Make the most of moisturizer

Today is my birthday!! Woohoo....Yes, my husband and I have a birthday one day apart. So, as I get older, I obsess about my skin and am constantly reading about it. 

Here's one thing I bet you didn't know about moisturizers: They protect skin against free-radical damage. Dehydration leads to oxidative stress, which generates free radicals. Without moisture, your skin isn't able to repair itself and suffers even more damage. You just have to use the right product. Cholesterol, ceramides, essential fatty acids, and niacinamide are among the best ingredients-they improve skin's protective moisture barrier. Try CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion or Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream.

Acne Face Mask DIY

Women in the northeast African nation of Eritrea often apply a facial mask of avocado, egg yolks, and honey to beat blemishes. This mix works because eggs are rich in vitamin A, or retinol, which helps heal skin. Honey helps kill bacteria cells by dehydrating them, and avocado moisturizes skin.

Be mindful of which part of the egg you use. Use egg whites only on oily skin; they act as an astringent. Use the yolk - high in fats and other helpful compounds - if you have dry skin. Use only pasteurized eggs in this mixture to eliminate the risk of salmonella. To make, mash and mix one avocado, the egg part suited to your needs, and about one tablespoon honey. Then apply to your face and leave on for 5 - 10 minutes. Add this remedy to your weekly skin care routine, or when you feel an outbreak coming on.

New hope for damaged skin Health

If, like a lot of people, you spent too much time in the sun as a child, you may want to try photodynamic therapy (PDT). The newly FDA-approved treatment is said to erase sun damage - and even prevent skin cancers from forming. First, your derm will apply a solution to your face that targets precancerous cells, then she'll use a light source to destroy them.  Bonus: Your insurance may cover it! Go to aad.org for more info.

Reclaim your fresh, youthful radiance

Do you need something to give your skin glow! 

High school may be long over, but you can help skin act the way it did back then by sloughing off dull surface cells to uncover smoother, more resilient skin underneath.  Try a microdermabrasion cream such as Estee Lauder Idealist Micro-D ($46). Unlike with a peel, results are instant. Use light pressure; the granulated texture does all the work.

To make extra sure you'll be carded for that mimosa over brunch, complement bright skin with an even tone: Blotchy pigmentation can add up to 12 years to your perceived age!!!  Tinted moisturizer, such as light-reflecting Olay Definity Color Recapture, $25, camouflages imperfections but appears natural. Apply a sheer coat of regular lotion first so tint won't soak into dry spots, causing splotches. Wear the tint daily; repeat the exfoliation each weekend.

Dazzling-Duo Organic Facial

1 1/2 cups water
2 chamomile teabags
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup honey
squeeze of lemon juice
1/4 cup dry oatmeal (not the instant kind)
unscented paper towels


Step 1
1. Boil 1 cup of the water and pour it into a wide bowl. Add the teabags and allow to steep for 10 minutes.
2. Pour the yogurt, honey, and lemon juice into another bowl, mixing thoroughly. Set aside.
3. In a third bowl, mix the oatmeal with 1/2 cup cool or lukewarm water.
4. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry. Then use your fingers to gently massage the oatmeal mixture over your face, using a circular motion.
5. Leave the mixture on your skin for 5 minutes, then rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

Step 2
1. Smooth on an even layer of the honey-yogurt mask.
2. Dip 5 to 8 paper towels, one by one, into the tea. Wring gently, and place each one over a different area of your face to create the mummy effect. Leave your mouth and nostrils free so you can still breath easily. (Hint: It helps if you're lying down, so the tissues stay in place.)
3. Relax for 15 minutes, then rinse your face again using cool water to seal in the moisture and close your bores against bacteria.


* LEMON FRESH - A natural exfoliant and antioxidant, citric acid is used in many cosmetics to brighten the skin and discourage bacteria. For a quick boost that helps control oil, apply a teaspoon of lemon juice to clean skin. Leave on for 5 minutes, then rinse well with warm water.

* CARROT CURE - If your skin has broken out, skip the oatmeal scrub and try this healing alternative: Finely grate one medium carrot in the blender, and smooth it over your skin. Rinse and follow with the honey-yogurt mask. Carrots are rich in vitamin A, a powerful antiseptic that fights acne. Take that!

Apple-Oatmeal Scrub

Apples are the perfect beauty fruit for all skin types. The apple's juice tightens pores, while its pectin soothes the skin. The exfoliating action of oatmeal and cornmeal in this scrub removes dead skin and improves blood circulation, revealing newer, livelier skin. Store in a glass or plastic container in the refrigerator.

2 tablespoons rolled oats
1 1/2 teaspoons cornmeal
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 medium apple, peeled, cored, and cut into chunks

In a bowl, mix oats, cornmeal, and honey into a paste using a fork. In blender or food processor, combine paste and apple and pulse until smooth. Apply mixture generously to face and gently scrub in circular motion. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

Get glowing, younger skin

with a $2. avocado facial!

What you'll need
1/2 avocado
2 Tbsp sour cream

1. Mash both ingredients together until creamy
2. Smooth over freshly cleansed skin
3. Relax for 15 - 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and moisturize as usual.

Why it works: The lactic acid in the sour cream lightly exfoliates dead skin cells, which allows the avocado's moisturizing oils to really penetrate deeply.


How long will it keep: One day. Avocado turns brown quickly. Store in the fridge if preparing before use; cover with plastic wrap.

5 Reasons you (probably) don't use a Retinoid...and why you should consider it

1 - You have no idea what a retinoid is. The term describes vitamin A derivatives that unclog pores, boost collagen to reduce fine lines, and speed cell turnover to even out discoloration and smooth the skin - sometimes in as little as four weeks. There are three prescription-strength retinoids: Tretinoin (brands include Retin-A, Renova), Tazarotene (Avage, Tazorac), and Adapalene (Differin).

2. You don't want to go to the dermatologist. While prescription formulas yield the most impressive results, an over-the-counter retinoid, called retinol, can also improve lines and discoloration. Retinol is less potent, so count on 12 weeks before seeing results.

3. You think a retinoid will make your skin sun-sensitive. This is one of the biggest retinoid myths. The ingredient itself is sensitive to sunlight, which is why you should apply it before bed at night. A retinoid shouldn't make your skin any more vulnerable to UV rays than it would be after buffing away dead skin with a face scrub. Summer is actually a good time to start a retinoid: Humidity makes your skin less likely to dry out as it adjusts. Of course, apply sunscreen as diligently as you always do.

4. You're afraid your skin will look worse before it gets better. Retinoids can cause dryness, redness, and flaking - but if you ease in, you can avoid a rough transition. For the first two weeks, apply every third night. If your skin isn't irritated, ramp up to every other, then every night. A few other irritation-mitigating guidelines: Wait 15 minutes after washing your face before you apply a retinoid, and use one pea-size dab to cover your whole face. After a few minutes, apply a basic moisturizer to prevent dryness.

5. You think you can't afford it. Insurance coverage of a prescription retinoid, like Retin-A, varies by plan, and a 20-gram tube will cost about $75. But generic tretinoin costs about $40 - not bad for a product guaranteed to work.

Caveat emptor

• Don't use a retinoid if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Benzoyl peroxide and alpha hydroxy acids may deactivate retinoids, so don't layer them.
• Waxing can cause excess redness on retinoid-treated skin; don't use a retinoid for several days before a treatment.
• A small percentage of people with ultrasensitive skin can never tolerate a retinoid; if you're one of them, use a gentle physical exfoliator twice a week to soften your skin, and be extra=conscientious about sunscreen to prevent collagen loss in the first place.

Clear and brighten your complexion

with a $1. strawberry facial! 

You can get strawberries right now for CHEAP! They're good to eat and they're great for your face.

What you'll need
4 fresh strawberries
1 Tbsp honey
1 egg white

1. Puree ingredients in a blender until smooth
2. Apply to freshly cleansed skin and relax for 20 minutes.
3. Rinse with cool water.

Why it works: Strawberries have salicylic acid in them, the same pore-cleansing ingredient found in acne treatments. But the salicylic acid in strawberries is gentler, so your skin won't feel dry. Honey also kills blemish-causing bacteria, while egg whites are natural astringents that dry excess oils for a clear complexion.


How long will it keep: One day. Raw eggs are highly perishable. Store in fridge if preparing hours before use.

Pamper your feet with a $2 lemon-pineapple treatment

What you'll need

2 qts warm water
1/2 lemon
2 tbsp sea or kosher salt
1 qt pineapple juice

1. Fill a basin with the warm water and get your feet wet.
2. Dip the lemon half into the salt; gently rum the salted lemon over dry patches on your feet.
3. Place your freshly scrubbed feet into the basin of water and slowly pour the pineapple juice over them; soak feet for 10-15 minutes. Pat dry and misturize.


Why it works

The lemon's acids and the coarse salt grains work together to remove any calloused skin, and warm water infused with bromelain - a skin-softening enzyme found only in pineapple - makes your feet soft!