Holy Grail: Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm

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Heat things up with Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm. This rich dark balm dissolves anything standing in it’s way. Enriched with vitamins and nutrients, this is the first cleanser I have used that feels more like a treatment than everyday essential.

Omorovicza, pronounced (omoro-veet-za) is a luxury skincare line derived from the healing waters of Hungary. The Thermal Cleansing Balm revitalizes skin with the use of Hungarian Moor Mud. This mud has been around for 2,000 years and used in Hungary’s thermal baths. Five years ago, Margaret and Stephen de Heinrich de Omorovicza began using this ancient healing resource in their skin care system. Rich in minerals and nutrients like calcium and magnesium carbonates, the balm draws out impurities from the pores and decongests the skin. Skin is left squeaky clean – sans ‘squeak,’ radiant and ultra-moisturzied.

To use, scoop a small dime-sized amount with the provided spatula (a little goes a long way). Warm the dark-colored balm up in your hands until the color fades a bit and start working in circular motions on your cheeks. The Thermal Cleansing Balm feels slightly warming on the skin and smells of orange blossom. The solid balm breaks down to an oil texture which creates a wonderful lubricant for a facial massage. Work the balm around your face and neck and gently on the eye area. If using the product at night time, simply wipe off with muslin cloth or washcloth – leaving the oils and minerals behind as a treatment for the skin. For additional pampering – use a heated muslin cloth or washcloth. When using for daytime, wash-off with water, as makeup will not stand a chance against the moisturizing oils.

I added Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm to my Holy Grail list because like I said before, this product feels more like a treatment for the skin rather than a vehicle to cleanse the skin. This award-winning balm is gentle but effective and leaves the skin positively glowing and silky-smooth.

Awarded ‘Best Anti-Aging Cleanser’ by Harper’s Bazaar.

Awarded ‘Gentle Purifier’ by Glamour Magazine; “a glossy, rich balm that cleanses without stripping skin.”

The Double-Cleanse Method: Dermalogica

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Double Cleanse to help relieve skin dullness, congestion and more.

The International Dermal Institute, the brains behind skin care line Dermalogica, conducted a research study that found most women only spend approximately 20 seconds washing their face. Unfortunately, even with the strongest of cleansers, a single cleanse cannot effectively penetrate and remove the dirt, oil, makeup, debris, sun-screen and pollutants left on the skin. In the long run your skin will start to look dull and be more prone to congestion and breakouts. Thus, the Dermalogica Double Cleanse was born.

The first step of the Dermalogica Double Cleanse is PreCleanse. PreCleanse is formulated with plant-based oils that melt the layers of oil-based debris on your skin because the oil molecules bond to each other, unlike the water molecules in your usual cleanser. These oils then emulsify when you add water, encapsulating and removing the trapped debris, thus allowing the second step of the cleanse to penetrate even further than before. PreCleanse is the best oil-based cleanser I have tried. Extremely gentle yet amazingly effective.

The second step of the Dermalogica Double Cleanse is the Special Cleansing Gel (or any recommended Dermalogica cleanser). The Special Cleansing Gel is a gentle, soap-free, foaming gel cleanser that removes impurities without disturbing the skin’s natural moisture balance. Calming Balm Mint and Lavender extracts soothe the skin, while natural Quillaja Saponaria gently foams away toxins and debris for a super-clean surface. Formulated without artificial fragrances and colors.

With all of these new products on the markets, such as primers, BB Creams, fillers and long-lasting cosmetics – the Double Cleanse Method is the only way to get your skin clean. These products are filled with silicons and oils that a single cleanse cannot penetrate. Try this method and I am sure you will never go back.

Performing the Dermalogica Double Cleanse:

1. Remove eye and lip make-up by dispensing PreCleanse onto damp cotton.
2. Shake a generous amount of PreCleanse into dry hands and spread between the palms.
3. Sweep PreCleanse across neck, cheeks and forehead. Begin the step-by-step Dermalogica Professional Cleansing Technique listed below.

a. Starting at the neck, spread PreCleanse across the face by using light, upward circles with fingertips.
b. Continue by circling chin and cheeks, paying special attention to areas of congestion.
c. Use one fingertip on both sides of the nostril, then circle around the side and top of the nose.
d. Come between the eyebrows and continue circles over forehead, making sure to include the hairline.
e. Wet hands and massage over PreCleanse to create a light, milky emulsion.

4. Remove with the dampened cleansing cloth to gently exfoliate for ultra-clean, super smooth skin!
5. Commence second cleanse with recommended Dermalogica Cleanser.

Drugstore’s Finest: CeraVe

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Recommended by dermatologists everywhere, the CeraVe line of skincare products are all non-irritating, non-comedogenic and fragrance-free. Better yet, they are all available at a drugstore near you.

The CeraVe line was created in conjunction with dermatologists and was intended for use in the treatment of dry skin and other conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea and atopic dermatitis. CeraVe is the first brand to contain essential ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids that healthy skin needs. CeraVe uses a patented “multivescular emulsion” or MVE® system that was only available through prescription not long ago. This system consists of a controlled and steady release of various ingredients over time allowing skin to be hydrated longer and more efficiently with one application. The daily regimen of cleansers and moisturizers helps repair, replenish and protect the skin’s barrier to leave it looking and feeling soft, clean and healthy.

The CeraVe line of skincare products are drugstore’s finest. Here is a review of the first few products I have tried and tested:

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser: Gentle yet powerful, this cleanser removes makeup, dirt and oil like a champ. It leaves the face feeling soft and clean, not stripped or dry. It contains the brand’s signature ceramides and hyaluronic acid – two ingredients that help lock in moisture so your skin will never feel tight or dry.

CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM SPF 30: A great daytime moisturizer that feels light on the skin but wards off UVA/UVB rays with it’s standout broad-spectrum sunscreen. It keeps skin hydrated and restores the skin’s barrier with Niacinaminde (vitamin B3) making it less vulnerable to the elements.

CeraVe SA Renewing Lotion: This body lotion does it all – exfoliates, smoothes and softens. Skin can only be truly hydrated when the top layer of dead skin cells are removed. This allows moisturizing ingredients to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin. The Renewing Lotion does all of this for you. Formulated with both salicylic acid (used for epidermal exfoliation) and ammonium lactate (a mild exfoliant and humectant) this lotion gently removes dry, scaly skin. While, vitamin D, glycerin, ceramides and hyaluronic acid smooths, firms and hydrates the skin.

CeraVe, in my opinion, is the best affordable line of skincare products. All of the products are gentle, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, non-irritating and readily available at mass retailers and drugstores nationwide.