Sensational Results of Sulfur

Trying to get rid of adult acne?  There is an ingredient that you should be looking to have in at least one of your beauty products that you probably aren't using.  No, it's not Glycolic Acid (AHA) or Salicylic Acid (BHA) or even Benzoyl Peroxide.  This simple element from your high school periodic table could help you stop having the acne you had back when you were learning that periodic table.  And it is present in all of the products recommended below.

There is a reason why there are so many sulfur masks on the market, they are extremely effective at kicking adult acne to the curb.  Here are a few of the sulfur masks (and spot treatments) that can amp up your anti-acne routine and make it far more effective than ever before.

Let me start by saying that I am a huge fan of Peter Thomas Roth's (PTR) skincare products in general (try the buffing beads, you will instantly be converted).  So I am biased in favor of going for his version of whatever I am looking for.  His Sulfur Cooling Mask is the one I use to keep away the the type of deep cystic acne that my skin tends to get.  With the help of this product (among others), my skin has more clarity and evenness that I could ever have while I was constantly plagued by mini-mountains on my face.   With 10% sulfur and kaolin to dry and clear blemishes and eucalyptus oil to kill acne bacteria this one works to both prevent and treat acne bacteria.  It also works well with the Acne Spot and Area Treatment from the same brand which combines anti-acne ingredients (sulfur, glycolic acid, salicylic acid,  and Trikenol) with a host of ingredients that are just good for the skin (aloe, allantoin, vitamin C, vitamin E and pro-vitamin B5).  Since PTR is not cheap, you can save money by skipping the spot treatment and using the mask as a spot treatment on your blemishes for 10-20 minutes before bed each night.

Another brand with a very well-deserved good reputation is DDF.  The editors of Allure magazine chose DDF's Sulfur Therapeutic Mask as one of there favorites and it has also been recommended by Sephora to me repeatedly.  The mask has the same 10% sulfur kaolin and aloe that the PTR mask has but there is no need to use a separate product to get the soothing allantoin.  This may be a better choice for some people wanting to use it as both a mask and a spot treatment and it and the PTR cost exactly the same.  This one is currently on backorder directly from the manufacturer.  I recommend trying to get it (and any other products you can) from Skinstore.com anyway and using the promo code "FAB20" to get 20% off your order.

For those who are big fans of Proactiv, their Refining Clay Mask is truly the best product they make.  While is does not have as high a concentration of sulfur as the previous two (it has only 6%), it also has kalin and some omegas to help heal the skin and get rid of acne and is far less expensive.  It has also been recognized by Allure Magazine as being one of the "Beast of Beauty" products.

Though Philosophy has already discontinued their "On a Clear Day" line and replaced it with the "Clear Days Ahead" line, Philosophy devotees looking for an anti-acne product with sulfur can snap up some of the last remaining On a Clear Day Oil Free Acne Spot Treatment.  With 3% sulfur, salicylic acid and a peptide aimed at helping to heal blemishes.  Also as far as spot treatments go, It (and the PTR one mentioned above) are two of the few sulfur spot treatments with no tint which is a really good thing.


Kate Somerville's EradiKate Acne Treatment is a simple formula with a few key ingredients aimed at drying up and healing acne. With 10% sulfur and camphor and salicylic acid it provides nothing the other options don't have, but with substantially less of the extra stuff added in. For those who are into more natural products, this provides the same concentration of sulfur as DDF and PTR for less money and with less extra stuff, but cannot be used as a mask.

A similar product to the Kate Somerville, but with an added tint (which can be a huge negative if your skin tone doesn't match) that costs a few dollars more is EmerginC Tinted Blemish Control Drying Lotion.  This one also has minimal ingredients, but doesn't specify the concentration of sulfur in the product.  For someone wanting a similar product that is vegan and/or GMO-free, look into Dr. Dennis Gross Acne Clearing Lotion with Trifix.

Some other options are Origins Out of Trouble Mask, Clearasil Adult Tinted Treatment Cream and Dermalogica's Concealing Spot Treatment.

What's In Our Gym Bag?

Nike+ FuelBand (Nike $149)

Thermos Sipp Tritan Water Bottle (Target $10)

Nike 2" Boyshort Running Shorts (Nike $35)

What's Your Therapy? Running Tank (Cafepress $22)

Ivory Simply Aloe Body Wash (Walmart $3.50)

Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo Spray (Target $3)

Degree Expert Protection Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant in Active Energy (Drugstore.com $5)

Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder (Bobbi Brown $50)

Stila All Day 1-in-1 HD Beauty Balm (Stila $38)

Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid-Lotion Sunblock (Neutrogena $10)

Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash Travel Sized (Sephora $9)

Bone Collection Phone Sport 4 (Amazon $10)

Febreeze Sport Odor Eliminator Spray (Soap.com $7)

Going Green

After being reminded by a very good friend of my love for navy nails last fall, I started thinking about what nail colors I'm loving the same way this year.  After a spring and summer where I was very much into bright corals, hot pinks, oranges and other bright colors that were part of spring's color palette for fashion designers, I have come to love another jewel tone this fall.  Partially inspired by my best friend's favorite color, I have moved away from the sapphire and navy nails I adored last fall and now have an eye for emerald.

Know that, in going with this color, I am going against the grain this year.  A review a what's available from various brands shows a heavy focus on red- and pink-toned colors and neutrals this year.  As a result, this year's recommendation isn't nearly as easy to find as last year's was.  Going against the grain doesn't bother me though.  I think that it is always a good thing to mix in a little originality with your on-trend fashion choices.  What better way is there to be original than to use an eye-catching nail color that stands out from what every other woman is wearing?

The recommended colors are NARS in Zulu, ULTA in The Jungle Look, essie in Pretty Edgy, China Glaze in Paper Chase, CND in Green Scene and Zoya in Holly.

Head in the Sand

Reminiscent of Kate Spade's bright "Head in the Sand" handbags ("Cindy" in Tangerine pictured below), ShoeDazzle is releasing a modern, stylish ostrich-look envelope clutch called the Samsun for April. It is available in three gorgeous colors and is a great buy for your spring wardrobe. Pair the tan purse with some eye-catching nails in a bright color (like Maalouf's "Aphrodisiac", essie's "mesmeized" RGB's "Coral", essie's "pretty edgy" or Deborah Lippman's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun") and one of this year's on-trend nude platform pumps. Use the orange or red purse to use as a "pop" color with an all neutral-colored ensemble. The Samsun clutch is $39.95 with free delivery. Click here to join ShoeDazzle and get 20% off your firs item.

March's Crushes

All throughout February I was a super exercising machine! I have gotten a lot of positive feedback about my formerly pencil-like limbs gaining muscle and definition. It has been so great that I have maintained excitement about working out and about things related to my exercising efforts. As a result, my biggest crushes are again more sporty than posh; but, they are also more practical for everyday than my crushes often are.

I spend a lot of time in LnA's Jane Muscle Tees. They are typical of LnA's loose, comfy style, plus the light fabric and sleeveless cut, make them great for throwing over a sports bra to workout. I got mine from HauteLook, but, now, LnA's website has them for the same $15 price I paid.

I developed a love for Naked Juice's Protein Zone which has 30g of whey & soy protein per bottle (16g per serving) and is made from real fruit with added nutrient "boosts" but no added sugar. It also comes in a 100% recycled bottle. There are two other flavors, but the pina colada flavored original is my favorite.

Watch Instantly. iPhone app. Enough said.

Newly toned and in shape body.

These mesh running shorts from Nike are another new staple in my drawer of exercise clothes. They are breathable and comfortable and just perfect for my daily one mile run.

This Thermos SiPP tritan water bottle that I picked up from Target is great for getting me hydrated. I stuff it full of ice and then fill it with water and drink from it all day. it is BPA-free and environmentally friendly because it eliminates the need to buy bottled water.

After having a twitter account for almost a year and a half, I have finally gotten into actually using it.

After trying (and failing) to drink my water with lemon lemon in it on a regular basis - lemon juice is reported to be very good for the skin - I opted for this sugared version from my favorite juice company. Though it has more sugar than the proper version, it also has more lemon juice. It is 11% lemon juice and, along with my increased water consumption (see above), I am seeing a real difference in my skin. (My favorite zit zapper helps out too).

I've had a real thing for clutch purses for the past several months now and my love for them is just growing stronger by the day. From this bright knockoff of Alexander Wang's Jena Clutch that ShoeDazzle sold in February to benefit American Heart Health month to this Paparazzi magazine clutch that gets noticed every time I carry it to the Pieces studded leather clutch I mentioned in a previous crushes post, I just cannot get enough of them. I say forget the cross-body bag trend! Nothing is as clean and sophisticated as a clutch.

Personal trainer, Marie Purvis, who helped develop the new Nike Training Club app loved by both me and Lea Michele, is a new favorite of mine. She tweets for Nike and is full of amazing info. If you are at all interested in working out, she is definitely worth the follow.