29 Oct
Blog

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Review: Improved Immersion

Sonos Beam Gen 1 and Gen 2, stacked vertically.

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

RRP $ 449.00

"Dolby Atmos adds a touch of 3D fun to an already excellent soundbar."

advantages

  • Easy adjustment

  • Immersive, room-filling sound

  • Slim design

  • AirPlay 2

disadvantage

  • No HDMI inputs

  • Requires compatible TV for Dolby Atmos

Since debuting in 2018, the Sonos Beam has been one of the best small soundbars you can buy for $ 399, thanks to its great sound, compact and stylish design, easy integration with Sonos' sound platform for the whole house and home its ability to double as a smart speaker for Alexa or Google Assistant.

But in recent years Dolby Atmos – the 3D surround sound format that makes movies and music much more immersive – has become hugely popular, not least due to its acceptance by streaming giants like Netflix, Disney +, Amazon Prime Video, and both Apple TV + as well as Apple Music. This means that most new soundbars, including Sonos' $ 799 flagship Arc soundbar, are now Atmos compatible, and the second generation Beam is no exception.

The new Sonos Beam is more expensive at $ 449. So the questions are whether existing Beam owners should even think about an upgrade and what prospective Beam newbies can expect from it.

A couple of small changes

First things first, before reading this hands-on test, be sure to check out our review of the original Sonos Beam. Sonos made very few changes to the second generation version. From now on, I'll just discuss what these changes are and how they affect the performance of the beam.

I am a fan of the grid. It's much easier to clean and doesn't attract as much dust in the first place.

Some of these changes are relatively minor, such as the decision to replace the fabric speaker grille with one made of rigid plastic. The biggest change is in the sound, which I'll get into in a moment. It's worth noting, however, that while I am discussing the changes Sonos made to the Beam, this is not an attempt to figure out which one is better because, aside from remaining Gen 1 inventory, the second generation Beam is now the only one that you can buy.

What's in the box?

Sonos Beam Gen 2 scope of delivery.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Sonos has always been the king of simplicity, and that goes from setup to software to packaging. The new Beam comes in a plain printed, fully recyclable box, and the only plastic you'll find are the two small poly bags that protect the included HDMI cable and optical-to-HDMI adapter. If Sonos finds a way to erase those bags, it will have some of the most sustainable packaging in the business.

In the box you will find the beam, color-coordinated power and HDMI cables, the adapter I mentioned and some printed matter for guarantees, etc.

Great grill

Sonos Beam Gen 2.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

I like the traditional look of cloth grilles on a speaker. But as the owner of two cats, I can confirm that fabric grids are more like dust and fur magnets that have to be cleaned pretty much all the time. I don't know if that was the idea behind Sonos when it decided to replace the fabric grille on the first generation Beam with a perforated plastic version, but I'm a fan. It's much easier to clean and doesn't attract as much dust in the first place at.

Setting up Sonos products has always been remarkably easy. The new beam is even easier.

The white Gen 2 test device Sonos sent me looks great. And if you're a die-hard white product fanatic, this new Beam will go with every other white Sonos speaker you might own, from the Sonos One to the tiny new Roam.

An (even) simpler set-up

Setting up Sonos products has always been remarkably easy. Plug it in, open the Sonos app, tap some settings and press a button or two on the speaker. Two minutes later and that's it. The new beam is even easier to set up thanks to near field communication (NFC) from Sonos. As soon as I put the beam on the wall and started the Sonos S2 app, the app recognized the beam and asked me to complete the setup.

This would have been as easy as tapping my iPhone against the top of the Beam, but my phone case is ridiculously thick (it was designed to be attached to a motorcycle) so that part didn't work. The app cleverly saw that I was having problems and asked if I would like to switch to an audio-based setup. When I said yes, I was asked to hold the phone next to the speaker while the speaker played an encoded audio tone. Five seconds later I was done. I have to give Sonos crazy props – the company just keeps making its products easier to work with.

The connection to my TV was also a breeze. As soon as the HDMI cable is plugged in, the Beam automatically recognizes your television and determines which commands it needs to control. This is especially handy if you choose to use Alexa's TV control capabilities.

Is it atmos?

Sonos Beam Gen 1 and Gen 2, stacked vertically.Sonos Beam Gen 2 (above, in white) and Sonos Beam Gen 1. Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Dolby Atmos can be a difficult technology to understand. In an ideal world, we would all buy dedicated 5.1.2 or better home theater systems with at least two ceiling speakers to give us all of the juicy hemispherical sound effects that Atmos is known for. That's not realistic for most of us, which is why Dolby Atmos soundbars have become so popular. With built-in up-firing drivers that radiate sound from the ceiling to our ears, the best Atmos soundbars provide a compelling replacement for the installed ceiling speakers. But here's the thing about Dolby Atmos: thanks to sound virtualization, which uses some very clever tricks to simulate the presence of upward-facing or ceiling-based height channels, it can actually be delivered over just two channels.

With the addition of virtualized surround sound, it's an even more impressive addition to your TV.

How well virtualization works depends on a number of factors, including the size of the soundbar, the number of drivers it can use to create the simulated sound, the size and shape of your room, and even whether you have the soundbar Have turned on on a tabletop or mounted on the wall.

In general, this type of virtualized Atmos sound just can't compete with what you get from dedicated speakers, and the new Beam is no exception. However, Sonos managed to get a surprising amount of additional immersion out of what is exactly the same driver setup as the first-generation Beam under that perforated grille.

Sonos Beam Gen 1 and Gen 2, stacked vertically.Sonos Beam Gen 2 (above, white) and Beam Gen 1. Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

To get a feel for the difference between the first and second generation models, I stacked them vertically and played a variety of content by switching the HDMI cable between them. The sound stage of the new beam is significantly wider and when playing Atmos content you get a small but noticeable height effect. The Beam has always outperformed its weight class when it comes to filling a room with great sound, and with the addition of virtualized surround sound, it's an even more impressive addition to your TV.

For fun, I tried the recently remastered classic Top Gun from the 1980s. In fact, those epic dogfight scenes and the iconic opening sequence on board an aircraft carrier sounded fantastic. The Beam still lacks the deep, low-end rumble of sound bars that come with their own subwoofers, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well it mimicked a full surround system. Even more surprising is how well this effect carries over to standard 5.1 content.

There have been a couple of occasions when I thought the first generation Beam was providing a bit more understandable dialogue, but the difference was small.

The one port problem

The rear connections of the Sonos Beam Gen 2.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The new Beam has a single HDMI ARC / eARC port for connection to a television. The eARC part is new – it allows HDMI-eARC-enabled TVs to send a high-resolution, lossless 24-bit audio signal to the soundbar, while the first generation Beam was limited to lossy digital audio. That single port wasn't a serious limiting factor for the first-generation Beam, as the speaker couldn't decode more than Dolby 5.1, which meant that every television for the past 15 years could use its full capabilities, even if it meant having an optical- to use HDMI adapter.

But with the Dolby Atmos capabilities of the new beam, this is no longer the case. To hear Dolby Atmos from the new Beam, your TV must also support Dolby Atmos. If you want to hear Dolby Atmos from your other devices (such as streaming boxes, game consoles or Blu-ray players), they must also be connected to the HDMI inputs on your TV. There is simply no other way to transfer Atmos content to the new beam.

If you have a Dolby Atmos TV with lots of HDMI ports, this should work fine. However, if your TV isn't Dolby Atmos compatible, you will never be able to take full advantage of this speaker. Many other Atmos sound bars come with at least one HDMI input so you can connect an Apple TV 4K or a Roku Ultra. This would send the Atmos content straight to the speaker while the video goes to the TV, but that's not an option with the new Beam.

For Dolby Atmos Music, Sonos plans to support this format later this year. It starts with Amazon Music HD, but hopefully other services that offer Atmos Music and lossless music like Tidal and Apple Music will be added soon.

diploma

The Sonos Beam is a little more expensive now, but it's worth it. The additional immersion offered by the speaker's virtualized Dolby Atmos and 5.1 surround sound makes an already powerful soundbar for movies and music even better. If you have an Atmos-enabled TV, it's worth upgrading to take advantage of the better sound. Even if your TV isn't Atmos-enabled, the new Beam may offer improved immersion over its predecessor, but the difference will be less noticeable.

Editor's recommendations



29 Oct
Blog

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania Review: It Won’t Make You Go Ape

GonGon rolls over a stage full of bananas.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania

RRP $ 40.00

"Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania is a welcome but imprecise remake that lacks detail."

advantages

  • High resolution graphics

  • Lots of customization options

  • New modes and ways to play

  • Classic soundtrack available as DLC

disadvantage

  • Stages without details

  • Shaky controls

  • Unforgettable story and soundtrack

  • Some weak party games

While 20 years have passed since the original Super Monkey Ball was released, the game remains true to its arcade roots. That coin-op influence is still felt in Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania, the franchise's newest installment.

Banana Mania is an "extended" HD remake for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X / S. It brings together all of the courses from the first three games in the series: Super Monkey Ball, Super Monkey Ball 2, and Super Monkey Ball Deluxe, the last of which was just a compilation of the first two games, effectively making Banana Mania a compilation of a compilation. The game was developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku, a Sega-affiliated development team with strong ties to Amusement Visions (the developer of the original game) and published by Sega.

I went to Banana Mania and I was expecting the best. Super Monkey Ball was a staple of my childhood: spending long hours huddled around the TV with my younger sister, handing the controller back and forth as we tried to torment our way through the expert level. We yelled at each other as we blew our monkeys up in Monkey Race and pushed each other off the stage in Monkey Fight. We both played the original game so many times that at this point it was mostly muscle memory. In stark contrast, I mostly played Banana Mania alone, curled up on my sofa, trying to figure out each phase for myself.

While the game is undeniably Monkey Ball, it felt like Monkey Ball through a filter: warped and just different enough to get me off my game. It's more of a chore than a fun flashback.

The main attraction

Banana Mania draws its narrative and many of its stages from the Super Monkey Ball Deluxe story mode. The friendly monkeys AiAi, MeeMee, GonGon and Baby just want to enjoy some bananas, but the nefarious Dr. Bad-Boon steals them all and sends the monkeys on a journey through the world of the game to get their yellow fruits back. The story plays a much smaller role than in Deluxe; There is no dialogue and very little actual story content. It's more of a disgustingly cute loose thread that connects the game's themed worlds. After seeing the first short cutscenes, I wanted to skip them and just get on with the stages. Narrative is not really a strong (or necessary) part of Monkey Ball. The complete courses of Monkey Balls 1 and 2 are also considered part of the main game and are referred to as "Challenges".

AiAi tries to avoid a rotten banana in Dark Banana Mode.

The gameplay retains the arcade-like, point-oriented feel of the original titles while doing a few tweaks to ensure Banana Mania doesn't look like it was ripped out of an arcade cabinet. I no longer had to worry about using up my entire life or losing my points after falling off a stage too many times, which made things easier. The stages range from frustratingly satisfying to simply frustrating: nothing compares to that Dark Souls-like feeling when you finally make it through a difficult period, but most of the time you just want to spam the new helper mode or use points to skip stages. The game aims to remove many of the frustrations that come with getting stuck at a certain stage, but make no mistake, Banana Mania is just as tough as the other games in the series.

It doesn't feel improved, just different.

Even so, the harshness often feels unfair. Much of Deluxe's ​​time-based level design won't hold up in 2021, and the new levels are tricky rather than challenging. The controls feel both too stiff and too sensitive, and fighting the camera was often more difficult than actually completing a level. The challenge courses of Monkey Balls 1 and 2 feel mostly the same, but the physics and movement potential are just so different that my GameCube muscle memory has failed. It doesn't feel improved, just different.

Side shows

The game includes a variety of "party games" from the history of the series. These mini-games range from the more traditional ones like Monkey Bowling and Monkey Soccer to the more unusual ones like Monkey Dogfight and Monkey Boat. The quality of the games also ranges from pretty good to terrible. Monkey billiards is a lot of fun and the A.I. is strong enough to keep you going. It also includes a new user interface that will help you aim your shot better than ever. Monkey Baseball, a simplified form of baseball very similar to the Toy Field mode in Super Mario Baseball, is also fun once you master the stiff controls.

The game includes a variety of "party games" from the history of the series. The quality of these mini-games ranges from pretty good to terrible.

On the other hand, Monkey Boat is terrible. Despite HD and 4K upscaling, the water textures retain the transparency of the GameCube era and the courses are boring in both graphics and gameplay. Monkey Target takes away all of the fun of the original by skewing the controls to the point where it is almost impossible to land on the targets, which above all makes it a frustrating exercise. Most of the other games are just … fine. Many of them now contain archaic, meter-based mechanics for determining strength that feel antiquated in the era of motion control.

Sonic stands triumphantly next to some rings in the Storm world.

When you are tired of the main story and party games, you can spend a little time decorating your monkey and trying out new modes. The game features a large number of playable characters from Sega history, including Sonic and Tails, Kazyma Kiryu from Yakuza, and Beat from Jet Set Radio. There are a variety of costumes and ball styles that can be purchased with points earned through the main game and party games. The shop also sells unique stages that come with different modes that do everything from reversing the starting point and destination area of ​​the stages to converting the normally scoring bananas into items to avoid.

Banana Mania is pretty generous with its points: I was able to buy pretty much anything I wanted in the store simply by playing a couple of the main story worlds and each of the party games once. The costumes are cute and I like to customize my monkey.

The devil is in the details

In many places the game has made a conscious decision to optimize or adapt details from the original Monkey Ballgames, especially when it comes to the sound. While some of the sound effects are nostalgic, others have been removed altogether – why doesn't there make a sound when your monkey's ball is moving extremely fast? The speaker's voice is also a bit annoying, but it has never been Monkey Ball's forte. (Why is "foul" pronounced like "foal" in Monkey Baseball ?!) One thing that was the show's strong point was totally botched here: the music. Banana Mania's soundtrack is absolutely memorable and pales in comparison to the funky grooves of the original Super Monkey Ball. Do yourself a favor and get the Original Soundtrack DLC for $ 5.

One thing that was the show's strong point was totally botched here: the music.

You'd think that in an HD remake it would make sense to upgrade the original game's environments to at least the standard of today's Switch games, but the environments look the same as in the original game, only sharper. In many cases this means that part of my screen has been taken up by a huge HD area of ​​relative nothing. I would have loved to see more details, or at least some upgrades, to the 20 year old Super Monkey Ball worlds of Monkey Mall and Desert, but they look essentially the same, and that's not a great thing.

Baby is floating through a plane.

Our opinion

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania should include everything fans love about the series: skill-based difficulty, great music, fun mini-games, and excellent replayability with a good group of friends by your side. Unfortunately, this collection feels like a hasty remake that throws the precise controls and stellar music of the original tracks overboard. The charm and fun gameplay of the original games are still there, but this remake doesn't feel like a huge improvement over the classics.

How long it will take?

Super Monkey Ball games are infinitely repeatable and Banana Mania is no exception. The game features online leaderboards and time leaderboards, which means that players who really want to get the best of times will have plenty to do. Those who are less competitive are better off sticking to local multiplayer of party games.

Is there an alternative?

If you're looking for newer levels, Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz is available for Nintendo Switch. If you want to experience the original stages in all their arcade glory, check your local retro game store for a copy of Super Monkey Ball or Super Monkey Ball 2.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. If you're new to the series and want to try it out (or don't own a GameCube or Wii), Banana Mania is worth a try, if only to experience the original stages and music. But if you've never been curious, this imperfect remake of the series isn't going to sell you.

Editor's recommendations



28 Oct
Blog

Hot Wheels Unleashed Review: Banking Hard On Nostalgia

Hot Wheels Unleashed Review Unveiled

Hot wheels unleashed

RRP $ 49.99

"Hot Wheels Unleashed starts very fast, but ends up as a flat kart racer."

advantages

  • Breathtaking look

  • Great track design

  • Innovative track builder

disadvantage

  • Simple racing mechanics

  • Loot boxes to unlock new cars

  • Pointless game modes

  • No change in gameplay

The kart racing genre is packed with standout titles, each with their own twists and turns. Mario Kart is the undeniable king, but tons of other franchises – Sonic and Crash Bandicoot, to name a few – have their own somewhat unique karting games. Hot Wheels Unleashed then rushes into the fray of this competition and screams, “Look how realistic our cars are!” Before promptly being blown away like a piece of paper on a racetrack.

That's because Hot Wheels Unleashed, a fun kart racer, quickly shows its flatness when you start playing. Behind its extremely impressive graphics, Hot Wheels Unleashed is about as naked as it gets, offering an extremely simplified kart racing experience that had so much potential to be more and a bevy of ultimately boring content.

A brilliant start

The experience starts strong and goes from zero to sixty. When you start it for the first time, Hot Wheels Unleashed gives you three “blind boxes”, a tastelessly named loot box. Players are instantly given three cars to use in races, and the first glance at their stunningly rendered plastic and aluminum is all it takes to get someone hooked.

A Hot Wheels racetrack in Hot Wheels Unleashed.

Before it's fun or inventive, Hot Wheels Unleashed is a nice game to check out. Everything from the cars themselves to the tracks players drive is breathtakingly detailed. You can even look under the cars and find Mattel's name (copyrighted of course) and “Made In Malaysia” on the plastic. The game's vinyl tracks look spectacular and the sunlight that shines from them and the cars is eye catching. These are, of course, the visuals you would expect on a PS5 or PC. If you're playing the game on a last-generation console, the visual shock and awe may not be as expressive.

Regardless, I got sucked into the vibe of Hot Wheels Unleashed for the first two hours that I played it. The game is just fun to watch, and its racing mechanics are equally impressive, although that feeling quickly fades.

Racing in Hot Wheels Unleashed is awfully easy. There are no power ups on tracks, with the only quirk of the game being how it handles boosting. By drifting or simply driving along, your car builds up thrust, which you can then use to detach yourself from a car driver or to catch up with the leader.

However, not all boosts are created equal. Cars in Hot Wheels Unleashed are extremely varied, each with their own stats for speed, acceleration, braking, handling, and of course, boost. Some cars have individual boost charges while others have a counter that can be spent at any time. Of course, this system means you will be directed to every car that has impressive statistics. You can also upgrade any car with gears, either of the game's two currencies, but upgrading a vehicle from an ordinary tier to a legendary one is incredibly expensive.

Before it's fun or inventive, Hot Wheels Unleashed is a nice game to check out.

That being said, there is an unspoken genius in the track design of Hot Wheels Unleashed. Some races are wonderfully unique and open, with one thing left on my mind that forced me to run a 180 degree corkscrew to land my car after driving on an inverted maglev. Another section from another race made me pull off the track for a single turn, instructing me on where to go from a handful of traffic cones. Except you can drive outside of those cones in-game, so I'd pull a tight drift and completely bypass the usual corner in favor of my much faster shortcut.

In Hot Wheels Unleashed, a car with hot wheels jumps on a track.

So it's a shame that Hot Wheels Unleashed never makes full use of any of these concepts. If you try to skip a distance with a certain imagination, you will be sent back to the last checkpoint. Gravity and tricks almost never come into play, save for a few standout tracks. With more frequent use, these ideas could have made Hot Wheels Unleashed stand out from the rest. However, instead of accepting this weirdness, the game tries to be a no-nonsense racer and eventually becomes total boredom.

Slowly to the goal

The more I played Hot Wheels Unleashed, the more problems I saw with the game. Aside from the clear tendency to push players to specific cars instead of what they wanted, the game's main single player mode was quickly getting old. The mode called Hot Wheels City Rumble lets players go from race to race, which normally wouldn't get tiring in a game like Mario Kart.

Hot Wheels Unleashed's races, however, have little that defines them. Yes, the tracks are quite varied, only a handful have been repeated during my playing time, but at some point the races start to mix into a big jumble of vinyl and neon. Thankfully, there's a pretty good reason to stick with these races. If you win a race, players will be rewarded with gears, cosmetics, and coins that can be used to buy more blind boxes.

The Hot Dogs car from Hot Wheels UnleashedDriving a hot dog car is one of the best new additions to Hot Wheels Unleashed

However, these cosmetics are not for your cars; They are for one of the most redundant pieces of content in the game. Every player has a basement that can be adjusted to their hearts' content, and it's pretty much a man's cave for a Hot Wheels-obsessed millionaire. Players can customize this area to their liking with unlocked sofas, chairs, computers, walls, floors, and more. The attraction, I think, is that you can then race around in this area. However, it's hard to see the trophies in boxes or paintings hanging on the wall when your camera is two inches off the floor.

However, instead of accepting this weirdness, the game tries to be a no-nonsense racer and eventually becomes total boredom.

The only innovative feature of Hot Wheels Unleashed is the track construction. Right from the start, players can take full advantage of every single unique route in the game. It allows players to take advantage of the ideas that were given up by the game's developers, which I can only hope will happen in the end.

Our opinion

Aside from its stunning looks, Hot Wheels Unleashed is a toothless kart racer who relies too heavily on the nostalgic glasses and the Hot Wheels brand to wear instead of the solid ideas that are barely implemented in the end. What players get with Hot Wheels Unleashed is the same experience I had with many of my Hot Wheels as a kid; I was entertained for a couple of hours, then I got bored and threw it in a box.

That's not to say I didn't enjoy the game. Those few hours have been full of spectacle because it's just impossible not to get caught up in the sights and sounds of the game. At some point, however, it takes more than driving a hot dog car over a vinyl strip to interest me.

Is there a better alternative?

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the king of kart racers and will likely remain so until Nintendo decides to make another Mario Kart title.

How long it will take?

Defeating Hot Wheels Unleashed's City Rumble mode will likely take 15-20 hours. Trying to collect every car in the game could bring that to over 30, by my estimate.

Should you buy it?

No. Hot Wheels Unleashed is all glitter with no substance and becomes dull too quickly to justify its price.

Editor's recommendations



28 Oct
Blog

7 Unusual Ways To Use Facial Recovery Oil

We called it Facial Recovery Oil, but our customers call it Liquid Gold. For enthusiastic fans, this extraordinary golden oil is one of our most popular and revered products and has almost cult status. The benefits of this miraculous face oil extend far beyond moisture: this oil, made from organic and biodynamic® ingredients, solves a multitude of problems on the face and body.

Would you like to know more? First, let's take a look at why this skin care product is so unique and effective. Then we dive deep into the seven ways to use Facial Recovery Oil that you may not have known about.

7 Benefits of Using Face Restoration Oil

Why is facial oil so unusual?

One of the Greatest Overall Benefits of Facial Recovery Oil? The fact that it's part of Eminence Organics' award-winning Beyond Organic Collection. The products in this collection are made with certified Biodynamic® ingredients – which means they are not only free of synthetic chemicals like all our organic products, but are also grown in a closed agricultural process to ensure the health and longevity of a farm.

Rather than viewing agriculture as a means to an end (like many modern farming practices), the Biodynamic® Farm is a beautiful, complex ecosystem filled with plants and wildlife. The Biodynamic® Farmer works in harmony with the natural cycles of the sun, moon and stars in order to bring every plant to its maximum nutritional power. The farmer applies sustainable practices to achieve the healthiest harvests while protecting and healing the earth by using only natural solutions from their own farm.

The result is the pure and effective ingredients of our Beyond Organic Collection, such as the anti-aging clary sage, the balancing ylang-ylang, olive and sesame oil, which are contained in our Facial Recovery Oil. Each product contains caring ingredients that contain even more vitamins, nutrients and active ingredients than conventional organic ingredients. Studies have shown that Biodynamic® ingredients contain an average of 30% more antioxidants and 47% more vitamin C.

TV personality Whitney Port recommends the oil on her blog and podcast, With a joke. She says: “… the (product) I love right now is Eminence (facial recovery oil). (It is) a natural face oil that is just so luxurious and radiant and I use it at the end of (my regimen), especially when I want to have even more shine … "

Hollywood stars have also noticed the skin-nourishing effects of the oil Cameron Diaz she recommends keeping her favorite oil in her beach bag: "A drop goes a long way to relieve the dryness of your skin from sun and water. A drop on each cheek after a shower will work wonders."

7 ways to use facial oil

1. Signs of aging in the neck area

Facial Recovery Oil has many uses and one of them is to moisturize and tone the skin in the neck area. Thanks to the ingredients olive and sage leaf, the oil improves the visible signs of aging on the neck with regular use and gives the delicate skin a plumped shine.

2. Keratosis Pilaris

Have you ever worried about "chicken skin"? Officially known as keratosis pilaris, these bumps form in hair follicles, often in the arm, thigh, or buttock area. A lack of sebum and fatty acids causes these protein clots. If you want to address this issue, a generous use of Facial Recovery Oil will make the appearance of these bumps go away.

3. Puffy eyes and crow's feet

Did you know that Facial Recovery Oil is especially good for the eye area? The key ingredients provide the eye area with intense moisture to reduce the appearance of fine lines and puffy eyes.
A combination of clary sage oil, sage leaf extract, olive oil and ylang-ylang soothes and soothes the complexion and deeply moisturizes the complexion. Because there are fewer sebum glands around the eyes, the oil provides the extra moisture needed in an area that is extremely prone to dryness.

4. Chapped lips

Free from parabens, perfumes and harsh chemicals, Facial Recovery Oil soothes dry, chapped lips. When environmental stress or dry climates rub your lips, the oil will soothe your wrinkles with a single drop. Then fill up your pout with our Cinnamon Kiss Lip Plumper.

5. Dry cuticles

After applying the facial oil to your complexion, why not rub the remaining traces into your cuticles as well? Soften irritated dry cuticles and keep your nails hydrated, healthy, and strong.

6. The appearance of uneven skin tone

Vitamin E and the herbal ingredients in Facial Recovery Oil target the appearance of uneven skin tone on your cheeks. With regular use, the skin appears smoother, more even and refreshed. Beauty editors at The fashion spot testify: "We discovered this oil three years ago and we cannot imagine life without it."

7. Stretch marks and surgical scars

For skin problems such as stretch marks and surgical scars, the intense moisture of Facial Recovery Oil increases elasticity and improves the firm appearance of the skin. Clary sage oil, a key ingredient in this formula, contains moisturizing properties that are important for improving the appearance of damaged skin.

How Do You Use Your Bottle of Facial Recovery Oil? Let us know in the comments below or join the conversation on social media.

26 Oct
Blog

How Algae Affect Wrinkles and Fine Lines On Your Skin

No longer limited to aquarium walls and sushi platters, algae are now breaking out as superstar ingredients in industries from health to skin care. From high nutrient levels to extreme hydration and antioxidant intake, people rave about the benefits of algae on their skin, especially the popular blue, brown, and red algae species.

The powerful properties of these aquatic plants help with wrinkles and fine lines and served as inspiration for the Eminence Organics Marine Flower Peptide Collection. With their reputation as the “superfood of the sea,” read on to learn how algae are changing skin care conditions.

What are algae?

First off, what are these aquatic organisms called algae? We consulted our in-house experts for clarification Katy Münter who is marine biologist and ours Vice President for Product & Education. Katy explains, “Algae are special types of photosynthetic organisms that use the sun's energy to grow. Ranging in size from a single cell to over 50 meters in length, they can be found in any environment on the planet, including marine intertidal zones, hot springs, and even in ice and snow. "

Algae have many unique adaptations that protect them from environmental damage so that they can survive in these extreme conditions. You may also not know that seaweed is one of the most sustainable ingredients in skin care. The rapid growth rates and minimal impact of the crop mean these marine superfoods can provide health benefits and skin care without worrying about the environmental impact.

Globally sourced, sustainable algae map

Benefits of blue-green, brown and red algae skin care

Algae have been used in skin care for thousands of years to keep the skin hydrated. The extraordinary properties of the algae have developed from their diverse living conditions. Thanks to advances in skin care science, we can now take advantage of the unique properties of algae.

Like land-based superfoods, blue and red algae are bright in color and contain antioxidant pigments that naturally protect the skin. These compounds strengthen the skin's defenses against a variety of environmental stressors. Algae not only act as an antioxidant powerhouse, but also contain high concentrations of nutrients and amino acids. The intensive dose of nutrients and protein building blocks regenerates the skin and offers excellent moisturizing benefits.

More precisely, the blue-green algae extract acts as a natural retinoid alternative that reduces wrinkles. The brown algae extract helps to increase the skin's appearance of firmness, moisture and elasticity thanks to its high water-holding capacity and its ability to protect against the appearance of skin aging by breaking down collagen and elastin. Finally, red algae extract contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to help reduce the visible signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines.

The marine flowers used in our collection are a selection of fresh and salt water algae from around the world. Let's examine how the diverse and advanced skin care benefits of algae show up in our Marine Flower Peptide Collection.

Algae In Eminence Organics Marine Flower Peptide Collection

The advanced algae ingredients in our Marine Flower Peptide Collection are sustainably sourced worldwide and combine minerals, amino acids and antioxidants to tighten the appearance of the skin and minimize wrinkles. This combination also provides the skin with long-lasting moisture. Merged into ours Smart collagen + complex, Algae actives provide essential nutrients such as antioxidants and amino acids to ensure skin looks smoother, plumper and more youthful. This complex is contained in our Marine Flower Peptide Eye Cream and our Marine Flower Peptide Serum.

Marine Flower Peptide Eye Cream contains red algae extract, a Smart collagen + complex, botanical peptides (rice extract) and botanical hyaluronic acid (from beetroot). This combination promotes fewer fine lines and wrinkles, reduces puffiness and provides deep moisture.

The Marine Flower Peptide Serum rejuvenates the complexion and minimizes the appearance of wrinkles. It contains both blue and red algae extract that reduce the visible signs of aging. You can also use our Marine Flower Peptide Concentrate, a gel that keeps the skin firm and supple. It contains two types of algae. Blue algae extract reduces the appearance of fine lines, while brown algae extract makes the skin appear firmer.

The Marine Flower Peptide Night Cream provides intensive moisture for dry skin and protects against transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Since the loss of water and moisture from the skin is a major cause of dry skin, this night cream works overnight to protect against TEWL.

And we can't neglect the lips! The Marine Flower Peptide Lip Serum plumps the lips and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Containing brown algae extract, this serum gives the skin a firm and hydrated look for a plumped and rejuvenated effect. Together, the products in the Marine Flower Peptide Collection result in a more radiant, youthful complexion with fewer fine lines and wrinkles.

Immerse yourself in our water-inspired skin care products and experience the Marine Flower Peptide Collection at an Eminence Organics Spa partner near you.

23 Oct
Blog

Govee Glide Wall Light Review: Add Color to Your Wall

govee Glide wall lamp Review Lifestyle 2 of 3

Govee Glide wall lamp

RRP $ 100.00

"The Govee Glide wall lamp can transform any bare wall into a masterpiece of dazzling colors."

advantages

  • Variety of light patterns

  • Bright light output

  • Firm adhesion to the wall

disadvantage

  • Limited designs

  • Antiquated looking software

Govee was on the verge. The last smart home maker to launch new products with so much enthusiasm was Wyze, but Govee has been a lot more hectic over the past six months. What is interesting here is that the company's focus is only on one product category and does not delve into many areas. Intelligent lighting is his specialty.

The Govee Glide wall lamp moves a little outside of the intelligent lighting convention and offers a slightly different approach. Instead of being a lightbulb or lamp, it's actually a modular set of light strips that you can configure to decorate and adorn walls. If you are tired of the LED light strips that tend to be out of sight, this may pique your interest as it will ask to be presented in front and in the center.

Installation and setup

Two kits are available: a 7-piece system for $ 100 and a 12-piece system for $ 150. I tested the 7-piece set but found that it doesn't offer nearly as many arrangements as other wall lights – like the Twinkly Flex or Nanoleaf Lines. Because the light bars are connected one behind the other and there is only a single 90-degree piece, which makes it almost impossible to find a unique arrangement that stands out from others. Even if you go for the 12-piece kit, you will likely have to buy another to really design something ornate. I chose an L-shaped design because you can't do much more without investing in more light strips.

Govee Glide wall lamp on the wall.John Velasco / Digital Trends

Luckily, mounting it on the wall is child's play, because the underside of the light strips has adhesive strips that appear to remain firmly attached to the wall. While the light bars may seem bulky, they are actually light enough to stay firmly in place. In fact, I've set up the Govee Glide Wall Light for over a month now and there's no sign that the glue has worn off. However, you should really finish your wall design before placing it on the wall because once they are erected it is a hassle to remove.

software

The Govee Glide wall light is controlled via the enclosed Govee Home app for Android and iOS. Aesthetically, it could benefit from a visual makeover as parts of it look antiquated. Its salvation is that Govee offers an extensive set of presets and modes that make for some dazzling lighting effects – including one that is music-responsive, as well as the ability to create your own custom light pattern.

Govee Home app that runs on a phone.

You will definitely spend a lot of time creating a custom effect as you will have to pick a color for a specific light bar. In comparison, I prefer Twinkly's method of adjusting the light patterns as it maps your design beforehand with your phone's camera. That way, it's much easier and more convenient to set up a custom pattern instead of having to manually select each light bar through the app.

power

As mentioned earlier, Govee offers a variety of lighting effects. From pulsating effects to multi-colored lights that turn on from end to end, I love the variety that it has to offer. The options available can be adjusted to suit the mood or ambience, making it very suitable as an accent light. While most similar smart lights like this are more of an accent, I'm actually surprised at how they can act as the main light source as well.

I'm actually surprised at how it can act as the main light source.

When it's night, the Govee Glide wall sconce has enough power to light up most rooms – which makes it useful for reading, which is surprising for a 7-piece set like this one. I didn't expect that, but it can replace the two floor lamps that I currently use in my home office. The colors are pretty vivid too, but not as vivid as the colors I saw from the Govee Lyra Smart Floor Lamp. Even so, it's not too shabby and most people would be happy with its hues.

characteristics

In terms of intelligent functions, I wanted something more than the usual – like voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant. There's a basic timer option for choosing days and times it can be turned on and off, but I really would have loved to see more. The Wyze Lights Strips Pro, for example, automatically adjusts the color temperature to the time of day.

Our opinion

With its simple setup and dazzling color patterns, the Govee Glide wall light has enough to offer without being too expensive. Other smart wall light options offer better saturation and adjustment than this, but are also much more expensive. Govee's offering is balanced enough to make it an option unless you want a more customizable design.

Is there a better alternative?

At the moment, the Nanoleaf Lines are standout wall lights that offer better color saturation and more customization options. You'll pay a lot more for it, but you're sure to get some visitor attention due to the dazzling and neat design.

There's also the Twinkly Flex, which is priced similar to the Govee Glide Wall Light. The flex offers great brightness and saturation and has the advantage of being manipulable to create even more designs on the wall.

How long it will take?

The plastic-coated light strips don't weigh much and feel a bit hollow. You could say it feels threadbare. Govee offers a one-year limited warranty to protect it from failure.

Should you buy it?

If you are content with simple wall designs and don't want to spend a fortune, the Govee Glide wall lamp with its fascinating light patterns is worth a look.

Editor's recommendations



22 Oct
Blog

Eufy HomeVac H30 Review: Good Things Come in Small Packages

The Eufy HomeVac H30 with 2-in-1 crevice nozzle and handle attachments.

Eufy HomeVac H30

RRP $ 199.99

"The Eufy HomeVac H30 has a strong suction power, but has a somewhat unfriendly design that complicates the attachment process and is not easy on the wrists."

advantages

  • Strong suction power

  • Slim and easy to store

  • Convenient charging station

  • Infinity comes with wiping accessories

disadvantage

  • Uncomfortable grip

  • Attachments can be difficult to use

  • Low battery life

Chaos can manifest itself in the blink of an eye. Maybe you filled up the cereal bowl and some flakes fell on the kitchen floor. Or maybe the cat decided to get creative with the litter spread across the homestead. And let's not forget the cobwebs on the ceiling that don't belong on your Halloween diorama.

While today's leading upright vacuum cleaners are built for the kind of roll-up sleeve that cleans the whole house that many of us take to weekend days off, a cordless handheld vacuum is the perfect solution for the little clutter that pops up out of nowhere – the kind of rubble that simply cannot be avoided until Saturday.

One such wireless companion is the Eufy HomeVac H30. It is designed for light, fast performance and comes with numerous attachments (some good, some not so good). I was able to put the H30 to the test for several weeks. That's what we think of Eufy's bite-sized cleaner.

Out of the box

The HomeVac H30 is available in three different model levels: Venture, Mate and Infinity (our test model). The fundamentals remain the same across the three levels, with appendices being the compromise from unit to unit. The Venture Series ($ 160) comes with a 2-in-1 grout cleaner and multi-surface tool. The Mate ($ 180) adds a motorized brush for removing pet hair. The flagship Infinity ($ 200) comes with everything you get with the Venture and Mate, along with a stick attachment and hard floor head for quick mopping (plus disposable mop heads). All H30 models are available in both black and white.

The Eufy HomeVac H30 with 2-in-1 crevice nozzle and handle attachments.Michael Bizzaco / Digital Trends

When I unpacked the H30 Infinity, I also received a replaceable lithium-ion battery, charging station, and wall-mounting accessories for hanging the charger (not required).

draft

I was immediately impressed with how light the H30 felt. Designed to be gripped with one hand, the entire vacuum weighs just 1.78 pounds. In terms of dimensions, the H30 measures 16.7 inches wide, 3.5 inches high and has a depth of 2.9 inches. As for the grip, it honestly took me a minute or two to get used to holding the H30. It's clear where to reach, but when you point the vacuum cleaner down to vacuum up dirt, the angle in the wrist area feels a little strange. Throwing up a cleaning attachment will help reduce the angle you have to dive into, but it doesn't completely eliminate the discomfort.

The Eufy HomeVac H30 vacuums oats from carpets.Michael Bizzaco / Digital Trends

The controls on the H30 are front and center and easy to understand. There is a power switch, a toggle switch to toggle between Eco and Max suction power (more on this in the next section) and a trash can button that unlocks the trash can. In addition, there are three LED indicators above the power button that show how much battery life is left.

When emptying the H30, be sure to position the vacuum cleaner over your garbage bag. After unlocking the container, you need to slide it all the way forward to release it from its rail. After emptying it can be a little difficult to lock the container back onto the absorbent body, but not overly.

The Eufy HomeVac H30 with mop attachment.Michael Bizzaco / Digital Trends

One of the very first things that caught my eye was how small the trash can actually is. At 250 grams, it is one of the smallest tank sizes that you will find on every cordless vacuum cleaner. Got a discarded bowl of lucky charms to clean up, foremilk? You may need to empty the container once (or twice).

The cleaning attachments all do their jobs well but feel incredibly cheap.

The Infinity comes with a variety of attachments including a 2-in-1 grouting tool, motorized brush head, and an extended handle and cleaning head for reaching ceilings and floors. While useful, my overall impression with these add-ons isn't a great one. Once locked up, they all do their job well, but they feel incredibly cheap and some of them are downright painful to attach to the H30 body. Other than a few box art pictures, there are no instructions to teach you how to connect things.

power

Eufy's patented TriPower system is an integral part of every H30 model. It's a technical innovation that effectively transfers more power from the battery to the vacuum motor and provides more suction power when you need it most. But how can that be transferred to the real world? Pretty seamless.

I also liked the possibility of plugging the power supply unit directly into the battery instead of having to dock the entire vacuum cleaner (with the battery connected) to the charging station.

In Eco mode, the H30 delivers a suction power of up to 12 kPa. With just the 2-in-1 grouting tool attached, the vacuum cleaner pulled dried oats out of my plushy dining room carpet excellently. I actually found that when switching the vacuum to Max mode (for up to 16 kPa suction power) it was more difficult to get the oats. That was until I switched to a new test environment.

With the stick and hard surface attachments locked in place, the H30 worked like a champion in Max mode and in just a few passes sucked up all of the oat flakes that I had placed on the kitchen laminate. The eco mode with the same attachments was also good, but a little weaker.

The Eufy HomeVac H30 is used to clean a couch.

I'll be the first to admit that I have hypersensitive hearing and generally have problems with loud devices, but my goodness, the H30 whines. Even in the eco setting, the noise of the simply running vacuum cleaner is rather high. It's by no means industrially loud, but it's certainly not as quiet as I expected (considering its small size).

If you spilled something quickly that needs mopping up, I'd honestly recommend paper towels and your cleaner of choice instead of the H30's mop head and pads. Yes, that's a nice consideration, but I found the attachments and pads difficult to work with. In my cleaning test, the H30 cut through some of my deliberately spilled lemonade, but the sticky residue stayed around.

Battery life

The H30's 2500 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery isn't the most powerful on the market. Built for up to 20 minutes of use in Eco mode and only 10 minutes in Max mode, you want to get your cleaning done quickly.

Low battery capacity is not a foreign concept in the world of handheld vacuum cleaners, but when you consider that it takes up to four hours to fully recharge the battery, the reduced run time can be a nuisance for some users. Fortunately, you can buy extra batteries to swap out while cleaning.

As far as charging is concerned, I also liked the option of plugging the power supply unit directly into the battery instead of having to dock the entire vacuum cleaner (with the battery connected) to the charging station.

price

The Eufy HomeVac H30 Infinity (the flagship model) typically retails for $ 199 but is currently out of stock. The H30 Venture (including 2-in-1 grout tool and multi-surface tool) costs $ 159, and the H30 Mate (2-in-1 grout tool, multi-surface tool, motorized brush attachment) can cost $ 179 US dollars can be purchased.

Our opinion

As a quick-grip, quick-to-clean cordless vacuum cleaner, the Eufy HomeVac H30 sucks up dirt well for which you don't want to pull the large stand out of the closet. It's also perfect for cleaning cars, between sofa cushions, ceiling corners and other hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. From a design standpoint, it's not the most convenient handheld to wrap your paws around, and some of these add-ons can be quite a chore.

In terms of pricing, I think $ 199 is a bit high for the Infinity, with $ 169 sounding a bit more reasonable to me.

Is there a better alternative?

I think so. the Black + Decker Max handheld vacuum cleaner has a nozzle that can be adjusted by 200 degrees and the 20 volt battery offers unbelievable suction power. As with the HomeVac H30, the charging station can also be used to store all of your attachments.

There are those too Hai Wandvac. The Wandvac is similar in size and shape to the HomeVac H30, can be easily hung and comes with a multi-surface pet hair tool.

How long it will take?

With the option to buy multiple batteries, I can see that the HomeVac H30 will last for several years. Plus, Eufy's hassle-free warranty protects your H30 for up to two years.

Should you buy it?

If you desperately need a handheld vacuum and the business of your choice has no other choice, I think it wouldn't be a bad idea to go home with the Eufy HomeVac H30. If there were other options I would suggest buying a different model – mainly to save some money (and gain some convenience).

Editor's recommendations



21 Oct
Blog

How To Tighten Saggy Body Skin

Is there skin all over your body that you want to tone and tone? Most of us have areas where our skin is slack from age or weight loss. Maybe it's your stomach, your neck, your elbows, or your knees. Of course, exercise and diet play a role in smoothing out skin tone and texture. But in addition to these healthy habits, we should also learn which skin care products can plump up sagging skin. Read on to discover the best products and skin care techniques to help counteract sagging skin on your body.

Where to target sagging skin

As we get older, it is only natural for the skin to appear slack and slack. Common areas of the body with loose skin are:

  • legs
  • face
  • neck
  • buttocks
  • weapons
  • stomach
  • elbow
  • knee

Laxity affects these areas because, due to aging, sun damage, and the fact that the skin around our joints is often flexed and stretched, the skin loses collagen and, with it, elasticity. The neck and chest area (the cleavage or cleavage) is one of the first areas of the body to show the tell-tale signs of aging. With thinner skin, less oil-producing sebum glands and a high risk of sun exposure, this often neglected area can quickly take on a less glamorous appearance. Laxity also occurs on the elbows and knees, as well as legs and thighs (the latter area often combined with cellulite). In addition to natural aging, sagging skin can also be the result of drastic weight loss. Here are some skin care tips to help you continue this healthy lifestyle and tone up your altered skin tone.

4 ways to tighten sagging body skin

Tighten the skin of your face and neck

For a perfect cleavage, extend the steps of your skin care beyond the jaw area and pay special attention to your neck and chest. Pamper your skin overnight with our award-winning Monoi Age Corrective Night Cream for face and neck. This deeply moisturizing, fragrant cream tightens the appearance of the skin, improves the appearance of elasticity, and leaves it with moisture and vitality in the morning. Another option to improve your routine is our Hibiscus Ultra Lift Neck Cream. Apply to neck and chest in gentle, upward strokes. Over time, you should notice skin that looks firmer.

Exfoliate your entire body

To promote peeling and blood circulation, Lead Skin Care Trainer Natalie Pergar recommends using the drybrush method with either a drybrush or a loofah tool. Either tool allows you to do the drybrush method by swiping your tool over any slack areas you want. This method simultaneously removes dead skin cells and improves blood circulation. Using firm to medium pressure, stroke your arms, stomach, legs, and back, or any other area that is worrying. To learn more, watch this In The Mix video on how to tighten sagging body skin.

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIdGyjXRd1k (/ embed)

Natalie recommends using a sugar and / or salt scrub to exfoliate your entire body. Our Blueberry Soy Sugar Scrub contains raw sugar cane granules, a natural alpha hydroxy acid. Exfoliating your body with this ingredient will leave your skin feeling soft and supple and you will notice that moisture levels improve.

For a very polished effect, our Stone Crop Revitalizing Body Scrub contains both the moisturizing properties of sugar and the invigorating benefits of salt. It contains stone fruits that moisturize and lighten the appearance of the skin, while the raw sugar grains and rock salt provide a manual exfoliation.

Body lotions and moisturizers

These cream and body lotion suggestions can be used for sagging skin all over your body, but some may be more beneficial than others for certain areas. For example, if you are worried about cellulite, Stone Crop Contouring Body Cream, thanks to its formula with microalgae extract, will reduce the occurrence of this concern. This luxurious contouring cream can also be used as an all-over moisturizer or as a targeted treatment to tone and tone where you need it most. You can use it on your knees, elbows, neck, stomach, thighs and legs – anywhere you want to tone up a bit.

The Monoi Night Body Cream is another skin-tightening, moisturizing body cream that makes the skin smoother in the morning. The main ingredient, monoi, is a moisturizing and protective oil derived from the medicinal plant called Tahitian Flower, which moisturizes the skin without stripping it of its natural oils.

According to Natalie, our Coconut Firming Body Lotion is particularly helpful for the abdominal area. It contains natural coconut, shea butter and grape seed oil that gives your skin a toned and toned appearance while providing deep and lasting moisture.

Exercise and a healthy lifestyle

As mentioned earlier, you can have sagging skin from significant weight loss. Even so, the best way to get rid of sagging body skin is to keep exercising! As Healthline notes, building muscle mass through weight training reduces sagging skin.

“If excess oil stretches the skin for long periods of time, the skin may lose some of its ability to shrink with weight loss. Replacing this lost fat with muscle mass can reduce the appearance of sagging skin, ”says Healthline.

Which of the above methods will you be using to improve sagging skin? Find out more about the right products by visiting your nearest Eminence Organics Spa partner.

19 Oct
Blog

Clients Ask: What Does Comedogenic Mean?

If you've ever helped clients with acne disease, you have likely come across the term "comedogenic". Skin care products are formulated with a wide range of ingredients that can be classified as comedogenic or non-comedogenic, among other things. While "non-comedogenic" is commonly viewed as a marketing term, it is the best guideline for identifying ingredients that are clogging pores.

When clients are experiencing breakouts, it is important that you understand the science behind what is considered comedogenic and which skin care products should be avoided. Read on for tips and products for customers dealing with their clogged pores.

What does comedogenic mean?

Comedogenicity, put simply, is the tendency of an ingredient or product to clog your pores. The root of this word is "comedon". According to the US National Library of Medicine, comedones are small, flesh-colored, white, or dark bumps that give the skin a rough texture. Comedogenic ingredients cause pores to become filled or "clogged" which over time leads to blackheads, clogs, and breakouts. As HowStuffWorks.com explains, when your body produces excess sebum it mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria, potentially clogging pores. This leads to a pimple – a comedo.

HowStuffWorks.com explains, “When the comedo is closed on the surface of the skin, it's called a whitehead. If it is open on the surface of the skin and you can see that the clogged follicle is darkened by melanin deposits, it is called a blackhead. "

Individual skin types and conditions can affect the level of comedogenicity of an ingredient, so skin reactions vary from person to person. As Skin Inc says, "One person may not respond while another has overly clogged pores in a few weeks."

The difference between comedogenic and non-comedogenic

What is the difference between comedogenic ingredients and non-comedogenic ingredients? To find out, we asked Dr. Hooman Khorasani, a triple board certified, grant-trained cosmetic and skin cancer surgeon based in New York.

"Common examples of comedogenic ingredients are lanolin, petroleum jelly, and talc," says Dr. Khorasani. "These ingredients slow down peeling," which means your skin's cellular ability to "convert skin cells, making them stick together, trapping dirt and bacteria in pores, causing blockages and breakouts, and allowing acne (anaerobic) bacteria to thrive."

In comparison, non-comedogenic ingredients are specially formulated to prevent blockages from occurring and minimize your chances of developing these skin care conditions, explains Dr. Khorasani. Some acne prone individuals may find that strict avoidance of comedogenic ingredients is the only way to prevent breakouts from developing.

The term non-comedogenic you see on products is a label that remains unofficial by legal or regulatory standards, but still a good guideline for those concerned about clogged pores. According to Dermletter.com, "Products that are labeled as non-comedogenic indicate that the manufacturer considers the product for people with oily or acne-prone skin and is less likely to cause acne."

Tips for dealing with comedones

Tip 1: identify

Need a refresher on identifying comedones? As SELF explains, closed comedones form when a mixture of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria builds up under the skin and clogs a hair follicle. They are whitish in color and covered with a layer of skin cells. You can't let them burst. "That's why they're colloquially called whiteheads, even though they don't have a head that pops." Clarissa Yang, M.D. told SELF.

Closed comedones are not to be confused with blackheads, also known as open comedones. Regardless of whether a comedone is open or closed, here are some pieces of advice or skin care products that you can offer to improve your clients' complexion.

Tip 2: Advise your customers to avoid these ingredients

It is recommended that people who are prone to acne and clogged pores avoid lanolin, petroleum jelly, and talc. You can also check the order of the ingredients on the label. The order listed can give you an approximate idea of ​​the concentration of a comedogenic ingredient in a product. If that last ingredient can clog your pores, you can find that that ingredient is in the lowest percentage of any ingredient in a product.

While you want your client to avoid comedogenic ingredients, you can advise them to use non-comedogenic ingredients that are non-clogging and moisturizing. Some examples of non-comedogenic ingredients are grapeseed oil, hemp oil, salicylic acid, and vitamin A. Dr. Says Khorosani, "These ingredients can promote flaking of your skin, minimize the risk of buildup, and help maintain moisture levels to prevent dryness, sensitivity and irritation."

Tip 3: skin care products to reduce blemishes and pimples

Acne targeting products work well with non-comedogenic ingredients to minimize active and future breakouts. Reduce blemishes with the Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser. This cleanser contains almond milk and yogurt to reduce the visible signs of problem skin, acne and breakouts. It's also formulated without synthetic ingredients like parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, synthetic colors, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs, and triclosan.

You can also tone up your client's skin with the Lime Refresh Tonique. Lime juice has an astringent effect, while citrus fruit oils (lemon & grapefruit) tighten and clarify the complexion. The Clear Skin Willow Bark Exfoliating Peel gently exfoliates with salicylic acid to remove dead skin and contains willow bark, which soothes the skin's appearance.

How regularly do you see customers with comedones? Share your experience with us in the comments below and join the conversation on social media. Here you can also find out how to become an Eminence Organics Spa partner.

«‹2021222324›»