Skincare is, or should be, an important part of every woman’s life. While some might argue that investing in products and procedures is superficial or frivolous, taking care of your skin is central to your well-being. Our skin is not only an important organ, it is our largest organ. In this section of Beauty & Style, we’ll provide you with information that will help you keep your skin looking great at any age.
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FEED YOUR FACE: 10 FOODS FOR BETTER SKIN
Your thighs shouldn’t be your only worry as you rip open that package of Cheetos. There’s a larger body part you should be concerned about: your skin. You can’t just shove junk food in your face and expect to have smooth, supple skin. But swap those cheese puffs for a cup of cottage cheese and you just might get glowing results. Read on for 10 yummy foods that’ll fill your belly AND nourish your skin.
You can't always judge a book by it's cover, but when it comes to your health, what shows on the outside is a reflection of what’s on the inside. A dull, dry complexion is a blinking neon sign that you’re not eating right. Lucky for you, you can put your best face forward with a better diet.
Face Food #1: Avocados
You had to know we couldn’t talk about face foods without mentioning avocados. This creamy, green fruit is abundant in essential oils and B-complex vitamins that nourish your skin, inside and out.
Niacin (vitamin B3) is especially important for healthy skin, and is found in abundance in avocados. As an anti-inflammatory, niacin soothes irritated skin and can calm red, blotchy skin. One avocado has 3.8 mg niacin – 27% of your daily need.
Blend half an avocado with yogurt and frozen berries to make a tasty morning smoothie. The creamy, nutty flavor will make you seriously re-think using bananas as a thickener. Keep reading for a great avocado face mask recipe that will solve your dry skin problems instantly.
Face Food #2: Mangoes
Mangoes have more than 80% of your daily requirements for vitamin A, which is why they’re such a great face food. Vitamin A maintains and repairs skin cells; a deficiency will result in a dry, flaky complexion. As an antioxidant, vitamin A also fights free radical damage that can prematurely age the skin. And with fewer than 70 calories per serving, this succulent fruit is the perfect pick for your figure, not just your face.
Face Food #3: Almonds
Not only is it a gorgeous shape for your eyes, almonds are also great for your complexion. With 150% of your daily need for vitamin E, it’s no wonder that getting a bit nutty is good for you.
Vitamin E's rich oils moisturize dry skin, while its antioxidants protect against skin damage and premature aging of facial tissue.
Face Food #4: Cottage Cheese
Dairy isn’t just good for your bones, it’s great for your face, too. But it’s the selenium in cottage cheese, not the calcium, that has us really going wild for these creamy curds.
Selenium, an essential mineral, teams up with vitamin E as a powerful free radical-fighting antioxidant duo. Plus, it’s been touted to protect against skin cancer and even fight dandruff.
Face Food #5: Acerola Cherries
Your average cherry doesn’t supply a significant amount of vitamin C, but don’t tell that to this particular fruit.
One single Acerola cherry supplies 100% of your daily allowance for vitamin C, which is great news for your skin. As an antioxidant, vitamin C fights skin damage and wrinkles. It also plays a central role in the production of collagen, the structural protein in your skin.
Face Food #6: Oysters
Whether they’re an aphrodisiac or not, oysters are certainly in love with your skin. As a rich source of zinc, oysters may help fight acne. Since zinc plays a role in sebum production, a deficiency may contribute to acne problems.
Zinc not only helps clear up acne, it can also help boost elastin (the skin's elastic protein) production with the help of vitamin C.
Face Food #7: Baked Potatoes
Unlike greasy French fries, a plump, steaming baked potato is actually good for your skin.
One baked potato eaten with the skin supplies 75% of your daily need for copper. This essential mineral works hand-in-hand with vitamin C and zinc to produce the elastin fibers that support skin structure. Too little copper in your diet can reduce your skin’s ability to heal and cause it to become rigid and lifeless.
Face Food #8: Mushrooms
This fungi isn’t just for shish kebabs and stir fries; it’s also rich in riboflavin, a B vitamin that’s vital to your skin. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is involved in tissue maintenance and repair, but actually goes beyond basic skin care to improve skin blemishes caused by rosacea. This vitamin is so important for skin repair that the body will use up large amounts after sustaining a burn or wound, or undergoing surgery.
Face Food #9: Flaxseed Oil
It’s no secret that Omega 3s are great for your skin, but did you know that flaxseed oil is one of the best sources of this essential fatty acid? That’s great news if you’re not a fish-lover.
Just one teaspoon of flaxseed oil per day provides 2.5 grams of Omega 3s, which in turn hydrate the skin. Essential fatty acids also dilute sebum and unclog pores that can otherwise lead to acne.
Face Food #10: Wheat Germ
Don’t let the “germ” scare you – it’s actually just the embryo within a grain of wheat, and it’s very nutritious. Wheat germ is a good source of biotin, a B vitamin that is crucial to skin health. Biotin is so important to healthy skin that a mild deficiency can actually cause dermatitis, a skin condition characterized by itchy, scaly skin. Sprinkle wheat germ on yogurt for a tasty way to get more biotin in your diet.
Slather It On!
Don't just eat these foods to nourish healthier skin from the inside out! Some make for great facial masks, too.
Try this avocado mask to instantly moisturize your skin:
1. Mash one whole avocado
2. Add 1 tsp flaxseed oil and 1 tsp honey
3. Mix together until smooth and creamy
4. Apply to face and let sit for 15-20 minutes
5. Rinse clean with warm water
Take care of your skin by eating right and having fun with your food. Drink plenty of water and exercise daily to flush out toxins.
And don’t put toxins right back in your body! Smoking damages healthy skin and makes it more prone to wrinkles and an ashen, gray color – not a pretty picture.
Finally, always wear sunscreen, especially on your face, whether it’s clearly sunny out, or cloudy and gray. Buy a face moisturizer that contains an SPF of at least 15 to protect your face. Or, wear a hat that provides shade.
SKIN TREATMENTS WITHOUT SURGERY
Do you want the benefits of a facelift without going under the knife? We’ve provided overviews of some of the top non-surgical procedures to keep your skin looking its very best.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN HOMEMADE FACIAL MASKS
Whether you go to a professional or do it at home, it is important to take care of your skin as well as take time out to relax and be pampered once in a while. Professional spas, such as
Reflexion Medical Spa, specialize in everything from Skin Tightners and Dermal Fillers to Laser Peels and Customized Facials. If professional facials are out of the question, there are a variety of amazing homemade facial masks for every skin type using many of the ingredients that can be found in your kitchen. So, reserve some time for yourself and get your skin glowing with these simple homemade facial mask recipes.
THE SIX STEPS TO A SPA-WORTHY FACIAL
According to Womentodaymagazine.com, creating your own homemade facial is easy and can be done in three basic steps: cleanse, tone and moisturize. There are additional steps you can add, including steaming, exfoliating and masking.
1. Steam treatments open pores and prepare the face for cleansing. To achieve this, soak a soft towel in a bowl of warm herbal tea, wring it out, place it over your face and relax until it cools.
2. Cleanse face with a gentle homemade cleanser using a circular motion with the fingertips to stimulate skin and help remove excess oil. A great cleanser you can make at home is Rose Cream Cleanser, using 1 tbsp sour cream, 1 tsp rose hydrosol and 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil. Another option is a warmed mixture of 1 -2 tbsp whole milk and several drops of olive oil, which is great for cleaning and soothing dry skin. Milk gently removes dirt and makeup while olive oil acts as a great moisturizer. Once the cleanser has been thoroughly massaged into the skin, remove with warm water.
3. Toning the skin is an often overlooked, but necessary step to help balance the pH of the skin, remove cleanser residue and refresh the skin. According to Washingtonpost.com, an excellent toner for most skin types comprises one part witch hazel with two parts rose or orange-blossom water. Witch hazel is an antiseptic with properties that banish blemishes without causing skin to become dry or flaky, while rose water stimulates circulation, and orange-blossom water helps balance the skin’s pH. Apply with a saturated soft cotton pad, avoiding the eye area, and let sit.
4. Seal in the moisture by applying the moisturizer while the skin is still damp from the toner. Mix up an Aromatic Facial Oil consisting of 3 tbsp jojoba oil, 3 tbsp rose hips seed oil, 3 drops rose essential oil, 3 drops lavender essential oil, 3 drops geranium essential oil and 2 drops palmarosa essential oil. Work the oil by rubbing your hands together to warm it up, and then apply using patting motions.
5. Once or twice a month, add a gentle exfoliation and mask to your routine to remove dead skin cells, which clog pores and make the skin look dull and patchy. For a gentle exfoliant, mix ½ cup dry oatmeal, 3 tbsp almond oil, 1tbsp finely ground sea salt and ¼ fresh mint with enough warm water to form a paste.
Dampen skin, then use circular movements to apply and rinse off with warm water.
6. Now it is time to create homemade facial masks. Masks have many purposes and can be used to stimulate circulation, remove dead skin and hydrate the face.
EASY HOMEMADE FACIAL MASK RECIPES
These homemade facial masks are great for all skin types.
Homemade Clay Mask
1 ½ tsp green clay
½ tsp kaolin clay
1 ½ tbsp aloe vera gel
1 tbsp rosewater
2 drops rose essential oil
Mix the green and kaolin clays together, then add in the aloe vera gel, rosewater and oils. Refrigerate mixture for up to four weeks. Keep on face for 10-15 minutes. Follow with cleansing and a thin layer of moisturizer.
Another option is a yogurt mask that can be used for all skin types:
1 tbsp natural yogurt, room temperature (not low-fat or nonfat), 1 tsp honey (microwave for a few minutes to soften hardened honey)
Combine ingredients, then apply to face. Let sit for 15 minutes and wash off with a steaming washcloth. For dry skin, use an extra tsp of honey. If you have oily skin, add a few drops of fresh lime juice.
For especially sensitive skin, whip up this concoction and apply to skin for 10-15 minutes:
1 cup natural yogurt, ½ cup oatmeal
Wash off mask with a washcloth steamed in the microwave.
Homemade Facial Masks for Acne-Prone Skin
This banana mask recipe from About.com is great for healing acne-prone skin:
1 banana
1 tbsp honey
Orange or lemon
Mix the banana and honey together and add a few drops of juice from the orange or lemon. Apply to face for 15 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water.
Homemade Facial Masks for Oily Skin
Those who have oily skin should use a facial mask at least twice a month. The strawberry juice in the following mask contains natural astringents:
4 strawberries
1 tsp plain yogurt
Mash the strawberries, add the yogurt and stir. Apply to the face and let it sit for 10 minutes. Follow by rinsing with warm water.
Cucumber and Yogurt Mask
½ cucumber
1 tbsp plain yogurt
Clean and peel the cucumber, then put in blender. Add the yogurt and blend until smooth. Apply to face, let sit for 10 minutes, then remove with warm water.
Yeast Facial Mask, from SkinCareRecipesandRemedies.com:
1tbsp active yeast
1 fresh lemon squeeze
1 ½ tbsp yogurt
Mix ingredients together, forming a paste. Apply to face, leave on until dry, scrub to remove mask, then rinse face with warm water.
Homemade Facial Masks for Combination Skin
According to About.com, the Rose Mask balances out both oily and dry areas of the skin:
Optional: 6 fresh rose petals
2 tbsp rosewater
1 tbsp natural yogurt
1 tbsp runny honey
Soak rose petals, then crush them in a bowl. Add the rosewater, yogurt and honey. Mix well and apply to the skin. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse.
Homemade Facial Masks for Dry Skin
Avocado Face Mask
½ avocado
Optional: ¼ honey
A classic recipe for dry skin, as avocado is a natural moisturizer. Mash the avocado, stir in honey and apply to skin. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse face with cool water.
Indulge
Indulge and refresh a tired complexion with this chocolate facial mask from iVillage.com:
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3 tbsp heavy cream
2 tsp cottage cheese
3 tsp avocado
1/2 cup honey
3 tsp oatmeal powder
Mix the ingredients together, smooth onto face and let sit for 10 minutes. Rinse the mask off with warm water and, perhaps, snack on the extras.