Tag Archive for: beauty

Alcohol is Ruining your Skin

Alcohol is ruining your skin. We realize this is a grandiose statement but it happens to be true. Ever notice how clear non drinker’s skin and eyes are? Take a look next time and you’ll wonder if that happy hour cocktail is really a happy choice after all. While everything in moderation is considered ‘heathy’ (note- Dr. G does not drink) we want to call out all the ways that alcohol is ultimately damaging your skin.

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Let’s start with what is going on inside your cells when you drink alcohol. Alcohol contains sugar whether you add it in a mixer or not. When our bodies break down  alcohol it turns to sugar. When we ingest too much sugar, our protein molecules can cross-link with sugar molecules which causes the formation of new sugar-protein molecules. The body does not recognize these molecules and produce antibodies against them. These antibodies cause inflammation and the onset of Glycation. Glycation is responsible for the breakdown of collagen which causes, sagging skin, wrinkles, fine lines and overall dullness of the complexion.

Alcohol inhibits the production of vasopressin — an anti-diuretic hormone which has the two main jobs to restrict blood vessels and retain water. Your kidneys have to work extra hard to remove excess water which means you’ll be heading to the bathroom more frequently. When your body is deprived of fluids and electrolytes it will start to pull water from other places. This can cause skin to bloat and swell.

Alcohol also depletes your body’s Vitamin A, which is essential for cell renewal and turnover, so it is not uncommon for heavy drinkers to have a dull gray appearance to their skin. Heavy drinkers along with many people who only drink socially, see redness as a common side effect. Alcohol causes blood vessels to enlarge in the face, chest and arms, which makes people flushed and red. If you suffer for Rosace or skin flushing in general, this can make it worse overtime and even bring it to the surface. Someone with a severe alcohol allergy will become extremely red and flushed from even a small amount of alcohol. This can be also hereditary and very common in the Asian culture.

Yes, some alcohol in moderation,like red wine, can have health benefits. But the main issue seems to be people’s definition of “moderation”. Most people over drink and that is where the lines get blurred, no pun intended. If you think you may be suffering from the side effects of alcohol try stopping drinking for a few weeks and see how your skin clears up!

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Repair and protect against Sun Damaged Skin: What you need to know

Years of daily exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun take their toll on your skin. Sun-damaged skin becomes dry and rough, uneven patches and dark spots begin to appear, fine lines and wrinkles deepen, and your skin loses its firmness and elasticity. And, if you spent any part of your youth sunbathing you may find that your skin looks years older than you feel. Scientific research has led to the discovery of natural compounds that can help support the structure of skin as well as minimize signs of aging, such as crow’s feet, lines, sagging, and uneven tone. In addition to topical treatments and proper sun protection, many of these natural compounds come from the foods we eat.

Some examples are leafy green vegetables and cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, kale, and broccoli, which provide many internal health benefits. What you may not know is that key phytonutrients in these vegetables can also visibly improve the health and appearance of your skin.

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Concentrated extracts from cruciferous vegetables like broccoli contain bioactive phytonutrients that can help to reverse and repair a lifetime of skin damage—revealing smoother, clearer, and more radiant skin.

Sun Exposure Accelerates Aging – What you need to know:

Time, gravity, heredity, and other environmental exposures all affect how skin ages, but the overwhelming majority of visible signs of aging are caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Because the complex outer layer of our skin, the epidermis, is fully exposed to the external environment, it’s always under attack through dehydration, abrasion and most especially, ionizing damage from high-energy ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Photoaged skin is prematurely lined, wrinkled and frequently has broken capillaries and irregular pigmentation. It loses its elasticity earlier than healthy aging skin.

Although precisely how ultraviolet radiation causes skin aging is not yet known, we do know that cumulative UV radiation increases production of free radicals, damaging DNA and the enzymes involved in DNA repair. UV radiation increases inflammation and damages collagen and elastin, the proteins that give skin its resilience. It also acts to suppress immune function in the skin.

Antioxidants join forces to combat aging:

Screen Shot 2015-04-01 at 11.05.06 AMAntioxidant rich green and red tea adds to the anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects of sulforaphane and beta-carotene. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate is the principal antioxidant polyphenol in green and red tea and in addition to its antioxidant activity, it also demonstrates photoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic (inhibits the growth of new blood vessels) properties, which may help to reduce the appearance of small, dilated blood vessels around the nose, cheek, and chin. The polyphenols in green tea have also been shown to increase the tensile strength of skin and enhance wound healing. In combination, these potent antioxidants can not only improve skin health and reverse the signs of aging in photodamaged skin but also help to prevent future damage from free radicals and ultraviolet radiation.

“Using a daily anti-oxidant rich topical treatment is a must-have in any regimen as will help prevent against long term sun damage.” Dermatologist Dr. Gary Goldfaden MD

Proper Sun Protection:

With Spring just around the corner, practicing safe and proper sun protection is essential for keeping your skin burn free this coming Spring. While applying an SPF in the morning – whether it be in your foundation, moisturizer, or as a solid base, is just not enough to keep you protected throughout the day, especially for women who wear makeup and reapplication tends to get tricky.

Try our goto and favorite sun spray on the market, Sun Visor. oh, did we mention that the formula is oil-free, fragrance-free and can even be applied on top of makeup? Yes, you heard that right!

 

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How long do our beauty products really last?

If you’re like us, our bathroom cabinets and drawers can get crowded with beauty products that can often times go unused and/or forgotten about. We’d love to think that they could all last forever (being the beauty junkies that we are), but that’s simply just not the case. We decided to debunk the facts about the most commonly kept lotions, potions and makeup that builds up in our cabinets.

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LIPSTICK

  • What is the standard guideline for when to throw out a used tube of lipstick? 1-2years
  • Is there circumstance where it could have a longer shelf life? If so, how long much further can we go past the recommended throw-out time period? Lipsticks last longer than lip gloss because there isn’t an application wand being exposed to air all the time. A good rule of thumb is that if it smells rancid or feels different(too waxy or sticky) then throw it away.
  • What are the skin risks of swiping on a tube that’s too old? Probably won’t make you sick but it can taste bad and dry out the lips. In severe cases expired lipstick can cause irritation to the lip area. If you suffer from cold sores and used your lipstick while having a breakout definitely throw it away as you may have contaminated it.

SUNSCREEN

  • When should we throw out sunscreen that has been opened? Most sunscreens have expiration dates listed and this will vary depending on ingredients. With our Sun Visor SPF30, we recommend 12 moths after opening. Since the sun can be so harmful and damaging to the skin and our health, you should obey the expiration date. Sunscreen will not be as effective post expiration date and therefore may allow for sunburn and most certainly sun damage and skin damage.
  • If your sunscreen doesn’t have an expiration date on it, is there a way to tell if it has gone bad? It may appear clumpy, yellow in hue, watery or smell funny. If you are unsure then toss it and buy a new bottle.

SKINCARE CREAM

  • When should we throw out face cream that has been opened? 6-12 months
  • What if we neglect to use it, will it still be good? Depends on the ingredients and the packaging. Natural products formulated ‘without preservatives’ will go bad first. Water based products are also the first to go. Airless pumps or tubes will last a little longer than jars as jars get cross contaminated by bacteria on your fingers and in the air.
  • Is there anything we can do to make our face cream last as long as possible? If your product is a face oil or has active ingredients like Vitamin C, acids or Retinol, it should be packaged in a dark glass container and kept in a cool dark place. If you’re using a jar absolutely utilize the spatula that comes with it as this keeps your fingers and bacteria out of the jar. If it doesn’t come with a spatula then get one or use something disposable or that you can clean after each use.

PRESSED POWDERS

  • What is the typical guideline for throwing out loose and pressed powder (including blushes and bronzers)? 12 months
  • What can we really get away with? If the product has not been contaminated by either skin infections(breakouts) or bacteria from brushes then maybe 2 years. This brings up the topic of keeping brushes clean. Clean brushes will prolong the lifespan of your makeup. If you’re using a sponge in the compact make sure to keep it clean or replace it.

LIQUID FOUNDATION

  • When should we throw out liquid foundation that has been opened? 6-12 months
  • Is there any flexibility? If foundation is in a pump then it will last longer as it is not being contaminated. If you dab your fingers in the foundation jar always make sure you have washed your hands first or use a brush or disposable sponge
  • Should we follow these same guidelines for concealer or does it have a different shelf life once opened? Similar guideline depending on the packaging. If its in a pump then it will last the longest. If it is a little wand that you touch to imperfections on the skin, make sure you wash this and replace every 6 months. Skin infections and breakouts have bacteria and this can get transferred onto the wad or brush and then back into the container, so really keep these clean.
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