I am sure you have all heard the industry goss about synthetic ingredients in skincare products; you will find it everywhere these days.  I constantly read about it in magazines, on forums and even come across it in product advertising.

Is there really such thing as a cosmetic that is 'all' natural?  Some synthetic ingredients are actually amazing and beneficial for your skin, and despite of the objections of cosmetics companies claiming the opposite, every cosmetic product in the world, believe it or not, contains its share of synthetic ingredients.

Having derived from many origins synthetic ingredients all begin as natural because everything originally comes from our environment; nothing can just be magically created.  Petrolatum and mineral oil are in fact by-products of the gasoline industry, yet how is that considered unnatural?  Gasoline, deriving from crude oil, is distinctly natural as it comes from organic material, such as fossils, that have been buried in the earth for millions of years.  Petrolatum and mineral oil are especially reputable skincare ingredients that have gained recognition for having excellent moisturising properties, while at the same time being completely harmless.  Even the claim that these ingredients contribute to blocked pores, and are bad for your skin is furthermore one claim that has never been proven.

A good point to always remember is just because an ingredient grows out of the ground or is found in nature doesn't mean it necessarily good for your skin, and just because it is synthetic doesn’t mean it is bad.

Until recently, I could not see what all the fuss was about when it came to bronzers.  Part of my initial conviction hinged upon the bewildering amount of options available.  Matte and shiny powders, sprays, mousses, gels, liquids with and without shimmer, and even sticks – I was definitely intrigued, but had no idea where to start. 

Upon my investigation, I noticed that they are available in a large number of brands with a variety of shades.  I was pleased to discover that bronzers have improved in recent years making them easier to use and more natural looking.  

I have since embarked on using the Ultraceuticals Even Skintone Compact Bronzer, which imparts a hint of shine in addition to a sunless glow.  This is my preferred alternative to a matte finish that can look a bit flat during summer - I personally like a hint of shimmer.  Some others that have caught my eye so far, Glo Minerals Glo Sheer Tint Base Bronzing Gel is perfect for all skin types and the glow looks very natural, as if you managed to catch a few rays during your lunch break.  Bare Minerals All-Over Face Color - Faux Tan offers a burst of glowing natural colour without the shimmer for those who are partial to a more warm matte finish.  The dark horse of the bronzer line-up is Napoleon Perdis Bronze Bonanza, this limited edition tempting summer trio consists of pressed bronzing shimmer powder, lip-gloss and a bronzing brush.  This powder can be gradually built-up for a decadent all-over luminosity with a bonus bronze gloss to match.

Bronzing your skin also has many benefits.  Other than giving you a healthy sun-kissed tan, it can camouflage blemishes, uneven skin tone, pigmentation, spider veins, and develop the illusion of decreased cellulite leading to a more toned appearance.  To achieve a naturally bronze glow, apply bronzer to the areas of the face that the sun hits first - nose, apples of cheeks, forehead, chin and collarbone.  Bronzer works well on other body parts too, brush a light dusting all over your skin, especially the ankles, in between the toes, ankles and knees.  Just be sure to keep it looking natural.  Also, carefully select a shade two tones darker than your natural skin colour because there is nothing worse than a miss-matched bronzer that appears muddy or just as orange as a carrot.

After my soul searching and current research, I can proudly admit that I am now a bronzer convert.  I think I must have been hiding under a rock all this time because I can openly and honestly, declare that it is a stunning and multifaceted inclusion to anyone’s makeup collection. 

With so many ideas available for Christmas gifts, sometimes it can be difficult deciding on the best one to give.  Beauty products make great Christmas gifts, because you can be sure that people will appreciate and use them during the New Year.  We all tend to keep a stockpile of soaps and shampoos for our beauty regimes, but it is especially delightful when you receive some indulgent cosmetic and beauty product items to pamper yourself with. 

Even though a beauty gift set is not the first gift idea that springs to mind when faced with many endless gift possibilities, in fact any beauty gift generally goes down a treat.  You do not only find hair and beauty gifts for women in beauty stores these days either, there are whole ranges of products dedicated to the men in your life as well. 

Searching for a last minute Christmas gift idea?  Look no further, salvation has come.  Check out our list including some favorite gift ideas and suggestions that won't leave you empty-handed.  Thanks to The Facial Company, last-minute stocking fillers are a problem no more!

For the Lady in your Life:
Simplicite Lemon And Rose Shower Body Foam
True Solutions Face And Body Scrub
The Lip Scrub By Sara Happ - Vanilla Bean
Glo Minerals Glotint For Cheeks And Lips

For the Man in your Life:
Dermalogica Shave Daily Clean Scrub
Murad Face Defense SPF15
Pier Auge Men After Shave Ultra Matt Balm
Mr. Essentials After Shave Splash

Perfect for Teens:
Ecoya Hand & Body Wash
Ultraceuticals Kabuki Brush
Shizen Lip Gloss Conditioner
Bare Minerals Rocker Eye Kit

Perfect for Mum or Grandma:
Esthederm Cellular Water Spray 100ml
ASAP Vitamin C Repair Serum
Alpha-H Age Delay Hand And Cuticle Care
Dermalogica AGE Smart Renewal Lip Complex

Happy shopping and Merry Christmas!

Dermalogica on your iPhone - the new Dermalogica iPhone app is a quick, convenient way to get a personalized product prescription. Tell it your skin concerns and watch as a regimen is prepared, so you know which Dermalogica products are best for you.  New features will be added soon with a store locator, and a handy directory of Dermalogica's entire product range.

Get Dermalogica app for your iPhone here.

And the award goes to...

The Facial Company was honoured to receive 'Alpha-H Achievement Award - Best Growth 2009'.  This is an outstanding achievement for the Facial Company and we are very grateful and proud to receive this award from Alpha-H.