Tag Archive for: skin

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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Love Day Beauty Prep

We’re all about flowers and chocolate, but we certainly don’t think that we need to limit ourselves to receiving them just one day throughout the year, right? Valentines Day for us is all about showing the people around you that you love them, including yourself, so why not be a little indulgent this Love Day and treat yourself to a little beauty makeover. 

We were so inspired by Chanel’s Paris Spring Show (floral galore with fresh faces and a red lip) so we wanted to emulate the fresh look of the new season with our favorite beauty essentials this Valentines Day. 

Screen Shot 2015-01-27 at 9.05.52 AM[1][2]Photo via Vogue

— The Night Before —

Skin Prep: We call this the one-two punch! Anytime that we have a big night out we immediately turn to Goldfaden MD’s Fresh A Peel. It packs a punch when it comes to the amount of things that it delivers. For starters, it works like a serum, but you only leave it on for 2-3 minutes before rinsing off (perfect for when we’re in a rush) and it exfoliates, brightens and increases radiance immediately. Our skin is left glowing, vibrate, smooth and ready for our makeup the next day.

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Hydrate, Plump and Brighten: YES…Everything you want in a product within one jar is what Fleuressence is to us. This magical oil does everything that is promises – hydrates, repairs and creates this incredible glow. Rich in powerful Omega fatty acids and Vitamins A, C & E, the botanical actives work to diminish the appearance of fine lines, discoloration, inflammation, and reduce pore size. Added powerful oils – Kalahari Oil, Mongongo Oil and Baobab Oil – protect and shield the skin against environmental stresses, support the rejuvenation and renewing of skin cells, improve skin elasticity and promote accelerated skin cell turnover. The best part is that the oils are all non-comeogenic so they don’t clog pores and the formula penetrates deep within the skin so there’s not a thick layer of product that sits on the surface. Perfect for oily/combination and dry skin. 

— The Day Of — 

Flawless Complexion: Looking for the ultimate flawless complexion? Giorgio Armani makes the most incredible silky-smooth, weightless and almost airbrushed look with their Luminous Silk Foundation. It’s a favorite among industries top makeup artists and we have to agree that it’s our favorite foundation on the market at the moment. 

Makeup Artist Insider Trick: Add a drop of the Fleuressence “Native Botanical Cell Oil” to your foundation for the most gorgeous luminescent glow and hydrated complexion without it being greasy, slimy or sticky.

Lashes to die for: We recently picked up Cover Girl’s new mascara, Lash Bloom, and WOW, this one does wonders to our thin and short lashes. 

Go RED: Our favorite and goto red lipstick is from Lip Stick Queen; she’s the lip whisperer of the lip stick world and the Medieval color literally looks good on ALL skin types, we promise. Plus, the super soft and hydrating texture keeps our lips plump and hydrated all day and night.

The Finale: We love RMS’s living luminizer. This naturally-based color line is one of our goto’s and their highlighting products are our favorite. They offer that dewey and youthful-glow without the sticky and shiny residue. Add it to your cheekbones, eye lids and underneath your brows to accentuate your best facial features! Glow on.

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Jump Start Your Skin This New Year With These Simple Tips

Now that the New Year is upon us, many of us look back on the past year and take account of the good and the bad, especially when it comes to overall health, including our skincare regimen and needs. In some way or another, we all set out to set New Year’s goals centered around what we’d all like to improve upon for the New Year.

The New Year is the perfect time to make personal commitments that will help improve ourselves, especially our skin! With this in mind, we wanted to outline some of the suggested New Years resolutions that we work towards to consistently keep up with keeping our skin looking its best.

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Eat Smart: Given the excess amounts of sweet fixings and the celebratory champagne we all consumed this holiday season, our bodies (especially our skin) is feeling it! Get back on track with your diet and

Drink Water: Dehydration has been shown to cause pre-mature aging especially through the enhancement of fine lines and wrinkles (think raisins!). Make sure you are taking in the recommended amount of 8 glasses of water per day. Health Ambition shares the key health benefits to drinking your daily dosage. 

Stress Free: Stress is a leading indicator for many illnesses and we all should set out each day with a goal to reduces the amount of stress in our lives. There is no magic way of doing so, but if we keep this goal top-of-mind, we can overcome much of the stress that builds up in both our personal and work lives.

Exfoliate Regularly: Ever wonder why all the red carpet celebrities are always glowing? Well, it starts with exfoliation and Dr. Goldfaden is constantly preaching this as he truly believes that a glowing, clear and radiant complexion begins with exfoliation. Plus, there’s no better way to eliminate those unwanted dull and lackluster dead skin cells, dirt and excess makeup.

Stay Hydrated: OILS, OILS, OILS! We love oils because of their versatility since you can use by itself, mix with your favorite moisturizer and even with your foundation. Oils not only work to hydrate, but most offer that glowing and radiant completion that we all lack in the dead of Winter. Plus, given the advancements of the technology being used, many oils offer huge anti-aging benefits as well. We’re loving Goldfaden MD’s newest launch (coming out in February): Fleuressnce. 

Wash Your Makeup Brushes: Bacteria just builds and builds within the brushes bristles and reinfects our makeup which leads to skin irritations and breakouts. It is uber important to regularly clean these brushes, weekly, to keep any bacteria from building and spreading.

Stay Consistent: Topical skincare products take time. We know, you want immediate results, but trust us, be patient and younger-looking and glowing skin will come. It’s important to stay consistent with the recommended application of the products you’re using (AM + PM). Treatment products typically take anywhere between 2-5 weeks to show results.

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