Our latest giveaway features the fresh-smelling, body acne-clearing Zirh Body Bar. To find out how to qualify for our giveaways please visit the Contests section. One lucky winner will be randomly selected. The deadline to qualify for this contest is Monday, July 18th at 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time. Good luck!
Zirh Body Bar - Smells fresh and helps clear body acne.
Zirh Body Bar Ingredients List
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Price: $$ ($10-$20) – Available at Amazon.
Scent: Fresh, cool, slightly citrusy.
I Like: how the alpha hydroxy acids help to keep body acne and breakouts at bay. The refreshing fragrance. This bar lasts longer than the usual drugstore-bought soaps – it doesn’t soften up in the shower.
I don’t like: how the soap can dry out the skin if used too often.
Zirh’s Body Bar is ideal for anyone who is battling acne of the back, chest, arms, neck, or buttocks. That’s right – our bottoms are prone to occasional acne breakouts and ingrown hairs. The soap’s alpha hydroxy acid content helps to clear the skin. The bar smells fresh – citrusy with a hint of menthol. I recommend using this soap as a compliment to your everyday soap or body wash. If you use the Zirh Body Bar all the time, you run the risk of drying out your skin – something that could actually cause more breakouts. At $15, this soap is on the pricey side. However,
it holds up very well in the shower. You don’t have to worry about the bar prematurely disintegrating. If you’re regularly experiencing body breakouts, give the Zirh Body Bar a try. Don’t forget to moisturize after every shower. It will help keep your body from overproducing oils, which could lead to acne. Please note: Use this bar soap on areas other than the face. Using the Zirh Body Bar on your face may result in dryness and irritation.
Update (9/21/11): I just found out that Procter & Gamble is killing off the Zirh brand. More info can be found here and here. I suggest stocking up now if you like their products.
Kiehl's Ultimate Man Body Scrub Soap with Ingredients List
Overall Rating: ★★★★★
Price: $$ ($10-$20) – Available at Kiehl’s and Nordstrom.
Scent: Refreshing citrus.
I Liked: the scent, its effectiveness at exfoliating, and how long the bar lasted.
I didn’t like: nothing. However, those with body acne or other skin conditions may want to consider a less-abrasive exfoliating soap or cleanser.
I’m normally not a fan of bar soaps, as most of them typically contain harsh synthetic ingredients that over-dry and irritate the skin. Kiehl’s Ultimate Man Body Scrub Soap is an exception. It has an invigorating citrus scent that is masculine, but not overpowering. The combination of bran, oatmeal, and pumice effectively sloughs away dull, flaky skin. Because the soap is quite abrasive, I do not recommend using it on the face or on any area of the body with acne. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the bar held up in the shower. It didn’t get soft like the majority of the soaps I’ve used. Spoil yourself by giving this refreshing, exfoliating bar soap a try.
Want a shot at winning this great Kiehl’s product?
To find out how to qualify, please visit the Contests section. One lucky winner will be randomly selected. The deadline to qualify for this contest is Sunday, July 10th at 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time. Good luck!
Lab Series Max LS Overnight Renewal Serum Ingredients List
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Price: $$$$$ (over $50) – Available at LabSeries.com, Macy’s, and Sephora.
Scent: Hardly noticeable fragrance similar to that of cold cream.
I Liked: how it kept my skin clear. The serum was light and not greasy.
I didn’t like: the small size of the product.
There is a lot of science behind the Lab Series Max LS Overnight Renewal Serum. I honestly can’t tell you exactly how this stuff works – the serum is loaded with a number of trendy plant-based ingredients including extracts of algae, coffee, pomegranate, blueberry, and sea whip. The product was effective at keeping my complexion clear – probably due in large part to its salicylic acid content. The serum can be used anytime, but I rationed and used it mainly at night before bed – mostly because I only had one ounce of product to work with. If you seek a high quality anti-aging moisturizer that is effective at clearing your complexion, I recommend giving the Max LS Overnight Renewal Serum a try.
Zirh Protect Daily Face Moisturizer Ingredients List
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Price: $$$$ ($30-$40) – Available at Zirh.
Scent: Light citrus.
I Liked: how light the product felt. It moisturized without feeling greasy.
I didn’t like: the paraben preservatives.
Zirh’s Protect Daily Face Moisturizer is a lightweight face lotion that does a good job at moisturizing without leaving a greasy shine. It has a light citrus-like fragrance that even those with sensitive noses should find tolerable, if not enjoyable. Avocado oil and Vitamin E moisturize while Allantoin helps to soothe the skin – which makes this an ideal post-shave moisturizer. Fans of anti-aging products will appreciate the skin regenerating properties of its alpha-hydroxy acid content. Because this moisturizer lacks significant sun protection, it is a better option for those days spent mainly at home or in the office.
Lab Series Max LS Instant Eye Lift Ingredients List
Lab Series Max LS Instant Eye Lift Texture
Lab Series Max LS Instant Eye Lift Tube with Pump Dispenser
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Price: $$$$$ ($40-$50) – Available at Lab Series, Macy’s, and Sephora.
Scent: None
I liked: how it tightened the area around my eyes and made my dark circles less noticeable.
I didn’t like: the pump dispenser.
The MAX LS Instant Eye Lift by Lab Series is a great eye cream specifically targeted at men. It is very light in texture and fragrance-free. What I noticed first when using this product was how effective it was at lightening the dark circles around my eyes – note: the effect was temporary but much appreciated nonetheless. In addition to providing a slight tingling sensation to awaken my eyes, this cream tightened the skin which made my crows feet a little less noticeable. It did a fairly good job at minimizing eye puffiness. Standout ingredients include: cucumber, caffeine, algae, sweet almond, green tea, aloe, and vitamin E. Some may appreciate the unique pump dispenser – I, however, was not a big fan of it. I worry that when I get to the end of the tube I’ll have to cut it open to dispense the remaining amount. If you have the cash to spend on a higher-end eye cream that works well at treating dark circles, lines, and puffiness around the eyes, Lab Series Max LS Instant Eye Lift is a candidate worth considering.