Stress wreaks havoc on our bodies and on our skin. When you’re stressed out, your skin may break out in painful cysts, your body may experience ailments like headaches, joint pains, stomach aches, ulcers, and numerous other disorders that are typically the cause of inflammation caused by hormonal imbalance. When we’re under stress we produce a number of hormones, like epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol. Cortisol stimulates metabolism to produce energy which in turn stimulates insulin, which then in turn results in an increased appetite. A surge of cortisol is necessary in life-or-death situations; it’s our ‘primate hormone’ that helps us function under the most extremely nerve-racking situations, but when we put our bodies under constant stress the production of cortisol is continuous and demands for us to supply the body with fuel. Chronic release of cortisol causes us to feel hungry all the time, causing us to overeat and gain excess weight.
Take measures to reduce stress in your life. Wind down with chamomile tea, take deep breaths, practice yoga. Incorporate exercise (which helps to produce endorphins- aka happy hormones). Do things that make you happy and put you at ease. Eat a balanced diet, and incorporate stress-relieving foods into your meal plan. Carbohydrates help the body to produce serotonin, a calming hormone that helps to fight anxiety (this is why we crave pasta and pizza when we’re stressing!) Give in to the craving but choose healthier alternatives (complex carbs instead of simple carbs) like oatmeal, which will provide fiber and balance your blood sugar. Antioxidant rich foods help to ward off oxidative stress and free radicals (the cause of inflammation) so to prevent aches and pains that are caused by stress incorporate plenty of veggies, fruits and nuts into your meal plan. Get plenty of essential fatty acids from omega-rich food sources like salmon, nuts, and flax. Omega 3, 6 and 9 reduce inflammation and promote healthy cardiovascular function.
Dermatitis appears in many forms- some of which can be a bit difficult to decode. Is it a rash? Hives? Simple irritation? Here is my guide to help decipher different types of dermatitis.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is also known as eczema and is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can occur anywhere on the body but is mostly predominant on the neck, inner arms, or backs of knees. Atopic dermatitis flares up occasionally and may have dormant states where it’s nearly invisible. The cause of this skin disorder is unknown but is related to stress, asthma and immune system dysfunction. Atopic dermatitis can be extremely itchy and appears red and flaky. Persons affected by this skin disorder should not use harsh soaps or cleansers, can use hydrocortisone creams to soothe the area, and use healing ointments to promote skin repair.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis is the type of dermatitis caused by an allergen. Allergens can include perfume, cosmetics, hair color, weeds such as poison oak or poison ivy, metals, rubber and other synthetics. This type of dermatitis can occur anywhere on the body, depending on the contact with the allergen. The irritation resolves in two to three weeks. Irritation can be alleviated with the use of soothing topical ointments.
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Similar to allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis is caused by synthetic irritants such as soap, detergents/fabric softeners or other synthetics. Irritant contact dermatitis is characterized by red, itchy, dry patches which bear a resemblance to a burn. This type of dermatitis resolves on its own within two to three weeks. Irritation can be alleviated with the use of soothing topical ointments.
Perioral Dermatitis
Perioral dermatitis occurs on the face and usually affects the areas around the mouth and chin. Perioral dermatitis may have a rosacea-like look and is characterized by red bumps, itchy skin, flaky skin and pus-filled bumps. To treat perioral dermatitis a gentle antibacterial wash and soothing ointment may be used. Acne medication may be used on the bumps as well. There is no known cause of perioral dermatitis but irritants such as harsh cleansers, detergents, make-up, or fluoride products may be the culprit.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
One of the most common forms of dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis occurs on oily areas of the body such as the face, upper chest, and back. It can also appear on the scalp as dandruff and in infants as cradle cap. Seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by greasy flakes, itchy skin, redness and inflammation. Seborrheic dermatitis can be treated with medicated shampoos that contain coal tar, and with anti-inflammatory topical preparations, soothing ointments and hydrocortisone cream.
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Last year I found the perfect Christmas gifts for some family members who were on my list that I hadn’t seen in years and really had no clue what to get them. I admit, I’m a huge Juara fan and I am totally on team candlenut which is one of their signature scents. It is the most sensational smell that is best described as warm, clean, slightly nutty and sweet. Simply put, candlenut is divine! So what did I gift?
The Juara Candlenut Soap Set is perfectly packaged for gifting. Everyone uses soap of some sort, but this 100% vegetable soap is scented with candlenut and packaged in an attractive gift box so it makes a wonderful gift. I also included the Juara Candlenut Hand and Body Balm because it is versatile and makes for an excellent gift for dry winter hands and body care. To top off the gifts, I included the Candlenut Body Crème, for this one, all I have to say is check out the 42 raving customer reviews and I think that you will be sold.
I find that when I travel a lot I am always looking for ways to make my travel experience feel more like home. From slippers to candles to scented lotions, I will try almost anything to comfort my well-traveled soul. I’ve recent come across a couple of items on our website that I’ve found so inviting and TSA friendly.
The Sundari Neem and Eucalyptus Cooling Scalp Oil is just 3.4oz of sooth in a bottle! Apply or better yet massage onto your scalp for 15-20 minutes and you are immediately calmed with the smell of Eucalyptus while the oil cools your scalp and increases circulation. The ingredient coconut oil and safflower oil strengthen your hair while the eucalyptus stimulates your scalp and works as an anti-inflammatory. Rinse if you wish or leave on until you are ready to wash it away.
The ARCONA Eye Dew is 0.3oz of eye care perfectly designed to be travel friendly. This goodie hydrates travel tired eyes and contains Blueberry extract and Vitamin E to help heal and sooth your skin. Just dab a little around the orbital bone of your eye and you are ready to start your day.
The Jane Iredale Forever Pink Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain is an excellent multi-tasker that provides natural looking all-day color for your lips and cheeks. I love this item because you can throw it in your purse along with your favorite mascara and a little tinted moisturizer and you will have a nice light “day look” perfectly matched for carefree travel friendly sort of day!
Finally, the perfect tinted moisturizer is the Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF 30, I love the Sun Kissed Neutral but it comes in other colors to match your needs. This multi-tasker provides hydration and anti-aging benefits all in one. It’s not heavy so you don’t get the sticky yucky travel face and it leaves a really nice matte finish that stays put all day.
I like travel days to be easy, hassle free, and simply put…not complicated so all of these are my travel “go to” favorites.
What’s in your travel bag this holiday season?
Remember to enter into the SkinStore.com Giveaway!!! See our Facebook page for details!
When someone thinks of dull, dry, pigmented skin they usually want to gravitate to a cream to fix these common ailments. And it’s only natural, since moisturizing creams have been around for hundreds of years. Exfoliation, on another hand, has become a really hot buzz world as of about five years ago. Any aesthetician knows that if you are looking to make your skin look brighter, smoother, more even toned, and less pigmented and lined then you should exfoliate.
Sloughing off dead skin cells will induce faster skin cell regeneration, and manual exfoliation by way of microdermabrasion will increase blood flow, in turn inducing collagen production and skin-repairing action.
The Personal Microderm Tool is an amazing new device that uses gritty disk attachments and vacuum suction to remove a thin layer of dead skin cells. This easy to use device is safe and comfortable for at-home use, so you don’t have to wait at the doctor’s office or shell out the big bucks to get professional microdermabrasion results.
After your first PMD session you’ll notice that your skin looks brighter, more even toned, and much smoother. You will also notice that expression lines and enlarged pores are much less visible. Pigmentation and skin discoloration will also be less noticeable, and with continued use sun spots and freckles will become lighter and less prominent. All of those expensive products that you buy will also work better, because they’ll soak in quicker and much deeper post-exfoliation. If you have acne or mild burn scars the PMD will also lessen their appearance, depth, and severity. Sounds FABULOUS? Hint Hint: Giveaway Coming Soon!!!
Remember to enter into the SkinStore.com Giveaway!!! See our Facebook page for details!
Sometimes I wake up and feel like a princess. My Egyptian cotton sheets are softer than clouds, my fluffy Persian cat is purring at my feet, the sun is shining, and the whole house smells like coffee. It’s the happiest, most princessy day of the week… Saturday! Besides dressing up, shopping, and getting my hair blown out, I’m not doing a thing. But on days like Monday, Wednesday, and even Friday I’m feeling like Cinderella (before Price Charming came along). When you’re in a rush to wash your face, grab a Venti and make it into the office before the clock strikes nine, then you feel anything but royal.
To feel a bit more fabulous I reach for Vera Wang Glam Princess on those slogging weekdays. The initial shock of refreshing red berries, guava and juicy pear get your mouth watering, and as the day wears on so does the fragrance, releasing notes of honey, vanilla, and cedar wood. The bottle is also super cute and great for gift giving (hey, the holidays are coming!), but the most amazing thing about this scent is that it lasts and lasts. It’s original and classic at the same time, just like Vera Wang wedding gowns!
Do you have a favorite fragrance that makes you feel amazing? Share with us!
Remeber to enter into the SkinStore.com Giveaway! See our Facebook page for details!
They always say that you should never, ever pop a pimple. But most folks have that ‘picking syndrome’ where they won’t pass a mirror without squeezing what should be left alone (ahem, guilty as charged…).
If you absolutely MUST extract an icky pimple then do it right! You’ll want to make sure that you don’t spread the bacteria, and you’ll also want to make sure that you are being gentle on your skin.
First, wash your face with a mild cleanser to rid of dirt and residue. Next, apply a warm washcloth to the area where you’ll perform the extraction. The heat from the washcloth will open the pores and soften the skin. Then grab two tissues and wrap them around your index fingers. Apply gentle pressure from opposite sides of the pimple, and don’t squeeze too hard. If nothing is coming out, leave it alone for another day or two, and apply a spot treatment on the area instead. If you’re successful in performing the extraction toss those tissues and apply a cotton ball soaked in hydrogen peroxide to the area, it’s important to rid of the bacteria to assure you won’t be spreading infection to other parts of your face. Lastly, apply a tiny bit of Neosporin with cotton swab to the spot; this will facilitate quicker healing time and anti-inflammatory benefits.
To prevent new pimples from popping up use an anti-acne cleanser and moisturizer as part of your daily regimen. The M2 Skin Technologies line is a great choice, as it has mandelic and malic acids to exfoliate and keep the skin clear.
We all remember being 14 and washing our skin raw with harsh scrubs to get rid of those clogged pores and pesky pimples. It’s only natural that you’d look to something to strip your face clean of all that icky dead skin, so it’s almost an impulse to cleanse with something super harsh and purifying. Thank goodness we’ve learned that gentle care is best when it comes to our skin, but from time to time the 14 year old in us is just dying to break out the bar soap, buff puff, and Noxzema. If you have this impulse please… slowly step away from the sink, go online, and order the Avene Professional TriAcneal. This is by far the best stuff since sliced bread.
Avene Professional TriAcneal has three different ingredients that fight acne and active breakouts; Retinaldehyde, Glycolic Acid, and newly patented Efectiose. These ingredients not only fight breakouts they’re also anti-aging! Avene is touted as one of Europe’s most gentle skin care lines, as the formulas are based on soothing thermal spring water. So while the active ingredients are battling your most frustrating skin foes, the gentle formula is also soothing, nurturing, and reducing redness.
Avene Professional TriAcneal helps to reduce acne scarring while exfoliating the skin and leaving it baby-bum smooth, and with just one application you’ll notice that your pores look more clear and tight, your overall skin texture looks more even, and redness and irritation is left to a minimum (unlike with many other acne products).
Though I am lucky enough to try hundreds of products that we carry at SkinStore.com, I’m excited to say that Avene TriAcneal is hands down my newest favorite!
Remember to enter into the SkinStore.com Giveaway! See our Facebook page for details!
We have all heard of the countless benefits of olive oil. It’s healthy and high in beneficial fats, and is delicious when used in salads and pastas. Greek, Spanish, and Italian kitchens made Extra Virgin Olive Oil fabulously popular, and we sure are glad because it’s really delicious, nutritious, and beneficial.Olive oil is also great when used in skin care! It’s rich in polyphenols, squalene, and vitamins A and E.
Olive oil is easily absorbed by the skin and works to regulate both dry and oily areas, so it’s suitable for all skin types. Because of its gentle nature it’s great for skin conditions associated with irritation and dryness, like eczema and psoriasis.
Olive oil can be applied directly onto the skin (we recommend extra virgin, the greener the oil is in color, the higher antioxidant content and quality), it can also be mixed into a cleanser, scrub, or moisturizer. Olive oil scrubs are great to use in the winter time, or anytime your skin feels especially parched. Simply mix equal parts sugar and olive oil and apply all over the body in circular motions, then rinse and towel dry and follow with a body moisturizer or once again, a bit of olive oil. An affordable facial scrub can be made by mixing equal parts olive oil and baking soda; it’s gentle yet very effective at removing dead skin cells.
Olive oil is also great for preventing stretchmarks, and is safe to use during pregnancy, and is also great for soothing baby ailments like diaper rash and cradle cap (but consult your doc to get the OK first)!
Tired of dull, drab skin?! Is your complexion already suffering from weather changes? Yeah, ours too! Not to worry, though, as Juara Glow on the Go Travel Kit is sure to restore and revitalize even the most lackluster skin types.
We may not have the time (or funds) to go the land of the spa (aka Bali), but we’re sure that even the busiest gal can take ten minutes out of her hectic day to indulge in some Indonesian beauty rituals. Juara’s brightening Glow on the Go kit utilizes rice, tamarind, sweet black tea, and turmeric which provide powerful antioxidant protection and brightening benefits.
What’s in the kit?
-Gentle Rice Facial Cleanser that softens the skin while soothing and removing all traces of makeup.
-Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner, which hydrates skin while softening and providing antioxidant protection. This toner can actually be used as a moisturizer if your skin is very oily.
-Sweet Black Tea and Rice Facial Moisturizer rich in fermented black tea, to increase skin radiance while softening fine lines and wrinkles.
-Turmeric Antioxidant Facial Mask to detoxify, brighten, and strengthen the skin. The creamy formula is luxurious and great for all skin types.
-Candlenut Hand and Body Balm is simply amazing. One whiff of this and you’ll feel as if you’re in the tropics. The ultra-rich consistency softens, soothes, and hydrates.
Sounds Amazing? It definitely is. We’ve gone gaga for Glow on the Go, and we’re sure you’ll love it too! Want to try it? We’ll have awesome giveaway coming soon!!!
Remember to enter into the current SkinStore.com giveaway! See our Facebook page for details!
Stress wreaks havoc on our bodies and on our skin. When you’re stressed out, your skin may break out in painful cysts, your body may experience ailments like headaches, joint pains, stomach aches, ulcers, and numerous other disorders that are typically the cause of inflammation caused by hormonal imbalance. When we’re under stress we produce a number of hormones, like epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol. Cortisol stimulates metabolism to produce energy which in turn stimulates insulin, which then in turn results in an increased appetite. A surge of cortisol is necessary in life-or-death situations; it’s our ‘primate hormone’ that helps us function under the most extremely nerve-racking situations, but when we put our bodies under constant stress the production of cortisol is continuous and demands for us to supply the body with fuel. Chronic release of cortisol causes us to feel hungry all the time, causing us to overeat and gain excess weight.
Dermatitis appears in many forms- some of which can be a bit difficult to decode. Is it a rash? Hives? Simple irritation? Here is my guide to help decipher different types of dermatitis.
I find that when I travel a lot I am always looking for ways to make my travel experience feel more like home. From slippers to candles to scented lotions, I will try almost anything to comfort my well-traveled soul. I’ve recent come across a couple of items on our website that I’ve found so inviting and TSA friendly.
When someone thinks of dull, dry, pigmented skin they usually want to gravitate to a cream to fix these common ailments. And it’s only natural, since moisturizing creams have been around for hundreds of years. Exfoliation, on another hand, has become a really hot buzz world as of about five years ago. Any aesthetician knows that if you are looking to make your skin look brighter, smoother, more even toned, and less pigmented and lined then you should exfoliate.
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