Our Favorite Product Tips and Tricks from Vivant Insiders

 

We all have our favorite products and our own unique ways to use them. Is a cleanser only for the face? Can a mask also be an exfoliator? How does your environment affect your regimen?  Who better to help you uncover new ways to push the limits of your tried and true products than the people who are most intimately acquainted with them? Read on as Vivant insiders reveal their best tips, tricks, and product prefs honed over years of usage. 

 

Following the birth of her now 18-month-old daughter, Vivant Accountant Angie Garcia discovered a new use for collagen-boosting Rejuv Rx.

 

“I use Rejuv RX on my belly for sagging skin and stretch marks. It helps to restore elasticity and reduce wrinkles (chicken skin around the belly button). I use it with a dermaroller for an intensive boost.”

Angie has also found a soothing solution to a skin complaint common among children.

“I use Mandelic Acid 3-In-1 Wash on my baby girl when she is about to break out with eczema. It kills the bacteria. Then I use Recovery Ointment (available through your dermatologist or esthetician) to soothe the redness.”

 

Vivant’s Sulfur Clay Mask does double-duty as an exfoliator for Vivant Account Specialist and Licensed Esthetician Maryanne Goodman-Millensted.

 

“The bentonite clay in the mask gives it a grainy quality. I take advantage of that by wetting my face slightly after the mask dries and then, softly scrub to remove the mask. This really helps with blackheads.”

 

She often replaces her shampoo or bath soap with Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser because “it has the same pH as the skin’s mantle and won’t irritate.”

 

And when exfoliating with vitamin A leaves her wanting a little extra moisture, “Allantoin Sedating & Hydrating Lotion is my lifesaver,” says Maryanne. “I like using Marine Cream for dry hands. Recovery Ointment is great for after waxing because it promotes healing and reduces redness. Mandelic Acid 3-In-1 Wash and Exfoliating Cleanser can be used for treating tinea versicolor because of the anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Clear Body Therapy and mandelic products are great for psoriasis too,” Maryanne advises.

 

Maryanne could fill this whole blog with her inventive advice. What other tips does Maryann have? “Combine Day Treatment Lotion SPF 15 with mineral powder foundation to create your own tinted moisturizer. Totaloe is amazing to treat sunburned skin. If you leave on the Mandelic 3-In-1 Exfoliating Cleanser or BP 3% Exfoliating Cleanser on for 10-15 min after a good scrub, you will get amazing microexfoliation within the next two days.”

When Vivant Social Media Manager Anika Batista relocated from Miami to New York City, she discovered the change in weather required a change in her skin care routine. “In Miami, I always had a bottle of Cleansing Milk on my sink to wash my hands because regular hand soap is too drying. However, this past winter in New York, I started washing my face with Cleansing Milk every morning. I’ve always used Day Treatment Lotion for moisture and sun protection, but I added Allantoin under Day Treatment because the winter air was so drying. Yes, I apply two moisturizers! I also switched from my favorite serum Derm-A-Gel to Derm-A-Renew, which is more nourishing for sensitive or dry skin.”   

 

Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser doesn’t just do a great job cleaning the city grime from her face. “I find Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser removes my mascara really well,” Anika notes.

 

Anika’s favorite regimen booster? “I apply Rejuv Rx, let it dry, and apply Derm-A-Gel on top of it. Whatever remains on my palms, I apply to my neck and top of hands.”

 

Vivant Account Specialist Anita Shrove offers her ingenious method of applying serum to avoid wasting a precious drop. “I place four drops on the TOP on my left hand (not inside my palm) then dab my right fingertips in the serum and apply to cheeks, chin, and forehead then rub gently. If you put the serum it in the palm of your hand, you will lose serum in the creases of your palm. Finally, rub right and left tops of hands together to put the entire serum to use.”

 

Anita also has some great advice for taking care of mature skin. “I’m older, so dry skin is an issue. I slather Allantoin Sedating & Hydrating Lotion and love, love, love Marine Skin Nourishing Cream at night. I alternate cleansers to avoid over-drying my skin. I exfoliate with Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser three times a week and use Cleansing Milk the other nights for the moisture. Rejuv Rx is a must for fine lines and wrinkles.”

 

Vivant CEO Susan Fulton throws in this additional timely tip. “Keep your toner in the fridge to make your clarifying swipe extra refreshing.”