If you’re like me in the winter, nothing seems to alleviate the dry skin brought on by the bitter cold and hard water—a nasty combination.  I have a body cream and lotion collection to rival that of your local CVS.  Frustratingly, these products either leave me feeling greasy, sitting only on the top layers of my skin (and making things like hairs and lint actually stick to my skin), or they sink into the deep layers of my skin, only to leave the outermost layers parched an hour later.  Even my favorite products don’t seem to make the full cut in the winter.  And then, I came across a truly innovative product by Vaseline.  Read more…

Masks aren’t just for the kiddies on Halloween.  Combined with your regular regimen, masks can be an extra enhancement to address your skin care needs.  Whether you’re looking to draw out impurities from your pores, exfoliate dead skin cells or hydrate dry skin, there is a mask out there for you.  Rather than being a daily treatment, masks are often designed for weekly use.  More frequent use could be counterproductive, so be sure to follow the directions when you find the right mask for you.

You swear you’re getting in shape in 2010. Your body.  Your soul.  Your skin?  A mask could jump-start a healthy routine, say experts, giving a boost beyond daily washing and moisturizing (both of which you should already be doing).

The biggest investment in a mask isn’t necessarily monetary — although some can be quite pricey. It’s really about taking the time to research the right one for your skin type and then executing it properly. Read more.

Just as we change our wardrobes for the different seasons, it shouldn’t be any different when it comes to skin care.  Winter weather is less than delightful on our fragile skin, and we need to take extra steps to keep it looking healthy and hydrated.  Here are 10 tips to include in your winter skin regimen:

Dry winter air can be brutal on a woman’s skin. Think of it as a multi-layer cake covered by a single sheet of food wrap to keep it fresh. When something threatens that protective covering, your skin, like a cake, can become dry and stale.  Read more…

It is no secret that in the world of beauty, anti-aging skin care products are cash cows for cosmetic companies.  Often, these companies rake in the dough by selling their products with the aid of catchy marketing and a plethora of hyperbole, rather than real results.  Companies are competing to find that new “breakthrough” ingredient that gets the beauty industry buzzing. In 2009, plant stem cells began generating tons of interest, taking the industry by storm.

Stem cells are able to differentiate into any type of cell, which means treatments developed with stem cell technology have the potential to repair extensive tissue damage.  However, human and animal stem cell research and usage is highly controversial and is often subject to government regulation – in the US, it’s banned from commercial use.  As a result, perfectly legal plant stem cell technology became the attractive alternative for cosmetic use.

 Read more…

Last summer I went into a new spa to have a facial done.  I had a lovely aesthetician, Sarah, who was quite the chatty one.  We talked loads about life, relationships and, of course, skin care.  Sarah herself has glowing skin, but she confessed that it came with a lot of heartache to achieve, and her troubled skin is what sparked her interest in pursuing her beauty career.  She divulged her painful past with her disfiguring acne.  Sarah had been on Accutane on three different occasions, all helping initially, but her acne always reappeared shortly after the end of her treatments.  Not only was that heartbreaking, but Accutane had severely impacted her psychological health, causing deep depression.  She explained to me some of the unpleasant physical side effects as well.  Read more…

Well ladies and gents, it’s that time to close the chapter on another year.  Now let’s bring on the New Year with beauty and style.  Check out some of these great tips to keep you looking good into 2010.

After a month of relentless parties and ceaseless eating, we’re fat and tired. But the biggest party is yet to come: New Year’s Eve. From a beauty perspective, it’s just not fair!

So we caught up with Dr. Robert Freund, author of the new book “A More Beautiful You: Reverse Aging Through Skin Care”, “Plastic Surgery and Lifestyle Solutions”, and our “Post Your Face” expert, for his top ways to whip yourself back into festive shape — fast — for New Years. Read on for his tips on hangover cures, glowing skin, and a natural way to plump your lips. Read more.