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Apr 3, 2013

Spring Cleaning for Your Skin





Spring is here at last. Temperatures are rising, the sun is shining, and while milder weather is good news, your skin will still need plenty of TLC to recover from its winter woes before it gets that summer-sweet glow.



Harsh winds and low humidity coupled with too much time indoors under artificial heat may have left your skin dry, rough, chapped and scaly. And we’re not just talking about facial skin — elbows, hands, knees and feet take a beating during the blistery winter months. The first challenge is helping your skin recover from what it’s been through, and the next is prepping for the warmer, sunnier days that lie ahead.



STEP 1: Be Gentle

When it comes to your skin, take a tip from doctors and focus first on “doing no harm.” Frosty temperatures may have damaged the outermost protective layer, exposing facial skin to inflammation and bacteria.



Wash your hands well before applying skincare or makeup, use a soap-free moisturizing cleanser, avoid over-scrubbing at all costs and stay away from potential irritants such fragrances, sulfates and petroleum ingredients like mineral oil.



STEP 2: Restore Moisture

After a long, cold winter, the best place to start for smooth, supple, healthy skin is a head-to-toe moisture treatment. Make sure every product you use on your face delivers hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which is found in every Rx for Brown Skin EssentialHydration Moisturizing Cream. Hyaluronic acid is a natural humectant, a substance that draws water to the epidermal surface and holds it there to help repair and rebuild your skin’s outer layer. Avoid products that contain alcohol!



STEP 3: Exfoliate Away Dead Cells

Next, you’ll want to slough off dead and dry skin cells with a gentle exfoliator. This will help relieve the dry, flaky complexion you see at the start of spring. Take it slowly at first, exfoliating a few time a week to assess how your skin adapts, then increase frequency.



Your best bet are products that contain gentle exfoliating ingredients like beta-hydroxy acids and glycolic acid. For example, Rx for Brown Skin Absolute Radiance IntensiveExfoliating Serum contains MFA Complex, a blend of natural fruit extracts that encourages cell turnover without stripping skin of moisture.



STEP 4: Protect Against Sun Damage

Warmer weather and longer days means more time in the sun. You should be applying sunscreen with an SPF of 15 every day, preferably several times a day. Stick with products that also contain emollients to help rehydrate weather-worn skin, like Rx for Brown Skin AgeBlock UV Shield SPF 15, which is packed with moisturizers and soothing botanicals.




Mar 27, 2013

Chew on This: 7 Skin-Friendly Foods




If you want a smoother, clearer complexion, what you put on your plate matters as much as the products you put on your skin. Your skin is a reflection of your overall health. If you eat a healthy diet, it shows.




Nutrient-dense foods keep skin firm and make it glow. So if its smooth, balanced, radiant skin you crave, toss these items into your shopping cart on your next trip to the grocery store:



1. Green Tea (unsweetened)

Packed with in antioxidants and phytonutrients that fight pigmentation issues related to sun damage, green tea also has strong anti-inflammatory properties due to its high concentration of catechin compounds.



2. Green Leafy Veggies

Foods like kale and spinach make delish salads and they’re also great for your skin. That’s because they are high in vitamins and minerals that act as antioxidants, which keep skin calls healthy.



3. Green Beans
As long as we’re going green, let’s talk about green beans. These low-cal veggies are one of the richest sources of silicon (not to be confused with silicone), a substance that helps grow thicker hair and nails.



4. Salmon

If you’re concerned with redness, swelling, blotchiness, acne breakouts, make salmon your new best friend. It’s a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids, which add radiance and softness to your complexion, unclog pores and reduce inflammation that can cause puffy eyes. Opt for wild salmon over farm raised.



5. Snapper

Another amazing seafood for gorgeous skin, snapper is packed with Selenium, which helps promote even skin tone.



6. Walnuts & Almonds
If you don’t like salmon, you can get omega-3 fatty acids from walnuts and almonds — just crush some up and toss them on your spinach salads for a super skin-saving super meal! Plus, plant-based omega-3s, like the ones found in nuts, help seal moisture into your skin and protect it from chemicals and other toxins.



7. Yogurt
Yogurt is a natural probiotic, meaning it helps replenish the “good” bacteria in your body that keep yeast in check. What does that have to do with a great complexion? Well, controlling yeast is a key to minimizing problems like acne breakouts and eczema.

Mar 20, 2013

Moroccan Mineral Clay: An Ancient Secret for Beautiful Skin






In ancient times, Romans and Egyptians mined the earth beneath Morocco’s Atlas Mountains. It wasn’t gold or silver they sought, but the soil itself. They had discovered that Moroccan Lava Clay was rich in purifying minerals that made their skin look beautiful.  

Today, Moroccan Mineral Clay is used in skin treatments at upscale spas worldwide by women seeking skin that’s radiant, smooth and even toned. But you can find it closer to home, and much more affordably, in our Skin Purifying Moroccan Mineral Mask. 

Thanks to large quantities of minerals like silica, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium and sodium, Moroccan Lava Clay is unsurpassed at helping to nourish and detoxify skin, normalize surface oils, reduce dryness, improve skin clarity and elasticity. The minerals literally draw impurities from the skin while helping to unclog pores. The result is a major improvement in the tone, clarity and texture of your skin.

In addition to Moroccan Lava Clay, our Skin Purifying Moroccan Mineral Mask also contains Pomegranate to brighten skin, glycolic acid to exfoliate, antioxidant-rich Green Tea and an ultra-hydrating blend of Pacific red seaweed and Hyaluronic Acid. It’s fragrance free, alcohol free and lanolin free, making it ideal for acne-prone or sensitive skin. To learn more, click here.