anndody

By Leslie Baumann, M.D. I went to check out the new Canyon Ranch spa in Miami Beach as soon as they opened since I always want to know what skincare lines the high end spas are carrying. As you know, if you routinely read my blog, I am always a skeptic about skincare products. I was stunned to see that Canyon Ranch's “Your Transformation” skincare line contains my favorite ingredient, Pro-NAD, which is a form of niacinamide that penetrates better than the type found in the Olay Regenerist products. (As a disclaimer, I have always been a fan of Canyon Ranch. I have stayed at the one in the Berkshires and thought that it was a great experience. The new one that just opened in Miami Beach is gorgeous and has great food, but I have no financial relationship with them.), A relative of niacin, and part of the vitamin B family, topical niacinamide is best known in the dermatological community as an anti-inflammatory and an excellent ingredi...

Get skin glowing and hair shining the natural way. 1. Blood oranges, cherries and blueberries Collagen is a natural protein in your skin and muscles that provides resiliency, shape and texture. Unfortunately, collagen production decreases with age— but you can fight back with dark fruit. "Blood oranges, cherries and blueberries are full of antioxidants, which decrease aging and disease by lowering inflammation. Antioxidants also increase collagen production and thicken the skin, making you look younger and healthier," says Julia Tatum Hunter, M.D., of Skin Fitness Plus in Beverly Hills. "Antioxidants also decrease [the severity of] rosacea." Blackberries, raspberries, plums, pomegranates, cranberries, Asian dragon fruit and kiwis also contain antioxidants. 2. Shellfish, sunflower seeds and sardines These foods may not taste great together, but individually they offer a powerhouse of essential fatty acids. Steven Chang, M.D., staff physician for RightHealth.com, sa...

By Leslie Baumann, M.D. - Did you find this helpful? 85% of users found this article helpful. If there's one thing I stress to my patients, it's that great skin doesn't require spending a fortune on some "miracle cream" made from rare seaweed from the Arctic Circle! It's all about simple good habits. But let's approach those habits from the opposite direction: What are the most damaging bad habits that I see time and time again? 1. Using a cleanser with harsh detergents: Many people assume that the suds of their vigorously foaming cleanser are a good sign -- surely they'll leave skin extra clean. Unfortunately, copious suds are generally a sign that your cleanser contains a harsh detergent, like lauryl sulfate, that strips skin of vital lipids. (And don't get me started on bar soap -- that is always a no-no.) Instead, look for cleansers that cont...

By Leslie Baumann, M.D. 85% of users found this article helpful. If there's one thing I stress to my patients, it's that great skin doesn't require spending a fortune on some "miracle cream" made from rare seaweed from the Arctic Circle! It's all about simple good habits. But let's approach those habits from the opposite direction: What are the most damaging bad habits that I see time and time again? 1. Using a cleanser with harsh detergents: Many people assume that the suds of their vigorously foaming cleanser are a good sign -- surely they'll leave skin extra clean. Unfortunately, copious suds are generally a sign that your cleanser contains a harsh detergent, like lauryl sulfate, that strips skin of vital lipids. (And don't get me started on bar soap -- that is a...

by Rookie Expert Try these simple at home beauty tips not just for your body, but for your mind and soul. Read on to know how to detox and rejuvenate yourself. Learn how to make quick face and hair packs at home. Do your own pedicure and manicure. You will end up not just looking beautiful but feeling beautiful too!! Discover a new you in just eight days. These are simple beauty tips that might help you prepare for a big day - maybe a function, a party, a date or some special occasion. You just need to plan a week ahead of the event. Follow this simple regime for eight days. I did this before my own wedding, its tried and tested. Day 8 - Detox Make sure you get your Vit C each day. Here's why - Vitamin C plays a significant role as an antioxidant and thus acts to protect your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are by-products that damage the body's metabolism . It also is quite effective against wrinkles and fine lines. Some natural sources of Vitam...

Here are tips for keeping supple in the cold season. By Robert Preidt Dry winter air can cause your skin to crack, chafe, itch and develop dry patches, but there are a number of things you can do to protect your skin, says Jeff Moore, an instructor of pharmaceutics at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. "During cold spells, your skin is constantly bombarded, dried out, and increasingly susceptible to infection," Moore said in a university news release. He offered a number of winter skin care tips: Drink six to eight glasses of water a day, because when we're properly hydrated, our skin lubricates itself from the inside. Don't take long, hot showers. Instead, take shorter, warm showers. The steam and heat associated with long, hot showers can draw out moisture on the skin and cause dryness. Use lotions and creams to create a barrier that protects your skin against dryness. For best results, apply a product with ingredients such as shea butter and petrolatum...

It's the main ingredient in most beauty products and a crucial element of every skin care regimen ... but I still encounter lots of misconceptions when it comes to plain ol' water! Yes, water is essential to all of our biological processes. When it comes to skin, H 2 0 is necessary for the proper functioning of enzymes that enable skin to continually replace itself and slough off old, dead cells. And yes, if the body is severely dehydrated, you will see changes in your skin. But true dehydration is very different from the occasional need for a tall glass of water. In the vast majority of cases, then, dehydrated skin is not indicative of a dehydrated body - and drinking more water will not have a significant impact on your skin's hydration. Make no mistake: As a doctor (and a human being!), I'm a big fan of water and advocate drinking plenty of it. But if you're experiencing dry skin - and more of us will be as the weather turns cooler and humidity drops in many part...

1. Give tired skin a boost by having a honey facial. Apply honey to clean skin, leave on for between 30 minutes and one hour then rinse off with clean water. It not only moisturises it also tightens pores. Manuka honey works best if you have blemishes as it contains natural anti- bacterial agents but any honey will do to give you fresher younger looking skin 2. For instantly soft hands. Make a mixture of salt and olive oil. (Add the olive oil to the salt rather than the other way round). Gently rub the mixture into your hands and rinse off with warm water afterwards. The salt gently removes dead skin and the olive oil adds moisture making your hands feel wonderfully soft. The oil is also excellent for preventing your cuticles from drying out, a problem which can lead to hangnails. 3. To remove stains from teeth. Take one teaspoon of lemon juice and one teaspoon of salt, mix together to make a paste. Using a toothbrush gently use it on discolored teeth to make them whiter and brighte...

The brightest freckles are found in young adults, usually having blonde and especially red hair. The skin tends to freckle in spring and summer, but as fall comes and winter approaches, they turn pale and disappear. The color and brightness of freckles, however, depend not only on the color of your hair and skin , but also on how long and intensely your skin is exposed to sunlight. Anti-Freckles Diet In spring, you should eat more foods rich in vitamin C such as fruit, green onion, red or black currant juice, sauerkraut and wild rose tea. Vitamin C makes the skin less sensitive to sunbeams. Whitening Masks against Freckles Skin care masks have a positive cosmetic effect, too. You can make them with handy ingredients (tomatoes, currant, strawberry, radish, apples), using one or several components. Whatever berry or vegetable you are going to use, you first need to remove their seeds and then mash or grate them. Grate the radish , add several drops of vegetable oil and mix everything ...

Whether getting ready for your wedding day or another momentous occasion, the following tips and reminders will ensure that you look beautiful in person and in photographs: Keep in mind that regardless of the product, shade, or application technique, makeup is only as good as the skin it covers. Take time in the months leading up to the big day to treat your skin well and avoid using products that cause irritation or can cause side effects such as dryness, flaking, or redness. Anticipate your skin’s needs based on its history and the weather (is the event in a location where it will be more humid, arid, or cold than your skin is used to?) then choose products accordingly. Do not have a facial, microdermabrasion, peel, or any other spa or dermatologist treatment within two weeks of the event, especially if you have not had such procedures performed in the past. The last thing you want to deal with is the complications that could result. If a trip to the spa is part of your bridal blis...

We don’t always have to spend a lot of money or depend on someone else to enjoy a refreshing and uplifting facial treatment. You can treat your skin to a quick midnight snack right at home with a few items that you most likely already have in your kitchen! Some of your most commonly used food ingredients have surprising benefits to your skin. I have searched far and wide and found some of the best homemade facial masque recipes . These scrumptious homemade facial masques will fill your skin with delight and satisfaction. Take a few minutes to whip up these simple recipes, follow my Five Easy Steps to a Self-Facial and bask in the moment of self-indulgence. You deserve it! Honey & Egg Masque - Dry Skin Mix together 1 tablespoon warmed honey, 1 egg yolk, 1/2 teaspoon almond oil and 1 tablespoon yogurt . Apply to the skin and relax for 10-15 minutes. For easy removal, use a warm, (wet, squeezed-dry) face towel. - Honey has many hidden talents. Most people are not aware of the f...

One of the first homemade beauty products I’ve ever made was an aspirin mask. I think it’s the most powerful non-prescription and totally green solution you can find for problem skin. Aspirin for acne? Why not? It’s the cleanest and most concentrated form of salicylic acid. It is made of acetylsalicylic acid. Since its market introduction under the trademark Aspirin® in the year 1899, acetylsalicylic acid has attained a strong reputation in the prescription-free therapy of pain and inflammations. Aspirin works to inhibit the body’s production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are extremely effective, hormone-like substances that are produced by the body in miniscule quantities and are involved in the regulation of pain, fever and inflammation. Additional bonus: active ingredient in aspirin prevents infections and damage to blood vessels! That’s exactly what we are looking for – killing the inflammation and keeping blood vessels stable to avoid swellin...

Really, they do! Toothpaste on a zit? Vinegar in your hair? Some of that ridiculous-sounding advice you’ve heard in passing is really right on. You’ve been told this line before: “Okay, I know it’s weird but…” What follows is a surprising piece of advice- about anything from clearing up a zit to taming a flyaway- that totally does the trick. Call it word-of-mouth beauty. Sure, these tips might sound strange at first (“You put diaper cream where?!), but there’s a logic to them. We rounded up tons of such pointers (from pros as well as real girls) and tested them at Cosmo. Though a few clunkers had to be kicked to the curb, all the rest, presented here, are real gems. 1. Powder Your Roots If your hairline starts to look greasy, dig up a big, fluffy makeup brush, and dip into a pot of loose powder. Tap it once on the back of your hand to remove excess, then dust it over your roots. It mops up oil and blends into your strands, so no one will know you didn’t shower. 2. Scent Stra...