Most Likely To Succeed: 6 Ways to Update Your Skin Care Regimen

We all know how hard it is to get your skin regimen just right. Once you find your balance and get into the groove of it, something happens to disrupt it. Maybe the change in the weather is the culprit, stress hormones, exposure to pollution, or any number of possibilities. There's no need to start over by rearranging your entire regimen-- sometimes you just need to add one thing or switch one product out for different one. Here are 6 products that I've had great success with by adding them as an a la carte product as needed. These are my favorite fixers.


ATOPALM Moisturizing Skin Revitalizing Complex (1.0 oz, $35)
Note: get 30% off sitewide now with code: FALL30
If your biggest skin complaints include: Dry areas, redness, sensitivity, scaly or red patches, eczema or psoriasis flare-ups.

The benefits you can expect are: Consistent daily use will erase fine lines and wrinkles, fortify the skin barrier, smooth out the complexion and deeply hydrate. This impressive formulation supports the skin's ability to heal itself. This is a highly reliable moisturizer that provides a much-needed cushion between your skin and the world. I've been using it on and off for years with pretty amazing results. Atopalm has an entire range of products developed specifically for dry and sensitive skin on the face and body, and if you fall into this category, I'd urge you to try their other products as well. Other favorites: Moisturizing Facial Cleansing Foam, Moisturizing Cleansing Wipes, Intensive Moisturizing Cream.

Key ingredients: Peptides, vitamin C, niacinamide, camellia seed oil and leaf extract (green tea), squalane, licorice root, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, grapeseed oil


Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (4.0 oz, $26)
Note: Get 15% off sitewide right now, no code needed (plus get $10 off if you're a new customer and you click on my REFERRAL LINK-- I get $10 too. I'm not affiliated at all with the brand, I just love 'em to death!)

If your biggest skin complaints include: dullness, breakouts (hormonal, cystic, whatever ya got), wrinkles, dehydration, sun damage, sensitivity

The benefits you can expect are: This product works so well and so fast (even on sensitive skin)-- that you'll likely be shocked. I was. It clears out pores and actually reshapes the pore lining, literally improving skin from the inside out. Cell turnover rate is increased and the surface of the skin looks more and more beautiful each day as it starts to function like a well-oiled (and well-behaved) machine. Paula's BHA and AHA exfoliants give you the biggest bang for your buck when your skin needs a serious attitude adjustment without the expense and pain of in-office derm procedures. This particular version is their strongest, yet is very kind to my sensitive skin. I've never gotten more than a slight tingle from it. When was the last time you were told to expect a tingle and in reality, all there was was a tingle? I've been lied to for so long that I feel like I've hit the lottery. There are 6 basic exfoliant formulations and another several treatment formulations for specific conditions like acne or if you're looking for a weekly treatment.  I'm not exaggerating when I say that twice daily use for a couple of months has changed my skin completely. It is now whole, firm, clear and happy. I like to use it underneath my nightly retinol serum.

Key ingredients: salicylic acid, camellia leaf extract (green tea)


Raw Gaia MSM Beauty Spray (50 ml, $54)

If your biggest skin complaints include: Oil imbalance, dehydration and/or dryness from the elements and indoor heating, you need an extra layer of hydration before bed to seal in your serums, treatments or other moisturizers, you want a refreshing, anti-aging toner that delivers lasting moisture or if you don't want to use a heavy cream.

The benefits you can expect are: the revelation of a hydrosol and a face oil in one product. I like to spray 3 pumps into my hands and massage over  my face while the frankincense hydrosol and argan and rosehip oils merge. It simultaneously delivers the instant penetrating quenching of the hydrosol and then seals it in with healing, soothing organic oils. Frankincense and MSM (a form of sulphur, nicknamed The Beauty Mineral) are both effective, natural anti-inflammatory and anti-aging elements. Next to the sun, inflammation is your skin's worst enemy, and Raw Gaia's luxe, lightly fragrant facial spray is like sending out the cavalry to do battle. Those who need a bit of a product overhaul might just find that the MSM Beauty Spray is the answer to simplifying your regimen and making sure that your skin gets the royal treatment every day and night. One caveat: you do need to remember to shake it up well before you use it, because it naturally separates.

Complete ingredients: MSM crystals, cold-pressed, wildcrafted argan oil, wildcrafted frankincense essential oil and hydrosol, cold-pressed, organic rosehip oil


Koh Gen Do Spa Cleansing Water (300 ml, $39, 480 ml, $52)

If your biggest skin complaint is: You have sensitive skin, and you inadvertently rub your skin raw trying to completely remove your makeup (including waterproof mascara), your eyes are super-sensitive.

The benefits you can expect are: Quick and easy makeup removal-- no matter what kind or how much you've got piled on. I already loved Koh Gen Doh's All In One Spa Gel, so I figured that their micellar-type cleansing water would be a hit too. Best used with a good-sized, smooth-surfaced cotton pad (Koh Gen Do makes an excellent one). The product's effectiveness keeps the number of swipes required to get the job done to a minimum, and the inflammation-inhibiting extracts it contains really caters to those who have skin and eyes that are easily irritated by most cleansers. Never again will I use icky bi-phase eye makeup removers-- the Spa Cleansing Water quickly and kindly makes my skin clean, soft and ready for the next step in my regimen.

Key ingredients: Onsen-sui hot springs water, lactic acid, rosemary, lavender and sage extracts, ginger root extract, glycerin, birch, Perilla leaf (shiso mint), Japanese mugwort leaf extract


Trilogy Active Enzyme Cleansing Cream (5.0 oz, $42)

If your biggest skin complaint is: Your cleanser is drying you out, but you still need something that will exfoliate. You want a creamy, hydrating cleanser without the strain that physical exfoliation can exert on your skin.

The benefits you can expect are: Thank goodness for natural enzymes! This amazing cleanser has papaya and pineapple enzymes which gently exfoliate as you massage it in. It's got a texture that acts like whipped, slippery mousse (real mousse, not like whipped cream out of a can). It's luxurious-feeling and very kind to skin. I like to take my time massaging it over my face and neck, then leave it on for a minute or two for the enzymes to do their job. I easily remove most of it with an organic bamboo flannel in circular motions, then rinse away any extra with water. It provides a truly refreshing deep clean with the soothing effects of a moisturizing cleanser. This stuff is a good one to have in your corner for ongoing use to combat skin aging and it's brilliant when used with a Clarisonic or similar device. Definitely one of my favorite cleansers of all time. Ever.

Key ingredients: coconut-based cleansing agents, papaya and pineapple enzymes, licorice root extract, rosehip oil, chamomile, glycerin


Wildrose Magnolia Face Mask (3.4 oz, $20)

If your biggest skin complaints include: clogged pores, blemishes, dullness, unbalanced oil production (either dry or oily)

The benefits you can expect are: Smooth complexion, deep detoxification, reduction in frequency and duration of blemishes, balanced oil production, very clean feeling and appearance to skin without stripping and drying. I adore this powdered wonder. You can mix it with water, honey, organic extra-virgin coconut oil or yogurt, depending on your skin's needs at the moment. This jar contains all the power of millenia of holistic Ayurvedic wisdom, and Wildrose Magnolia serves it up in a no-nonsense formulation and a pretty jar to boot for only $20. It's enough to last at least 6 months with weekly use, Your face will be sooty for about 30 minutes, and then it washes away surprisingly easily with just water and a warm, wet face flannel. You can also use it as an exfoliating cleanser by mixing some into your regular cleanser or just with extra water. I like to use my little rubber mixing bowl and a spatula to mix it up and then a taklon fan brush to apply it. I beseech you to give up the semi-violent and potentially irritating and damaging effects of those nose pore strips, and clean out your pores with this beauty of this spa-at-home treatment. You'll be as obsessed as I am, I promise! More reviews of Canadian indie brand Wildrose Magnolia products to come very soon, including their delicious shampoo and conditioner and highly pigmented lip gloss.

Complete ingredients: fuller's earth (multani mitti), Morrocan lava clay (rhassoul), activated bamboo charcoal, raw cacao, ground sandalwood, green tea extract, seabuckthorn extract, raw Himalayan salt

[samples sent by Trilogy and Wildrose Magnolia. All other products were purchased by me]

Trilogy: Complexion Cashmere + Big Skin Care Sale at Whole Foods This Weekend!

The Whole Foods Market skin care section keeps getting better and better, and the temptation to stray from the produce aisle, greater and greater. One of their recent additions is Trilogy Skincare-- a line that I only had a little bit of familiarity with until now. I have used their original formula of Rosehip oil to heal a surgical incision a few years ago, and I found it to be of excellent quality. I've recently had the pleasure of sampling several of Trilogy's newer line called Age Proof, as well as a serum for hypersensitive skin and the new version of their famous staple: Rosehip Oil Antioxidant +. What I found was a treasure trove of new sensory experiences related to the texture of these products, and I can't wait to tell you all about them.

Whole Foods Market-- Lincoln Park, Chicago

First, a word about the sale: the entire Trilogy line, plus others such as Dr. Hauschka and Acure Organics will all be on sale starting this Friday (February 6th) until Sunday at all Chicago area Whole Foods Market stores. All skincare (except for lip balms, and does not include cosmetics) will be a whopping 25% off during this sale, so this is the time to try whatever you've been eyeing when you go to pick up your favorite brownies. Uh, I mean, soy milk. Right, that's it. It's also a great opportunity to pick up a killer Valentine's Day present or two! Click HERE for more about the skincare sale as well as some really good tips on the Whole Foods blog.

[Age Proof Nutrient Plus Firming Serum, Line Smoothing Day Cream, Replenishing Night Cream]

Trilogy Age Proof Nutrient Plus Firming Serum is quite the star product in this lineup. Loaded with aloe, chamomile, licorice root, calendula, rosehip oil and hyaluronic acid, this light-textured gel-serum not only firms and tones the skin, but hydrates, brightens and creates a beautiful glow. For my dry, sensitive skin, this product would probably be enough to use on its own during summer months. It's a multi-tasking powerhouse that does more and feels better than many serums I've tried that cost 3 times as much. This one's a keeper!

The Age Proof Line Smoothing Day Cream really lives up to its name. I layer it over a serum or oil using upward strokes, and a little goes a long way. The texture is like pure satin. It has a blurring effect on lines and hugs the contours of the skin, leaving a cushion of protection and hydration. The ingredient list boasts cocoa and shea butters, rosehip, avocado, acai, evening primrose, jojoba and olive oils, hyaluronic acid and melon fruit extract. It's interesting to note that many of Trilogy's products are devoid of fragrant essential oils because there are people who have sensitivity to them. I have a billion products that are mainly comprised of essential oils, so this is a nice change for me. It becomes more about the texture of the product, how it feels on my skin, and how it works together in tandem with other products in the line. The Age Proof line really seems to highlight those experiences.

The Age Proof Replenishing Night Cream was a surprise on many fronts. When I first opened the jar and tested a little dab on my hand, I had an "Uh-oh" moment. It seemed rather gluey at first and all I could think of was my unpredictable hormonal acne. However, after it melts with body temperature, it thins out considerably and becomes more like a balm. Once again, another Trilogy product with a novel texture. This is the only product in the line that I can detect any kind of faint fragrance with- it's natural rose geranium. Very light, very sophisticated, and not at all bothersome. Some of the star ingredients are licorice, mulberry, cucumber, chamomile, hyaluronic acid, marula, olive, avocado, aloe-- and more. Like the Line Smoothing Day Cream, the Replenishing Night Cream has a blurring effect on lines, but it's even better. Skin is perfectly smoothed, and when I looked in the mirror after using it for 4 nights in a row, I saw no wrinkles. Therefore, I can safely call this product the Holy Grail of night creams: instant gratification by smoothing out the appearance of lines and other imperfections and long-term benefits of intense hydration, brightening, firming and fading all of the things about my face I wish didn't exist. It sounds like a fairy tale, I know, but if it is one, it's got one heck of a happy ending. Color me seriously impressed. 

Age Proof Nutrient Plus Firming Serum: Retail $44

Age Proof Line Smoothing Day Cream: Retail $49

Age Proof Replenishing Night Cream: Retail $55

[Age Proof Active Enzyme Cleansing Cream]

The Age Proof Active Enzyme Cleansing Cream was the first thing I tried, and I was quite taken with the odd texture. It's very slippery, creamy and fluffy all at once, like a really well made chocolate mousse. It sticks to your face instead of sliding off (which makes it fabulous to use with a Clarisonic or any kind of cloth) and papaya and pineapple enzymes get right to work. 60 seconds of massaging it off with an anti-bacterial bamboo cloth and my skin is basking in a new kind of clean. It's not drying or stripping of the natural barrier that skin needs to feel comfortable, but what it does is remove what's not supposed to be there- dirt, makeup, excess sebum and anything that will contribute bacteria and aggravate any skin condition. It's an impressive, high-tech cleanser that boasts natural ingredients that work really hard so that you have less to worry about. A MUST-HAVE.
Retail: $44

[CoQ10 Eye Recovery Concentrate]

I absolutely adore the Age Proof CoQ10 Eye Recovery Concentrate. It's got all the right moves. It's a whisper-light, creamy serum that is suitable for sensitive eyes, reduces puffiness effectively and smooths out the skin all around the eye area. It's hydrating, soothing and cooling. It's one of those types of products that I have about 5 of, and none of them work well enough to justify repurchasing. FINALLY! I'm beyond psyched that I've found one that works so well (night and day) and is reasonably priced. A few key ingredients are: aloe, Co-Enzyme Q10, hyaluronic acid, licorice root, horse chestnut, green coffee, cucumber, chamomile, olive fruit extract, jojoba esters and green tea. If you want to dip your toes in Trilogy's Age Proof line, this would be a fantastic place to start, along with that incredible Active Enzyme Cleansing Cream.
Retail: $38

[Rosehip Oil Antioxidant + 30ml bottle]

The Rosehip Oil Antioxidant + is the slightly souped-up reboot of their classic Rosehip Oil (which is still available, by the way- this is just an addition, not a replacement). This version contains rosehip, tomato seed and cranberry seed oils, sunflower oil, vitamin E, lycopene, acai and oat extracts. It's a light oil and is great when used on its own or if you want to use it to boost your moisturizer (I add about 2 drops to a little blob of moisturizer and mix in the palm of my hand when I do this). This little bottle contains some of nature's most powerful antioxidants, so if you're in the market for a great moisturizing oil for any skin type or condition- you will get the most bang for your buck with Rosehip Oil Antioxidant +.
Retail: $36

[Very Gentle Calming Serum]

Very Gentle Calming Serum is a wonderful light and milky "rescue" serum for when skin is very irritated, acneic, red or inflamed, or just feeling dry and tight. With aloe, chamomile, calendula, green tea, oat extract, sweet almond, evening primrose, rosemary and olive oils, this serum is the equivalent of a chill pill for your face, giving your skin the time and space it needs to facilitate the healing process. And it works. Inflammation is an immune response that can cause a lot of damage to skin and other tissues and organs all by itself if allowed to go unchecked. Indoor heating wreaks havoc on my skin, and is probably at the root of much of my skin sensitivity, and Very Gentle Calming Serum cools it off when I need it the most. Now, I keep it in the refrigerator so I get even more of a cooling sensation. The relief I get from it is profound-- and very reliable.
Retail: $42

Overall, my experience with Trilogy products has been utterly amazing. All of the products work so well together in tandem to create a clear, smooth surface with healthy, newly regenerated skin cells, minimized pores and a brightened, calm complexion. And finally, my persistent eye puffiness is under control while the skin under my eyes is being strengthened over time.

Towards the end of last year, I discovered Aurelia Probiotic Skincare, and now Trilogy. I'm pretty sure I  could live off of these two brands alone for the rest of my life, and I'd be swimming in products that feel tailor-made for me. It's a good time to be alive if you've got cranky skin and discerning taste. Next, I must try Trilogy's bath, body and hair products. I have every confidence that I'll be pleased as punch with those, too!

[Samples provided by Whole Foods Market PR, North Avenue in Chicago for my consideration. All reviews contained in this post, and every other post on this blog, are my opinion only--honest and unaffiliated.]