A study published in the October 2007 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who ate more foods containing vitamin C and alpha linoleic acid (Omega 3) were less likely to suffer from dry skin later in life.
If you are finding that you skin is constantly dehydrated and dry and you're drinking more water than you can stand, then try to incorporate some of these natural hydrators into your diet. These 10 foods will actually aid to moisturize your skin from the inside-out.
Remember to also keep your soda, caffeine, and alcohol levels in check! These drinks are hydration robbers and will exacerbate your skin conditions.
For eons, women have had a love affair with chocolate.....sweet, creamy, melt-in-your mouth chocolate. And for almost as long, women have been told that the object of their affection could be one of the leading reasons why their skin is breaking out. And since some of you may have consumed more than the averge amount of chocolate last week, I thought I thought I would clear up the chocolate-causing-pimples myth once and for all.
Here's the deal, several studies have been published - most notably the report published in the Journal of Family Practice in 2005 by researchers at the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia - that say that there is only a small connection between chocolate and skin blemishes. Of the various types of chocolate, dark chocolate appears to cause no blemishes. The incidence of blemishes caused by milk chocolate is slightly higher but its not due to the cocoa, its due its sugar content. There is definitely a skin-nutrition connection. Typically, the cleaner your diet, the clearer your skin. There are studies that show foods with a higher glycemic index such as refined carbohydrates (the "whites" - bread, potatoes, and pasta)and sweets may be linked with breakouts.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study of men ages 15 to 25 that found that those who spent 12 weeks on a diet of protein and low-glycemic slow-metabolizing carbohydrates reduced their acne by twice as much as participants in a control group. Studies have also found that a low-sugar, low-refined-carb diet that reduces the level of insulin in the blood also lowers the level of androgens, a hormone that stimulates the glands in the skin to produce oil and, hence, zits. The increase in androgen toward the end of the menstrual cycle helps explain why some women get monthly breakouts.
So, if you are going to reach for a bite of chocolate - make it dark chocolate. In addition to having a low glycemic index, dark chocolate is high in antioxidants (anti-aging ingredients) and flavinoids - which keep cholesterol from gathering in blood vessels, reduce the risk of blood clots, and slow down the immune responses that lead to clogged arteries. And most importantly, no zits! Sweet!!
Ok, so anyone that REALLY knows me, knows that I have a pretty bad QVC addiction. Thankfully, due to the economy, my QVC habit has been placed in check. But I have to thank QVC for introducing me to the Ojon® Restorative Hair Treatment back in 2003.
Let me take you back. I'm watching QVC and this georgeous couple appears touting the effects of the rare oil of the tropical Ojon® tree known only to the Tawira indians who are referred to as "the people of beautiful hair (TM). Its a husband and wife team and the wife's hair looked like shiny, black silk. What sold me, of course, was when they showed the effects of the hair treatment on African American hair (after one use). I couldn't dial fast enough.
Since then, I have been a faithful devotee, scooping the rare concotion into my hand, emulsifying it into an oil and then rubbing it onto my hair. Its a fantastic pre-shampoo treatment and sometimes I apply it to tame flyaways.
Now the beautiful folks over at Ojon are moving into the bath and body category with their new line Tribal Indulgences Batana. Tribal Indulgences Batana. According to WWD, Tribal Indulgences Batana Shower Gel, a paraben-free, sulfate-free body cleanser, includes a blend of Ojon, Swa+, Buriti, Acai and copaiba oils, and retails for $28 for 10.1 oz. Tribal Indulgences Batana Body Cream, $40 for 5.9 oz., combines Ojon and Buriti oils and Brazilian Murumuru and shea butter to moisturize skin, and copaiba and Acai oils to provide antioxidant protection. Buriti oil, extracted from the nut of the Buriti palm, is highly concentrated in beta-carotene; copaiba, Acai and Swa+ oils are naturally rich in essential fatty acids omega-3, -6 and -9, and are said to moisturize skin and infuse it with essential lipids.
You can find the line at Sephora in April or you can get it now at (where else) QVC.com!
While scouring various internet forums, I came across several threads referencing "olive oil" washes. Featured in these threads were several testimonials from people who had experienced great results utilizing olive oil to cleanse their face.
Here's the deal - most people have not nearly the amount of dirt on their face to warrant the detergents utilized in most skin cleansers, especially those that foam (i.e. strip). Therefore, the idea of cleansing the skin with something that's not associated with soap, seems weird to most. On top of that, the thought of putting more oil on top of oily skin just seems preposterous!!
However, the premise that "oil dissolves oil" is true. Oil used on the face will dissolve the bonds that make up oils that are sitting on the face. The reason is pure chemistry, but all you need to know is that it works.
Cleansing oils work really well for those that wear sunscreen and make-up on a daily basis, especially those that wear water-proof make-up. While using a cleansing oil to remove make-up, you'll notice that the make-up disappears in a flash and your skin will feel soft and conditioned afterward.
The key to using a cleaning oil is to start with a DRY face. Rub the oil onto dry skin. Then massage water into the oil which will cause it to emulsify (creates a creamy milk-like texture). This is when the "cleansing" occurs. Utilizing the oil on a wet face, will leave the skin feeling greasy and will prevent the oil from working effectively.
There are various ways that you can use oil to cleanse your face. Many people use olive oil. Personally, I recommend lighter options - such as grapeeed or jojoba oil. The heaviness of the oil that you use, will depend on how sensitive your skin is and how much make-up you use. The more make-up, the heavier the oil. The more sensitive your skin, the lighter the oil.
If you want to take the guess work out of the equation, there are many great cleansing oil products on the market.
Shu Uemura Cleansing Beauty Oil
The Mack Daddy of them all. Quite pricey at around $75 for 15ozs, this product has achieved cult status in the beauty world. Created in the 1950s, the first versions of the cleansing oil were used on famous faces such as Lucille Ball, Elizabeth Taylor and Debbie Reynolds. These cleansing oils use mineral oil as their base. Shu Uemura maintains that mineral oil is the most sensitive oil and has very thorough cleansing abilities.
L'Occitane Almond Apple Cleansing Oil
This cleansing oil is formulated with a base of sweet almond oil and contains organic apple extracts from Provence (fancy...). Apple extract is known to be an effective skin brightener and aids in preventing the breakdown of collagen. Many users rave about its gentle feel on the skin. Price point: $22.
This product comes highly recommended and has legions of fans in the beautysphere. Unlike others in this segment, this product has an olive oil and Vitamin E - which means its super nourishing. Formulated for all skin types, this product has a great price point - under $20.
Origins Clean Energy Cleansing Oil
Probably the most complex cleansing oil of all featured, Origins' product features Olive, Sunflower, Sesame Safflower, Kukui, and Macadamia Nut oils. To top it off, the product has been scented with essential oils of grapefruit, orange, and lemon - so refreshing!! Price point: under $20.
Ok, I'm going to let you in a technique that some estheticians use to conduct skin analysis - its called Face Mapping. Its a technique developed by the International Dermal Institute and is only shared with licensed estheticians as an advanced course.
Face mapping is a technique that allows therapists to throughly analyze the condition of the skin but also may provide insight into underlying health conditions. Its based upon the principle that the various zones of the face are linked to areas of the body.
Here are the zones:
zones 1 & 3
Traditionally, this zone is regarded as the "sister" to the bladder and
digestive system. If you breakout frequently in this area, it might
mean that you need to improve your elimination by drinking more water
and eating more "whole" foods.
zone 2
The middle of the forehead, between the eyebrows, is related to the
liver. Congestion in this zone can indicate over consumption of
alcohol, rich foods, and possibly a food allergy (such as lactose
intolerance).
zones 4 & 10
The ears are highly sensitive area related to kidneys. If you notice
that your ears are very hot, you might be stressing them out - drink
plenty of plain water and cut down on caffeine and alcohol.
zones 5 & 9
The cheeks often give an accurate glimpse into any respiratory
distress. Smokers or people suffering from allergies generally
experience fine, broken capillaries or congestion in this area.
zones 6 & 8
The eyes are truly a window to the body's health because they're
related to the kidneys. Dark circles, while here datary, are made worse
by dehydration and poor elimination.
zone 7
A reddened nose can indicate heightened blood pressure, or the early
stages of rosacea. Congestion around the upper lip can occur if you use
comedogenic lipsticks or liners.
zone 12:
Breakouts or unusual hair
growth can indicate hormonal imbalance, possibly caused by extreme
stress. Premenstrual breakouts are also very common on the chin.
zones 11 & 13
If you've had extensive dental surgery done, you might notice a breakout in the jaws near years.
zone 14
Don't forget to include your neck in your treatment regimen - its skin
is just as fragile as that on your face, so it definitely needs the
benefits of moisturization and sun protection.
To receive an accurate face mapping analysis, complete with your own face-map, you must visit a Demalogica salon.
So, it FINALLY arrived. Its one of the most coveted beauty gadgets, the iPhone of the skin care world. Its the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush and finally, its all mine. When word of this contraption hit the streets via Oprah's Favorite Things circa 2007, the product quickly sold out everywhere. With a retail price tag of $195 (currently $165 at Amazon, see left pane), this thing isn't cheap. But man, is it amazing.
The beauty of the Clarisonic is that it is a multitasking wonder. Utilizing the same technology that powers the Sonicare Toothbrush (another face of mine), the company claims that the product can
After using the brush system for a week, I can attest that my skin feels MUCH smoother and also feels cleaner. I am a firm believer that proper and effective exfoliation should be a key element to any skin care regimen, regardless of skin type. As an esthetician, we are taught to cleanse the face with both manual and powered brushes in an attempt to achieve a deeper level of cleansing. The good thing about this product is that the bristles are extremely gentle.
The creators forgot to mention that the system produces a fabulous facial massage as well!
I especially like the timer system (which is also featured on the Sonicare Toothbrush) which ensures that you not only clean your entire face for the proper amount of time (2 min) but it intermittently alerts you when you should move to various sections of your face.
The Skinny: This product is great for anyone with dehydrated, normal, or combination skin. Due to the aggressive action of the motor, I would caution those with oily skin from using the product on a daily basis. If you have oily skin, limit use to 3-4 times per week at most. All others can use the product daily, but only use it for one wash of the day (preferably your nighttime wash since exfoliation should occur at night - more on that later).
In all, I'm thrilled with the results. I will give another update in 3 weeks.
According to the Manchester Evening News, recent reports suggest that women ingest about 5lb of chemicals in their lifetime just from their beauty regime, with lipstick being the primary culprit. Outside of ingestion due to licking and biting, lipstick is found to be absorbed right through our lips, directly into our bloodstream.
More importantly, some lipsticks has been shown to contain trace amount of lead.
Kinda makes you wonder just what we're eating!! If you want more information on the toxicity levels of your favroite cosmetics and skin care product, check out Skin Deep.
