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Economical Beauty: Scrubs

I was at a party this weekend — one of those Tupperware type parties, where you get to check out an entire line of products and shop while you socialize. I tried out an “instant manicure” and quite frankly, loved it. It was an exfoliating scrub for hands, cuticles, and nails that left my skin feeling super-soft afterwards. So I asked the consultant if it was a sugar scrub — the exfoliating bits were finer than the salt crystals I’ve used in making body scrubs for years. She said yes, and then helpfully rattled off the list of ingredients. And … Continue reading →

Your Skin in Your 40s

Your skin is always changing. Dead skin sheds off and is replaced with new cells — this is pretty much a lifelong process. Around your forties, this cell turnover starts to slow down. There are several major changes in your skin that happen in the forties, including: Slowed cell turnover. This can make your skin look dull — dead skin cells are hanging around longer than they used to. Increased melanin production can cause differences in pigmentation to appear more prominent. Tiny broken capillaries in your skin can cause skin to seem red. Collagen and elastin — the stuff that … Continue reading →

Sugar and Your Skin

Sugar can be good for your skin on the outside — in the form of an exfoliating sugar scrub. However, the sugar you eat may be ruining your skin! Sugar in your bloodstream can attach to protein molecules to form advanced glycation end products (or AGEs). The more sugar you eat, the more AGEs that form in your bloodstream. As these AGEs accumulate, they damage nearby proteins — think of dominoes. Knock one down, and the rest start to fall. The proteins that are most vulnerable to damage from AGEs are collagen and elastin — the protein fibers that keep … Continue reading →

Get Your Skin Ready For Summer!

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We’re counting down the days to short sleeves, bare legs, and a summer of (hopefully) sunshine. So it’s time to get your skin ready for the summer! If winter leaves you with dry skin, it’s time to brush away the dead cells and start anew with fresh, glowing skin. Start with a full body exfoliation, and pay special attention to wherever your extra-dry spots are. For me, it’s my legs (especially my shins and knees) and my elbows. You can find all sorts of exfoliating scrubs at your local drug store or beauty supply store. There are different formulas for … Continue reading →

Recycling Coffee Grounds

I’ve written about recycling a lot of things – blue jeans, magazines, but here’s something most people just throw in the trash – coffee grounds. But, before you toss those grounds, think of some of the ways they may be reused. Why would you want to find a use for old coffee grounds? When they break down, they release methane, which is a more powerful gas than CO2. If you need to dry the coffee grounds for later use, spread them out on a cookie sheet and sit near a sunny window to prevent molding. You can use coffee grounds … Continue reading →

Beauty Q&A

There are lots of little beauty questions out there. How do I know my skin type? How do I fix a hair disaster? Get some answers here — and feel free to ask your beauty questions in comments. Skin Care Q&A How do you know your skin type? A quick and easy tissue test can help. Wash your face, then wait fifteen minutes. Press a tissue against your face for ten seconds and take a look. Dark spots on the tissue mean you have oily skin; a few dark spots can indicate combination skin. Light spots mean you have normal … Continue reading →

Erase Signs of Aging With Retinoids

Research points to retinoids — vitamin A derivatives — as the best age erasers out there. Retinoids can smooth fine lines, fade dark spots, and help make pores look smaller. However, retinoids can cause skin irritation. Here are some tips for using retinols in your skin care. Start slow — choose an over-the-counter product with retinol. These products contain retinoic acid that works more slowly but irritates skin less. Give it time; improvement may take up to twelve weeks. Choose a period of time when you have no major events coming. You might not want to risk the irritation around … Continue reading →

The Most Frugal Moisturizer That Really Works

The dry winter season has arrived, and with it comes dry, cracked skin. From dry patches to flaky skin, and faces that appear sunburned but are windburned, it becomes harder to keep skin feeling moisturized. There are several quite frugal ways to help keep your skin looking its best this season. And there are two products most people already have that I swear by, especially for those with severely dry skin. Vaseline Often overlooked for what it was intended for, a moisturizer, Vaseline is an amazing addition to your nightly routine. By morning skin should feel healthier and after a … Continue reading →