saw less acne forming, it was a point proven wrong for me, that it usually gets worse before it gets better.  Mine did not.  The mask is really nice too.  Kaolin clay helps to draw impurities, while macadamia and sunflower oil keep the skin healing and healthy. (both are non-pore clogging oils)

I was really surprised, not only how quick the entire system worked, but how gentle it is.  The mask, doesn’t suck your face of every drop of moisture, and it is always nice to have a treatment, that works for sensitive skin, as mine can be pretty testy at times.  My skin has never gotten red on this, and although I fell off the wagon for a bit from using it, I am signing myself back up to the wagon as of last week.

The body scrub is really special.  I don’t always break out on my back, but sometimes I do, and usually when I do it is bad.  shoulder to shoulder, and mid way down, sometimes even creeping to my neck!  There aren’t many body scrubs that don’t contain loads of pore clogging moisturizers, so this was a great change of pace.

I would say my only issue with this line, is that I am never able to sit still.  I am a multi-tasker.  A figet-er, trying to get me to sit still for 5 minutes even a few times a week, is near impossible.  I have never had luck with painting my nails because of this.  But that is my issue, not the products.  What I started doing to make it easier, and I just started this, is soaking a wash cloth in some of the salt water.  Then sitting that on my face while in the detox tub, and rinsing it out and repeating a few times.  My system came with a bowl, so i just use that, and it makes it super simple.

The Continuous sprayer is also nice for this, you hold the button down and steady stream of water flows out. I seem too impatient for it! =)

Alison from Clarisea, wants to offer one Prissy Green reader the chance to try the entire system out!

This will include:

• 80 oz Clarifying Salt Treatment: Face + Body Soak
• 4 oz Perfecting Clay Mask
• 9 oz Exfoliating Cleanser: Body

5.2 oz Purifying Cleanser: Face

15.5 oz Salt Scrub

• Collapsible Bowl & Scoop
• Continuous Sprayer
• Bath Tub Kit

To enter, please go to the Clarisea website and tell me one of their skin care tips!

PLUS this entire week Alison is offering FREE SHIPPING!!  PLUS she has a buy 1 get one half off sale until 9/30! Sweet deal!

Extra Entries: (leave a separate comment for each you do in order for them to count!)  =)

~ Subscribe to Prissy Updates (emails) You must must validate the email that is sent to you!!!
~Sign up for me RSS feed.
~Sign up for the Clarisea Newsletter (you also get 15% off!)
~Use the Share button below, Stumble,  Fave on Technorati, Digg etc. Leave a link or User name. Do as many or as few as you like.
~Follow  Prissy Green on Twitter and Tweet the contest. You can do this daily.
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~Blog about this contest for THREE entries, you have to use LINKS, and you must link to this contest, as well as to me and the sponsor.

Get an Extra Entry into any ONE contest EVERY DAY for voting! Vote once per day! Just leave a comment, on the contest you want the extra entry for, and leave your vote #!!

Contest winners are always chosen by random.org and verified per rules.  Contest ends at 11:59pm EST, on 10/12.  Open to US!

Make sure you check out all of my other Eco-Friendly Giveaways!

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©

Pure Anada Mineral Cosmetics, Review and Giveaway

I have been struggling for at least the past two years to find a natural, healthy mascara.  And finally someone delivers, and that someone is Pure Anada. It lengthens, adds great volume, and does all this with no clumps, or flaking!

It is so ironic, as a couple months ago, a reader asked me what the one thing I had not changed over from traditional products might be.  I quickly replied MASCARA! I had tried several, MiEssence, Physicians Formula, and a couple more, and they either flaked, or didn’t give my eyes any vroom vroom!  I am utterly shocked at how much the Pure Anada Natural Mascara compares, to my old mascara.  It might even be better at providing a clean rich black color, as well as more volume with out clumps.

Pure Anada also carries 100% Pure Mineral colors such as blush,  eyeshadows, color correctors and of course foundations!   Plus eyeliners, bronzers, finishers and so much more!

Pure Anada only uses the most natural ingredients to create their color formulations, no talc, bismuth oxychloride, artificial colors, synthetic preservatives or Carmine.  You can read what they do use here.

They have a huge selection of colors for all skin colors including ethnic skin and African American.

Pure Anada has offered a $50 gift certificate to one Prissy Green Reader!  That is a lot of color!!  To enter, head over to Pure Anada and tell me one item and color that you would choose if you were to win the $50 Gift Certificate!  (don’t worry you can change your mind later!)

Extra Entries:

~ Subscribe to Prissy Updates (emails) You must must validate the email that is sent to you!!!
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~Use the Share button below, Stumble, Kirtsy, Fave on Technorati, Digg etc. Leave a link or User name. Do as many or as few as you like.
~Follow  Prissy Green on Twitter and Tweet the contest. You can do this daily.
~Become a fan of Pure Anada on Facebook, OR join their Newsletter!
~Blog about this contest for THREE entries, you have to use LINKS, and you must link to this contest, as well as to me and the sponsor.

Contest winners are always chosen by random.org and verified per rules.  Contest ends at 11:59pm EST, on 10/6.  Open to US and Canada!

Make sure you check out all of my other Eco-Friendly Giveaways!

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©

Acne Fight Fix Up Update: Start of Week Two

Augh, I started breaking out over the weekend.  Like the super charged icky ones.  One ginormous one on my nose, that hurt like hell, now I have one like that on my chin.  And I had one on my forehead and one above my temple- both of those were just sorta oozy, not painful, just scabby at first sight.  gross.

I have also had quite a few “clogged” pores, then once they are cleared, no biggie, life returns to normal.  Seems like this treatment really heals ALL of the acne pretty quickly once it surfaces, which is fantastic.  I mean the one on my nose was horrid.  Sunday I was almost afraid to go to lunch because of it, but today, you can hardly see it.

I think I am going to start using my Alaska Glacial Co. Mask once a week (maybe twice) and the Carley’s Mask for Acne Prone Skin once a week.  It is VERY heavy, full of good ingredients, but not enough clay, and I think for now my skin is getting plenty of moisture!  Although the ingredients are great for my skin, I think it is causing my skin to react.  Afterall one day I am using 10% Benzoyl Peroxide every night with nothing underneath it, nothing on top.  And 10% during the day with Sunscreen on top, and now, I am using moisturizers and “replenishers”, and soothers?  My skin is freakin out a little!

I am pretty thrilled that my face is not showing any major adverse reactions.  I do have to be really really careful to not get any of the Acne Treatment anywhere close to my eyes.  Some products don’t effect my eyes and others do.  This does.  I learned the hard way.  Now I actually put a little jojoba oil on them before I do the treatment, and then wash it off with the soap after wards.  it works great.
Oh, and I so love the Carley’s Natural Soap! I have been using it consistently as my body soap, and my shampoo most days. (except for review days) and wow, super creamy, unscented just a nice clean scent. YUM!

These pics don’t really show anything all that well, I have tinted moisturizer on, they actually make me look like I have pretty good skin!  I wish the real life world saw me through a photo! =)  The marks you can see really is acne, they sorta look more like discoloration, which some of it is.

Carley’s really has been helping my acne go away faster, the question is, will it stop the acne from forming?  ah, the million dollar question!

And just a reminder, I am not being paid, or compensated for my review.  I struggle with acne, and I know some of you do too.  I have tried so many products and I felt it was time to share my stories with you.  If this works, great!  If not, I will move on to the next test of products and keep this going!

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©

Acne Update After Day One

No pics, so don’t get too excited!  =)

I don’t quite remember what night I ordered the products but they were here by 11am Tuesday, so that was FAST!!  I know I didn’t order them any earlier then friday, but I was thinking it was Saturday.  Plus he sent me 4 bars of his Natural Soap, and I think I was only due to get 2, plus a few samples, one being a jumbo bottle of the regular Acne Treatment. I purchased the Kick A** Industrial Treatment.  I also got a pretty fantastic Seabuckthorn Tangerine lip balm.  When it got here I had not moseyed into to the shower yet, so I pretty much opened it up, and grabbed it all, and went and took a bath.

Not sure if told you before what I ordered so i will tell you (again.)

The Clear and Smooth Industrial Strength (aka Kick *ass), Anti-Aging Moisturizer for Acne-Prone, Daytime Moisturizer for Acne Prone, Mask for Acne Prone.

So far I have used it all, but the Anti-aging moisturizer, Stephen recommends waiting a couple weeks before using that to let your skin get accustomed to everything else.  OH and the soap of course!  Man that is one hella big bar of soap!  I bet it is 8oz.  It is a nice thick creamy lather.  I used it on my hair too.

So first you use the Clear and Smooth, use a lot, and smooth it all over your face and wherever you get breakouts.  It is grainy, but not harsh at all.  then rinse well, then use a wash cloth, and lather it with soap, and wash your skin you just used the C&S on, and wash it again.  You basically want to make sure their is no residue from the C&S left on your skin.  Then I dried my face, and applied the mask.  It isn’t a drying mask, but rather a replenishing mask. It has Broccoli sprouts! WTH!?  I know. You really need to go read his thoughts on all of this. I am telling you, you need to get inside of his head. I think it make so much sense once you do.

Then after the day was over, I simply washed my face with the natural soap, no treatment.  Just soap.  then I applied the daytime moisturizer again.  it is really light.  I really really hope this works.

Oh, I wanted to touch on this too.  I hope I didn’t confuse anyone when i said his whole line was natural. he does have some preservatives and a couple binders, one of which is propylene glycol.  It is on my naughty list.  BUT in my own defense, it is only in the treatments, and I will only have those on my skin for 30-60 seconds and then wash them off with the soap, and that is 1 time a day.  and to be honest… I would rub poop on my face right now if I thought it would work!  for the last couple months I have been using 10% benzoyl peroxide, shame on me, but it was the only thing that was working, but I knew I was really damaging my skin, not to mention absorbing some really bad stuff!

forgive me readers for I have sinned! =)

And if you do decide to order? I would really love it if your ordered through the banners at the bottom of my posts, I am now an affiliate with them, so I can make a little cashola to help keep this blog rolling! I have one measly advertiser right now, Thank you HIPGREENDEALS.COM! so anything I earn is a huge help! Plus the sites on my “shopping page” are all potential money earners for me too. Now please don’t feel pressured, I am just putting it out there!

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©

My New Acne Battle and Regimen

I think you all know my struggle with Adult Acne right?  I am sorry to talk about it all the time, but there are days when I don’t want to leave the house because of it.  It is depressing, and well a complete embarrassment.  No fun being 31 and having more breakouts then when I was a teenager.  I am constantly struggling to find new products, and even though I give them all a fair shake, they always fail me.

I have tried ProActiv.  Dermatologists.  Anti-biotics, Retin-A.  Other Prescriptions, and it seems like all the natural products there are.  I have stubborn resistant acne.  Seems it is just like it’s host!  Stubborn as a mule! 

I was looking through affiliates the other night, and saw a sorta cheesy ad for Carley’s Clear and Smooth.  But what I noticed about it, was that there were all these great testimonials.  And most of them were also linked to Ebay and to Acne.org.  You can fake testimonials on your website, but you can’t fake positive Ebay feedback.

So after a couple hours I decided to order it. What I really like about it, is that the product is pretty much all natural.  Basically it is saponified oils and soaps, just like natural bar soaps, but liquid, with Walnut Shell Powder for exfoliation (very very fine), Benzoyl Peroxide and a few essential oils.  It does have a few other ingredients, but you can read about them all on their website.

The trick is that after you wash with that, you use their natural soap, to wash it off.  So you don’t actually let the Benzoyl Peroxide sit on your skin all day, killing beneficial bacteria as well as the acne bacteria too.  You also only use that once a day, and then use that natural soap once more a day to clean your skin.  I ordered 4 products in total, the treatmeant above, a night time moisturizer, a daytime moisturizer, and a mask.  They actually send you a natural soap with with most treatments, plus foundations samples too!

They also have a crazy return policy.  You can send back the bottles at any time, and they will send you a refund, plus shipping costs.  YES, plus shipping. You can send it back after a year.  Bottles empty.  That is how much they believe in their products.  Just check out their Ebay feedback.

Anyways, if you want to read more, please do, I will leave the link at the bottom of the post.  So when I placed my order, I let them know that I run a blog, and that I would be really interested in posting about them.  A couple emails later, Stephen noticed that I already had their button up, and he refunded my money!  $63 worth! Now doesn’t they tell you that they stand behind their products working?  I was so floored!!  I am so happy, and anxious to try these products, I can’t stand it!  Of course I don’t want to get my hopes up, having been let down so many times, but I can’t help but think these are going to work.  They have a great policy of Buy 3 Get 1 Free!

So what I am going to do, is post 2 week photos.  Every two weeks, i will post photos of my updated skin.  I am so scared shitless to do this, but here goes nothing!!!  I guess if I can post a photo of me with black/blue hair I can do this!

So yes, please ask questions, I will try to be as transparent and open as I can be!  I don’t actually have the system yet, but it should be here by wednesday!  I have stopped what I was using before, as they suggested I discontinue it to help this system work better!!

If anyone wants to start it will me, I would love to have a partner!

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©

Seabuckthorn International Review and Giveaway

Seabuckthorn is a very hardy plant which grows well in the Central Plains of North America. Its botanical name is Hippophae Rhamnoides L. which means “bright shining horse.” Seabuckthorn contains 194 known nutritional compounds in the seeds, fruit and leaves. While each of these compounds is effective on its own, it is their synergies which make Seabuckthorn such a powerful nutraceutical. Seabuckthorn berries can stay on the branches throughout the winter providing nourishment for birds and small animals.

Skin conditions are a nutritional deficiency and Seabuckthorn International’s products represent 192 of the 194 known nutrients in a near perfect balance all from the same plant source and certified organic.

The nutrients work synergistically with each other and the Omega 3 and 6 are at a natural one to one ratio. Science shows they self check each other on thousands of metabolic functions to create energy and new cells all in a non-inflammatory environment, therefore these new healthy cells operate at their best efficiency. This includes improving the body’s ability to produce, Hyalauronic acid, Glutathione, Alphalipoic, Coenzyme Q10, etc, which all support all the healing processes of the body. Seabuckthorn also contains Omega 7 and 9.

Seabuckthorn berries derive their bright orange color from the 15 plus carotenoids they contain. Among the carotenes found in Sea Buckthorn are alpha carotene, beta carotene, delta carotene, gamma carotene, lutein, lycopene, beta cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, taraxanthin and phytofluin.

Sea Buckthorn reduces levels of protein associated with inflammation, diabetes and heart diseaseand it may even help the functions of the liver!

SBT Single Source Capsules represents both the seed oil and fruit oil combined to be the most effective nutritional product on the market. Please take note that Seabuckthorn International does not add any fillers. No olive oil or sunflower oil, OR the sweetener maltadextron to any of their capsules.

Also note, they do not do double packaging, which creates immediate garbage and will eventually be phased out by all conscientious companies. I really can’t express how important this is. I receive tons of products, and the immediate is to take something out of a box, then take it out of the packaging box. It really is terribly wasteful.

Seabuckthorn International carries numerous products, ranging from cleansing bars, skin creams, acne line, rosacea line, teas, oils, 3 kinds of capsules, newly introduced salves and even hair care.

Craig and I both really enjoyed the cleansing bars. They lather up nicely, but do not strip the skin, yet leaves you clean, and with a slight berry scent, the scent would not be able to be noticed by anyone else, but is a nice little pick me up in the morning shower. The Cleansing Bars contain seabuckthorn seed oil with its valuable Omega 3 and Omega 6, and Omega 9 and seabuckthorn fruit oil with Omega 7 or palmitoleic acid which is similar in structure to the fatty acids in our skin. I have noticed a dramatic decrease in body breakouts since I have been using the bar, and also noticed a decrease of sensitivity in Craig’s skin since using.

I have been taking the SBT Capsules for a couple of months now. Because I use so many skin products to try and help my facial acne, it is hard to say if this is the one supplement has done the deed, or if it has been a combination. I can say that my skin does not seem nearly as dry as it normally is. I do know one thing, my lips are usually so dry (lip balm addict) and this is the first time I can remember not putting it on, first thing in the morning and last thing I do at night. I know it has been working on AT LEAST that, b/c I haven’t been using anything else.

The After-Sun Cream, really seemed to help Craig one day. He had went to an Indian’s baseball game (our minor league) and gotten way too much sun on his arms and nose. I actually applied the straight oil to his nose and the next day it seemed much better. The cream really took the sting out of his arms too. Craig is pretty fair skinned, so this was a major feat!

I do have 3 prizes to give away to 3 different winners! And since Seabuckthorn International is a Canadian company, I have it opened up to both the US and Canada!

Three Winners will receive their choice of one of the following:
SBT Seabuckthorn Rosacea Starter Package
SBT Seabuckthorn Acne Starter Package
SBT Seabuckthorn Berry Essence package
SBT Seabuckthorn Tea Essence Package
SBT Seabuckthorn Single Source capsules.

To enter, please head over to Seabuckthorn International, and tell me one product, not reviewed here, that you would like to try.  Or tell me a fact about Seabuckthorn that isn’t mentioned here.

Extra Entries:

~Subscribe to Prissy Green Updates (emails) Only verified subscriptions count.

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~Blog about it! Create a blog post about the contest, and include a link to Prissy Green and the Sponsor. THREE entries!

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Contest winners are always chosen by random.org and verified per rules.  Contest ends at 11:59pm EST, on 9/11.  Open to US and Canada.

Make sure you check out all of my other Eco-Friendly Giveaways!

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©

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