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Keep it Simple

Category: Dry skin,anti aging,anti wrinkle,cleansing,cosmetics,cream,exfoliation,men,moisturizing,nourishing,skin care,solar protection — March 17th, 2011

Most of us use around a dozen beauty products each and every day. With such a wide range of products available ranging from anti wrinkle creams to body lotions, it can be hard to keep your beauty routine simple. If we purchase products without assistance and are hoping for instant results, we usually go back to the store to purchase another product, leading to a cabinet that is bursting with products.

In order to help keep your cabinets from overflowing with lotions and creams, we’ve developed some tips to help you out.
 
Ask For Help
 
Whether you’re in a huge department store or at your local pharmacy, look for someone to assist you. These people should be trained to help you find the right product for whatever needs you may have.
 
If you are shopping online try to get in touch with a customer service representative. Remember to ask every question that comes to your mind.
 
Asking for help is important especially if you have a specific skin care concern. Although you may find a possible solution at the store, you may need to see a professional, like a dermatologist for certain issues. Without seeing a professional you may be using products with ingredients that your skin simply does not need.
 
Read and Follow Directions
Those leaflets or brochures are there for a reason. Read them carefully. This is best way to get the most out of the product.
 
Don’t Overuse
Sometimes we think that the more we use, the quicker we’ll see results. In most cases this isn’t the case. If the product’s directions read “take a small portion” just do that. Applying a product excessively may affect the absorption of active ingredients, possibly clog pores and in the case of peelings and exfoliates, harm your skin.
 
Also, if a product is intended for a particular time of day, use it during that indicated time. Your night cream will work better when you go to bed because your skin reacts differently at night than during the day.
 
Stick with the Basics
If you have a specific skin problem you are trying to tackle, definitely look for a product suited to your need. However, if you are looking to simplify your routine make sure you always have: a daily cleanser, a weekly exfoliate, a moisturizing cream with an SPF for the daytime and a nourishing/anti wrinkle cream. No matter how specific or sophisticated your skin care routine becomes these four skin care products should be with you wherever you go.
 
Have something to add to the list? What are you doing to spring clean your beauty cabinet? Let us know! Feel free to send us any questions or comments below or by reaching us on Facebook or Twitter. 
 
Image: Elizabeth/Table4Five, "My Personal Storage area" , January 31 2007,via Flickr Creative Commons Attribution.

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Tips to Help You Sleep Like a Baby

Category: Health,cleansing,cosmetics,cream,de-stress,fitness,men,relaxation,skin care,sleeping,workout — March 10th, 2011

It’s National Sleep Awareness Week and you’ve probably heard or read about the benefits a good night’s rest has on your skin along with your overall well-being.

To help you get a good night’s sleep we’ve compiled this list of tips. Following these will help you sleep like a baby and help revitalize your skin to its radiant best.
 
Here go a few recommendations for a de-stressing night rest:
 
· Start your bedtime routine by cleansing and applying a night cream before going to bed. It will help get rid of the toxins your skin has accumulated and get your skin ready for the next day.
 
· Don’t use electronic devices immediately before getting in bed. A recent poll by The National Sleep Foundation found 95% of Americans use some kind of technology an hour before they go to sleep. It is scientifically proven this can negatively affect a person’s ability to fall asleep and get the proper amount of sleep they need.
 
· Try aromatherapy. If you find it hard to fall asleep there are scents that can help you. Some studies show specific scents like lavender, chamomile and bergamot can create a sense of relaxation in the body.
 
· Get a good massage. A good massage helps your muscles stretch leading to some great relaxation. Don’t have someone to give you a massage? Try doing some simple yoga stretches.
 
· Say no to those late-night snacks. Reaching bed with practically no digestive activity will make your metabolic shut down faster. The digestive process involves involuntary activity of specific muscles in the digestive tract that demands energy and doesn’t allow your organism to quickly reach its rest threshold.
 
·  Workout at least twice a week. Physical activity plays a significant role in the regulation of rest mechanisms. By being active you accelerate your metabolism and you keep your weight under control. Being overweight affects your breathing, which makes it harder to fall asleep (not to mention keeping your partner awake).
 
Remember, your skin cells are constantly battling against UV radiation, pollution, the weather, air conditioning, makeup and fluctuating stress hormones throughout the day. Getting enough sleep every night allows for the skin cells, along with other cells in our body, to reset their metabolic mechanisms for the following day. The result: a rejuvenated you on the inside and out.
 
What tips do you have to get a good night’s rest? Feel free to let us know. Also, feel free to send us any questions regarding this or any other skin care topic by leaving a comment below. Don’t forget you can also reach us on Facebook or Twitter. 
 
Image: chimothy27, "Bed Baby" , September 20 2008,via Flickr Creative Commons Attribution.

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Be Patient and Stick With It!

Category: aging,anti aging,cosmetics,cream,men,moisturizing,nourishing,nutrition,skin care — March 2nd, 2011

Let’s face it. Applying a moisturizer or anti wrinkle cream haphazardly won’t slow down the signs of aging. Quite simply, it takes discipline and patience to get beautiful skin.
 
Unfortunately, in our results oriented society, we sometimes get discouraged when we don’t see results right away. What we need to keep in mind is that these specialized products take time to work.
 
When using a new product, make sure to integrate it to your already existing skin care routine. If you are using a product at a time of day you weren’t using previously, like at night, give yourself a reminder to use it. You won’t know if a product is working correctly if you don’t apply it as directed.
 
If you invest a little time and effort to find the right combination of good quality skin care products and use them consistently, your skin will reap the benefits.
 
Keep in mind that if you aren’t seeing results within several months, it may be time to try a different product. Skin care products don’t work overnight, but they shouldn’t take years to work as well.
 
How do you remind yourself to stick with your skin care routine? How long does it take before you give up on a product? Let us know. Also, feel free to send us any questions by leaving a comment below. Don’t forget you can also reach us on Facebook or Twitter. 
 
Image: vmiramontes, "139/365 Eye Cream 051909" , May 19 2009,via Flickr Creative Commons Attribution.

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Daily Cleansing: A Skin Care Must

Category: cleansing,skin care — January 25th, 2011

Our faces are always exposed to elements like dirt and pollutants each and every day. Cleansing the skin of these impurities along with dead skin cells and makeup will help your skin remain healthy. And healthy skin means younger looking skin.

The skin gets nutrients in two ways: consumption and absorption. The blood delivers vital substances, like oxygen and vitamins, to our skin. This is why keeping a healthy and balanced diet is so important for your skin. Remember, you are what you eat!

Our skin also absorbs nutrients through the products we apply to it. However, if the skin is not clean, the moisturizing creams and lotions that you apply to your face get contaminated. Think of it like your skin eating junk food. Gross! This is why cleansing your skin daily is a must.

Since a cleansing product is something your will apply every day, it is important to choose one that fits your type of skin. All cleansing creams and lotions contain an ingredient that is capable of delicately wiping out debris, rests of makeup and impurities. Such ingredients are called surfactants and, depending on their quality of the product, they can be a bit harsh on sensitive skin. Keep an eye out for non-ionic surfactants, these tend to be a bit gentler on the skin.

Keeping your skin clean will allow you to get the most out of the good stuff in your moisturizer. The end result: beautiful and youthful skin.

If have questions or comments about cleansing or other skin care issues, please leave them below. You can also send us a Tweet or write on our Facebook wall. 

Image: Kenna Takanhashi, "Day 357" via Flickr Creative Commons Attribution.

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The Importance of Makeup Removal

Category: Dry skin,Health,anti aging,anti wrinkle,cleansing,cosmetics,cream,makeup,makeup removal,moisturizing,skin care — January 18th, 2011

Millions of women use makeup each and every day for a variety of reasons. Although most makeup formulations are friendlier to the pores, they can still clog them up, especially if worn for long periods of time. This is why it’s incredibly important to remove your makeup every night before you go to bed.

The importance of doing this is quite simple. It comes down to your skins ability to detoxify itself. While we sleep, our body naturally eliminates toxins through the pores. If the pores are covered up, the detoxifying process doesn’t occur as it should. This leaves your skin finding it difficult to breath.
 
Also, not removing makeup can lead to dry skin. Makeup is to some extent a drying agent, especially oil-based formulations, like those used professionally. This is why it’s important to wear a moisturizing night cream that will allow your skin recover from a whole day with makeup on.
 
Wearing makeup can be a lot of fun and can definitely give your skin a youthful appearance. Just remember to remove it before you go to bed in order to keep you skin clear and beautiful.
 
If you have any questions about makeup removal, feel free to leave them in the comments section below. We’re also on Twitter and Facebook to help answer any of your questions.
 
Image: Anatoly Tiplyashin, “Woman Female Face” . Via PhotoExpress Free Photo Attribution.

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When Moisturizing Your Face, Don’t Forget Your Neck

Category: anti aging,anti wrinkle,moisturizing,nourishing,skin care — January 14th, 2011

The skin on our necks covers an array of muscles that are constantly in motion, stretching and contracting thousands of times per day as we move our heads around. This constant motion is the main reason why we should pay special attention to our necks in order to avoid premature wrinkles.

The skin surrounding the neck tends to lose firmness and moisture more quickly than the rest of our bodies. To prevent saggy skin and wrinkles, the neck needs to be adequately moisturized and can never be forgotten when it comes to your daily skin care routine.

A moisturizing cream with humectant properties that lock in the moisture on the skin is the best product you can put on your neck. Search for ingredients like Aloe, Vitamin E and Witch Hazel which help moisturize and revitalize the skin.

Exfoliating your neck once a week is also a great way to keep the skin radiant. It also works wonders if you do it before applying your moisturizer. Exfoliating is especially important in winter when we usually wear thicker clothes that cover our neck and scarves. Although we may not feel it, this boosts local perspiration and can lead to the pores clogging up.

Finally, don’t forget nourishing is as important as moisturizing to keep the skin on your neck firm and youthful. As we age, the skin cells’ ability to retain nutrients decreases. The best way to counteract this is by giving the skin additional nutrients. Using a nourishing cream or lotion is the best way to boost your skin’s health.

So, next time you are going through your daily skin care routine, don’t forget about your neck! Having strong, smooth and healthy skin around your neck will help you regain that youthful look.

If you have any questions or comments about taking care of your skin, let us know. Also, feel free to send us a Tweet or write on our Facebook wall if you have any other questions. Have a wonderful weekend!

Image: Marcy Kellar, "Different Kinds of Happiness", December 25, 2008. Via Flickr Creative Commons Attribution.

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The Importance of Beauty Rest

Category: Health,aging,anti aging,anti wrinkle,bags,body,eye contour,men,oily skin,skin care,under eye,wrinkles — January 12th, 2011

Getting insufficient sleep is one of the most common ways for your skin to age prematurely. During the day our skin cells are constantly battling against things like UV radiation, pollution, the weather, air conditioning, makeup and fluctuating stress hormones. When it comes to stress hormones, a good night’s sleep is the best way to manage them.
 
When we sleep, our stress hormones drop to normal levels and allow cells to repair and rejuvenate. Scientific research has proven that increase levels of stress produce a hormone called Cortisol. This hormone is responsible for an increased activity of the skin glands that create sebum, the skin’s natural oil. This is why stress is often attributed with acne breakouts.
 
Getting around eight hours of sleep every night is very beneficial to your skin. If we don’t allow our organism to de-stress, our skin will soon show it. And where does it usually start? Right below the eyes.
 
The eyes are a good barometer to the amount of sleep you get. The probability of dark circles, bags and puffiness increases with the less amount of sleep you get. Throughout the day, water accumulates beneath the under-eye area. The tissues in this area then need time to re-absorb the water. This process happens while you sleep. If you wake up before this process is completed, you will get bags and puffiness.
 
This is also the case for dark circles. The under-eye zone needs time to recover from the constant activity of our eyes and eyelids throughout the day. Getting enough sleep allows it to recover. However, if you don’t get enough sleep, the tissues and micro-vessels will most likely become more visible.
 
A good night’s sleep has a positive effect on your entire body, including your skin. No wonder they call it beauty rest.
 

What are you doing to get enough sleep? Let us know. Also, feel free to send us any questions regarding this or any other skin care topic by leaving a comment below. Don’t forget you can also reach us on Facebook or Twitter. 

Image: nyuhuhuu, “ Ha én lennék” May 22, 2010. Via Flickr Creative Commons Attribution

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Aloe Vera: Not Just for Summer

Category: Dry skin,aging,anti aging,anti wrinkle,body,cosmetics,cream,men,moisturizing,nourishing,nutrition,skin care,winter skin care,wrinkles — January 10th, 2011

During the summer we usually use Aloe Vera products to help soothe our skin. We don’t usually associate using it during the winter, which is strange because it can have a definite impact on your skin’s health. 

We all know of the moisture our skin loses during the winter. We tend to drink much less water and although we don’t feel it, we perspire almost the same amount and our skin tends to dry out when we enter a heated room. Our skin undergoes a lot of stress before we even step outside!
 
Once we bundle up and step outside, the extremely cold temperatures cause considerable damage to our skin. This includes reddish spots on the cheeks, forehead or noses. These spots are actually burnt skin and similarly to sunburns in the summer, these spots can lead to premature wrinkles.
 
This is where Aloe Vera can save your skin. It will help your skin hydrated and protected against the damage produced by the winter weather. Facial and body creams/lotions that include Aloe Vera gel will help revitalize your skin all year long.
 
Are you using Aloe Vera based products this winter? If you have any questions or comments regarding the benefits of Aloe Vera you have, let us know below, on Twitter or on Facebook. Have a great week and thanks for stopping by.
 
Image: Éamonn, “ Joe the Aloe” March 13, 2007. Via Flickr Creative Commons Attribution

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Moisturize Daily to Battle Atopic Dermatitis

Category: Dry skin,Health,atopic dermatitis,cosmetics,cream,men,mineral oil free,moisturizing,skin care — January 6th, 2011

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 10-20% of Americans will develop Atopic Dermatitis, the most common form of Eczema, in their lifetime. The typical symptoms are itchiness, redness and scaly skin.

The first thing to do when these symptoms are noticed is to avoid scratching and to schedule an appointment to visit your dermatologist. There is an arsenal of over the counter remedies and skin care formulations that can help your skin get back to normal relatively fast.
While you are waiting to see the dermatologist, make sure you adequately moisturize to help combat the itch. Don’t select just anymoisturizing cream. Make sure it is mineral oil-and fragrance-free. To effectively relieve the itching sensation, keep a thin coat of mineral oil free moisturizing cream on the affected areas. In most cases this is enough to keep itchiness under control. If there’s still itchiness through the cream, it’s time to switch to a medicated formulation.
 
Excessive dryness creates the perfect conditions for symptoms to worsen. So, once you’ve received your prescription from your dermatologist, it’s important to develop a daily moisturizing routine to help keep your skin under control.
 
How have you managed Atopic Dermatitis symptoms for you or your family members? Let us know! Don’t forget that you can also send us a Tweet or write on our Facebook wall if you have any other questions.
 
Image: Miss Frannington, “ My slightly tanned right arm...” September 3, 2008. Via Flickr Creative Commons Attribution

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Protect Your Skin in the Snow and the Sun

Category: Dry skin,body,cosmetics,cream,men,moisturizing,skin care,skin care industry,solar protection,travel,winter skin care — January 3rd, 2011

When it’s cold outside most of us forget about sun protection. However, if you are in a particularly snowy and sunny location or are planning on hitting the slopes, forgetting your sunblock can be particularly hazardous.

The reason is simple: snow reflects the sun. As a consequence of this you are exposed to harmful UVB rays from both the sky and the snow beneath your feet, skis or snowboard. Most experienced skiers are familiar with a hurtful sensation coming from the inside edges of their noses after a long day of skiing. Although this is nothing more than sunburn, it is a good indicator of the damage that is being caused to your skin. 

If you are going to enjoy a few days on the slopes, choose a sunblock over a sunscreen because it will: 

• Last longer than most sunscreens

• Protect against UVA and UVB rays

• Be gentler on sensitive skin

Next time you are at the store or searching online for a sunblock, look for one that has Vitamin E, Aloe and Shea Butter. Along with Titanium Dioxide these ingredients provide great moisturizing and anti- aging benefits for your skin.

One ingredient to keep an eye out for is PABA (Para-aminobenzoic acid). This ingredient was often used in earlier sun blocking products, but it may cause photo-allergic reactions in some people.

Don’t forget that sweat and wet snow will make your sunblock streak, so be sure to reapply your sunblock multiple times throughout the day.

The cold and the wind will take a toll on your skin, so be sure to keep your skin moisturized. Use a good moisturizer and pay particular attention to your face, neck and hands. Also, be sure to moisturize your entire body after you take a shower. 

Above all, don’t forget to stay hydrated. Although you may be feeling cool while you are on the slopes, you are losing a ton of water. Drink plenty of liquids to hydrate your body and your skin. 

What are some of your favorite ski destinations? Let us know! Also, feel free to send us any questions about keeping your skin protected and beautiful this winter on Twitter or Facebook. Have a great week!

Image: New Brunswick Tourism, “Winter in New Brunswick” March 8, 2006. Via Flickr Creative Commons Attribution

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