Banish Acne Scars: Vitamin C Beauty Elixir

Welcome back lovely people!

I hope you're all enjoying the final days of Autumn and looking forward to the cold Winter months which are right around the corner!  Similar to the pumpkin scents that were being released a couple months ago, we now see tons of peppermint scents being released.  One product in particular, which isn't marketed as a "Christmas" scent but reminds me of Christmas because of it's peppermint scent, is the Vitamin C Beauty Elixir from Banish Acne Scars' website!  According to the Banish Acne Scars website, the Vitamin C Beauty Elixir "calms and reduces redness, reduces acne breakouts, prevents dark spots from forming and helps scar healing."  So in other words, this seems to be a "miracle in a bottle" type of product.  Is it really a miracle in a bottle?  Keep reading to find out..

 After using the product for about a month, I would say that it's probably my favourite "toner-type" product.  It is obviously not marketed as a toner (because it's called an Elixir), however, I think it does the same thing as a toner but better!  It doesn't over-dry my skin like most toners but it is able to balance the pH in my skin without stripping too much moisture away.  It definitely tightens up my pores and calms the redness in my skin but in terms of helping to fade my acne scars it's hard to say.  Since I am using so many other Banish Acne Scars skincare products, it's hard to say which product is helping the most in fading my acne scars.  I will continue to use the elixir, as well as the Pumpkin Enzyme Masque, and of course my loved M roller + serum.  If you've tried other mists/toners and haven't been super impressed, I would definitely recommend giving this one a go!  There is a link at the bottom of this post that takes you to the website if you were interested in buying this product!  ALSO, if you do try it out, I would love to hear your thoughts on it in the comments below!

Ingredients:  Distilled Water, Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Leaf Juice, (Vaccinium Myrtillus (Organic Bilberry) Extract, Saccharum officinarum (Organic Sugar Cane) Extract, Acer Saccharinum (Organic Sugar Maple) Extract, Citrus auranium dulcis (Organic Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus medica limonum (Organic Lemon) Extract, Vaccinium macrocarpon (Organic Cranberry) Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Salix alba (Willow Bark) Extract, Polysorbate, Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Essential Oil, Tetrasodium EDTA, (May contain sodium bicarbonate and/or citric acid as pH adjusters).

So I'll just go over a quick Pros & Cons list:
Pros

• Refreshes the skin without over drying it
• Helps calm acne and visible redness
• Tightens up pores
• The spray of the actual product is very wide and even (not like other spray bottles which spray out in chunks -.-)

Cons

• $15 for a 1 oz bottle (I always put the prices of products in the "cons" list because it varies from person to person; some people may find this to be expensive whereas others may not).

Click here to purchase the Vitamin C Beauty Elixir from Banish Acne Scars!

Stay tuned for my next blog post and take care,

Glynn  

"Go big or go home. Because it's true. What do you have to lose?"

Eliza Dushku

Banish Acne Scars: Pumpkin Enzyme Masque

Welcome back beautiful people!

It's that time of year again when many stores start selling pumpkin flavoured products such as Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte, Tim Horton's Pumpkin Spice Muffin, Yankee Candle's Pumpkin Spiced Candle, and the list goes on and on and on.  One pumpkin flavoured product that is actually sold all year around is the Pumpkin Enzyme Masque from Banish Acne Scars!  The mask is a great anti-acne mask which contains lots of vitamins and enzymes to help smooth out the skin's texture while keeping the skin healthy!  Pumpkin contains natural ingredients that are great for getting rid of acne, and getting rid of scarring so if you're looking to get rid of any of the two, look no further!

This chart was taken directly from the Banish Acne Scars website and shows exactly what the Pumpkin Enzyme Masque contains and the benefits.

Vitamin A Great for healing skin!	Dries out acne Heals blemishes Promotes exfoliation of skin to prevent new acne from forming Essential Vitamin for healthy skin, hair and eyes Treats oily skin
Vitamin C & Beta-Carotene Antioxidant to protect skin so it can heal!	Reverses skin damage Binds with free radicals so they won't harm your fresh new skin cells Defends against cancer and damage from the sun Reduces fine lines and wrinkles Builds more collagen
Alpha Hydroxy Acids The natural exfoliator.	Slough off dead skin cells Lightens blemishes from hyper pigmentation or scarring Exfoliate skin to show off your healthy glowing skin underneath Keeps skin moisturized and heals any skin flaking
Zinc The immune system booster.	Anti-inflammatory Prevents scarring Helps heal damaged skin

Ingredients: Pumpkin Fruit, Organic Bilberry Fruit Extract, Organic Sugar Cane Extract, Organic Orange Peel Extract, Organic Lemon Peel Extract, Glycerin, Tetrasodium ETDA, Vitamin E, Phenoxyethanol, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Vitamin C, Glycolic Acid, Neem Seed Oil, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Cinnamon Bark Powder, Ginger Root Powder, Nutmeg Powder.

Application Process:

1. Start with a clean face. 

• As with any face mask, you want to make sure you start off with a clean face.  If you plan on using this first thing in the morning, I'd suggest just wetting your face with water.  However, if you plan on doing this before bed, take off all your makeup or anything you have on your face with a gentle cleanser, wash off, and pat dry.
2. Apply.
• Application is super easy with this product!  You can use your clean fingers to take a toonie-sized amount and apply it all over your face.  You can also use a foundation brush to apply which is my preferred method because it is less messy that way.  I use my Real Techniques pointed foundation brush to apply a thin layer of the mask all over my face making sure to avoid the eye/eyebrow area.
3. The waiting game.
   
   • Now is the fun part.  Put on some Netflix, watch some YouTube videos, listen to music, read a book, etc., etc., etc.  Now's the time to do whatever you want while you wait for your mask to almost completely dry.  I usually leave mine on for 10 minutes.  You'll know when your mask is ready to be taken off when you notice it starting to flake off when you make certain facial expressions.  The colour and texture of the mask also changes which indicates that it's time to wash it off!
4. Wash off the mask to reveal cleansed and soothed skin.
• The best way to wash off this face mask is to apply lukewarm water to the skin and gently massage off.  You'll notice the first few massages won't get everything entirely off, this is normal.  Just keep applying water to your skin and eventually it will all rub off.  Once it's all off, simply pat dry with a clean towel.  Apply your favourite moisturizer if needed and you're good to go.

So I'll just go over a quick Pros & Cons list:

Pros

• All natural & organic.
• A little goes a long way.
• Lightens blemishes from hyper pigmentation or scarring.
• Dries out active acne which helps to heal blemishes.
• Gives a nice cooling sensation (if kept in the fridge) to the skin

Cons

• Heavily fragrant, so if the smell of pumpkin pie bothers you than this may not be the product for you.  I put this in the "cons" list because for some it may be considered a negative, whereas I personally don't mind the smell.
• Price point. Again, for some this may be an issue.  The product is $29.00 USD for 2 oz, although a little does go a long way, it is all based on personal budgets.

 

Click here to purchase the Pumpkin Enzyme Masque from Banish Acne Scars!

Stay tuned for my next blog post and take care,

 Glynn  

"I always tried to go a step past wherever people expected me to end up."

Beverly Sills

Week 10: Banish Acne Scars

Welcome back lovely people!
To those of you who are just tuning in for the first time, welcome to my Skin's Journey!  When I say "my" I mean me, Jessica Glynn!  I am a '95 baby currently in university and bloggin' on my spare time (aka when I get tired of doing school work, just don't tell my professors).  

And to those of you who have been following my Journey... 

WELCOME TO WEEK 10!  

We made it!

When I first started this journey I had no idea what to expect from the Banish Acne Scars system.  I must've researched the system for about 3 weeks, and eventually I just bit the bullet and ordered it!  I promised myself and you guys that I would document the entire journey every step of the way and that is what I have done.  We are now here at the 10th week (which is the final week with my current roller) and I have to say the results are pretty sweet!  I will have another YouTube video posted on my channel demonstrating my last session and talking about my overall thoughts of the product!  But for now, enjoy the before and after pictures!!

Zoomed Out Before & After Pictures
The photos on the left side were taken 11/12 weeks ago before I started the Banish Acne Scars system.  As you can see when comparing left to right, majority of my results affected my cheek area and a few minor areas around my forehead and chin.  Of course my whole face isn't scar free, but that is a-okay to me!  I've made really great improvements all thanks to the Banish Acne Scars system.

 

 

Zoomed In Before & After Pictures
These pictures really are living proof that the Banish Acne Scars system really does work.  Again as I have mentioned in other posts, I do not retouch/photoshop any of my pictures so the results are right there on your screens.  Pretty neat to see the difference 10 weeks of using the Banish Acne Scars roller and serum can make, eh?

 

 

 

Products I've Been Using In Conjunction With Banish

Over the past 10 weeks I haven't just been using the Banish Acne Scars system, I have also been using other products geared towards fading dark spots.  Twp products in particular that have been using have been from the Palmer's line.  On Palmer's website their mission statement reads, "Palmer's uses only the finest ingredients to provide consumers the highest quality formulas at affordable prices. All of our products are hand crafted based on Palmer's long standing heritage and experience in offering superior formulations that deliver results. This is why Palmer's promise to its consumers has always been an unconditional guarantee of quality."  

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula: Eventone Night Fade Treatment

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Night Fade Treatment combines 2% hydroquinone, the most effect topical skin lightening agent available, with our Tone Enhancing Complex to fade dark spots, marks and discoloration while peptides and richly moisturizing cocoa butter actively boost moisture levels, revitalize and help firm skin so you wake up with a brighter, younger-looking complexion.  I usually apply this at night as my moisturizer for the evening and although the smell is a little strong, I don't seem to mind it (although I have heard that a lot of people cannot stand the smell of it).  It settles into the skin in seconds and I find it leaves the skin with a tacky, matte feel which doesn't bother me because I'm just going to bed with it on.

Key Ingredients	Benefits
Cocoa Butter	A rich, natural moisturizer that leaves skin soft and silky, transforming even the roughest, driest areas into buttery soft skin
Synovea	Improves age spots
Soy	Restores skin's luminosity
Niacinamide	Targets unwanted discoloration
Vitamin C	Naturally brightens complexion
Licorice Extract	Balances tone and texture
Peptide Complex	Helps firm and support skin structure

   

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula: Skin Therapy Face Oil

Transform your skin with a powerful blend of 10 pure precious oils, Retinol, Vitamin C and our exclusive Cetesomate-E® Complex.  Skin restorative oils along with natural Cocoa Butter, Retinol and Vitamin C deliver multi-purpose, anti-aging skin benefits.
Ten Pure Oils help moisturize and smooth fine lines and wrinkles while Retinol and Vitamin C help improve and brighten tone and texture. This lightweight, non-greasy formula absorbs quickly, while the Cetesomate Complex helps deliver all of the essential vitamins and nutrients directly into the epidermal layer of the skin. Skin looks younger-looking with a more glowing and firm appearance.
It is hypoallergenic, paraben free, phthalate free, and dermatologist tested.  You guys have heard me rave about this oil and it is for good reason.  It is great at night or lightly throughout the day.  

Key Ingredients	Benefits
Cocoa Butter	A rich, natural moisturizer that leaves skin soft and silky, transforming even the roughest, driest areas into buttery soft skin
Sesame Oil, Coconut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil, Apricot Oil, Argan Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Rosehip Oil, Camelina Oil and Sunflower Oil	Enriched with essential vitamins and nutrients to soften, smooth and plump skin while visibly rejuvenating and toning skin
Retinol	Advanced anti-aging ingredient helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and smooth skin texture
Vitamin C	Natural antioxidant helps brighten skin and dark spots

Overall, I am very pleased with the last 10 weeks using the Banish Acne Scars system.  As you can see in the many before and after photos that I have included in this post and in my other posts from the previous weeks, the products DO work.  I am very interested to see what another 10 weeks will look like since you are only advised to use a roller for 8-10 times.  I received a second M roller in the mail and will be continuing another 1o weeks with the new roller.  I hope you have enjoyed tuning in and reading through the last 10 weeks of my Skin's Journey and hope that you continue to follow my next 10 weeks.  

Click here for my Week 9: Banish Acne Scars blog post!

Click here for my Week 8: Banish Acne Scars blog post!

Click here for my Week 7: Banish Acne Scars blog post!

Click here for my Week 6: Banish Acne Scars blog post!

Click here for my Week 5: Banish Acne Scars blog post! 

Click here for my Week 4: Banish Acne Scars blog post!
Click here for my Week 3: Banish Acne Scars blog post!

 Click here for my Week 2: Banish Acne Scars blog post! 

Click here for my Week 1: Banish Acne Scars blog post!

Click here to purchase products from Banish Acne Scars!

Stay tuned for my next blog post and take care,

Glynn

"Our greatest strength as a human race is our ability to acknowledge our differences.  Our greatest weakness is our failure to embrace them."   

Judith Henderson