Archive for the ‘Health & Wellbeing’ Category

Summer Survival for Great Skin

Monday, June 27th, 2011

Go Slow
Don’t shift gears in skin care suddenly. If you don’t already use summer skin products, get them ready and start using them for a day or two a week, gradually increasing their use over time. Once the weather begins to cool, gradually phase them out.

Fix Existing Problems First
A new season can be marked by a new skin problem such as rosacea or eczema. Deal with this before switching to new products. Get a skin exam so that any early problems get corrected.

Avoid “Built-In” Sunscreens
Try to avoid products that have built-in sunscreen unless you absolutely need it. If you simply won’t be able remember to put on sunscreen when you are going to be outdoors, and instead rely on a single product, then keep doing this — it is better than nothing.

If you can remember to use a separate sunscreen, you are better off choosing a great skin-care line and a suitable sunscreen than going with a one-size-fits-all solution. By using two products you also decrease the chance that the sunscreen will irritate your skin on a daily basis.

Embrace Antioxidants
Try to use retin A or a retinol serum, along with a Vitamin C and antioxidant serum. These will help to combat the effects of environmental stress.

5 Great Summer Skin Care Tips….for Great Skin

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

1. Exfoliate Your Body

It’s so very important to exfoliate your skin. Your body sheds skin cells at an amazing rate every minute of every day. If you don’t get rid of them, they’ll just sitting on your skin making you look dull and dry. No matter how much lotion you use, you’re never going to have glowing skin if you don’t exfoliate. Grab a body scrub and hit the shower. Gently rub your exfoliator in circular movements on your entire body from the shoulders down (you’ll want a facial exfoliator for your face and neck) and rinse clean. Continue to do this 2-3 times a week for year-round beautiful skin.

2. Hydrate your Body with a Summer-Scented Lotion

Find a summery lotion that you won’t forget to put on. It’s time to pack away your thick winter body butters for more light summery lotions. You don’t have time to wait for your lotion to sink in, so look for something light fast absorbing. Gels and Purees are perfect fast absorbers.  Nothing spells summer more than a light refreshing fruity lotion. Make sure you apply right after you dry off from your shower. You need to seal in the moisture your body just soaked in.

3. Don’t Forget your Feet

Winter boots have long since been packed away; it’s sandal season ladies. Either go and get a pedicure (try a beauty school if cost is a factor), or give yourself an at-home pedicure. You scrub off the dead dry skin to reveal your sandal ready feet. Nothing is worse than seeing dull dry feet inside cute sandals. It doesn’t have to be a big ordeal. Keep a foot scrub and file in your shower and scrub your feet a few times a week. You’ll notice a big difference in the softness of your feet.

4. Get a Safe Summer Glow

You have so many choices when it comes to adding a little summer tint to your skin, and the tanning bed shouldn’t be one of them. Using a sunless tanner will give your skin a beautiful start to summer. Even if you’re not a fan of sunless tanners all over your body, you can happily use them on your face. If you alternate your facial moisturizer with one that builds a bit of color, you’ll have a healthy glow that will make it look as though you just spent the weekend on the beach. Most facial tanners build color gradually, by alternating with your regular moisturizer, you’ll never get too dark.

5. Out With the Old - Buy a New Sunscreen

Throw away last year’s unused sunscreen for a new bottle. Sunscreens aren’t meant to last forever, and seeing most people don’t use as much as they should, I bet you have a bottle or two stored away. Be safe and pick up a new one. And don’t forget the most important sunscreen advice: USE IT. You should be using a shot glass full for your body, and a full teaspoon just on your face. Reapply every 1-2 hours that you are in the sun to ensure a summer full of safe sun fun.

Eminence SPF 30 Sun Defense Minerals

Thursday, May 12th, 2011

Protect your skin from the damaging and harmful effects of the sun with the natural goodness of Eminence mineral sunscreen. The benefits of using minerals on your skin are numerous and with Eminence you get the revolutionary addition of vitamin rich Organic fruits and herbs to keep your skin healthy, beautiful and to fight the signs of aging.

The ingredients in Eminence sunscreen are simple. They are all derived from the Earth without any added chemicals, perfumes, or dyes and the natural ingredients actually help your skin heal and become healthier with use.

Suitable for both men and women, minerals perform well during swimming and exercise. The easy to use brush allows you to control the application of loose minerals from sheer to more opaque. The natural minerals, including zinc oxide, give your skin a weightless physical layer of non-chemical SPF 30 sun protection and imparts soothing anti-inflammatory properties. Organic fruits and herbs give natural sources of color and the added vitamins and nutrition fight the signs of aging.

Do something good for your skin, whether you apply minerals before a night on the town or a day at the beach, you can count on the natural effectiveness and organic pureness of Eminence to protect and beautify your skin.

Benefits of Organic Sun Defense Minerals:

- Effective SPF 30 protection against sun damage, pigmentation and premature aging

- Made with real fruit extracts for extra skin nutrition (an Industry first!)

- Water resistant; great for exercise or swimming

- Hypo-allergenic, will not clog pores, oil-free

- Anti-inflammatory, excellent for post-treatment,acne or rosacea

- Loaded with bioflavonoids and vitamins A, C & E

- Easy to use, apply and carry anywhere

Eminence Sun Defense Minerals are available in wonderful shades to complement any skin tone:

No 1. Honey Apple SPF 30
May be used for light to medium skin with neutral to warm undertones.

No 2. Cherries & Berries SPF 30
May be used for medium skin with neutral to warm undertones.

No 3. Peaches & Cream SPF 30
May be used for light to medium skin with neutral to cool undertones.

No 4. Calendula Spice SPF 30
May be used for medium to dark skin with warm undertones or to bronze lighter skin to give the illusion of a sun-kissed look.

No 5. Cinnamon Bronzer SPF 30
May be used on dark skin with dark to reddish undertones and to bronze darker skin to give the illusion of a sun-kissed look.

For best results, set powder with Stone Crop Hydrating Mist or Avene Eau Thermale Water.

Why men should exfoliate

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

Exfoliation is the process of scrubbing off dead skin cells to reveal and expose “younger,” fresher skin. The shedding process unclogs pores, keeps skin clean and helps reduce acne breakouts. It’s usually the first step in cleaning your face, to be followed by washing your face with soap (preferably one with hypoallergenic properties) and finally, moisturizing.

Unfortunately, many men wash exclusively with plain old, hotel-grade soap. It’s certainly enough to keep you clean, but it’s not the best bet to keep your skin healthy. Indeed, bar soap dries out your skin, its ingredients sometimes clogging pores and leading to rougher skin in the long run.

Exfoliation also specifically helps men in a huge way: It exposes the face’s hair follicles, allowing for a better shave. And we all know that a smoother shave is practically the holy grail of a man’s morning routine.

exfoliate part by part

Men have hair all over, and hair traps oil, dirt and grime. For men, there are three major areas in need of regular exfoliation: face, back and chest (exfoliating your feet and hands is great, but not essential).\

healthy skin is easy

You know your body best, so only you can decide whether to exfoliate daily, every other day (three times per week is a good routine), or maybe just give yourself a nice scrubbing once a week. Exfoliating too often can damage the skin; exfoliating too little may let your skin’s oils run wild. Whichever schedule you settle on, recognize that while exfoliating takes some extra effort, by doing it, you’ll ultimately have to worry less about wrinkles, flaky skin and acne. And that’s a tradeoff every man should take.

Organic Tan with Moroccan Mineral Self-Tanner

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

Achieving that bronze-kissed look without ever stepping foot on the beach has never been easier.

Do you dream of a lovely summer tan that makes your skin glow with the air of health and beauty?
 
We have the perfect shade for you, Moroccan Mineral Dark Tan.  This is a great way to prep for a special event or night on the town.   It is dark, deep and undeniable realistic – and you don’t have to travel to Morocco to get this sexy chocolate tan. Easy-to-apply and quick-to-dry, this self-tanning lotion glides onto skin effortlessly, revealing an instant caramel-kissed glow. A rich, brown sunless tan develops in just 6 hours and lasts for days longer than the leading self-tanning lotions.

An Ultra-luxurious sunless tanning formula with Moroccan Argan Oil, Rooibos & Green Tea. Imparts a sunbathed, toasted almond tan with golden undertones. Elegant on all skin types. Paraben, Glycol and Phthalate FREE.

Bronzer/Color Guide: Golden Milk Chocolate

Fragrance/Odor Controller: Green Tea Essence

End Color: Creates the appearance of sun-bronzed skin with stunning golden highlights. Skin will radiate with a toasted almond glow that looks naturally sun bathed. Always brown, bronzed, believable and beautiful - even on the pastiest skin.

Darkness: Natural to Medium-Dark

Wait Time Before Showering: Must wait 4-6 hours before showering.

Application: 2-3 Fluid ounces total, 2 light coats over the entire body.

Drying Time: 5-7 minutes depending on climate

Longevity: Color lasts about 7-10 days when used correctly

Herbal Cream That Works On All…

Tuesday, April 5th, 2011

Schmoove (Guang Hua)  herbal cream treats many types of skin conditions. Clinically it has been successful in treating many types of dermatitis which include acne, eczema, rosacea, sunburns, scrapes, bug bites, and more.

It was first formulated to treat burns for Radiation clients (Oncology) but over many years of usages its indications have been expanded. During the development stage of this product many clients commented on how smooth it made their skin feel.

Schmoove (Guang Hua) is an herbal cream that alleviates and eliminates all types of skin conditions. The proliferation of chemicals in all aspects of our lives introduces skin problems to more and more people every year. Dermatitis, eczema, burns, abrasions, insect bites, Uticaria, rashes, and psoriasis to name a few.

Schmoove works by promoting proper skin function and providing skin with the nutrition it needs. This quickly and effectively clears up skin problems and alleviates the burning or itching that goes along with these conditions regardless of the cause.

Clinically it has been successful in treating dermatitis, acne, eczema, athlete’s foot, rosacea, sunburns, scrapes, bug bites, and more. It was first formulated to treat burns for oncology patients who were undergoing radiation and chemotherapy but like many of our formulas, we found it to be useful many other ways.

Beyond correcting the aforementioned skin conditions, people starting noticing their skin feeling and looking better than before. In fact the name for this formula came from a patient’s description of the way it made their skin feel…Schmoove!

Drink more water, for clear skin.

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

Many times, when clients come in for a facial and we get to talking about some of their skin issues, the discussion turns to things like the dark circles under their eyes or trouble with blemishes. Some have issues with ruddy skin, and others are bothered by a sallow complexion. Often, these clients also have visibly dehydrated skin. So I ask them about their water intake and a typical response is, “Oh, I don’t like drinking water.” Or, “Yeah I’m bad about that.”

Drinking water is truly one of the best things you can do for your skin. Get and stay hydrated. It keeps skin plump and moist. If you’re dehydrated, your body will take the water it needs for vital organs like your brain and your heart from your skin (a less vital organ), leaving it looking less than its best. We may think that good looking skin is vital, but in a hydration crisis, our body just doesn’t get it and those other organs are going to get the water they need. Drinking water also helps flush out toxins and helps our digestive system move things along. The faster those toxins can leave your system, the less time they have to interfere with your skin’s health. Water is truly key.

If you’re suffering from some of these same skin issues, and aren’t already drinking approximately 8 glasses of water a day, try it, and see if your situation improves. There are, of course, other reasons that people develop these kinds of problems, and they can be addressed with proper treatment, but upping your water intake to make sure you’re fully hydrated is a great place to start for everyone, especially as we enter the warmer months of the year.

When my clients make this simple change, they are amazed at what they see. And guess what? You will be too! You already take care of your skin. But you’ve got to moisturize your body from the inside. If your problem is a lack of water, there is not a topical product around that can fix that for you.