What to Eat for Healthy Glowing Skin

I love information like this, and hope you find this article helpful!

http://www.youbeauty.com/nutrition/eat-for-glowing-skin

Cheers,

Sue

Antioxidant Ingredients for Your Best Skin

Antioxidants can be used on all skin types, including acne,  For best results, apply daily with or without additional moisturizer under sunscreen.  After exfoliating the skin, using an antioxidant helps to literally feed and nourish the skin.

These powerful ingredients, found in the Rhonda Allison Antioxidant Complex Serum, help to strengthen, firm, and protect the skin in the following ways:

• Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein - Biopeptides, skin-strenghening protiens
• Peumus Boldus (D-Boldine) Leaf Extract – Cell-protective, anti-inflammatory, and power antioxidant
• Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide – Holds moisture and gives skin a silky, velvety feel, boosts immunity and calms skin
• Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract – an antioxidant
• D-Alpha Tocopherol – Vitamin E (an antioxidant)
• Deuterium Oxide (Heavy Water) – a heavier form of water taken from seawater that stays in skin tissue for
  a longer period of time
• L-Glutathione – An enzyme that protects fibroblast; supports maintenance of tissue cellular antioxidants
• Superoxide Dismutase – An enzyme that suppresses mutation of tissue respiratory oxygen into oxygen free radicals
• Resveratrol – potent antioxidant from red wine

Rhonda Allison Antioxidant Complex Serum 

Exfoliation 101: Scrubs vs. Acids

Basically to have better skin, you exfoliate and feed the skin antioxidants.  Ok we are done.  Now you have mastered the science of skin care…..

okay…that was a little too easy.

Rhonda Allison Pumpkin Cleanser contains lactic acid and works well for both normal to oily skin types

So what is the best way to exfoliate and what are the best antioxidants?

It depends on your skin.

Let’s talk about exfoliation first.  You can use a product that contains an acid (glycolic, salicylic, lactic, mandelic, etc) or you can use a scrub.  There are many different combinations of both.  I use the terms “chemical” for acids or “manual” for scrubs when it comes to exfoliation.  And the type of exfoliation that is best for your skin depends on the type of acne you have.

If you have inflamed breakouts that are red and tender, a scrub is not a good idea.  An acid is going to be less irritating.  Mandelic acid is my favorite acid for active breakouts and inflamed acne because it not only exfoliates, it is anti-inflammatory and helps to correct dark spots.

Non-inflamed breakouts, blackheads and whiteheads can benefit from scrubs, and in some cases, you can also use the acids at the same time to help break up and dislodge impactions.  TIP – If you have a favorite cleanser, you can turn it into a scrub just by adding some baking soda:  Put some baking soda into your palm and add a small amount (dime-size) of your cleanser,  make a paste, and voila!

A professional assessment of your skin is always the best course of action if you are not making any progress with your over the counter products and medications.  You might just need one adjustment in your home care routine to make all the difference and get results more quickly.

My new favorite non-scrub cleanser for normal to oily skin types is Rhonda Allison Pumpkin Cleanser and it has both acid (lactic) and antioxidants!  It is a natural, all-purpose daily cleanser removes surface residue and protects against free radical damage. Pumpkin has a high content of vitamin A and beta carotene, two potent antioxidant ingredients; combined with natural surface-reducing lipids and essential oils, Pumpkin Cleanser provides important nutrition for the skin.

Stay tuned for more info on antioxidants in my next post…

All the best

Sue

Now Is A Good Time To Start Cleansing On The Inside

Yes, I do love cleanses, and here’s one that makes a lot of sense:

The Standard Process Purification Program

Another cleanse I can highly recommend is The Clean Program Cleanse

Remember that your skin is an organ of elimination so if there is something going on the outside, it is usually a symptom of an internal imbalance.  Internal cleansing is an important way to help correct skin issues.

I am starting the Standard Process cleanse this week – who wants to join me?

Cheers,

Sue

There is No Magic Bullet in Skin Care

mag·ic bul·let

noun
magic bullets, plural

A medicine or other remedy, esp. an undiscovered or hypothetical one, with wonderful or highly specific properties.

_______________

No Magic Bullet?

Ok if there is no such thing as instantaneous results, that doesn’t mean that you can’t get results in a few weeks.

There are a lot of awesome products and treatments that work over time.  In order to succeed in having better skin, the most important thing to remember is that it takes at least 30 days to evaluate whether your home care products are working.  And, at the same time, you need to have at least 4-6 treatments over the course of 12 weeks to produce real results.

I tell my clients “if you get great results in less than 6 treatments, that is better than average and an optimal outcome.”  And you still have to maintain those results over time.

There are many factors that affect the outcome of any skin care program and those are the subjects that we cover in the initial consultation and during the course of treatments.

And in the meantime, the best way to approach any skin care program is to have realistic expectations.  It is important to work with someone who can help you manage your expectations by educating you about the process required to help you reach your goals.

Cheers,

Sue

Too Much Exfoliation = Too Much of a Good Thing?

For better skin, you need the perfect balance of exfoliation and the application of corrective products in order to reach your goal.

In healthy skin, the cells in the top layer of skin are developing and shedding at a normal rate.  In problem skin the cells are developing at an abnormally rapid rate – called hyperkeratosis – and when the body can’t keep up with this over-proliferation of cells then it is necessary to intervene, so we exfoliate!

Our skin has an important function – to protect us!  So if you exfoliate too much by scrubbing or using harsh products, the natural balance of your skin is compromised.  Now your skin has lost the ability to protect you and it will definitely react.

The most common reaction is a rashy-type breakout with pustular bumps.  People, this is not acne and you should NOT try to dry it out!   This is an indication that the skin barrier has been compromised.  The best way to deal with this is to use products that will rapidly replace and restore that barrier function and reduce the inflammation.

Over the counter 1% hydrocortisone cream used  2-3 times a day for 2-3 days is an easy fix.  In addition, many skin care lines have special products with active ingredients for exactly this purpose.  These are usually called “post-treatment” products and are specifically used to restore barrier function.  These ingredients include: Oat Beta Glucan, Centinella Asiatica, Aloe, Chamomile, etc, etc.  Once your skin returns to normal then you can go back to your home care products.

I know it is counter-intuitive to use a heavy cream or ointment product on breakout prone skin, but it will only be for a couple of days until the irritation is gone.  Your skin has just given you a signal that the exfoliation you had been doing was too much of a good thing!

New Product from Stridex

People with acne or oily skin should use products that contain salicylic acid because it is an excellent blackhead fighter and exfoliator.

Stridex Naturally Clear pads are available at your drugstore

Salicylic acid works by causing the cells of the epidermis to shed.  As a Beta-hydroxy acid, it can cut through oily skin to exfoliate inside the pore and prevent the skin from getting clogged up and being infected with bacteria.

I love Stridex Pads because they contain salicylic acid and NO alcohol.  Go here to see their new product Stridex Natural Control with better ingredients and 1% salicylic acid.

One Love Organics – Youth Preservation Serum

Instead of eye cream, I’m using One Love Organics Love Springs Eternal Youth Preservation Serum under my eyes!

An anti-aging serum unlike any other, this wonderful serum boasts some of Mother Earth’s most effective gifts: watermelon seed oil to smooth, dissolve build-up and provide a rich composition of essential fatty acids, Bulgarian Rose Oil to tone and moisturize, and clinically proven D’Orientine S to help protect skin from environmental sources of aging and wrinkling.

One Love Organics Youth Preservation Serum $98

Every single ingredient listed is plant based and scores 1 or less (meaning low to no hazard) on the cosmetic safety data base. Visit the One Love Organics ingredients page to learn more…

citrullus vulgaris (watermelon) seed oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride (and) phoenix dactylifera (date) seed extract, organic rosa damascena (rose) oil, citrus aurantium (neroli) oil, organic boswellia carteri (frankincense) oil, organic cymbopogon martini (palmarosa) Oil, tocopherol (natural vitamin e)

Yum!
Your skin will forever thank you.

Managing Stress for Healthy Skin

Years ago I attended a stress management workshop and was surprised how many symptoms of stress I had – I was so used to living with stress that I didn’t even realize it.  At that time I was breaking out too.

Check out this list of Stress Exhaustion Symptoms.  How many are you experiencing?

If you feel overwhelmed at first,  don’t worry!  You are not alone.  Everyone is going through something.  It helps to talk about your life with family, close friends, or even a professional.

If you want to begin to make changes in your life, start small and make it easy on yourself.  The best way to start to is to practice deep breathing:  try to take 5 deep breaths – 5 times a day.

For other ideas, take a look at the following list*

A Good Stress Manager…

- Knows for herself how much challenge, pressure, stimulation is enough and how much is too much
- Avoids potentially stressful situations
- Nips stress in the bud
- Understands that she is not indispensable
- Never eats to cope
- Never worries
- Smiles inside and lets go when starting to feel frantic
- Sees challenges rather than problems
- Knows when to say NO
- Knows when to say YES
- Feels genuinely connected to others
- Can enjoy solitude
- Remembers that he will die someday…and chooses wisely every moment
- Has positive self esteem
- Doesn’t blame herself or anyone else
- Has patience
- Backs off occasionally
- Takes time to see, hear, smell, and touch
- Depends on his support network
- Is optimistic
- Takes care of herself
- Looks for better ideas
- Can have fun without spending money
- Can spend money without feeling guilty
- Sleeps on it
- Takes care of himself
- Doesn’t get upset about little things
- Breaks the big jobs into easy little tasks
- Understands that she is not perfect
- Remembers to express gratitude and appreciation to others
- Picks fights carefully…and lets the little ones go
- Has a vision for herself and her world, and works to achieve it
- Has and continually develops a value and spiritual belief system
- Responds in proportion to the situation
- Is flexible in body, mind, and spirit
- Pays attention to physical tension and knows how to relax
- Eats regular, well-balanced meals
- Cares about and practices physical fitness
- Knows how to pace herself
- Feels worthwhile, important, and in charge of his life
- Knows the difference between stress that challenges and stress that threatens
- Sits quietly and thinks
- Spends minimal time dwelling on resentments, grudges, and jealousies
- Asks himself, “50 years from now, who will know or care?”

*This info is from Structured Exercises in Stress Management by Nancy and Donald Tubesing (Copyright 1994)

How Pop Your Own Zits – AKA Bathroom Surgery Protocol

Due to popular demand – I am re-posting this entry from 2008 – Enjoy!

___________________________________

Many people ask me if it is OK to pop their own zits and I’m all for it simply because I realize that it is impossible to leave a big pimple alone until your next appointment. Here’s how to do it correctly, so listen up:

Warning: DO NOT attempt to pop a red, inflamed pimple without a white center and an obvious opening. It can scar! If your zit is inflamed and isn’t ready for your Bathroom Surgery then you can spread the infection and increase tissue damage. It is fine to squeeze blackheads as long as there is no redness or inflammation.

Your zit is ready when it has a white center that is nearly bursting on its own.

• Popping zits right after a shower is a great idea.
• Your hands must be clean so wash your hands thoroughly, especially the fingertips and under the nails, to get rid of any bacteria that could contaminate the already infected pimple. Wrap the tips of your fingers in tissue. If you have sterile gloves or a gauze square from your first aid kit, that would be ideal.
• Use a sterile needle – here’s a tip: purchase a box of finepoint sterile lancets at the drugstore if you plan on doing a lot of bathroom zit surgery… Take your lancet and gently pierce the center of the zit.
• Now you can carefully squeeze the zit pressing from beyond the outside of the zit. Give equal amounts of pressure on every side. Continue until a clear liquid or blood comes out. After the clear liquid is visible, STOP. That little lump you feel should just be swelling and will go down if you ice it later (see below), so do not keep trying to press on it more.
• Use a clean tissue or gauze to dab away the liquid. Avoid spreading it beyond the open zit.
• NOTE: if nothing comes out after two attempts, the zit is NOT ready and you have to wait.
• If there is swelling, apply ice to the zit for 3 minutes. The pimple should heal in a day or two.
• When your squeezing procedure is finished, dab a little hydrogen peroxide on the open pore using a Q-tip. You can also spot treat with Benzoyl Peroxide at this point.
• You must sanitize or wash your fingers between squeezing each zit to stop the spread of bacteria. Bacteria will implant itself under your nails and carry those germs to the next pimple or blackhead.
• If you squeeze a pimple or a blackhead that is not ready and below the surface, it will flare up. It is best to leave it alone as it will push bacteria further down into the pimple causing more infection and usually a larger breakout in a few days.
• If you have a stubborn zit that you simply cannot leave alone, ice it for 3 minutes AM and PM to help reduce inflammation and spot treat with Benzoyl peroxide AM and PM to help it go down OR if you think it’s almost ready, use a warm compress to help it come up to the surface.

Dear One,

Please do not obsess about your pimples, stare at them in a magnifying mirror as this will only stress you out and that is never good. If you are feeling anxious about wanting to squeeze, put on a clay mask (I recommend PCA Skin Purifying Masque) and relax for a few minutes.

 

PCA Skin Purifying Masque $53

After you rinse off the mask and use your products, you might want to apply a light coat of mineral makeup to help your skin look nice and then your skin will feel better.  At this point, hopefully your urge to pick will have subsided.  Then go out and do something that you enjoy.

Cheers,

Sue