Pevonia Stem Cells Phyto-Elite Cream

This post was created in partnership with Pevonia. I have been compensated and/or given product for this post. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I know that has been awhile since I first introduced the Pevonia Stem Cells Phyto-Elite Cream ($159). I also received two other products from the Stem Cell Phyto-Elite line, including the Stem Cells Phyto-Elite Serum ($159) and Stem Cells Phyto-Elite Cleanser ($43.50). I normally don't like to weigh my opinion right off the bat on skin care products since experience has taught me that they're not overnight miracle workers (even the best of them!), hence the long wait! Some skin care products may take weeks, or even months before there's a noticeable difference in the skin.

The Stem Cell Phyto-Elite line is designed for mature skin, but it's also ideal for those who want to use it as a preventive. I fall into the latter category. I get apprehensive at times about using anti-aging skincare products that I've never used before, considering how unpredictable my skin can be. There are some days that it's dry, while other days it is out of control: oily and acne prone. Then there are the days that my skin is seemingly perfect, with a blemish not in sight!

The Stem Cells Phyto-Elite Cream is formulated to brighten, protect, hydrate, and rejuvenate the skin. I started using it in conjunction with the Stem Cells Phyto-Elite Serum and Stem Cells Phyto-Elite Cleanser, yet had to stop using both of those products since I started experiencing painful, red pimples around my neckline and cheeks. Camouflaging it with foundation made it much worse. Although the breakout was a bit embarrassing, I had to wing it out and go foundation-free for my skin to heal. The woes of having sensitive, acne-prone skin! I was able to continue the Pevonia Stem Cells Phyto-Elite Cream without any major issues, but I did start using it every other day to avoid my skin spiraling out of control. Overall, I was pleased with the cream. It gave my skin the balance it needed, plus it made my face feel so soft that it felt like my skin had reversed 10 years in softness.

Sign up to be part of the Pevonia Life Advocate Experience to learn more about their products. It's also a good way to accumulate rewards and samples!

How to Be Naturally Beautiful

Making the switch to vegan cosmetics, just like adopting a vegan diet, can be initially very labor intensive, but the outcome will reward all your hard work. You will look better, feel better, and know you’ve made good decisions for our animal friends.

The best place to start is to do your homework. Regardless of how you feel about their practices, the PETA website has two great resources to help you start off; a list of cruelty-free companies and an extensive list of animal-based ingredients, with some alternatives. From those two lists, you can check your favorite brands’ ingredient listing to make a judgment call about whether you want to keep using it, or you can research new makeup favorites with the cruelty-free list. This may seem daunting at first, as modern cosmetics can contain dozens of complex and not immediately identifiable components. The internet has made such research fairly easy, if a little time consuming, but once you have begun to identify the more common problematic ingredients you’ll be able to make decisions much faster. While you’re researching animal ingredients to avoid, you can simultaneously look out for synthetic ingredients that you may want to avoid; diazolidinyl urea, for example, is a lab-made preservative commonly found in cosmetics and skin care products. It is a common allergen and can be hard on sensitive skin.

The other approach is much more fun, but considerably harder on your wallet, and that is to ditch anything you’re currently unsure of a start fresh with companies you know are vegan or cruelty-free. Once again there are a couple of good resources online; the PETA list, a similar recent list from Sephora, and the Google search for ‘best vegan cosmetics’ top result: tarte cosmetics. The Sephora list is very extensive, it lists companies according to their animal testing stance, vegan adherence and even gluten content. Another good list is from cruelty-free organization Leaping Bunny, whose adorable bunny in motion logo can be seen on companies certified cruelty-free. Lastly, if you want to just dive in and start checking out products, the aforementioned tarte cosmetics has a shop page dedicated to its vegan line, which is a really great place to start!

Reveal Radiant Skin with Karin Herzog + Giveaway

Nobel Institute honoree, Dr. Paul Herzog, and his wife, Karin, founded the world leading skincare line more than 40 years ago in Switzerland.

Dr. Herzog developed the first, and only, formula to successfully stabilize active oxygen in a cream that can be applied to the skin. The oxygen acts as a rocket booster, propelling essential nutrients deep into the epidermis to nourish the collagen producing cells below the skins surface. It helps to boost the skin’s own replenishment and recovery systems to revolutionize it from the inside, out.

After being awarded the global patent for his unique discovery, Paul and Karin, integrated his breakthrough technology into a unique skincare line. As a trained esthetician, Karin worked with her husband to develop a range of products that help to restore natural vitality, prevent the signs of aging and treat problematic skin conditions.

They invite you to discover the unique qualities of the Karin Herzog skincare philosophy; the only skincare line to deliver the transformative effects of active oxygen directly into the skin.

Karin Herzog is somewhat of a best-kept secret among estheticians and has grown its popularity via word of mouth, resulting in a cult celebrity following and loyal customer base. In June, Molly Sims revealed to Byrdie that she is “addicted to Karin Herzog’s Additional Sweet Cream”, and also using the Vita-A-Kombi Oil for her daily skincare routine. It is also said that Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, is a fan of the Karin Herzog line, namely the Vita-A-Kombi 1 ($75). Her usage of Karin Herzog Products is well covered in the press, as recently in Beauty Style Living and US Weekly. Karin Herzog is also covered by ELLE, Vanity Fair, Elite Wedding, Bella, New Beauty, and Redbook, among others. Molly Sims and Kate Middleton both have practically flawless, gorgeous skin, thus this line had piqued my curiosity! I didn't try their standby products, but I opted for the Oxygen Hyalu Lift ($130).

I was half-tempted to review the Oxygen Hyalu Lift sooner than I usually review skincare products, but I wanted to take my time as I always do in order to give an accurate review. It's true for many that one isn't normally going to experience instant results with skincare products, as they take time to work. Skincare products may take a month before seeing results, while others may take a few months.

Thanks to combination skin and genetics, I don't have any wrinkles. However, there were a few areas in my facial area that needed to be addressed, such as the slight laugh lines. My skin also needed some firming up. The Oxygen Hyalu Lift made my skin soft, smooth, and touchable, yet firm after the first application. I was sold! It was a little over a month when I noticed that it had lessened my laugh lines remarkably.

Note: For an added boost of radiance, apply only at night and switch to Vita-A-Kombi AHA in the mornings. For best results, apply with a brush in order to avoid the absorption of active ingredients through the fingertips.

Lastly, I also received their Eye Cream ($55). Their Eye Cream is enriched with nourishing vitamins and 0.5% active oxygen to help fight dark circles and signs of aging. I thought I'd be the last one to ever get dark circles since I get the required amount of sleep, yet I have been experiencing slight dark circles for a little over two years. I have tried several eye creams to help diminish the appearance of dark circles. Some had somewhat helped, but not enough to make them completely disappear. I have also tried, tried, and tried the cucumber method, to no avail. The only thing that seems to temporarily "help" is to swipe some concealer underneath my eyes. This Eye Cream may have not been any different than the others in regards to diminishing the appearance of dark circles, but I love that it left the eye area smooth and soft.

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The Beauty Counter Giveaway

One winner will receive the Oxygen Hyalu Lift and Eye Cream (a $185 value).

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