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| Beautiful Eyes |
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Beautiful skin care starts with what people notice first. Eyes are what others notice immediately; so start your skin care program eye-to-eye!
Here are four major skin care issues related to eye care, work them successfully and look 20 years younger.
Dark Circles
Check the color of your circles. If they’re blue or gray, allergies or pooling blood may be to blame. Receive the firming, moisturizing, and corrective benefits (including the reduction in appearance of dark circles) of just released DNA Repair Creme, found at www.ihdistribution.com.
Undereye Puffiness
To beat those bags, diagnose the cause: If you’re puffy only upon awakening, fluid retention is the likely cause; sleeping on two pillows can prevent liquids from pooling. Been using a new face cream or rubbing your eyes? These can cause swelling. A gel that contains a blood-vessel constrictor, like witch hazel, and an anti-inflammatory, like chamomile extract, can temporarily reduce irritation. Or make a home remedy: Mix one drop each of witch hazel, brewed chamomile tea, and over-the-counter cortisone lotion. If you’ve got time, lay a cucumber slice on top to help the paste penetrate better. If puff is always present, try IH Distribution’s DNA Repair Creme to reduce puffiness and repair the delicate tissue around the eye.
Crow’s Feet
When you smile, your eyes pay a price – the muscles around them contract, and a little elasticity is lost. Combine that with sun exposure and, in about 30 years, you’ve got crow’s feet. DNA Repair Crème, found at www.ihdistribution.com, is effective to repair fine lines and wrinkles around the eye. The products are natural and botanical-based.
Drooping
Most firming creams have little, if any, effect on sagginess – so this is a job for cosmetics, strategically applied to define and visually “lift” the eyes. First choose a shadow palette:
Apply the midtone from lashline to crease. This adds soft shading to your lids.
To draw attention to the highest part of your arch, dust the light, shimmery color along browbone, starting from middle of brow and blending outward.
Sweep the darkest color over your crease, blending into the midtone, then toward the inner corner of your brow. (This softens the harshness of using the dark tone alone.)
Line your upper lashes with the darkest shade, intensifying the color and slightly flaring it up at the outer edge. Finish off with a curling mascara to open up your eyes.
You can find a vast assortment of eye shadow colors produced from cucumber and aloe extracts that are designed to soothe and moisturize lids.
Eye Color Hints – Big Impact!
Enhance your eye hue with a single contrasting shadow shade. For blue or icy green eyes, choose a warm, yellow-based hue; for brown or olive-y eyes, opt for a cool, red-based shadow.
Perk up dull eyes. Irises lose pigment as you age, but brightening your hair helps compensate, says Boston colorist Michael Perry. To achieve, use a shine-enhancing shampoo (try IH Distribution’s Self-Adjusting Shampoo & Conditioner).
Neutralize blue or gray circles with a yellow-based concealer. Cover-ups with a drier consistency often have more pigment.
Offset bloodshot eyes. Blue liner works, but it can look unnatural. Better: Glide a neutral eyeliner (brown or black) along upper lashlines, then apply a blue liner on top; blend.
Groom ragged brows: They can accentuate droop. For quick cleanup, use a colored brow wand to thicken and add arch.
Control Tips
How you live affects your eyes. So to keep yours looking good, consider changing some daily habits.
Perfume. If your eyes are sensitive, fragrance can make them red. To diminish this effect without giving up scent, avoid classic spots - like behind your ears – that are too close to your eyes.
Diet. On a low carb. plan? It’s dehydrating (to metabolize the extra protein, your body uses more water) – and your eyes may show it. Compensate by drinking ten glasses of water each day, two more than what’s usually recommended.
Prescriptions. High blood pressure medicines and antihistamines for allergies can dry your eyes. Rehydrate with drops sans preservatives (they can be irritating) and, if you wear contacts, a moisturizing cleaning solution.
Exercise. When sweat drips into your eyes, so do dirt and oils and rubbing your eyes with your fingers can start an infection. Instead dab sweat with a towel and try to wear a sweatband.
This article is brought to you by IH Distribution, LLC.
Bringing you health, anti-aging and skin care products from around the world.
Shop online: www.ihdistribution.com & www.ihd.myarbonne.com or contact us: sales@ihdistribution.com
Please share the content of these articles with your friends, family and colleagues. Reprint rights granted. All reprints, must include a link to www.ihdistribution.com. Content may not be altered and articles must be used as distributed by IH Distribution, LLC
Copyright © IH Distribution LLC 2004 |
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| BEAUTIFUL SKIN |
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| Topic |
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Health
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Women |
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Skin is one of the first parts of the body to show problems from toxins. The body essentially sees the skin as not as essential as other key organs like the heart and lungs. The body, unfortunately, diverts nutrients from the skin to the key organs to keep them as healthy as possible. This fact is problematic for the look and texture of our skin because the skin relies totally on nutrients for its health --- which is a mirror for how our skin appears. Toxins attack nutrient stores and when sufficient quantities are not available for the entire body, the skin suffers.
Major causes of toxins which should be reduced or eliminated to preserve healthy, natural reserves of nutrients are the following:
1. SMOKING
Probably the worst toxin for healthy skin is smoking, because it severely constricts blood vessels that cause smokers to have a discolored complexion. The nutrients can only be delivered to the skin with a healthy delivery system, which is compromised by smoking because it constricts circulation, cutting off an adequate supply of the nutrients and oxygen needed. It’s been conclusively shown that smokers in their 40’s have the same amount of wrinkles as non-smokers who are 20 years older. The Nagoya City University Medical School in Japan has demonstrated smoking increases levels in the body of an enzyme that acts to break down collagen – which is the fiber that keeps the skin firm.
2. ALCOHOL
Another toxin that causes major problems with healthy skin is alcohol in that it actually alters the shape of red blood cells that reduce the amount of oxygen traveling through the system. It, like smoking, increases an enzyme that attacks collagen and, particularly, the elasticity of our skin.
3. STRESS
Unique hormones are driven by high stress levels that wipe-out the B vitamins circulatory systems need to create healthy red blood cells. Stress drives dull looking skin because of the lack of adequate vitamin B.
4. SUNLIGHT
The real toxic enemy when it comes to our skin is the sun. Dermatologists have presented a position that if we didn’t expose our skin to the sun, wrinkles would not appear naturally until the 60’s. The problem with sunlight is it allows high levels of free radicals to be formed in the skin that attack the collagen and elastic fibers. Too much sunlight over time thickens the upper layers of the skin, which create a dull, shallow appearance.
Detoxing your skin (and hair) against the four above issues is a matter of significantly reducing or actually eliminating these toxins. If it is difficult or improbable that they can be significantly reduced, steps can be taken to augment nutritional stores and use all-natural premium skin care products to overcome the affect of toxins. A good multi-vitamin tablet, such as Complete Essentials for Women, can be obtained from IH Distribution LLC and should be augmented with Defense Builder Antioxidant. If oily skin is present, an oil-free cleanser, such as
Bio-Matte, is invaluable. Balm mint, ivy, lavender, and mallow provide soothing anti-inflammatory action and actually condition the skin on contact. If toxins are constantly present, a product such as Rejuvenating Cream, also available from IH Distribution LLC, will create a healthier, younger appearance with a proprietary blend of vitamin E and naturally occurring amino acids. The unique combination of botanicals softens the look of lines and repairs and returns the skin to a normal, moisture-rich state. A good masque, such as the unique
Thermal Fusion Enzyme Masque, improves skin texture, clarity, and firmness. It’s a natural, safe non-abrasive alternative to a harsh chemical peel. It gets beneath the surface of the skin to clean and exfoliate without harming healthy cells.
A free skin consultation can be had by E-mailing IH Distribution LLC at sales@ihdistribution.com.
© IH Distribution LLC, 2004
Please share the content of these articles with your friends, family and colleagues. Reprint rights granted. All reprints, must include a link to www.ihdistribution.com. Content may not be altered and articles must be used as distributed by IH Distribution LLC
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| Beautiful Skin 101 |
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Most women shy away from being called “too sensitive.” But when the subject is skin, they’re all too willing to wear the scarlet S. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, at least 40% of women believe they have sensitive skin, although most dermatologists report that only a fraction really do. Sensitivity – defined as skin that’s prone to irritation from products, weather, or stress – is a real (albeit misunderstood) condition. It’s not the same as an allergy. It means you have a lower tolerance for irritating ingredients, such as fragrances and dyes. The evil twist here is that the more skin reacts, the more sensitive it becomes. Imagine normal skin having a natural barrier like Saran Wrap. People with sensitive skin have a disrupted barrier all the time. But by identifying what disrupts that barrier and protecting it with the right moisturizer, you can develop a thicker skin.
Read Labels – Before applying creams, lotions, or makeup, read the ingredients list. The fewer ingredients on the label, the better. All products and formulas should be free of fragrance, dye, and isopropyl alcohol (commonly known as rubbing alcohol). And beware of botanical ingredients and oils. Test each new product on the side of your neck for a few days before using it on your face.
Cleanse – Wash you face with a milky, non-foaming liquid cleanser or a soap-free bar. Do not use a washcloth or any rough scrubber, which can be too abrasive for sensitive skin. Rinse face well by splashing with lukewarm water and pat with a soft towel, leaving skin slightly damp. There is no need to use a toner, which generally contains drying and irritating isopropyl alcohol.
Moisturize – Dab moisturizer onto damp skin in the morning and night. Look for one that contains ceramides, fatty acids, or cholesterol, all of which help form a protective barrier against irritation. In the morning, when the moisturizer is absorbed, apply a sunscreen (with an SPF 15 or higher). It should also contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are least likely to cause reactions.
Cheat Sheet
Choose the right products. “Allergy-tested” means it doesn’t have ingredients that cause common reactions. “Noncomedogenic” means it won’t clog pores.
Read labels. Not everyone with sensitive skin is troubled by the same thing, but the most common irritants, in order, include fragrance, isopropyl alcohol, dyes, PABA, lanolin, sorbic acid, formaldehyde, and benzoic acid.
Don’t assume that natural products are safe. Some botanicals (rosemary, sandalwood, arnica) and essential oils (jojoba, tea tree, lavender) may irritate.
Test samples on the neck for several days. If they don’t irritate you, they’ll probably be fine for your face.
Don’t try an arsenal of new products at once. Similarly, if skin breaks out, stop using everything, and reintroduce products one by one.
Be as gentle as possible. Use a creamy, liquid cleanser or a soap-free bar and rinse with lukewarm water. Avoid Buf-Pufs and washcloths. Pat with a towel and leave skin slightly damp.
Moisturize with a product for sensitive skin, or one that contains fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides.
Every day, be sure to apply a PABA-free sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
Daily Basics
Wash with a milky, non-foaming liquid.
Use a soap-free formula with oatmeal that calms dry and itchy skin.
For day, use a fragrance-free moisturizer containing a non-irritating sunscreen. At night, smooth on a noncomedogenic formula that helps fortify the skin’s barrier while you sleep.
Dermatologists say that sensitive-skin sufferers are more likely to avoid using sunscreens, associating them with past reactions to PABA. Choose one that won’t aggravate skin.
It’s not just what you put on your face. Hair spray can cause breakouts along the hairline. Use an allergy-tested and keep the hair off the face whenever possible.
Extra Help
To soothe redness, dermatologists recommend using a fragrance-free treatment. A dime-size dab of an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream also relieves itching.
For dryness on the body, increase resistance to the environment with a product containing lipids, which is safe for sensitive types.
To treat blemishes, start with an irritant-free face lotion that minimizes blotches with vitamin A. Follow with a concealer that won’t aggravate acne, which does double duty by helping clear and conceal blemishes.
Dermatologists like products that get their color from iron oxides, which are less likely to cause reactions. They’re also talc-free, which means they won’t rob skin of the moisture it needs.
Tricks of the Trade
Don’t’ shower or bathe for more than 20 minutes, or you’ll dry out your skin. Use lukewarm water.
Don’t start any aggressive treatments during the winter, when skin is dryer and more sensitive because of low humidity and indoor heating. A humidifier helps skin from becoming parched.
Grainy or chemical exfoliants can cause breakouts. Excessive daily scrubbing rubs the sebaceous glands, which can clog pores. Use a clay or mud mask to slough off dead cells instead.
Facials are trouble unless they’re simple, steam-free, and employ fragrance-free products.
Avoid chemical peels and laser treatments if you’re sensitive to exfoliants and skin-lightening creams.
If acne medications irritate your skin, ask your doctor about taking oral antibiotics or birth-control pills, which can help minimize blemishes.
Keep Retin-A treatments to only once a week. Dilute the strength by mixing it with your moisturizer.
For skin that seems provoked by anything and everything, ask you dermatologist about cleansers and moisturizers that are normally prescribed for hypersensitive postsurgery and postpeel patients.
This article is brought to you by IH Distribution, LLC.
Bringing you health, anti-aging and skin care products from around the world.
Shop online: www.ihdistribution.com & www.ihd.myarbonne.com or contact us: sales@ihdistribution.com
Please share the content of these articles with your friends, family and colleagues. Reprint rights granted. All reprints, must include a link to www.ihdistribution.com. Content may not be altered and articles must be used as distributed by IH Distribution, LLC
Copyright © IH Distribution LLC 2004 |
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| Beauty Today: All Smoke and Mirrors? |
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Did you ever notice that the bar is continually being raised on exactly what physical characteristics define beauty? As I sit in front of the TV, I am bombarded by beauties with pouty lips, perfect bone structure, flawless skin, more "voluptuous" upper regions, size 2 waists, and hair that resembles spun silk. Take these same beauties and plop them back in time 20-30 years, when the advent of modern cosmetic technology had not even begun to reach its full potential. Do you think they would have had those same attributes you find yourself longing for when faced with these images? My guess is probably not, or at least not to the same extent.
True, genetics play a role in physical beauty, but with the likes of total "extreme" makeover reality TV (The Swan, Extreme Makeover, Dr. Beverly Hills) and abundant publicity, we see that beauty and cosmetic improvement can now be achieved by a few thousand dollars and a good plastic surgeon. Not only that, but cosmetics in general are now so technologically advanced, you can improve your looks by personal makeup application and home treatments.
There are now do-it-yourself cosmetic treatments such as home microdermabrasion kits, chemical peels, "botox" creams and gels, teeth whiteners, hair removal treatments, cellulite treatments, professional hair straighteners and colors, self tanners, lip enlargers, acne treatments, and the list goes on and on. Cosmetics marketers and science have joined forces to give women everything they ever wanted to be their most beautiful, and feel better about themselves. Women are benefitting by so many companies competing for a piece of these fairly new markets by lower, more competitive prices.
Not only are there new breakthroughs in the world of cosmetic science, but there are constantly new studies and discoveries in the field of nutrition, fitness, and wellness. Combine this with the new wave of technologically advanced cosmetics, supplements, and treatments, and you've got a recipe for a healthier, longer, more satisfying life for those of us who decide to take advantage of the advanced knowledge of our time.
So, does your desire to be your best and most beautiful self make you shallow, less credible, or somehow jeopardize your feminist agendas? Unless you've somehow compromised your integrity, morals, or core beliefs along the way, the answer is ABSOLUTELY NOT! As long as you are not putting yourself at high risk for physical harm, obsessing endlessly, or spending your life savings, investing time and money into your beauty ultimately is an investment in your well being, self esteem, and many times, mental and physical health. Feeling beautiful is part of what makes us women. Come on, it's just plain FUN to experiment with different looks and different products! It feels good to be noticed, and when you feel beautiful, you tend to radiate confidence and power. It is inherent in our nature to want to feel feminine and look and feel our best, and there is nothing wrong with it, as long as it is not all-consuming.
As a self-proclaimed "product junkie", I can attest that many of these newly engineered products really do work, as I have tried nearly all of them in the quest to look and feel my best. I can't wait to see what they'll come out with next, as every new product seems to top the last. Hey, women have come a long way, and we deserve to feel sexy and confident - beyond smoke and mirrors!
Resource Box:
Danna Schneider, Webmaster
Provides unbiased cosmetic product reviews and sophisticated makeup and beauty advice to women.
http://www.cosmeticsgalore.com |
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| Can We Really Get Rid of Cellulite? |
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It has been the bane of every women's existence since the dawn of time - the affliction known as cellulite. We all have it to varying degrees, and it seems to get worse as we get older in many cases. So, should we just resign ourselves to the fact that it is here to stay, or is there a way to fight and get rid of cellulite?
Thankfully, the answer is yes, we can fight cellulite, or at least the appearance of cellulite, through several therapeutic treatments that are available on the market today. It is not, however, a one-time deal. Once you stop the treatments, the cellulite will inevitably return. So, the treatment of cellulite is an ongoing commitment, and it should be incorporated as part of your daily beauty regimen for consistent and lasting reduction in it's appearance.
Some of the over-the-counter cellulite treatments actually do quite a good job of significantly reducing the appearance of cellulite (for reviews of the best products see http://www.cosmeticsgalore.com/Body.html ). In order to achieve maximum effectiveness with these products, it is imperative that you massage the affected areas vigorously for a few minutes when applying the treatment. In addition to the smoothing and tightening ingredients in the treatment, the massaging stimulates circulation and helps break the collagen bands that have constricted and resulted in the "puckered" look of the affected areas. The most effective ingredients, and what gives these products their smoothing effects, are caffeine and aminophylline. Many also add seaweed extract as well, but this is not the most effective ingredient in the product.
In addition to the cellulite creams, lotions and gels, there is a procedure called endermology that has many women reporting extraordinary results. It is actually a large mechanical pressure device that uses a technique similar to the process of a rolling pin rolling out dough to make cookies. This action kneads the problem areas with substantial pressure to break down the aforementioned collagen bands, and smooth the sponginess and puckering out for an even and toned appearance. Drawbacks are it is expensive and does require return visits for maintenance, it can be an uncomfortable and even slightly painful process, and it may result in some temporary bruising.
Another option is oral herbal or medicinal remedies for cellulite. Beware though. There have not been significant studies or proof verifying whether these products actually produce results. I cannot recommend investing in or experimenting with these newer products until substantial findings or proof are published regarding their effectiveness.
So, what else causes cellulite? This question is still the subject of scientific debate. We definitely know that it mostly affects women, so there is much speculation that the underlying cause is hormonal in nature. Many other studies suggest it is related to age, diet, genetics, and fitness/level of activity. It has been noted that strength and toning exercises, as well as steady weight maintenance will help with the appearance of cellulite. Frequent weight fluctuation, high fat diets, and even excessive carbonated beverages have been some of the suspected culprits as well.
Whatever the cause, if you want to minimize these unsightly dimples, there are options out there for you that are effective and affordable. New breakthroughs are being made every day in the field of cosmetic enhancement products, so we may soon see another product that blows them all away. It may be tomorrow, for all we know!
Danna Schneider
Webmaster, CosmeticsGalore.com
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