Alyria Exfoliating Cream Level One....where has this been my whole life? I love it!!!

I have been trying out a new product for about 3 weeks now and I'm getting excellent results from it and I wanted to share this with you.  The product is an exfoliating cream called Alyria Exfoliating Cream Level 1.  This cream contains time-released glycolic acid, the AHA of choice, which helps slough off dead cells on the surface of the skin revealing a fresher, younger-looking complexion.  Regular use helps refine pores and reduces the appearance of fine lines and leaves your skin smoother and more radiant.  I love this cream because it does all that.

My skin type in the last 5 years has changed with the help of age, children, my job and the constant changing weather in Canada.  As a result, I've found my skin to be sensitive on the cheeks (I have mild rosacea), larger pores around my nose and the skin on my nose and chin was getting thicker and rough.  If I did not manually exfoliate every two days the skin on my nose and chin which had blackheads would start coming through, gross.  However, the consequences of frequent exfoliation were breakouts around the chin area and the lower cheek bone area, which I'm told for women is the hormonal area.  I was getting dry patches on my face and my cheeks were getting red and bumpy because I was irritating the rosacea.  I didn't know what else to use and needless to say, I was not happy putting foundation on my face anymore. I was getting really discouraged.  How was I going to keep my skin smooth, hydrated, exfoliated and less irritated without manually scraping at it.

In general, I'm very picky and very skeptical of skin care products because its all about the advertising, the hype and the packaging.  My weakness is cosmetics not skin creams.  I've changed my mind with this product.  There are 3 levels of potency to this cream and it was recommended to me to stay with level one because the other levels could dry out my skin.  This is also very good at keeping breakouts under control.  You can't purchase this product online in Canada but you can get it from a dermatologist or a medispa.  In the U.S. I'm sure it can be purchased online.  Their website www.alyria-med.com.  I just noticed that Allure Magazine has added it to its 'Editor's favorite' category.

I purchased this product for $40 cdn and its totally worth it.  I personally don't find this price to be expensive at all considering a pea size amount does your entire face. I only apply this at night and when I wake up I have the smoothest and most hydrated skin ever!  Best of all, I need less foundation coverage and it goes on really smooth.  It does tingle at first as you build a tolerance to it.  I felt no discomfort.  You can really tell the improvement in my skin when I apply cream blush and finishing powder.  It never looks bumpy or dry anymore and my pores are visibly smaller without makeup.

I had to share this with you, I can't keep a good thing to myself.  Hope this helps someone.  In the next few posts I'm going to share some of the products that I really believe have made an improvement in my skin.  Have a good day and thanks for stopping by :)

How did I get here? I need a nap.

I always look like I have my shit together, for the most part.  House is neat, tidy and tastefully decorated in a modern style with a touch of Pottery Barn comforts....check!  Children are bathed, fed, dressed...check!  I can throw a dinner party at the last minute (with the help of a few cocktails of course to help creative cooking juices flowing)....check!  I always change into proper attire, meaning I get out of my yoga pants or pyjamas before my husband returns home and I have a freshly made-up face with just a subtle glow and a hint of perfume, usually Rose Absolut by Stella....check!

Half of the time I feel like I don't have a clue if I'm coming or going or what I'm doing.  I do the countdown almost everyday.....three hours till naptime, five hours until bedtime.  I have never had such a love and strong craving for alcohol.  I am always thinking of a nice robust glass of red wine, perhaps something from Chile.  How did I end up with two babies, a husband, three cats, a house and fly around the world on an airplane for a living?  I was so not a mother-in-the making.  I never would have guessed that my days would consist of play dates, time-outs and diapers.  I'm bloody exhausted just writing about this.  

My life pre-belly pudge consisted of me and only me and then hubby of course.  I dined at all of the hot spots, never waited in line at a club or lounge, I worked out and was reading only material that was considered au courant.  Yadayadayadayada.   This by all means is not a pity party however, I am posing the question which pops up frequently, how did I become so ordinary?  I certainly don't feel ordinary on the inside and on some days I would even be bold enough to call myself a 'yummy mummy' even though I don't like that term at all.  For me, that term congers up images of only the select few that have given birth and that have overcome or have not been afflicted by the stereotypes of boring moms, selfless women with boring dialogues, inflated bodies and boring vajajays!  Ahemmm, I beg to differ.

My saving grace throughout all of these changes and all of my ups and downs in my life is makeup.  Its like a lover that my husband knows about and wouldn't dare try to compete with because he knows he would lose.  Its like a drug and my drug of choice is MAKEUP!! Don't ask my why because I couldn't tell you and I couldn't care less what others think.  Its my thing.

When I need a moment to regroup or catch my breath or prepare myself to give someone heck, in the nicest of ways (annoying passenger, whining children, nagging mother, nosy neighbour) I apply my lipstick or gloss.  As I call it, 'I'm having a gloss moment'.  I honestly think that when I'm having a stressful time makeup is the only thing that keeps me grounded and keeps me from walking the edge.  That and the sweet, clean scent of my children's hair when they are giving ordinary Mamma a hug and when my husband gives me, the 'yummy mummy', that look from across the table.  

I am blessed and I am happy but as you can tell I'm also a little batty.  Not so ordinary.  I think I need a glass of wine and a nap.

I have never blogged before, not sure what has compelled me to start now, therefore, I'm not sure what the protocol or blogging etiquette is, so forgive my ramblings.