Praying For Pimples

Lately, I've been praying for a pimple. Sounds odd, I know. But ironically, ever since I got my hands on Zeno, my skin has been uncharacteristically clear. So last week when a monster zit erupted on my chin, I was excited. Finally I would see if Zeno lived up to the hype.

Zeno is a hand-held battery-operated device designed with a tip that heats to a pre-set temperature. The tip is designed for direct contact with a blemish on the skin. Once in contact with a blemish, the tip transfers heat into the follicle – killing the bacteria, reducing inflammation, and allowing the skin to return to a healthy state.

For someone like me, who has a problem with hyperpigmentation (resulting from acne), Zeno is a godsend. It literally zaps zits before they have a chance to erupt - therefore thwarting dark marks.

Please note that Zeno isn’t a magic wand. You have to be diligent about using it, in order to see a difference. Acne doesn't just miraculously disappear after one treatment; it takes two to three 2½-minute treatments spread over 24 hours to get rid of pesky pimples. Another bonus is that Zeno doesn’t have the nasty side effects (dryness, irritation, sensitivity to sunlight) that accompany most topical acne treatments.

Available at Sephora and myzeno.com.

Praying For Pimples

Lately, I've been praying for a pimple. Sounds odd, I know. But ironically, ever since I got my hands on Zeno, my skin has been uncharacteristically clear. So last week when a monster zit erupted on my chin, I was excited. Finally I would see if Zeno lived up to the hype.

Zeno is a hand-held battery-operated device designed with a tip that heats to a pre-set temperature. The tip is designed for direct contact with a blemish on the skin. Once in contact with a blemish, the tip transfers heat into the follicle – killing the bacteria, reducing inflammation, and allowing the skin to return to a healthy state.

For someone like me, who has a problem with hyperpigmentation (resulting from acne), Zeno is a godsend. It literally zaps zits before they have a chance to erupt - therefore thwarting dark marks.

Please note that Zeno isn’t a magic wand. You have to be diligent about using it, in order to see a difference. Acne doesn't just miraculously disappear after one treatment; it takes two to three 2½-minute treatments spread over 24 hours to get rid of pesky pimples. Another bonus is that Zeno doesn’t have the nasty side effects (dryness, irritation, sensitivity to sunlight) that accompany most topical acne treatments.

Available at Sephora and myzeno.com.

This Peel Makes Its Mark By Fading Yours

Just now, my mom called asking me to recommend a facial peel for my sister, Lauren. There are many types of peels on the market, so I inquired about what kind of result Lauren was looking for. My mom explained that the Molton Brown Skinbalance Toning Lotion I had raved about was doing a great job of clearing up my sister’s blackheads – but the process was resulting in some hyper-pigmentation. It didn’t take me long to offer a suggestion...almost immediately, I remembered a product I purchased over a year ago – that yielded great results.

Used consistently (1-3 times per week), Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Acne Mark Fading Peel visibly reduces the appearance of post-acne marks. What I like most about the treatment is that it contains Salicylic Acid to prevent new breakouts from forming and discourage future marks. The product does a wonderful job of exfoliating skin…after using the peel, my skin had a healthy glow and was smooth as a toddler’s tuchis.

My only criticism is the smell – it isn’t pleasant, but it’s tolerable…and you get used to it after a while. In Spoiled Pretty’s opinion, it’s a small price to pay for smoother, clearer skin.

Available at Drugstore.com, Amazon.com, Walgreen’s, Eckerd, CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart and Kmart.

This Peel Makes Its Mark By Fading Yours

Just now, my mom called asking me to recommend a facial peel for my sister, Lauren. There are many types of peels on the market, so I inquired about what kind of result Lauren was looking for. My mom explained that the Molton Brown Skinbalance Toning Lotion I had raved about was doing a great job of clearing up my sister’s blackheads – but the process was resulting in some hyper-pigmentation. It didn’t take me long to offer a suggestion...almost immediately, I remembered a product I purchased over a year ago – that yielded great results.

Used consistently (1-3 times per week), Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Acne Mark Fading Peel visibly reduces the appearance of post-acne marks. What I like most about the treatment is that it contains Salicylic Acid to prevent new breakouts from forming and discourage future marks. The product does a wonderful job of exfoliating skin…after using the peel, my skin had a healthy glow and was smooth as a toddler’s tuchis.

My only criticism is the smell – it isn’t pleasant, but it’s tolerable…and you get used to it after a while. In Spoiled Pretty’s opinion, it’s a small price to pay for smoother, clearer skin.

Available at Drugstore.com, Amazon.com, Walgreen’s, Eckerd, CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart and Kmart.