Puruskin Derma Roller Advanced Body Kit: A Review

Derma rollers are sort of all the hype right now. They're super affordable and the benefits are said to be endless- I've seen the results of derma rollers, and they can help everything from scars to breakouts, fine lines and deep wrinkles. Sure, maybe it doesn't feel all that comfortable... But we all know that beauty is pain, right ladies?

The concept of the derma roller is pretty wild, although not too different from many medical spa grade beautifying techniques . Basically, the derma roller is going to puncture your skin with hundreds of microscopic wounds. Remember, I said microscopic ! Don't freak! By creating these tony wounds, little tiny healers are activated to heal said wound. And that's the brilliant part of derma rollers. Using a derma roller once or twice a week is said to dramatically help reduce fine lines, scars, and hyperpigmentation. In theory, this makes sense.

The key to derma rolling is doing it correctly. This means to apply the derma roller straight up and down, left and right, and diagonally. This ensures that, well, to put it simply, your skin is injured enough. 

You can use your derma roller after cleansing and toning, while your skin is still damp. I like to use it after applying a serum, as serums are uber concentrated. Since i have super fair, sensitive skin, I Iike to use my derma roller at night, so I don't look crazy going outside with weird, red lines around my face. It doesn't take long to use the derma roller at all- maybe 5 minutes or so- and you really just lightly glide the roller across your skin- no pressure needed. After using my roller, I always follow up with a high quality moisturizer--- derma rollers help products absorb better too!!! Note:: if you're thinking of using a retinol cream immediately after, you may want to think again, as this is likely to sting a lot. 

There are loads of derma rollers out there, but I really love the one by Puruskin. Their kit contains three different sized heads that easily attach to the handle- one is for the creases around your nose and eye area, the next for the rest of your face, while the other, largest roller head is for larger areas, such as the body. It's pretty ideal. 

You can purchase Puruskin's total body derma roller kit here on amazon for $26.97, wayyyyyy below the price of any spa treatment ! 

Alite Advanced LED Plant Grow Light: A Review

I try hard with my plants. I really do. In an ideal world, I would have this amazing herb garden, filled with lemon balm and lavender, rosemary and mint plants sprouting everywhere. In reality, I live in the northeast, where my "garden" consists of a few windowsills of a few puny plants that just can't seem to get enough sunlight.

It seems that nearly everyone in my town is deficient in vitamin D- because, duh, sunlight. Here, it's like "sunlight? What's that?" And so, not only do so many of us need to take vitamin D supplements and use that as an awful excuse to go tanning (gasp!! Don't worry- I would never), but our seasonal depression is sky high. Maybe it's because we don't have enough plants.

In reality, the only way out of this mess is to treat our plants with some light of their own- lord knows they aren't getting it here. That's why this LED light is awesome, because it really, really helps to get your plants growing in an otherwise impossible environment.

Here's what they have to say about their lamp:

The 12W LED Plant Grow Light has been optimized to produce the most efficient wavelengths of light to produce peak photosynthesis performance in your garden plants. The Grow Light has been manufactured in a precise Heat Sink to generate the least amount of heat and therefore prevent any damage to your Garden Plants. Due to the consistent Light Production and refined Light Wavelength using the Grow Lamp will maximize your Plant Growth. 12 LED Lights in precise arrangement to improve Growth across all plants. With the supremely efficient LEDs, low heat generation and optimized Light Wavelengths the 12W Grow Light is the perfect option for Indoor Growing.

Sounds good to me. After figuring out how to set up this thing, I finally managed to hang it above my sad plants- the lavender, lemongrass, rosemary (that has been hanging on by a thread for literally about a year. That thing will not give up!), even my aloe and stone crop plant. I'm not sure if the latter really need it, since succulents are pretty resistant anyway. But, I swear that even they looked more perky and happy after using this lamp! I turn it off at night, of course, just because. But, even a few hours of light each day seems to really help these plants get the artificial sunshine that they need!

It's the next best thing to living in a tropical, sunshine-filled environment. But hey, I'll take it! You can purchase your Alite Advanced LED Plant Grow light for $24.99 on amazon, right here. The list price is $79.99, so take advantage of quite the steal!

Vita Sciences Maxasorb Melatonin Cream: A Review

As someone that tries to utilize herbal remedies before pharmacological ones, I'm all about the melatonin when I have trouble sleeping. Melatonin is very well known for helping with sleep. I know a ton of people that use it successfully and, generally, it doesn't have many side effects. It is typically taken as a supplement, so when Vita Sciences sent me a bottle of their melatonin cream to review, I was super intrigued.

Here's what Vita Sciences has to say about their product:

Melatonin is the hormone that controls daily day-night cycles of sleep. Some sleep disorders, such as insomnia and Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS), are attributed to low melatonin levels. Travelers suffering from jet lag and swing shift workers may also benefit from supplemented melatonin. As we age our bodies do not make sufficient melatonin. Sleep enhancement is possible in healthy people as well with additional melatonin that may:

* Decrease the time needed to fall asleep;
* Increase sleepiness;
* Increase sleep duration.

Each measured dose of Maxasorb Melatonin lotion from our airless dispenser delivers 3 milligrams of melatonin with a full press of the pump. Just before bedtime, rub the easily absorbed, odorless lotion on your arms or legs. For travelers trying to ease the effects of jet lag, apply Maxasorb™ Melatonin lotion the day of travel close to the target bedtime at your destination. This will aid in falling asleep faster, improves alertness during the day, and reduces daytime fatigue. Use the product throughout the trip and for a week after return to help your body readjust its natural sleep cycle. Natural ingredients assure this lotion is gentle to your skin.

This stuff is interesting for many reasons. For one, its super convenient... think about it. Say you're having trouble getting to sleep and are tossing and turning in bed, but just don't feel like getting up to grab a glass of water and fishing around for your herbal supplements. Since this stuff is a cream, all you need is some cream and your hand. They say that one pump is equivalent to 3 mg of melatonin, which is pretty great. Most people only need a pump  (or two) to help get to sleep. So convenient!

I actually think this stuff works really great, though I was definitely skeptical at first. I mean, who uses a cream instead of an oral supplement when it comes to sleep aids? It makes so much sense though, and that velvety smooth texture is comforting and soothing. After applying this cream (just one pump!) for a few nights in a row, I definitely have noticed a deeper, smooth sleep. In addiiton, I wake up feeling totally refreshed!

You can purchase Vita Sciences melatonin cream for just  $19.95 (normally $29.95!) right here.