Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion Review+

This is a first for The ART and SCIENCE of [beauty] - this is... my first skincare post! Woo hoo! I've decided to put this particular post in a brand new category:

[ Review+ ]

which is a review, plus a bonus - whether it's a coupon code, a contest, or a giveaway! This post contains a coupon code that Skin MD Natural made just for my blog + my readers! Details will be at the end of the post.

Note: I don't normally post about skincare products, because to me - skincare is a very personal thing. Another reason is because I'm a hairstylist at heart, not an esthetician, so I don't feel too comfortable giving skincare advice when I don't have the knowledge + education to back it up. However, I will do reviews from time to time if I feel like the product will benefit many of my readers, which I think this product will! ;]

Back in December, I was contacted by a rep from Skin MD Natural asking if I was interested in trying their Shielding Lotion. So, even though my blog is mainly about haircare - I looked at the website + read what other blogs had thought about it. Since everyone was raving about it I knew I had to give it a shot. So they sent me a bottle to try out, and after one week - I was HOOKED. Now honestly, I normally haattteee putting lotion on my face, so I kind of had to force myself to use this. Ugh, it's just... every other product I've tried just left my face feeling coated + heavy, and just NOT moisturized. Needless to say, I was pretty fed up when it came to moisturizers. My ranting aside, this product is FREAKIN' AWESOME! I seriously will not put any other lotion on my face, or body for that matter. It just absorbs right into my skin minutes after applying, I feel soft and smooth all day, and my face doesn't feel coated or get shiny at all. I want this in like, a gallon size LOL! I don't think there's a person in the world who wouldn't love this product.

Let me tell you a bit about Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion: It is paraben free, hypoallergenic (meaning no artificial fragrance or color), and not tested on animals nor do they use animal products. This is good stuff! Of course a review by me wouldn't be complete without breaking t down for you, so here are the main ingredients:

Water, Aloe Vera, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Methyl Gluceth-20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2 Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol.

Aloe Vera is very useful in skincare products, especially anti-aging products + products to treat sunburn, because it's extremely effective at moisturizing, protecting skin, delivering oxygen, and has anti-inflammatory properties as well. Cyclopentasiloxane is a type of silicone mainly used to thin out other silicones. It conditions and adds moisture to skin + hair. Dimethicone (a heavier silicone) is an emollient that locks in moisture while keeping excess out. It also improves the spreadability of a product, and leaves skin feeling smooth and soft. Methyl Gluceth-20 is a humectant and emollient that's made from methyl alcohol and glucose. It leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E) is, like I said in my last post "a naturally occuring anti-oxidant that moisturizes and conditions hair, and is especially beneficial in skincare products because it is an anti-inflammatory, and it adds moisture, reduces fine lines + smooths out rough skin." I couldn't say it any better, lol! Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a film-former that helps thicken and stabilize a product, and basically makes it feel nicer to use. 1,2 Hexanediol and Caprylyl Glycol together form an extremely effective humectant, making your skin feel soft and healthy. Butylene Glycol is a humectant + a solvent used to decrease the viscosity of (thin out) the product.

So, of course after I typed out that whole thing I went on their website and found that they have their ingredients clearly stated and defined for anyone to see. I really didn't expect that cos most cosmetic companies are so shady about their ingredients - it's rare for a company to do that, and I'm glad they do! They're totally up front about everything they put in their Shielding Lotion, which makes me like them even more! If you'd like even more details about the ingredients, here is the page: http://bit.ly/aIQ9ME

And now for the bonus! Skin MD Natural has created a coupon code JUST for my blog! Isn't that awesome?! I feel so special. =]

Visit www.skinmdnatural.com and use the coupon code HSB for 20% off your entire order! The code is good until 4/6/10 so take advantage of this GREAT deal while it lasts! A 4 oz. bottle (1-2 month supply, though mine's lasted longer) of Shielding Lotion is $18 minus 20% off is only $14.40! They do have another version of Shielding Lotion with SPF 15 for $25 and with the 20% off coupon code that brings it down to $20! Woo hoo!!!

Wow, my first skincare post! I wonder how many more I'll get to do... You'll have to stick around and find out! Until next time, take care of your hair (and skin)! XOXO