Vive Sana Super Crema SPF 20

Where has Vive Sana Serum Crema been all my life? It’s the first 100% natural, 70%+ organic mineral sunscreen I’ve used that truly is one stop shopping. It is an effective serum, moisturizer and physical UVA and UVB blocker. And it’s thankfully one of the rare, extremely well formulated sunblocks that does not use nano zinc, which is destroying our oceans and marine life.

This ceramide-rich, filler-free sunscreen is as clean and natural as it gets. Usually physical sunscreens require a lot of elbow grease to work into the skin and leave a ghostly cast. Not only does the sunscreen not make your skin white or gray, it blends in quickly and adds deep hydration. And because you can work it in so easily, you’re that much more likely to reapply. I’ve never used a sunscreen that makes my skin actually look better as if I had used a blurring primer. A perfect brightening canvas for make up. The other bonus, no pilling whatsoever. It seems to work seemlesy with all of my other skincare and make up products.

Filled with antioxidants and phytonutrients, including my favorite, collagen-boosting and anti-inflammatory Astaxanthin. Considered to be thousands of times stronger than Vitamin C and E, it improves fine lines and wrinkles, prevents sun-damage, promotes skin-elasticity and cellular repair for glowing resilient skin.

Once again, the only drawback is the very high $75 price point. But the good news is you need very little product and one product adds up to 4: your serum, moisturizer, primer and sunscreen with top notch, non-comedogenic, skin healthy ingredients!

With an SPF of 20, Serum Crema has a glowy finish. If you prefer a matte look, Vive Sana also has the Daily Protezione, another beautiful formulation at $55 with an SPF 30.

Ingredients:

Organic Argan Kernel Oil, Green Tea Seed Oil, Organic Safflower Seed Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Glycerin, Licorice Root Extract, Astaxanthin Extract, Organic Sunflower Seed Oil, Iron Oxides , Jojoba Esters, Organic Avocado Oil, Organic Apricot Kernel Oil, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Raspberry Seed Oil, Organic Jojoba Seed Oil*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Zinc Oxide

From Vive Sana’s site:

Feel & Finish

Serum Crema mimics skin structure to absorb on contact, sit comfortably on skin, and to assist the natural barrier. Its natural & organic ingredients provide luxuriously sheer, lightly tinted, brightening coverage, upon which you can apply other products.

When To Use It

Serum Crema designed for everyday use, especially at times when you need a lighter feel, moderate moisturization & sun/pollution protection, a potent antioxidant blend & a glowing finish. 

Qualities

Broad Spectrum SPF 20 ~ 100% Natural ~ 70%+ Certified Organic ~ Pollution-Protective ~ Fragrance-Free ~ Coral Reef-Safe ~ Water & Filler-Free ~ Cruelty Free

Available for $75/ 2oz at:

Vive Sana

BIBA Los Angeles Onerta Plant Stem Cell Peptide Serum

I can’t talk about the Onerta Plant Stem Cell Peptide Serum without talking about the creator first.  Biba is hands down the best esthetician I’ve had!  I have followed her from location to location for years and years, until she created her permanent home at BIBA Los Angeles.  Her profound love for her craft and deep understanding of skincare has made her a one-of-a-kind. There is no one-size-fits-all approach here.  Everything is customized for your skin and what it needs. And with celebrity clients like Emily Blunt, Miley Cyrus, Emma Roberts and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, the secret is out!

Biba’s passion and knowledge are also embedded in her product line!  My favorite is the firming and nourishing Onerta Plant Stem Cell Peptide Serum.  This sophisticated cocktail is rich with cell-communicating Palmitoyl Tripeptides-5, 38 and cell-protecting Echinacea Plant Stem Cells that help stimulate collagen. And when you add hydration-boosting Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol and skin rejuvenating CoQ10 to the mix, you have perfect skin nutrition.  Such a highly effective, multi-tasking warrior product!  Skin feels and looks smoother, strengthened and revitalized.

Most Stem Cell and Peptide loaded products tend to be very expensive. Comparatively, Biba’s Serum is reasonable at $80. And like all her products,  it’s organic, vegan, cruelty free, non comedogenic, phthalates and sulfate free. This is a winner for all skin types.

Available for $80/ 1oz at:

BIBA Los Angeles

“The Skin I’m In” by Celebrity Stylist and Writer, Michelle Brookhurst

I’m the person that “sensitive skin” labels were made for. Unfortunately, most products aren’t “sensitive” enough. I am allergic to every synthetic fragrance, every bubble bath, every laundry detergent, every make-up, every self-tanner, every everything.

I have horror stories of getting on a plane and using a beautiful, “healthy” cucumber hand lotion from an extremely reputable brand, known for it’s true to nature philosophy, and breaking out in hives 20 minutes into a 5 hour flight. When I go to a hotel, I have to bring my own towel, so I don’t get a red itchy rash all over my torso from the hotel bathrobe and towel sets. I have to pack my own blanket plus full length pajamas and socks, to keep me protected from the hotel linens. So much for a romantic getaway when you are covered head to toe, in the hopes of protecting yourself from a blanket. I am terrified of the Snuggle bear, and the wrath his scented dryer sheets can inflict on my skin.

So needless to say, I am extremely paranoid and picky when it comes to my skin care. For a long time I used Olay sensitive skin face wash, and moisturizer with sunblock, but when I wanted to make the switch to paraben-free skin care, I was lost in a sea of essential oils. I am always nervous to try anything new on my skin, I patch test everything, with a dime size scoop of any new product on my inner wrist for 24 hours before it goes anywhere near my face. So when a friend suggested DeVita skin care, I took her advice with a grain of salt; everyone always thinks they can outsmart my skin allergies, but my puffy eyes and swollen lips the morning after a “I swear it’s all natural” lotion test have always told me the truth. However, I started paying attention to her repeated suggestion, not because I necessarily believed the line wouldn’t affect my skin, but because her skin looked so fantastic.

My patch testing began on a summer afternoon, after reading everything I could on paraben-free allergy safe skincare. DeVita was the clear winner. It’s sold at Sprouts, Whole Foods, and they have their own website, http://www.devitaskincare.com. It’s a little more expensive than the average drugstore skin care products, but for someone like me, it’s truly priceless. The packaging is beautiful, and not only is it paraben free, it’s vegan safe, gluten sensitive safe, never tested on animals, and the products are fantastic! My personal favorites are the Aloe Vera Moisture Cleanser, the Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30, the DeVita-C Serum, the Perfecting Time Age Defying Moisturizer, the Hyaluronic Serugel, and the super duper High Performance Glycolic Acid Blend. I am way too sensitive to use Retin-A, but this glycolic acid serum does the trick! My skin has never been calmer, clearer, brighter, and happier. The line has every kind of troubleshooting product you can imagine, from under eye cream to capillary support. DeVita has “try-me” kits on their website, which are also ideal for travel- because the bottles are a beautiful thick glass, some of the full-size products are not great for squishing into a suitcase.

I don’t feel lost or embarrassed about my skin anymore, I’m just a sensitive gal in general. As I have matured, I am grateful for my emotional sensitivity, it makes me a better friend, daughter, parent, sister. And I am thankful, for every hotel towel, and well-intentioned bubble bath, for all the itchy and red days and nights, because they brought me to a safe, healthy skin care line, that looks beautiful in my home, and even better on my skin.

 

Michelle Brookhurst is a former teen actress (Can’t Hardly Wait, Charmed, Foxfire),  turned celebrity stylist (clients include George Lopez and Baron Davis) turned writer.  She has written a television series based on her life called “Certain Something”, and is currently based in Los Angeles.

Devita Skincare & Cosmetics Available at:
DeVita