Keep your skin glowing.

I’m sure you’re familiar with the symptoms: More visible wrinkles, a rough and itchy feel and that not-so-attractive flaky appearance.

But the good news is, you don’t have to accept dry skin as something that comes along with the winter. There are some easy – and natural – solutions that can keep your skin glowing all year long.

So before you buy another moisturizer, check the labels to see if they include one of these dry-skin busters:

1. Allantoin. This soothing skin moisturizer and protectant is naturally produced by animals and plants. This is why allantoin is used in quite a few good-quality moisturizers and other cosmetic products like lip balm and acne solutions. The reason it’s so commonly used is because it’s very effective at very small doses. Often 0.1% to 2% will help your skin heal more quickly, which makes it great for flaky, raw skin, chapped lips, cold sores – even sunburns.

2. Alpha Lipoic Acid. Even though it has a scientific name, Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is completely natural… and found in every cell of your body. ALA acts as an antioxidant to help protect your skin from free-radical damage that can cause premature aging.

   It also contains nutrients that help keep your skin soft and supple.You can find ALA in Brussels sprouts, spinach and broccoli. It’s also one of the active ingredients in Dr. Al Sears’ moisturizer, Silk.

   
   

3. Honey. You may think of honey as just something to sweeten your food, but when applied to your skin, honey can really make a difference in the way you look and feel on the outside. Honey contains vitamin C which can help repair damage already caused to your skin by free radicals and other pollutants in the environment.

Start using these ingredients on a regular basis and before you know it, your skin will start to look and feel more comfortable… and more radiant.

Sincerely,

Kamila Fiore, ARNP, NP-C

[Ed. Note: Kamila Fiore is the resident Nurse Practitioner at the Sears’ Center for Health and Wellness in Royal Palm Beach, Fla. Kamila is passionate about taking a natural approach to healthcare. She believes it’s a vital necessity in this day and age – a time when our health is being jeopardized by the chemicals, toxins and processes that are incorporated in almost everything we consume, touch or breathe. She earned her Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Florida and became state-licensed and board-certified in 2007. Her professional experience includes Aesthetics, Internal Medicine/Geriatrics and Anti-Aging. Kamila educates her patients on health promotion and disease prevention. She also is experienced in laser hair removal.]

On the summit at almost 20,000 feet, I looked east and west. I felt like I could see all the way around the world. It was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.

The trek took us from intense tropical heat up into Arctic cold. And once you’re above the tree line, there’s no break from the relentless weather. At those altitudes, the bitter wind and intense sun can take an awful toll on your skin.

I was prepared for the drying wind and intense sun. But back at base camp, some other climbers who knew I was a doctor came to me for help with their dry, burned, and peeling faces.

I gave them the same thing I used, a natural plant that soothes and promotes healthier skin. And, like Mount Kilimanjaro, it’s uniquely African.

So, why didn’t I just use a sunscreen? Let me explain why I won’t use most of today’s skincare products.

A trip to the skincare counter today is more like a trip to a chemical plant. Most of the products you’ll find there contain all sorts of toxic chemicals and useless cover-ups.

In fact, almost 90% of all cosmetic ingredients have never been properly tested for safety. And you’ll find one or more of these chemicals in 99% of the cosmetics products on shelves today.¹ That would be bad enough, but even some of the ingredients that have been tested can damage your skin.

Take sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), for instance. It’s a detergent used in thousands of shampoos, body washes, and even toothpastes. But lab tests show SLS may make your skin peel and get dehydrated.^2,3 In fact, many labs keep SLS on hand specifically to cause skin irritation.

Even worse, some of these chemicals do more than just damage your skin. Parabens are a good example. You’ll find them in more than 19,000 cosmetics products, so you’d think they should be safe. But, among other things, parabens can disrupt hormone functions, interfere with male fertility, and some researchers believe it may be linked to some types of cancer.^4,5

In other words, the cosmetics counter is a dangerous place to look for skincare products.

So when I first heard of a safe African herb that could do wonders for your skin, I started digging.

And what I found was a healthful “tea” that’s been brewed for hundreds of years. But it’s been largely overlooked by the West until very recently.

For centuries, locals have brewed “red tea” from a unique plant that grows only around South Africa’s Cederberg Mountains. They use it for digestive complaints, seasonal allergies, nervousness, and poor sleep. They also apply the plant topically to soothe and moisturize their skin.

Outsiders didn’t “discover” red tea – or rooibos (ROY-boss) – until the 20th century. Even then, no one really studied its healthful properties. So this herb sat on the back burner for many years.

But recently, scientists have been taking a closer look at red tea. And they’ve uncovered some impressive properties.

Red tea is rich in the rare antioxidant aspalathin. Animal studies show it promotes a healthy immune system and supports production of SOD – one of your body’s most powerful antioxidants.⁶ It also promotes DNA health.⁷

There haven’t been many studies on red tea and your skin. But the few I’ve found all support the traditional use of red tea to promote healthier skin.

For example, Japanese scientists applied it to people’s itchy skin and found that it helped soothe and moisturize.⁸

Compared to most cosmetic products, red tea would be a winner just by being good for your skin. But red tea offers you a bonus.

In a Thai study released last spring, a red tea formula reduced the appearance of wrinkles. In fact, the formula with red tea was more than twice as effective as the other herbal formulas the researchers tested.⁹

So red tea not only promotes healthy skin, it promotes smoother, younger-looking skin, too.

I was so impressed with red tea’s performance that I started experimenting with different red tea skin formulations. A couple of women at the office couldn’t wait to try the stuff. And they loved the results. Words like “light,” “smooth,” “soothing,” and “refreshing” were floating around the office for weeks.

That’s pretty much what I told the climbers at the Kilimanjaro base camp. And thinking back on those sore, red faces, I’ll bet they ask me to bring enough red tea along for everyone on our next climb.

Here’s how you can try it out for yourself…

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, M.D.

1 See ewg.org/node/8703.
2 Herlofson, B.B., Barkvoll, P., “Oral mucosal desquamation caused by two toothpaste detergents in an experimental model,” Eur. J. Oral Sci. Feb. 1996;104(1):21-6
3 Atrux-Tallau, N., et al, “Effects of glycerol on human skin damaged by acute sodium lauryl sulphate treatment,” Arch. Dermatol. Res. Dec. 31, 2009
4 Wozniak, M., Murias, M., “Xenoestrogens: endocrine disrupting compounds,” Ginekol. Pol. Nov. 2008;79(11):785-90
5 Darbre, P.D., Harvey, P.W., “Paraben esters: review of recent studies of endocrine toxicity, absorption, esterase and human exposure, and discussion of potential human health risks,” J. Appl. Toxicol. July 2008;28(5):561-78
6 McKay, D.L., Blumberg, J.B., “A review of the bioactivity of South African herbal teas: rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and honeybush (Cyclopia intermedia),” Phytother. Res. Jan. 2007;21(1):1-16
7 Baba, H., et al, “Studies of … effects of Rooibos tea in rats,” Pediatr. Int. Oct. 2009;51(5):700-4
8 Shindo, Y., Kato, K. “Effect of rooibos tea…” Proceedings of the International Symposium on Tea Science, The Organizing Committee of ISTS, Shizuoka, Japan 1991;385-389
9 Chuarienthong, P., et al, “Clinical efficacy comparison of anti-wrinkle cosmetics containing herbal flavonoids,” Int. J. Cosmet. Sci. Apr. 2010;32(2):99-106

What does eczema look and feel like? Eczema sufferers struggle with dry, cracking, and itchy skin. They also commonly have rashes on the arms, legs, and cheeks, as well as red bumps on the skin. What’s even worse is that eczema flares up in colder weather when there’s less humidity in the air, causing the skin to naturally become drier and more irritated.

Clearly, eczema is no laughing matter.

Whether you’ve been clinically diagnosed with eczema or are experiencing the majority of the symptoms listed above, there is still hope for you. The key to treating a chronic condition like eczema is to nourish and soothe your skin so that it’s less likely to become red and irritated.

While that may sound like a simple concept, eczema sufferers know full well how easily their skin can flare up at the drop of a hat. So what can you do to protect your sensitive skin and minimize eczema reactions?

1. Use natural skin care products exclusively. The types of products that you use on your skin make a world of difference when it comes to managing eczema. An antibacterial ingredient like tea tree oil can help to kill bacteria and prevent infection in vulnerable skin inflamed by eczema. This is the first step to take to prevent infection in your skin and start the healing process.

   It’s also important to use gentle cleansers and moisturizers with an ingredient like oat extract. Oat straw has been used as a natural remedy for centuries. It is an excellent source of silica, which helps to support healthy skin.¹ Oat straw and oat extract can soften dry, flaky skin and relieve inflammation when used in a cleanser.

   Last but not least, neem oil is another natural ingredient known to soothe red, itchy, and irritated skin. At the same time, it will help to fight bacterial infections and boost the natural immunity of the skin to keep eczema reactions to a minimum.
   

2. Relax and unwind. What does kicking back and relaxing have to do with treating eczema? Eczema can flare up under stress, making it essential to minimize stress in your daily life.

   Using stress-reduction techniques like yoga, deep breathing, and meditation will help to calm you and reduce any anxiety that could trigger a reaction. Even better, make it a priority to deal with sources of stress in your life if at all possible, whether it be a stressful job, a toxic relationship, or family problems.

3. Don’t scratch! While scratching may be your first reaction when your skin is itchy, it’s the last thing you should do if you want to keep your skin healthy. Scratching will only make irritated skin worse – and it could even break the skin and cause a bacterial infection.

4. Moisturize daily. The best way to prevent constant itchiness is to moisturize your skin regularly with the natural ingredients listed above. Keep in mind that moisturizing with chemical ingredients will only compromise your skin’s moisture barrier and dry it out even further.

   On that note, avoid fragrances and dyes in all of your personal care products, like soaps, detergents, and perfumes. Artificial fragrances will irritate your skin and may even trigger an unnecessary eczema outbreak.

If you’re still struggling with chronic eczema after using all of the suggestions above, you may want to consider UV light therapy. UV light therapy is a topical treatment that uses a combination of UVA and UVB rays to stimulate the immune system. Constant exposure to UV rays under the care of a dermatologist may be able to minimize the immune response that flares up eczema in the first place.

Here’s one final fact for parents of children with eczema. A 2010 University of Cincinnati study showed that young children with dog allergies who lived with a dog as an infant were less likely to develop eczema.² Children who were allergic to dogs and didn’t live with a dog were four times more likely to develop eczema over time. Although the same findings didn’t hold true for young children and cats, your choice in a family pet could make a big difference in managing eczema outbreaks in your child.

Sincerely,

Kamila Fiore, ARNP, NP-C

[Ed. Note: Kamila Fiore is the resident Nurse Practitioner at the Sears’ Center for Health and Wellness in Royal Palm Beach, Fla. Kamila is passionate about taking a natural approach to healthcare. She believes it’s a vital necessity in this day and age – a time when our health is being jeopardized by the chemicals, toxins and processes that are incorporated in almost everything we consume, touch or breathe. She earned her Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Florida and became state-licensed and board-certified in 2007. Her professional experience includes Aesthetics, Internal Medicine/Geriatrics and Anti-Aging. Kamila educates her patients on health promotion and disease prevention. She also is experienced in laser hair removal.]

1. “Health Benefits of Oat Straw.” MDidea. Dec. 20, 2010.
2. Harper, A. “Dog Ownership May Help Prevent Eczema in Children with Dog Allergies.” Sept. 30, 2010.

Acne is usually considered a teenage problem. But did you know about 40 percent of men still fight acne after their 25th birthday? And more than one out of every 10 women is still battling pimples well into middle age!¹

But that wasn’t always the case.

Acne is a modern disease. In fact, if you look at cultures that haven’t adopted the modern Western diet, acne is virtually unknown.

Our ancestors didn’t eat the way we do. They hunted for meat and gathered edible plants and nuts in season. Processed foods and grains weren’t a part of their diet. And cultures that follow our ancestors’ diet today don’t have an acne problem.

In a study of two traditional hunter-gatherer cultures – the Kitivan islanders of Papua New Guinea and Paraguay’s Aché tribe – none of the subjects studied had acne. In fact, over a 2½-year period, researchers found exactly zero who suffered with acne. Zero.²

A similar situation once existed among Canada’s Inuit people. A study found that acne cropped up only after they added processed foods to their diet.³

So what’s the common thread here? It’s actually pretty simple.

People who have little or no acne are those who eat a low-glycemic diet. That is, they eat a diet that’s high in natural proteins, fruits and vegetables but low in sugar and carbohydrates.

That’s the same diet our ancestors ate for 250,000 years. Before acne became a big problem.

“Carbs” – grains and sugars – aren’t a natural part of our diet. They were introduced in recent times. And when you eat them, they cause an unnatural spike in blood sugar – a spike your body isn’t designed to handle. This jump in blood sugar tells your body to release large amounts of insulin to deal with all the sugar.

But insulin doesn’t just help your body handle the sudden flood of sugar. Insulin triggers the release of hormones called androgens… and another hormone called IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1). And studies have shown that these hormones cause an increase in acne.⁴

Australian researchers proved the effectiveness of a low-glycemic diet on teenage boys – notorious for their acne.

They assigned young men with acne problems to two diets. A control group ate a “normal” diet, while the other group ate a low-glycemic diet that was low in carbs and sugar. After just 12 weeks, the low-glycemic group had a 50 percent greater reduction in acne compared to the control group.⁵

A low-glycemic diet carries a bonus, too. The teens eating the low-glycemic diet dropped weight. Plus, a low-glycemic diet gets quick results. The Australian team found that a low-glycemic diet cut the hormones that lead to acne in just seven days.⁶

In other words, if you suffer with acne, you could be just a week away from the beginnings of relief. And it doesn’t take expensive prescriptions or some $40-a-month cleansing regimen.

The answer could be as simple as making a few easy changes to your diet.

Sincerely,

Kamila Fiore, ARNP, NP-C

[Ed. Note: Our newest addition to the Pure Radiance panel of experts, Kamila Fiore is the resident Nurse Practitioner at the Sears’ Center for Health and Wellness in Royal Palm Beach, Fla. Kamila is passionate about taking a natural approach to healthcare. She believes it’s a vital necessity in this day and age – a time when our health is being jeopardized by the chemicals, toxins and processes that are incorporated in almost everything we consume, touch or breathe. She earned her Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Florida and became state-licensed and board-certified in 2007. Her professional experience includes Aesthetics, Internal Medicine/Geriatrics and Anti-Aging. Kamila educates her patients on health promotion and disease prevention. She also is experienced in laser hair removal.]

1 Cordain, L. The Dietary Cure for Acne. Paleo Diet Enterprises 2006
2 Cordain, L, et al, “Acne Vulgaris: A Disease of Western Civilization,” Arch. Dermatol. 2002;138:1584-1590
3 Borré, K.. “Seal Blood, Inuit Blood and Diet: A Biocultural Model of Physiology and Cultural Identity,” Medical Anthropology Quarterly March 1991;5(1): 48-62
4 Cappel, M., et al, “Correlation Between Serum Levels of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate, and Dihydrotestosterone and Acne Lesion Counts in Adult Women,” Archives of Dermatology 2005;141:333-338
5 Smith, R.N., et al, “The effect of a high-protein, low glycemic–load diet versus a conventional, high glycemic–load diet on biochemical parameters associated with acne vulgaris,” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Aug. 2007; 57(2):247-256
6 Smith, R., et al, “A pilot study to determine the short-term effects of a low glycemic load diet on hormonal markers of acne,” Mol. Nutr. Food Res. June 2008;52(6):718-26

They ask me questions like, “Are you supposed to cleanse once or twice a day? Should you always apply a moisturizer? What type of anti-aging products should you use and why?

I’ll let you in on a little secret. Achieving naturally healthy skin is nowhere near as complicated as it may seem.

The commercial beauty companies out there would have you believe that the more complex their skin-care system, the more effective it is, but nothing can be further from the truth.

Sticking to an all-natural daily skin-care routine is essential if you want to achieve healthy, youthful skin that is free from damage. The good news is that giving your skin the care it deserves can be simple and effective when you know the right habits to create.

A complete skin-care routine should cover all of the bases, including cleansing, nourishing, toning, and protecting your skin from signs of premature aging.

• Step 1 - Cleanse: Using the right cleanser twice a day will help remove dirt and impurities that have accumulated throughout the day, while simultaneously moisturizing and protecting your delicate complexion. This leaves your skin feeling soft, soothed, and refreshed.




TIP: Be sure to remove your makeup and cleanse before you go to sleep each night.  Not cleansing properly can cause you to look older than your years.

• Step 2 – Tone: While you may be familiar with drugstore astringents that strip your skin of moisture and leave your complexion feeling tight and itchy, you should be using one that will tone your skin while preserving its natural moisture. Using a gentle, effective toner is a must to preserve the delicate moisture barrier in your skin and prevent long-term dehydration.




TIP: Toning should be done immediately after cleansing in your daily skin-care routine. Be sure to choose a toner that delivers the nutrients your complexion needs to protect it from outside damage and preserve its youthful look.

• Step 3 - Moisturize: Moisturizing after cleansing will keep all skin types in balance and reduce the risk of premature aging.




TIP: After cleansing and toning, be sure to moisturize – even if you have oily skin. Oily skin can still become dehydrated and produce even more oil as a result, leaving you worse off than you started! Choose a moisturizer that penetrates deeply into the skin to slow down the aging process, promote healthy cell growth, and improve the quality of skin tissue – ensuring that your complexion remains youthful and wrinkle-free.

It really is as easy as completing these three steps each day to protect your skin from external damage and premature aging.

One last word of caution: Be sure the skin-care products you use are free from mineral oil, petroleum or gasoline distillates, artificial fragrances, and parabens.

Parabens are the most common preservatives used in cosmetics today. According to the Breast Cancer Fund, six different types of parabens were identified in biopsy samples from breast tumors.1 The concentrations of the parabens were almost identical to the concentrations found in cosmetic products.

Choose cosmetics that are paraben-free to protect your health.

Fortunately, Pure Radiance offers the all-natural skin-care products your skin needs for a healthful daily routine. It’s called the Ultimate Skin Care Regimen and includes:

With these simple steps, you can create healthy habits and give your skin the pampering that it deserves each and every day. To start your Ultimate Skin Care Regimen today, click here.

Sincerely,

Kamila Fiore, ARNP, NP-C

[Ed. Note: Our newest addition to the Pure Radiance panel of experts, Kamila Fiore is the resident Nurse Practitioner at the Sears’ Center for Health and Wellness in Royal Palm Beach, Fla. Kamila is passionate about taking a natural approach to healthcare. She believes it’s a vital necessity in this day and age – a time when our health is being jeopardized by the chemicals, toxins and processes that are incorporated in almost everything we consume, touch or breathe. She earned her Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Florida and became state-licensed and board-certified in 2007. Her professional experience includes Aesthetics, Internal Medicine/Geriatrics and Anti-Aging. Kamila educates her patients on health promotion and disease prevention. She also is experienced in laser hair removal.]

Sure your skin changes as you get older. But there are ways you can help maintain your skin’s youthful appearance… or even help reverse the effects of the aging process. And it’s probably easier than you think.

Here are a few simple things you can do that can make all the difference…

The reason many people see fine lines is because their skin is deprived of the crucial mix of nutrients it needs.

Your body actually produces the simplest age-combating nutrient, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). It’s not only important to your heart, but it’s also terrific for your skin. CoQ10 is a vitamin-like compound made by your body to generate energy. It also acts as a powerful antioxidant that protects collagen and elastin from free-radical damage, which can lead to premature aging. The problem is that your body slows its production of CoQ10 as you age, steadily decreasing after age 30.

Resveratrol is another power-packed antioxidant courtesy of Mother Nature. Every day, your skin battles all kinds of elements, like air pollutants, which lead to the appearance of wrinkles. Resveratrol has been proven to help smooth away the appearance of wrinkles and even prevent them from showing up in the first place.

So how can you capture CoQ10 and resveratrol? For starters, try to incorporate more of these nutrients in your diet by eating the right foods. You can find resveratrol in grapes, select green teas… even peanuts. Plus, it’s what gives red wine natural age-fighting properties. Get an extra boost by trying toners and moisturizers that contain CoQ10 and resveratrol, along with other ingredients found in nature.

With daily use of toner that contains CoQ10, you’ll begin to notice tighter skin with fewer fine lines and wrinkles. You’ll also see an improved complexion and smaller pores without adding time to your daily beauty routine. Quench your skin every day with a moisturizer containing resveratrol and/or CoQ10. Regular use of products containing these vital nutrients will give your skin that coveted youthful appearance, soft feel and radiant glow you’ve been after.

The most powerful remedy against wrinkles bar none is one that my patients are probably most familiar with… cosmetic injectables such as Botox® and Restylane®. Back in 2002, the FDA approved Botox as an anti-wrinkle serum, and it’s been commonly used ever since. If frown lines have you frowning, you may want to consider getting injections. The way it works is simple. A purified form of the natural botulinum toxin is injected into areas of your skin with wrinkles. The toxin inhibits muscle contractions of the face. Fewer contractions equal fewer wrinkles.

Restylane is a clear liquid gel – a non-animal-based hyaluronic acid (a natural sugar compound). The filler is injected beneath the skin and adheres to it. The acid acts like a magnet for water. This helps to maintain the newly voluminous skin. The result? Even the deepest wrinkles are reduced or eliminated.

Best wishes for good health and lasting beauty,

Tara Smith
ARNP, NP-C

[Ed. Note: Tara Smith, ARNP NP-C, is a board-certified nurse practitioner for Dr. Sears’ Center for Health & Wellness in Royal Palm Beach, Fla. Her medical concentration is on aesthetics, teaching and family practice.]

Have you put thought lately into the foods you eat that could affect the quality of your skin… for better or worse?

Stop Wrinkles in Their Tracks: Nourishing Coconut for Youthful Skin

Coconut Water Benefits: Hydration and Healing

Coconut is not only a fresh and delicious tropical fruit, but it’s also full of an abundance of nutrients that make it a powerful natural remedy. First and foremost, including coconut water in your diet could greatly improve your overall health. Coconut water is vastly different from heavier coconut milk; it is a clear liquid that comes from young green coconuts.

Producers of coconut water have compared it to popular sports drinks due to its rehydrating properties and high potassium content that helps to regulate blood sugar. What this means for your skin is that coconut water is a nourishing drink that could deeply hydrate and regulate your natural body functions so that your skin remains soft, moist, and healthy.

Coconut water also stimulates healthy digestion and improves circulation. This directly benefits your skin, providing it with vital nutrients and stimulating circulation to encourage new cell growth. As you may have gathered by now, all of these health benefits make coconut a powerful beauty ingredient for youthful skin.

Your skin needs constant hydration and nutrition to look its best. Enjoying a refreshing drink like coconut water could stimulate circulation in your complexion. Not only could this increase in circulation give your skin a fresh, healthy glow, but it encourages your skin to naturally exfoliate each day.

As you may have noticed, with age, the complexion can often become dull, flat and lackluster. However, boosting circulation in the skin stimulates exfoliation and new cell growth. In layman’s terms, this improved circulation could enable your complexion to produce new, healthy skin cells to keep wrinkles at bay!

Coconut Oil Benefits: Dry Skin Therapy

But the coconut benefits don’t stop there… Coconut oil is another essential beauty ingredient that deeply hydrates and heals dry, damaged skin. Additionally, coconut oil contains protective antioxidants that could neutralize free-radical damage and prevent injury to the skin, reducing the risk of wrinkles and possibly even skin disease.

Your skin is greatly affected by the topical ingredients that you apply to it. It can easily absorb product ingredients to penetrate the bloodstream and potentially affect your circulatory system.

Make no mistake that the products that you put on your skin will end up in your body one way or another! That’s why I encourage you to read your product ingredient labels carefully. Natural ingredients benefit the health of your body. Chemical ingredients could leave you at risk for allergic reactions and toxic overload in your system, resulting in unhealthy, dehydrated and damaged skin. It’s as simple as that.

It’s clear that coconut provides two major beauty benefits:

1. Internal: Coconut water hydrates the skin and stimulates circulation to promote healthy cell growth.

2. External: Coconut oil moisturizes the surface of the skin and protects the complexion from free-radical damage.

Coconut is an essential part of a healthy diet, and it could also greatly improve the quality of your skin when used in your beauty products!

Healthy skin starts with a healthy diet, and you can protect and improve the quality of your skin even more by using natural, nourishing anti-aging ingredients in your beauty products.

To Your Youthful Skin,

Jackie Silver

[Ed. Note: Our guest columnist Jackie Silver is the author of Aging Backwards: Secrets to Staying Young. She’s a dynamic and beautiful 50-something bombshell who looks half her age. She created “Aging Backwards” in 2006 to help empower women to look and feel younger than their actual age. On her website, www.agingbackwards.com, you’ll find some of Jackie’s best tips, tricks and secret weapons for stopping the effects of aging and improving the whole self – mind, body and spirit.]

You know it’s wintertime …

Your lips are chapped and cracked … your skin is dry and itchy … and your face is wind-burned and flaky… You apply lip balm, salve and moisturizing lotion that may work for a little while. But before you know it, the irritation returns and you’re back to feeling uncomfortable in your own skin once again.

So what can you do to keep your skin soft and glowing during the harsh winter months?

Step 1: To start, you need to stay hydrated. When it’s cold outside, people have a tendency to replace water with warm beverages like coffee, tea and hot chocolate. While these drinks will warm you up, they won’t hydrate you like plain purified water.

Keep in mind, when you’re hydrated on the inside, it shows on the outside. I suggest drinking 2 liters of purified water daily to keep your skin looking its best.

In addition to paying attention to how much water you drink, you should also consider the water you shower with.

There’s nothing better than getting into a steaming hot shower on a frosty, cold day. But you should know the temperature of your shower directly affects your skin. The hotter the water, the drier it makes your skin, because the heat strips your skin of its natural oils.

You can protect your skin by showering with warm water and by keeping your showers short. No more than 15 minutes.

While you’re in the shower, you’ll also want to exfoliate to remove the layer of dead, dry flaky skin and let your new skin cells shine through. For the best results, I suggest lightly scrubbing with a loofah twice a week.

Step 2: Cleanse your skin with all-natural ingredients. Be cautious about the cleansers you use. Replace harsh soaps with natural alternatives that are paraben-free. I use an all-natural body wash with soothing rose hips and red-tea extract from South Africa to nourish my skin.

Red-tea extract packs more antioxidant power than green tea. Red tea contains aspalathan and other rare antioxidants that provide essential support against free-radical damage. This helps minimize the appearance of wrinkles, and makes your skin more smooth and supple.

The rose hips are a rich source of linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid your body can’t make. This also promotes smoother skin and supports your skin’s defenses against the sun’s UV rays.

Step 3: Don’t forget an all-natural moisturizer. Make sure the moisturizer you use doesn’t contain toxic chemicals like parabens, gasoline distillates and BPAs that can throw off your hormones levels and potentially cause some serious health problems down the road.

Again, I use a gentle moisturizer with natural ingredients that soothes my dry skin. My moisturizer contains apricot kernel oil – a good natural source of linoleic and linolenic acid that promotes softer, smoother skin. It also contains rare red-tea extract to minimize the appearance of wrinkles and jojoba oil from the desert Southwest that enhances skin’s flexibility and smoothness. You also want to make sure your moisturizer (like mine) contains hyaluronic acid – a humectant that helps hydrate skin.

Follow these simple tips and you’ll keep your skin glowing all year long.

Best Wishes for Health and Beauty,

Tara Smith, ARNP, NP-C

[Ed. Note: Tara Smith, ARNP NP-C, is a board-certified nurse practitioner for Dr. Sears’ Center for Health & Wellness in Royal Palm Beach, Fla. Her medical concentration is on aesthetics, teaching and family practice.]

To learn more about Pure Radiance, Inc., call (888) 795-4005 or visit:

http://www.mypureradiance.com

You rub hand sanitizer on, and it feels all cold and tingly. You think that tingle is killing off the germs on your hands. But what you’re really feeling is all the alcohol and chemicals absorbing into your skin – and drying it out.

The truth is, hand sanitizers don’t do what they’re intended to do.

A new University of Virginia study tested hand sanitizers on two groups of people.1 One used hand sanitizers every three hours for 10 weeks. The other group just went about their daily lives, as usual.

The result? There was no difference in the viruses on the hands of the participants in the two groups.

And that’s a good thing. Because being exposed to germs can help prevent a ton of health problems. Like heart trouble, for example.

In a study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Northwestern University researchers found that bacteria exposure protected people from high levels of C-reactive protein.

That’s a big deal and it even surprised me a little.

In case you haven’t read this before, a high level of this protein in your blood can cause inflammation. High C-reactive protein has even been associated with diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.2

Bottom line: Not only do you not need hand sanitizers to fight off germs, it’s a very bad idea to use them. What you really need to do is be exposed to bacteria and build a stronger immune system.

Here are a few easy ways to super-charge your immunity:

• Keep your hands clean with good old-fashioned soap and water.
• Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best ways to fight off bugs – and look your best, too. And with the right levels of melatonin, you’ll have no problem getting eight hours of shut eye. This natural, protective hormone helps you fall asleep and keeps you sleeping deeper throughout the night. To increase melatonin naturally, make sure you spend time each day in bright, natural sunlight. Then go to sleep in a completely dark bedroom. Wear a sleep mask if you have to. You can also buy a melatonin supplement at most vitamin shops. Look for drops, or a sublingual that melts under your tongue. It’s easier to absorb and works fast. Start with 0.5 mg and work your way up to 3 mg max. Take it 20 minutes before you want to fall asleep.
• Natural foods are the BEST source for the vitamins and nutrients you need to prevent colds. Load up on immune-boosting foods like red and pinto beans, blueberries, cranberries, artichokes, raspberries, strawberries, apples, plums, pecans, oranges, and green leafy veggies. These foods will boost your immune power and protect your cells from damage.
• Raw garlic is one of nature’s best antibiotics. And unlike antibiotics, it doesn’t kill off the good bacteria in your gut while fighting off the bad stuff. All you need is a few cloves a day to wipe out germs. You even can create your own natural “V8″ by blending some tomatoes, sea salt, garlic cloves, and your favorite mix of veggies.
• Nutrients like selenium have been found to kill off viruses like H1N1. I recommend 50 mcg a day.3

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

1Turner, Ronald B., University of Virginia, Annual Meeting of Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, in Boston, 2010
2McDade, T.W., et al, “Early origins of inflammation: Microbial exposures in infancy predict lower levels of C-reactive protein in adulthood,” Proc Biol. Sci. Apr. 7, 2010; 277 (1684):1129-37
3Yu, L. “Protection from H1N1 Influenza Virus Infections in Mice by Supplementation with Selenium: A Comparison with Selenium-Deficient Mice.”Biol. Trace Elem. Res. May 20, 2010

To learn more about Pure Radiance, Inc., call (888) 795-4005 or visit:

http://www.mypureradiance.com

My clients come to me with questions about everything from hair care to skin care.

One question that keeps popping up is how to keep skin fresh during the summer. Everyone’s sweaty and sticky from the heat. It ruins your makeup and can make dry skin drier or oily skin more oily.

But, I have the perfect solution.

This little trick cools your skin and helps keep it moisturized, without ruining your makeup!

I’m talking about facial mists.

Just a little spritz of cool, essential-oil-enhanced water will refresh your skin and help you beat the summer heat.

You can find ready-made facial mists at your local beauty store. But, they’re often overpriced and contain added chemicals, like parabens, that can be toxic.

A safer and cheaper alternative is to make your own. All you need is a small spray bottle, some purified water, and some essential oils.

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes, aromatherapy, and more. They’ve also been known to help fix a multitude of skin issues including acne, dryness, wrinkles, and oiliness.

Here’s what I recommend, depending on your skin type:

• Normal Skin: If you have skin that’s not too oily and not too dry, you have normal skin. For you I recommend essential oils that will help keep your skin balanced. Lavender, jasmine, neroli, rose, and rosewood are all good choices.
• Oily Skin: If you notice a shiny, oily film on the majority of your skin throughout the day, you have oily skin. This type of skin has larger pores and is more prone to acne. You’ll need something slightly more astringent to help control the production of sebum (what gives your skin that oily feeling). I recommend lemon, peppermint, tea tree, cedar wood, or lavender essential oils.
• Dry Skin: If your skin is tight or flaky, you have dry skin. You should use essential oils that will help moisturize your skin to help it relax. Chamomile, geranium, lavender, patchouli, sandalwood, clary sage, and rose are all great choices. They give you the extra boost of moisture your skin needs.
• Sensitive Skin: While many essential oils can leave sensitive skin irritated and raw, there are mild solutions that can help your skin stay soft and supple, without the burn. I suggest chamomile, lavender, neroli, and rose.

To make your own mist, just fill your spray bottle about ¾ of the way with purified water and then add 2 drops of your essential oil. Give it a quick shake and put it in the fridge.

Make sure you dilute your essential oils before applying them to your skin. They are very concentrated and can irritate your skin if applied directly.

Keep on Stylin’!

Anesta Dawkins

[Ed. Note: Anesta Dawkins is Owner and Founder of Salon Hottie in West Palm Beach, Florida, and is an accomplished hairstylist, platform artist, and instructor. With over 20 years’ experience in the industry and a satisfied network of clients, Anesta is dedicated to keeping you current with the latest and most innovative products in the beauty industry.]