BellaSugar

Save Your Skin With These Must-Have SPF Moisturizers

BellaSugar — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 06:00:45 PDT

We all know that sunscreen is the key to healthy, gorgeous skin - but sometimes, applying it can feel like an extra step. If you frequently forget to wear SPF, turn to an all-in-one moisturizer that both hydrates and protects. You'll stave off premature signs of aging, keep your skin soft, and save time in your morning routine. These three have excellent textures (no chalky or greasy feel!), are rated SPF 30, and are bound to be among your favorites.

This Moisturizer Lets You Sleep Your Way to Brighter Skin

Brittney Stephens — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 04:00:26 PDT

Anything that claims to "work while you sleep" will always get my attention. I like the thought of a product just working its magic while I catch forty winks - and that's exactly what FreshSkin Dreamy Sleep Night-Time Moisturizer ($42) does.

Though the FreshSkin line is technically geared toward women in their teens and early 20s, I have skin that's just finicky enough to qualify as adolescent. In addition to keeping me looking clear and smooth, the FreshSkin moisturizer is extremely hydrating, and it brightens my skin (this is especially noticeable after a late night). Not only does it include a potent complex of Vitamins A, C, and E, but It has the loveliest lavender-infused scent, which helps me to sleep better.

While it isn't the least expensive nighttime moisturizer on the market, it packs a lot of punch with very little product. After cleansing, I smooth a pea-sized amount over my face and neck, and let it sink in. Then I sink in to a good night's sleep, knowing that my skin will look great in the morning.

How to Prevent (and Get Rid of) a Cold-Induced Chapped Nose

Jaime Richards — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 05:00:00 PST

'Tis the season for illness, and unfortunately, a few of us on Team Bella have come down with the common cold in in the past week. (And a never-ending cold it seems to be.) A nasty little bug it is, colds also have a way of causing chapped, red, and generally all-around irritated noses. For tips on preventing and getting rid of the problem, just read more.

5 Sure-Fire Winter Skin Moisturizers Under $15

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:00:39 PST

When it comes to hydrating skin dried out by cold wind and indoor heating, you don't have to go high-end to get something soothing and highly hydrating. For sensitive skin, my personal pick is Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 ($11). If you have oily skin that still needs a little bit of help fighting off the flakies, Neutrogena Facial Moisturizer ($10) is a nice oil-free option. People with skin prone to irritation and redness might consider trying Yes To Tomatoes Totally Tranquil Facial Hydrating Lotion ($10), which promises to help keep things calm. If you've got naturally dry skin made even drier by cold weather, then a heavier cream like CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM ($13) will probably work best for you. And for bargain hunters, Up & Up Facial Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 15 ($7) is about as inexpensive as it gets.

Hydration Without Greasification

BellaSugar — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 09:00:00 PDT

Since I have dry skin, I'm usually a fan of oils and creams. However, I've recently been testing KC Kang Hydrating Rejuvenation Lotion ($70), and although it's a lightweight gel, it's also extremely hydrating.

The KC Kang brand's claim to fame is that it's made from sea water from 2,400 feet under the ocean, but I think what actually makes this stuff work is that it contains marine collagen and hyaluronic acid, both of which are excellent humectants. While it's not cheap, it does work better than lots of equally expensive products, and the bottle is huge (almost seven ounces), so the high price point is a little deceptive.

Still, I'd love to see this product come in a more standard two or three ounce version, because at price per ounce it's much cheaper than Clinique's similar Moisture Surge Gel-Creme ($34), and actually hydrates more satisfactorily.

Kiehl's Revs Up For a Good Cause

BellaSugar — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:35:20 PDT

Maybe you knew that legendary actor Peter Fonda has a fondness for motorcycles. (Easy Rider, anyone?) But did you know that Kiehl's owns a collection of vintage motorcycles? Yep.

It makes perfect sense, then, that the skin care company's latest limited-edition release, a motorcycle-inspired Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 ($50), will kick off with a six-day charitable bike ride. Featuring motorcycling icons like Fonda and musician Josh Homme, the 20-person group will start their engines in San Diego on Aug. 2, concluding their trip five days later in the Bay Area.

Stopping by Kiehl's stores along the way, the pack plans to donate $60,000 to benefit amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. Look for the moisturizer to rev up to Kiehl's stores in California and the New York flagship store, as well as on the Kiehl's website on Aug. 1. Even better? One hundred percent of the profits (up to $25,000) will go to amfAR.

(Non)shiny Happy People: More Men Are Headed to the Matte

BellaSugar — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:00:51 PDT

It's no secret that the men's grooming market has peaked in popularity over the past few years. In fact, it's an industry that's jumped from $3.8 billion in sales from 2004 to $5.6 billion in 2009. It's also a fact that thanks to the composition and thicker nature of men's skin, they tend to produce more oil. Enter the rise of the men's mattifier.

"Men are not going to powder their faces or walk around with those oil-blotting tissues that women carry, but a mattifying moisturizer is something you can just slap on in the morning," GQ's Jason Chen told The New York Times. With a rise in offerings from brands like Kiehl's, which has a Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion ($11-$27), and the Matte For Men line on the market, the oil-absorbing products business is booming.

I think 42-year-old lawyer Karl Gerstheimer said it best when he told the NYT, "I don't want to look like Mr. Oily Face." Sager words were never spoken, sir.

More From Jane Krakowski on Self-Tanning, Showing Skin, and Singing

BellaSugar — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 04:02:27 PDT

What's your favorite way to "tan" safely? Perhaps you're a bronzer girl all the way, or maybe you bust out the self-tanner the minute the temperature rises one-half degree above 60. Whatever the case, 30 Rock's Jane Krakowski wants to you go about getting your glow on in a smart way. Jane, who has partnered up with Jergens and The Skin Cancer Foundation, recently talked about her involvement with the cause. Find out more about what she likes about self-tanning, along with what's up next for the actress and singer, when you read more.

Jane Krakowski Wants You to Tan the Healthy Way

BellaSugar — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 06:00:43 PDT

You know how I'm always preaching about the importance of wearing a sunscreen, and by now, I'm sure you know that tanning beds are bad news. But if you are looking for the benefits of a glowing tan without the life-threatening side effects, you've got options. Jergens and The Skin Cancer Foundation have paired up with Jane Krakowski to put out an important - and might I add, rather humorous - video message. Each time this awareness-raising spot is viewed from now until Aug. 31, Jergens will make a $1 donation (up to $20,000) to the foundation. Jane has lots to say about her latest endeavor, so to find out more, just keep reading.

Reader Review of the Day: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15

BellaSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:00:11 PDT

In a few short weeks, I'm off to visit some friends who live right along the waters of Lake Erie, so I've got beach gear on the brain. After searching facial moisturizers with SPF protection, I came across Jennipoo's review of Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 ($18.50), for which she calls an "excellent moisturizer for normal to oily skin." Here's what else she had to say:

I'm a huge fan of Kiehl's, especially their moisturizers. It's perfect, super lightweight, absorbs very quickly into the skin, and my skin hasn't had any reaction/break outs to it! If you have super dry skin, I'd get the Ultra Facial Cream, which I used in the Winter. It's nongreasy and moisturized for 24 hours (and that's a real 24 hours - not a gimmick they stick on the label).

Now it's your turn to add to our ever-expanding Product Review website. Do you have any beach-going favorites you'd like to share? Let us know about it.