Thursday, January 14, 2010

It's here! SkinMD Natural Review and Giveaway!

***This giveaway is closed!***
The winner: Ninel! (confirmed)

Obviously, as I’m trying my best to lead a healthy life, I’m pretty concerned about what goes on my skin. Loads of chemicals can be absorbed through the skin, and if you check out the ingredients of a lot of popular skin care products, you’ll find some nasty stuff in there.

So I make sure to read the ingredients on the products I use, especially since we started trying to conceive. Recently, I had the opportunity to try out SkinMD Natural shielding lotion. Here’s what I loved on my first visit to the SkinMD website. They have an ingredients list right there on the site AND they tell you exactly what each of the ingredients is, and why it’s in there. There’s so much transparency for this natural skin care product, which as a concerned consumer, I really appreciate!

Instead of replacing the skin’s natural oils like moisturizers do, a shielding lotion protects the skin by forming a natural barrier – which keeps environmental toxins out and encourages your skin to regulate moisture naturally. (When I was in school, all of us art students became very familiar with barrier creams for protecting our skin from the chemicals we were using, whether that was in printmaking shop, painting studio or even the woodworking studio. SkinMD kind of reminds me of a gentler version of those barrier creams.)

Let me just get a little personal here and explain that I have had skin issues for years. I have recurring seborrheic dermatitis on my face as well as acne. The dermatitis leaves me with red, flaky, itchy, dry skin (not lovely) and the acne ranges from sebaceous filaments to those big, sore cysts that swell up like mosquito bites and hurt like heck. Not fun!

Believe me, I’ve tried everything - from the pharmacy acne creams to natural remedies, both over the counter and prescription. My dermatologist even prescribed long-term, low-dose antibiotics to help with my skin problems (which I have stopped taking!). I’ve tried retin-A creams, ProActiv (which is pretty much just benzoyl peroxide), salicylic acid, AHA’s, tea tree oil… you name it, over the years, I’ve tried it.

And now I’ve finally found a regimen that is keeping my skin clear - for the first time in about twenty years!!! I haven’t had a major breakout in weeks. For me this is huge.

I’m not certain exactly what has solved the problem as I’ve changed a few things in the last few weeks. I’ve stopped eating eggs, I’ve started using an organic oatmeal soap on my face once a day, and I’ve started using this SkinMD lotion on my face as well. I have also completely stopped the prescription acne cream and antibiotics that my dermatologist had me on. I had those two random hormonal rollercoasters lately, plus I am getting older and who knows, maybe I’ve just hit that threshold where my skin has balanced out. So I don’t want to claim this as a miracle cream or anything (SkinMD doesn’t make any claims about acne, as far I as I could see), but it is part of a new skincare regimen that has been working wonders for me.

The acne has gone away. I still have the sebaceous filaments, but that’s not uncommon and as long as they don’t get infected I’m okay with that. The dermatitis has really disappeared, and to say that in the middle of a dry Canadian winter is really something! Is it the protective silicones, or maybe the natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients (like aloe, comfrey, arnica, yarrow & chamomile) in the SkinMD? Did I have an egg allergy that just showed up as skin problems? Who knows.

My husband and I tried the SkinMD Natural shielding lotion, and samples of the SPF version as well. The lotion itself has a light, neutral scent – it just smells ‘like lotion’, but it’s not overpowering. It’s got a light consistency that smooths on easily, but absorbs very quickly. I hate when creams leave my skin feeling greasy; with the SkinMD a few seconds after application it’s no longer wet to the touch, but my skin doesn’t feel dried out. After I do my face I rub any excess on the backs of my hands. I also found that because it doesn’t feel greasy I am not tempted to wash it off my hands. So my hands are looking and feeling better, too.

I found I needed to use two applications of the SkinMD on my face at first. I do my under-eye cream, wait a little for that to absorb, then apply the SkinMD all over. A few seconds later a second round of SkinMD to finish off. It sounds like a lot, but it really is seconds between coats. The reason was that the dermatitis makes my skin super tight so it tended to flake, especially on my forehead (yuck).

After the first couple weeks I am down to only one light application, and this is something that I’ll admit I was skeptical about. Their website describes that you can taper off your use. I thought, Really? What company would tell you to use less and less of their product? But honestly, that has been my experience. I am using less than when I started and my skin is looking GREAT.

My husband suffers from eczema on his legs. I showed him the before and after shots on their website of eczema sufferers (the photos really are amazing). He was still skeptical. (My husband is one seriously stubborn guy.) So, he has used it a few times on his problem areas, but not enough to notice a big difference. I think if he really gave it a shot he would see results, just based on what it’s done for my dermatitis, but I have found that my man does his own thing no matter what my good advice is!

The facility that manufactures SkinMD has recently installed solar panels and utilizes solar power to produce Skin MD Natural. Not only that, but they don’t test on animals. Way to go!

SO what is the point of all this?

Well, for one to brag for the first time EVER that I actually have nice skin. Yay, me!

Secondly, to say that I’m loving the SkinMD and while I do find it a little gaspy at $18 USD a bottle (with another $9.95 shipping fee to Canada)… but very comparable to your typical Olay creams, for example, at $30 CDN a pop (which are smaller tubs, and are full of who knows what); I would pick this any day.
To make that just a little sweeter, SkinMD is offering my readers a 20% discount code!!! Woo hoo! :) To receive this discount, simply enter the special code FFSR at checkout!
And THIRDLY, what you have all been waiting for, to offer you, my lucky readers, the chance to test this out yourself when one of you wins a bottle of the SkinMD Shielding Lotion.

The giveaway: A bottle of Skin MD Shielding Lotion.

How to enter: Visit SkinMD, and tell me another product you would be interested in trying, AND something you learned from the website. Please be sure to include your email if it’s not public in your blogger profile! Anonymous comments without a way to contact you will be deleted.

Extra entries (leave an extra comment for each):
  • Sign up for the Skin Free RSS feed and let me know you did
  • Use the store locator to find the nearest store to you where you can buy SkinMD products, and let me know where it is
  • Follow my blog (publicly) – 2 entries, leave 2 comments
  • Add my blog button to your blog- leave the URL
  • Blog about this giveaway, linking back both to this post and to the SkinMD website – 2 entries, leave 2 comments
That’s 9 potential entries!

Eligibility: Open to US and Canadian residents.

Ends: January 28th at 11:59 PM EST. Winner will be emailed and announced on this post and on a separate post on my blog. If I don't hear back within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen.

*************************
Lastly - now that you know how great this product is - take a moment to enter their Valentine's Day contest as well! With a big prize pack up for grabs, this is going to make one more winner very happy!


This review was based on a product that I received as a sample from the sponsor. No payment was made for this review. Prize will be shipped directly from the sponsor.

52 comments:

  1. I would love to try the Skin MD Natural + SPF15 so I can have the smooth, moisturized skin with the added benefit of protection from the sun!

    I learned that humectants are substances that promote retention of moisture. Some humectants actually draw moisture from the air to further moisturize the skin.

    I also learned that this product contains a moisturizing factor of at least 6 times greater than glycerin, which, until now, has been the best humectant to draw in as much moisture from the air.

    arctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  2. I used the store locator but unfortunately there are no stores near me. If this product works as well as I heard it does I will definitely head in to my nearest pharmacy and suggest they add it to their regular stock.

    arctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  3. I Follow your Blog (ArcticTeacher) - (Entry #1)

    arctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  4. I Follow your Blog (ArcticTeacher) - (Entry #2)

    arctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your button is on my blog

    www.beingmom1.blogspot.com

    arctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  6. I blogged about this giveaway here: http://beingmom1.blogspot.com/2010/01/january-giveaways.html (Entry #1)

    arctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  7. I blogged about this giveaway here: http://beingmom1.blogspot.com/2010/01/january-giveaways.html (Entry #2)

    arctic_teacher AT yahoo DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'd love to try their shielding lotion.

    Something I learned: that it's promptly absorbed, without the slightest hint of any greasy or oily feeling or residue

    suzifevens at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. hmmmm, i used their store locator but it woudlnt' come up with any results for my province (nova scotia)...

    suzifevens at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. i follow you (suzifevens)

    suzifevens at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. i follow your blog #2

    suzifevens at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. the lotion with SPF please and i learned Skin MD Natural™ is promptly absorbed, without the slightest hint of any greasy or oily feeling or residue, transforming the outer layer of skin into a hydrating invisible shield.

    ReplyDelete
  13. blogged!
    http://www.confessionsofafitnessinstructor.com/search/label/giveaways

    ReplyDelete
  14. blogged #2

    http://www.confessionsofafitnessinstructor.com/search/label/giveaways

    ReplyDelete
  15. i've got your button on my blog :
    www.confessionsofafitnessinstructor.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. The shielding lotions intrigues me, would be interested to see how well it works.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I want to try Skin MD Natural + SPF15.

    I learned that Skin MD Natural doesn't disguise dry skin and signs of aging. It provides a solution that works.

    ReplyDelete
  18. i leanred that it's promptly absored with no resuidue
    i'd love to try the spf15 lotion since w elive in fl and are outside a lot.
    eod_army_wife04(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I would love to try the Ultimate Dry Skin Care Solution. I learned that
    By using a shielding lotion that bonds with the outer layer of your skin you can keep irritants out and moisture in. I need that big time. My hands are horrible in the winter. I feel like a little old lady!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Would love to try the Skin MD Natural + SPF15 and that thyroid issues causes skin issues!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Closest place I can buy it is at a Riley'S Drugs in Lexington, SC

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'd like to try the skin md natural + spf 15 and I learned that no animal products were used or animals used for testing
    bepoia(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I can find skin MD at Hy vee pharmacy in Mason City IA That is 45 miles from home
    bepoia(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I would like to try Skin MD Natural SPF 15. This stuff sounds so good...I really want to try it! I have tried nearly everything for my poor, achy, dry and cracking hands. Can't wait to get my desperate hands on some Skin MD Natural!! :)
    h4schaffer at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I can find Skin MD at Beuhler's in Wooster, Ohio. Not very near me, really, but I travel that way occasionally. Better than nothin'! :)
    h4schaffer at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I follow on Blogger!
    #1
    h4schaffer at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I follow on Blogger.
    #2
    h4schaffer at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I would like to try skin md natural + spf 15, and I learned that its promptly absorbed.

    erin2470 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  29. the nearest location is CVS pharmcy buffalo ny

    ReplyDelete
  30. Follow the blog

    mcsweeney dot erin at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. follow the blog

    mcsweeney dot erin at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I would also be interested in trying the skin md natural + spf 15. I learned Skin MD Natural + SPF 15 is a sunscreen that gently cares for your skin while protecting it from excessive sun radiation



    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. At the moment there are no stores in my area that carry skin md


    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I follow your blog


    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

    1

    ReplyDelete
  35. I would also like to try the Shielding Lotion + SPF15. I learned about the extent of research done prior to coming out with this project.
    beachbird2 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I signed up for Skin MD RSS through Google Reader

    ReplyDelete
  37. The store closest to me carrying Skin MD is Sacred Heart Hospital Pharmacy

    ReplyDelete
  38. I am following you publicly on GFC
    #1

    ReplyDelete
  39. I am following you publicly on GFC
    #2

    ReplyDelete
  40. I blogged about this giveaway:
    http://Beachbird2.blogspot.com
    #2

    ReplyDelete
  41. I would like to try the shielding lotion + SPF15. I learned that you can use the lotion on the face, hands and body.

    karamaneva(at)yahoo(dot)ca

    ReplyDelete
  42. I used the store locator feature on the SkinMD site, but apparently there are no stores that carry their products anywhere near Toronto, Ontario..

    ReplyDelete
  43. I'd love to try the Skin M.D. Natural with SPF 15.

    wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  44. In my first comment I forgot to say that I learned that shielding lotions form a protective shield with the outer layer of skin and help keep out irritants.

    The store that sells this is Fry's Pharmacy at 7050 E. 22nd St., Tucson, AZ.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Skin MD feed subscriber

    wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

Hey, why not leave a comment? I'd love to hear what you think. If you're entering a giveaway, be sure to leave your email address if it's not set to public in your profile!