New You Resolutions!

The holidays are right around the corner, and we all know what that means – New Year’s Resolutions!  Instead of making a resolution that you know will be ridiculously hard to keep, here’s a list of 10 resolutions that will be easy and beneficial for your skin and health!
1. WEAR SUNSCREEN EVERY DAY – We know, we know…we preach this every blog almost.  But that should tell you how important a daily SPF of 30 or higher is!  Many women don’t like the texture of sunscreen, but with so many new formula’s coming out, it’s easy to find one you like. Look for "nongreasy" or "sheer" on the label.  Try our private-label Topix spray zinc, or La Roche Posay’s “Shaka” Anthelios 60 Ultra-Light Fluide, available at www.skincarekorner.com.
2. TAKE OFF YOUR MAKEUP AT NIGHT- As someone who is a guilty party when it comes to night time makeup remover, this will absolutely be one of my resolutions this year! You've known since middle school that makeup can mix with skin oils and dirt to cause zits. Cosmetics can also trap skin-damaging free radicals that float in the air (think: bus exhaust) against your skin. But it always seems like such a hassle to drag yourself to the bathroom and splash water everywhere!  So what can make it easier? If you have no plans for the evening, wash you face as soon as you get home and into your comfy clothes!  Still too burdening?  Use a makeup remover towelette for easy makeup removal.
3. BOOK A YEARLY MOLE CHECK – It’s once a year, but having a mole checkup is crucial, even if you are doing monthly self exams. It could mean the difference between life and death.

4. EXFOLIATE REGULARLY – The first thing we notice as we get older is our dull complexion.  Did you know a baby’s skin replenishes itself every 14 days, but by age 30, it takes 28 days? Scrub away the dead skin with an exfoliator!  Try Vivite’s Exfoliating Facial Cleanser once or twice a week, or a daily cleanser containing glycolic acid such as Topix Glycolic 10% Cleanser, which will help your skin stay smooth and bright!  Both are available at www.skincarekorner.com.

5. CLEAN YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES - Brushes collect makeup, skin oils, and dead skin cells, making them a breeding ground for bacteria. Wash your tools twice a month with your facial cleanser or an antibacterial hand soap.  Rinse well, squeeze out excess water, and allow to dry thoroughly before using again.

Improving your skin through diet

I’m sure every one of us would LOVE to lose a few pounds...but did you know that by eating

healthier and dieting, you can actually improve your skin as well? And it isn’t what you
think..just as I do with my patients, I will reiterate again...chocolate and Mt. Dew do NOT cause pimples! However, Cosmopolitan.com recently featured an article called “A Diet for Gorgeous Skin" informing readers what eat and what actually to avoid:

1. New research shows that potatoes, and white breads, pastas, and rice can trigger high insulin levels, causing unwanted breakouts! Instead, eat whole-grains,
like whole grain breads and whole wheat pastas.
What are the benefits for your health? Studies have shown a significant decrease

of strokes, Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, colorectal cancer, and gum

disease! And on a personal note, whole wheat pasta reheats MUCH better than
white pasta, staying firm, and not getting mushy!

 2. Eating more seafood! Fish contains essential fatty acids Omega-3
and Omega-6, which help to decrease inflammation in the body. The less
inflammation, the fewer pimples! Inflammation is also a cause of premature
wrinkling. Salmon, mackerel and tuna are more recommended.

Now, if you’re anything like me and you HATE seafood, there are other
alternatives! Many nuts contain these fatty acids, such as almonds, hazelnuts,
eggs and flaxseeds. Throw some on your salad, or pack a baggie to snack on at
your desk.

What are the benefits to your health? The list is too long to type out!

Studies have shown that omega fatty acids can help prevent degenerative

diseases like heart disease, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s,
diabetes and more. The anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3’s are especially
beneficial to menopausal women in preserving heart, breast and bone health,
and even help keep for mood swings. I’ll have to make a mental note to stock our
office kitchen with some almonds...

3. Avoid foods that make you blush. Not every women has this problem, but

many do, especially as they age and blood vessels dilate more. Foods to avoid
are spicy foods, such as mexican or hot peppers, MSG, and alcohol. If you do
tend to get red easily and often, simply pay attention to what triggers it and cut
back. Cutting back on spicy foods can also prevent heartburn and acid reflux, and
avoiding or cutting back alcohol can reduce calorie intake, which is never a bad
thing!

4. Many women feel that if they cut out fat altogether, they are being healthy.

However, avoiding all fats can hinder more than help. Many women, especially
younger, become dry and flaky because they are not eating enough fat. Eating
fat in moderation can help to lubricate your skin, as well as absorb Vitamin A.
Deficiency of Vitamin A will cause premature aging, early fine lines, and uneven
texture. Avocados, nuts, olive oil, and egg whites are all full of good fats that can
help your skin, and not make you put on the pounds.
Your body also needs fats to survive. When one restricts too much fat
from her diet, she she is at risk for depression, increased cancer risk, overeating,
and unbalanced nutrients. Moderation is the key!

And to me, most importantly, DRINK WATER! Water flushes out impurities and

keeps your body and skin hydrated. It has also been proven that you can burn
200 calories a day, simply by drinking 6 glasses of ice cold water every day!



-Elizabeth

Time to clean house!

I am currently renovating some rooms in my house, and my next project is my bathroom. As

a recovering product/makeup junkie, as I was cleaning out the many skin care, hair care,

and cosmetic products I had accumulated over the past 4 years, I was starting to feel a little

overwhelmed! I mean, what was good? What should I keep? What should I pitch? Some of

the makeup I had was from my makeup artist days, and were well over 4 years old. Obviously I

threw out anything with an expiration. But what about everything else? So I decided to do some

research. I knew if I was having this problem, that many of my patients were as well.

After looking into things, I came up with a general list of shelf life for most skin care and

cosmetics:

*Mascara, Eyeshadow, and Eyeliner - 2-3 months. These products are most important to

replace regularly, as they are applied so closely to your eyes. Mascara wands can easily breed

bacteria, which can transfer to your eyes. It will have a gasoline-like smell when it goes bad.

Eyeliner and eyeshadow that are past the usage point can cause red, itchy eyes, and even

conjunctivitis.

*Liquid Foundation - 6-12 months. When left in hot or moist environments, bacteria can grow.

Also, avoid dipping your fingers directly into the bottle, as your fingers can carry bacteria and

germs as well. Instead, pour a little on the back of your hand, or use a sponge. However, use a

new sponge every time you apply.

*Powders/Powder Blush - 2 years. There is hardly any water in a powder so the risk of

contaminating with bacteria is low. However, blush brushes should be cleaned

weekly with an

antibacterial cleanser, or your regular face wash.

*Lipstick/Lipgloss - 1 year. As long as the lipstick/gloss is not left in direct heat, or left

unopened for a long period of time, you can go up to one year before replacing this product.

Skin Care

*Facial Cleansers - 6-12 months. After this time, the active ingredients in the wash can break

down and become less effective, especially if left in a hot shower.

*Moisturizers - 6 to 12 months after being opened/ 2 years if unopened. Facial moisturizers

that have added ingredients -- like antioxidants or vitamins A, C, or E -- expire more quickly

because they're sensitive to light and heat (if left in your bathroom). If you notice a change in

color, consistency, or smell, throw the products out.

*Retinols/Trets - Most of these products will have an expiration date, but in case you can’t find

one, 6 months. The Vitamin A can break down over time, making the product less effective.

*Vitamin C - 6-8 months. After you open a Vitamin C product, oxygen will get to it and the

product will oxidize, or turn dark. This is normal, and will not affect the effectiveness. However,

after 6-8 months, you may notice the the Vitamin C is very dark and may have an odd smell. At

that point, it will need replaced.

*Eye Creams - 6 months. Active ingredients can break down after too long in eye creams.

Also, try to avoid dipping fingers directly into eye cream, as you can transfer more bacteria.

*Sunscreens - All sunscreens are now required to have an expiration date on the bottle.

Sunscreen expiration dates are 3 years after the manufacturing date, but if you try to use an

SPF from last year and it’s watery or smells odd, buy a new bottle.

After going through all of my own products, I ended up throwing away a majority of the products.

My husband was thrilled...at least until my next trip to the makeup store to replace everything I

threw out!

-Elizabeth

A Hard Habit to Break-Elizabeth

I recently came across an article at www.Allure.com (the makeup artist in me still loves reading

about new cosmetics!!) called “17 Bad Skin Habits.” As I was reading the article, it amazed me

how many of the bad habits I myself had! If I (a skincare specialist who worked with bad skin

everyday) was guilty of these habits, how many of our patients were? The entire list can be

found at http://www.allure.com/skin-care/2010/bad_skin_habits#slide=4. 
Below is highlighted a list of some very important, and easily breakable, habits.

* Skipping a Daily Sunscreen - The fastest way of aging your skin? Not wearing a broadspectrum

sunscreen of at least an SPF 30 or higher! A tablespoon is recommended to safely

protect your face.

* Smoking - Do I really need to explain this one? Not only is smoking horrible for your health, it

also ages you an average of 2.5 years every year. Not to mention the awful smell....

* Using Dirty Makeup Brushes - This is a HUGE culprit among many patients. Take 10

minutes once a week, and wash your brushes with your facial cleanser! You’ll be surprised at

the difference!

* Not Washing Your Face At Night - I am the guiltiest party with this bad habit! I understand

that by the end of the day, you’re beat. I’m the same way, but if I can break this habit with a

4 year old, work full time, and school full time, so can you! Take 10 minutes and wash your

face...I promise you’ll see a big improvement within a week.

* Popping Pimples - It’s so hard not to pick. As someone who used to suffer from cystic acne,

I know this all too well. But your face will thank you in the long run if you can keep your hands

off! Apply some SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age or some benzoyl peroxide to help dry it up.

Picking at a pimple can actually push the bacteria inside deeper into your face, causing more

surrounding breakout, not to mention redness and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. If

a pimple looks ready to break, apply warm compresses to see if it will drain on its own. If not

HANDS OFF until it can heal itself.

* Tanning - Again, do I really need to explain this one? There is a laundry list of horrible things

that tanning can do to your body, including thicker skin, melasma, hyperpigmentation, fine lines,

and cancer. Self tanners and spray tans can give you the golden glow you want using much

safer methods.Check out the article at http://www.skincarekorner.com/index.phpp=detail&pid=61&cat_id=.

Which habits will you be changing?

-Elizabeth