Drugstore

Remember: Exfoliate During Winter

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Exfoliate During Winter

Many people do not exfoliate during winter or, if they do, it takes a back seat to other things. Once the cold sets in and we start piling layer upon layer, some eschew certain grooming procedures (like shaving). There seems to be a notion of, “Why does it matter? I’m all covered up anyway/everyone looks blah during winter!”

I challenge that line of thinking. To think of exfoliation (or even hair removal) as a chore you have to get out of the way in order to bare some skin is looking at it all wrong. That is ludicrous – you don’t just stop bathing as often in winter, do you?

Exfoliate During Winter

…because exfoliation isn’t a seasonal or, “do it once-in-a-while,” skincare behavior. It:

  • gets rid of dead skin (ew) and promotes cellular turnover
  • makes skin appear more radiant
  • makes skin look and feel smoother
  • can minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
  • evens out skintone
  • facially, removes with sebaceous filaments
  • bodily, prevents or frees ingrown hairs
  • preps the skin for hair removal
  • improves the efficacy of other skincare products (like serums)
  • prevent and minimize the impact of blemishes

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Invisalign Oral Hygiene Series :: Mouthwash

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Invisalign Oral Hygiene Series :: Mouthwash

Mouthwash

In my opinion, mouthwash or mouth rinse is not a critical part of an oral hygiene routine. You can have healthy teeth and a healthy mouth without it. That said, with my cavity-prone teeth, I do like to use it. Right now, I’m being a little extreme keeping three varieties on hand. See which ones and why.

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First Look: As Seen on TV Kiss InstaWave Automatic Curler

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First Look: As Seen on TV Kiss InstaWave Automatic CurlerAs Seen on TV Kiss InstaWave Automatic Curler

I had seen the Beachwaver. It’s a lovely-looking device and gets great reviews. That said, there is a ceiling on how much I’m willing to spend on a product I’m just curious about and don’t have a yearning for. What they want for the Beachwaver far exceeds that, so it was never on my radar as a possibility. Later, when I was treating myself a bit before the holidays I came across a handsome deal on the Kiss InstaWave automated curler…which is an As Seen on TV product.

As far as I’m concerned, there are two As Seen on TV products worth the time of day. The first is Oxi Clean (I use unscented) and the second are Turbie Twists (so cheap, so useful). $25 wasn’t a huge risk for me, though, and I had a gift card – so I decided to bite.

Benefits

Kiss pitches the following benefits from using the InstaWave curler:

  • Tangle-Free Curling
  • Stress-Free Styling*
  • No Skills Needed

If it’s true, sign me up. I’m about as hair inept as they come. For now, color me skeptical; I’m not sure a rotating barrel + long hair = truly stress free, though. Not at first, anyway.

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Invisalign Oral Hygiene Series :: Floss

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Invisalign Oral Hygiene Series :: Floss

Floss

Are you one of those people who doesn’t floss as directed? I was, too…and then I got Invisalign. I used a water flosser for years but wasn’t consistent with traditional floss. Your hygienist isn’t misleading you, though; if you’re avoiding flossing due to discomfort or bleeding then consistent, daily flossing will make that go away after a brief adjustment period.

Oral-B Pro-Health Deep Clean (silver pack!)

In my mind, there’s only one floss. There are several in this line, including a Pro-Health Multi-Protection Floss sold in bulk packs at Costco. Unfortunately, that one is nowhere near as good (it shreds) as the Pro-Health Deep Clean.

WaterPik Water Flosser

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Invisalign Oral Hygiene Series :: Toothpaste

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Favorite Toothpaste

Toothpaste

Even an amazing toothbrush doesn’t get you far without a good toothpaste! Toothpaste should be slightly abrasive and have some sort of restorative property (i.e., fluoride or xylitol). Here are my favorites.

Crest Complete Whitening Expressions Extreme Herbal Mint

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Invisalign Oral Hygiene Series :: Aligner Tray Cleaning

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Invisalign Aligner Tray Cleaning

Aligner Tray Cleaning

Let’s face it, mouths are gross – even when you aren’t eating or drinking, that means your trays can be gross too. Brushing your aligner trays with your toothbrush keeps them clean throughout the day. In addition, I like to perform a daily deep clean to keep them clear and fresh – especially since I occasionally partake of (unsweetened, no dairy!) cold brew coffee with my trays in. After all, coffee-stained trays aren’t terribly invisible. If your goal is to prevent people from knowing you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, you need to become a zealot about tray cleaning.

Personally, I’m fine with people knowing I have Invisalign – but I still obviously want my aligner tryas to be clean and crystal clear. These items help me achieve that.

Method Fragrance Free Soap

Although you can definitely just use toothpaste on your trays, I prefer to rinse my toothbrush of paste and use an abrasive-free liquid soap for tray cleaning. Method’s fragrance- and dye-free gel hand wash is perfect for this purpose. At only $5-6 for a 34oz bag, this is inexpensive to boot.

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