Vichy has created a little wonder that helps reduce eye puffiness and freshens the eye area – and is like carrying your own little bag of ice with you where ever you go!

Vichy has combined Citrus Plyphenol, a powerful anti-oxidant which works to combat stress in the skin (e.g. puffiness and dark circles), along with their classic Vichy thermal water in a solid eye treatment stick you simply swivel up and apply.

About the Author

Risi-Leanne Baranja is the editor-in-chief of Palacinka (pal-a-chink-ah) Beauty Blog. She created the blog 4 years ago, after having a successful career in beauty advertising with Saatchi & Saatchi and Bates Worldwide Agencies, as well as online luxury goods e-commerce, with Vivre.com.

She has been featured in many publications on all aspects of the beauty industry and cosmetic products, such as Glamour, More Magazine, The Washington Post, Forbes Magazine, AOL Celebrity Beauty and more. Palacinka Beauty Blog was picked as one of Allure Magazine’s favorite beauty blogs and Risi-Leanne was recently chosen as one of 2010′s “Beauty Influencers” by (Proctor&Gamble) P&G Beauty. Risi-Leanne will also be featured in the upcoming beauty book “The Globetrotter’s Get-Gorgeous Guide”, by Debbi Karpowicz Kickham, out Fall 2010.

There’s still not a lip gloss that she won’t try….

Risi-Leanne can be reached at twitter.com/palacinkabeauty

We asked you if you could have any type of beauty expert (skin, hair, makeup artist, etc) cornered in an elevator for 30 minutes, what kind of expert would you want and what would you ask him or her?  Many of you had questions for a dermatologist so we brought in our resident dermatologist, Dr. Ellen Marmur to help.

What is the best skin care advice that you give to your patients?

My best skin care advice to my patients is to simply simplify! Know what skin does, how it works, and it’s basic architecture first. Then shop for your skin care products knowing more than anyone selling them so you chose based on good knowledge over marketing.

What is the best way to treat very sensitive skin that needs both early anti-aging intervention AND treatment for breakouts around the jaw line and chin? Thank you in advance!

In my book you can read my tricks for how to do exactly what you asked. Sensitive skin does not disqualify you from anti-aging products (yeahhh!!) but you need to use them wisely. First, be sure your sensitivity isn’t actually an allergy—ask your dermatologist for an easy, painless patch test. Then try using Epiduo or for your breakouts twice a day to the spots as necessary. For anti-aging try a product with a retinol. Refissa CR (prescription) is new—it has a medium strength retinoid plus a strong emollient to prevent dryness and irritation of the skin. Give it a shot!

What is the best cure for under eye bags? Collagen? – Vanessa M.

Dear Vanessa—Big bags or little bags? Right under the lashes? Or down above the bony rim of the orbit? Some bags can be camouflaged by using fillers around them. Collage is no longer used. The best filler for this area is called hyaluronic acid. It is considered an off label use and should be injected only by core cosmetic physicians—dermatologist, plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, and ENT surgeons. But it’s absolutely beautiful when done for the right person. If you have bigger bags under your eyes, you may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery called blepharoplasty. Ask your dermatologist for advice, but don’t worry, there are ways to fix the bags! Otherwise, topical creams may not be satisfactory to you so save your money for the right procedure.

I recently noticed that the pores on my checks that are closer to my nose are more prominent than the rest of my face (they are on both sides of the face). Can you advice what I can do to minimize or shrink my pores? It is more noticeable when I use powder foundation, the skin looks dry and rough.

Help! I have great skin and now I am starting to freak out.

– Kristina

Dear Kristina, Did you know that these may not be pores but my actually be hair follicles?? The density of hair follicles is greatest in the midline of the face—the nose and the medial cheeks. Tiny, almost invisible hairs grow there and and often we think they are pores. The good news is you can definitely minimize the pore size by doing several things. Exfoliate twice a week with a creamy exfoliator, use a retinoid at night, be excellent with sun protection everyday, moisturize with your favorite gentle creams twice a day, and try the pore strips (Biore)! They will remove any protein, oil, or dead skin from the top of the skin and allow the pore or opening of the follicle to constrict tightly. The Rolls Royce of treatments you can do for large pores is a series of Fraxel laser resurfacing procedures. This will plump up your collagen and build up your elastin—both have the effect of tighter pores and a smooth complexion.

I am constantly trying to create that perfect dewy look that all the celebrities seem to wear so effortlessly. While I have tried many of the suggested techniques (mixing a shimmer in with moisturizer or foundation, cream blush, etc), I am really searching for a few all-time favorite products that can help one achieve such a glamorous glow! What specific beauty finds would you recommend?

– Jody

Dear Jody—This is actually easier than it sounds. Rule #1—simplify. The last thing you need is dry, irritated, over-exposed skin when trying for the dewy look. Rule #2—exfoliate, moisturize, protect with sunblock. Rule #3—use self tanner (Clarins is a favorite.) Rule #4—use a serum. Serums have illuminators in them that give a dewy sheen. Rule #5—keep your make-up light and sheer (try Laura Mercier for the natural look. She has wonderful sand colored eyeshadows and bronzers that may be great for you!)

Do fat cells create oilier skin? In other words, is it true that the fatter you are the oilier your skin?

- Suzette

Dear Suzette—it is sooo not true that more body fat causes oilier skin! Oil glands are very much genetic and hormonally stimulated. Yes, hormones are related to obesity, but there is no data to support that oily skin is more common in people with higher percentage of body fat. If you want help with oily skin, your dermatologist has great tricks for you. Accutane (very low dosage) helps, Plexion pads twice daily are great, and oil free mineral makeup is good for oily skin types.

How do you treat milia? When I look it up it seems more common for newborns but I am referring to milia associated with acne. Any reason why it develops? Thanks!

- Yvette

Dear Yvette—milia with acne are actually called closed comedones. They are little cyst under the skin. Open comedones look black because the air oxidizes the protein in the cyst thus the dreaded blackheads. Comedones are partly due to a problem with skin turnover, meaning retained skin on the surface, leading to clogged pores and cysts. You should see your dermatologist first to confirm this diagnosis. Then you should come up with a simple routine that can protect, enhance, and troubleshoot! My favorite new product for your issue is Epiduo cream (prescription). Try to do 2 chemical peels a year and use non-comedogenic products to maintain your perfect skin!

I’m confused about chemical sunscreens vs. physical sunscreens. Are you better protected from sun damage when you wear a broad spectrum chemical sunscreen or when you wear a physical sunscreen? For maximum benefits, should you layer physical sunscreen over a chemical sunscreen? Are there products on the market that combine both types of sunscreen in one product? Thanks for your help!

- Vanessa Eliana Rivera

Dear Vanessa, There are chemical sunscreens and physical sunblocks and yes, use them in combination for the best protection. Sunscreens are chemicals that intercept the UV ray and turns it into heat so it evaporates off the skin’s surface without penetrating and causing havoc. But sunscreens get used up the more sun it converts, like gasoline in a car runs out the more you drive. So reapply every 1-2 hours. Physical blockers literally rest on top of the skin and block the sunlight from penetrating through them. Zinc and titanium oxides are two examples. They don’t run out or get used up like sunscreens but they wipe off due to water or sweat, so they need to be reapplied every 1-2 hours, too. Each chemical has it’s strengths and limitations so a combination is the best way to go. Unless you invent the ideal sunscreen with one molecule that perfectly protects the skin from the sun, use a combo of sunscreen and sunblock.

When should you start using more aggresive treatments like AHA’s and peels?

- Marisa Bradford

AHA’s and chemical peels are superb in young people with acne, or very, very old people over the age of 30 who need a little help with pigmentation from hormones or fine lines. Peels can be very light to very strong and I love them, but only let a very experienced doctor do them for you.

I need advice for Baby Boomer skin! How can I reduce the signs of aging skin?

- Barbara Moon Webster

Ok, so baby boomers are in their 40’s and 50’s right? And therefore, your skin aging is showing up as brown spots, wrinkles, and perhaps a little laxity of your cheeks. This is a great question and I wrote an entire chapter on it in my book (SSB). Essentially, your routine must focus on protection, moisturizing, and trouble shooting. Protect with sunscreen every day of the year, moisturize twice a day, and trouble shoot away those signs of aging. Laser or peel off the brown spots and wrinkles. Use a retinoid to prevent new ones. And simply, you are good to go!!!

How does one get rid of whiteheads for Baby Boomer Skin? Mostly cheek bones area?

- Kim Snyder

Kim—I have those too! They are called milia—little, white, closed cysts that are just under the skin. If you have just a few, then yes, professional extraction is the easiest thing. If you have a lot, then you need a master plan. Exfoliate daily with a gentle exfoliator (like Sanitas lemon creamy exfoliator), use a retinoid at night (the new Refissa cream looks amazing, it’s a prescription), have one good chemical peel with your doctor or a Fraxel resurfacing treatment, and be sure to remove make-up from your skin at night (Clinique’s milk creamy make up remover is nice!)

These can result from sun damage, make up, or injury to the skin. Good luck!

I have a question strictly about redness in the skin. I have redness more around my nose and on my cheeks. Is there a treatment I can do to get rid of it?

-Stephanie

Hi Stephanie—all redness is not created equally. If you have any other issues like flakey skin, pimples, or symptoms like itching or burning along with the redness, you should ask your dermatologist to you make a diagnosis. Rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, and allergic or irritant contact dermatitis can look red. Sometimes—rarely—it can be more serious. So have that redness checked. But, yes! If it is just lucky red skin, then we can treat you with intense pulsed light and pulsed dye laser! Some people uses anti-inflammatory creams like Finacea or metrogel to help reduce redness too. I’ve had good luck using Fraxel laser to reduce redness as well—which also replaces sun damaged skin with new, healthy skin, and helps tighten, smooth, and lift the skin.

Ellen Marmur, M.D., the author of Simple Skin Beauty: Every Woman’s Guide to a Lifetime of Healthy, Gorgeous Skin wants to know YOUR candid questions.

Dr. Marmur is the Chief of Dermatologic and Cosmetic Surgery at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and specializes in skin cancer surgery, cosmetic surgery, and women’s health dermatology.

Her hair was done in a super chic updo, created by TRESemmé Celebrity Stylist Mara Roszak. Roszak wanted ”an editorial look because she was wearing Givenchy. We also didn’t want the hair and make up to compete with the dress so we created an elegant but effortless look.”

Here’s how you can recreate Saldana’s Oscars 2010 red carpet ‘do:

1. It’s all about prepping the hair with mousse! I am a huge fan of the TRESemme Naturals line, and was pleased to find that Roszak had prepped damp hair with TRESemmé Naturals Lightweight Mousse. Then she blow dryed her hair upside down.

2. Roszak separated the crown from the rest of the hair and pulled back the sides into a tight pony. Then she pulled the hair almost all the way through but left the ends tucked into a ponytail holder. Note that it wasn’t a PERFECT ponytail, with a few pieces left outside the bun for a slightly messy look.

3. Then she teased the top part of the hair and criss crossed bobby pins to hold the hair in place securely. She also sprayed Saldana’s updo with TRESemmé TRES TWO Extra Hold Hair Spray.
4. Here’s a stylist secret! Spray hairspray on finger tips and gently pull the hair around the face with your fingers to loosen the hair, giving it an organic effortless look.

(Sabrina from AOL, myself, and PJ Gach from BettyConfidential)

Honestly, I was thrilled to hear about the steam activated cleanser. I always clean my face in the shower (and according to Biore, about 60% of Americans love to, as well). The steam cleanser is oil free and contain tiny SteamActif beads. The aim is to – naturally – dissolve all your makeup, oil and make your skin cleaner and more radiant than the Swarovski crystal.

Well, I tried this steam activated cleanser immediately when I got home, and my skin indeed felt super clean without feeling too taut. I also loved the cool mint extract in the product (no terrible tingling – just a zingling feeling). It also has Green Tea extract which, as you obviously know, has antioxidant properties. I’m kind of married to it already!

Now, the other product is already the love of my life. I’ve never been obsessed with any makeup removing towelette, mostly because it rarely is able to remove the layers of eye makeup that I religiously wear each morning (think two coats of Rimmel or Maybelline mascara over a layer of primer, an eyeliner and eye shadow to boot). But these Makeup Removing Towlettes really do the job, and studies have proven they don’t really leave a nasty residue on your skin like some other brands. Take a look at the before and after (after just two swipes):

Best of all, the towelettes are made from 100% renewable resources, like cotton, but they are tough enough to even catch a kitten if you were to make a trampoline out of them.

The event, called ‘Party in the Shower’ was a lot of fun, and I got to catch up with some of my fave peeps and see some of the cool lighting in the studio (the chandelier icon is all just an optical illusion).

But the Biore products are no mirage – they definitely work, so check them out in your drugstores or online right now!

1. Treatments

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

After abrading my skin to numerous scrubs and industrial-strength treatments, I began to associate painful stinging and burning with quality acne treatment. If it didn’t hurt, it probably wouldn’t get rid of zits. It only took three years this before I realized that not only did I still have acne, but my face often felt like someone had set fire to it. Then Cetaphil ($9.99 at drugstores) came into my life. The cleanser for normal to oily skin removes make-up and dirt with a light, soap-free, fragrance-free lather and leaves skin quiet. No fires, no stinging – Just a good, simple cleaning that gives tired skin a rest.

I’ve had several products promise practically overnight results. (ZapZyt, I’m talking to you.) Sadly, after using them religiously for months, my skin would look no better that the day I started. You can understand my skepticism when I broke the seal on the Clean and Clear Advantage Blackhead Eraser Exfoliating Cleanser ($19.99 at drugstores.)

Clean and Clear Advantage Blackhead Erasing Exfoliating Cleanser

This little hand-held massaging cleanser promises fewer blackheads instantly. I rolled my eyes at that claim, but dutifully attached the medicated cotton pad to the battery-powered device and used it to exfoliated and clean my face. After I had splashed away the residue of the pad (which contains a blackhead-fighting serum) I regarded my face with some surprise. My skin had cleared. Not completely, of course, but this little dynamo had made a noticeable difference in my complexion. A product that actually delivers on its promise – I’ll take it.

Proactiv Renewing Cleanser

Proactiv ($19.95 for the 3-piece system at proactiv.com) came to being when Drs. Rodan and Fields sought to create a program that consumers could get without a pricey dermatologist’s referral. Several years and celebrity endorsements later, the system offers a combination of prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide and botanicals to banish acne. The Renewing Cleanser contains said benzoyl peroxide and exfoliates with small beads of a finer grain than what you’ll find in Neutrogena and St. Ives scrubs, while the Revitalizing Toner uses witch hazel, aloe, and chamomile to tighten pores and soothe skin. Unlike the harsher Sea Breeze astringents of our youth, this toner contains no alcohol and won’t dry skin to the point of flakiness.

Proactiv Repairing Treatment

The Repairing Lotion contains another hit of that benzoyl peroxide, but here’s the real beauty of the Proactiv system: You get to customize your program. The Repairing Lotion was too harsh for my skin, so I opted to have just the cleanser and toner delivered to me. It’s a great base to an acne-fighting regimen.

If we must slather on a product to quell acne, it might as well do other amazing things – hence, Philosophy’s Help Me ($45 at sephora.com) retinol treatment.

Philosophy Help Me

This nighttime cream releases retinol gradually into skin so you don’t have one rush of irritating product. It clears pores, but also keeps fine lines, wrinkles, and discolorations at bay. This is a worthy option for those of us without access to the heavy-hitting prescriptions such as Tazorac and Retin-A.

2. Make-Up

So, we have a beautifully cared-for canvas of skin. We have avoided drying face washes and oily moisturizers. Now, to go out into the world, it’s time to paint on . . . heavy, creamy concealer? Sometimes just looking at pancake makeup makes my skin break out. Thankfully, we don’t have to deal with our grandmother’s makeup anymore.

bareMinerals i.d. bareVitamins Skin Revver Upper

To prime the skin, and so to make foundation and concealer perform better, Bare Escentuals bareVitamins Skin Rev-ver Upper ($21 at sephora.com) contains salicylic acid, anti-irritants, and anti-oxidants. Translation: It keeps skin clear and paves the way for easy make-up application. The hard-to-please make-up maven Paula Begoun states in her encyclopedia of cosmetic reviews, Don’t Go to the Cosmetic Counter Without Me, that this product “ . . . is highly recommended for normal to oily skin battling blemishes or blackheads.” Enough said.

BareMinerals Matte

And now for the coverage: The same company makes the wonderful bareMinerals Matte spf 15 Foundation ($28 at sephora.com.) Thanks to its talc-free formula, this powder blends onto skin without irritating or clogging pores and best of all, it really, truly covers with a matte finish. To make this foundation double in its duty, use two brushes: a small, synthetic concealer brush to cover individual blemishes and a large, fluffy powder brush for standard application. Congratulations, clear skin!

3. Treatments from the Kitchen

Return to Beauty by Narine Nikogosian

Sometimes the old ways have more to offer than we credit. In Return to Beauty, Narine Nikogosian reminds us of several old-world recipes to take care of our modern skin and its woes. Her Simply Clean Face Wash involves combining ¼ c. warm water, 1 tsp. Lemon juice, and 1 tsp. Baking soda, then applying to the face with a wash cloth or sponge, followed by a thorough rinsing. The no-frills formula uses lemon juice activated by the baking soda to give pores a good solid cleaning. As for spot treatments, Nikogosian recommends mashing up a little fresh onion and applying it to a pimple. It’s an economical option to the pricier drying potions out there.

Another favorite of mine, ripped from the pages of Glamour magazine, uses aspirin to form a mask. Mash two aspirin tablets, then add a drop of water and a drop of honey. Spread the paste on any acne-inflamed areas, let it dry for ten minutes, then splash it off with warm water. The honey softens while the aspirin takes the swelling and redness down several levels.

I’ve distilled twelve years of juggling treatments into a concise guide to the best available acne treatments. Cautious experimentation has led me to find that the sensible solutions really are the best; those crazy remedies are only useful if you end up writing an article and need humorous anecdotes. So start your own cautious experimentation: Take a deep breath, wipe that egg yolk off your face, put down the hypnosis book, and go do something for which your skin will really thank you.

- Katharine McKenzie

Dr. Marmur is the Chief of Dermatologic and Cosmetic Surgery at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and specializes in skin cancer surgery, cosmetic surgery, and women’s health dermatology.

Ellen Marmur

As a virtual beauty expert for BeautyStat this week, Ms. Marmur welcomes any persnickety skincare question you may have, at info@beautystat.com.

At the end of the week we will post the ten top questions followed by Ms. Marmur’s answers.

You can also follow Ms. Marmur on Facebook here.

Facebook Application

Advanced Night Repair

To celebrate our launch, we are giving BeautyStat Facebook application fans the chance to win THREE full-size Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair (1.7 fl. oz.) Synchronized Recovery Complex bottles (a $74.50 value). Selections will be at random and winners will be notified at the end of the week.

We at BeautyStat love this produce because it provides anti-aging benefits for all skin types: its Chronolux technology repairs past damage and helps erase the signs of time. So all your wrinkles, lines, unneven skintone appear less noticeable.

Honestly, we swear by this little brown bottle because it not only delivers what it promises but it also hydrates better than filtered Evian (through Hyaluronic Acid). Plus it also shields your skin from environmental damage (and it doesn’t matter if you’re living in New York City or Beijing …pollution is as ubiquitous as a STOP sign).

Plus that’s not all: select Facebook fans will also receive a copy of Dr. Ellen Marmur’s book, Simple Skin Beauty: Every Woman’s Guide to a Lifetime of Healthy, Gorgeous Skin(a $27 value).

Ellen Marmur

We are fortunate to have Dr. Marmur on our panel of experts. Ms. Marmur is a skin cancer surgeon (and a survivor herself), and has treated and advised countless patients on the best path to skincare and anti-aging. With her experience, she gives you the best way to take care of skin and address key concerns from anti-aging to acne to age spots. We can think of no better beauty bible to have on your bookshelf, and ten lucky readers will each win one!

All you have to do is take the quiz and become a fan of BeautyStat’s Facebook application. Join here.

On top of aging and dryness – lack of sleep, fatigue and fluid retention in the lower lid can cause puffiness and dark circles.

To tackle all these issues you need a good eye treatment. The right eye treatment not only makes you look younger but also more awake and vibrant. The most effective eye treatments have a mix of antioxidants (which fight free radicals and also help reduce inflammation), moisturizing ingredients and ingredients that aid in cell turnover. Some treatments take time to work as they target the cause of fine lines, puffiness and dark circles while others have ingredients that work immediately but only temporarily. In our testing we looked for proven ingredients that work over time as well as immediate results (from items that claim to make an instant difference in your appearance). There are hundreds of eye creams in the market but we’ve narrowed down your options to give you only the best. Whether you are battling the signs of aging, puffiness, dark circles or all of the above there is an eye treatment for you.

Puffiness/Dark Circles

Zia Natural

Zia Natural Skincare Essential Eye Gel uses a blend of chamomile, cucumber and seaweed to firm and hydrate the eye area while smoothing skin, reducing puffiness and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Antioxidants help fight environmental damage and help to repair the skin. The gel has a cooling effect and the consistency is similar to a serum. Essential Eye Gel is all natural and paraben free and is packaged in a container made of 50% post-consumer waste. Zia Skin Basics can be found at fine health food stores nationwide and at zianatural.com $23.95

Origins Ginseng Eye Cream

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream uses a blend of natural botanicals and brightening ingredients to instantly illuminate and brighten eyes. The main ingredient is Panax Ginseng, which works to boost circulation to the eye area, and is known to reduce the signs of fatigue. Hesperidin (an antioxidant) and Coleus Barbatus (a relative of the mint family) work with Panax Ginseng to combat puffiness. Caffeine helps to soothe skin while Vitamin B complex works to strengthen skin and fight off stressors. Brightening ingredients in silica and mica instantly illuminate the eye area while shea butter and other moisturizers soften skin. Clinical results showed improved moisturization and radiance. Available at origins.com $29.50

Anti aging

Avon Anew Clinical Eye Lift

Avon ANEW Clinical Eye Lift is Avon’s answer to dermatologist procedures. This two-part treatment has a dual-chamber jar that features two different formulas to target both the upper and lower eye areas – a gel for the upper areas and a cream for the lower area. The upper eye area is prone to drooping and sagging so the upper eye gel features Avon’s exclusive Dimensional-Lift Technology – which is formulated to strengthen and firm the skin of the upper eyelid by boosting elastin and collagen. The under eye area is prone to puffiness and dark circles so the under eye cream features Avon’s exclusive Derma-Refine Technology – which is formulated to increase cellular metabolism and rebuild the skin. Clinical studies show that ANEW Clinical Eye Lift visibly reduced sagging and drooping of the upper eye area while also reducing dark circles and creepiness on the lower lid. Available at avon.com $28

Lancome Renergie RARE

Lancome Renergie Microlift R.A.R.E. Superior Lifting Cream uses Lancome’s Renergie Microlift technology to combat the signs of aging. Renergie Microlift is Lancome’s top anti-aging line and it is inspired by current advances in facial plastic surgery. Best for those over 40, R.A.R.E. stands for Re-bundling And Repositioning Effect – and it aims to tighten and lift skin. R.A.R.E. targets Lumican, a collagen building protein that decreases as we age. R.A.R.E. is designed to double the production of collagen leading to an improvement in the appearance of sagging. R.A.R.E. also uses new ingredients – Oligopeptides (which works to double Lumican production) and Microlifters (silica particles and soy proteins designed to immediately lift and tighten skin). A four week study concluded that 79 percent of women showed improvement in skin tightness, 76 percent found increased firmness and 84 percent found their skin smoother. Available at Lancome counters and lancome.com $58

Garnier Anti Fatigue Eye Cream

Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Sun Damage Daily Eye Cream SPf 15 is the first Garnier Nutrioniste eye cream to contain SPF. As has been thoroughly documented and researched, using SPF is the best way to ward off the signs of aging. In addition to SPF 15, Anti- Sun Damage Daily Eye Cream also includes Lycopene, Vitamin C and soothing minerals to help repair sun damage and reduce sunspots and fine lines. Clinical studies show that in 8 weeks signs of UV damage were reduced. This is our pick for best mass-market eye cream due to its effective ingredients, friendly price and SPF content. $12.99 at drugstores and mass-market retailers nationwide.

estee time zone eye zone

Estee Lauder Time Zone Anti-Line/Wrinkle Eye Crème uses the science of cellular regeneration to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It uses three powerful anti-aging technologies – Sirtuin EX –1 Technology, Tri-Hyaluronic Complex and Biomimetic Barrier Complex. Sirtuin Ex-1 Technology is exclusive to Estee Lauder and helps skin resist daily stress. Tri-Hyaluronic Complex hydrates and smoothes the skin around the eye. Biomimetic Barrier Complex contains many essential fatty acids, triglycerides sterols and ceramides which help to rebuild skin’s natural barrier. Together these three technologies reverse the appearance of aging. $43.50 at esteelauder.com counters.

All Around – target puffiness, dark circles and the effects of aging

Garnier Skin Renew Daily Anti-Fatigue Eye Cream uses Garnier Nutrioniste’s Dermatological nutrients – a proprietary formula of skin-essential ingredients formulated to give you radiant, even toned skin. Vitamin C, Caffeine and Lycopene target cell regeneration, skin hydration and free radical protection for vibrant skin. It instantly illuminates the eyes with natural micro-pearls. Over time fine lines and dark circles are diminished. $12.99 at drugstores and mass-market retailers nationwide.

olay definity eye

Olay Definity Eye Illuminator is an antiaging eye cream that also reduces dark circles. It penetrates deep layers of the skin around the eye with its blend of concentrated serum and hydrating gel. Multi-colored mica particles are used to instantly diminish the look of skin discoloration and brighten the eye area. Olay Definity Eye Illuminator uses Avon’s exclusive proprietary blend of glucosamine and niacinamide. Glucosamine helps to improve skin’s moisture barrier while niacinamide is an ingredient that improves the elasticity of skin and aids with tone and texture. Together they work to improve moisture and hydrate the eye area. $25.99 at Drugstores and mass merchants

La Mer The Eye Concentrate

If there is an eye cream more luxurious than La Mer The Eye Concentrate we did not come across it in the dozens of eye treatments that were tested. Using marine and plant ingredients along with the magnetic energies of minerals, La Mer targets dark circles, puffiness, lines and wrinkles. It conditions and hydrates the eye area improving clarity and tone. Sea Kelp is combined with calcium, magnesium, citrus oil, eucalyptus, alfalfa and sunflower and undergoes a 3 month bio-fermentation process that makes the healing Miracle Broth that La Mer is known for. Magnetized hematite, a dense mineral uses magnetic energies to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. La Mer The Eye Concentrate comes with a specially designed applicator to pick up the exact amount of product for each application. $165 at lamer.com

Kinerase Unereye Treatment

Kinerase Pro+Therapy C8 Peptide Under Eye Treatment is a new dermatologist-exclusive eye treatment from Kinerase. It uses a combination of 10 potent ingredients that work together to minimize dark circles, reduce puffiness and strengthen the delicate skin around the eye. This physician strength formula utilizes higher concentrations of Kinetin – Kinerase’s signature ingredient. Kinetin is a natural substance that helps with moisture retention and reduces the appearance of aging skin as well as aiding with cell turnover. Kinetin works along with Zeatin (Pro+Therapy”s physician exclusive plant growth factor) to slow the natural aging process. Kinerase Pro+Therapy C8 Peptide Under Eye Treatment will be available through physicians December 2009 – $85.

roc Retinol

Roc Multi Correction uses a unique formula of Pure RoCâ Retinol, antioxidants and Vitamin C to reduce the signs of aging. Antioxidants fight free radicals while Vitamin C helps rejuvenate skin tone. RoCâ Retinol works to stimulate skin and smooth wrinkles. Roc Multi Correction has been clinically proven to diminish wrinkles and dark circles while giving skin more vibrancy. At drugstores and mass-market retailers nationwide $24.99

Clarins Restoring Eye Cream

Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate is an antiaging eye cream that targets the entire eye zone from temple to temple. Clarins uses an innovative complex to support skin’s natural renewal process. Selenium fights off free radicals while Vitamin C helps to even skin tone. Caffeine and Parsley diminish the looks of dark circles and puffiness. Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate was formulated with mature women in mind – particularly those concerned with aging related hormonal changes. $74 at Clarins counters

Clinique All About Eyes

Clinique All About Eyes has both the texture of an eye gel and cream in one. It is loaded with ingredients formulated to combat the every day assaults that cause fine lines, dryness, shadows and uneven skin tone. A trio of lipids, which mimic those found in skin, along with Vitamin E and Antioxidants work to support the skin’s moisture barrier and make skin firmer. Eyes become brighter instantly with the help of optical diffusers – microscopic particles that illuminate the area. All About Eyes $28.50 Clinique.com

- Reporting by Catia Carvalho Trooskin

The technology is simple: Avon studied how wrinkles were formed, and came to the conclusion that they are actually tiny injuries to the skin. When cuts are formed, Activin is naturally triggered to heal the rupture. Therefore it made sense to bottle this molecule into an anti-aging line — which is precisely what the Harry Potter-esque scientists did.

There is both a Reversalist Renewal Serum ($39) and a Night Cream ($27) that work in tandem. For one, the serum is as light as coconut oil — it’s very layer friendly and complements the much richer Night Cream as well as Punch complements Judy. The serum actually has 5 times more Activinol than the Night Cream.

The results are almost as impressive as Brazil getting the Olympic bid in 2016. 75% felt like they had new skin overnight, and 100% saw an improvement in discolorations.

My skin reacted beautifully: it did not breakout but remained soft as satin. Most importantly my frown lines (I call them my World War I trenches) started to fade quite powerfully….in four days I had noticed a marked improvement.

Buy this now at www.avon.com

- Charu Suri

What do clear skin and dancing have in common? The answer: Clearasil’s Pimple Blocker Battle.

Clearasil is in search of its own first rate dance crew. Like American Idol, kids all over the country have auditioned to be part of the crew (check out the You Tube tryouts video HERE).

The finale will be held at Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, NYC on Tuesday April 7th. Michelle Tractenberg, Drew Lachey, Alyson Stoner (Camp Rock, Cheaper by the Dozen) and celebrity choreography GEO will all be judging the battles.

America gets to VOTE on who the winner will be. YES, that means YOU. Once the finals are over, the videos will be posted online and you can vote to determine who will become Clearasil’s first Dance Crew.

THE GIVEAWAY: We are giving away THREE sets of TWO tickets each (six in total) to people to go to Hard Rock Cafe to see the finals. Yes sir. Oh, and we’re giving away Clearasil Pimple Blocker pens too. All you have to do is submit a comment below.

Click here to learn more about this initiative.