Breaking Down Beauty Ingredients

Wandering the beauty aisles can be a daunting task. It’s not just about finding the perfect shade of nude lip gloss, part of the problem is we’re just not familiar with the ingredients and what they do. That’s why I’m giving you the scoop on some seriously great ingredients and, as always, some deals so you can get what you need. Give it a try—it’s a break for your face and your wallet!

A is for Apples. A product that’s flying off the shelves right now is the Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Full Strength ($45). I always thought “natural” or “organic” was a bit too delicate and hippie to really be the industrial powerhouse I needed, but I was wrong. I was very wrong. Not to get all sciencey on you, but this is sort of interesting, and what makes the patented Green Apple Peel ingredients so powerful and effective is:

Malic Acid is from Green Apples
Citric Acid is from Lemons
Tartaric Acid is from Grapes
Salicylic Acid is from Willow bark (Full Strength Only)

It’s the unique combination of the above alpha and beta hydroxy acids from organic ingredients, along with raw cane sugar, that make this product so strong! The reason the organic ingredient part is important is because organics have 30-35% higher antioxidant and vitamin loads than non-organic ingredients.

BONUS: FREE Full-size hydrating mask with any purchase over $35 CODE Meg. Ends July 31st.

A is also for Argan. We see it in everything from makeup to skincare to hair products. Use it while pregnant and it even prevents stretch marks! Women try it and they don’t turn back! It’s so multi-use and a little goes such a long way that it’s a must-have in every medicine cabinet.

So, what is Argan Oil? Argan oil is an oil produced from the kernels of the argan tree. Endemic Argan oil remains one of the rarest oils in the world due to small and very specific growing areas in Morocco.

Taylor Swift and Salma Hayek have gone on record to say that they’re huge Argan Oil fans, but with all of these new Argan Oil products flooding the market, why do we at Megsmakeup.com love Zakias Argan Oil 100% Pure and Natural ($39.99) so much?

Because the women that harvest the Argan Oil, the Berber woman of Morocco, do it all by hand and in small groups. They painstakingly, manually grind the Argan nuts into a paste and then extract the oil. Zakias does not use machines, and it employs and empowers women with jobs.

BONUS: Want to try it? Here’s a deal! Use Code MEG2000 and enjoy 20% OFF of any order!

“It’s Good as Gold!” There’s no wonder why Hollywood’s gliteratti have been flocking for years to facial serums with gold in them. When La Prairie launched their Cellular Radiance Gold (at $580 an ounce!) in 2006, they had a bestseller on their hands. Study after study has shown that gold maintains firmness and elasticity and works on improving circulation and decreasing skin inflammation. Pure gold helps to soften expression lines, reduce fine wrinkles and diminish the appearance of age spots.

On Megsmakeup.com, we just had a tremendously positive review of KenetMD’s 24k Gold Serum ($95). Formulated by a very fancy and heavily degreed celebrity dermatologist, Dr. Barney Kenet, this serum has Hollywood buzzing. Botanicals mixed with actual gold flecks glide onto skin and leave you with a very illuminated look. I have never used anything that works so perfectly as a primer.

It makes sense that Dr. Kenet would create this, since he’s New York City’s Upper East Side Golden Boy, tending to a few big-name clients (Demi, Sandra, Jennifer…). If you too want to hold a big gold statue someday, practice in your mirror with this little gold bottle!

BONUS: Want in? The retail is $95 BUT with code Meg Head you only pay $60 (good for the first 100 only so move quick!).

“You Are What You Eat!” We’ve all heard that one, and we all know about the skin benefits of Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Well, this amazing product has all of that plus a huge infusion of Vitamin F. Let me introduce you to Cosminology’s Galactive Glove Seal Your Skin Anti-Oxidant Serum ($75)!

“Vitamin F” was the designation originally given to essential fatty acids that the body cannot manufacture. They were then “de-vitaminized” because they are fatty acids, but you need fatty acids! Acids are probably what you’re swallowing every day to promote healthy hair and nails. That’s where your daily multi-vitamin comes into play, since our bodies do not manufacture Vitamin F. The issue (like much of nutrition) is balance. For example, Omega 6s are considered “pro-inflammatory” while Omega 3s are “anti-inflammatory.” Our body needs some inflammation to survive.

Galactic Glove Seal Your Skin Anti-Oxidant Treatment has been a “holy grail” item on Megsmakeup.com and it has been a life-saver for women that suffer from acne. I know putting an oil on your face seems counterproductive, but not when it’s stored with this many anti-inflammatory properties. The added antioxidants also combat free radicals and act as a barrier to heal and protect your face. Who’s behind this innovative product? Brilliant dermatologist, Dr. Dima!

BONUS: Vitamin F for Frugal! Want a deal on this baby? Just type in Code MEG For 20% OFF.

Hyaluronic Acid is Your Friend! Your skin is thirsty for it! You’re probably pretty familiar with this term and you see it in a lot of great anti-aging skin products. So…what exactly is it? Hyaluronic Acid is a natural substance that can be found in the body. Since it helps retain water, it keeps skin hydrated, moist and soft, thereby maintaining a youthful appearance. As we age, the level of HA in the body also decreases, so the older we get, the less ability the skin has to retain its moisture, hence the occurrence of lines and wrinkles. Epione’s Correction ($175) has the highest pharmaceutical grade of Hyaluronic Acid available on the market today!

Epione Corrective Skincare is what Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills’ own Lisa Vanderpump swears by. The creator, Dr. Simon Ourion, is who I see when I am in Beverly Hills for all of my facial work.

Speaking of…where else do I recommended for a good skin fix? When I’m on the East Coast, I run to Dr. Barney Kenet. When I’m in a jam heading down south, I see Dr. Dima in Reston, VA. For days when I’m in Los Angeles and I have a “TV problem,” you can find my tush in a seat in Dr. Ourian’s waiting room and I’m never alone. I see many A-Listers there!

BONUS: You want some? I knew you would! Use Code MEG for 20% OFF.

I hope this info proved valuable to you! Just a few things I have learned and a few great products I have found as we all search for the fountain of youth. What ingredient do you always look for before deciding whether or not to buy? Hope these discounts help on the best products on the market!

-Megan O’Brien of MegsMakeup.com

Megan O’Brien runs Megsmakeup.com. Meg is a beauty expert and makeup artist who frequently guest stars on national television. Megsmakeup.com is her baby, where she believes, “Always remember, true beauty comes from within…from within bottles, jars, compacts and tubes!”

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