Well, I tried the product first on that area and viola, no rash! So I used the rest of the cleanser on my face and loved it! It ... Read More »]]> I received this in the mail and absolutely love EmerginC‘s Multi-Fruit Cleanser. If you have sensitive skin like me, you’ll love this product. I am always hesitant to try new face products because I don’t want a red face the next day. So first, try a little of the product right below your ear by your jaw line on your face. It’s one place that isn’t quite noticeable if you get some redness.

Well, I tried the product first on that area and viola, no rash! So I used the rest of the cleanser on my face and loved it! It took off all my makeup and left my face feeling smooth. I recommend this product to all skin types as it did not leave my face dry at all! Buy this product now here and have beautiful skin all day long!

Rithanie Gonzales is the Editorial Planning Manager for Chic Galleria. She is a senior at the University of Washington, majoring in English Lit. Internally, writing is something she’s always been passionate about and seeks to work in fashion pr. Other than school and interning, Rithanie has her own blog and you can follow her on twitter @ritgonz

We’re talking ingredients that can help repair damage from nasty UV rays, give your skin a healthy glow, and reduce inflammation and puffiness (too many margaritas last night, perhaps?).

Put your best face forward with these powerhouse ingredients and smoothie recipes.

Chia Seeds for Younger Looking Skin

This smoothie delivers ... Read More »]]> Getting a gorgeous, glowing complexion doesn’t only mean slathering on sunblock or the latest antioxidant serum (though that helps, too). It also means paying attention to your diet. By tossing nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables and other goodies into your blender, you can nab more beautifying foods that will nourish your skin from the inside, out.

We’re talking ingredients that can help repair damage from nasty UV rays, give your skin a healthy glow, and reduce inflammation and puffiness (too many margaritas last night, perhaps?).

Put your best face forward with these powerhouse ingredients and smoothie recipes.

Chia Seeds for Younger Looking Skin

This smoothie delivers a bonanza of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients,” says YouBeauty Culinary Expert and chef Jim Perko, C.E.C. It contains chia seeds, as well as yogurt and tofu, which provide calcium, iron and protein to protect and maintain cell membranes, reduce inflammation and possibly protect against sun damage.

Recipe: Beauty Bonanza Smoothie
 by Jim Perko, C.E.C.

¼ cup fresh or frozen strawberries

½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries

1 orange, peeled and pits removed

1 ripe banana

½ cup fat-free plain yogurt

½ cup extra firm Silken tofu

2 tablespoons chia seeds

1 teaspoon agave nectar

Directions: Put all ingredients into blender and whip until smooth. Sip and think youthful thoughts.

Kale For a Healthy Skin Tone

This smoothie has more ‘gorgeous goods’ than any other smoothie I know,” says YouBeauty Nutrition Advisor, Kristin Kirkpatrick, R.D. That’s because it’s chock-full of carotenoids thanks to an abundance of kale. A recent study in the journal PLos ONE found that ingesting carotenoids (like the ones found in kale) was associated with healthy looking skin color that study participants deemed attractive to the opposite sex.

Recipe: Green and Glowing Smoothie by Jim Perko, C.E.C.

1 cup cleaned spinach leaves, firm packed

1 cup cleaned kale, rough chop, firm packed

1 cup green seedless grapes

1 Bartlett pear, core, stem and seeds removed

1 orange, peeled and quartered
1 banana, peeled

1 teaspoon chia seeds

½  cup water

2 cups ice

Directions:
Place all ingredients in blender and process on a low speed for 15 seconds, increase to medium, then high until well blended. Going green never tasted so good.

Coconut for Repairing Damaged Skin

“Healthy fats such as coconut oil are crucial for healthy skin,” says Frank Lipman, M.D., founder of Eleven Eleven Wellness Center. That’s because coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has antimicrobial properties. Coconut also contains vitamin E, which is essential for healthy skin growth and repair.

Recipe: Coconut Bliss Smoothie
 by Frank Lipman, M.D.

1 Sustain packet

4 ounces water

4 ounces unsweetened almond milk

½  frozen banana cut into chunks

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 tablespoon shredded unsweetened coconut

4 ice cubes

Directions: Add all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Ahh!

Avocado for Reducing Inflammation

An avocado is capable of a lot more than delicious guacamole. This creamy green fruit is loaded with vitamins C, E and K, which are essential for healthy skin. It may also help reduce dryness and irritation. “I love the avocado in this recipe because it’s loaded with antioxidant power, giving skin a beauty boost by helping your body cut down on inflammation and making your skin glow,” explains Keri Glassman, R.D., author of “Slim, Calm, Sexy Diet: 365 Proven Food Strategies for Mind/Body Bliss.”

Recipe: Paradise Smoothie by Keri Glassman, R.D.

1 medium ripe peach, sliced

2 tablespoons chopped Hass avocado

1/3 cup unsweetened frozen strawberries

¾ cup fat-free plain yogurt

3 tablespoons 100% pomegranate juice

1 teaspoon grapeseed oil

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions: Place all ingredients in a blender. Puree about 15 seconds or until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and serve with a tall straw.

Berries for Smoother Skin

They may be little, but berries bring on big beautifying benefits for your skin. “Berries are full of antioxidant compounds that neutralize damaging free radicals that lead to skin cell damage and premature skin aging,” explains Tricia Williams, chef and owner of Food Matters, a food delivery service in New York City.

Recipe: Berry Beauty Blast
 by Tricia Williams

¼ cup frozen or fresh blueberries

¼ cup frozen or fresh raspberries

¼ cup frozen or fresh strawberries

¼ cup kale

1 cup water

Directions:
 Place all ingredients in a high power blender. Whirl until completely smooth. Serve immediately and sip your way to berry-induced bliss.

Which is your path to beautiful skin? 

YouBeauty culinary expert and chef Jim Perko started his career and love of cooking as a child cooking and gardening with his parents. His professional career started 36 years ago when as a student at the Culinary Institute of America when Jim was chosen to be one of four apprentices to the 1976 US Culinary Olympic Team. After graduation, marriage, and becoming a chef, in 1988 Jim founded the National award winning “Food is Knowledge” program that is now a signature part of the Cleveland Clinic’s community outreach wellness. In 1990 Jim competed and earned a place on the 1992 US Culinary Olympic Team where he won five medals. He now serves as the Executive Chef for the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute. Jim is an ACF certified Judge and the innovative creator of hundreds of deliciously healthy recipes, many of which can be found in the Dr.Oz’s and Dr. Roizen’s  “You” book series. 

Jim has presented nationally to a variety of venues from cirque du soleil troupe at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas, the California Walnut Board, The Ohio Dietetic Association, American Culinary Federation, to numerous wellness related events. 

In Jim’s “The Beauty of Cooking” column, you’ll be thrilled to learn how eating and cooking healthy is as much about the process as it is about the final product – Beautiful Mealtime!

Photo Credit: Shutterstock courtesy of YouBeauty

Q.   Should we always change our skin care when the weather changes? If we are getting good results is it necessary to switch anything?

A. I do believe ... Read More »]]> Skin Care Expert & Celebrity Esthetician Renée Rouleau works with celebs like Demi Lovato, Jessica Simpson and Katie Cassidy, and believes there’s more to skin than the one-size-fits-all approach. As we head full on into fall and winter weather, it’s prime time for Renee’s expert advice on keeping your skin in tip top shape for the months to come. Here’s my informative Q & A with her; I know you’ll learn so much!

Q.   Should we always change our skin care when the weather changes? If we are getting good results is it necessary to switch anything?

A. I do believe it is helpful to use certain ingredients on your skin depending on the season (more antioxidant-based products are needed in the summer versus more moisturizing barrier repair ingredients are needed in winter) and to expose your skin to different benefits that ingredients can offer. I personally like to switch up 2-3 products in my skin care routine every change of season, primarily because my skin has different needs, but also to give my skin a bit of everything. This is a well-rounded approach that I find beneficial.

However, I do believe that it’s not absolutely necessary to change products as long as you’re getting results. The approach of “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” is certainly valid, particularly for extremely sensitive skins who are often times made worse when introducing something new. But I do think it can be beneficial to alter your routine a few times a year.

As for completely switching to a new brand, this is not necessary as your skin will never know one line from another, but switching products will introduce new ingredients and therefore new results. That’s why I love that I created my line with over 72 products and nine skin types. It allows you to move around within my line without having to jump ship and find a whole new line.

As for skin building up immunity to skin care products over time, this simply is not true. While your skin can build up a tolerance to certain ingredients resulting in less sensitivity over time (retinols and acids), there is no direct mechanism for your skin to become immune to the effects of skin care products.

Do know that if your skin is changing, it’s time to change your skin routine. Our skin, like our bodies, is constantly changing. Particularly from hormone changes (more so in females), your skin can be acting perfectly normal and be problem-free, and then rashes, oiliness or acne can start to appear—at any age. I often hear, “I never had acne as a teenager and now I’m getting it in my 40’s!”

Q. If you have oily skin but experience winter dry patches or flakes should you use a heavier or different moisturizer or serum?

A. If you aren’t using a skin serum and you’re experiencing winter dryness, then I suggest start by introducing a serum to your skin care regimen, making sure it’s appropriate for oily skin. It is my belief that the very best way to enhance the results of your products and to give more hydration in the winter is to use a serum underneath your moisturizer or mask. When you feel like your skin needs something more and your moisturizer isn’t cutting it, this can really make a big improvement.

What exactly is a serum?  A serum is a skin care product that has a higher concentration of active ingredients, usually comes in a gel or creamy gel form and is meant for use under a moisturizer or mask.

What kind of active ingredients are used?  Soluble Beta Glucans for lessening breakouts from inside out and Silver Ear Mushroom which is five times more hydrating than Hyaluronic Acid (found in our Skin Correcting Serum), White Tea for calming redness and irritation instantly (found in our White Tea Soothing Complex), Glycolic Acid for exfoliation (found in Glycolic Serum), Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate for fading brown spots (found in our Vitamin C&E Complex), and Peptides for skin firming (found in our Intensive Firming Serum).

Q.  I know you are a fan of alcohol free toner. Can you refresh our memory about why toner is important and how it benefits the skin? What ingredients should we look for in a toner?

A. 1.They give your skin a drink of moisture when left damp on the skin before applying moisturizer (Make sure to only use an alcohol-free toner. Toners that contain alcohol are extremely drying to the skin and should never be used. See the collection of Renée Rouleau alcohol-free toners)

2. They remove drying chlorines and minerals found in tap water. Many chlorine and chemical agents are put into tap water to destroy harmful bacteria but they can be dehydrating to the skin.

3. They balance the PH in the skin. If you use a bar of soap or foaming face wash that might dry out the skin due to their low PH balance, a toner will help counteract the dryness that occurs.

4. They can enhance the results of your skin care program. Depending on the ingredients used in the toner, they can help calm, control oil, stimulate blood circulation, destroy acne-causing bacteria, provide anti-oxidant benefits and more.

5. They support your skin’s protective barrier. By supplying the skin with essential hydration and nutrients, you repair the skin’s protective barrier making it less sensitive and resistant to environmental damage. Ingredients to look for include sucrose, sodium PCA, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and aloe vera–all which soothe and hydrate the skin.

Renée’s exclusive skin care line is based on nine unique skin types, rather than the standard–dry, normal and oily. Her two Dallas skin care spas and products attract a celebrity clientele. Visit www.ReneeRouleau.com for more information.

Article by Laura Carson Miller. Laura is a freelance lifestyle writer and beauty expert in Atlanta. Her lifestyle blog is lcmLifestyle. Visit her website at www.lauracarsonmiller.com.

Did you know that Crystal Peel holds the original patent on microdermabrasion (*U.S. Patent # 6,290,975)? Sold for many years under private label to plastic surgeons, dermatologist and medical spas, it is now available to the public. With various products to choose from, including some specially formulated for the man in your life, Crystal Peel can cover all the bases when it comes to your exfoliation needs.

The Microdermabrasion Exfoliator is the star of the show. Full disclosure: I am normally not a fan of any kind of scrub for the face. I find them too harsh and since my skin ... Read More »]]>

Did you know that Crystal Peel holds the original patent on microdermabrasion (*U.S. Patent # 6,290,975)? Sold for many years under private label to plastic surgeons, dermatologist and medical spas, it is now available to the public. With various products to choose from, including some specially formulated for the man in your life, Crystal Peel can cover all the bases when it comes to your exfoliation needs.

The Microdermabrasion Exfoliator is the star of the show. Full disclosure: I am normally not a fan of any kind of scrub for the face. I find them too harsh and since my skin is sensitive I normally avoid them. When I tried this out on the back of my hand, it felt smooth going on and not at all rough or scratchy. So I tried it on my face and I loved it. Because it offers what the company calls a ‘controlled abrasion’ it helps reduce fine lines, discoloration and large pores. Plus it helps to stimulate new collagen, a huge bonus.

I also tried the Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Soap Bar, which was a hit with both my husband and myself. This is great to use prior to applying self tanner or just a few times a week to keep skin smooth and renewed. Again, it has a clean and smooth feel while on the skin and is in no way a harsh product.

Lastly and certainly not leastly, Crystal Peel has three new lip products: Lip Plump, Vitamin E Lip Therapy and Lip Renewal Exfoliator.  With these products in hand you are ready for the upcoming winter weather when cold air outside and hot air inside tend to leave us all with a flaking and sometimes even cracked pout. They offer exfoliating, moisturizing and plumping, so your lips will be ready for anything.

Crystal Peel products are both gentle and effective and provide excellent results.  If you are new to skin exfoliation or what one might call an ‘old pro’, the look and feel of your skin will improve with the use of products that exfoliate the skin. Cell turn over is vital in order for our other skin products to work effectively and for treatment of discoloration, flaking and fine lines and wrinkles. Take control of your skin with regular microderabrasion action, which you can now do in your own home with Crystal Peel!

*Crystal Peel provided sample products to the writer for testing.

Laura Carson Miller is an internationally published freelance lifestyle writer and beauty expert. She writes for magazines and the web. Her website is http://www.lauracarsonmiller.com