Thanksgiving Inspired Beauty

Thanksgiving is right around the corner!  I don't know about you, but I'm certainly ready for some great food.  To get everyone in the spirit of the holidays, here are some great beauty products inspired by some classic Thanksgiving dishes:

Cranberry Sauce

Cranberries are a super fruit for your skin because they have the power to tackle a variety of skin concerns.  First, they're rich in antioxidants, which helps reduce the damage that is caused by free radicals from environmental pollutants and the sun during the day, keeping your skin looking more youthful for longer.  Cranberries are also effective acne-fighters.  In addition to the their anti-inflammatory properties, they have antiseptic properties to control acne-causing bacteria formation on your skin.  Since cranberries are acidic, they contain acids that help exfoliate and regulate oil product by unclogging sebum (oil) glands.  And don't forget that cranberries are packed with vitamins C to promote cell turnover and collagen production.  So, your skin will be left feeling smooth, looking radiant, and feeling supple.
   

I use Jason Natural Cosmetics Pure Natural Body Wash in Antioxidant Cranberry when I shower.  Jason Natural is a really reliable and affordable brand that's available at most drug and grocery stores.  They make a cranberry body wash that cleans without stripping your skin of good, natural oils, and it lathers really well (despite that fact that it's sulfate-free!).  Plus it's formulated with cranberry oil for antioxidant protection as well as aloe and glycerin to soften your skin.

Carrots

Carrots are not only great for your eyes, but they're great for your skin too.  Why?  The pigment that makes
carrots orange is beta carotene, which your body converts into retinol.  Retinol helps slow aging, improve skin color, and keep skin clear.  As a very potent antioxidant, carrots can even help boost the effectiveness of sunscreen by helping it fight off UV damage.  The combination of cell regeneration-promoting vitamin C and natural lightening abilities, working carrots onto your face will allow you to have a smooth and even complexion.  And not to mention that carrots work as an anti-inflammatory too!

One of my favorite skincare brands is Suki, who makes a lovely Pure Facial Moisture - Nourishing ($33 on dermstore.com) product.  I really like their facial treatments because they absorb nicely and feel pretty light.  This moisturizing treatment can be used as a moisturizer or layered under moisturizer.  Ideal for mature or dry skin types, this product tackles wrinkles and helps boost skin elasticity using carrots in combination with other fatty acids and omega-rich oils. 

Apple Pie

An apple a day keeps the dermatologist away.  Why?  As we know, apples are anti-aging because of their antioxidant content and vitamin A.  But apples are also great for a variety of other skin concerns.  Not only does the acidity provide gentle exfoliation, but the enzymes help purify and tone pores.  A lot of mild peels contain apples because they are brightening.  If you have an uneven skin tone or discoloration, the vitamin C in apples assists in cell regeneration and collagen production.  Since apples are an anti-inflammatory and improve circulation, you can cut a slice and place them under your eyes to get rid of dark circles.  Lastly, apples have copper to assist in the production of melanin to aid in protection against the sun.

There are some very efficacious apple products on the market...they're often used in peels for their exfoliating qualities.  Even during these cold November days, you should be wearing a daily moisturizer with SPF like the Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF 15 Moisturizer ($38 at Ulta).  I happen to like it because it contains mineral sunblock for optimal protection against the sun.  It also has hylauronic acid to lock in moisture, other nourishing natural oils, alpha hydroxy acids to even skin tone, and CoQ10 to smooth fine lines...especially great for more mature skin types!

Pumpkin Pie

If you haven't tried pumpkin for your skin, you're missing out.  Pumpkins provide great

antioxidant protection against free radicals.  Their enzymes provide mild exfoliation to soften skin, while vitamins A and C work to prevent aging, assist in cell turnover, and boost radiance.  And for those of you with blemish-prone skin, pumpkin oils contain vitamin E and fatty acids to calm skin and regulate oil production.  Great for all skin types!  

To brighten up for holiday photos, try the MyChelle Incredible Pumpkin Peel ($28 at Whole Body).  I really love MyChelle products because they're very gentle, but get the job done.  Their pumpkin peel is made with pumpkin pulp, enzymes, and juice along with detoxifying ginger root oil.  It deeply exfoliates and nourishes to rejuvenate and purify your complexion leaving you with a gorgeous glow.  Use it as a weekly treatment to refresh your skin so that you can put forth your best holiday face.

Chocolate Mousse

My favorite part of any meal is dessert, and as a chocolate lover, I reach for the chocolate mousse.  Luckily, my skin loves it as much as my taste buds do.  Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, offers multiple benefits for your skin.  In particular, it provides deep hydration, stimulates microcirculation, improves skin thickness, and supports collagen production.  Its antioxidants also help provide protection against sun damage, and the natural oils from cocoa help smooth your complexion.  What's not to love about chocolate?

The holidays are all about some rest and relaxation, so pamper yourself with the Eminence Chocolate Mousse Hydration Masque ($33 on amazon.com).  Just apply a thin layer on your face and allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing it off with water.  Your face will be instantly soothed and conditioned.  My only warning with using chocolate products is that they may give you a serious chocolate craving...

Toasted Walnuts

Since nuts have abrasive properties, they are most often found in scrubs.  In particular,

walnuts are really good for your skin.  They contain proteins and omega-3 fats that protect your skin, renew skin, and keep your skin supple and moisturized.  Vitamin E helps soothe, reduce inflammation, and prevent skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis.  Grab some walnuts, and you'll have a smoother complexion in no time!


The Ole Henriksen Walnut Complexion Scrub ($24 at Sephora) is a nice nutty scrub.  Some nut scrubs are too harsh on skin, but this one is rather gentle and great for removing impurities.  It definitely leaves your skin feeling clean, soft, and glowing.  But my favorite part about it is that it smells delicious :)

Wine

Who doesn't love a glass of wine?  Your skin definitely will primarily because polyphenols in wine help prevent skin oxidation that causes aging.  Additionally, red wine is derived from grapes, which contain resveratrol, one of nature's most powerful antioxidants in the fight against signs of aging.  It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-septic properties to help ward off pimples and amino acids to stimulate cell repair and regeneration.  By lightening naturally and improving circulation, even a dull complexion will have a youthful glow.  Overall, a little splash or red wine is the perfect way to tighten and tone.

So, try work this 2-in-1 into your weekly regiment: 100% Pure Red Wine Resveratrol Scrub and Mask ($21 on dermstore.com) will exfoliate and restore radiance.  You can use it as a scrub or leave it on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing for a more intensive treatment.  Jojoba beads help gently remove dead skin cells, while conditioning and nourishing skin at the same time.

Just like applying them topically, eating these foods can be beneficial for your skin too.  A delicious Thanksgiving feast can lead us to overeat.  If you're feeling guilty about your food intake this year, ease your guilt by reminding yourself that you're helping your skin :)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Treating Acne Naturally - Is it possible?

If you have oily, blemish-prone skin like mine, preventing pimples is a big part of your skincare process.  One myth that I hear a lot is that you can't treat acne with natural products.  What's my take on the subject?  I think that you can't treat severe acne (the type that requires prescription ointments or pills) holistically.  But mild to moderate acne, which you would typically battle with your classic over-the-counter Oxy, Stridex, Clearasil, etc., can definitely be treated with natural products.  In fact, if typical drugstore products aren't working for you, you should try using natural products before you see a dermatologist about prescription options.  

Why?  The problem with many over-the-counter mass acne products is that they can be very aggressive.  In fact, many of them use sulfates or alcohol as agents to dry oil and clean pores, but they are often so harsh that they can strip your skin of even good, natural oils.  As a result, your skin can become irritated and inflamed, stimulating the formation of pimples.  Overdrying your skin by using these products can also lead your skin to overproduce oil.  All of these factors may prevent typical drugstore products from clearing up blemishes and may actually cause acne to get even worse.

Natural products are often more gentle on the skin that is prone to acne.  Many of them utilize natural forms of the synthetically derived acne-fighting ingredients found in Stridex or Oxy products minus the harsh cleaning and drying agents and minus the fragrance and other irritants.   

Understanding some of the main natural-acne fighting ingredients can help you choose the right products for yourself.  

Let's start with the basics:

Breakouts = Oil + Bacteria + Inflammation + Clogged Pores

So...to treat breakouts, target each of these "risk factors" for acne.

Fight bacteria...by cleaning

There are many natural ingredients including aloe, turmeric, tea tree oil, juniper oil, and honey, which have natural antiseptic properties.  In other words, they help naturally prevent bacteria-causing acne from mingling on the skin.  A popular, natural, over-the-counter product is the Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick ($7.99 in drugstores), which contains both tea tree and juniper oil.  These powerful plant-derived oils will help clean up what your cleanser may have missed.  Then, treat your skin to the cooling Jason Pure Natural Moisturizing Creme with 84% aloe vera ($6.42 in drugstores) to keep your face extra clean.

Fight oil...by purifying

Some of us, usually younger women, have oily skin.  It's nothing to fret about because oil is a naturally produced substance in the skin that keeps it supple and elastic (in fact oilier skin types tend to age better).  However, in order to keep those pores clean and free of impurities and excess oil, look for detoxifying ingredients like ginger, apple, and baking soda.  One of my favorite purifying moisturizers is the JUARA Skincare Sweet Black Tea & Ginger Mattefying Moisturizer ($49 on dermstore.com).  I also happen to love the Suki Bio-Active Purifying Face Serum ($82.95 at Whole Body).  The apple is great for clarifying pores, and I especially love the slight fruity smell and the weight-less, soft feel.

Prevent clogged pores...by exfoliating

In addition to impurities, dead skin cells can clog your pores.  Exfoliating is essentially ridding your skin of dead skin cells and other debris. Hydroxy acids, primarily salicylic acid and retinol help your skin turnover cells more efficiently and shed the dead ones. Plants such as willowbark are natural sources of salicylic acid.  So, try the Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Face Cleanser ($7.99 at drugstores) with willowbark.  You can also try following it up with the MyChelle Clear Skin Serum ($33 at Whole Body), which features retinol as a debri-removing ingredient.

Prevent inflammation...by calming

In order to prevent pores from becoming inflamed, opt for products that will minimize irritation with natural calming/anti-inflammatory qualities, despite dirt and oil build-ups on the skin.  For example, ingredients like rose, teas, and rice bran will soothe your skin and reduce any signs of skin conditions.  The Melvita Damask Rose Floral Water ($25 at Whole Body) can be used as a hydrating toner to tighten pores and refresh your skin. Or try the JUARA Skincare Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner ($29 on dermstore.com).  With rice bran, anti-oxidant packed teas, AND hylauronic acid, (which naturally helps skin retain moisture), this toner will help improve almost any skin condition and most definitely keep your skin clear and soft.

Ideally, a multi-pronged attack to fight acne in multiple ways would be your best bet against

pimples.  In other words, having a skincare routine that incorporates ingredients that specifically target each causal factor (oil, bacteria, clogged pores, inflammation) is often an effective strategy.  My favorite natural acne-fighter has to be the JUARA Skincare Rose & Willowbark Blemish-Free Mask ($35 on dermstore.com).  I use it not only as a mask to prevent breakouts, but also as a spot treatment (just dab a little on your skin before bedtime and your zit will be zapped by the morning).  This product combines a key calming ingredient with an exfoliating ingredient, which has made it a really effective acne fighter for me, personally.  And, I often find that acne-fighting products can be strong and drying.  However, the JUARA mask is really gentle and non-drying. 

So don't be fooled!  There are a lot of really great natural products that are efficacious in battling acne.  What are your favorites?