Does niacinamide have to be used with resveratrol?

Lindygirl asks…In a recent facebook post from futurederm I read this : “Believe it or not, we now know you should always use niacinamide with resveratrol. Niacinamide has many benefits, but has been shown to increase sirtuin production, which may accelerate aging. On the other hand, resveratrol has been shown to decrease sirtuin production. So [...]

Lindygirl asks…In a recent facebook post from futurederm I read this : “Believe it or not, we now know you should always use niacinamide with resveratrol. Niacinamide has many benefits, but has been shown to increase sirtuin production, which may accelerate aging. On the other hand, resveratrol has been shown to decrease sirtuin production. So get the benefits of niacinamide without the sirtuins by using it together with resveratrol.” Olay also makes Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum, Fragrance Free. That product contains niacinamide as well, but no resveratrol. So is using it for daytime a bad idea?

The Beauty Brains respond:
Hey Lindy, could you ask an EASY question once in a while?

As regular readers of the Beauty Brains know, we’re big fans of the work that FutureDerm does. We are scratching our heads, however, over the above Facebook quote. Since there’s no reference given, we’re not clear on the evidence that lead FutureDerm team to the conclusion that niacinamide increases sirtuin production and therefore must be balanced out with resveratol to decrease sirituin production.

Niacinamide and sirtuins

The best review of this subject that we’ve seen so far was done by Marta at Truth in Aging. She reviewed several studies and found a lot of conflicting data: some studies show niacinimide increases sirtuin production while others shows it decreases it. She concludes that “the research is very nascent and the interaction of SIR2 and nicotinamide is barely understood.” That seems a prudent conclusion based on what we’ve seen.

It might sound like a corporate cop out but without clear scientific consensus on an opposing point of view, we’d put our faith in the research done by P&G which shows the benefits of using niacinamide alone. If there was clear evidence showing that niacinamide worked better with resveratrol, then it’s likely that the scientists at P&G would have already incorporated the combination into a new Olay product.

If anyone over at FutureDerm has any additional perspective, we’d love to continue the discussion in the comments section!

Image credit: http://www.iuvalladolid.org/

Read more...


More To Explore
http://zemaxilu.newsvine.com/_news/2013/07/22/19624199-the-value-of-having-enough-sleep-for-youthful-skin
http://soyaroxo.bravejournal.com/entry/137557/
http://napumiha.skyrock.com/3175744527-Skin-Care-Techniques-Are-You-Getting-Adequate-Sleep.html

Does niacinamide have to be used with resveratrol?

Does niacinamide have to be used with resveratrol?
Lindygirl asks…In a recent facebook post from futurederm I read this : “Believe it or not, we now know you should always use niacinamide with resveratrol. Niacinamide has many benefits, but has been shown to increase sirtuin production, which may accelerate aging. On the other hand, resveratrol has been shown to decrease sirtuin production. So [...]

Lindygirl asks…In a recent facebook post from futurederm I read this : “Believe it or not, we now know you should always use niacinamide with resveratrol. Niacinamide has many benefits, but has been shown to increase sirtuin production, which may accelerate aging. On the other hand, resveratrol has been shown to decrease sirtuin production. So get the benefits of niacinamide without the sirtuins by using it together with resveratrol.” Olay also makes Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum, Fragrance Free. That product contains niacinamide as well, but no resveratrol. So is using it for daytime a bad idea?

The Beauty Brains respond:
Hey Lindy, could you ask an EASY question once in a while?

As regular readers of the Beauty Brains know, we’re big fans of the work that FutureDerm does. We are scratching our heads, however, over the above Facebook quote. Since there’s no reference given, we’re not clear on the evidence that lead FutureDerm team to the conclusion that niacinamide increases sirtuin production and therefore must be balanced out with resveratol to decrease sirituin production.

Niacinamide and sirtuins

The best review of this subject that we’ve seen so far was done by Marta at Truth in Aging. She reviewed several studies and found a lot of conflicting data: some studies show niacinimide increases sirtuin production while others shows it decreases it. She concludes that “the research is very nascent and the interaction of SIR2 and nicotinamide is barely understood.” That seems a prudent conclusion based on what we’ve seen.

It might sound like a corporate cop out but without clear scientific consensus on an opposing point of view, we’d put our faith in the research done by P&G which shows the benefits of using niacinamide alone. If there was clear evidence showing that niacinamide worked better with resveratrol, then it’s likely that the scientists at P&G would have already incorporated the combination into a new Olay product.

If anyone over at FutureDerm has any additional perspective, we’d love to continue the discussion in the comments section!

Image credit: http://www.iuvalladolid.org/

Related Articles
http://dapiweda.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-1.html
http://my.telegraph.co.uk/dufohole/dufohole/1/organic-skin-care-products/
http://en.netlog.com/jamieroden/blog/blogid=27191637

MAKEUP: How To Get A Good Brow Job

Face shape is everything in determining the perfect-shaped eyebrow and keeping those brows looking perfect between waxing and threading sessions is the job of these products…but first, “what brow shape works for me?”

You can get the whole story here.


Related Articles
http://dapiweda.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-1.html
http://my.telegraph.co.uk/dufohole/dufohole/1/organic-skin-care-products/
http://en.netlog.com/jamieroden/blog/blogid=27191637

A Look At Three Things Which Can Lead To Lines Around The Mouth

A Look At Three Things Which Can Lead To Lines Around The Mouth
No matter how hard we try to avoid the ravages of time, facial lines will begin to appear at some point. First it's lines around the eyes, then it is lines around the mouth, and then they just show up everywhere. Fortunately, we can slow the clock down.


See Also
http://miyuroki.jigsy.com/entries/general/opinions-regarding-organic-skin-care
http://putosoki.over-blog.com/everything-you-should-be-aware-about-organic-skin-care-products
http://guyascaend.blog.com/2013/07/23/organic-skin-care-products/

3 Beauty Secrets that Every Girl Must Try Now!

FRIDAY FAV | BEAUTY SECRETS By Huda Heidi Kattan I know we all have our own beauty tricks, but some of them are really much more awesome than others! It’s so insane to see all my recipes that I’ve hadقراءة المزيد Here is the full post.


Recommended for You
http://yimuquvu.tumblr.com/post/56203025878/the-significance-of-getting-adequate-sleep-for-better
http://wivusaro.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/lack-of-sleep-linked-to-skin-damage/
http://blogs.rediff.com/nozebowu/2013/07/23/the-simple-facts-regarding-organic-skin-care-products/

b-leve b-tranquil Body Wash Review

b-leve b-tranquil Body Wash Review
I’m going to be honest, here; I don’t really get excited about body washes. To me, they’re pretty much all the same – as long as it smells nice, I’m set. But b-leve b-tranquil Body Wash ($7.99, b-leve.com) is different; containing Oleofirm™, a combination of glycerin, safflower oil, and vitamin E, and flaxseed oil, this body wash is sure to moisturize your skin while giving you a subtle, sweet scent. OleoFirm™: Glycerin, Safflower Oil, and Vitamin E OleoFirm™ contains the superstars glycerin, safflower oil, and vitamin E. In case you haven’t heard me ramble on about glycerin before, I’ll tell […]

I’m going to be honest, here; I don’t really get excited about body washes. To me, they’re pretty much all the same – as long as it smells nice, I’m set. But b-leve b-tranquil Body Wash ($7.99, b-leve.com) is different; containing Oleofirm™, a combination of glycerin, safflower oil, and vitamin E, and flaxseed oil, this body wash is sure to moisturize your skin while giving you a subtle, sweet scent.

OleoFirm™: Glycerin, Safflower Oil, and Vitamin E

Safflower oil is a great sources of linoleic acid, which helps int he production of ceramides.

OleoFirm™ contains the superstars glycerin, safflower oil, and vitamin E. In case you haven’t heard me ramble on about glycerin before, I’ll tell you again; glycerin is a natural moisturizing factor (NMF) and an occlusive moisturizer that helps to prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in the skin. One study shows a 20% glycerin cream increasing the skin’s moisture levels compared to a control group after ten days of use (International Journal of Cosmetic Science). Another study, conducted over five years, shows that creams containing a high glycerin content restore dry skin to normal moisture levels and keep the skin moisturized for longer as compared to other products (M. Lodén and H.I. Maibach). With such great results, it’s no wonder you see it in so many other products.

Safflower oil is another great ingredient in this body wash. It’s a powerful antioxidant, effective against DPPH and superoxide and hydroxyl radicals (Neurochemical Research). It is one of the most potent sources of linoleic acid, which is necessary for the production of ceramides. Ceramides play an important role in the skin barrier function, helping your skin retain water to prevent TEWL (Baumann).

Finally, vitamin E plays a role in OleoFirm™; this popular vitamin protects your skin against UV damage and environmental exposure and is found naturally in the sebaceous glands of your skin (Skin Pharmacology and Physiology). It also helps to protect collagen by stopping the formation of metalloproteinase matrix mRNA, which is responsible for degrading collagen (Free Radical Biology and Medicine).

Linseed Oil (Flaxseed Oil)

Flaxseed has tons of benefits when eaten, but there’s not as much research about topical application.

Don’t be fooled by the “Linseed Oil” labeled on the packaging; this is actually just another name for the well-known flaxseed oil. This is a great source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, and possibly even collagen-boosting properties — but generally when consumed orally (University of Maryland Medical Center, Journal of Cellular Physiology). Additionally, flaxseed oil oral supplements can reduce skin sensitivity and improve the skin’s barrier function (Skin Pharmacology and Physiology).

Although flaxseed oil contains beneficial components like fatty acids and antioxidants, little research has been done regarding its topical benefits to the skin (Mayo Clinic). While it’s a great oral supplement, there’s just not enough data to suggest that putting it on your skin will do much of anything.

Overall Rating: ***

Overall, it’s a pretty good body wash, though I felt so-so about the scent.

b-leve b-tranquil Body Wash is a pretty solid product for your daily shower needs. It contains great occlusive moisturizers like glycerin and safflower oil, and vitamin E can help protect your skin against environmental damages. The inclusion of flaxseed oil doesn’t have a lot of research backing it, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t a solid product. The scent is okay, and it did leave my skin moisturized. While I can’t say that this is a spectacular product, it’s definitely a pretty good one.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamidropropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Chloride, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oleosomes, Tetrasodium EDTA, Fragrance (Parfum), Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Mannitol, Cellulose, Iron Oxides, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Red 40 (CI 16035), Yellow 5 (CI 19140)

Recommended for You
http://yimuquvu.tumblr.com/post/56203025878/the-significance-of-getting-adequate-sleep-for-better
http://wivusaro.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/lack-of-sleep-linked-to-skin-damage/
http://blogs.rediff.com/nozebowu/2013/07/23/the-simple-facts-regarding-organic-skin-care-products/

Link between Sleep Deprivation and Skin Aging

Estée Lauder Clinical Trial Finds Link between Sleep Deprivation and Skin Aging While we’ve long known that lack of good quality sleep can have a large impact on human health, a first-of-its-kind clinical trial conducted by physician-scientists at University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical Center and commissioned by Estée Lauder confirms that sleep quality impacts skin function [...]

Estée Lauder Clinical Trial Finds Link between Sleep Deprivation and Skin Aging

While we’ve long known that lack of good quality sleep can have a large impact on human health, a first-of-its-kind clinical trial conducted by physician-scientists at University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical Center and commissioned by Estée Lauder confirms that sleep quality impacts skin function and aging. Poor sleepers had increased signs of skin aging and slower recovery from a variety of environmental stressors, such as disruption of the skin barrier and ultraviolet (UV) exposure. Poor sleepers also had worse assessment of their own skin and facial appearance.

“Our study, The Effects of Sleep Quality on Skin Aging and Function, is the first to conclusively demonstrate that inadequate sleep is correlated with reduced skin health and accelerates skin aging. Sleep deprived women show signs of premature skin aging and a decrease in their skin’s ability to recover after sun exposure,” said Dr. Elma Baron, Director of the Skin Study Center at UH Case Medical Center and Associate Professor of Dermatology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. “Insufficient sleep has become a worldwide epidemic. While chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to medical problems such as obesity, diabetes, cancer and immune deficiency, its effects on skin function have previously been unknown.”

The study involved a visual skin evaluation and participation in several non-invasive skin challenge tests including UV light exposure and skin barrier disruption. Additionally, participants filled out a sleep log for one week to quantify sleep duration. The researchers found statistically significant differences between good and poor quality sleepers, the headline being that good quality sleepers recovered more efficiently from stressors to the skin.

“This research shows for the first time, that poor sleep quality can accelerate signs of skin aging and weaken the skin’s ability to repair itself at night,” said Dr. Daniel Yarosh, Senior Vice President, Basic Science Research, R&D, at The Estée Lauder Companies.  “These connections between sleep and skin aging, now supported with solid scientific data, will have a profound effect on how we study skin and its functions.  We see these findings as yet another way we can direct our scientific research toward the real needs of our customers who want to look and feel their best.”

For full post, click here.

Veria Id Look Alive Eye Gel Review

Veria Id Look Alive Eye Gel Review
Cucumbers in beauty usually paint images of a nondescript woman in a face mask with cucumbers over her eyes. Veria Id utilizes this long-standing tradition in its Veria Id Look Alive Eye Gel ($20, amazon.com). Its much boasted about ingredients are cucumber extract and beech tree bud extract, with supporting roles played by hyaluronic acid and panthenol. But does this combination of ingredients really make eyes “look alive”? Beech Tree Bud Extract While there are a number of claims that this extract is an anti-aging ingredient that smoothes wrinkles, there was no scientific data that I could find to support […]

Cucumbers in beauty usually paint images of a nondescript woman in a face mask with cucumbers over her eyes. Veria Id utilizes this long-standing tradition in its Veria Id Look Alive Eye Gel ($20, amazon.com). Its much boasted about ingredients are cucumber extract and beech tree bud extract, with supporting roles played by hyaluronic acid and panthenol. But does this combination of ingredients really make eyes “look alive”?

Beech Tree Bud Extract

Beech tree bud extract has little data behind it beyond that it’s a good source of antioxidants.

While there are a number of claims that this extract is an anti-aging ingredient that smoothes wrinkles, there was no scientific data that I could find to support them. However, beech tree bud extract, from the Fagus sylvatica, was found to have a high antioxidant capacity (Romanian Biotechnological Letters).

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a natural moisturizing factor (NMF), which means that it mimics the moisture within the skin. This allows the skin to operate at optimal levels and provide protection against environmental damages (Murad). Hyaluronic acid is also a humectant moisturizer; it works by pulling water away from the atmosphere to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water.

Humectant moisturizers can sometimes pull water from within the deeper layers of the skin, but when paired with an occlusive moisturizer (in this case, glycerin), hyaluronic acid only pulls water from the environment (10 Minutes, 10 Years, Dr. Leslie Baumann, M.D.). Luckily, hyaluronic acid can do this in both high- and low-humidity environments (In Cosmetics).

Hyaluronic acid can also speed up wound-healing from oxygen free-radical damage in mouse skin, but researchers are still unsure if it has antioxidant activities as a free-radical scavenger (International Journal of Tissue Reactions).

Panthenol

Panthenol is another popular ingredient in skincare products because of its activities as a humectant moisturizer (see above). It has been proven effective in wound-healing because it increases the proliferation of cell fibroblasts (Drug & Cosmetic Industry). It has been shown to decrease signs of aging, particularly when paired with niacinamide, meaning it should help to revitalize your eye air by plumping the skin (Indian Journal of Dermatology).

[Read More: Spotlight On: Panthenol]

Cucumber Extract

Cucumber has few vitamins compared with other fruits and vegetables, but in concentrated forms, products can make the most of its ascorbic acid.

According to Mosby’s Handbook of Herbs and Natural Supplements, traditional use of cucumbers has been to treat hypertension and inflammation. It is typically valued for its high water content, its decent source of fiber, and low number of calories; when compared to other vegetables, however, it has a relatively low number of vitamins and other nutrients (Cambridge World History of Food).

To compensate for its low vitamin content, cucumber is typically used as a concentrate in cosmetic products because it contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C), which works as an antioxidant, increase collagen, reduces wrinkle formation, and can even help with hyperpigmentation. One study shows its skin-brightening and anti-aging effects, while another shows it as a significant DPPH and superoxide radical scavenger (African Journal of Biotechnology, Archives of Dermatological Research).

Additionally, cucumber extract has shown possible inhibition of hyaluronidase and elastase enzyme activity, which are responsible for the degradation of hyaluronic acid and elastin, respectively (Archives of Dermatological Research).

Overall Rating: *

Despite the cooling cucumber, this eye gel stung my eyes so much that I had to wash it off.

I’m definitely a fan of the ingredients listed above; as beech tree bud extract has provides antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and panthenol will “plump” your skin, and cucumber extract will help with signs of anti-aging. Based off of the ingredients, I expected  to be more of a temporary fix to puffy eyes after a night of little-to-no sleep.

But when I applied Veria Id Look Alive Eye Gel, the area around my eyes burned so much that I had to wash it off. I’m not allergic to anything in the ingredients, so I’m not entirely sure what could have caused it. While I’m sure this isn’t a typical reaction to the gel, I can’t really recommend this product based on my experience.

Ingredients: Purified Water, Aloe Barbadensis (aloe Vera) Leaf Juice•, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Pca, Panthenol, Allantoin, Soy Protein, Myrtus Communis (myrtle) Extract, Fagus Silvatica (beech Tree) Bud Extract•, Tetrahydropiperine (black Pepper), Cocos Nucifera (coconut) Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum (horse Chestnut) Seed Extract, Emblica Officinallis (amla) Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (sugarcane) Extract, Roman Anthernis Nobilis (chamomile) Flower Water•, Camellia (green Tea) Sinensis Leaf Extract•, Cucumis Sativus (cucumber) Fruit Extract•, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Algin, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin. Fragrance-free

• Organic Ingredients

Alternative Medicine and Your Facial Acne

Alternative Medicine and Your Facial Acne
Facial acne can be embarrassing and so we try different treatments including over-the-counter creams and lotions that may leave our skin dry and irritated. Alternative medicine offers several solutions that may help heal acne as well as reduce the redness and scarring that can result from having acne. Tea tree oil, alpha hydroxy acids, azelaic acid, zinc supplements and brewer's yeast are natural ways that you can use to treat and even prevent facial acne.

Beauty Science News of the Week July 21

Beauty Science News of the Week July 21
Here are some of our favorite beauty science news stories of the past week… Are cosmetic or skincare products FDA approved or certified? Health Canada puts warning out on unauthorized skin care products Snail facial treatment: does snail slime improve your skin? Perfume science: body chemistry and why you love the smells I hate Who [...]

Here are some of our favorite beauty science news stories of the past week…

• Are cosmetic or skincare products FDA approved or certified?
• Health Canada puts warning out on unauthorized skin care products
• Snail facial treatment: does snail slime improve your skin?
• Perfume science: body chemistry and why you love the smells I hate
• Who makes the best cosmetic products?

Sunday Tittle Tattle

Sunday Tittle Tattle

This is how I look and feel. Drained. You?

This is how I look and feel. Drained. You?

Here comes the Sun(Screen)

Here comes the Sun(Screen)

Image compliments of Best Nursing Masters Degrees

The post Here comes the Sun(Screen) appeared first on Skin Scrubs Beauty Blog.

Image compliments of Best Nursing Masters Degrees

The post Here comes the Sun(Screen) appeared first on Skin Scrubs Beauty Blog.

Glytone Essentials Boost Mini Peel Gel Review

Glytone Essentials Boost Mini Peel Gel Review
Celebrities and common folk alike have been swearing by glycolic peels for years, and it’s easy to see why; glycolic peels leave skin smoother, helping those who want to look young, stay young. Better yet, cost-effective, at-home treatments can give you soft, smooth skin without having to get out of your pajamas. Glytone Essentials Boost Mini Peel Gel ($50, amazon.com) was a 2011 recipient of Allure’s Best of Beauty Award. The company sent a sample of the peel that boasts a 10.8 free acid value for us to try out. The relatively high concentrations of SD alcohol 40 and propylene […]

Celebrities and common folk alike have been swearing by glycolic peels for years, and it’s easy to see why; glycolic peels leave skin smoother, helping those who want to look young, stay young.

Better yet, cost-effective, at-home treatments can give you soft, smooth skin without having to get out of your pajamas. Glytone Essentials Boost Mini Peel Gel ($50, amazon.com) was a 2011 recipient of Allure’s Best of Beauty Award. The company sent a sample of the peel that boasts a 10.8 free acid value for us to try out.

The relatively high concentrations of SD alcohol 40 and propylene glycol in Glytone’s product make the skin more permeable, and subsequently allow the glycolic acid to better penetrate. But that means that those with sensitive skin might want to avoid this one.

SD Alcohol 40-A

A high concentration of SD alcohol 40 means glycolic acid will penetrate deeply into the skin, but it can be irritating for those with sensitive skin or certain skin issues.

Known as denatured alcohol, this is pretty much just ethanol with some additives (such as methanol or acetone) to make it unfit to ingest. When researching the effects of ethanol on skin, most of the existing studies investigate oral consumption; it is common knowledge that consuming ethanol can cause a variety of skin problems, from psoriasis to delayed wound healing.

In terms of topical SD alcohol 40-A, the answer isn’t as simple. Ethanol is usually used in transdermal delivery systems in order to remove the lipid barrier material from the stratum corneum, thus rending the skin more permeable to other ingredients (Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology). The increase in penetration by SD Alcohol 40 for other ingredients is dose-dependent, which means that you should consider your skin type before using this product.

If you have sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis, or a similar condition, then this might be irritating. If, however, you’re able to go glycolic acid-happy with no problem, then this could be a great mini peel for you.

[Read More: Is SD Alcohol Harmful for the Skin?]

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid both exfoliates and increases moisture by boosting hyaluronic acid in the skin.

Glycolic acid is the smallest of the alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and is a common ingredient in skincare ingredients. Both in vitro and in vivo tests have shown it to increase collagen production, fibroblast proliferation, and cell turnover rates (Dermatologic Surgery).

[Read More: Spotlight On: Alpha Hydroxy Acids]

Glycolic acid acts as both a moisturizer and an exfoliator: By increasing the skin’s supply of hyaluronic acid, which can hold many times its weight in water, glycolic acid is included in skincare products as a humectant. It also exfoliates by increasing corneocyte desquamation, resulting in increased epidermal proliferation. And you know what that means: smoother, more elastic skin (Skin Therapy Letter).

However, if you’re using a product containing glycolic acid, be extra cautious about sun exposure, especially with products containing a higher free acid value. Glytone Essentials Boost Mini Peel clocks in at an acid value of 10.8. The higher the value, the more biologic activity, and the more sensitive your skin is to sun (Skin Therapy Letter).

Propylene Glycol

Propylene glycol is a penetration enhancer that works to deliver ingredients into the skin.

Propylene glycol has traditionally been used in cosmetics as both a delivery system and a moisturizer; however, it has been known to cause adverse skin reactions at concentrations as low as 10% in normal skin, or even at 2% in those with dermatitis. However, irritation and toxicity usually occurs with repeated use of high concentrations on already-damaged skin barriers (American Journal of Clinical Dermatology).

[Read More: Is Propylene Glycol Harmful in Beauty Products?]

So, in cosmetic formulations, propylene glycol is generally safe, but you should be wary of using it in conjunction with other irritating ingredients as it increases skin permeability (Journal of Controlled Release).

Overall: ***

Glytone Boost Mini Peel made my skin feel smoother and other than a little temporary tingling and redness, I had no irritation.

I was pleased to find that Glytone Essentials Boost Mini Peel Gel made my skin feel quite a bit smoother the first time I used it. The initial use didn’t make my skin look as radiant as reviews I’d read promised, but I saw more changes with subsequent use.

Initially, there was a little tingling and warming when I applied the gel, but it went away after I washed the peel off. My skin was a little red for the rest of the night after I used it, but by the morning it was back to my normal coloring. Other than that, I had little irritation and my skin was noticeably smoother.

If you don’t have sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis, or a similar skin condition, and you want the benefits of a glycolic acid peel at home, this Allure Best of Beauty winner could definitely do the trick.

Ingredients: water (Aqua), SD alcohol 40-A, glycolic acid, propylene glycol, hydroxypropylcellulose, potassium hydroxide, BHT

Homemade Recipe for Glowing Skin

Stylecraze have sent me this face mask recipe to share with my readers and it has Skin Scrubs written all over it because it contains tomato! I can’t live without [...]

The post Homemade Recipe for Glowing Skin appeared first on Skin Scrubs Beauty Blog.

Stylecraze have sent me this face mask recipe to share with my readers and it has Skin Scrubs written all over it because it contains tomato! I can’t live without the fruit that is usually accused of being a vegetable and I’ve always wondered if they would work for face masks…

All of us long for glowing, healthy and beautiful skin. However, with the pollution around us and work-related stress, we are unable to devote sufficient time to skin care and the result – dull, tired, patchy, blemished skin, acne and pimples, spots and much more. Glowing skin is also an indicator of your internal health so:

• Ditch the junk food
• Eat green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits
• Snack on almonds and walnuts
• Drink enough water to stay hydrated
• Try for 30 minutes exercise a day
• Get your 7 – 8 hours of beauty sleep

If you can just spare 20-25 minutes for pampering your skin with some of the best natural ingredients which you might already be having at home, you’ll see great results over time.

Simple homemade recipe for glowing skin

�

Ingredients required:
1 Tomato
Yogurt (preferably homemade)
Oatmeal

How to Prepare:
Wash the tomato in running water so that any dirt on the outer skin may be washed away. Cut the tomato into two halves and squeeze out its juice into a bowl. Add 1 teaspoon each of oatmeal and the yogurt to this freshly squeezed tomato juice.

If you find it becoming too thick, a little rose water or even plain water may be added to get the desired consistency. If you have very dry skin, you may add 1 teaspoon of honey to this.

Application:
Cleanse your face thoroughly, pat dry and apply this just like a face mask, spreading it out and let it remain for 20-25 minutes. Rinse off with water, pat dry and follow up with your moisturiser.

How this works:
Tomato is a wonderful natural astringent; it helps in shrinking open pores, works to remove excess oil and controls acne and its natural acids help to lighten the skin tone. Yogurt will act as mild bleach, nourish your skin and make it supple as well as help to keep blemishes at bay. Oatmeal, one of the best natural exfoliants for the skin, helps to gently scrub away those impurities from the skin completing one of the important steps needed for glowing skin – weekly exfoliation!

Visit StyleCraze for more facial beauty tips

The post Homemade Recipe for Glowing Skin appeared first on Skin Scrubs Beauty Blog.

You can get the whole story here.

Facial Acne Is Glaringly Obvious So Grab These Weapons of Destruction and Prevention

Facial acne is glaringly apparent and embarrassing. Acne attacks people of all ages. We must learn how these attacks occur in order to choose the proper weapons to fight acne. There are very simple weapons we can use that can be found in our homes. Read more...

How to Get the Glow and Stop the Shine!

How to Get the Glow and Stop the Shine!

Possibly the worst of the summer skin problems is having to deal with excess shine. Shine either brought on by overactive oil glands or by sweating or both. Not the most glamorous of subjects, I grant you, but you’re talking to the woman who wrote a whole post about

Possibly the worst of the summer skin problems is having to deal with excess shine. Shine either brought on by overactive oil glands or by sweating or both. Not the most glamorous of subjects, I grant you, but you’re talking to the woman who wrote a whole post about toilets with faraway doors, so this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

Now: shine. How do we deal with summer shine without powdering ourselves into a dry, cakey oblivion? I’d say that the first thing that oily/combi-skinned people need to consider is a good mattifier. I know that I’ve harped on about the Murad Mattifier with SPF15 before, but it really is a good one. It feels a bit like old-school wallpaper paste on application, but it does become more liquid as you spread it onto your skin. It also does an incredibly good job of keeping the T-Zone free of oil and makeup stuck in place. There are also lots of really good primers out there that help to deal with oiliness – have a look at Smashbox’s Light Photo Finish Primer or Urban Decay’s Pore Perfecting Primer.

After perfecting the skin, it’s then a case of choosing the right base. In the video below I use NARS Tinted Moisturiser because I wanted a light and glowy finish, but if you’re very concerned about oil and you want a perfect finish then look to the excellent matte foundations on offer. Two of my favourites: Givenchy Eclat Matissime and No7 Beautifully Matte. (You can get measured-up for your exact shade of the latter, if you go to your nearest large Boots store.)

And then, the million dollar question: how do we get a glowy finish without risking sweaty, oily shine? How can we look radiant rather than sheeny? A dry, matte-to-the-touch finish that exudes health and luminescence? Meet my new secret weapon, Hourglass’ Ambient Lighting Powder. It’s a really clever pressed powder that adds glow without being shimmery, glittery or shiny. I have it in the shade called Diffused, but there are a few to choose from. You really need to watch the video below to see it in action – it’s really subtle on film, but I urge you to try it out on counter if you can. You can find it at SpaceNK – or check the shades online here. It’s also at Liberty in London.

So, if you want to powder but add glow rather than take it away, the Ambient Lighting Powder could be for you. I use mine all over my face, really, sweeping it over cheekbones and the centre of the bridge of my nose, but avoiding building it up on the T-Zone, only because we never really want to add glow to the T-Zone, do we? Or do we? I don’t. I have found (and here’s where to be wary) that too many layers of the Ambient powder can start to look ever so slightly metallic on film, so beware piling it on over and over again. Use a regular powder for the T-Zone – though if you’ve primed with a mattifier you shouldn’t have to do that too often.

The other star product in the video below is the Pretty Bronze illuminating powder from Aerin. More bronzer than illuminator – it actually does add colour so you couldn’t use it as a highlighter – this just seems to give the skin an enormous boost in terms of healthy radiance. I mentioned it way back in the Spring (see here) but now you can see it properly in action. Click here to watch the video if you’re reading via email, or scroll down the page if you’re on the web. All of the products used are detailed below – let me know what you think of the glowy effect! If you have any anti-shine tips to add then please do so – that’s what the comments section’s for!

Here’s another picture showing the Aerin and Hourglass powders working their magic. Different day, same combo, though I’ve actually got the Pretty Bronze on as an eyeshadow too:

Products Used:
NARS Tinted Moisturiser in Light2, Alaska:http://rstyle.me/n/bazart6a6

Dior BB Cream for Eyes in shade 1: http://tidd.ly/635fa7d9

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused:http://tidd.ly/3d196cca

Aerin Pretty Bronze Illuminating Powder in Level 2:http://goo.gl/J7r2m

KIKO Long Wear Shadow in shade 4: http://goo.gl/MoZzK

Cargo Better-than-Waterproof Mascara: http://tidd.ly/c7a809cc

KIKO Kiss Balm in Cherry: http://goo.gl/MoZzK

Dior polish in Grege: http://rstyle.me/n/bazbht6a6

My LUX* Adventure Part 3. Volcano!

My LUX* Adventure Part 3. Volcano!
The following morning we met for a delicious early breakfast where I opted for a local specialty from the HUGE selection in the breakfast buffet. It was a very mild curry and rice dish, which my traveling companions balked at somewhat due to the early hour. (I got very accustomed to eating curry and rice [...]

The following morning we met for a delicious early breakfast where I opted for a local specialty from the HUGE selection in the breakfast buffet. It was a very mild curry and rice dish, which my traveling companions balked at somewhat due to the early hour. (I got very accustomed to eating curry and rice for breakfast in India so for me it was a real treat).  Then we piled into a minivan and set off for Piton de la Fournaise (Peak of the Furnace), one of the island’s 2 live volcanos. Never having seen a live volcano before I was unsure what to expect, and wondered how close we might get if it was spewing b0iling lava. I needn’t have worried, because although Piton de la Fournaise is live and erupts approximately every 2 years, it’s actually sleeping at the moment.

Our excellent guide Libu advised us to close our eyes as we rounded a bend in the road, and once opened, sprawling out as far as the eye could see ahead, the lush, green landscape suddenly turned into a magnificent, parched lunar plane. Driving fast across the uneven, potholed road to minimize the impact on the van’s suspension, the geek in me felt like we could be in a Star Wars movie.

This shot below taken from the top of the cliff gives you some idea of the scale of one of the smaller fissures at the base of the volcano, crawling with ant-people. Arriving at this hole is a slightly surreal experience as you contemplate standing on a ridge that would see you fry alive if the sleeping mountain awoke…

If you do plan on visiting, it’s worth noting that the steep vertical climb down to the basin is about 2,500 meters, not so bad on the way down, but a chest-busting experience on the way up. And surprisingly, despite the gorgeous climate elsewhere in the island, it’s freezing at the volcano. We were warned to take a couple of sweaters and with very good reason.

In the first of these posts I mentioned how excited I was at the prospect of seeing new wildlife given that the island was once attached to Madagascar, however Libu explained to us that, weirdly, there are hardly any native animals on Reunion. Much to the relief of some of the other bloggers, there are no poisonous snakes or spiders, only one type of small mammal (a bit like a guinea pig), and a few, seldom-seen baboons. Oh and LOTS of birds. One of which, the Dodo, is now extinct but lives on in the painted murals adorning the front of every bar depicting the local, much-loved Dodo beer. I can safely say that this is the only thing that disappointed me about the island (the lack of wildlife, not the beer).

It was on the way back from our volcano excursion that we stopped at a roadside restaurant called Le Ti Resto Lontan for some traditional Reunion Island cooking. I could wax lyrical about this little joint for hours. One of it’s signature dishes was called Cari Boucane – a smoked pork stew made with shredded banana flowers, neither of which has graced my palate before, and more’s the pity. It was incredible. An explosion of rustic, smokey flavors in my mouth. Served with beans, lentils and rice it was hearty authentic cooking at it’s absolute best. If I could have worked out any possible way to take it back to Blighty I would have and I’m rather devastated that I won’t be eating it again in a hurry.

I also need to mention the delicious cakes we tried, one made from sweet potato and another from a local vegetable called Christophine. May not sound great on paper, but both were indescribably moist with a very dense, yet somehow light texture. So, so good!

After this humble yet majestic lunch, we clambered back into the van with our enthusiastic guide Libu. Originally from the Czeck Republic, she and her French husband finally settled in Reunion after years of traveling the world together and I can completely see why. It’s a very special place. I found myself idly wondering what I might possibly do for a job if I moved to Reunion too…

The afternoon involved a whistle stop tour which took us through corridors of vast sugar cane plantations towering 10 feet over the top of the van, past fields full of hot pink, red and orange flowers, through little villages of beautifully preserved Creole houses, along rugged coast roads lined by spectacular cliffs, through banana, lychee and guava groves and of course down to the eerily beautiful lava fields. These are created when the volcano erupts and flows from the mouth all the way down to the sea, and increase the size of the island each time it occurs. These fields are a strange sight, in some places the lava resembles folds of gleaming, black elephant skin. In 1977, the lava flowed all the way down to the Catholic Church of Notre Dame des Laves in the town of Piton Sainte-Rose, crossing the highway and stopping a few inches from the door, endowing it with miracle status among the God-fearing populace.

�

The tour ended at the large bay of Grand Anse, where large groups of local families play games and picnic on the most stunning beach (apparently picnicking is a national past-time on reunion). Arriving as the sun set, we had just enough time to take a few snaps before Libu had to drag us away, all vowing to return at a later date.

As if this incredible diversity of landscape isn’t enough, Libu told us that there are several impressive waterfalls on Reunion too, but it was unfortunately the wrong season to see them in flow. I would have longed to spread this tour over several days, so much is there to see on this incredible island, but it’s a great reason to come back.

Back at LUXE* Iles de la Reunion, tired but inspired, we were served another fantastic dinner (including the best tuna tartare I’ve ever tasted) and cocktails on the beach before heading to bed early-ish in order to manage the 4am wake up call the next day. Part 4 sees us catching a flight to Mauritius to experience 2 more LUXE* hotels, the private island of Iles de Deux Coco and swimming with dolphins.

�

�

�

�

�

�

�

�

�

�

�

�