Loreal Skin Genesis Daily Serum and Oil Free Moisturizer

Who doesn't want "stronger, tighter, younger-looking skin?" The L'Oreal Skin Genesis line is designed to give you just that, mainly through strengthening the layers of the skin.

The Daily Treatment Serum Concentrate claims to work deep within skin's surface to help promote elasticity and boost collagen, and, on the surface layer, to rid fine lines and hydrate. While I'm skeptical as to how deep this serum actually goes, whatever it's doing, I like it a lot.

This serum has definitely evened my skin tone, which has always been my main concern. It didn't take long to see these results, either--just a few days. My skin looks bright and even, and feels healthy and hydrated. I would even say that yes, my skin is more elastic. Plus, just using the serum and foregoing any anti-acne treatments has kept me break-out free.


The Daily Moisturizer Oil Free Lotion is phenomenal. It claims to provide the same skin strengthening, anti-aging benefits as the serum, most likely in a less potent mix, but with extra moisture.

With a pearlescent-looking formula, this lotion brightens skin instantly. The texture of this lotion is silky and light, but very hydrating. The oil-free formula absorbs wonderfully to leave skin smooth and soft, not greasy. It's perfect to use before a makeup application. The only thing this lotion is missing is SPF.

Bioelements Vitalization Rich Intensity Body Creme

In need of a seriously hydrating body cream? Check out Bioelements Vitalization Rich Intensity Body Creme.

Formulated with a blend of 10 Botantical Oils, Shea Butter, antioxidant-rich Red Tea and Beta Carotene and Peptides and Amino Acids, this cream moisturizes and protects skin.

Using this aromatherapy-smelling product makes my skin feel smoother and perhaps a bit firmer, and look healthier, but the most notable difference was the hydration. My skin really drinks up this cream (without getting clogged or feeling greasy), making my skin feel the most moisturized it's felt in months. And that feeling really lasts--so much so that, while you could use this cream everyday, you could also opt to use this cream a couple times a week as a "deep conditioner" for skin.

To really give skin a treat, begin by using a body scrub during an evening shower, and then rub in the cream all over immediately after towel drying skin to seal in the moisture. In the morning, you'll wake to soft, silky supple skin that begs to be touched.

SkinMedica Dermal Repair Cream

Maybe it's befitting that the SkinMedica Dermal Repair Cream jar looks sort of like a UFO, because the list of futuristic-like ingredients makes this cream out of this world!

Dermal Repair is formulated to help skin repair itself through hydration, antioxidants and protection against environmental factors. It also reduces hyperpigmentation from sun damage and age spots.

While this is dubbed an anti-aging cream, it still works wonders for skin that isn't necessarily showing signs of aging yet. (I'm all about prevention!) Since I've started using this as my night cream, my skin has taken on more of a glow and reached a state of equilibrium. Plumped and softened, my skin does look more youthful. Hydrated, but not oily, my skin has reached a Utopian state. The cream is not the slightest bit greasy--skin drinks it right up--and it hasn't dared clog a pore.

So what's in this dream cream? The short answer is hyaluronic acid (which holds up to 40 times its weight in water--talk about hydration!) and antioxidants. For the long answer, check out the website for a nice break-down and explanation of the ingredients.

Amore Pacific Moisture Bound Refreshing Complex

The more I experience the Amore Pacific line, the more I love it. In two words, it's innovative and effective.

The Moisture Bound Refreshing Complex is an oil-free moisturizer, designed to absorb excess oil and deliver a healthy dose of minerals to increase skin's resilience. This lightweight lotion hydrated my face and absorbed completely and instantly. It kept the oil in check for hours and my skin soft.

The most incredible thing about this product? It's water-free! That's right, it uses Stabilized Bamboo Sap instead of water to boost skin's strength. The brag-worthy ingredient list includes Ginger Root and Matsutake Mushroom to enhance the complexion, an Aqua-Sponge Complex to hydrate, Water Lily Extract for its astringent properties and Green Tea Leaf Extract to anti-oxidize.

MAC Studio Moisture Cream

Every year, at the first threat of frost, my skin rebels against Summer's end with a bout of dry patches. This time around, I was armed with MAC Studio Moisture Cream, and now there's no going back!

I'll admit I was a little leery at first. I mean, a moisturizer that bypasses the word "lotion" and goes straight to declaring itself a "cream?" But although this moisturizer is very hydrating, it doesn't make me greasy! It really nourishes my skin and makes my skin look replenished and supple. A pea-sized amount is all it takes to hydrate the entire face. In fact, it makes my skin so silky that I've been skipping primer and going straight to the foundation. My foundation goes on so smoothly and evenly and doesn't slide off during the day.

This moisturizer is like the ultimate skincare smoothie, blended with passion fruit, spinach leaf, green tea, algae, wheat germ and coconut.