BEAUTY WITH NICOLE

Wrinkles. They’re the first signs of aging for most of us, creeping up on us far too early around our eyes and mouth. Laugh lines by any other name are still wrinkles.

Dermatologists have built an industry around reducing wrinkles. There’s botox, lasers, peels, microdermabrasion, and hundreds of creams, gels, oils, and ointments—all of which cost money. Sometimes quite a bit of money.

But what if you could prevent wrinkles before they start, rather than trying to reduce them after they appear? To some extent you can. Of course, we all know how important it is to avoid tanning and smoking. However, there are other preventative measures we can take, and some of them are incredibly easy and simple and also cost nothing.

First, r epetitive external pressure on your skin and repetitive facial muscle movements cause crinkling of the skin. Don’t drink from a straw. Don’t chew gum. Don’t stretch your skin while putting on or taking off makeup. And don’t sleep with your face in your pillow. Sleep on your back instead.

Get up and move. Exercise is good for your skin.

Wear sunglasses to avoid squinting when outdoors.

Stop looking down at your phone all the time. All that constant texting is giving you neck wrinkles.

And finally, watch what you eat. Consume foods rich in antioxidants and avoid refined sugar.

#BEAUTY WITH NICOLE--AT HOME SPA TREATMENTS

photo by Monik Markus

You don’t need to spend a fortune at a spa or on high-end beauty products to achieve spa-like results. Here are a few beauty treatments that cost little to nothing but produce exceptional results:

For Your Hair

Boil some jasmine rice in water. Drain the water, and save it. After you shampoo your hair, pour the cool rice water over the strands and massage into your hair. Allow to sit for five minutes, then rinse out. The rice water is rich in Vitamin B and antioxidants and will help add shine to lackluster hair.

For Your Face

Want a youthful glow to your face? Dangle upside down for three minutes a day to send blood to your face. The blood delivers oxygen and other nutrients.

Try a yogurt facial. Once a week add a thin layer of plain Greek yogurt to your face. Yogurt contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory probiotics which will help sooth sensitive skin.

For Your Hands and Feet

To counter rough hands and feet, give them an exfoliating mask. Steep a lemon slice in a cup of boiling water for thirty minutes. Mix four tablespoons of the lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of oats. Allow to sit for five minutes. Add 1/2 tablespoon each of glycerin and almond oil, then add a mashed banana.  Coat hands and/or feet with the mixture. Cover with plastic bags. Allow to sit for ten minutes, then rinse.

BEAUTY WITH NICOLE--WRINKLE PREVENTION

If you don’t know by now to use sunscreen to protect yourself from skin cancer, you’ve probably been living someplace that rarely sees sunlight. For years conventional wisdom has also said that sunscreen protects our skin from aging. And who wants wrinkles, right? Cute laugh lines grow up to be deep crevices, and most of us would like to delay that part of our lives for as long as possible.

Now there’s scientific data to back up that conventional wisdom. In a 4-1/2 year study of adults ranging in age up to middle-age, Australian researchers found that applying broad spectrum sunscreen reduced the signs of aging by 24%.

Sunscreen...don’t leave home without it.

BEAUTY WITH NICOLE - GUACAMOLE SKIN CARE

Giving yourself a guacamole facial is a great idea, but did you know that eating guacamole can also reduce signs of skin aging? Add salsa, and you add wrinkle-reducing antioxidants. Party on!

GUACAMOLE FACIAL

1. Scrape half a large avocado or a whole small avocado into a bowl and mash with a fork until the consistency is creamy.

2. If desired for oily skin, mix in a tablespoon of olive oil or honey or a raw egg white.

3. Wash your face with warm water to remove make-up and dirt.

4. Apply a thin layer of the avocado paste with your fingertips, rubbing the paste into your skin until your face is completely covered. Be careful to avoid eyes and hair.

5. Leave the avocado mask on your face for 15 minutes or until the mixture is completely dry.

6. Rinse your face with warm water to remove the mask. Don’t scrub. Splash cold water on your face once all the mask is removed to close your pores. Pat your face dry with a towel.


Readers, post a comment for a chance to win a book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

BEAUTY WITH NICOLE - DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT

Beauty editor Nicole Emmerling talks about an essential summer beauty product today. -- AP

There are some essential beauty items you should always carry with you. Lip gloss or chap stick is a must no matter the season. In summer, I always keep a packet of blotting papers in my purse or tote. Shine happens, especially in the T-zone area of your face and especially when it’s hot outside. Blotting papers take care of the shine in an instant, absorbing the moisture that can clog your pores and cause blemishes, while leaving your make-up intact.

BEAUTY WITH NICOLE - UNSCENTED VS. FRAGRANCE FREE

Beauty editor Nicole Emmerling offers some advice for people with sensitive skin. -- AP

Sensitive skin is often even more sensitive in winter. To avoid irritants, buy lotions, moisturizers, cleansers, and make-up without scents. However, be aware that “unscented” products often contain scents to neutralize the scent of the product. These masking agents can also be irritating. To make sure you’re buying something truly fragrance-free, look for “fragrance free” on the label, not “unscented.”

A great tip, Nicole! Thanks for sharing. Our Book Club Friday guest this week has a very special treat for our readers. Be sure to stop by on Friday to find out what it is. -- AP-- AP

BEAUTY WITH NICOLE-- WINTER SKIN CARE TIPS

Winter means dry skin. Beauty editor Nicole Emmerling is here today with some tips for keeping your skin moist and healthy throughout the winter. -- AP

Winter can wreak havoc on exposed skin, Anastasia. Cold temperatures cause skin to chafe. So my first tip is pretty much a no-brainer: cover as much exposed skin as possible when you venture outside.

Because winter is also cold and flu season, we all tend to wash our hands more often. This is great for keeping germs at bay, but it also tends to dry out our hands. To counter the drying effect of all that hand washing, use hand cream after each washing. Use moisturizers that contain natural products such as avocado oil and camellia seed oil. If your hands are extra dry, apply cream before bed and wear a lightweight pair of gloves while sleeping.

The same can be done for your feet. (Except wear socks!) And speaking of feet, wash dry, cracked heels with warm water and sea salts to remove the dead skin.

Avoid hot baths, showers, and saunas. Lukewarm water is best.

Don’t forget to wear sunscreen, no matter how cold it is outside. Sunlight reflects off snow and ice, intensifying the sun’s radiation.

Use a home humidifier to counter the drying effects of your home heating system.

Hydrate from the inside by drinking an adequate amount of water each day, and cut down on alcohol and caffeine. Both work against your skin.

Exercise! Staying in shape helps skin stay healthy.

Thanks, Nicole! All great tips, except for the caffeine. There’s no way I can get through my day without it. I’ll just have to drink more water to compensate. What about you, readers? Post a comment to enter the drawing for books plus a special gift from our Book Club Friday author this week. -- AP

BEAUTY WITH NICOLE - GUEST BLOGGER, KATIE BRIND'AMOUR

Guest blogger Katie Brind'Amour is back today with some tips for starting out the new year by eating your way to healthier skin. -- AP

Eating Right can Protect Your Skin

While many people know that eating certain foods can improve mood, trim your waist, and affect your energy levels, it may be a lesser known fact that eating right can protect your skin from the inside out.  I recently moved to not-so-sunny Columbus from sunny-everyday Phoenix, and I must admit, my skincare concerns are a bit different in this part of the country.  Instead of worrying about a daily sunburn (yes, even in December!), I’m worried about ashy winter skin and a dull complexion.  Oh, how the Midwest has changed me!

Thankfully, nature has been good to us in this realm, as in many others.  There are a variety of things you can put into your body to keep your skin looking great, naturally, safely, and on a regular basis – no expensive creams or serums required. 

Munch and sip your way to healthier skin with the foods below.

For starters, swap your Diet coke for some green tea.  The antioxidants help your skin protect itself from ultraviolet rays while repairing DNA damage.  In addition, the zero calorie hydration you will get from regularly sipping this healthy tea will keep your skin more moisturized and brilliant.  Bonus: you can apply it directly to your skin if you prefer to take your tea topically!

Yogurt or other sources of low-fat dairy are essential to healthy skin.  Not only are the protein and calcium essential for a healthy diet, but the Vitamin A that dairy is filled with is also critical for your skin’s elasticity and firmness.  Vitamin A helps your skin produce and protect its collagen, which builds the structure of your skin and can help keep your skin elastic and resilient.  For an awesome combo, try adding berries to your yogurt to get a boost from the fruity antioxidants that will help fight ultraviolet ray damage.

Chow down on some salmon.  The healthy fats, such as Omega-3 fatty acids, found in salmon and other fish, nuts, and vegetable oils (like olive oil) can help reduce inflammation, protect skin from some amounts of sun exposure, and boost your immune system.  Salmon in particular contains astaxanthin, an antioxidant that may fight sagging and wrinkles.  Olive oil, which is high in healthy fats, can also work as a topical skin relief ointment when applied to mild dermatitis.  If you prefer to get your healthy fats from nuts, try Brazil nuts – their selenium can boost your immune system and their Vitamin E can improve circulation, giving your skin a healthy glow. 

Little green fruits are your friends, so grab a kiwi.  This potent and tangy fruit is chock full of Vitamin C (even more so than most citrus fruits!) and can help protect the collagen in your skin by building and repairing connective tissues, such as your skin. 

Whole grains, which are healthy for a number of reasons, can help boost your skin’s immunity and general resiliency and health.  Not only are grains high in fiber and a healthy source of complex carbohydrates, but they also provide plenty of important B vitamins for your skin, such as folate, niacin, and rutin.  They also contain skin-saving micronutrients such as zinc and magnesium, which can boost your skin’s overall health.

Spice things up with turmeric.  A wildly popular spice in India and many areas of the Middle East, turmeric is a potent source of curcumin, which may help prevent the growth of squamous cell carcinomas, a dangerous and increasingly common form of skin cancer.  Yes, this should have been a regular ingredient in my cooking in Phoenix.  The antioxidants in this miracle spice also reduce inflammation and protect your skin cells from damage caused by the sun and other factors. 

Is there anything dark chocolate can’t do?  In my last guest post, I was thrilled to report the positive impact dark chocolate can have on mood and mild symptoms of depression; now I am just as excited to report that in addition to mental health benefits, dark chocolate can protect your skin!  Not only can the topical application of cocoa butter serve as an emollient that preserves your skin’s moisture and elasticity, but eating dark chocolate can protect your skin from sun damage and promote blood vessel health.  This in turn boosts oxygen flow to your skin, creating a healthy glow. 

Eat Up, Already!

Is there anything more glorious than learning that you can eat your way to a beautiful complexion and healthy, glowing skin?  I think not.  Even though I am a notorious failure at regularly wearing sunscreen, I can at least boast a diligent adherence to the skincare regimen of eating dark chocolate.  I wonder if there is an exponential effect, wherein the more I eat, the better my skin gets…maybe I will give it a try.  I figure as long as I occasionally trade it out with some yogurt, berries, nuts, or kiwi, it’s OK to experiment!

Thanks, Katie! I'm off to scarf down some guilt-free dark chocolate! -- AP

BEAUTY WITH NICOLE-- EAT YOUR WAY TO BEAUTIFUL SKIN

Beauty editor Nicole Emmerling is here today with a snack recipe to keep our skin looking young, beautiful, and wrinkle free. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia. According to dermatologist David Colbert, “Skin is a matrix of proteins, water, and fats that need a non-processed food supply for replenishment.” So the next time you have the munchies, grab something that will not only crave your hunger but also help you maintain your skin’s health.

When you were growing up, were you told to stay away from chocolate because it causes acne? Lots of us were, but it turns out that’s an old wives tale. Dark chocolate with 72% or higher cacao content is full of antioxidants that are good for your skin. 

Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant that helps prevent UV damage. A handful of almonds will supply you with a one-two punch of both vitamin E and the fat your skin needs to stay healthy.

 Then there’s the blueberry, full of both antioxidants and vitamin C, which protects collagen.

So mix up a batch of your own very special, skin protecting snack mix -- equal parts almonds, blueberries (dry or fresh) and dark chocolate chips. Your skin will thank you.

Sounds like a great recipe. Thanks, Nicole! Maybe Cloris can whip us up some chocolate-almond-blueberry muffins. -- AP

BEAUTY WITH NICOLE-- WINTER SKIN CARE TIPS

As promised last week, beauty editor Nicole Emmerling is back today with some tips for caring for your skin during the winter months. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia! First and foremost, it’s important to stay hydrated. We tend to drink less water during the winter because we don’t get thirsty from the heat, but it’s still important to keep up your daily fluid intake. And remember, part of that fluid intake should be from vegetables and fruits that are rich in nutrients.

That leads me to my second tip: Eat a balanced diet. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are also important during the winter to maintain skin hydration. So make sure your diet includes fish as well as walnuts, Brazil nuts, soy beans, pumpkin seeds, flaxseed, and olive oil, soybean oil, and canola oil.

Exercise is also important for maintaining good skin health throughout the winter. Exercise increases blood flow, and if you remember from last week’s article, cold temperatures impede blood flow, leading to dry, itchy skin.

Use a humidifier, especially if your home is heated by forced air heat.

If you’ve been outside in the snow or icy rain, make sure you remove wet gloves, socks, and any other damp clothing immediately once you go inside. Leaving on damp clothing, thinking they’ll dry soon enough from the indoor heat will, will lead to skin irritation and itching.

Repeating something mentioned last week, keep those showers and baths lukewarm and short. The hotter the water and the longer you stay in it, the more you’ll irritate your skin.

Don’t use soap. Always wash with a moisturizing cleanser. Soap dries out skin.

Use a soft towel to pat your skin after bathing or showing, rather than rubbing, and leave your skin slightly damp. Then, immediately lock in the moisture by applying lotion to your damp skin.

Thanks, Nicole! Great tips. Readers, do you have any tips you’d like to share? Remember to post a comment to be entered into the drawing for a book from this week's Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

BEAUTY WITH NICOLE-- WINTER SKIN CARE MYTHS

We still have more than a month of winter ahead of us. This snowman is sitting in front of a house a few blocks from me. Gives you some indication of the winter we've had in NJ this year. It's hard to tell in the photo, but he's close to three stories tall! 


Winter weather means all sorts of winter skin problems, too. Beauty editor Nicole Emmerling is here today to dispel some skin care beauty myths. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia! For those of you who live in areas of the country where winter means cold temps and snow, you know that your skin can take quite a beating from the weather. But do you know why? Blood vessels constrict when your skin is cold. This reduces blood flow to the skin and your oil-secreting glands, which in turn causes skin cells to dry out and flake off, thus irritating your skin and making you itch.

We all do various things to counteract the effects of winter on our skin, but many people don’t realize that some of the remedies they use to fight the dryness, irritation, and itchiness are actually adding to the problem, not helping it.

For instance, do you enjoy a long soak in a hot tub on a cold night, thinking it helps hydrate your skin? Wrong! Whether you’re bathing or showering, super-hot water can irritate your skin. Keep those baths and showers short, use lukewarm water, and always, always slather on body lotion afterwards.

Do you think the only way to counteract dry, cracked skin on your feet is to use a pumice stone? If so, you’re making a bad situation worse. That pumice stone is only going to irritate your feet more. Instead, slather on foot lotion and slip into a pair of socks.

Finally, do you believe that the sun isn’t as strong in winter? Do you skip sunscreen for that reason? You shouldn’t. UVB rays are not as strong in cold weather, but UVA rays remain consistent throughout the year. Get into the routine of using sunscreen year-round.

Thanks, Nicole! Good things to know. And readers, Nicole will be back next week with some more tips for keeping your skin healthy throughout the winter. Remember to post a comment to be entered into the drawing for a book from this week's Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

BEAUTY WITH NICOLE--10 TIPS TO LOOKING YOUNGER

Beauty editor Nicole Emmerling offers us 10 tips for looking younger today, and who among us doesn’t want to thwart the march of time? -- AP

10 TIPS TO LOOKING YOUNGER

Some things you can’t change, like your genes, but many of us have some bad habits that make us age quicker. Break those habits to slow the aging process. Here are 10 things you can do for younger looking skin.

1. Stop smoking! Aside from being really bad for your health, smoking creates wrinkles, especially around your mouth.

2. Stop tanning! Again, like smoking, tanning is really bad for your health. It’s the leading cause of skin cancer. It’s also the leading cause of wrinkles.

3. Use sunscreen! (See above.)

4. Keep make-up light! Too much foundation, concealer and powder actually makes you look older and can exaggerates the flaws you’re trying to hide.

5. Drink less! Alcohol increases the level of inflammatory agents in your bloodstream which hastens skin sagging.

6. Don’t ignore your neck, chest, and hands! They age along with your face. Use the same products on your neck and chest that you do on your face. Treat them as one. Twice a month use your microdermabrasion product on the back of your hands. Use hand cream with SPF 30 every day and a retinol product on the backs of your hands every night.

7. Get a decent amount of sleep each night! Lack of sleep causes stress, and stress shows on your face. Also, it’s while you’re sleeping that your body repairs the day’s damage.

8. Stop eating junk food! By replacing processed foods with high-protein foods and whole grains, you’re providing nutrients to your hair, nails, and skin, as well as your body.

9. Start exercising! Exercise releases tension and stress, which shows up on your face. It also increases blood flow to your skin.

10. Don’t forget to exfoliate! The older you get, the longer it takes for dead skin cells to slough off. Dead skin cells are what create dull looking skin.

BEAUTY WITH NICOLE--NATURAL PRODUCTS FOR A NATURAL LOOK

The newest trend in beauty is the “natural” look. Yeah, right! Most of us don’t look all that hot au natural. And the older we get, the greater the flaws that need masking. That trowel look is so wrong, though. Our beauty editor Nicole Emmerling has the secret to looking natural while covering up the stuff you don’t want others to see.-- AP

And that secret, Anastasia, is mineral make-up. Mineral make-up is not just for “women of a certain age,” though. It’s great for anyone with problematic skin, whether you have acne, rosacea, or other skin issues.  Mineral make-up is a natural product for a natural look.

Regular make-up adds talc, colors, fillers, chemicals, and weight to your skin. Mineral make-up is natural, weightless and invisible, yet it covers minor flaws beautifully. And it’s both non-comedogenic and inert, so that if your problem is sensitive skin, your less likely to have a reaction from it. What mineral make-up does contain is zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, both of which provide sunscreen protection.

Although mineral make-up isn’t cheap, you’ll find you’ll need to use a lot less of it than regular make-up to achieve the same coverage. The biggest mistake women make when first switching to mineral make-up is that they use too much. Use less than you think you’ll need. You’ll be surprised at how well mineral make-up covers.

Another great beauty tip from Nicole! Have any of you tried mineral make-up? What do you think of it? Let’s hear from you. Everyone who posts a comment this week is entered in the drawing for a book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

BEAUTY WITH NICOLE--LOTIONS AND POTIONS AND CREAMS, OH MY!

Nicole Emmerling is the beauty editor at American Woman.   She’ll drop by on Thursdays from time to time to offer various beauty tips and trends to help us all look our best.  She’s got her work cut out for her, given so many of us (me!) have little time to pamper ourselves and even less money to do so.--AP

LOTIONS AND POTIONS AND CREAMS, OH MY!
by Nicole Emmerling

Many of the editors at American Woman are like Anastasia, of a “certain” age and fighting it every step of the way.  How much have you spent over the past year on anti-aging lotions and serums to ward off or reduce the onset of crow’s feet and laugh lines?  Too much, I’m sure.  Products found in drug stores can run you $50 and up.  Specialty products from high-end companies can be as much as $200 for less than 2 oz.  What price beauty!

Well, listen up, ladies, because the truth is that no matter what Madison Ave. is touting, none of these products lives up to the hype.  You may see minimal improvement, but is minimal improvement worth maximum bucks?

If you want your skin to look young, healthy, and vibrant, this is what you need to do:

• Wash your face twice a day.  Many women are afraid to wash their faces too often because they’re worried about drying out their skin.  What you should be worried about is all the crud and toxins that build up on your skin throughout the day.

• Hydrate.  Regular moisturizing gives your skin a healthy glow and can act as a barrier against both pollutants and air borne bacteria.  Using moisturizer is far more beneficial to your skin than any pricey anti-aging serum.

• Exfoliate.  The outermost layer of your skin is made up of dead skin cells.  Use an exfoliating scrub once a week to remove this dead skin.  Then apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp. 

• Use sunscreen every day, no matter the weather.  Yes, we all need Vitamin D, but sunscreen is a skin’s best friend.  Always protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.  Trust me, those wrinkly prune women you see walking around all spent way too much time working on their tans as teens and young adults.  Besides, wrinkles may be the least of their worries.  Melanoma kill. 

• Get a good night’s sleep.  Aside from those unsightly bags and dark under eye circles, lack of sleep can cause excessive production of stress hormones that may slow collagen production, and collagen is what keeps us looking young.

One final piece of advice: May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Know the signs of skin cancer and have any suspicious growth checked by your doctor.  

Have a beauty tip you'd like to share?  Let's hear from you!  And remember, everyone who posts a comment this week is entered to win a book from our Book Club Friday guest author.-- AP