Dry Skin Cures – What You Should Know

By VIBRANT BEAUTY

Dry skin is a concern that many people have. The type of skin one has is generally hereditary and sometimes related to one’s own body chemistry as well as fluctuations in hormones. If you have dry skin, generally you will be able to take some daily measures to help moisturize your skin. Generally, dry skin does not go away and is rather a trait that you will have for the rest of your life. That said, there are some instances where depending on the situation, dry skin cures will work.

Having dry skin is normal, and in some cases especially in young adulthood when acne problems run rampant, is actually a blessing. In the older years however when dry skin becomes more of a problem because wrinkles are more likely to develop on dry skin than oily skin. So, what does this mean? More importantly, what are some easy dry skin cures that you can employ?  Below are two major tips to follow.

Drink More Water and Less Caffeine

This is not a clique skin care tip. This is a reality. If you want to have more vibrant, healthy and hydrated skin you need to consume more water, pure, filtered preferably so it is as clean and healthy for you as possible. Your internal health will directly affect your skin. Caffeine from soda and coffee can not only lead to overall body hydration which can temporarily impair your cognitive functioning, it also affects your skin giving it a gaunt and ashy look in some particularly unfortunate cases. So for every cup of caffeine you have, you need to drink at least 4 cups to reimburse the liquids lost. Drink water and herbal teas as part of a daily routine to improve your dry skin.

Find a REAL Moisturizer

Sorry folks, over the counter moisturizers don’t cut it. In fact many drug store so-called facial moisturizers have a lot of irritating chemicals (that can lead to premature aging) that also can put your skin in a cycle where it perpetually needs more lotion to stay moist and soft, rather than truly hydrating your skin.  Go to a reputable spa or esthetician that specializes in professional level skin care products to get the best options. Generally, the most hydrating ingredients tend to come from pure natural sources such as from nut and plant oils, rather than petroleum by-products. Makes sense if you think about it.

In some cases, dry skin can be attributed to other issues and problems going on in the body and that advice is best taken from dermatologists or medical doctors who are experts in your particular situation and can give you the best dry skin cures to fit your needs. Otherwise, drinking water and using a real moisturizer is incredibly helpful for your dry skin.

Anti-Aging Nutrition: What You Can Do

By VIBRANT BEAUTY

Anti-aging nutrition is not an exact science. There is no one formula that all people must conform to in order to reach their bodies’ peak performance. Consuming foods high in nutritional value is a must though if we intend to remain healthy as we grow older. Some of the best anti-aging foods are antioxidant foods. These are typically foods such as fruits and vegetables, but if you seem to find it difficult to eat a well balanced diet that includes those items, then using an anti-aging natural supplement can also be a means of assisting you to remaining healthy and feeling youthful, well into your later years.

The typical American diet these days leaves much to be desired in the way of nutrition. Fried foods, loads of starches and carbohydrates, and even vegetables are usually cooked (processed). This removes much of the nutrients naturally contained in them. For instance, MSM is a sulfur that our bodies need. In fact, about 80% of all sulfur in our body is MSM. It can be readily obtained from many sources, even meat, but because MSM is such a delicate element, heating the food we eat destroys its effective use, leaving it with no value to our bodies. So what we end up with are our bodies being deficient in a vital substance because it is cooked out of our foods, and there we have the typical problem with most American diets. Too much processing, to little nutrients.

As we see, although taking an anti-aging natural supplement will certainly boost the level of vitamins and minerals we may be lacking, the most common reason we are lacking this is because the anti-aging foods we eat are too few and too processed. So here are a few anti-aging tips:

Here are the top 10 things to try and avoid in a healthy diet:

1. Caffeine
2. High levels of sugar intake
3. Deep fried food
4. Cigarettes
5. Alcohol
6. Olestra
7. Aspartame
8. Hydrogenated oils
9. Processed foods including: TV dinners, meats, etc.
10. Excessive carbohydrates: pasta, rice, bread, etc.

And here are the top 10 things to try and include in your anti-aging nutrition diet:

1. Water; the most invaluable substance in a healthy body. It is a necessity to all our life functions.
2. Raw fruits; especially berries which are extremely high in antioxidants.
3. Raw vegetables; in particular, green leafy vegetables have many nutrients (vitamins and minerals).
4. Raw nuts and sprouted grains; try a sprouted grain bread called Ezekiel which is an excellent source of vitamins and fiber without the use of flour.
5. Fish and Omega-3 fish oils; healthy oils which actually reduce cholesterol levels.
6. MSM; necessary to our bodies, but too often cooked out of our foods.
7. Brown rice (first set in water for approx. 24 hours to make it alkaline)
8. Super foods such as spirulina
9. Olive oil
10. Fruit juices; be careful not to drink too much. Though it is natural sugar, it is sugar none the less.

About Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Skin

By VIBRANT BEAUTY

Hyaluronic acid serum for skin is a popular product in many anti aging skin care lines. When we are young, our bodies are amply supplied with a special form of molecules that bring about and maintain youthful looking skin. The substance, hyaluronic acid, is a glycosaminogy can form of a polysaccharide. It is naturally formed in the body and is instrumental in the regulation of the growth and regeneration of cells. It is a very important component of our bodies’ make up. It is in all of our body tissues and it is embedded far beneath the skin. One of its functions is to keep the skin moisturized, making it supple. It is capable of holding much moisture and, in fact, can maintain nearly one-thousand times more weight in moisture than its own body mass. This is why retaining moisture is a primary function of hyaluronic acid and why it is also instrumental in promoting the development of  skin cells, improves blood flow, and revitalizes dry skin.

Because of its part in the growth and maintenance of the cells that are most connected with tissue building, hyaluronic acid serums, creams and moisturizers have grown popular in the fight against aging. When hyaluronic acid is injected under the epidermis it gives a vitalizing appearance to the skin at the point at which it was injected. Skin wrinkles and lines disappear and the effects last for nearly half a year. Because of the amazing reaction that hyaluronic acid serum has on the skin, many companies have created hyaluronic creams and hyaluronic acid moisturizers. These make a group of supplements that all fall under the hyaluronic acid anti-aging category of skin care products.

Hyaluronic cream supplements have been tested and reported with excellent results in the firming and revitalizing of facial tissues. Many people report that as they use hyaluronic acid cream over a period of about 1 month, their skin appears with less lines, wrinkles and, in general, has a much fuller appearance than when they had not been applying the cream. The skin becomes more hydrated and because of this, a youthful vitality begins to appear.

By nature, hyaluronic cream is a hyaluronic acid moisturizer. It is its job to retain moisture. So with application of this cream there should be no surprise when you see a fuller, healthier, and more robust looking appearance emerge.

This is why many people today use hyaluronic acid anti-aging supplements. They are anti-aging solutions based on chemicals that naturally occur in our bodies. Research has even found that people in cultures that eat foods high in hyaluronic acid quantity tend to have smoother skin than those in cultures that consume less. In short,  hyalluronic acid anti-aging supplements are capable of reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and give the face a more robust, youthful vitality.

Vitamin C Face Cream and Gel

By VIBRANT BEAUTY

Vitamin C is a nutrient that is safe and effective. The healthy benefits that come about from a diet filled with an adequate amount of Vitamin C are increased immune system, reduction in the chance of contracting heart disease, early childhood/pregnancy problems avoided, healthy vision, and smoother, healthier skin. Who would have thought so many problems could be prevented with just a bottle of orange juice, right?As it relates to smoother, healthier skin, Vitamin C face cream is a product that is capable of giving you a healthy, radiant complexion.

Out of the numerous vitamins and minerals our bodies need in order to function properly, only three of them can be absorbed through the skin and all three of them are antioxidants as well. They are Vitamin E, selenium, and yes, vitamin C. Of these three, Vitamin E is known to replenish aging skin so that it takes on a smoother complexion, but Vitamin C goes a step further in that it is an antioxidant that helps delay the natural process of aging skin.

Our skin typically begins to show its first traits of aging and wrinkles when our bodies begin to decrease in the production of two proteins: elastin is the first and collagen is the other. These building blocks are extremely important in maintaining a youthful complexion.

Wrinkles usually begin to appear in certain places of the face. Around the eyes and lips are two of the most common places and the use of Vitamin C serum and Vitamin c wrinkle cream for face problems may prove to be very favorable. The reason for this is that Vitamin C liquid and Vitamin C gel contribute to the production of the collagen necessary to develop a more youthful appearance. Vitamin C gel also helps reduce the damage caused by the sun’s UV rays by using its antioxidant properties to disarm the free radicals that further destroy damaged skin.
It can be concluded that Vitamin C serum for face, as well as Vitamin C liquid and Vitamin C gel creams, will not only slow down and correct the signs of growing older (i.e. wrinkles, fine lines, etc.), but it will also give you a more brilliant, radiant and softer complexion. While using topical supplements, it is best to eat foods high in Vitamin C content. Studies have concluded that working from the inside-out and the outside-in simultaneously leads to fewer wrinkles than people that do not use both at the same time. In balancing a diet, with foods high in vitamins and minerals, and utilizing a high quality Vitamin c face cream you will undoubtedly improve the look and feel of your skin.

Anti Aging Guide

By VIBRANT BEAUTY

At some point in your typical lifestyle and skin care routine you will need to consider the affects of aging and develop an anti aging  regime. Maybe you are there already, basically it is never too early to start.

Frankly, unless humans develop some anti-aging technology or discover the fountain of youth, we are bound to get older. What matters is how you deal with your age, how well you adapt to it, and of course- how good you look. There are plenty of anti aging tips and strategies to make that can make you feel and look younger. These include following an  anti aging skin care regime, along with an enhanced diet and wellness plan. Aside from your personal string of DNA, what you eat, how you live and even your attitude will greatly affect your body as you age; age poorly or age well, it is up to you.

Adopting an anti aging diet can help enhance your health, skin and overall beauty. Organic fruits and vegetables are easily considered the best anti aging foods. The jury is out on exactly what the best anti aging diet is, although a lot of people today are living proof of the fabulous physical results that a primal or raw diet can help one achieve. There are many foods to avoid, which can actually speed up the process of aging. The notorious culprits are sugar, caffeine and chemicals that companies invent to help their packaged food last longer on the shelves. As a rule, going natural and eating many fresh whole foods is going to help you. In addition to a healthy diet, anti aging natural supplements can help support you with the extra vitamins and minerals you need which even a modern diet cannot sufficiently provide.

Many people turn to ‘anti aging treatments‘ found within the realm of cosmetic surgery. Too drastic? Many people pursue other avenues first. For instance most people are more prone to rely on the many anti aging products which continue to advance until they resort to cosmetic surgery and other surgical beauty treatments. Non invasive skin care treatments such as microdermabrasion or chemical peels are often a happy comprimise between pain and beauty. They give great results without going under the knife.

While even some people prefer to stick with more natural anti aging routes, which can be quite effective as well especially if adopted yearly on.  A combination of both can yield stunning results, making you appear years  younger than you really are- and who doesn’t want that?

50 and Fabulous: These 7 women prove that fitness is the fountain of youth

By Well+GoodNYC

Exercise is the ultimate anti-aging product. Need proof?

Check out these 7 gorgeous, vibrant women—all of whom are fitness and yoga devotees.

Many of them have been leading active lives since grade school, and they swear by healthy habits like superfood smoothies and more than 8 hours of sleep.

In most cases, they’ve also made being active not just a passion, but a profession.

If their toned physiques and glowing complexions featured here don’t inspire you, maybe a workout with them will? —Lisa Elaine Held

Colleen Saidman Yee

Owner of Yoga Shanti

Age: 52

Saidman Yee might be a former model, but she credits 25 years of yoga with keeping her young.

In addition to running her Hamptons studio and teaching at workshops and festivals around the country, she just released a new A.M. & P.M. Yoga DVD with husband Rodney Yee.

“I believe that stagnation is an aging culprit,” says Saidman Yee. “Practicing yoga keeps the circulatory, respiratory, and digestive systems functioning optimally.”

Yoga also protects her from the ravages of stress, and she complements her practice with flax-and-omega packed smoothies, long, hot baths, quality sleep, and “lots of laughter.”

Ruth Zukerman

Co-founder of Flywheel Sports

Age: 54

Zukerman has been in the fitness industry for 30 years and today teaches an average of 10 Flywheel spin classes a week.

Sweat, she says, is key to looking and feeling great. “Despite the bodily changes that we women experience in our fifties, sweating through exercise has kept my body toned, my pores clear, and my skin firm.”

She also is sure to get enough sleep and maintain a balanced diet (with a daily avocado!).

“A friend of mine once referred to me as ‘The Fountain of Ruth,’” says Zukerman. “I hope to be worthy of that name for many more years!”

Lauren Piskin

Owner of Chaise 23, Physical Mind Studio

Age: 50

Piskin got a head start on fitness.

She first laced up her ice skates at age seven, and as a competitive figure skater, she was often on the ice for 5-6 hours per day.

She now works out around five days a week, most of it spent teaching classes at her two studios and training teachers in her Reinvention Method.

“Fitness is the main reason my body feels 25, as well as my head!” Piskin says.

Keep reading for more here…

Understanding Your Skin and Vitamin C

By Alexandra Spunt for
NoMoreDirtyLooks

Topical anti-agers are big business these days—and why wouldn’t they be? The promise of looking younger without succumbing to procedures that plump and possibly freeze your face into soul-numbing submission is appealing to a whole lot of men and women (including us).

We give a lot of play to anti-agers  in the book—everything from peptides to vitamin A to CoQ10 came under our loupe—but one of the most exciting discoveries was the documented power of topical vitamin C. Good old vitamin C! Something we already know is great for us on the inside has shown to do everything from stimulate collagen production to even out skin tone. Isn’t it awesome when nature just works?

Not so fast. The issue with vitamin C is that it oxidizes very easily—which not only makes it ineffective, it can actually cause damage to the skin.

We’d read that certain forms were stable but when I broached the subject with Sophie Uliano last week at her party she was pretty skeptical. According to her and others there’s one way you can know: If your vitamin C cream or serum turns kinda yellowish, chances are it has oxidized.

So what’s the solution? Well, Uliano offers this great DIY recipe demo’d here that you can make in small batches. I like it and I think there are all kinds of ways to customize it, which I intend to experiment with and share. Either way, DIY may be one way to guarantee getting the full benefits of this wonder vitamin.

Have you tried C topically? Did you see results? Do you think your product had maybe oxidized? As always, shareshare if you have a story.

Six Reasons Aging Isn’t as Awful as the Cosmetics Industry Claims

By Alexandra Spunt, author of No More Dirty Looks

Aging sucks, right? Gray hairs, wrinkles, sagging skin, and all the gifts of girlhood gone in the blink of a birthday candle. Certainly according the the beauty business it’s enemy number one. Flip through a magazine and you’ll see just how much money goes into researching—or is that branding?—the latest and greatest anti-aging ingredients. And while few turn up sound science, and others are downright sketchy, women pay out the nose for these products because we seem to have accepted that this is our fate: to fight aging, well, until the death.

Obviously we all want to look our best. But on a recent drive back from Vegas—a strange place indeed—I got to thinking about aging, and why it is that I’m not really buying how bad it is anymore for our looks. And it’s not for lack of vanity: I can obsess over five pounds and that cyst on my chin with the best of them. But in my twenties, it was this idea of aging that really got to me: Every tiny new crease came under the looking glass, every new hair in an unwanted place was bemoaned. And it’s not that any of this has magically stopped, but I definitely don’t dramatize these changes like before.

Then it clicked. The reason I don’t obsess about aging with the same fervor as I once did is because I don’t buy, or buy into, the anti-aging products. My word… Natural beauty, you really are the gift that keeps on giving!

So I slather on the best creams and oils I can find, say a few prayers to the skin gods, try to stress less, eat sardines, and hope for the best knowing that I’m doing my best. And it turns out, if you’re not too worried about wrinkles and gray hair  (I’m still a little worried obvs) getting older is kind of awesome. Here are six things I like about it. (Siobhan will do a similar list some time soon!)

And we would love to hear yours! (Note when I say aging, that may mean changes you’ve noticed from 20 to 25 or the things that you’ve learned now that you’re 60.)

1. Your skin is more consistent. Except in more extreme cases like the one I described here, according to our experience and the testimonials of other women, your skin does balance out with time.

2. You’re more comfortable in your body. Putting aside those five pounds or the cellulite on your thigh, living longer in our bodies often helps make us more at ease in them too. We realize sometimes the weird quirks make us interesting, we finally understand that the stuff we’re so unhappy with are things the lovers in our lives rarely notice.

3. You dress your body better too. And luckily these days fashion is all about dressing to the beat of your own drum anyways. Don’t look great in skinny jeans? Me neither! As we get older we’re more inclined to find the uniform that makes us happy, rather than trying to mold our bodies to the latest trends.

4. Unhealthy habits are easier to kick. Personally, my older body is a lot more sensitive than my ten-years-ago one. Case in point: After a few days in Vegas, my lungs nearly collapsed when I exercised, which apparently is what happens when you spend four days in second-hand smoke and scented air. This kind of sensitivity generally makes me less drawn to unhealthy foods, excessive drinking, smoking, and other bad habits I used to relish.

5. You don’t sweat the small stuff as much. With time we realize that even the crappiest of moments do usually shift. People get forgiven, arguments get resolved, bad hair days give way to good hair days. Such is the cycle of life.

6. You’re rewarded for your hard work (on yourself). Siobhan and I talk about this A LOT. If you are willing to put in the work, face your issues, look at what you’re holding onto from the past, you will be rewarded. How? Depends on each person, but maybe you’ll be less reactive, generally more content grateful, and less anxious. Maybe you’ll smile more which, as the photo above exhibits, is a very beautiful thing.

Other reasons getting older isn’t as bad as they claim: Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren, Susan Sarandon and French women.

 

Tammy Fender

In addition to loving the products itself, I am crazy about Tammy Fender’s business philosophy:

With her stance on beauty and wellness rooted in the ancient traditions of holistic medicine, it is Tammy Fender’s belief that the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of life are closely interconnected and equally important to bringing one’s system into balance, health and beauty. She recognizes the vital role of our natural energy– the life force that permeates and connects all things allowing this “chi” energy to flow through our body and skin. Tammy embraces these beliefs in the creation of her skin care products as she uses pure, high vibrational and energetically balanced ingredients, harnessing Pure Living Energy® in every product.

I also appreciate the fact that the company never formulates with parabens, mineral oils, petrochemicals, synthetic emulsifiers, toxic preservatives, artificial color or fragrance, it’s 100% organic.

I just love all of her products… They’re all so delicious!  Her products are organic, natural, feel so great on your skin, and come in beautiful little bottles.  Tammy has a holistic approach to beauty and wellness, and creates skincare products that nourish your body physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Checkout her lovely website for more info on her products here.

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.

~Kahlil Gibran

Nurture My Body

Nurture My Body offers skin care, body care, hair care, and baby care products, shaving creams for men and women including a great selection of gift baskets!

Inspired by “past experience of overexposure to chemicals” and “two beautiful teenage daughters” who were feeling the “pressure from society to look and act a certain way,” Patty & Rich Kerr, owners of Nurture My Body, strive to “empower young women and men to learn to accept and love themselves by simply appreciating what nature gave each of us.” Nurture My Body’s products which are made by hand, cruelty-free, and do not contain any harmful synthetic fragrance oils, preservatives, petroleum products, FD&C colorants and dyes, parabens, phthalates, or other toxic chemicals. Nurture My Body’s products contain only “certified organic ingredients derived from live plant ingredients harvested from organic farms or directly from the wild.

I loved trying their Gentle Face Cream: It’s non-greasy, fights signs of aging for normal to oily skin, absorbs instantly and delivers vitamins and nutrients effectively to your skin.

Checkout their great products here.