Celebrity Skin Care Secrets

You don't have to be blessed with great genes to have great skin...

Rachel Bilson is a huge fan of the La Mer skin care line. She says it’s the best investment she’s ever made (at $130 per ounce!). Her most important beauty trick besides moisturizing is to never go to bed with your makeup on!

Dita von Teese claims to rely on her dermatologist and their products for her smooth fair skin. She is also a fan of the oh so fabulous La Mer skin care line.

Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively says after a long day of filming she has to completely clean her face of all makeup and product. Blake washes her face with Patricia Wexler’s Foaming Face wash, which she claims completely cleared up her skin.

Emily Blunt likes to keep it natural and relies on an old family secret to moisturize her skin. She slathers on Olive Oil occasionally for deep moisturizing.

Forget Expensive Eye Creams...2 in one product!

This terrible Michigan winter weather is really getting to me! My skin is really dry especially under my eyes. I was using some heavier face lotions and eye creams but they weren't really taking care of the dryness under my eyes. So... I decided to try Aquaphor. I had a tube of it that I use from time to time when my hands get really dry and since it's petroleum based it always does the trick. I figured I would give it a shot; I have been applying it all around my eyes before I go to bed. It is a little greasy so I would only recommend it before bed. So far it is the only thing that has helped my under eye dryness. Plus the petroleum base helps condition my eyelashes (just be sure not to get any in your eyes). So it's like a 2 in one product! My skin is very sensitive and I haven't had any breakouts or any other problems so far. I figure if it does start to irritate my skin in any way I will just switch to Vaseline. But so far so good!

Exercise and Beautiful Skin Go Hand in Hand

Do you want firmer, smoother & younger looking skin...I mean really who doesn't? Well...you should be exercising everyday! Exercise brings oxygen & nutrients to your skin which will result in smoother younger looking skin. So hit the gym, hit the pavement, join an exercise class, or go for a hike any form of evercise will do. Plus excerise will boost your mood...kick those winter blues...becuase of all the "happy" endorphins it produces! Sounds like a win win situation to me!

Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser Review

As much as I hate to admit it I have really been struggling with my skin lately. I have oily/combination skin and just haven't been able to control breakouts ...and I'm 27 years old!! (well 28 next week..but who's counting) I have tried alot of different face washes lately, Cetafil...worked pretty good but once colder weather hit it was a little drying on my skin and didn't help fight the breakouts as well as in the summer with combination of the summer sun, then I tried Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash...which really dried out my skin leaving it looking dull and still not preventing breakouts. So after all that nothing has really given me the results I was looking for...results similar to when I was using Proactiv. The only reason I haven't gone back to Proactiv is the cost I want a great cleanser at a low cost...am I really asking for too much?

Well Biore doesn't think so! I was on a mission to find the perfect face wash so I did some research on which were the top ranked. I kept coming across Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser so I finally decided to try it out. WOW am I glad I did!! Not only did it clear up a mild breakout I had within days it prevents them from coming back!! My face hasn't broken out since I started using it on November 30th! That even includes that "special time of the month" when I am always prone to breakouts and I understand why they call it "Ice" Cleanser it's because of the cool fresh feeling after washing your face so it's great wake up in the morning especially for me because I am NOT a morning person. I would definitely recommend this cleanser to anyone like me who is struggling with their skin!

Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser has won the ALLURE Beauty Award for Best Face Wash 2008 & 2009! The bottle also claims to work 68% better than ProActiv.

Here is what Biore has to say about their product...

Give blemishes the cold shoulder



Get an invigorating, cooling clean right down to your pores. Surface oil, dirt, and makeup don't stand a chance against this refreshing liquid cleanser that leaves your skin feeling fresh, clean, and vibrant.

This non-irritating formula strikes a perfect balance between powerhouse acne-fighters and soothing herbal and flower ingredients:


•Salicylic acid helps dry and clear up blemishes and blackheads, and tightens and clears to help prevent further breakouts, penetrating deep into pores to reduce acne in the future.

•Lavender is known for its soothing and calming properties.

•Eucalyptus is known for its ability to help skin feel alive and vibrant
 
Active ingredient:

Salicylic acid 2.0%
Inactive ingredients:


Water, glycerin, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, sodium laureth sulfate, decyl glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, lauric acid, betaine, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower extract, eucalyptus globulus leaf extract, PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate, glyceryl oleate, sodium hydroxide, polyquaternium-7, menthol, disodium EDTA, BHT, DMDM hydantoin, methylparaben, fragrance

 
You can pick up Biore's Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser at any local drug store, Target, Walmart etc. I bought mine at Target for around $6. You can also find it at drugstore.com for $7.99 there are also coupons available for the cleanser.

Key to Keeping Skin Healthy and Hydrated...

" Everyone remembers to moisturize morning and night, but the key to maintaining healthy hydrated skin is what happens in between. Keep to-go-sized body lotions at work and in your purse so you can apply lotion throughout the day. At home, keep lotion in your nightstand drawer where it'll be handy for moisturizing elbows and heels before sleep."

Source: Dove

Mandy Moore Proactiv with Fighting Acne

Proactive the widely celebrity endorsed acne fighting product has now taken on Mandy Moore as their newest spokesperson. The actress/singer tells her story in a new Proactiv commercial, where they show before and after photos of Mandy's acne. I always thought Mandy Moore had great skin especially because she used to be a spokesperson for Neutrogena...but this just shows that acne can happen to anyone and at any age!

Mandy now joins Jessica Simpson, Vanessa Williams, Sean "P Diddy" Combs, Kelly Clarkston, Julianne Hough, Serena Williams and more!

I will say I used Proactiv for years as well as many of my friends and it worked better than any other product! I have known a few people it didn't work for but only because their acne was so severe they had to get dermatologist treatments. I stopped using it a few years ago only because I was trying to cut back on expenses I still had plenty of toner left over and have used that religiously ever since and a friend of mine gave me some of her extra refining masks recently and those do wonders! If you are tight on cash and don't want to commit to a Proactiv membership you can pick up Proactiv products in the mall (there are usually booths sets up) and just buy what you need when you need it. If you are having acne problems its definitely worth a try!

Home-Made Facial Toner

"Here is an easy make it yourself recipe for facial toner if you have oily skin.
Mix a solution of one half water and one half apple cider vinegar. Apply to oily spots and let it remain. Repeat this frequently."




B.T.W. Picture has nothing to do with facial toner...but I just liked it :) And couldn't find anything that would go along with this today.

Tips for Soft Skin...

Go easy on the skin care products if your facial skin is dry or sensitive. If your skin feels dry rough and flaky when you touch it then it needs extra tender loving care. Be sure to moisturize in the morning and before bedtime to keep your skin soft and smooth and to protect it against the additional loss of moisture. Use a cream cleanser to remove make up and dirt at night. And take warm showers instead of hot ones. Lots of hot water can drain moisture out of your skin and leave it itchy and dry. Be sure to use moisturizing lotion after bathing.

The Hills Audrina Patridge Secrets to Great Skin...

Audrina says " No matter how tired I am I always wash my face and moisturize!"

"Going to bed with makeup on, or without washing your face will lead to breakouts and premature aging. If you’re in a pinch you can keep makeup remover wipes in your purse or next to your bed to help remove makeup before getting some Zzzz’s." ~ Celebrity Beauty Buzz

Personally I can be very lazy when it comes to taking my make up off late night... especially after a few glasses of wine and a long night out with friends! My go to solution is just like they said make up wipes! I keep a travel pack in my purse and I always have a full pack stashed in my bathroom. They are so convenient and easy to use...you can even take off your make up while laying in bed! Trust me I have done that many times :)

Wei East 8th Wonder Balm...32 uses in one!

I know I carry around way too many products in my purse and make up bag and have always felt like a do it all product was just a fantasy... but Wei East has a product called 8th Wonder Rescue Remedies, it has 32 uses! It is reasonably priced at $19.50 for as many uses as it has! I stumbled across this product in the May issue of fitness magazine and just had to share the excitement with all of you!

Check out what Wei East has to say about the product and all 32 uses!

"8th Wonder Rescue Remedies is a medicinal multitasking maven of a product. providing big things come in small packages, this tiny tin contains a balm boasting an impressive combination of 8 potent Chinese herbs which provide relief and mitigate an array of skin woes. "

1. Instantly Soothes Dry Lips
2. Conditioning Lip Treatment for Long Term Benefit
3. Hair Smoother (use as styling gel or pomade)
4. Hair Gloss to provide an instant shine to dry hair
5. Dry Scalp needs (dab on scalp patches to prevent flakes)
6. Anti-Frizz Treatment (tame wild hair on humid or rainy days)
7. Deep Conditioning for Split Ends (apply small amount to ends before bed and wash out in morning
8. Eyebrow Tamer (use as styling wax and stroke brows into place)
9. Mustache Tamer (use as styling wax and brush into place)
10. Soothes dry patches from head-to-toe including:
11. Face
12. Elbows
13. Knees
14. Feet
15. Heels
16. Toes
17. Hands
18. Cuticles
19. Hang nails
20. Ears
21. Nail Conditioning treatment
22. Pressure Point Massage Balm
23. Pressure Point Aromatherapy Mood treatment
24. Soothes Wind burned cheeks and nose
25. Soothes chapped skin
26. Heals irritated areas
27. Soothes minor burns
28. Stop bleeding from minor nicks ( dab on to stop the bleeding from most small cuts ex: shaving nicks)
29. Stop itch from mosquito/bug bites
30. Soothes painful blisters on your feet (dab gently onto blister and then allow to air dry)
31. Soothes irritated areas under nose when you have a cold ( creates a barrier for moisture and tissue use)
32. Before dying hair outline hairline with balm to prevent the dye from discoloring your skin

Clean and Clear Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub...

Review:

So I was looking for an exfoliator and stumbled across Clean and Clear Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub. It was also a Self Magazine Beauty and Health Winner in 2008, so I figured it had to be worth a try. It is reasonably priced at about $5.00 so....

What Clean and Clear says:

HIGHLIGHTS

New! CLEAN & CLEAR® Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub is designed to invigorate skin by cleansing pores deep down and gently exfoliating surface skin. The CLEAN & CLEAR® Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub provides a tingly, cooling sensation as you gently massage the scrub on skin — the unmistakable, revitalizing feeling of a deep cleansing action.

WHAT'S IMPORTANT

The CLEAN & CLEAR® Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub cleanses deep down into pores, working to dissolve dirt, oil and impurities while exfoliating dead skin cells. The oil-free, refreshing formula includes: unique cooling agents that leave skin looking and feeling revitalized, a blend of specially sized micro-beads for gentle, effective exfoliation and cleansing, and Menthol to instantly rejuvenate skin

What I say:

Sure it gave me a fresh clean feeling and a nice tingle as well! But it didn't work that great fighting breakouts and blackheads. I'm not sure how great it did at exfoliating either. It has tiny micro beads used to exfoliate but they are gels so you don't feel like you are getting a deep down scrub. This is just my opinion...but if you are looking for a good exfoliator to stop break outs I would skip on this one. But if you are looking for a fresh clean feeling and a wake up in the am then this one is for you.

Juice Your Looks

" A diet rich in vitamin C and linoleic acid (a fatty acid found in many vegtable oils) can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, dryness and thinning skin, according to a study"

Source: Fitness Magazine

Get Your Head Examined

" Melanomas found on your scalp or neck almost double your risk of dying compared with those detected elsewhere on the body, report researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. Because they're often hidden by hair, malignant moles and other skin abnormalities are typically detected too late for treatment to be effective. "

Source: Fitness Magazine
Picture: www.ABC.com

Road to Healthy Skin Tour...

The Skin Cancer Foundation is putting on a Road to Healthy Skin Tour! It kicks off in early April and runs through the Fall. I know I'm going to try and catch them when they are in my area! I am in desperate need of a skin check! And it's free!

"The Skin Cancer Foundation's Road to Healthy Skin Tour presented by AVEENO® and Rite Aid -- which provides free full body skin cancer screenings and the latest skin cancer information -- will hit the road again this April. The tour will resume its course across the country making 80 stops at a variety of locations including participating Rite Aid stores. Although skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, it is also one of the most preventable and, when detected early, treatable forms of cancer. Yet, more than 10,000 people in the US die from skin cancer every year. “Many people don’t know that they should get a yearly skin exam. The goal of this tour is to educate the public about skin cancer and encourage people to schedule regular skin screenings,” said Perry Robins, MD, President of The Skin Cancer Foundation. “Caught in the early stages, skin cancer is almost always curable.” "

Click here to see scheduled dates... Road to Healthy Skin Tour Dates

The Golden Rules of Gorgeous Skin

Fitness magazine has a great section in their May issue about keeping your skin safe in the sun...

Memorize this short list to keep your skin safe-and young looking.

Slather on sunscreen: ( I know all of us hear this all the time...but there is a reason for it...it's super important!!!)

• 365 days a year. UVB rays (they burn you) peak in June, but UVA rays (they age you) stay constant year round.
• Rain or Shine. 40% of UV rays penetrate skin on cloudy days.
• At least every 90 minutes when outdoors; immediately after a swim.
• 30 minutes before going outside, to allow ingredients to activate (especially if you have fair skin!)
  

SPF with a glow...

Pretty much everyone looks better with a little tan right? But risking getting skin cancer isn't really a risk we want to take. So applying SPF daily is very important! Well thanks to all of the beauty experts out there they have found many ways to incorporated SPF into our daily beauty products! Take foundation and moisturizer for example...I use a daily foundation that has SPF 18 in it, so with out any extra effort I am applying sunscreen daily.

Right now my favorite product is tinted moisturizer with SPF 15 by Cover Girl ( cheap price too!). This is a great product for when you are on the go or even in your daily routine! It gives you a sun kissed glow while moisturizing and providing SPF at the same time. I think this will be my go to beauty product for the Spring and the Summer seasons.
Oh... Guys you can use this too...just make sure you pick a shade close to your skin tone!

Dry Up Zits Fast!!

Even though I am in my 20's and supposedly you aren't supposed to break out anymore...from time to time I still do!! I tried pro-active for a while and it did work great but I hated the cost so I discontinued it a couple years ago. I especially loved their refining mask and was trying to find something comparable to it. Well I happened to come across a mask by Queen Helene called a Mint Julep Mask. Yes...Mint Julep like the famous Kentucky Derby drink ; ) I found it at CVS and it was under $4.00!!! It dries out my zits and makes my skin feel really smooth. It's a thick green mask, and it is a little minty, you leave it on for about 20 minutes and then rinse off. It contains a lot of the same ingredients as in the pro-active refining mask...most noticeably the sulfur...which I think is the kicker to really drying out your zits.
*It works best when you first feel a pimple forming.
*Try to moisturize after you use the mask it can make your skin feel a little dry after using it. *Remember try not to pick!!!

I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a skin pick me up!

Yes that is me wearing the Mask! LOL

Food and your Skin...

From Women's Health Magazine (www.womenshealthmag.com)

Vote red

A recent British study found that subjects who ate five tablespoons of tomato paste every day suffered milder sunburns than those who didn't.

Researchers think lycopene, a powerful natural antioxidant found in tomatoes, provides the sun-shielding benefits. (Tip: Cook your romas--your body will absorb the nutrients more easily.)

It's no excuse to drop the SPF, but at least you have a good reason to go to your favorite Italian joint.

Forget fries

A group of researchers recently put 23 people with acne on a high-protein, low-glycemic diet for 12 weeks--and guess what? Their skin got much better.

Testers had 21.9 percent fewer blemishes, versus 13.8 percent fewer for a control group that followed a high-carb diet. (Bonus: All the low-carb subjects lost weight!)

While the researchers can't say whether it was the weight loss or the dietary changes that helped, it appears that nutrition plays a role in your skin's behavior. So pile on more lean protein and cut back on high-glycemic foods (like starchy fries and sugary candy).

Go ahead--get some Godiva

Studies show that nibbling on a few pieces of the dark stuff (milk chocolate has too much fat and sugar) will arm your skin with additional flavonols, protective nutrients that researchers believe absorb UV light and increase blood flow to the skin, improving its appearance.

In one German study, women had flavonoid-enriched cocoa every day for 12 weeks, and afterward their skin was softer, less irritated, and up to 25 percent less sensitive to sun damage when exposed to ultraviolet light. Sweet!

Got milk? Get soy

If you battle breakouts, milk could be adding to your troubles.

Three large studies have found that the more white stuff teens drink, the worse their acne gets. Researchers say hormones that occur naturally in cow juice may be to blame, and they believe women in their twenties and thirties could also be susceptible.

"If you're a big milk drinker and zits are a problem, you may benefit from cutting back," says Clement Adebamowo, M.D., an oncologist and lead researcher on these studies. "Drink milk substitutes like soy instead," he says.

Try some crunches

You could fill an entire Whole Foods produce aisle with the reams of research showing that fruits and vegetables protect and restore the skin.

So down a rainbow's worth every day, and seek out edibles packed with vitamins A and C (both are antioxidants). Particularly good: leafy greens, cantaloupe, citrus fruits (especially oranges), blueberries, strawberries, and bell peppers.

Swallow some sun protection

A study from the Queensland (Australia) Institute of Medical Research found that people who regularly took some OTC pain relievers, including aspirin, have a lower risk of developing squamous-cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer.

While the evidence doesn't justify popping pills just to protect your skin, it's one more reason to treat your aches and pains rather than power through them

Use an anti-ager NOW!!!

Don't wait for the first crow's feet to appear before you reach for that little tube. "Even women in their twenties should be using a topical retinoid--unless they're pregnant or nursing," says Francesca Fusco, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

Here's why: Retinoids, which contain vitamin A, are one of the most potent agents for preventing and reversing sun damage and signs of aging. And, says Hirsch, "they're the ultimate multitasker. They speed skin renewal by shedding dull, pore-clogging cells and increase collagen production to prevent wrinkles."

Ask your doctor about a retinoid prescription or try an OTC, such as Roc Retinol Actif Pur Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizing Treatment--Night ($22 for 1 oz, drugstore.com).


- Women's Health Magazine, online www.womenshealthmag.com