Category: skin-care

Simple Skincare You Tube Channel – How Nutrition Affects Our Skin

I’ve been focusing more and more on nutrition and how it can affect the way our skin looks. When exploring Simple Skincare’s new You Tube channel, I was thrilled to find several videos featuring some great tips on incorporating veggies and fruits into your diet. They are loaded with antioxidants and can fight free radicals. Not to mention… vitamins help skin look more radiant and clear.

Not only does Nutritionist Ellie Krieger, RD’s tips look colorful and delicious – they look amazing easy. Enjoy this video from Simple Skincare and let me know what you think in the comments! How do you work veggies and fruit into your diet?

If you are reading this post in an email, be sure to click through to view the video.

This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Influencer in the Simple® Skincare Program. Visit www.facebook.com/SimpleSkincare to share your story on sensitive skin.

Brand Spotlight For The Guys: JĀSÖN Natural Cosmetics

Not to say you ladies won’t want to steal these goodies, but I think Jason Natural Cosmetics is right up a guy’s alley. The natural, but effective products are a look good/feel good kind of situation. And the packaging is largely clean and masculine.

JĀSÖN, meaning healer in Greek, was started in California in 1959. The founders’ mission was to create products without the prevalent harsh chemicals while still preserving efficacy. Some of their core products were:

shampoo fueled by Apricot Oil and Wheat Protein for a naturally aromatic and gentle clean
body lotion with natural Aloe Vera and Vitamin E to soothe and smooth skin
and a whitening toothpaste powered by peppermint oil and bamboo powders.

I had my male testing team try out a couple products and they were universally pleased. First up was the Jason Natural Cosmetics Natural & Organic Satin Shower Body Wash, Tea Tree Melaleuca. First, a word of caution: don’t go in expecting this to work as or smell strongly of Tea Tree. It is more defined by its nourishing ingredients, Vitamin E & Pro-Vitamin B5. The tea tree oil and Aloe Vera subtly purifies and balances skin. I particularly love the giant containers (30oz) this body wash is available in – perfect for families.

Another member of my team checked out the Jason Natural Cosmetics Shampoo and Conditioner, Thin-To-Thick Hair & Scalp Therapy. I too deal with scalp issues so I naturally had to give it a test run myself as well. We love the botanical scent. It approaches herbal but is totally pleasant. Both Shampoo and Conditioner add volume and strength hair with Biotin, Panthenol & Natural Proteins. The Shampoo has a rich later and the plant proteins add shine and bounce. The Conditioner weightlessly strengthens and fortifies with Vitamins A, C and E, preventing split ends.

Also, in the Thin-to-Thick product line, the guy tested out Jason Thin to Thick Scalp Energizing Elixer. Almost like a serum for the scalp, my tester enjoyed using this at night as it is ever so slightly oily. The elixir revitalizes with biotin while natural folic acid and lactic acid help stimulate hair growth and prevent future hair loss. He said his hair was unusually soft and manageable the next morning.

As a note, I have also been a long time fan of Jason Natural Cosmetics Pure Beauty Oil, 5,000 IU Vitamin E Oil (see original post here). When my skin or cuticles need a little extra care, I turn to this nourishing (albeit a little messy) oil containing Black Currant, Evening Primrose, Macadamia Nut and Borage essential oils. It is a truly intensive treatment if you need to heal skin quickly.

All JĀSÖN products are committed to their “Code of Honor”:

Select safe, wholesome, natural ingredients
Rigorously test every formula to ensure safety and efficacy
Never test on animals
Constantly innovate and improve

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Summertime Medical Skin Care

Yesterday marked the moment of truth. While I have been on a quest to finally nip this hyper-pigmentation, I have come to the realization that I am a bit of a pool bunny. While I wear SPF 50 at least and reapply every hour, my forehead is just really prone to these dark spots. So, I visited my favorite Tulsa Skin Guru, Gabriel Horn, and we made a plan on action.

I already knew that summertime required a bit of a different approach to skin care. I have set aside my beloved retinol because, primarily, it makes us more susceptible to the sun. I, along with Gabe, will return to the heavy duty retinol/hydroquinone 1-2 punch in the fall. But all is not lost for these months I might spend a little more time by the pool.

First, don’t give up on your hydroquinone. It still helps block the body’s ability to make more melanin, preventing some of those dark spots. In fact, I learned today that it is often used post peel or procedure to keep that melanin suppressed. But as a note, results have shown it takes a 4% dose, twice daily. And for that, you need to see your doctor. Over the counter hydroquinone is at most 2%.

So, that’s what to do on the home front. During my office visit, we went after things in a more medical and aggressive format. But fear not: the biggest bonus of Gabriel’s DNA Reparative Brightening Treatment is you are left with glowy, healthy looking skin. No down time. (Tulsa folks, get more info here).

First, we cleaned things up with a eyebrow tweeze and extractions. Apparently, I was looking “bushy”. Ha, not anymore. Next, we did my favorite, microdermabrasion. The microdermabrasion clears out pores and gives skin a fresh start. Next, Gabriel applied ZO Skin Health ‘Ossential’ Growth Factor Serum.

Growth Factor Serum contains lab-developed growth factor that works to replicate healthy skin cells and repair damage or anything that ails the skin. The water-free gel was soothing and left my skin insanely soft. Over the Growth Factor Serum, Gabriel applied the Ossential Skin Brightening Sheet Masque (found only at doctor’s offices). This deposited much needed antioxidants, stabilized Vitamin C and a mega-dose of hydroquinone to brighten the skin.

After 15 minutes of mask time, my skin was revealed to be softer, brighter and glowing. While I still have to work on my sun damage in a couple months, the DNA Reparative Brightening Treatment is a great way to go after tired and dull skin in the summer.

Lastly, Gabriel applied with Dr. Obagi calls “the one product every patient has to have”. (note: Dr. Obagi left his namesake line, Obagi, to start ZO Skin Health). ZO Skin Health™ ‘Ossential™’ Daily Power Defense is a DNA repair lotion that also protects cells from future damage. Stimulating cellular activity, skin cells are encouraged to rejuvinate. This second line of defense is used under SPF.

Tulsa folks, I highly encourage you to stop by for Gabriel’s DNA Reparative Brightening Treatment. You can reach his office at 918.749.5522 or find more information on his Facebook page. Also, make sure to follow him on Twitter. And alert French Bulldog fans: his Instagram cannot be missed.

ZO Medical and ZO Skin Health products can be found at a dermatologist’s office near you. Find your closest here. ZO Skin Health products can be found at Nordstrom as well.

Shop my favorite ZO Skin Health products here:

image here

mybody Calm After The Storm Soothing + De-Puffing Eye Cream

I fell hard for a little skin care company called mybody last summer. Their thoughtful collection of skin care products spoke to the science nerd in me. mybody was founded by a makeup artist, the founder of Philosophy and an experienced retail maven. Their pedigree is balanced with a heavy focus on technology, and the scientific focus shines through in their products.

Calm After the Storm is just what the doctor ordered. With the change in seasons, I am welcoming the most annoying of allergies. With that comes the dreaded puffy eyes. Calm After the Storm offers a gentle and hydrating cream that goes after circles and puffiness with a legion of active ingredients.

The highlight for me is the cooling applicator that in itself can improve the look on my eyes. I work in the cream for a good 10-20 seconds and then use a clean finger to smooth in any excess until absorbed. It is so gentle, I don’t hesitate using it on my eyelids as well. Here’s the lineup of key ingredients – told you this line was science oriented!

These products are available at dermatologist offices. You can find your nearest physician here.

Neutrogena Suncare Tips & a GIVEAWAY

There are loads of sunscreen tips and tricks floating around this time of year. But with the rise of skin cancers, particularly among younger women, I believe this is such a great message to be echoing. The fun part for me is so many of these sunscreens have become a pleasure to use. And you can’t go wrong with drugstore budget standout, Neutrogena.

Of particular interest for Neutrogena, the FDA now requires stipulation for a new test to be run in order to claim broad-spectrum protection on sunscreen products. Cathy Salerno, Vice President of R&D, Global Skin Care Product Development at Johnson & Johnson highlights that “Neutrogena spent years researching and developing and patenting a technology that provides photo stable protection over time.” Takeaway number one, you can count on Neutrogena for broad-specturm UVA and UVB thanks to their Helioplex technology.

So, what else do we need to know to play safe in the sun? Dr. Doris Day addresses three myths that I am embarrassed to hear repeated all too frequently:

Myth #1: 50 minutes a day of sunlight a day is necessary for vitamin D

“This is one of the biggest myths I have heard. Incidental sun exposure is plenty for most people. If you think you are vitamin D deficient, get a blood test. There are fat-soluble vitamins available, which you do not need to take every day. Thus, vitamin D is not an excuse to get a tan and certainly not an excuse to go to a tanning bed.”

Myth #2: A base tan is necessary before vacation, or spending a lot of time in the sun.

“Does anybody still believe this? There’s no such thing as a base tan, it’s just one more excuse to have a tan. If you don’t want to get sunburn on vacation, use your sun protection and be sun smart.”

Myth #3: Most of your sun damage has occurred by the age of 18.

“No matter your age or how much exposure you’ve had, every exposure you get at any age is cumulative and damaging to the skin. Your skin has the ability to repair no matter how old you are. If you start today just by using sunscreen alone, all of those other expensive products that we are spending so much money on will work so much better. It is never too late to start protecting your skin.”

I’ve been testing out the Neutrogena suncare line for a couple weeks… here are some thoughts:

Neutrogena Beach Defense™ Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 70 has everything that you could ask for in a “at the beach all day” sunscreen. Not to mention it smells like pina coladas – yum!
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Body Mist Sunscreen is a pleasure to use. The spray dries clear and without a hint of greasiness. I particularly love this for getting hard to reach areas. Just remember with sprays to totally coat the area you are protecting.
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45+ might be designed with kids in mind, but I love this when you are in for a marathon swim session. It gets so hot here in the summer, we often spend the whole day in the lake or pool. Love this for quick reapplication even if you are wet.
Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55 is perfect for those with acne-prone skin. Dr. Doris Day points out “sun exposure can actually make inflammation worse in people who are prone to acne. Thus, it is important to protect your sensitive skin with sunscreen.”
Neutrogena Age Shield™ Face Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum is for those of us chasing the dream of youthful skin. This formula works beautifully under makeup and provides extreme protection.
Neutrogena MicroMist® Airbrush Sunless Tan dries fast, gives great color and is a breeze to apply. I love the continuous spray for hard to reach areas and even application.

Also, take note: for any Neutrogena product with SPF purchased from May through July, the company will donate one to a family in need. More info here!

Want a chance to enter to win your own gift basket full of Neutrogena suncare products? Talk about stocking up for summer! Enter using the widget below. Good luck! (US Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What’s In His Shower

All these beauty products aren’t just for ladies. Today, I am taking a peek into his shower to let you know what he’s loving lately.

L’Oreal EverStrong Thickening Shampoo

This drugstore shampoo isn’t specifically for men, but the rosemary scent and strengthening action makes it perfect for a guy facing thinning hair. The formula works to strength fibers and prevent breakage. It also is great for the scalp, gently removing build up of excess oils and environmental pollutants.

Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Buffing Beads For Face and Body

This gentle exfoliator can be used for both the face and body – men love a good multi-tasker! The formula works with both jojoba beads and active ingredients like glycolic acid complex and salicylic acid. Not only will skin look better and smoother, but can also smooth the look of fine lines.

Anthony Logistics For Men Invigorating Rush Hair + Body Wash

I’m loving the alpine wood scent of this body wash. And again, a great multi-tasker – you can use this body wash as a shampoo. The invigorating effect is perfect for the guys who love a good workout or get down and dirty for work or fun.

Elemis Time for Men Energizing Skin Scrub

My tester specifically like this polisher because of its fine granules. It resurfaces, brightens and cleanses. It is particularly helpful in preventing ingrown hairs and blemishes when used pre-shave. The vitamin E base nourishes skin.

Kate Somerville Micro Glycolic Polisher

Again, not a product specifically for men, but certainly a crowd pleaser for the guys. My tester raves about this stuff. While I use this mixed with my moisturizer for an exfoliating treatment, the guy uses this as a spot treatment for ingrown hairs and patches of thicker skin. The glycolic and lactic acid promote cell turnover and blue lotus works as an anti-inflammatory.

If you are interested in more men’s goodies, check out this page.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.