Patricia Wexler's Daily Defense Anti-Oxidant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30

I've never been a big fan of tinted moisturizers. Dr. Patricia Wexler has changed that. Daily Defense Anti-Oxidant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 ($29.50) has several features I like, so it will become a reach-for product in my bathroom.

Why have most tinted moisturizers fallen short of my expectations? Usually the color is "off" since they come in such a limited range of shades. They don't cover my slight imperfections (my Armani foundation makes my sun spots disappear). Although they offer sun protection, I can get that in other ways - or just wear my foundation.

A few weeks ago, I ordered the Wexler tinted moisturizer from Bath & Body Works. It's available in three shades: light, medium, and deep. Naturally, I ordered light.

It appealed to me that the world-famous dermatologist had created this product. I think some of her products, such as Fastscription, are at the top of their class. Here is what Bath & Body Works has to say about Daily Defense Anti-Oxidant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30.

Safe skin is healthy skin. Protect, repair, and enhance skin against the daily assaults of dehydration, free radical damage, and ultraviolet damage. This protective, tinted moisturizer defends skin and enhances it with a veil of natural color to even skin tone and texture. Available in three shades to blend with a wide range of skin tones.

• Protects skin from environmental assaults
• Lightweight formula enhances skin's radiance with sheer, natural coverage
• Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection
• Contains skin-regenerating MMPi

It arrived, I tried, and I like it. The light shade works well for my skin. It's actually a tad darker than "me," but when applied to my whole face, it balances the difference between my genetically rosy mid-face and the rest of my face, which is very pale. It tones down the red and adds a healthy color to the ivory - like a very slight suntan glow without the sun. The color is not so tan that I end up with the dreaded jaw line of demarcation. The color works.

It feels weightless and doesn't smell. That's always important. It applies and blends very easily. And I know that it has SPF 30 and Wexler's trademark MMPi, so it's good for my skin.

Like other tinted moisturizers, it does not cover my sun spots. Those little devils congregate on the "frame" of my face, and I hate them. Not enough to go get them lasered off yet, but I don't like to look at them. No tinted moisturizer has ever blurred them, and this one doesn't either.

When will I wear it? Probably on my weekend no-makeup days, when I let my skin "run free." I'll tame the redness, but still look natural and healthy.

An option for those who don't have dry skin is to wear it as a "regular" moisturizer under foundation. I think it would be a great option for those who don't need a super-charged moisturizer or a lot of slip.

You can purchase Patricia Wexler's products at Bath & Body Works. While you're there, make sure to check out Fastscription Instant De-Puff Eye Gel ($19.50), the Wexler miracle product.

Photo courtesy of Bath & Body Works

C.O. Bigelow Chapped Hands Remedy

What a nifty unisex hand cream for the winter! C.O. Bigelow's Chapped Hands Remedy ($14) is a non-greasy, medicated formula that heals and hydrates ultra-dry hands with concentrated (about 40%) glycerin. Although it's perfect for year-round use, I find it especially hydrating now. After all, it snowed Saturday, and on Sunday, I nearly froze at our winterfest hometown parade. My poor numb hands needed some TLC.

Chapped Hands Remedy helps prevent, protect against, and relive chapped or cracked skin. My hands crack open in the winter, when the air inside and out is very drying. Even my feet get dry and crack. I'll probably use this hand cream everywhere except my face and neck.

In addition to the glycerin, the product contains many hydrating and healing ingredients, including olive oil, jojoba esters, and aloe leaf extract.

You can find this Cosmetic Executive Women award finalist at Bath & Body Works. I got mine in the 2009 VIP Bag, a $15 purchase with purchase, but that offer has expired. You can purchase this wonder cream at Bath & Body Works at any time, though. Just visit their Web site or one of their stores. Currently, there is a buy two get one free offer. Our local TV meterologist says it's going to be a snowy winter. I'll need another one.

Photo courtesy of Bath & Body Works

Eucaplyptus for What Ails You

Do you have a favorite herbal remedy? Mine's eucalyptus. Feel stuffy from sinus congestion? Eucalyptus! Muscles ache? Eucalyptus!

Kneipp makes some fabulous herbal bath oils, including the eucalyptus Cold & Flu Bath ($5 to $28, depending on size) - one of my favorites. I've been using it for years. This highly concentrated bath treatment with aroma-intensive, essential eucalyptus oil stimulates and helps relieve sinuses at any time of year, but especially during cold and flu season. I use eucalyptus if I feel an allergy attack, cold, or sinus infection coming. At the first sign of stuffy nose, head congestion, and general tiredness, I take a warm bath with eucalyptus.

I like the Kneipp Eucalyptus Sinus Relief Thermal Spring Salts ($18) almost as well. The salts are made with pure and natural thermal brine salt as well as valuable essential oils of eucalyptus. Both products make for a heavenly soak.

Bath & Body Works sells quite a few eucalyptus products, including those made by The Thymes. I love the Thymes Eucalyptus Body Lotion ($22) with vitamin E, aloe vera, jojoba oil, and shea butter. The fragrance blends the energizing scents of eucalyptus and crisp Italian lemon, lime, and petitgrain. It is popular with both men and women.

This morning, I used Bath & Body Works' own Stress Relief - Eucalyptus Spearmint Body Wash ($13) as a bubble bath. The eucalyptus essential oil smells great, opens my sinuses, and helps me relax. Spearmint essential oil is uplifting and is said to help focus the mind. This nourishing body wash contains green tea extract to help keep skin looking younger and healthier.

You can purchase Kneipp products at Kneipp's Web site or Amazon.

Bath & Body Works has a full range of eucalyptus products. Check out the darling Lounge Socks (two pairs for $10) infused with eucalyptus if you want to be good to your feet while you laze around the house.

Photos courtesy of Kneipp and Bath & Body Works

Patricia Wexler's New Sensitive Skin Collection

This is exciting. Even without testing it, I'm there - gotta try it! An advertisement for Patricia Wexler's new Sensitive Skin Collection arrived in my e-mail box from Bath & Body Works this morning.

What's available?
Sensitive Skin Smoothing & Renewing Night Cream ($39.50)
Sensitive Skin Calming Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 30 ($39.50)
Sensitive Skin MMPi-20 Comforting & Renewing Serum ($55)
Sensitive Skin Gentle Exfoliating Peel ($35)
Anti-Aging Sensitive Skin Starter Kit ($39.50)

Here's what Bath & Body Works has to say about the collection.

"Lines and wrinkles? Sensitivity? Dr. Wexler introduces a breakthrough regimen that addresses both these skin concerns together. These products combine her exclusive MMPi-20® technology with soothing, calming anti-aging technologies, such as Sym-Relief Redness Reducing Complex and Dragosine Anti-Aging Peptide."

You can see the collection at Bath & Body Works. I think I'm going to amble over. My crystal ball shows a starter set in my future. If you are interesting in ordering online, for two days shipping is free with code WEXLERSHIP and a $39.50 purchase - the exact price of the starter kit.

Update: This armchair shopper ordered online. Free shipping was too tempting.

Photo courtesy of Bath & Body Works.

Patricia Wexler Fastscription Instant De-Puff Eye Gel

Lately at Best Things in Beauty, it has been all about eyes! This morning, I'm continuing our eye theme.

I know I have mentioned Patricia Wexler's Fastscription Instant De-Puff Eye Gel ($19.50) in the past, but I think it deserves its own posting - it's that good. This eye gel won a 2008 Allure Best of Beauty Award in the Best DePuffing Eye Product Category and the 2008 Best in Show Award from Women's Health magazine.

Fastscription Instant De-Puff really works to de-puff your undereye area. It surprised me the first time I used it because most products that claim to banish bags don't.

So what causes undereye puffiness? Many women think it's just fluid retention. However, most of the time, it's fat. We come by the fat naturally, but as we age, it shifts. Not only that, it's genetic, so you can thank mom and dad. No eye cream or gel will remove fat. If you want to get rid of it, you need to consider the surgeon's knife or fillers. Some fillers are being used by skilled practitioners to minimize the appearance of bags by filling out the surrounding areas.

Puffiness is also caused by allergens, too much alcohol, too much salt, sleeping on your head, and other self-inflicted conditions (guilty!) or by prescription drugs and medical ailments. This kind of puffiness can often be reduced, if not eliminated, by cosmetic products. My other remedy that works well? Resting with head raised, wet gauze protecting the eyes, and a baggie of frozen baby peas over the entire eye area for at least 20 minutes.

But I digress. You pat the Fastscription Instant De-Puff Eye Gel onto your skin under your eyes and, should you need it, on your brow area. Although it's safe for contact lens wearers, you should avoid getting it in your eyes. The product works well under your makeup. In a pinch, I have used it over my makeup - worked fine. It is said to also help with firming and fine lines. I can't testify to that because I don't use it every day - only for "emergencies."

Give it a try if you suffer from undereye puffiness. You can purchase Fastscription Instant De-Puff Eye Gel at Bath & Body Works.

Photo courtesy of Bath & Body Works.

Great Patricia Wexler Deal at Bath & Body Works

A great offer arrived in my e-mail box today. At Bath & Body Works online (only), you can buy two select products for $25. Included in the offer is the Fastscription™ Instant De-Puff Eye Gel. This product won an Allure 2008 Best of Beauty Award, and I can testify to its effectiveness. It sends under-eye bags packing!

Check out the offer at this link. There are some great products available in this two-for special.

Photo courtesy of Bath & Body Works.

Bath and Body Works 20% Off Sale Ends on July 5

Bath & Body Works has a promotion that ends this coming Sunday. There are some restrictions, such as a one offer per customer and a $25 minimum purchase. Now's the time to pick up those Patricia Wexler products you have been coveting. The offer code is 9809, and the limit is one per customer.

My recommendations?

Fastscription Instant De-Puff Eye Gel and Fastscription Advanced No-Injection Wrinkle Smoother.

Coupon photo courtesy of Bath & Body Works.