Natural Ways to Nourish Your Skin

Natural Ways to Nourish Your Skin

If you spend a lot of money each year on high-end beauty products, and hours searching for the “latest” purchase to solve your skin woes, keep in mind that there is more to beautiful, glowing skin than just slathering it with products. Indeed, your skin can be affected just as much by what you put in your body, as what you put on it.

That’s where natural strategies for healthy and younger-looking skin come in handy. From absorbing the right nutrients and getting enough sleep, to staying out of the sun and keeping hydrated, there are plenty of cost-effective and simple things you can be doing to look your best without spending a fortune. Read on for tips you can try today.

Natural Ways to Nourish

Nutrients

Firstly, if you want to have beautiful, clear skin, you need to ensure that you are absorbing plenty of nutrients. You can get them by eating a varied diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, but also through what you drink. Tea, in particular, is great for the skin, particularly if you consume a variety of blends.

Zen Cleanse Organic Tea, for example, features things like dandelion root, hibiscus, cranberry, burdock root, spearmint, ginger, and milk thistle. These ingredients make the tea an excellent source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are beneficial in reducing the risk of sun damage and skin cancer, which in turns means that you have a reduced risk of getting wrinkles, spots, and pigmentation.

The antioxidants found in tea can also work to protect your skin from UV radiation. This then prevents cell damage, and helps your skin to look younger and stay clear for longer. It will also have better density and elasticity, as well as suffer less from inflammation and redness (which tends to be associated with the build-up of free radicals in the body with age).

Many teas, like damiana leaf and calendula, as well as juices and smoothies, are also chock full of Vitamins C, A, and E, which skin loves. Vitamin C promotes healthy and resilient skin, and also boosts the production of collagen, which drops as people age and are faced with UV light exposure and air pollutants. If your body doesn’t get enough Vitamin C, you are more likely to end up with wrinkles because of the loss of collagen. Vitamin C also helps to ward off age spots and skin discoloration.

Vitamin A is important when it comes to the maintenance and repair of skin, as well as providing relief for potential skin issues like acne, dry or flaky skin, psoriasis, and related ailments. Vitamin A also helps to heal scrapes, scratches, wounds and other damage to the skin. Vitamin E happens to be another great antioxidant which helps the body to fight free radicals and stop skin from aging prematurely. It is also even believed to be effective at preventing certain types of skin cancers.

Sleep

Something else you can do to help your skin look and feel its best is to make sure you get enough sleep every night. The term “beauty sleep” is in fact a relevant one, since hitting the hay early enough can have a big impact on the health of your skin. The body’s cellular renewal processes work during the night, when the body is asleep. As well, not getting enough snooze time lowers your circulation, which leads to pale and washed-out looking skin.

Use Sunscreen

Avoid Extreme Sun Exposure

We have all heard over and over again that too much exposure to the sun can cause damage to the skin, but this is something that often gets ignored. However, if you really want lovely skin, it’s important to wear sunscreen every day, especially when you are in the outdoors for extended periods of time or during the hottest parts of the day.

Keep in mind that the majority of wrinkles form due to sun exposure, and that it’s much easier to prevent skin damage than it is to try and fix it later on. Even in winter, when the sun’s rays aren’t so strong, you should guard against UV damage. Wearing sunglasses can also help, as they protect the sensitive under-eye skin that is the thinnest, and where most signs of aging show up first.

Moisturize 

Adding moisture is so important to keep your skin healthy.  Applying body butters after bathing is a great way to lock in moisture and give your skin a healthier appearance.  Try out private label body butter.

Drink Plenty of Water

Lastly, remember that there are many different health reasons why you need to drink enough water every day, and one of those is that it makes a difference to your skin. Water helps to clear toxins from your system and thus reduces blemishes and inflammation. Good hydration can also make your skin appear fuller and reduce premature aging. In addition, drinking around eight glasses of water per day will help to transport oxygen, and all those essential nutrients, to the skin cells.

Save on the Caress® Forever Collection at CVS + Giveaway

Post sponsored by Lunchbox. Opinions are 100% my own.

Caress Fine Fragrance

Have you heard about the new Caress® Forever Collection?  A friend told me of it last month but I didn’t get around to trying it till I recently remembered to pick one up while at CVS.  I chose a bottle of Caress® Mystique Forever and it’s great.  Not only does it smell great initially upon using but it’s designed to deliver bursts of perfume every time your skin is touched for up to 12 hours.  Isn’t that crazy?  That way you can go on smelling great all day long.

The Caress® Forever Collection uses Fragrance Release Pearls which are teeny tiny invisible beads in the body wash to release bursts of perfume with every touch of your skin. It’s the world’s first body wash with breakthrough fragrance touch technology. Not only that but it lathers well and leaves my skin feeling extremely soft!

There’s a deal going on right now where you can grab a bottle for yourself at a discount!

B1G1 Free CaressPlus this week at CVS (thru 4/16/16), Caress® body washes are Buy One, Get One Free. So you can pick this one up (or two!) and try it for yourself.

Prices will inevitably vary a little at each store, but here’s a deal scenario for you with the prices from my local store.

CVS Deals (Thru 4/16)
Buy (2) Caress® Body Wash, 13.5 to 18oz, $5.99 B1G1 Free
(2) $1/1; 50¢/1 Caress Bars 6ct+ or Body Wash 12oz+, exp. 4/17/16 (RP 3/20/16)
= Only $1.99 Each!

GIVEAWAY!!

Of course I hate to tell you these things without giving you a chance to WIN a way to try them yourself!  Comment on my post telling me why you’d like to try the new Caress® Mystique Forever Body Wash for a chance to receive a free sample AND a $20 CVS gift card!  You can see the terms and conditions of the giveaway HERE. Good Luck.

Five Beauty Habits to Break for Fall

5 Beauty Habits to Break

Skipping a few hours of sleep, forgetting to wash your face before bed, not apply sunscreen everyday all seem so innocent right? But odds are, at least one of these habits in your daily routine are the cause of those dreadful breakouts, crow’s feet and flakey or discolored skin. Fortunately, the fixes are simple! By nixing these everyday habits you can take years off your complexion, and leave skin protected, balanced and refreshed:

Mistake #1: Forgetting Sunscreen We know, we know – you hear this a million times but 90% of premature skin aging and discoloration is caused by exposure to sunlight! Applying sunscreen daily is the easiest way to prevent sun damage, protect your skin, and not to mention – look younger. Try using products that offer Broad-Spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection, an SPF of 30 or greater, and are water resistant.

Mistake #2: Applying Makeup with Dirty Brushes This may seem innocent, but applying makeup with the same brush month after month causes dirt and bacteria to buildup which can lead to breakouts. It’s important you wash brushes every two to three weeks (if not daily). An easy DIY quick fix is to mix a couple of drops of gentle facial cleanser or shampoo with lukewarm water in a cup. Then swish your brushes around, rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry, and lay flat on a clean towel to air dry. {By the way, I’m totally loving my new Sigma brushes!}

Mistake #3: Skimping on Sleep Your skin and body go into repair mode when asleep. This is why sticking to a regular sleeping routine will not only keep you well rested, but will help to renew and regenerate new skin cells. For an extra boost, try incorporating just a glass a day of soy milk into your daily routine as this can help improve the structure and firmness of your skin, as well as soften those crow’s feet.

Mistake #4: Not Cleansing Daily Going to bed without washing your face is one of the biggest skin care no-no’s. Leaving makeup and dirt on skin doesn’t just clog pores and cause breakouts, it can also lead to excessive dryness and even skin dandruff. To clear out the gunk without drying out skin, opt for a soap-free cleanser like Sebamed Clear Face Cleansing Foam and start cleansing on a daily basis! The cleanser is soap and alkali-free wash that gently cleanses pores to eliminate pimples and blackheads, with a coconut oil-based antibacterial active ingredient that removes bacteria to prevent the formation of new pimples.

Mistake #5: Waiting To Moisturize Most creams and lotions have key ingredients that create a protective barrier on the surface of the skin to lock in moisture to maintain a healthy pH balance of 5.5. For optimum moisture, slather on your moisturizer immediately after cleansing or a hot shower, before the skin cools and your pores begin to close.

Celebrate Father’s Day with Dove’s #RealDadMoments & a Giveaway

This post is sponsored by Dove Men+Care and The Motherhood. #RealDadMoments

Dove Men+Care Logo

I love Father’s day!  That’s probably because I had wonderful men in my life as I was growing up.  I loved spending time with my grandpas and my dad.  I would do anything to spend time with them.  “Dig” a ditch? I gave it my all!  Chopping wood?  I would carry the chopped wood to the pile.  Anything and everything to spend time with them.

Now that I’m married to a dad I think I love it even more!  Watching my husband cuddle with my kids when they are sick, spend his evenings playing puzzles and blocks, and every evening reading them books before bed is heartwarming.  My daughter has the best daddy, I’m confident!  She would agree too!

Daddy and Daughter Reading

 

I took this snapshot this evening while they were watching YouTube videos of their latest musical obsession, Justin Roberts.  Aren’t they sweet together?

I appreciate my husband being involved in their lives.  I know appreciate really isn’t the word I’m looking for but I am …immensely grateful for him.  He knows what they like, dislike, and how their day went.  It’s such a blast sharing parenthood with him.  For instance, today I got a laugh when my daughter told me the lunch that I prepared, pizza sauce and cheese on bread, was “pretend pizza.”  To you that probably isn’t funny but to us it is because we’ve been watching her learn what it means to pretend this week.  It’s fun knowing someone else cares about the little details of their lives like I do.

Dove Men+Care is committed to portraying how real men and dads care for their children New Dove Men+Care research reveals a disconnect between the media’s representation of father’s roles and how fathers actually see themselves:

  • – Three quarters of dads say they are responsible for their child’s emotional well-being, while only 20% of dads see this role reflected in the media
  • – Only 13% of dads believe the media portrays fathers as responsible for childcare
  • – 3 out of 5 dads say the media portrays them negatively (61%!)

Those are some pretty sad statistics, right?

The Dove Men+Care has created a ‘Calls For Dad’ film that spotlights the expanding and often unrecognized ways fathers care for their children:

  • – Nearly all dads (97%) say they are involved in their child(ren)’s life and 7 in 10 see themselves as highly involved
  • – An overwhelming majority of dads (94%) prioritize their families over their careers
  • – Dove Men+Care understands that dads’ role as caregiver is often unrecognized and is sharing real, authentic moments of care just in time for Father’s Day
  • – Features real dads and their kids

I think Dove Men+Care did a phenomenal job in creating this video.  You can view it below.

Dove Men+Care celebrates men who know that more care is better.  They have a whole line created JUST for men!  Surely, ya’ll knew that though, right?  It’s pretty great…or so I’m told!

Body Wash (Skin Care Built In)

  • – Dove Men+Care Body Wash is clinically proven to fight dry skin better than regular men’s body wash
  • – Formulated with ultra-light MICROMOISTURE technology, a unique gel technology, that activates on skin during lather to guard against discomfort

Body Bar (Skin Care Built In)

  • – Dove Men+Care Body Bar is clinically proven to fight dry skin better than ordinary bar soap
  • – Uses Dove signature ¼ moisturizing cream to boost the skin’s natural moisture barrier, which works to replenish moisture in the skin’s outer surface layer

Share your family’s #RealDadMoments with Dove Men+Care:

Follow Dove Men+Care on Twitter

Follow Dove Men+Care on Instagram

Like Dove Men+Care on Facebook

Subscribe to Dove Men+Care on YouTube

Visit DoveMenCare.com

Enter below to win a Dove Men+Care prize pack! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

10 Makeup Tips to Look Gorgeous This Winter

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. #WalgreensBeauty #CollectiveBias

10 Tips to Look Gorgeous This Winter

Are you feeling less than beautiful this season?  Do you need a few makeup tips to perk up your demeanor?  With the dropping temperatures it’s common to have a dull complexion, frizzy hair, and blotchy skin.  I’m here to share my favorite 10 tips {and products} to help you banish your winter beauty blues.  Are you ready?  Let’s get started!

CoverGirl TruMagic

1.)  Choose a new foundation.  As the seasons change so should your makeup…and I’m not just talking about colors.  As the cold weather approaches it’s important to choose a foundation that leaves your skin feeling dewier than the one you previously used in the warmer months.  I recommend skipping powder all together.  If you’re skin has a tendancy to shine here and there try CoverGirl’s mattifier.  It will tame the shine without settling in your wrinkles or drying out your skin.  This is one of my new favorite drugstore buys!  Products to try: Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse Makeup and CoverGirl TruMagic Mattifier.

Yes to Cucumbers

2.)  Swap out your shampoo.  Most shampoos contain sulfates, which do a great job at cleaning hair so much so that they can also strip away important oils.  Using these shampoos will leave your scalp feeling itchy, flaky, and dry during the colder months.  Look for sulfate-free shampoos and moisturizing conditioners to keep your locks looking lovely.  Products to try:  Yes to Cucumbers, TRESemme, and Organix shampoos and conditioners.

Sally Hansen

3.)  Paint your nails.  A new shade of nail polish can brighten anyone’s spirits.  You could go with a natural or a bold polish, the choice is yours.  When removing polish use an acetone-free nail polish remover to help nails maintain their moisture.  {Check out my natural secret to beautiful nails.}  Products to check out: Sally Hansen Salon Manicure, Revlon, or Maybelline.

Olay Beauty Bars

Gold Bond Lotion

4.)  Ban the hot water.  Okay, if you’re like me and just can’t give up your long, hot baths, try substituting your regular bubble bath with a few drops of  bath oil.  You can also swap your old bar of soap for a moisturizing bar or body wash.  When you get out of the shower don’t try off completely and apply body cream all over.  Body creams are better than lotions.  The thicker and richer the product the more moisture it gives your skin.  Products to try: Olay moisturizing beauty bar or body wash and Gold Bond Soothing cream.

Yes to Cucumbers

5.)  Cleanse gently.  Washing your face with a product that over dries it will cause your face to produce more oil, lots of it, leaving you with shine and if you’re like me, acne.  If you can stand creamy facial cleansers that don’t require rinsing those would be great to use during the winter.  {I personally can’t use them because it seems so wrong to have a creamy cleanser.  It just weirds me out.  I know that’s stupid but I can’t get past it.}  Instead, I opt for facial cleansing cloths that remove makeup and grime without rinsing.  Products to try: Aveeno Ultra Calming Makeup Removing Wipes, Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes, or Oil of Olay Facial Cleansing Cloths.

Vaseline Lip Therapy

6.)  Moisturize your lips.  The winter temps and wind can quickly chap and crack your lips.  Protect your lips with a nourishing lip balm, not the waxy ones, or enjoy a creamy layer of Vaseline Lip Therapy like I do.  {I know it doesn’t treat or moisturize my lips but it seals in moisture and well, I just like it.}  {Check out 15 Beauty Uses for Vaseline}  I also alternate between Vaseline Lip Therapy, Burt’s Bees colored lip products and Carmex.  I love all three brands so much that it’s hard to chose just one.  I keep one, at least one, in every diaper bag, purse, and if I’m honest…in just about every room of our house.  I hate to be without my lip products in winter!  Nobody likes dry lips, nobody.  Products to try: Vaseline Lip Therapy, Carmex, or Burt’s Bees lip products.

Humidifier

7.)  Hydrate while you sleep.  Indoor heat dries out the air in every home so grab a humidifier {or two} to help combat itchy, dry skin.  Products to try: Crane humidifier.

8.) Drink more water.  It’s no secret that water is good for you but many of us don’t drink the recommended 8 glasses a day.  Thinking about why I’m drinking water it a good motivation for me to continue to drink.  It helps flush out things that shouldn’t be there, keeps your body hydrated, and drinking water also helps improve the appearance of your skin.  Win-win!

Covergirl Bombshell

9.)  Use a primer.  A primer will help protect your face and keep those blotchy spots at bay.  It also prevents a cakey look that can happen when makeup is applied over dry skin.  A good primer will help your makeup go on evenly and last all day.  Don’t forget to quickly swipe on a coat or two of your favorite mascara to make your eyes pop.  Products to try: L’Oreal Paris Anti-Redness Skin Primer, CoverGirl Bombshell Volume.

10.)  Sleep!  This advice isn’t specific to winter but it’s a good thing to be reminded of all year long.  Wanna know a little secret?  Beauty sleep is a real thing.  It’s true!  Our bodies repair themselves while we’re sleeping so not only is our mood improved with a good night’s sleep but so is our skin.

Walgreens Shopping

Because I love affordable beauty products all of the items I suggested above can be found at your local drug store.  The items I pictured above were purchased at my local Walgreens which has a great makeup aisle and incredibly friendly makeup department workers.  {They always have extra beauty coupons on hand, I love these ladies!}  Here’s a picture of my husband making a silly face while shopping with me in the Walgreens beauty department.

What changes do you make to your beauty routine during the winter months?  Also, what are your favorite winter beauty buys?  I’d love to know!

Rosacea: What You Need To Know

This informational article is brought to you by Alaska Dermatlogy, Laser & Skin Cancer Center.  I hope you’ll find it helpful!

When you look in the mirror, have you noticed your face is turning red? Is the redness sticking around longer than it should? If it doesn’t want to go away, that rosy color might be Rosacea. Rosacea is a rather mysterious skin disorder, in that there is no known cause or cure. Rosacea can affect several places on the face, neck, chest and back, making it difficult to conceal, and while it isn’t life threatening, it can make a person quite self-conscious, as the redness often starts out resembling a sunburn that doesn’t go away. Alaska dermatologist Michael Cusack encourages people with rosacea to “visit a dermatologist and get back the confidence you deserve.”

Talk about aging gracefully!

One of the downsides of leaving your twenties behind, is that primarily, Rosacea affects most people beyond the age of thirty. However, it’s also true that women typically notice the changes in their skin sooner and don’t wait around to see a doctor. Men, on the other hand, generally tend to wait-and-see until the condition makes itself more difficult to treat. If you recall the actor, W.C. Fields from the 1920’s, one of his trademark facial features was a rather bulbous, red nose. Though at the time it was blamed on Fields’ heavy drinking, modern research leads us to believe now that this was actually a case known as Phymatous Rosacea, which leads to skin thickening, which occurs most often around the nose.

Symptoms

Of the four main sub-types of Rosacea, symptoms often come and go, in varying degrees of severity. Many times Rosacea first appears as reddened cheeks, chin and nose, which may or may not leave and reappear suddenly. It can also manifest itself as pimples and bumps on the skin, making you wonder if you are unknowingly revisiting your teenage years. If your eyes water or itch or if you develop excessive dryness and more than your fair share of styles, it’s possible that Ocular Rosacea may be making an unwelcome visit there. This situation really must be dealt with promptly, as it could cause damage to your corneas, something that may be very difficult to repair.

Treatments

Now, as far as those treatments that you’re sure to seek out, there are several of them to choose from and most are quite manageable. Since you’re an individual, the treatment of your Rosacea will be individualized as well. There are several topical creams and lotions to apply to your skin that can help, as well as an oral medication that is specifically made just for Rosacea. If tiny blood vessels have appeared on your face, gentle laser treatment by a dermatologist may also be an option. To keep your skin as calm as possible, consider adding a gentle skin-care regimen which includes a non-irritating cleanser and as always, a lotion with an SPF of 15 or higher.

Coping with Rosacea

Of course Rosacea is not high on anyone’s list of things to deal with, but bear in mind that it is not life threatening. It’s treatable and oftentimes will become nothing more than a nuisance. Your red face doesn’t have to stay that way! The National Rosacea Society provides readers with FAQ on rosacea and how to cope with this skin condition. 

The Alaska Dermatlogy, Laser & Skin Cancer Center provides the best skincare for dermatologic patients. You can connect with them and read more about their center and services by visiting their site.

Vanessa Williams’ Skincare Revitalistic

Vanessa Williams Revitalistic Skincare

 

I was first given the opportunity to review Vanessa William’s Revitalistic SkinCare set two months ago.  I spent over a month reviewing each of the products because I want to thoroughly review a product before promoting it.  After one week of trying the products, I knew I would love them.  By the end of the month, I was already placing orders for a few of the items with my own money.  This is a great set!

To begin with I was a little skeptical because anytime a celebrity puts their name on something I’m extra critical.  I don’t really know why but that’s how my mind works.  Also, I knew that just because Vanessa Williams is amazingly beautiful that these products aren’t what made her that way and they weren’t going to turn me into the next super model.  I was realistic and even a bit negative to begin with.  These products had to be really tremendous to change my mind and they did!

Vanessa Williams Eye Serum

1.) RE-FOCUS Firming Eye Cream

This is an extremely light-weight, almost runny eye cream.  You can wear it day and night without having to worry about putting too much product on and having your make up cake up.  While I liked that about it I wanted a little something more substantial at night.  I guess I’m just used to the thicker creams.  At night I would follow my skin care regimen as normal, pat the eye cream on, and then dab a little Vaseline over top of it to seal it in for the night.  In the morning my eyes would feel so hydrated.  I loved it!

2.) RE-QUENCH Anti-Age Defense

This is a great product!  I feel bad that I don’t have a picture to show you the texture but the truth is I used it all. I did.  I loved it and it’s definitely one of the products I’ll keep buying.  It’s lightweight but not too light and it moisturized wonderfully.

Vanessa Williams Neck and Decollete Cream

3.) RE-CONTOUR Neck & Decollete Cream

I love a great decollete cream!  I usually use my regular moisturizer over my neck but I use a specialized cream for the area just below my neck, along my collar bone.  This is a thicker cream that feels great on.  I recommend it to everyone because no one wants to have a pretty face and a wrinkly neck.

Vanessa Williams Skincare Skin Serum

4.) RE-START Skin Serum

I have a love/hate relationship with this product.  Serums are great concentrated products that deliver a lot of bang for your buck however, I’ve never seen a serum quite like this before!  It’s a very greasy feeling product which I didn’t enjoy but by the time it was rubbed it into my skin it wasn’t greasy anymore.  It’s like magic!  All in all, I like this product and would probably buy again.

Vanessa Williams Skin Perfecting Peel

5.) PERFEXTURE Triple Enzyme Skin Perfecting Peel

Last but not least, we have PERFEXTURE, the set’s peel.  THIS. IS. AMAZING!  It’s truly a wonderful product.  The directions say to leave it on for three minutes and then wash it off.  I put it on while in the shower because I wanted a way to wash all the little granules off thoroughly without getting any in my eyes and without overflowing the bathroom sink with water.  I may have left it on a little longer than three minutes but when I washed it off my skin felt brand new.  It sloughs off the old dead skin on top leaving smooth skin underneath.  Once I dried off I applied the other products on top to seal in the moisture and keep my skin feeling soft.  I will be stocking up on this product, there’s no doubt about it!

Vanessa Williams Skincare

This set of skin care products has my approval.  If you’d like to try it out for yourself you can buy it right now on QVC for $52 + shipping.

Until next time,

Have a beautiful day!!

Sample Pack from Oxy-Clinical

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