Manomai: Skin Care Based on Your Blood Type

Did you know it only takes 26 seconds for your blood stream to absorb what you apply topically? 

That is why it is important to think about what ingredients are in your skin care and other beauty products you apply topically. 

I came across Manomai when I first started beauty blogging, and truly became fascinated with their approach to skin care. I reached out to them, and they kindly agreed to send me a press sample to review for you guys. 

Manomai's founder is a believer in Dr. Peter D'Adamo's Blood-type Diet, which basically consists of eating the right foods for your blood type, in turn making you healthier and lose weight. She wanted a moisturizer that aligned with her beliefs in the Blood Type Diet, but also met her strict guidelines: pareben-free,  mineral oil-free, fragrance free, cruelty-free, and artificial color free.

So, she developed 4 moisturizers with 4 special blends to uniquely match each of the blood types -- the Around-the-Clock Facial Serum.  Cool, right?! 

Manomai says each Blood Type group have different weakness when it comes to their skin. For instance, people with O Blood Type, like me, have typically "oily [skin] with larger pores. Type O's skin has an impressive ability to withstand the cold but the ability to protect itself from the sun is not very good. Compared to other blood types, Type O’s skin is more likely to dry up". (Pretty dead on! I hate my pores, and you guys know I always complain about being dry!)  Therefore, to combat O Blood Type dryness, the Around the Clock Facial Serum for O Blood Types contains seaweed extract (Algae Extract) which is rich in vitamins, minerals, trace elements and amino acids to keep skin healthy and youthful.

How to Apply.

Although, the Around-the-Clock Facial serum is called a serum, it can be used alone or applied underneath your favorite moisturizer morning and night. To apply, I take two pumps of the serum in between my fingers to warm it up a bit. Then, I gently pat the serum onto my face with my fingertips like I discussed in my Serum 101 article. I let it dry for a couple minutes, and then I pat on my moisturizer.

WHAT I LOVE:

NO ADVERSE EFFECTS. The first thing I consider when I review any beauty product is whether the product caused any adverse skin effects like breakouts, rashes, itchiness, etc. The Manomai Around-the-Clock Serum did not cause any breakouts or rashes. Despite its range in potent ingredients, it worked seamlessly with the skin products in my current routine, and I did not experience any interactions. 

Two pumps of the Around-the-Clock serum
is all I need for my entire face and neck.

SUPER LIGHT. I like how light the Manomai serum feels on my skin. Manomai is based out of Thailand where it is very hot and humid. So, it totally makes sense that they create a moisturizer that is not heavy and can be worn comfortably in even the stickiest and sweatiest climate. 

FEELS LIKE SKIN. The Manomai formula is fluid and silky and doesn't make your skin tacky or greasy so it's great to wear by itself on those #barefaced days! When it dries, it just feels like your own skin, but firmer and smoother. So, it's also perfect to layer under your moisturizer and SPF. 


NUTRIENT AND VITAMIN-RICH INGREDIENTS. Each formula is uniquely developed to target the ailments of each blood type group, but all are extremely well-rounded and nutrient-packed. For example, the O Blood Type formula contains a mouthful of potent extracts like seaweed, guava leaf, willow bark and cherry extract. It also contains jojoba oil and organic argan oil to promote cell regeneration, skin suppleness and elasticity, and prevent dryness. 

WHAT I WOULD CHANGE.

The Around-the-Clock formulas are superb, but the pump has room for improvement. The pump is a little stiff, but has a spring, so when you pump it almost splatters out. I would love to see the serum come with a smoother pump that allows for more control on how much you pump out.

Secondly, the jar the serum comes in is this beautiful, frosted GLASS! When I was going to take pictures and videos for this review, I dropped the serum onto my wood floor and the bottle broke. I am so heartbroken! All that wasted product!! I did my best to swipe up what I could and quickly slathered my arms and legs -- I did not want all that precious serum to go to waste.... :( I would love to see the serum come in a thick, luxurious plastic that can withstand a few drops every now and then. 

RECOMMENDED: All-in-all this is a high-quality moisturizer and serum that potentially will change the way we conceptualize skin care. For my O blood type, the Manomai Around-the-Clock serum agreed with my skin. It is a well-rounded serum that is chock full of beneficial nutrients that work to combat almost every skin ailment from dryness to fine lines. It has also been approved by the FDA-Thailand. 

To purchase the Around-the-Clock Facial Serum visit Manomai.com.

What do you think? Should we do away with the traditional normal, oily, combination skin categories, and evolve to blood typing skin care? 

List of ingredients: Aqua (Water), Propanediol, Argania spinosa kernel oil (Organic Argan Oil), Butyrospermum parkii butter (Shea Butter), Olea europaea fruit oil (Olive Oil), Hydroxystearyl alcohol, Hydroxystearyl glucoside, Prunus cerasus fruit extract (Cherry Extract), Psidium guajava leaf extract (Guava Leaf Extract), Xanthan gum, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil (Jojoba Oil), Salix alba bark extract (Willow Bark Extract), Glycerin, Leontopodium alpinum extract (Edelweiss Extract), Camellia sinensis leaf extract (Green Tea Extract), Algae extract (Algae Extract), Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric triglyceride, Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10), Diisopropyl adipate, Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E), Citric acid

Celeb Beauty Picks for Your 20s, 30s, and 40s

When you are a celebrity, money and accessibility to the latest and greatest beauty products and treatments are not a problem -- the world is your medicine cabinet. So what do A-listers choose as their go-to holy grail products? I did a little research, and matched up four major super stars in their 20s, 30s, and 40s and their choice beauty products.

20s: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

The girls use Sanitas for skin care, but Ashley is a "die-hard" Biologique Recherché fan, and uses their cleansers and creams. They also love coconut oil for its multipurpose quality. For eyebrows, the girls just use a little Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel, and when they have dry lips they grab Brave Soldier's Lip Defender. For hair care, Mary-kate and Ashley use the Reparatives line from Frederic Fekkai.

30s: Jessica Alba

Jessica is a mom, and all about no fuss makeup that she can apply while holding a baby in one arm, (one of the many reasons why I love her).  When she is able to, Jessica opts to go foundation-free, and prefers to spot conceal her blemishes with RMS Un-cover Up,  a beauty blog community cult favorite. She also believes in curling her eyelashes, and applying a couple swipes of Revlon's Double Twist mascara to brighten up her tired mommy eyes.

For skin care, Jessica swears by Yonka's Cleansing Lotion and Dr. Hauschka's Toned Day Cream. She also likes to use Koh Gen Do sheet masks on long flights. Her go-to daytime fragrance is Un Jardin by Hermes for its crisp and floral notes. 

Jessica's most notable beauty secret is Eucalyptus oil! I am no stranger to this fragrant essential oil -- my mom brought me up using eucalyptus oil or Dau Khuynh Diep. When I was sick, my mom would rub it on my chest; or she would rub a mixture of eucalyptus oil with salt on my sprained ankle before wrapping me up. Jessica likes to add a couple drops to a bath when her or her kids are sick. 

40s: Lucy Liu

Lucy Liu has a minimalist approach to her skin care and beauty routine. She even claims to not always put on SPF. (GASP!) However, she also says she stays out of the sun. She swears by Aquaphor and uses it for everything. For hair care, Lucy likes Dr. Bonner's Castille Soap, as well as and Melu and Davine's.



Are any of your favorites listed up there? Which ones? Please share...

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Sources:

http://www.savoirflair.com/beauty/1938-jessica-alba-shares-her-beauty-secrets

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20734000_4,00.html
http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/homestyle/10/01/lucy.liu.beauty/index.html?eref=ew
http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2013/11/mary-kate-ashley-olsen-beauty-secrets-allure.html

Serum 101 & Neocell's Radiance Serum Review

Serums, to me, are an absolute necessity -- like taking your daily multivitamin. Essentially, serums are multi-vitamins for your face, and trust me, your face needs all the nutrients it can get after being exposed to the sun and pollution.

So, when I look for a serum, I make sure that it has at least Vitamin C and E, and any other antioxidants or anti-aging ingredients are a plus. Vitamin C and E are important anti-aging antioxidants that prevent and reduce oxidative damage from UV exposure, pollutants, and intrinsic aging. 

Serums are powerful and quick to absorb because they are extremely concentrated. More specifically, serums leave out emulsifiers and hydrating-agents that most moisturizers include. Thus, you only need a small pea-sized amount, but keep in mind, that serums must be applied before moisturizing so that it has the best chance to absorb.

Now, while serums are powerful with all their super ingredients, religious topical application will not give you blatant life-changing results. Like I said, they are similar to daily vitamins for your face, and regular application will help maintain your skin's quality, and hopefully, reduce signs of aging.

How to Apply.
For most serums, I like to use a pea-size amount for my entire face and neck. A pea-sized amount seems insufficient, but serums are very fluid, and you will be surprised that even a pea-size may leave you with more than you need.

1. Cleanse and tone your face and neck as usual.
2. Place a pea-sized amount of the serum onto one of your fingertips.
3. Warm up the serum so that your skin can easily absorb the solution. Do this by rubbing the serum in between your fingertips.
4. With the warmed serum on your fingertips, gently pat the solution all over your face and neck.
5. Let dry. This usually takes a few minutes.
6. Follow with moisturizer, and SPF, if needed.

So, with that quick and extremely brief blurb on serums out of the way, we can apply what we know about serums to discuss my recent escapade with Neocell's Radiance Serum...

If you had a chance to read my review on Neocell's Collagen Masque, you would have learned that I first heard of Neocell and their Collagen supplements from my mother-in-law. She has been taking the collagen powder for over a year and raves about it. So, when Neocell reached out to me to test out some press samples of their topical skin care products, I was eager to give them a test drive!

What makes the Neocell Radiance Serum special?

The distinguishing characteristic of the Radiance Serum is the time-release micro-capsules that penetrate the skin to strategically deliver collagen stimulating ingredients and potent antioxidants like my must-have VItamin C and E. The serum also contains phospholipids with essential fatty acids that plump up fine lines, enhance skin firmness, elasticity, and moisture.

After using the Neocell Radiance Serum for a few weeks, I have only had positive results though nothing super extreme. I like this serum because it did not cause breakouts or rashes. It does not leave a lingering smell or cause you to become greasy or oily.

What the serum does do is create a pretty impressive, smooth and soft canvas. In the left picture, you can see that the picture of the dried serum blurs the fine lines on the top of my hand, and makes my skin look incredibly smooth. Additionally, once dried,  its presence is practically untraceable. Thus, it's great to wear in the AM under makeup or in the PM before your night cream.

The only slight negative about this serum may be the packaging. I have read that Vitamin C begins to breakdown once it is exposed to light. So, to prevent degradation many serums are packaged in amber-colored glass. Maybe this is not an issue for the Neocell Radiance Serum because it is packaged in an opaque bottle.

All-in-all, I was impressed by the science of the Neocell Radiance Serum's  time-released micro-capsule of powerful ingredients. I believe the price is extremely reasonable, which means that taking care of your skin is affordable. You have NO excuses to not use a daily serum now....Your welcome ;)



What is your favorite serum? What are the must-have ingredients you look for in a serum?

Shop the Post:

Neocell Radiance Serum, 1 fl oz, $13 via vitacost.com

Ingredients: Water, phospholipids, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin e), ascorbyl palmitate, soluble collagen, acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer, isohexadecane, polysorbate 80, butylene glycol, xanthan gum, tyrosine, proline, cysteine, zinc chloride, ethylhexylglycerin, phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, disodium EDTA.

Sources:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2923951/
http://www.m.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/beauty-smarts-serums-jan13?page=4