BillyKnowsBest

The Best Fragrance-Free Skin Care: Liiv Botanicals

Fragrance-free skincare presents a few challenges.  First of all, fragrance-free doesn't really mean scent-free.  Many of the ingredients in these products have a scent -- in fact, it's because of these scents -- often unpleasant in the case of anti-aging and therapeutic ingredients -- that fragrance is often added to skin care products.  Which means that fragrance-free skin products -- those without added fragrance -- are often either very basic in terms of their anti-aging efficacy, or sometimes unpleasant smelling.  Liiv Botanicals is a breakthrough new line of skin care products from Avon's Wellness group.  It's fragrance-free, dye-free and preservative-free, but most importantly, it feels great, smells great, and relies on a unique blend of plant-based ingredients (Fennel, Cucumber, Apple, Lemon, Camellia and Rose.) to provide anti-aging, skin caring properties.  Choose "representative delivery" and enjoy free shipping on your purchase through May 31, 2008.

The Best Anti-Aging Skin Care

I've written before about many Avon products, and my experience selling them.  Anti-aging skincare is a huge and growing market, filled with an every growing number of products making a dizzying array of claims.  Here's what I've learned in the ten years I've been selling them.

1. Most of the benefit you'll get from any skincare regimen come from keeping your skin moisturized and protected from the sun - both UVB (measured by spf) and UVA, which causes aging and 65-90% of all skin cancers.  So the best anti-aging skin care is skin care is one you like enough to use every day, and that has a specific UVA block (Parsol 1789 (avobenzone) or Mexoryl (ecamsule).  That's the best place to start.

2. Skin is a living organ, and everyone's skin is different.  What works well for one person may not work for another, and vice-versa.  This was confirmed by Consumer Reports in their January 2007 review of skin care. Finding a skin care regimen that works for you may require some trial and error.

3. Price is not indicative of quality.  Consumer Reports also confirmed this.  Sure, that $500 Clé de Peau (yes, $500!) night cream might work miracles... but it's just as likely (maybe even more likely!) that a $25 Olay Regenerist cream would do the same.  I have an obvious bias for Avon's Anew brand skin care, based on my experience with the brand.  But if not Avon, I'd be using Olay or L'Oreal, not La Mer.

When Avon introduced alpha hydroxy acids to the US market back in 1992, it started a technology revolution in anti-aging skin care.  AHAs were the first ingredient that demonstrated a visible efficacy in reducing the signs of aging.  Since then, there have been many incremental advances.  The latest advance is the biggest since AHAs. Avon is once again first to market with a night cream that stimulates sirtuin and remodeling proteins in the skin.  Sirtuins are enzymes that extend the healthy life of cells.  Over 200 scientists at Avon worked for seven years, testing 125 different technologies to develop Anew Ultimate Age Repair Night Cream and Elixer.  Only one other product makes a similar claim about activating sirtuins in the skin:  Orlane Paris Global Anti Aging System.  While the Avon products, at $34 and $54 respectively, are the company's most expensive to date, the $750 price tag on Orlane's product makes them seem quite the bargain.    They're definitely worth trying if you're concerned about the visible signs of aging. Like all Avon products - they're 100% guaranteed, so if they don't work for you, just return them for a full refund or credit.

As for the daily moisturizer with UVA  protection , I'm currently recommending two:  My first choice is an Avon product:  Anew Alternative Photo Radiance Treatment.    The other is L'Oreal Skin Genesis.  Both are $25, though often on sale.

The Best Insect Repellent: Bug Guard Expedition/Bug Guard Picaridin

Here's the thing about insect repellents.  Pretty much everyone agrees products containing high concentrations of DEET work better than anything else.  But DEET comes with health risks, especially for children, and can damage fabrics.  DEET-free insect repellents seem to have varying efficacy, depending not only on the circumstances, but also on your own personal body chemistry.  Two people using the same product can experience very different efficacy.  Which may explain why thousands of people swear that Skin-So-Soft Bath Oil is the only thing that works for them, despite it never being proved to work as such.  As an Avon Representative, the only thing I'm allowed to tell you about Skin-So-Soft is that it's America's #1 Selling Bath Oil.  Why, you might ask, would a bath oil come in a spray bottle? I can't tell you.  What I can tell you is that Avon has been at the forefront of marketing non-DEET repellent products in the U.S., including two that seem to work really well (for me).  Both contain active ingredients that have been tested and used extensively in Europe and around the world. Picaridin is recommended by the CDC and by the World Health Organization.  It also works (for me) against the biting flies we get here on Fire Island where nothing else does -- including DEET.  Avon's Bug Guard Plus Picaridin contains 10% picaridin.   IR3535 works (for me) great against mosquitoes, and is safe enough to not be require children washing it off when they come indoors. It's found in Avon's Bug Guard Plus Expedition, which is also unscented, another plus.  They also both contain vitamin E, and are on sale this week for 50% off at avon.com.

The Best Antiperspirant: On Duty

This one came in as a reader request, and proves that there's no product too mundane for discussion, debate and recommendation.  I have to admit, I haven't used that many different products in this category, and Consumer Reports haven't tested them.  I'm very satisfied with Avon's On Duty, but here's what I've learned in researching the topic.  Some people get fine results from the Crystal Stick.  This product uses non-metalic salts to make your underarms inhospitable to the bacteria growth that causes odor.  The salts may also help absorb and dry a small amout of perspriation.  Most antiperspirants, on the other hand, temporarily block sweat ducts with an alumninum salt, preventing wetness, which also prevents bacteria growth and hence, odor.  If Aluminum Chlorohydrate, the active ingredient in On Duty and most other common antiperspirants doesn't work for you, try a product with Aluminum Zirconium (like Secret Platinum) or Aluminum Chloride (like Certain Dri ).  If you're still wet, ask your doctor about more radical solutions like Botox or surgery.  As for the aluminum/cancer risk rumor that has been circulating for more than a decade, there's really no proof, and most cancer experts dismiss the likelihood.

The Best Muscle Ache Balm: Healthy Remedies Celadrin® Extra Strength Roll-On

I've had lower back pain issues for most of my adult life, and while yoga and stetching have been the best treatment, sometimes I need medical intervention:  muscle relaxants, pain relievers, heat and ice therapy.  Menthol-based topical gels and salves are often my first choice, and my favorite of these is an Avon product: Healthy Remedies Celadrin® Extra Strength Roll-On.  It combines the immediate relief of menthol, with the added action of Celadrin®, a medically and clinically proven natural pain management compound developed through a proprietary process of esterifying oils.  Plus, it's not smelly, and the roll-on applicator makes putting it on easy and neat.  Regularly $9.50, it's currently on sale at avon.com for $4.99.

The Best Athlete's Foot Spray: Footworks Anti-fungal Foot Spray

I spend a lot of time in the gym, and can't really be bothered with wearing flip flops in the shower.  It just seems too prudish to me, like pulling on your underwear without removing your towel.  But like most carefree behaviors, this one comes with an occasional unpleasant cost: Athlete's foot.  I used to wait until I got it to treat it, but now I keep Footworks Anti-fungal Foot Spray in my gym bag and spray my feet before putting on my socks.  It's a non-aerosol spray with a pleasant scent. The active ingredient is 1% Tolnaftate, which isn't special, but the price is:  Regularly $6.99 for 3.4 ounces, it's often on sale, as it is right now, 2 for $7.98. 

Anew Clinical ThermaFirm Face Lifting Cream

Skin care products have to be at the top of the hype heap these days.  Here's what I've learned in my lifetime of using and nine years of selling them: 
1. The greatest benefits you get from any product, whether you're paying $4 or $400 an ounce, are from keeping your skin properly hydrated and protected from sun damage.
2. No topical product can match the results of surgical or invasive procedures.
3. Many of the new anti-aging products do produce noticeably superior results, but their efficacy is variable, just as some medicines work better for some people than others.
Anew Clinical ThermaFirm is the most effective skin firming and lifting product ever to come out of the Avon Skin Care Laboratories.  I've been using it for a few weeks, and have definitely noticed a difference in the firmness of my skin.  Try it; it might work for you too. And if not, you can return it for a full refund.  $32 with FREE representative delivery at avon.com.

The Best Anti-acne Face Wash: Clearskin Dual-Action Anti-Bacterial Cleanser

Most anti-bacterial cleansers use salicylic acid to kill the bacteria that cause breakouts. This Avon Clearskin product uses triclosan, which I find more effective and less irritating.  It's $4.99 from Avon.com.

mark. Self Sanctuary Lemon Sugar Shower Wash

Andy Towle came over for dinner last night, and mentioned that he noticed that I hadn't been posting very frequently.  (My mom is the only other person who's ever commented -- using it as an excuse to ask if I'm okay.)  One reason is my Avon business, which has received a lot of media attention this summer, including a piece on CNN American Morning.  Andy's comments made me recommit to more regular postings, and realize that I haven't shared enough Avon products here.  I became an Avon Representative because it offered a great discount on the skin care products I really liked using. My passion for recommending great products turned it into a hobby and then a small business.  Although everyone knows the Avon name, hardly anyone I meet has tried an Avon product recently. When they do, they're generally surprised by the quality, efficacy and value.  So starting today, I'm going to share a favorite or new Avon product every Tuesday.  It's a little self-serving, since I earn a percentage of purchases linked from this site, but I'm sure you'll like the products. In fact, Avon completely guarantees it.   Today's product:  mark. Self Sanctuary Lemon Sugar Shower Wash, an aromabotanical sensory treat. I washed with it this morning. $5 at Avon.com.  Use coupon code "LSKIN" and choose "FREE SHIPPING" for free S&H on orders over $30.

The Best Sport Sunscreen: Avon Sun Sport Spray Sunscreen

This is my favorite daily sunscreen. It's an alcohol-based spray that doesn't need to be rubbed in, so it's easy to apply and re-apply.  It's non-greasy, non-sticky, and virtually fragrance-free, so it's easy to wear.  It contains Aloe and Parsol 1789, so it's non-drying, and offers strong UVA protection in addition to the SPF 30 UVB protection. And it's really water and sweat-resistant, so it doesn't drip into my eyes and sting.  The 6.7 oz bottle is $9.99 at Avon.com. 

P.S. I defy the "spray-on-hands, then rub on face" instructions on products like this by closing my eyes, holding my breath, and spraying, then waiting a few moments.  LEGAL DISCLAIMER: I'm only sayin' that's what I do.  I'm not recommending that anyone else defy manufacturers use instructions.  And in case you're new to BillyKnowsBest, I'm an Avon Representative, in the top 10% of Representatives nationwide.  So I profit in a small way from your purchase if you use the above link, as I do from many -- though not all -- of the links on this site.