Belleza Y Bienestar

Skin At 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s

2011-12-10T08:25:00.001-08:00

Beauty Advices

Your Skin at 20s Skin: Your 20s is not only a great time in your life, but for your skin as well.
At 20 your skin is still plump, firm and strong. It’s a physically beautiful decade and your skin is at its best. The cells turnover starts to slow as early as your mid-20s and by the end of the decade first lines begin to appear where skin is thinnest / around the eyes and mouth/. You should discover your skin type in order to use the appropriate cosmetic products. Using an eye cream must be an essential part of your beauty regime. The eye cream helps prevent the appearance deeper lines and wrinkles. The daily sun protection is also a must to prevent the appearance of dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles. So choose a moisturizer with SPF15 during the winter months and moisturizer with SPF35 during the summer months. You can still experience some breakouts, that’s why an oil-free concealer is your best friend during breakouts such as pimples, dark spots and blemishes.

Makeup: At 20 your skin is still young and looks gorgeous so don’t cover up or cake it. Keep the skin sheer and transparent. Experiment with colors for eyes, lips and cheeks. Try not to put too much makeup, choose natural colors for eyeshadows and lips. Avoid using oily makeup products. One sweep of mascara and a slick of pink lip gloss are ample.

Your Skin at 30s
Skin: At the age of 30 the early signs of sun damage may be evident. You can also start to notice some radical changes like appearance of wrinkles/ especially around the eyes, mouth and forehead/, fine lines and dark spots. The skin starts to look less radiant and firm. It becomes finer, thinner and more delicate. The skin at 30s tends to wrinkle more easily and is often filed with tiny superficial lines. That’s why it is essential to start using anti-ageing products, and don’t forget to apply an eye cream daily.
The most common skin problem in 30s is the wrinkles around the eyes. The wrinkles appear because the skin in this area is much thinner and more sensitive than on the other parts of the face.

The main cause of the appearance of the wrinkles around the eyes is laughing, smiling and squinting, but that doesn’t mean that you should stop smiling. You can prevent the appearance of wrinkles in this area by using a good eye cream. The eye cream is absolutely essential part of your skin care regime.

Makeup: Always wear SPF30 every day, apply the sunscreen not only to the face, but also on the hands and neck. An illuminating foundation is the best pick-up for your skin. Nude lips and barely-there glossy lips always look polished and urbane. Don’t wear too much eye makeup. Choose natural shades for the eyes and peachy shades for the lipstick.

Care: The 30s skin care regime should include daytime protection against the UV rays. A program of good skin nourishment and lubrication with appropriate night creams if highly recommended. You should maintain a well-balanced diet, consisting of fresh vegetables and fruits, fish, whole grains and chicken meat. In order to keep your skin hydrated you should drink plenty of water, at least 1 liter per day. If you smoke stop now in order to brighten the skin and to reduce wrinkles by up to 60% later on.

Your Skin at 40s

Care: A proper daily cleansing and moisturizing routine is important. Use alcohol and oil-free cleansers and lotions. Apply a hydrating face cream every day and don’t forget to use sunscreens. Avoid using overly drying cleansers because they can increase your likelihood of experiencing skin irritation. Using non-soap cleansers can be a better choice.

Skin: At the age of 40 all cells turnover slows, skin becomes thicker, coarser and less dewy. The wrinkles seem more established and become more visible. The oil production also slows down, reducing the natural lubrication. The deeper wrinkles and the loss of elasticity are the most common conditions of the skin at the age of 40 or behind. As collagen production slows down, the skin loses its firmness.

Look for retinol-based creams that firm by boosting collagen, gentle peels to quicken cell turnover and freshen dull skin, and anti-wrinkle peptide formulas that target stubborn lines.
At your 40s you shouldn’t stop using sun protection products. Choose a sunscreen with SPF15 or more.

Makeup: During the years the blood circulation slows, leaving skin and lips with less of a blush. Before applying makeup take a bit of dense cream, warm it in your hands and pat it on, it will give you a dewy, fresh appearance. Be careful with the foundation shade. Use a dewy base to make the skin glow, warm earthy tones to soften the eyes and glossy lipstick to freshen your entire face. Stick to neutral tones and don’t wear too much eye makeup, because it can make the wrinkles around the eyes even more visible. At 40s its time to stop using a face powder, because at this age the skin becomes drier and most powders can dry it further and accentuate fine lines and wrinkles.

Care: The skin care habits need to adapt to your changing skin to fortify and keep youthful radiance beaming as much as the outside as it does within. So don’t forget to take care of your skin as you did in your 20s and 30s. Apply a day and a night face creams, exfoliate the skin once a week and eat healthy foods.

Your Skin at 50s
Skin: At the age of 50 you will start to notice radical changes. The oestrogen slump means weaker collagen and slacker dryer skin. The lack of moisture also contribute to slow cell turnover and repair, while a lifetime’s sun damage mean age spots are most obvious. The skin becomes thinner and retains less water, the wrinkles and fine lines may deepen into folds.

You should use a deep moisturizer for hydration, as well as a collagen-boosting cream for firmness. You can also brighten up the dull skin with light-reflective tints and texture. The firming foundations lift and help to smooth lines. The super-hydrating formulas that help skin to retain moisture will plump the skin and boost cell performance.

You mustn’t forget the eye and the night cream, as well as appropriate sunscreen.

Makeup: Use a highlighter pen to lift droopy brows, it heighten cheekbones and help to hide the fine lines. A fresh pink lipstick boosts your skin tone, and waterproof lip-liner stops it creeping into lines. The foundation should be lighter and applied only where you need it. At your 50s you may think that you shouldn’t wear any makeup but that’s not true. You are still beautiful and amazing, a little lipstick and eyeshadows that highlight your eyes will emphasize you beauty.

Care: To give your skin the best chance of defending itself against the effects of ageing you need to follow a simple daily routine, but remember the skin at 50s requires gentle cleansing. Start by deep-cleansing to remove the impurities that clog your skin, and then remove the all remaining residue with a mild toner. Cleanse your skin with alcohol-free formulas. Choose products containing natural ingredients such as milk, honey, yoghurt. The skin care at 50s requires gentle cleansing. The daytime protective moisturizers will help the skin maintain its suppleness and moisture.

Beauty: On the Job, It's More Than Skin Deep (Fact)

2011-11-07T11:08:00.000-08:00

On the Job, Beauty is More Than Skin Deep

by Sue Shellenbarger

provided by

Most people assume being good-looking gives you a career boost. But just how much does it help?

A lot. Good-looking people charm interviewers, get hired faster, are more likely to make more sales and get more raises.

Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor at the University of Texas in Austin, measures out the benefits in his book, "Beauty Pays: Why Attractive People Are More Successful."

According to his research, attractive people are likely to earn an average of 3% to 4% more than a person with below-average looks. That adds up to $230,000 more over a lifetime for the typical good-looking person, Dr. Hamermesh estimates. Even an average-looking worker is likely to make $140,000 more over a lifetime than an ugly worker.

We asked Dr. Hamermesh to discuss his findings. Edited excerpts follow:

Mr. Hamermesh, author of "Beauty Pays," at Tokyo's Hitotsubashi University in 2010.

WSJ: You show that good looks are even more influential for men's earnings than for women's. Why do men's good looks pay off more?

Mr. Hamermesh: There are two reasons. First, not as many women work for pay as men. (The Bureau of Labor Statistics says just 59% of adult women hold paying jobs in the workforce, compared with 73% of men.) If you are unattractive and you know you are going to be penalized for that, and if you have an option to stay out of the job market, you as a woman may choose not to bear that pain. Also, women in general are paid less than men; part of it is that they channel themselves into different occupations, and part of it is pure discrimination.

WSJ: What about the argument that better-looking people tend to sell more products or attract more new customers?

Mr. Hamermesh: Yes, [research] shows that happens. Better-looking workers bring in more for the employers, just as a more intelligent worker will. Paying them more is still a form of discrimination, but their attractiveness also tends to raise their productivity. That's what makes it so difficult. I would argue that this is discrimination. But others would argue that it's simply an indulgence of people's tastes and preferences.

[More from WSJ.com: How a Few Bad Apples Ruin Everything]

WSJ: If you are unattractive, what can you do to improve your odds of getting paid well?

Mr. Hamermesh: Looks are only one of many things that affect how much we earn, including education, age, health, company size and so on. But to your question: First, don't go into an occupation where looks matter a lot. Don't be a TV broadcaster; be a radio broadcaster. Don't be a movie actor. Most important, go into fields that you enjoy, and that you have an advantage in doing. Accentuate your strengths, and try to avoid those things where you are relatively disadvantaged.

WSJ: Are there examples of occupations where you don't have to be beautiful?

Mr. Hamermesh: You would think you could find examples of occupations where being unattractive wouldn't hurt you at all. But in every one I have looked at, being better looking helps you. For example, you wouldn't think it would matter much if you are teaching in college. But based on my studies, better-looking [professors] are more appreciated by their students. The only counter-example I've seen is a study showing that if you [commit] armed robbery or theft, it pays to be uglier. The white-collar criminals are more successful if they are better-looking, but for crimes involving force, I'd rather be an ugly robber because I'd scare the guys and they'd give me their money faster.

WSJ: Isn't this unfair?

Mr. Hamermesh: Yes.

WSJ: Should something be done about it?

Mr. Hamermesh: It's a complicated issue. On one hand, I don't view this as very different from other forms of discrimination, whether it is based on race, gender or certainly disability; discrimination based on disability is analogous. Given that similarity, I find it very hard to oppose offering protections and trying to remove this kind of discrimination. On the other hand, we may not want the government to get involved, because if officials intervene on behalf of unattractive people, they will end up doing less for other groups which are regarded as more deserving.

[More from WSJ.com: Boomerang Employees]

WSJ: So what constitutes beauty?

Mr. Hamermesh: There is no unique view about beauty — no unique standard. But most beholders view beauty similarly. Some people are consistently regarded as above-average or even beautiful, while others are generally regarded as plain or even downright homely.

WSJ: For those of us who are beauty-challenged, what about plastic surgery?

Mr. Hamermesh: I know of only one serious study on that, and that research suggests it isn't a good investment. While looks can be altered by clothing, cosmetics and other short-term investments, the effects of these improvements are minor. We are generally stuck with what nature has given us in the way of looks. Surgery pays back less than $1 for every $1 spent. But it might make you feel better.

Beauty: Every Body Is

2011-11-07T10:53:00.000-08:00

Here's the thing, it's how you perceive yourself that makes you who you are. If you think, you're beautiful. Yes you are. Every body (Everybody) is. You get even more beautiful with the help of make-up, glam clothing, and proper posture. So go out there and make the world see the real beauty it's missing.

Wellness: The 7 Laws of Leanness

2011-09-28T05:38:00.000-07:00

By David Zinczenko with Matt Goulding
Sep 27, 2011 Eat This, Not That

Why do some people seem naturally thin—able to torch cheeseburgers instantly and never gain a pound? And why do some of us—okay, most of us—sweat and diet and sweat and diet some more, and never lose enough to get the body we want?

Because those “naturally thin” people actually live by a series of laws that keep them from ever gaining weight. And if you know their secrets, you can indulge and enjoy and never gain another pound as long as you live.

As the editor-in-chief of Men’s Health, I’ve spent the past two decades interviewing leading experts, poring over groundbreaking studies, and grilling top athletes, trainers, and celebrities for their health and fitness advice. And I’ve learned that what separates the fit from the fat, the slim from the sloppy, the toned from the torpid, is a set of rules. And what’s amazing is that none of them involves spending hours on a treadmill, eating nothing but grapefruit and tree bark, or having part of the small intestine replaced with fiberfill. Follow these simple rules and weight loss will be automatic.

LAW #1: Lean People Don’t Diet
What? Of course lean people diet! They’re just magically better at denying themselves than the rest of us are, right?

No. In reality, studies show that the number one predictor of future weight gain is being on a diet right now. Part of the reason is that restricting calories reduces strength, bone density, and muscle mass—and muscle is your body’s number-one calorie burner. So by dieting, you’re actually setting yourself up to gain more weight than ever. And a recent study in the journalPsychosomatic Medicine showed that tracking your diet in a food journal can actually boost your stress levels, which in turn increases your level of a hormone called cortisol, and cortisol is linked to—you guessed it—weight gain.

FAT-FIGHTING FIBER: Get 25 grams of fiber a day—the amount in about 3 servings of fruits and vegetables—and you can boost fat burn up to 30 percent. For more tips on fighting fat and toning your midsection, follow me right here on Twitter. Or try any of these 50 Ways to Lose 10 Pounds !

LAW #2: Lean People Don’t Go Fat-FreeA European study tracked nearly 90,000 people for several years and discovered that participants who tried to eat “low fat” had the same risk of being overweight as those who ate whatever they wanted.

Fat doesn’t make you fat, period. Indeed, you need fat in your diet to help you process certain nutrients, like vitamins A, D, and E, for example. And many “fat-free” foods are loaded with sugar, and therefore have even more calories than their full-fat cousins. Even the American Heart Association says that fat-free labels lead to higher consumption of unhealthy sweets. Fat keeps you full and satisfied. Fat-free will send you running back to the fridge in an hour, hungry for more.

LAW #3: Lean People Sit Down to EatIn fact, the more you sit down and enjoy your food, the leaner you’re going to be. Punishing yourself only makes you fat!

Greek researchers recently reported that eating more slowly and savoring your meal can boost levels of two hormones that make you feel fuller. And researchers at Cornell University found that when people sat down at the table with already full plates of food, they consumed up to 35 percent less than they did when eating family-style—that is, by passing serving dishes around the table.

FIX IT WITH FOOD! Check out our list of the 40 Foods with Superpowers—foods that, even in moderation, can strengthen your heart, fortify your bones, and boost your metabolism so you can lose weight more quickly.

LAW #4: Lean People Know What They’re Going to Eat Next
Planning your responses to hunger may help you shed pounds faster, say Dutch researchers. They posed their subjects questions like “If you’re hungry at 4 p.m., then . . . what?” Those who had an answer (“I’ll snack on some almonds”) were more successful at losing weight than those who didn’t have an answer.

One of the best things about the brand-new Eat This, Not That! 2012 is that it helps you find fat-fighting food no matter where you are: movie theater, coffee shop, vending machine. It also includes this list of foods that should never see the inside of your belly: The NEW 20 Worst Foods in America.

LAW #5: Lean People Eat ProteinIn a recent European study, people who ate moderately high levels of protein were twice as likely to lose weight and keep it off as those who didn’t eat much protein.

A New England Journal of Medicine study looked at a variety of eating plans and discovered that eating a diet high in protein and low in refined starches (like white bread) was the most effective for weight loss. Protein works on two levels: First, you burn more calories to digest it. Second, because your body has to work harder to digest a Big Mac than, say, a Ho Ho, you stay fuller longer.

STEALTH HEALTH FOODS: Power up your diet by expanding your menu. Here areThe 7 Healthiest Foods You're Not Eating.

LAW #6: Lean People Move AroundI don’t mean climbing Kilimanjaro, breaking the tape at the Boston Marathon, or spending 24 hours at 24 Hour Fitness. I mean going for a short bike ride (20 minutes burns 200 calories), taking a leisurely walk (145 calories every 51 minutes), wrestling with your kids (another 100 calories smoked in 22 minutes), or fishing (there’s 150 calories gone in an hour—even more if you actually catch something).

Simply put, fit people stay fit by having fun. Scientists have a name for how you burn calories just enjoying yourself. It’s called NEAT: non-exercise activity thermogenesis. Sounds complicated, like something only policy wonks at a global warming summit are qualified to discuss. But it’s pretty simple: Pick a few activities that you enjoy, from tossing a stick for your dog to bowling with your best friend, and just do them more often. The average person makes 200 decisions every day that affect his or her weight. If you choose the fun option more often than not, you’ll see results.

LAW #7: Lean People Watch Less TVInstead of calling it the boob tube, maybe we should call it the man-boob tube. About 18 percent of people who watch less than two hours of TV a day have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more—the cutoff line for obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But of those who watch more than four hours of TV a day, nearly 30 percent have a BMI that high, according to a study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Look, I like TV. But all things in moderation: In a study at the University of Vermont, overweight participants who cut their daily TV time in half (from an average of 5 hours to 2.5 hours) burned an extra 119 calories a day. And a recent study of people who successfully lost weight found that 63 percent of them watched less than 10 hours of TV a week. Want more? A study in the journal Annals of Behavioral Medicine reported that lean people have an average of 2.6 television sets in their homes. Overweight people have an average of 3.4. Finally, researchers in Australia recently discovered that every hour in front of the television trims 22 minutes from your life. Yikes!

Breaking any of these seven laws occasionally is fine. Just don't make a habit of it. Likewise, make sure you haven't fallen into any of these 20 Habits That Make You Fat.

Wellness: 8 Exercises to Lose Weight

2011-09-27T04:48:00.000-07:00

Staying fit and slim has always been a struggle for many whose metabolism is low and appetite is high. On my end, I have a natural slim figure. I used to have no problem on eating much and getting fat so I always wanted to get fat--have some meat and muscles rather than being bony and skinny. Then I noticed my body metabolism changed as I grew a little older. My metabolism is slowing down which causes me to have a bulging belly and round, chubby cheeks especially when I eat a lot--two to three cups of rice and indulging myself with carbohydrate-rich foods. I did get what I always wanted (to be fat), but I wasn't comfortable with the phase change of my metabolism. I had to discipline myself and do some exercises to lose the flabby fats. Let me share to you some simple exercises we can do at home.

Fitness & Exercise

Plan Basics

Warm up with the first 30-second core charger. Then go through the routine, performing 10 to 12 repetitions of each body-shaping move and 30 seconds of each charger. Repeat the entire workout once. It should all take less than 15 minutes. Perform the strength moves at a steady speed, taking about three seconds to lift and three seconds to lower. Then pick up the pace for the core chargers.

Core Charger: Crisscross

Stand with feet hip-width apart. Bend arms and hold them out to sides, so they form right angles, palms facing forward. Contract abs and pull left knee and right elbow toward each other. Pause, return to start, then crunch right knee and left elbow together. Continue, alternating, for 30 seconds.

Body Shaper: Marching Shoulder Raise

Stand holding dumbbells at sides. Raise left knee and right arm out in front of you and left arm out to the side. Lower to start and repeat, raising the right knee and lifting the left arm forward and the right arm to the side. Alternate, doing a full set on each side. Firms: arms, shoulders, abs

Core Charger: The Twist

Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding a dumbbell by the ends. Extend arms straight in front of you, elbows slightly bent. Twist torso to right as far as comfortably possible, keeping head and neck in line, hips facing forward. Then twist all the way to the left. Continue, alternating, for 30 seconds.

Body Shaper: Bridge Chest Press

Lie faceup, knees bent, with feet flat. Hold a weight in each hand at chest level. Squeeze butt and lift it and hips off the floor as you extend arms and press weights toward the ceiling. Body should form a straight line from chest to knees. Return to start. Perform a full set. Firms: chest, arms, abs, butt

Core Charger: Roll Like a Ball

Sit on the floor and hug knees to chest, dropping chin slightly. Balance on tailbone and lift feet. Pull abs in and, using momentum, roll back onto upper back. Contract abs and roll back to start. If the move is too hard, loosen arms, so knees are pulled less tightly to body. Repeat for 30 seconds.

Body Shaper: Chair Dip Curl

Sit on edge of chair with feet flat on floor. Grasp chair, walk feet out, and inch butt off seat. Bend elbows straight back and dip your butt toward the ground while pulling left knee toward chest. Lower leg and raise body. Complete a set. Then switch legs and repeat. Firms: arms, shoulders, back, abs

Core Charger: Wall Push-Up

Stand arm's length from a wall, fingertips just touching it and feet close together. Lean forward and place hands flat on the wall directly in line with shoulders. Perform push-ups: Bend arms and lower torso toward the wall until elbows are bent at 90 degrees. Press back to start. Repeat for 30 seconds.

Body Shaper: Tiptoe Butterfly Curls

Stand holding a dumbbell in each hand, arms at sides. Lift left foot and place sole against right calf (or for help with balance, keep left toes on floor). Curl weights, then lower them. Complete a full set. On the second set, try to raise right heel and balance on ball of foot. Firms: arms, abs

Beauty: Organic Exfoliating Facial Mask

2011-09-17T20:22:00.000-07:00

Being exposed to harmful UV rays and clogging dirt seven times a week, a cleanser wouldn't be much enough to peel off dead skin cells.

(Dead Skin Cells) The body sheds these dead skin cells of it's own accord, however, exfoliation through the use of skin brushes, loofah's or exfoliant skin care products, helps to stimulate new cell growth and reduces build up of dead skin cells.

So, how do dead skin cells impact the skin's health? As the dead skin cells build up on the surface of the skin, they have the potential to act as a barrier to absorption of nutrients from nourishing creams and lotions; they also have the potential to block sweat glands, which can result in white heads, black heads or acne.

Of course you do need a certain amount of dead skin cells to cover your skin, however, it does not need to be very thick to execute it's function as a barrier. If the rate of skin cell production/death is higher than normal, as for example is psoriasis, the body is unable to shed old cells quickly enough for the new cells to replace them. As the new cells push their way to the surface of the skin, the old cells create a build up of dead skin, which appear as raised patches.

So a weekly beauty exfoliating regimen is the best thing to do. I would advise to go organic when using a facial mask. It saves us from too much commercialized chemicals applied on our face, to note our facial skin is one of the most sensitive areas of the human body.

A simple organic facial mask readily available in our kitchen is using egg white. Yes, that sticky, transparent liquid. I have tried it myself several times. Just before applying it, I wash my face with clean water, pat it dry with a clean towel and unto my face goes the egg white. It proves to help clear my skin and tighten my pores. I have also tried oats and honey which leaves my face with a moisturizing effect.

Other recipes are also available and I would recommend visiting Natural Homemade Remedies For Life.Com. There are lots of recipes to choose from and more information about facial mask. Go on and try one for yourself.

Beauty: 4 Foods That Fight Wrinkles

2011-09-16T19:48:00.000-07:00

by The Editors at RealAge

If you love the white stuff -- we're talking sugar, folks -- your sweet tooth could be making your skin sag, crinkle, and wrinkle before its time. Blame glycation. That's what happens when sugar hits your bloodstream, gloms on to proteins, and forms the aptly named AGEs, oradvanced glycation end products. AGEs are bad news for your skin. They damage the collagen and elastin fibers that keep it strong and supple.

Related: Learn how white tea helps keep your skin smooth.

While scientists aren't ready to say "sugar causes wrinkles," docs know from observing people with poorly managed diabetes what out-of-control blood sugar does to skin -- and it isn't pretty. Bluntly put, it causes "premature" aging.

Related: What snacks help control your blood sugar? Here are eight healthy choices.

That should be extra inspiration to skip the cakes, cookies, and sugary drinks and fill your plate with wrinkle fighters. Here's even more: There is plenty of scientific proof that certain nutrients help nourish the fibers that keep skin stretchy and healthy, says Manhattan dermatologist Amy Wechsler, MD, RealAge expert and author of The Mind-Beauty Connection. Step right up to the beauty buffet and serve yourself this way:

Cover half -- yes, 50% -- of your plate with fruits and veggies. The antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals in plants act like a dietary highway patrol, pulling over speeding free radicals before they can damage your skin's collagen and elastin. You'll also get loads of vitamin C this way (brightly colored produce is full of it). That's great because C is essential for making new collagen.

Then add extra flavor or crunch by topping your fruits and veggies with nuts, seeds, or a drizzle of olive oil.Nuts and seeds are full of vitamin E, an off-the-charts antioxidant. Since sunlight depletes vitamin E in skin, you need to continually replenish your supply, and the more you get from food -- not supplements -- the better. While that's true in general, if there's any chance you could get pregnant, taking big doses of E is a don't. It's linked to heart defects in newborns.

As for olive oil, its healthy fats help skin cells resist wrinkle-causing sun damage.

Related: Check out the dark red fruit that's a skin supersaver.

Fill 25% of your plate with lean protein. Think fish, skinless white-meat poultry, beans, chickpeas, lentils, and tofu. All give you the good proteins your body needs to make new skin cells and keep up with its own antiaging skin repairs.

Related: Here's how to divvy up your protein to get a 24/7 supply.

Fill 25% of your plate with 100% whole grains. As in whole-wheat pasta, brown or wild rice, barley, any breads made from 100% whole grains, and more. Unlike the simple carbs in sugar, the complex carbs in whole grains are the kind your body and skin crave. Instead of triggering blood sugar spikes and forming brigades of aging AGEs, whole-grain carbs are full of fiber, which steadies blood sugar. Plus, the selenium and zinc in whole grains help harness the collagen- and elastin-damaging free radicals.

Related: Learn how whole grains help you flatten your belly.

source: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/4-foods-that-fight-wrinkles-2504587

Beauty: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

2011-09-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

As gentle as it gets.

Cetaphil^® Gentle Skin Cleanser is great for daily makeup removal. Originally formulated for dermatologists, this cleanser is gentle on your skin and sensitive to your skin’s needs.Cetaphil^® Gentle Skin Cleanser will not strip the skin of natural protective oils or emollients, or disturb the skin’s natural pH balance. Recommended for years by dermatologists, it is fragrance-free and non-comedogenic. Cetaphil^® Gentle Skin Cleanser is gentle enough for children, teens and adults. (Cetaphil.com)

After a week of plain water facial washing, I thought of going soap-free and use a product that moisturizes and is easily available in the market. With the visible tiny pimple bumps on my forehead--a result of the plain water washing, and of the dry skin from using soap, I lavished myself to spend more than a hundred pesos for the sake of vanity and beauty. The first day I used this was something new for me. I wasn't used to washing my face without bubbles and it made me feel like there's no effect. There's no immediate effect in a day or two usage so I had to continue until I see its results (a month or three would be the best observation period). Daily cleansing my face in the morning and evening and then patting my face dry with a separate clean towel (for facial use only), I was happy with the first month result. My sensitive skin wasn't irritated. My open-pore cheeks always felt clean and soft. My forehead was showing signs of less visible and less bumpy pimples. I have to say I'm sticking to this product for a little longer. But I have also thought that if I get myself too exposed to dirt for a day, a facial cleansing soap bar would be an alternative. So I might try Cetaphil's Cleansing Bar and spend again more than a hundred pesos. Or find an alternative that's still more than a hundred pesos but not near five hundreds. Budget is also a concern especially if money is being set aside for savings. Well, indeed beauty has a price.

Beauty: Superfoods for Glowing Skin

2011-09-10T22:57:00.000-07:00

By Stephanie Dolgoff, SELF magazine

Ask most dermatologists what you should eat to help improve your skin and you'll probably get a vague answer about a balanced diet and plenty of water. "Doctors have been taught to be very skeptical about nutritional approaches to health, because past advice wasn't based on hard science," says dermatologist Valori Treloar, M.D., coauthor of The Clear Skin Diet. But their skepticism is fading as more patients sing the praises of food's skin-morphing powers, and newer research backs them up. Take teens with acne: They swear that chocolate makes breakouts worse, and (vindication!) a preliminary study of 18- to 35-year-olds presented at this year's American Academy of Dermatology conference suggests they're right.

The Problem: Acne

Mean girls don't always disappear after high school, and neither do embarrassing breakouts. But getting plenty of these three nutrients can help you banish blemishes. (Sadly, the snobs may still linger.)

The fix: Vitamin A"This antioxidant thins the epidermis, or outer layer of skin, which produces dead cells that can clog pores," explains Jody Levine, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. It also dries up sebum, the gross, oily, waxy stuff your skin glands produce that mixes with dead skin cells to create the clogs and transport you to Zitville. The daily value (DV) of A is 5,000 international units (IUs), so get at least that much, and pair it with some healthy fats such as olive oil or avocado: A is a fat-soluble vitamin, so your body will absorb it better.
Great sources: Sweet potatoes (28,000 IUs each); leafy greens such as spinach (23,000 IUs per chopped, cooked cup), kale (19,000 IUs per cooked cup) and broccoli (2,400 IUs per cooked cup); bright red, yellow and orange produce such as carrots (27,000 IUs per cooked cup), cantaloupe (5,400 IUs per cup), red bell peppers (4,700 IUs per cup) and red chile peppers (428 IUs each); asparagus (600 IUs per four spears).

Another fix: ZincThe mineral helps tame skin's oil production; less oil (if you have an excess of the stuff) means less sebum—and fewer pimples, according to Dr. Levine. The RDA for zinc is 8 milligrams.Great sources: Raw oysters (76 mg per six oysters), fortified breakfast cereals such as Total (15 mg per 3/4 cup), canned blue crab (5 mg per cup), turkey (4 mg per cup), beef sirloin (4 mg per 3 ounces), pork loin (4 mg per 3 oz), part-skim ricotta (3 mg per cup)

Another fix: Omega 3 Fatty AcidsThey help maintain the body's essential oils, the healthy, non-pore-clogging kind that keep skin cells from drying out, flaking and congesting pores, Dr. Levine says. They also have anti-inflammatory properties that aid with healing. "Acne is a teeny little wound on your face," Kirkpatrick says. There's no RDA for omega-3s; Kirkpatrick suggests aiming for 600 mg daily.
Great sources: Flaxseed (1,600 mg per 1 tablespoon), canola oil (1,300 mg per 1 tbsp), soybean oil (900 mg per 1 tbsp)

The Problem: Dry, Dull Skin

Downing water, water and more water to rejuvenate flaky, flat-looking skin? Keep it up, but don't stop there. Drinking adequate liquid does help ensure every cell in your body is hydrated, but these nutrients are also vital to your freshen-up arsenal.

The fix: Omega 3 Fatty Acids"As we get older, our oil glands produce less oil, so you see more flaking and scaling," Dr. Treloar says. Omega-3s may help lubricate skin to keep it looking dewy. Try to consume 600 mg a day.
Great sources: Flaxseed (1,600 mg per 1 tbsp), canola oil (1,300 mg per 1 tbsp), soybean oil (900 mg per 1 tbsp)

Another fix: Niacin"When skin cells dry out, their barrier to the environment breaks down," Dr. Levine says. "Bacteria and other things from the outside can then penetrate more easily and cause an inflammatory reaction." And that means you can add redness and irritation to your list of complaints. Niacin, a B vitamin, appears to help strengthen the skin's barrier, by both hydrating cells and acting as an anti-inflammatory, Dr. Levine says. The RDA for niacin is 14 mg.
Great sources: Chicken (12 mg per 1/2 breast), canned light tuna (11 mg per 3 oz), wheat flour (9 mg per cup), pork chops (7 mg per 3 oz), beef sirloin (6 mg per 3 oz), cornmeal (4 mg per cup)

Another fix: BiotinThis is another B vitamin, and although its mechanisms aren't yet well understood, biotin has been shown to help hair and nails grow, and it may also aid skin-cell turnover, which keeps your complexion looking fresh. There's no RDA, but doctors consider 30 micrograms adequate.
Great sources: Eggs (up to 25 mcg each), avocado (up to 6 mcg each), salmon (up to 5 mcg per 3 oz)

The Problem: Signs of Aging

Getting older is fine (wisdom, respect, all that good stuff). Looking older, not so much. Thankfully, we can help stall the process by eating strawberries, pineapple and other delish foods.

The fix: Vitamin AOf skin's several layers, the dermis—which lies right below the surface layer of skin (or epidermis)—contains all the collagen, a protein that gives skin plumpness and elasticity. "Vitamin A helps increase collagen production and thickens the dermis," Dr. Levine explains. The result: Skin looks fuller and bounces back more readily. And because it's an antioxidant, A also helps repair the free radical damage to skin cells that leads to wrinkling and sagging. The DV is 5,000 IUs.
Great sources: Sweet potatoes (28,000 IUs each); leafy greens such as spinach (23,000 IUs per chopped, cooked cup), kale (19,000 per cooked cup) and broccoli (2,400 IUs per cooked cup); bright red, yellow and orange produce such as carrots (27,000 IUs per cooked cup ), cantaloupe (5,400 IUs per cup), sweet red bell peppers (4,700 IUs per cup) and red chile peppers (428 IUs each); asparagus (600 IUs per four spears)

Another fix: Vitamin CAlso an antioxidant, "vitamin C basically helps mop up free radicals before they do any damage," Dr. Levine says. You'll hit your mark at 75 mg.
Great sources: Red bell peppers (152 mg each), broccoli (101 mg per cooked cup), strawberries (98 mg per cup), papaya (87 mg per cup), pineapple (74 mg per cup), kiwifruit (70 mg each), cantaloupe (59 mg per cup), cauliflower (46 mg per cup)

Another fix: Vitamin ESpeaking (still) of antioxidants, E seems to help skin produce natural oils that aid with aging-related dryness, Dr. Levine says. You need at least 15 mg a day to fulfill your RDA.
Great sources: Nuts and seeds such as almonds (7 mg per oz) and roasted sunflower seeds (7 mg per oz); vegetable oils such as sunflower (6 mg per tbsp) and safflower (5 mg per tbsp); tomato products such as pasta sauce (6 mg per cup) and pureed tomatoes (5 mg per cup); spinach (4 mg per cooked cup)

Another fix: Plant Polyphenols

These organic plant chemicals seem to do double dermis duty. For starters, polyphenols in green tea significantly increased circulation to skin in a recent study at the University of Witten-Herdeck. "We don't know the mechanism, but if you're getting more blood flow to the skin, the cells are getting increased nutrients, which can help support their health," says study author Carolyn Moore, Ph.D. Participants drank the equivalent of 8 cups of decaffeinated green tea a day; Dr. Moore can't speculate on the effect of drinking less, but it couldn't hurt to start with 1 or 2 cups a day. People who drank water mixed with cocoa powder high in flavonols, another type of polyphenol, experienced a similar increase in hydration and blood flow to their skin, as well as less roughness and scaling, a study in The Journal of Nutrition shows. What's more, cocoa's flavonols seem to offer some UV ray protection: The skin of cocoa sippers showed less redness after sun exposure.
Great sources: Green tea, chocolate (a few ounces a day should do the trick)

Do Some Foods Feed Breakouts?

The science is still spotty, but experts are wary of...

Dairy foods Milk spikes levels of insulin and growth hormone, both of which open androgen (male hormone) receptors and allow the hormones to enter, says dermatologist Bill Danby, M.D., of Dartmouth Medical School. And male hormones can plug pores and activate oil glands, resulting in acne, he explains. Although not all skin pros embrace Dr. Danby's dairy theory, it's gaining ground, according to Dr. Treloar. She suggests that acne sufferers drop cow dairy (get vitamin D, calcium and magnesium from other sources), then experiment with noncow and fermented dairy foods.

A high-glycemic-index diet Like dairy items, high-GI foods such as refined carbs (e.g., white bread) and sweets (including chocolate) can raise insulin levels and open androgen receptors, so most experts say it's smart to steer clear when you can.

source: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/superfoods-for-glowing-skin-2533727/#photoViewer=1

Bringing Out The Beauty That We Are

2011-09-10T12:24:00.000-07:00

We live in a world characterized by looking on what's on the outside than that of the inside. It's creating the first impression and the world sees you as you are, most of the time permanently. We can't deny this fact. But we can alter how we think for the mind is such a powerful thing.

When it comes to beauty, everyone wants to be recognized with it. It is always the talk of the town, from the media advertisements to the people we just happen to pass by. People are visual beings and we appreciate whatever is aesthetic. We are that for almost always. Therefore, one of our responsibilities in this lifetime is to keep ourselves beautiful--spiritually, socially, and even for often times physically. So how do we achieve beauty given that we are all unique in our image and likeness? To start off, we have to conquer the ugly us. By the word ugly, it means a bad character, a disturbing habit, an impolite manner, an unpleasant look, and all other things we can associate with it. Dealing with our own ugliness is to tell ourselves we are ugly and ask back, why. When we find the reasons, we must then resolve this by deciding to be beautiful. Once we've made this decision, we begin to act accordingly. We have to because these changes are good for us. If our ugliness is about our character or personality, then we search for guides and apply what we read. If we have to make pleasant what is unpleasant looking, then we should learn about it and choose what products suit us and use them routinely. Not only do we contribute to adding the lovely sights of this world, but we contribute more to our advantage. Our self-esteem is boosted. We know well we can do more and better things when our self-esteem is high. So we have done it. But for most part, the bigger challenge is to maintain the beauty. We have to constantly practice the new things we've learned about being beautiful and be conscious of our growth process.Until then, it becomes natural in us.