Skin Routines In Your 40’s (part 3 of a 4 part series)

As we move into our 40’s, you should know that you still have great skin ahead of you. You just need to learn to take care of your skin differently. Years of sun damage will now show in the forms of blotchiness and redspots. Begin by taking special care of your eyes. By now you have lost collagen and fat under your eyes, which will create crow’s feet. Use eye cream in your morning/night skin routines. For your overall face, use a moisturizer rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants will slow/prevent free radicals. Free radicals will cause oxidation and oxidation is the process that causes oxygen to damage the cells in your skin. Preventing these free radicals means preventing fine lines and wrinkles. The older you get the more sensitive your skin will become. In your 40’s begin taking luke-warm showers versus hot showers. Hot water can actually dry out your skin. Also, try using fragrance free soaps, as these can also dry out your skin. You can continue taking/using Vitamin C in your 40’s, but you can also add a fish oil supplement to support hydration, regulate oil production and prevent adult acne. What worked for your skin two-decades ago is probably not what you should be using in your 40’s, so you will need to make a few adjustments/tweaks to your skincare regimen. If you are not sure what to buy, schedule a visit to a dermatologist. They can advise you on what products you should be using at your age.

And finally…Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! Are you tired of hearing that yet….? Until next time.

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Skin Routines In Your 30’s (part 2 of a 4 part series)

In your 30’s you might begin to notice the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Also, all those years of going sunscreen are beginning to show by causing your skin to appear dull and lackluster. But all hope is not lost for rocking skin in your 30’s. A healthy diet will play a prominent role in your age 30 skin routine. People who eat diets that are rich in green/leafy vegetables, olive oils, fish, as well as people who limit their intake of butter, milk and sugar may develop fewer fine lines and wrinkles over time. Start using products that contain Vitamin C, as well as taking a daily Vitamin C tablet. Vitamin C helps brighten your skin tone. This can be especially important in regards to those dark circles that can appear under your eyes. You can also try going as natural in your skin routine as possible. Milk, honey, oatmeal, yogurt. These are all natural products that can be the base tools to glowing skin at 30. Just keep in mind to start reading your labels. Some women may find themselves wanting to try anti-aging serums beginning in their 30’s. If you are planning to begin these, remember they can sometimes irritate and dry out skin at first. Try applying these serums every other day for the first week or two. This will allow your skin to get used to the serum.

And at the risk of sounding like a mother…Don’t forget to keep slathering on that sunscreen!

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Skin Routines In Your 20’s (part 1 of a 4 part series)

As you begin to age, your skin changes. Your skin will begin to get drier and more sensitive over time, thus your skin will need to be taken care of differently as you get older. For the next four posts I plan on breaking down how to properly treat your skin throughout your 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and into your 50’s. Because let’s all face it, all women want to age gracefully.

YOUR 20’S

Your 20’s are all about taking great care of your skin now, and thus preventing fewer problems in the future. A once of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and in your 20’s that prevention is going to be sunscreen. Sunscreen will need to be apart of your daily makeup routine throughout your 20’s. BB and CC Creams provide a 30 SPF broad spectrum sunscreen and can be used as a daily make-up base. And if you are going to be outdoors for long periods of time, give that face extra protection by wearing a hat. Your skin will thank you later. Another important skin component to keep in mind in your 20’s is to stick to a skin routine. Once you have a skin care regimen set in place, you can ensure you will have vibrant looking skin for years to come. Adult acne can play a prominent roll in your 20’s, so be sure to purchase a cleanser with salicylic acid and willow bark for fighting those stubborn breakouts. And although fine lines and wrinkles will probably not appear in your 20’s, moisturizing in your early years can help prolong uneven skin tone leading to wrinkles.

People find it hard to change their accustomed behavior, so I can not stress enough to build proper skin care habits in your 20’s. What’s the phrase…”old habits die hard.”

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Essential Oils 101

Essential Oils Definition: any of a class of volatile oils that give plants their characteristic odors and are used especially in perfumes and flavorings, and for aromatherapy.

Essential oils have been around for centuries upon centuries, but in the last couple months the essential oil craze has been picking up steam again. More than a perfume/fragrance, essential oils are concentrated aromatherapy liquids than have been taken from plants, flowers, trees and nuts. Essential oils are not necessarily cheap, but a lot of preparation that goes into the process of making. However, learning how to properly use essential oils can be beneficial to your mind and body.

Here are a few of my favorite essential oils:

  • Lavender– Can be used for calming, soothing, for boosting the immune system, or as an antiviral.
  • Lemon – Can be used for detoxifying, dry skin prevention and uplifting ones spirit. A little secret, put a couple of drops in your daily water intake for a hint of health and flavor.
  • Peppermint– Can be used as an anti-fungal or an anti-inflammatory. Can also aid in digestion and increased energy levels.
  • Orange– Can be used to decrease stress and increase focus.
  • Grapefruit – Can be used to decrease stress and suppress one appetite.
  • Lime – Can help reduce acne and aid in those who have respiratory issues.

 ** Keep in mind that some essential oils are not safe in certain amounts or can be unsafe used certain ways (i.e. ingested or topical). Carefully read labels and do your research. Also, essential oils that are to be used for health related problems should ONLY be handled by a trained aromatherapist. **  

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Rise and Shine

So many of us would love to stay in bed and catch a couple more hours of zzzzz, especially when that alarm goes off at 5:30am every morning. But at least us early risers have something going for us; studies show that waking up early is actually good for us!

  • People who sleep in tend to skip breakfast, and we have all heard breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast supplies our body with beneficial nutrients to keep us focused and energized throughout the day. Skipping breakfast will cause your body to go into starvation mode. This will make you more likely to overeat, as well as eat junk food when you actually do consume a meal.
  • You are more productive when you wake up early. Early risers typically get more done throughout the day than those who sleep in. After a good night’s sleep the body/brain is charged and ready to face the day ahead.
  • Early risers tend to have a more set sleeping schedule. Proper sleep routines are important for set your body’s eternal clock, which will boost your quality of sleep. Deep sigh; sleeping in until noon on the weekend is not actually helping you.
  • Waking up 15-minutes earlier each day can help alleviate morning stress. The first hour of each day often sets the tone/your mood for the rest of the day. By waking up a few minutes earlier there is no need to rush throughout your morning routine, thus a happier and stress free you.

*** Helpful Hint *** Place your alarm away from your bed. This will force you to get out of bed to turn it off.

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Skin Benefits to Exercise

We have all heard that daily exercise is good for the heart, lungs and your overall stress levels.  And although the overall cardiovascular benefits of exercise are important, we often forget about how exercise affects your skin tone.  You might find that exercise can be the most thrifty skin care regimen in your arsenal.

  • Exercising increases your blood flow, which allows the blood to carry oxygen and beneficial nutrients to cells in your body, including your skin.  Blood flow also helps in carrying away free radicals from these working blood cells.  In laymen’s terms, think of it like detoxifying your skin from the inside out, as well as fighting off premature aging.
  • Stress levels have been known to decrease when exercising regularly, but on top of that reducing stress has been shown to improve acne and eczema.
  • Hydration can flush out any additional toxins and oils from your skin during exercise.
  • Sweat also purges your body of toxins and oils during exercise.
  • Exercise tones your muscles.  The stronger those muscles are underneath your skin the more toned and healthier your skin will appear.
  • Exercising regularly produces natural oils that will make your skin have a healthy glow, while also keeping your skin moisturized.  However, it is important to shower after working out to prevent breakouts.

*** If you plan on exercising outside, be sure to protect your skin with sunscreen.  ***

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Naturally Flavored Waters

Soft drinks, energy drinks and juice. With the plethora of drink choices in front of us, it can be hard to consume the right amount of water daily and frankly it can sometimes feel like a chore. On top of that, we find ourselves consuming large amounts of sugary beverages daily. Infused water allows you to enjoy in the flavor of your favorite fruits/vegetables, while also extracting their beneficial nutrients. Infused waters can assist in curbing your appetite, building up your immunities, aiding in weight loss, helping to relieve day-to-day stress, and boosting your energy levels. And don’t forget the effects infused waters can have on your overall skin completion and hair health. I always use leftover vegetables and fruit which are perfect for throwing in my infused water, which also proves to be cost beneficial.

Points to keep in mind:

  • For best taste, allow the water to sit for 30-minutes before drinking
  • You can reuse the fruit/veggies/herbs in your infused water, however discard after 48-hours
  • Drink at room temperature

Here are a few of my favorite infused water mixtures:

Lime + Orange + Lemon = Great for immunity defense, regulating digestion and heartburn

Cucumber + Lemon + Lime = Great for appetite control, regulating digestion and hydration

Green tea + Mint + Lime = Great for regulating digestion, headaches and fat-burning

Cucumber + Kiwi + Strawberry = Great for regulating digestion and regulating blood sugar

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Let’s Talk Fine Mist Sprays

With July 4th approaching, I am sure you will be spending plenty of time outside this weekend.  And as the temperature begins to rise, you might be looking for a quick way to cool down and refresh.  Hydration is key to keep your skin looking its best and feeling refreshed, but I am not talking about just drinking a glass of water (or six, or seven glasses like you should be drinking daily).  I am talking about fine mist sprays.  I know what you are probably thinking…fine mist sprays are just water in an aerosol can, but fine mist sprays are a wonderful way to hydrate your skin.  Think of them as the adult version of running thru a sprinkler as a child.  To properly use a facial mist and prevent your skin from drying out, hold the can six-inches away from your face and spray.  Let the mist sit for one-minute on your skin and then blot off excess mist with a tissue or rag (blotting is key).  You can also apply your fine mist spray underneath your daily moisturizer, which allows moisture to stay locked in under the skin.  Just remember that not all fine mist sprays are created equal.  Some contain antioxidants and healing properties, others contain essential oils.  Some facial sprays are better for the winter months, others may be better for the Summer months.  They even contain different water types (distilled water versus thermal water).  Just exercise caution with how many times you apply your facial mist daily.  Just like licking your lips, applying a fine mist too many times a day can leave your skin dry and irritated.  Also, if buying an aerosol based facial spray it may contain alcohol or a VOC compound which can also dry out your skin.

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Benefits of Honey

I have always been amazed at the beauty products you can find in your pantry and fridge. Some might consider honey one of natures best kept secrets, yet it is always sitting on my pantry shelf directly between the sugar and cinnamon. Loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, honey is a natural antibiotic. Its antibiotic properties can assist in healing and killing bacteria associated with acne and wounds. How exactly does honey help heal/reduce acne and wounds? If you place honey on acne/wounds it will absorb the water in the wound. The honey will then kill all bacteria because bacteria needs water to survive as well. The water the honey absorbed will then trigger a chemical reaction, which causes the honey to release hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is also a wonderful antibiotic and will help to kill additional bacteria associated with the acne/wound. Also, honey is another natural product that can remedy inflammation. Because honey is acidic, it helps reduce the redness associated with acne. Try applying honey directly to the face in mask form to alleviate redness. Also, taking a spoonful of honey daily as a supplement can improve general skin-tone. If you are planning on using honey as a daily supplement, buy it in its raw, unprocessed form. Some people even use honey as their daily face-wash because there are no chemicals and it does not strip your skin of its natural oils. Although this is not going to completely remove your makeup, so it is best to use this face-washing method after your morning shower.

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Natural Ways to Feel Energized

We are busy people in a busy world.  Sometimes your body cannot keep up with the full nine-hours of work ahead, the long list of chores that need to be handled, the dinner that needs to be cooked, and kids that need to be run to their afternoon activities.  Remember, this is not a sprint, it’s a marathon and your body needs the energy required to run the marathon.  Here are four ways to increase your energy levels throughout the days.

Increase Your Exercise & Decrease Your Stress – You do not necessarily have to run 10 miles, five-days a week.  Get out and take a stroll around your neighborhood nightly.  Doing a daily 10-minute walk has been shown to increase energy levels and general mood after three-weeks.  Exercise also helps deal with stress and anger levels, which is one of the biggest zappers of energy.  Don’t have time to get a good exercise in?  Then take five-minutes and stretch yourself out.  Stretching is an excellent way to decrease stress.

Get A Full Night’s Sleep – I know you want to stay up and catch up on your DVR.  However, your body needs an average of seven-hours of sleep a night.  Decreased sleep levels equal a very cranky you.  I can assure you that your coworkers will thank you for getting a good night’s rest.  Sleep also restores brain energy, so you will be sharper come morning.

Don’t Skimp On Meals – Yes, breakfast is in fact the most important meal of the day.  People who eat breakfast report better moods and more elevated energy levels.  But don’t forget lunch and dinner.  Missing one meal a day can lead to increased fatigue by day’s end.  Even better, try a power snacking between meals.  Nuts, fruits, string-cheese, a hard-boiled egg or a spoonful of peanut butter can be a perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

Drink More Water –Dehydration can leave you feeling tired and fatigued.  It is important to keep your body hydrated.  Try drinking a glass of water upon waking up.

 

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