Search

I am not sure if in my professional career, I have ever been this excited about a skincare company, EVER! I have been a vegetarian for over half of my life. 90% of the groceries I bring into my home are organic. Lastly, I am a stickler about recycling- I even recycle the little paper tags off clothing I purchase! It makes me feel good when my work life can coincide with my personal morals that I practice at home. ACURE is a company with ethics. This natural and organic company has chosen a sustainable, eco-friendly and cruelty-free approach. Best of all, all of these good-for-the-people and good-for-the-earth products are completely affordable! Not one item is over 30 dollars.     ACURE is free from: Animal Testing Parabens Sulfates Phtalates Synthetic Fragrances Harmful Preservatives Artificial Color Gluten Sodium Chloride   Benefits to Choosing Organic Agriculture grown in this manor is free from toxic synthetic pesticides and other chemicals that could potentially enter our soil, water and our bodies. Aside from limiting your exposure to toxins, supporting organic practices may mean not contributing to the frightening bee population crisis. Choosing ACURE means supporting smaller family farms with strong personal connections to the land they are farming and love.   Other "Green" Benefits of ACURE -ACURE is a Green-e certified company with a neutral carbon footprint -100% of their office and manufacturing practices are produced using wind and solar power -All the products are 100% biodegradable and break down safely as to not pollute our water -The packaging is made from recycled materials and certified sustainable wood   If the “tree hugger” inside of you is not impressed, then maybe the science behind ACURE will entice you. There are two key ingredients in this line:   Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF): Chlorella is a single-cell algae rich in nucleic acids. CGF is clinically proven to protect collagen and elastin fibers, making it a key anti-aging ingredient. Clinical studies have shown that CGF increases collagen expression by 333% in a 1% concentration.   Curoxidant Blend: This blend is a combination of five organic fruits and herbs (Acai, pomegranate, black berry, rosehip and roobis) that are potent in antioxidants that neutralize free radicals.     My Favorites While I have not tried every single product within the line (Trust me, I will get there!), these are some of my favorites so far: Sensitive Facial Cleanser- Normally when I think about a fragrance free, mild cleanser, I think about something that is lack luster. This cleanser is anything but! It is so rich and creamy. I love this paired with a cleansing device like my FOREO Luna mini. I have oily skin but have issues using cleansers with salicylic acid, as they over sensitize my skin. This cleanser leaves your skin feeling clean yet hydrated with argan oil, probiotics and pumpkin seed oil.   Brightening Facial Scrub- Just like the cleanser changed my mind about fragrance free cream cleansers, this scrub has me changing my position on a physical exfoliant. I do not like scrubs, normally they are too gritty and they over-sensitize the skin. Nothing gives an esthetician an unpleasant twitch like an apricot scrub, ugh.  This scrub does not leave your skin feeling like you just put hundreds of tiny tears into its surface. It is loaded in sea kelp and contains French green clay. Because it contains clay, after I massage it into my skin I like to leave it on in the shower for five minutes. It acts as a mini-mask and pulls out impurities. I use this scrub two times a week so my face feels extra smooth and clean!   Oil Control Facial Moisturizer- This moisturizer has gotten me through this way-too-long winter. My oily skin easily becomes dehydrated, and while most moisturizers for my skin-type feel watery and pointless, this one is rich yet soaks in nicely. Lilac stem cells control oil production and help heal blemishes.   Cell Stimulating Facial Mask- This is a mask for everyone. It contains French green clay to draw out impurities, while adding moisture to the skin from Moroccan argan oil, CoQ10 and Sea buckthorn oil. Unlike other clay masks, this one does not require a lot of friction to remove. Add water to your fingertips and it actually begins to foam. Use circular motions as if you were washing your face prior to splashing with water. Eye Cream- This eye product performs better than some 200-dollar creams I have tried! You get a lot of product in this tube. Even better, you can use it around the entire eye area, unlike some eye creams, which are not recommended for the lid. This has definitely improved the crepiness underneath my eyes and my concealer is not settling into creases any longer.   A lot of people make comments about wanting to “Go green”, but then proclaim  “I don’t have the space or time for a compost bin”, as if that is their only way to not negatively contribute to environmental problems. There are FAR more ways to limit your carbon footprint. Something as easy as choosing a specific product line can help! That is a simple choice that can add up if you think about how many bottles of lotions and creams are sitting in your medicine cabinet. For me, the money I am saving because ACURE is so affordable, makes it easier for me to purchase and prepare that organic/ vegan kale and quinoa salad I love so much!   Blog Written by askderm's in house Esthetician Chantal Monique Chantal Monique is a NYS licensed Esthetician and Makeup Artist. She has 7 years experience in skin care and makeup artistry. Her specialties include makeup application and facial treatments, her work has included upscale clientele, a private investigator undercover and independent film work. Chantal also has a background in the Fine Arts. With the unique combination of her education as well as the desire to help people feel beautiful, Chantal provides expert skin care knowledge for our customers as well as the must have ingredients and trending looks. With an ever growing portfolio and clientele askderm is excited to be teamed up with Chantal for future blogs, informational videos and skin care tips! 

Do you have anyone on your gift-giving list that prefers a more natural approach to life or skincare? Being eco-friendly for a skincare company can mean a multitude of different approaches: organic certification, use of natural ingredients, foregoing the use of synthetics, or choosing to use plant based ingredients, over animal based ingredients because they require less water in production. Brands may choose to use solar or wind powered manufacturing processes, sustainable farming and harvesting of ingredients, recycled packaging or non-toxic inks for labeling. “Green” business practices are better for us and better for our planet! Whether you are shopping for yourself or someone else, these eco-friendly product picks cover a multitude of skin types. While being great for year round use, the following products are especially perfect for winter concerns like addressing hyperpigmentation from summer’s UV exposure, holiday stress or rough dehydrated skin. Coola Mineral Face SPF 30 Matte Cucumber: Are you being gifted a trip to somewhere warm? If so this sunscreen needs to be on your packing checklist. Mineral Face Matte smoothes the look of the skin and creates a matte finish, all while protecting you from harmful UV rays. Organic rosehip, omega-3 fatty acids and plankton extracts effectively nourish. Coola manufactures its sunscreens using locally sourced and organic ingredients whenever possible in their solar powered facility located in sunny California. You can be assured that Coola is free from parabens, PABA, petroleum and phthalates.   ilike Sour Cherry Gel Mask: This mask has by far one of the most nearly edible scents ever. Ideal for normal to combination skin, Sour Cherry Gel Mask tightens, tones and rejuvenates dull and dehydrated skin. This mask is rich in polyphenols and bioflavonoid antioxidants, meaning it is an anti-aging powerhouse. ilike skincare uses organically grown and hand harvested whole fruit pulps and over 150 herbs, combined with Hungarian thermal spring water that is rich in algae.   Derma e Evenly Radiant Brightening Cleanser: Winter weather can lead to skin that looks anything but merry and bright. This facial wash contains madonna lily plant extract, bearberry, green tea and vitamin C to promote healthy skin glow and diminish discoloration caused by sun damage. This brand’s humble beginnings were within a health food store. Every Derma e product is 100% vegan, cruelty-free, paraben free, sulfate free, mineral oil free, GMO free and manufactured with the use of wind power. Derma e is the recipient of The Green Patriot award “for organic leadership, green entrepreneurial innovation and global sustainability”. ACURE Marula + Argan Dry Oil Body Spray: This spray replaces watery warm weather lotions to hydrate parched winter skin. It absorbs immediately, without a greasy feel and is also great as a hair care finishing product. Buckthorn, sandalwood, vitamin E, coconut oil and olive oil nourish the skin, while the bright citrus and ginger scent is energizing. ACURE Foaming Shave Gel: Loose the environmentally insensitive shave cream packaging, this shave gel is housed in a recycled dispenser powered by air, not harmful expellants. No more rust rings on the bathroom counters when this gel is integrated into a shower and shave routine. Aloe, calendula and blue chamomile soothe skin for a close and irritant free shave. ACURE is serious about caring for our environment. Their office and manufacturing facilities are 100% solar and wind powered. ACURE’s office is paperless. All of their products contain organic ingredients and are biodegradable to help keep our water safe and pure. REN 1 Minute Flash Rinse Facial: Visible results are achieved, in yes, one minute. Suitable for most skin types this product immediately improves the look of the skin by eliminating redness, redefining pores and bringing about a healthy luminosity. Formulated with water-activated vitamin C, Flash Rinse Facial brings about such an immediately visible improvement to the skin that it is easily comparable to an in-spa treatment. REN is a plant and mineral based skincare company that is free from harmful synthetic ingredients. The packaging is recyclable, the folding cartons are from certified managed forests and printed with vegetable based ink. Pangea Organics Body Polish: This cocoa butter, salt and sugar scrub removes dead skin cells while deeply hydrating. Skin is immediately more soft and supple. The essential oil fragrance relaxes both body and mind. (Personally this scrub paired with ACURE’s Dry Oil Spray is a perfect match. Goodbye itchy, scaly winter skin!) Based in Boulder, CO Pangea Organics is committed to using organic, clean and natural ingredients that are ethically sourced and biodegradable. Some Pangea product packaging can even be planted and will grow herbs! 21 Drops Calm: Know anyone who feels overwhelmed or stressed during the holidays? This roller-ball vial contains an essential oil blend of jasmine, sweet orange and vetiver root in an organic jojoba carrier oil that will help anyone to chill out and enjoy the season. 21 Drops formulates their oil blends without synthetic fragrance, synthetic dyes, GMOs, sulfates or parabens. With a philosophy of creating a mind and body experience, 21 Drops aromatherapy treats a multitude of physical and emotional ailments.     Blog Written by askderm's in-house Esthetician  Chantal Monique is a NYS licensed Esthetician and Makeup Artist. She has 9 years experience in skin care and makeup artistry. With the unique combination of her education as well as the desire to help people feel beautiful, Chantal provides expert skin care knowledge for our customers.