April is National Rosacea Awareness Month. To celebrate, here are some facts about rosacea:

- Rosacea affects 14 million Americans
- The true cause of Rosacea is unknown
- There is no cure for Rosacea, only various methods of managing the symptoms
- Treatments for Rosacea include both oral and topical medications, as well as laser and light-based treatments
- Gentle skin care products are recommended for Rosacea-prone skin
- Blueberries are a fabulous anti-redness ingredient

Indeed, blueberries have vaso-constricting and vaso-protective properties. Blueberries have made it into the consumer media and popular advertising campaigns as a healthful fruit to eat: they are filled with antioxidants, purple, round, and delicious. The Vaccinium myrtillus L. fruit, known in English as bilberry or blueberry, has powerful protective properties which have been known and utilized since the Middle Ages. Today, blueberries are even claimed to be “the most powerful antioxidants of all.”

However, there still is limited awareness of the potential benefits of blueberries on the skin. Indeed several compounds, in particular polyphenols (including anthocyanins, resveratrol and iron chelators such as quercetin and myricetin) and vitamins have been isolated from the Vaccinium myrtillus L. plant. The least known benefits of blueberries are their vaso-protective (protection of the cutaneous capillaries) properties.

Blueberries play a role in the management of flushing symptoms: they tighten and protect fine capillaries thanks to anthocyanins and are thus ideal in skin care products targeting redness-prone skin. The vaso-protective effects of blueberries began to be described in the 1960′s when the fruit’s capillary resistance and permeability were first analyzed. Since, studies have confirmed that blueberries increase capillary resistance.

So eat your blueberries, but put them on your face too!

Written by Guest Blogger, Ada Polla – Founder of Alchimie Forever

The sun is shining and flowers are in bloom! Here are a few of our spring season favorites.

RapidLash: Bambi won’t be the only big doe eyed beauty this season! Rapidlash contains a potent polypeptide complex, proteins, vitamins, and moisturizers to stimulate and condition lashes. Your lashes will be longer, stronger, and more voluminous with continued use. FYI you can also apply to sparse eyebrows to help fill in stubborn hairs. Who knows, mascara may be a thing of the past?!

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Golden Shimmer Multi-Usage Dry Oil Splash is an absolute must have for the spring and summer months! Instantly add a bit of color and luminosity to the body and even hair! Your skin is left wonderfully soft and dewy.

Skindinavia 10 Years Younger Makeup Finish: Warm spring days can wreak havoc on your makeup. But have no fear; Skindinavia Makeup Finish can save you from a major makeup meltdown! This innovative spray acts as a makeup primer, chilling the surface and hydrating your skin for all day perfection. Pore size is reduced, fewer touch ups are needed throughout the day, fine lines and wrinkles are diminished. This spray also helps for your makeup to go longer- use up to 50% less makeup than before.

bareMinerals Blush – Laughter: An easy way to brighten any look is to add a touch of blush to the apples of your cheeks. The bronzer trend has left many women in need of a bit of rouge! While bronzer adds depth and deepens skin color, blush is used as a pop of color to liven up your complexion.  Blush is one of the simplest ways to achieve a more youthful glow.

We are so excited to announce our latest giveaway! Starting now, through April 11 you can enter to win 1 of 10 Alchimie Forever Yttrium Protective Morning Creams! ($69 value)

Want to win? Enter now!

The warmer weather is here so it’s time to shed your dull winter skin and get it in shape for Spring. We think the FarmHouse Fresh Spendid Dirt Mud Mask will do just the trick. It is a nutrient mud mask with organic pumpkin puree that will refresh and revitalize your dull tired skin. It will address red, sensitive and blotchy skin by helping to calm and soothe while removing impurities. It also contains live yogurt cultures which will help to boost your skin’s radiance and deep cleanse your pores.

If you suffer from redness and broken capillaries, this mask will help to lessen the appearance and even out skin tone, by using Ho Wood Essential Oil to calm the skin and reduce redness. Splendid Dirt is nutrient rich in Llite and Bentonite clays to nourish and purify the skin by deep cleansing pores and improving circulation.

As you use the Splendid Dirt Mud Mask you will notice a mild tingling sensation which is oxygenating the skin and increasing circulation, and as the mask dries your skin will be smooth and skin blotchiness will be reduced.  The Splendid Dirt Mud Mask is ideal for sensitive, dehydrated, fragile or acne prone skin types, and can be used 2-3 times per week for best results.

The Splendid Dirt Mud Mask is 99.6% natural, gluten free and like all FarmHouse Fresh products is paraben and sulfate free. It also would make a perfect gift for anyone who wants to detox and refresh their skin.

If you’d like to indulge your skin in the ultimate spa experience, look towards Elemis. One of their most popular and effective products to date is the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream.

This luxurious cream features the marine extract Padina Pavonica which helps to offer great anti-aging benefits in just over two weeks of use. The product is tried and tested to reduce wrinkles by 19% and increase hydration by up to 45%. The formulation also contains Ginko Biloba to stimulate cells and Porphyridium to help promote cell regeneration.  If you have the consistency to use this product in your daily regimen and want that firm and lifted appearance over time then you should look into this gratifying product.

Your long awaited arrival is finally here in your arms, but just what are those little bumps on your baby’s skin? Newborn’s skin can be prone to all sorts of rashes and skin conditions. Luckily most are harmless and will go away on their own with time. If your baby has less than perfect cherub skin, no need to worry! Here’s a list of common skin conditions that newborns may encounter in the first few months of life and how to best treat them.

Baby Acne is very common and caused by exposure to the mother’s hormones while in the womb. No treatment is necessary. They can last a few weeks or months after birth and disappear on their own.

Cradle Cap also known as seborrhea often appears at 1-2 months of age. Due to excess oil a greasy, yellowish crust or scales can appear on the scalp. This can also be accompanied by a red irritating rash on the face, behind the ears, neck and arm pits. Contrary to popular belief cradle cap is not due to poor hygiene, but by an excessively oily scalp caused by the transfer of hormones from mother to baby at the end of pregnancy. We suggest Mustela Foam Shampoo for Newborns with this condition. This formula gently cleanses scalp while maintaining its fragile balance. The mild exfoliating action of AHA’s helps soften and rinse away cradle cap flakes. Mustela Stelaker is a great product to use in addition to the shampoo. It helps to remove cradle cap and restore balance and comfort to the baby’s delicate skin. Aloe Vera and Borage Oil relieve itching skin and soothe discomfort.

Dry peeling skin is often seen in babies that are born late. Don’t fret, the skin underneath is perfectly moist and plump. After the skin has flaked off that uber “soft as a baby’s bottom” skin will appear.

Milia are little white bumps on the face and nose that are caused by blocked oil glands. As the baby’s oil glands enlarge over the days and weeks after birth the white bumps will disappear.

Eczema is red, itchy dry patches of skin that is often found on the baby’s chest, arms, legs, face, elbows and behind the knees. It is caused by dry, sensitive skin, and can be exacerbated by allergies. In general treatment may consist of a very gentle fragrance free, dye free soap, using gentle detergents and no fabric softener in the baby’s laundry and topical moisturizing creams. Your pediatrician may prescribe a steroid cream like hydrocortisone if the eczema is persistent. We suggest Mustela Stelatopia Moisturizing Cream to nourish and rebalance very dry, lipid-depleted skin. This moisturizer quickly soothes irritated skin and limits the use of corticosteroids by up to 75%.

Erythema Toxicum is another common skin condition that looks like hives or mosquito bites. The cause is unknown, but fades after a few days or weeks with no treatment necessary.

Prickly Heat appears as small red bumps located on the areas of the body that tend to overheat and sweat like the neck, diaper area, and armpits. To treat, simply keep the area dry and avoid overheating by wearing loose fitting clothing especially in warmer months.

Let’s be honest… how many of us make a daily coffee run? “Ill have a Venti non-fat white mocha with a double (no!) make that triple shot.” That caffeine boost will do wonders for our energy levels. What about skincare products that contain caffeine? What’s the benefit there?

Studies have shown that caffeine contains anti inflammatory properties. So for those of us who retain a little fluid under the eye area- we’re in luck! Caffeine in eye products works by draining excess lymph fluid and blood. Attack puffiness and fine lines with PRIORI Advanced AHA Smoothing Eye Serum.

When it comes to that pesky resident on your thighs, aka cellulite, trying a product with caffeine, like FatGirl Slim can help. Caffeine dehydrates fat cells, which will provide a smoother skin appearance.

For people with a chronic condition, such as rosacea, using a product with caffeine will help constrict blood vessels which doesn’t usually happen to those with rosacea. La Roche Posay Rosaliac Anti-Redness Moisturizer would be a good option.

There are many other products that contain caffeine, especially anti-aging products. Caffeine is an antioxidant. Antioxidants fight off free radicals; free radicals age our skin. You can find many caffeine-filled products on SkinStore.com by clicking here.

Anyone up for a coffee break?

Watercress has an abundance of nutrients that help to detoxify and purify the skin. Sulforaphane, a naturally occurring compound in watercress also has antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-diabetic properties. When applied topically it protects the skin against UV radiation damage, thus protecting against skin cancer. Some of our favorite products that contain watercress are Super by Dr. Nicholas Perricone Detox Elixir, Cellex-C Sea Silk Oil-Free Moisturizer, and Thalgo Ocea Perfect hair and nail supplement.

Super by Dr. Nicholas Perricone Detox Elixir: Detox Elixir is formulated with Sulforaphane, found in Watercress, to detoxify skin and refine pores. Can be used as a gentle exfoliator after cleansing, or as a refreshing mist sprayed throughout the day to wash away toxins and reveal a fresh, flawless face.

Cellex-C Sea Silk Oil-Free Moisturizer: Cellex-C Sea Silk Oil-Free Moisturizer is a soft sea-foam colored moisturizer containing a rich medley of sea botanical extracts—Omega plankton, marine algae, aquatic vegetable protein, DMAE complex, watercress extract and seaweed biopeptides—designed to achieve the ultimate, light-weight, oil-free moisturizer.

Thalgo Ocea Perfect: Ocea Perfect is rich in active ingredients that are specific to nail and hair strength and vitality. Now, beautiful hair and nails are attainable. Spiruline is known for its high content of vitamins and minerals, both of which are needed for the growth of nails and hair. Marine magnesium, combined with vitamin B6, compensates for the negative affects of stress on hair and nail beauty. Organic sulfur, present in watercress and fish proteins, is responsible of nail and hair growth. Lithothamnion contains calcium that affects nail strength.

Always running late? Keep these time-saving makeup tips in mind and you’ll be beautiful in no time!

Simply dust blush on the apples of your cheeks for a healthy glow. Pick a pretty pink for flirty appeal. We love Too Faced Full Bloom Cheek Ultra Flush Blush Sweet Pink.

Taupe shadow makes eyes brighter and is a universal flattering shade. You’ll look put together without all the fuss. Try bareMinerals Glimmer Eyeshadow- Queen Tiffany.

Be bronzed and beautiful. A few strokes of bronzer works wonders! Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder is the perfect shade of tan for all seasons.

Lastly, lip stain is an easy apply and forget about it product. It withstands a full day at the office and even extends into happy hour! We like Stila Cherry Crush for beautiful berry stained lips.

If you are anything like me, you love your nails to look good but those trips to the nail salon get quite expensive!  After hearing such great reviews about the Trind Natural Nail Repair, I had to try it for myself. Within a couple of weeks I was in love! Talk about clear, strong nails. This formula tightens the protein-molecules while leaving space for the natural moisturizers, which makes the nails stronger and healthier. Anyone with brittle or dull nails can definitely appreciate a product like this. Very easy to use, for the first 2 weeks apply one coat daily directly to the nails. The following day, remove the former coat with nail polish remover. For maintenance you only need to use it once a week. Once you see how great your nails look with just this one item, try incorporating in some of the other Trind products for magazine worthy nails!