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Author: Margit Rüdiger

CultureAndCream Author from Munich To travel during my profession as a beauty journalist was never enough for my. Also my six month on a world trip didn't do it. It always attracts me to other cities, foreign countries, on roadtrips and places I don't know yet. But I am not only interested in "culture" and "cream", I am also fascinated by people who have stories to tell .  Such unique experiences I want to share with you.

Tested for you: Anti Aging Cream „Le Privilège La Crème“ from Rivoli

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A personal trainer for my skin. I’ve wanted one for a long time. What keeps my body firm is what my face has been lacking. I’ve been bothered for a long time by slackening contours and the one wrinkle that appears above my upper lip. That’s why the “personal trainer” concept of Rivoli’s new anti-aging skincare made me curious. I was allowed to test “La Crème” before it was launched earlier this month. “Le Privilège La Crème is the jewel of the Rivoli range. A clean and extra-sensory anti-aging power treatment scientifically formulated to offer the best of Rivoli’s efficacy, technology and innovation to mature and demanding skin.”Kuno and Peter Schweikert, company founder I wanted to know even more about the new anti aging power product. It is based on the core of the entire Rivoli line, namely the patented ASPRivoli® technology (Advanced Skin Precursor Technology). It uses specific active ingredients to help the skin regain its natural abilities and restore its protective and repair mechanisms. Help for self-help, you could say. Which brings us straight to the personal (skin) trainer. Because the technology is so intelligent that it stimulates the cells to call up active substances only when they are actually needed. This rules out the possibility of over-caring or over-saturating the skin. The anti aging activists “La Crème” contains a highly effective cocktail of anti aging activists: for example, a newly developed peptide-based elastin booster shapes and firms the tissue by stimulating elastin synthesis. Also of interest is an extract from Commiphora mukul, an Indian tree that belongs to the myrrh family and is known and proven in Ayurvedic medicine. To improve tissue volume, this powerful “volumizer” specifically targets adipocytes (subcutaneous lipids). In this way, fine lines and wrinkles are reduced and the face is visibly plumped up. Nourishing oils are naturally components of the texture, as are squalane and shea butter, which inhibit water loss and strengthen the natural protective barrier. What I also find important: The anti aging product is formulated clean, free of silicones, parabens, PEG and microplastics – and vegan.  My 6 weeks test We lose about 40,000 skin cells per minute. At the same time, just as many are created again. Due to the constant formation of new basal cells in the lowest layer of the epidermis, the cells above are constantly pushed further upwards, where they slowly dry out, become keratinized and form the uppermost horny layer of the skin.… weiterlesen

Buy Perfume by Mouse Click – Does it Really Work?

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Online sales figures have now also risen in the perfume sector. But does that really work if you want to buy a fragrance that you’ve never smelled before? Fragrance search engines or fragrance finders are supposed to help you avoid making the wrong purchase. The global market volume for perfume is estimated at around 46.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2021. The proportion of fragrances sold online is just as high as in bricks-and-mortar retail. It averages around 40 percent. But who is the target group for online fragrance order? “It makes sense, for example, for people who reorder their perfume,” says Martin Ruppmann, Managing Director of the Association of Distributors of Cosmetic Products (VKE). One would assume that mainly people in rural regions would use the option of online platforms so as not to have to travel to the city specifically. This is contradicted by the experience of Berlin-based start-up Flaconi, which says it was able to triple its sales last year: “Rural dwellers may have further distances to travel, but big city dwellers have less time.” Avoid Internet mis-purchases Shopping online is convenient and saves time. To avoid disappointment when choosing a new perfume, it is important to choose a reputable online store. Especially in digital perfume shopping, it is easy to fall for fakes. Especially via platforms such as Amazon and Ebay, third-party dealers, usually based abroad, offer alleged brand fragrances at a lower price. At first glance, a well-made fake is often not even recognizable as such. Not at all in photos, because the packaging and logo are sometimes perfectly copied. And as far as the online platform is concerned, it offers no guarantee whatsoever that the product delivered to your home is actually an original one. What you then hold in your hand and spray onto your skin is often not only visually different from the original. It smells different and sometimes also contains inferior ingredients that can cause skin irritations and allergies. Not only industry giants like Douglas or Sephora sell their perfumes online. In times of pandemic, even many small perfumeries have established an online store. If you want to support companies that you are not familiar with, you should check the imprint in each case before ordering. It is crucial that the company’s registered office shows a real, stationary address. This is not only mandatory for every online store in Germany, but also makes it less costly to return the perfume if you are not satisfied.… weiterlesen

Tested for you: „Rio Deo“ from Sol de Janeiro

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I have to admit, this brand has always been on my positive list. Why? I like Rio de Janeiro as a world metropolis and I love the scent of Sol de Janeiro products. It smells like the city at the Sugarloaf Mountain, it smells like the beach and the sun. It’s the scent of Cheirosa 62 with its delicious notes of pistachio and salted caramel. In Brazil, “cheirosa” means smelling incredibly good and being in a good mood. And who doesn’t want that, to feel cheirosa all day long. Therefore, I was delighted when a package arrived at my office with the brand new “Rio Deo” for testing. The stick is aluminum-free and combines deodorant with care. In fact, one to two swipes are enough to feel pleasantly fresh all day. And that combined with the natural but powerful ingredients of the deodorant, which offer several benefits at once. Rio Deo: 5 powerful ingredients Citrus acid ester neutralizes bacteria before they are formed. The enzymes that cause the unpleasant odor cannot develop in the first place. Papaya enzymes they act as a gentle exfoliator. They remove dead skin cells and prevent hair from growing in. Since provides an even skin tone. Coconut oil not only softens and moisturizes the skin. It also has healing and antimicrobial properties. Mango seed butter prevents razor burn, soothes underarms and strengthens the skin barrier. Tapioca starch from the Brazilian cassava plant absorbs excess moisture and keeps the armpits wonderfully dry. Rio Deo: the scent But the most beautiful thing about “Rio Deo” for me is the scent. Sniffing it in the morning immediately puts you in a good mood, even on dull days. The ingredients of Cheirosa 62: Top notes – pistachio, almond. Heart notes – heliotrope, jasmine. Base notes – vanilla, salted caramel, sandalwood. Last but not least – the Brazilian Baby Tip: If you shower in the evening, you can make Rio Deo part of your evening skincare routine. Apply before going to bed and let the active ingredients work overnight. Your bedfellow will be delighted! „Rio Deo“ from Sol de Janeiro, 2oz, 16 US$… weiterlesen

Tested for you: Body Lotion „Better Aging“ from Natalie’s Cosmetic

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Dr. Natalie Lindner‘s Munich-based Doctor Brand specializes in body care products. That’s quite an advantage over the “we-can-do-everything” brands. “I’ve been a self-proclaimed skincare junkie since I was 15 and have always strived to create a body care brand that matches the high standards of facial care companies,” says the physician. Environmentally conscious and consumer-friendly Natalie’s products are free from parabens, PEGs, mineral oil, sodium lauryl sulfates (aggressive surfactants), silicones, colorants, fillers, allergens and substances of animal origin. To best protect the environment, it uses R-PET & FSC certified recycled paper for its packaging and recycled HDPE for its bottles. It sources all ingredients from Germany and makes a point of ensuring that they are evidence-based and that their efficacy has been proven through studies. Body lotions for every need The portfolio includes five body lotions for “Hydration”, “Better Aging”, “Glow”, “Smooth” for ingrown hairs and “Purity” for blemishes. I chose the “Better Aging” body lotion because it is supposed to fight several signs of aging at once, such as wrinkles, loss of elasticity and hyperpigmentation. In addition to the anti-aging vitamins A, C, E, it contains moisturizing active ingredients such as multi-molecular hyaluronic acid and squalane, nourishing organic shea butter and cell-renewing substances such as glycolic acid and bakuchiol, the plant-based alternative to retinol. Care mission fulfilled The consistency of the body lotion is pleasant, neither too liquid nor too creamy. It spreads well and is absorbed quickly. You can dress immediately without fear of stains on the fabric. In fact, the skin, especially my dry shins and upper arms, feels smoother after the first application. Well, of course, glycolic acid and retinol remove the dead skin cells. And with that, I’m already very satisfied when the skin looks and feels smoother. In addition, “Better Aging” is also supposed to improve wrinkles, scars and stretch marks on the body. However, I can not serve with that… „Better Aging Body Lotion“ from Natalie’s Cosmetic, 300 ml, 179 Euro… weiterlesen

Body Acne – Typical In Winter!

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Especially in winter, acne on the body is in high season. It really blossoms. The blemishes appear especially on the décolleté, upper arms, back and buttocks. But they are far more than just a visual problem. On the body, the pimples really hurt when clothing rubs against them. Why do we always talk about “blossom” and “bloom” in connection with acne, although the appearance has nothing at all to do with the beauty of a flower? Experts still argue about the etymology of the term acne. It could be derived from the Greek word “akmé”. On the one hand it means “point, sharpness, cutting edge”, on the other hand it also means “blossom, maturity, climax”. In any case, it refers to a skin rash that is based on excessive sebum production and a cornification disorder. Causes for acne on the body “The causes of acne on the body are similar to those of facial acne,” explains Andrew Alexis, M.D., Master of Sciences Public Health at Weill Cornell College in New York. These include inflammatory processes in the skin, increased oil production, sebum and dead skin cells clogging hair follicles. However, the main culprit is a specific acne bacterium called Cutibacterium. Body acne is mainly triggered by sweat and oil. Tight-fitting clothing exacerbates the problem, which is why many athletes and sportsmen suffer from it. In men, shoulders, back, chest and buttocks are also mostly affected by the festering pustules. In women, body acne often occurs during hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or menopause, because the sebaceous glands then work more actively. Why body acne, also known as truncal acne, predominantly appears in the described zones is due to the sebaceous glands, which are larger in these areas. Autumn and winter are particularly predestined for body acne, because then several external factors are added: As outdoor temperatures drop, we heat up more and wear sweaters, scarves and warm jackets. This makes the skin drier and more sensitive. It literally gets no more air, and pimples sprout. Therefore, especially in the acne-prone areas, do not wear tight-fitting clothing and avoid fabrics that rub. The skin must be able to breathe. Stress makes body acne worse Diet can affect acne on the body, but it does not have to. Nevertheless clinical studies have shown that avoiding dairy products and foods with a high glycemic index (white flour, sugar, corn, potatoes) can reduce blemishes.Dr. Whitney Bowe, New York dermatologist and author of the book “The Beauty of Dirty Skin,” sees a close connection between the gut, brain and skin.… weiterlesen

Tested for you: “Hair Serum” from Doctor Duve Medical Skin Care

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The “Hair Serum” that I present today is not a new product. But for me for years the best proven helper for beautiful, strong hair. Especially in winter, I always apply the hair serum cure over two to three months. Hair loss is not an issue for me and should never become one. I simply want to prevent it. However, I notice that in the cold season my hair is simply laxer and collapses faster. A clear sign that the roots can use a booster. Non-greasy hair serum In the morning and evening I distribute two to three pipette strokes in the hair and gently massage the hair serum with my fingertips in circular motions. Works perfectly in both wet and dry hair, because the watery liquid is not greasy.The fact that the hair visibly and noticeably grows back more vital and also stronger, is due to the better supply of the scalp by the contained Growth Factors, key ingredient of the Doctor Duve product line. Caffeine additionally stimulates the activity of the hair roots. A proven combination of urea, organic acids such as lactic acid, glycine, niacinamide and fructose ensures permanent moisturization of the scalp. As a result, the hair roots are anchored again stronger, remain healthy and active longer. Strengthening for hair and nails If I have the feeling that I would like to do something more for my hair, I also swallow two of the “Hair & Nail Booster” capsules from the Doctor Duve line every day. They strengthen the hair and the nails at the same time. “Unlike conventional monoextract preparations, they contain a triplet of different millet extracts. This triplet impresses with its excellent quality and consistent concentration. Furthermore, millet is particularly rich in silica and linoleic acid,” explains Dr. Stefan Duve, dermatologist in Munich.Other “goodies” in the capsules include sufficient vitamins, trace elements, and structural minerals and proteins, which play an important role in strengthening hair and nails. Doctor Duve Medical Skin Care: „Hair Serum“, 30 ml, 70 € , „Hair & Nail Booster“, 60 Kapseln, 40 €… weiterlesen

My Personal Review of 2021

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When I review the past year in my head, I have to say that it was pretty well balanced. Positive and negative experiences balanced each other out. The best first. Finally I got a dog, a new checkmark on my life wish list was due. In September Byron, a little Airedale Terrier was born. Exactly eight weeks later we were allowed to take him home. He has turned my life upside down, but he has also enriched it. Byron simply gives us all a lot of joy. Review: bella Italia The universe, or rather the Fattoria La Vialla in Arezzo, also fulfilled another of my life’s wishes. I was allowed to help with the olive harvest in Tuscany and afterwards eat and celebrate with all the helpers and the La Vialla family between the olive trees at a long table with red checkered tablecloths. I met wonderful people and got to know them better, made new friendships for which I am grateful. I also take comfort in the fact that a long-time friend and companion, or so I thought at least, has not been in touch for over a year and has not responded to my messages. Probably she is too busy in her dog supply company and has long forgotten me. Review: a celebrity breaking her word There were more severe disappointments, especially at the professional level. Writing a book is not new territory for me. I had already written one with the German ex-TV presenter Nina Ruge, so I agreed to take on another assignment from her. She wanted me to be her co-author this time. Even though there was only a verbal agreement with her and the publishing company for the time being, I started working and was looking forward to the book because it was an interesting topic, I thought. It was about aging and how to keep your organism young longer with the latest Longevity research. I looked for interview partners, researched and evaluated studies. Hundreds of pages had to be transcribed by me because the auto-transcription system still has major weaknesses for medical texts. The contract from the publisher was still waiting weeks later. Out of the blue I was informed that Ms. Ruge would prefer to write the book alone and that I should only “supply”. In return, however, I would be named in the book under “collaboration”. A bitter disappointment for me – combined with less money.… weiterlesen

This Is How I Got The Dog

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In the meantime our puppy dog arrived at our house. No, not with Amazon or DHL. We picked him up in Bad Sooden-Allendorf in Germany’s border triangle Hesse-Thuringia-Lower Saxony personally from an Airedale Terrier breeder. Means a trip of a 1000 kilometers there and back. My husband was already traveling by car in the region on business. Therefore I had to fly. In Paderborn he picked me up at the airport. Journey with obstacles A tedious journey for me: getting up at 3:30 a.m., taking the S-Bahn from our home on the Ammersee to Munich Airport. Planned departure 7.45 h. Unfortunately not. The plane was defective. Replacement plane had to be cleaned and refueled first. But the delay was within limits. In the car on the way to the breeder I made up for an hour of sleep while my husband was driving. Three weeks earlier we were there in the beautiful forest house in the middle of a forest for the first time to choose our dog. Five females and five males had the litter of Airedale Terrier bitch Ruby. To be honest, it was not us who chose the little male, but he chose us. It was like this: When I entered the kennel, all the puppies curiously came running towards me. Only one remained standing apart. He looked at me from a distance and raised his right paw as if to say “hello, here I am“. When I then lured him, he came running to me. From then on, his and my fate were sealed. The little lord Our little Airedale is called Byron, after Lord Byron. I hope his lordship in heaven is not angry with me for that. But I devoured the poems and the “Don Juan” of the English poet as a teenager. Of course, friends are allowed to say Byron without the title to my little furry nose. Hahaha… Although Byron’s pedigree is long and noble, he is behaving anything but “lordly” in his new home. This dog eats everything, especially shoes, enthusiastically uses his milk teeth on me because he does not yet understand that human skin is more sensitive than the fur of his siblings, with whom he has been fooling around so far. A hanging plant has already fallen victim to him. Our living room is temporarily carpet-free, because he always peed on the most expensive with enthusiasm. Of course our dog is not house-trained yet.… weiterlesen

Tested for you: „Ultra Light Sun Block SPF 50+“ from Team Dr. Joseph

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About this Sun Block I was particularly excited, because I simply love the products from Team Dr. Joseph. Since 1986, they have been a successful symbiosis of high-tech and nature. Here, technological know-how is combined with highly effective, natural raw materials. And the people behind them are simply likeable. I got to know and appreciate the founder Dr. Joseph Franz and his sons myself in South Tyrol. UV protection without whitening effect It was therefore a special pleasure to try out the new product, a sunscreen for summer and winter, myself. Especially with UV protection with factor 50+ I am very critical. Mostly I am bothered by the well-known whitening effect of mineral UV filters (“inorganic” or “physical filters”). These are usually mineral white pigments (e.g. zinc or titanium), which lie on the skin like small mirrors and reflect the UV light. In addition, many of these products feel heavy and pappy already when applied. In this respect, the “Ultra Light Sun Block” with SPF 50+ has positively surprised me. The cream comes delicately liquid from the dispenser, is light, absorbs super quickly and does not whiten the surface. The skin neither feels dry nor shines unpleasantly. Because biotechnological hyaluronic acid provides intense moisture, it can smooth wrinkles and fine lines. Also protects from Blue Light You can tell that the product is not a “quick fix”. Four years of intensive research and development have gone into the innovative combination of different sun filters. It offers broadband protection against UVA and UVB rays and also protects against the harmful effects of artificial light (HEV rays). High Energy Visible – i.e. high-energy visible light – often referred to as Blue Light, is what we consume every day via cell phone, tablet or computer. But these are by no means all the high-tech natural goodies that are contained in the light Sun Block: Wild carrot can prevent premature skin aging, has a firming effect, protects cells, soothes and is rich in vitamins. Just like tocopherol (natural vitamin E), sea buckthorn is considered an effective antioxidant, which also supports collagen production and thus has a smoothing effect. Also a radical scavenger, even with anti-blue-light effect, is butterfly bush. Allantoin and mallow soothe and smooth the skin, making it supple. It is best to apply the UV protection over the day cream to the face, neck and décolleté all year round, as required. Always allow the day cream to absorb well first.… weiterlesen
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Do We Wash Our Skin Too Often?

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We wash, shower, bathe, exfoliate and brush our bodies. Some of it we do every day. According to statistics, 84 percent shower, bathe or wash from head to toe at least once a day. But is all this really so healthy for our skin, or are we overdoing it with hygiene? “We simply wash ourselves too often,” already complained a very well-known skin professor. Hagen Tronnier headed the Institute for Experimental Dermatology at the University of Witten/Herdecke until his death (2019). He confirmed: Any kind of skin cleansing destroys the natural acid mantle of fat and water, which forms the outermost layer of the epidermis. Extensive contact with water flushes out the very fats that seal the horny layer like a kind of cement between the cells and make it waterproof. They are also known as barrier lipids. If this barrier is no longer intact, the skin loses moisture and becomes drier. Harmful microorganisms can penetrate more easily. In healthy skin, it takes about 30 minutes for the acid mantle to renew itself. In contrast, the regeneration of the epidermal lipids can take many hours. Extremely dry or even damaged skin can show signs of eczema after just a few days. Pay attention to the ingredients in syndets There is a very simple formula for body cleansing with water: not too long, not too hot and preferably soap-free. The water temperature should not exceed 39 degrees, otherwise skin lipids will dissolve. Dermatologists advise using slightly acidic syndets with synthetic washing-active substances. But here too, pay attention to the ingredients. The label should say “soap-free” or “syndet.” The active washing substances in syndets, known as surfactants, are less harmful to the skin, but should be tailored to the skin type. The surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate (sodium laureth sulfate), which is frequently used, can irritate already very sensitive skin even more. Sodium lauryl ether sulfate (sodium laureth sulfate), which is also frequently used, is more tolerable. However, those with acne and oily skin are well served by the former. Shower gels that cleanse with skin-friendly sugar surfactants (alkyl polyglucosides such as capryl glucoside or coco glucoside) but hardly foam are also particularly suitable for sensitive skin. For the hypersensitive mucous membrane in the intimate area, the following applies: water is sufficient or, if necessary, use special cleansing products. What’s wrong with soaps? Classic soaps usually contain substances such as coconut oil, beef tallow or palm oil.… weiterlesen