• Hormonal fluctuations
• Inflammation
• Excess oil production
• Clogged pores
• Skin barrier health
• Internal factors like stress and metabolic balance

If you’re tired of harsh acne products that leave skin feeling dry, irritated, or stripped, the Codex SHAANT™ Acne Collection offers a different approach. Designed to support acne prone skin from the inside and out, the collection combines microbiome friendly skincare with targeted wellness supplements to help address excess oil, clogged pores, inflammation, and hormonal acne.Meet the Codex SHAANT™ Acne CollectionSHAANT™ Face Scrub – Clear pores without stripping your skin.A gentle exfoliating scrub with 2% salicylic acid to help unclog pores while respecting your skin’s natural moisture barrier.SHAANT™ Spot Hero – Fast relief for unexpected breakouts.A targeted blemish treatment with 5% colloidal sulfur to visibly reduce redness and shrink breakouts in as little as 24 hours.SHAANT™ Skin De Stress Supplement – Support hormonal acne from within.Formulated to support hormonal balance and help manage stress related breakouts using botanical ingredients traditionally associated with healthy skin.SHAANT™ Probiotic – Healthy skin starts in the gut.A microbiome focused supplement designed to help support skin health from within by addressing inflammation and gut skin balance.SHOP THE SHAANT™ ACNE COLLECTION 

A Different Way to Think About Acne Care

The Codex SHAANT™ collection was developed with a different philosophy. Instead of disrupting the skin’s natural balance, the products are designed to help:

• Control excess oil
• Unclog pores
• Calm visible redness
• Support the skin barrier
• Respect the skin’s microbiome
• Address hormonal and inflammatory factors that contribute to acne

It’s a gentler, science backed approach that’s designed to support healthier skin, not just clearer skin.Whether you’re navigating your own hormonal breakouts or helping your teenager build confidence through clearer skin, remember that acne isn’t a reflection of poor hygiene or something you simply have to “grow out of.” It’s a complex condition influenced by hormones, inflammation, stress, and your skin’s natural balance.The good news? You don’t have to rely on harsh treatments alone. With microbiome friendly skincare and wellness supplements designed to support skin from the inside and out, the Codex SHAANT™ Acne Collection offers a thoughtful approach for teens and adults alike.Shop the Codex SHAANT™ Acne Collection today 

The post The Truth About Adult & Teen Acne: Why Breakouts Happen at Every Age appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

AKA Mom has the best beauty hacks for real life (besides filters): smart shortcuts, affordable finds, and small moments that help you feel fabulous (even if your toddler thinks your concealer is finger paint).

1. Skin That Glows on Four Hours of Sleep

When you’re tired, your skin is the first to tattle. Here’s how to fake eight hours:

Wash while you shower. Keep CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser right in the shower so you can cleanse without adding extra steps. Hydrate + brighten at once. A multitasking serum like L’Oréal Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid Serum plumps, smooths, and makes you look awake in under a minute.

Tinted SPF = hero product. EltaMD UV Daily Tinted SPF 40 moisturizes, protects, and adds a healthy glow so you can skip foundation if needed.

Tip: Keep your skincare on a cute tray by the sink. Visual reminders help you actually use it (and it feels like a tiny luxury in the chaos).

2. Makeup in 5 Minutes (Car Line Edition)

You don’t need 12 steps; you need multitaskers and stay put products.

Primer that grips: e.l.f. Power Grip Primer keeps makeup in place through errands, playdates, and tantrums.

Sheer but buildable coverage: Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream evens tone and includes SPF.

Two in one blush and lip tint: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush blends easily and instantly wakes up your face.

Concealer that erases “I stayed up too late”: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer is still the MVP for under eyes.

Set it and forget it: NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray keeps everything locked through soccer practice and dinner prep.

Tip: Stash your makeup in a small pouch for the car. We call it the “Car Line Glam Kit.” Perfect for school pick-up touch-ups.

3. Hair That Pretends You Tried

Because some days a shower is a dream, but good hair is still possible.

Dry shampoo saves lives: Batiste Dry Shampoo refreshes roots and adds volume in seconds.

Heatless overnight curls: Use a heatless curling set before bed and wake up with effortless waves.

Tame frizz fast: Smooth ends with Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Anti-Frizz Serum: budget friendly and mom approved.

When all else fails: Slick hair back with leave-in conditioner, twist into a low bun, and call it “chic minimalist.”

Tip: If your hair is constantly in a messy bun, upgrade your hair ties. A simple satin scrunchie can make “I didn’t wash my hair” look intentional.

4. Hands and Nails That Survive Mom Life

Constant hand washing and dish duty doesn’t mean you can’t have nice nails.

Fast polish: Essie Expressie Quick-Dry Nail Color dries in about a minute.

Cuticle rescue: Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream keeps hands soft and neat.

Neutral shades hide chips: A sheer pink or nude means no one will notice when life happens.

Tip: Keep polish remover wipes and a neutral polish in your car or purse. Perfect for fixing chips during sports practice or carpool waiting.

5. Little Splurges That Feel Like Big Wins

Sometimes a small upgrade makes everything feel better.

Dark circle magic: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer hides late night Netflix binges (or toddler wake-ups).

Lux moisture: Clinique Moisture Surge 100H deeply hydrates without heaviness.

Salon blowouts at home: Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0 —fast, bouncy hair with minimal effort.

Tip: Treat yourself to one product that feels fancy. It’s not just about the result, it’s about having something that makes you feel special.

6. AKA Mom’s Budget Beauty Starter Kit (All Under $30)

If you want to refresh your routine without guilt, start here:

1. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser — gentle, dermatologist-approved, under $15.

2. L’Oréal Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid Serum — hydration + glow, about $20.

3. e.l.f. Power Grip Primer — makeup that stays put for $10.
4. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer — goodbye dark circles, $8–$10.

5. Batiste Dry Shampoo — bad hair day rescue, under $9.

A Final Pep Talk, Mom to Mom

Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to mean hours in front of a mirror. Small, smart tweaks can make you feel polished and confident while you’re running the world (or at least the carpool). Remember: self-care isn’t selfish, it’s survival! A few minutes spent on your skin, hair, or makeup can reset your mood and remind you that you’re more than just the snack supplier. So grab that dry shampoo, swipe on the blush, and take back a little beauty time. You deserve it!

The post From Carpool to Camera Ready: Simple Beauty for the Overbooked Mom appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Being a busy mom that is also savvy with time management is praise-worthy. Self-care is extremely important, so if you have found the time for working out while juggling other things in your everyday schedule, we salute you!

If gym is a regular to-do on your list, you must know how important proper skincare is. Air filth piling up, and mixing with skin’s natural oils and excessive sweat may result in breakouts and poor looking skin. When you exercise, your body temperature rises; your heartbeat increases as your heart pumps more blood to the vessels, the ones in your face included. If you’re wondering why you get the lobster-like color while other people don’t, it’s probably due to the fact your blood vessels are more superficial in the cheek area. Some things are genetic, but here’s what’s in your power and how you can work on prevention.

Minding the environment

Your skin is sensitive to external factors. While redness is caused by the regulation of the body temperature in the cooling-down process, the temperature and humidity of the room you’re exercising in, or the weather conditions your skin experiences while you jog – all have their impact on the overall skin’s look. Work out in a cool environment that enables your skin to breathe freely. Wear comfortable clothes that aren’t too tight and make sure you stay hydrated. As for the high-intensity workouts, you may want to scale it down and avoid switching between different intensities too quickly. Although it has its benefits for fat burning, you need to give your body time to gradually progress towards a different intensity workout: it will make your redness less visible and you’ll feel more relaxed during the mild cool-down process.

Prevention: using the right products

If you have sensitive skin or a skin condition such as rosacea, you are very prone to face-redness or might even experience broken capillaries. Either way, your skin is easily stressed out and irritated. This means you have to take particular care of what type of ingredients your beauty products contain, so you can provide your skin with what it needs in the long term. Don’t be lazy and read the ingredients list: choose moisturizers with natural ingredients, like aloe, honey, chamomile, or willow, which soothe sensitive skin. Don’t use products that contain retinol or chemical peels the night before a big workout. To restore your skin’s natural oils, use a face mask enriched with natural ingredients: they will help your skin calm down and become more resistant to outer influences. Invest in redness-reducing products and you can even bring them to your workout: a refreshing body spray will help your face cool down; nourishing wipes will ensure you remove the impurities during your training and cool your face.

Proper care is mandatory

Establishing a good beauty routine is crucial for well-cared skin during the times you’re breaking a sweat. Make sure you cleanse your face on a regular basis and use a gentle cleanser that contains anti-inflammatory ingredients such as green tea. Clean your skin before and after a workout. By all means, avoid wearing makeup to the gym – it will result in excessive filth accumulating on your skin, leaving you with blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples. Avoid using hot water as it promotes dryness of your skin, making it more prone to redness. Don’t skip on using a moisturizing toner: it ensures all the impurities are removed and leaves you with a fresh-looking skin. In addition to taking care of your skin on the outside, make sure you do it from the inside, too. Proper nutrition is very important and do check your iron levels: its deficient may result in itchy and red skin, along with other problems.

When it comes to skin problems that occur due to exercising, prevention is the key. Take these simple steps into consideration, be disciplined with your workout and beauty routines, and enjoy leading a healthy life!d

The post Gym Beauty Tips – How to Avoid Post-Exercise Face appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

All women probably agree on one thing: there’s nothing better than a good night’s rest. The deep sleep and the hours of unconscious relaxation are not only essential to your well-being but contribute significantly to your overall appearance. While sleeping is vital to your health and how you look, there are ways to increase the goodness that comes with a few zzz’s. Inexpensive and easy to do, these respective products and activities will leave you feeling and looking refreshed as soon as tomorrow morning.

Brightening Mask

Your grandmother’s favorite beauty brand takes it to the next level with this gel-based mask. The Olay Regenerist Luminous Overnight Mask ($25.99-$33.99) contains firming vitamin B3 and brightening mulberry extract to reveal brighter, smoother skin over time. Fans of the mask love its light, non-greasy consistency. The best part: you can get this baby at your local drugstore.

Satin Pillowcase

You know you’re supposed to change your pillowcase regularly to keep your skin clean and clear, but you probably don’t know that your cotton threads aren’t doing your skin or hair any favors. Sleeping on a satin pillowcase will allow your face to move freely without pulling, therefore preventing sleep lines that can lead to wrinkles over time. Also, satin pillowcases don’t absorb the good natural oils in your hair, so your locks stay smooth and shiny throughout the night.

DIY Leave-in Hair Mask

You’ve tried a DIY face mask, but the same ingredients that you use on your skin, like olive oil, are fantastic for hair as well. To defrizz hair and up the shine factor, take a ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil and comb the oil from the roots to the ends of your locks. Cover your head in a shower cap (Plastic wrap also works in a pinch.) and take your nightly snooze. When you wake up, shampoo hair and condition. The antioxidants and vitamins in olive oil will leave your hair smoother and shinier. Repeat once every 1-2 weeks or as needed.

Exercises before Bed

Though it may seem counterintuitive, exercising before bed can actually help you fall into a deeper sleep. Plus, you’ll keep burning calories, even while you’re dozing off. We like these simple moves for the upper body from dating and lifestyle guru Laurel House. The best part: you can do them from the comfort of your bed.

Still worried a nighttime workout will keep you up? Try drinking green tea (You can add a natural sweetener like agave nectar if you want.) before bed. Green tea has natural relaxing agents and boosts your metabolism, among other body benefits. Along with your cup of tea, try a short yoga session, like this one from yogi Adriene Mishler. You’ll get a good workout and be relaxed and ready for some serious slumber.

The post Sleeping Beauty: Get More Beauty Benefits from Your Slumber appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Before wasting precious time and money on the latest beauty products that often don’t live up to their hype, rely instead on everyday household items to get the job done. Peruse our list of beauty hacks using unconventional products that are lying around your house for instant results.

1.  Dryer sheets for staticky hair: No one likes static in their clothes or their hair, and thank goodness the solution is the same! Grab a dryer sheet and gently run it along your hair to eliminate static.

2.  Coffee filters for oily skin: Perfect for on the go, stash your purse with a few of these and use them as blotting paper when you need to reduce shine.

3.  Transparent tape for perfect cat eyes: after a few cups of coffee in the morning, putting on eyeliner with a steady hand is often out of the question. With a short piece of tape, trace the border for a perfect application every time.

4.  Tea bags to reduce under-eye puffiness: Didn’t get enough sleep last night? Apply cold green tea bags under your eye to tighten the skin and reduce puffiness.

5.  Vaseline for longer lasting perfume: Before applying perfume, rub a little dab of this ointment on your pulse point or wherever you spray perfume on your skin to hold the fragrance longer.

6.  Rubber band for touching up French manicures: Every home has a junk drawer filled with rubber bands, so put it to good use by wrapping it around your nails one by one –leaving just the tip of the nail exposed- and apply a quick strip of polish to perfect the French manicure look.

7.  Using hot water to revive dried-up mascara: Don’t throw out clumpy mascara. Instead, revive it by soaking the tube in hot water for five minutes, and voila! A smooth application free of clumps.

8.  Whitening yellowed nails with toothpaste: Remove ugly nail polish or fungus stains from nails by scrubbing them with whitening toothpaste prepared with lemon juice an extra bleaching power.

The post 8 Beauty Hacks for Every Mom appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

You know that woman. Maybe you see her dropping her kids off at school when you pull into the same parking lot. She may even frequent the same grocery store. Her skin is glowing and her eyelashes are long and dark without looking false. She’s a natural beauty…or is she?

In recent years it seems like everyone has been trying to pull off the “I woke up like this” look à la Beyoncé. Long gone are the days of looking like you meticulously applied your eye makeup and straightened your hair. For many moms, this laissez-faire approach to beauty is very welcome. The hard part: looking natural isn’t as easy as it appears.

Thankfully there is an assortment of products on the market that caters to women who want to look naturally beautiful without all of the work. When you use these five products, you’re five steps away from looking naturally, and like the title of a recent Beyoncé hit, flawless.

 1.  SimySkin Face Serum

When it comes to achieving the no-makeup look, great skin is key, but a busy mom doesn’t need a time-consuming, multi-step skincare routine. That’s why the SimySkin Face Serum collection is a dream. The serum comes in two types: Phase I for women ages 25 to 45 and Phase II for women 45 and older. Phase I is a hydrating serum that protects against signs of aging, while Phase II repairs and firms skin. Both serums provide sun protection, so applying a heavy sunscreen is one more step you can mark off your to-do list. Simply apply the serum twice a day post cleansing to start seeing results.

2.  Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation

Finding a foundation to match your skin can be difficult. What’s even more difficult: finding one that doesn’t look and feel like foundation. Maybelline is known for its impressive liquid foundations, and the SuperStay Better Skin Foundation may be one of the best ones yet. This baby provides medium-to-full coverage and improves your skin over time thanks to the bonus ingredient Actyl-C, a stronger form of vitamin C. Users claim the foundation looks and feels like real skin and they’ve been complimented on their skin since they started using it. Sign us up!

3.  Physician’s Formula pH Matchmaker pH Powered Bronzer (for lighter skintones)

These next two products are take-your-pick options. Physicians’s Fomula, the reigning queen of drugstore bronzers, hit the ball out of the park with the pH Matchmaker pH Powered Bronzer. Unlike most bronzers, this bronzer (available in Light Bronzer and Bronze) has a brown undertone rather than orange so you won’t have to worry about that dreaded fake tan look. The product’s formula also reacts to light, transforming into your perfect shade in 60 seconds or less. Dust the powder on your cheeks, nose and the sides of your forehead for the perfect sun-kissed glow.

4.  L’Oreal Paris Magic Lumi Highlighter Deep (for darker skintones)

If you have deep or dark skin, then you’ve probably had difficulty finding bronzers or contour shades to suit your skintone. Drugstore products and makeup brands in general are notorious for not having a wide enough range of colors to suit darker skintones. When it comes to creating a natural look, however, you don’t need a ton of bronzers, contour shades, or different concealers. You just need a little highlighter. The L’Oreal Paris Magic Lumi Highlighter in Deep doubles as a brightening concealer as well, so any signs of a late night can be covered up using this handy highlighter. Apply the product under and in the inner corners of your eyes, down your nose, across the middle of your forehead, and above your cupid’s bow for glow that looks lit from within.

5.  Milani Color Statement Lipstick – Nude Creme

Behold; this may be the nude lipstick to end all nude lipsticks, and it’ll only cost you around six dollars. The Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Nude Creme has a creamy formula that is easy to apply and is neither matte nor super shiny. While most nude lipsticks work on just a few skintones, Nude Creme is a neutral pink that looks great on everyone. The color will look like your natural lip color, just better. Want something a little brighter? Milani offers a variety of shades in the lipstick, ranging from pinks to purples and corals to reds. Plus, the gold packaging is super chic.

The post 5 Products for Achieving that ‘No-Makeup’ Makeup Look appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Do you remember the last time you got the doctor-recommended eight hours of uninterrupted sleep and woke up feeling refreshed, spry and perhaps looking younger than you did before turning out the lights the night before? Our guess is it’s been awhile.  It’s easy to get distracted after crawling into bed and trying to unwind; getting caught up on what happened in your social sphere while you were working your butt off all day, or flipping on the TV to lighten the load of shows currently building up in your DVR.  Don’t feel bad, it happens to the best of us.

But it’s a bad habit for those who are concerned about maximizing their beauty sleep. Yes, we said it. Beauty sleep. It’s a real thing, and it’s time to start achieving it. Because bottom line, sleep is nature’s most powerful (and free!) beauty treatment.

Waking up with bags and dark circles under your eyes, dull skin, discoloration and even acne can all be signs that you’re skimping on some serious shut-eye. While sleeping, your skin begins to revitalize and rejuvenate itself, generating human growth hormone – a vital ingredient for collagen production.  Your entire body, including your skin, goes into repair mode.

It’s truly amazing what our body undergoes as we drift off to slumber. For instance, the body’s hydration rebalances, which is what allows skin to recover moisture.  During this time, excess water is processed for removal. Everything seems to effortlessly go back to square one.  However, lack of sleep causes blood vessels to dilate due to water retention, which is what ultimately causes the unsightly appearance of dark circles, wrinkles and excessive dryness. But that’s not all.

“When you don’t get good sleep, your body become prone to acne and inflammatory breakouts and accelerate aging,” states Kristen Ma, co-owner of Pure + Simple Inc. and author of Beauty Pure and Simple: The Ayurvedic Approach to Beautiful Skin. As an Ayurvedic practitioner and esthetician who has mastered the subject of holistic beauty, Ma has an enlightened approach to health and wellness, especially pertaining to the importance of sleep.

“Without ample sleep, the body finds it difficult to heal the stress and damage the day has put on your skin and tissues. Whatever energy you have goes into maintenance, and when all your reserves are used, you crash, becoming vulnerable to disease. But besides the detriment that a lack of sleep causes your overall health, it also has a direct effect on your complexion.”

The fact that skin ages faster when lack of sleep is prevalent is what researchers for Estée Lauder found in their commissioned clinical trial a few years ago. Physician-scientists at University Hospital Case Medical Center studied 60 pre-menopausal women between the ages of 30 and 49, half of which fell into the poor quality sleep category.

Researchers evaluated the women’s skin, conducting a variety of tests and skin challenges, finding those who didn’t experience good sleep patterns exhibited more signs of skin aging, including uneven pigmentation, reduced skin elasticity and an increase in fine lines.

In a related press release, Dr. Daniel Yarosh, a senior vice president for Estée Lauder Companies, stated, “This research shows for the first time, that poor sleep quality can accelerate signs of skin aging and weaken the skin’s ability to repair itself at night. These connections between sleep and skin aging, now supported with solid scientific data, will have a profound effect on how we study skin and its functions.”

Sleep isn’t just for a youthful-looking face, however. People who suffer from chronic sleep problems have a much higher rate of developing a number of diseases and conditions, including depression, obesity, heart disease and diabetes, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Studies have also shown that lack of sleep impacts cognitive performance and memory.

So before you go out and buy the latest and greatest moisturizers and serums that boast the miraculous ability to turn back the hands of time that are showing up on your face, just remember that a few extra z’s is among one of the best methods to achieving glowing, youthful skin and a healthy mind, body and spirit.

The post The Truth about Sleep and Your Skin appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Each year, countless Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer – in fact one in five of us will develop the disease in our lifetime. However, the survival rate for patients whose melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is detected early, before the tumor has penetrated the skin, is about 99 percent.  Sharing her top tips on protection and what to watch for is renowned NYC dermatologist, Dr. Amy Wechsler.

• First thing’s first, always seek shade. Hopping under an umbrella, sitting beneath an awning and covering up can reduce your UV exposure by 50 to 95 percent. This is particularly critical from 10:00 am – 4:00pm when the sun’s rays are the strongest.

• If you must go out, apply sunscreen. The best rule of thumb here is that you need at least two shot glasses full of sunscreen for your body and one teaspoon for your face. Look for sunscreens that are broad-spectrum and contain at least SPF 30 (you may want more for your face). Don’t forget to apply to your hands, feet and top it all off with a lip balm containing SPF to protect your pout.

• See your doctor. We’re all so diligent about our annual physicals, but most people do not include a visit to their dermatologist as they make the rounds. It is critical to get a full body skin check at least once a year to avoid any possible issues. This should also be supplemented with home skin checks.

• And when checking yourself, know the skin ABCs –

Asymmetry – half of the spot doesn’t match or look like the other half

Borders that are irregular – ragged, notched, or blurred around the edges

Color changes – say, from tan to black or red to blueish

Diameter – anything larger than a pencil eraser (6 millimeters) should be scrutinized, in addition to anything that’s started growing.

Protect yourself. Get treatment early. And when in doubt, get checked out.

Amy Wechsler, MD

A dermatologist practicing in New York City, Dr. Amy Wechsler is board certified in both dermatology and psychiatry. She is the author of the Mind-Beauty Connection: 9 Days to Reverse Stress Aging and Reveal More Youthful, Beautiful Skin. With a philosophy that draws on her unique and diverse experiences, Dr. Wechsler is recognized for being as approachable and progressive as she is professional.

The post Skin Cancer SOS appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

“Fine lines, wrinkles and discoloration are only the most visible symptoms of aging skin,” says Anna De La Crus, a skincare expert for glo therapeutics. “Others are less obvious but every bit as damaging. Dehydration, loss of elasticity and slower cell regeneration also affect skin health, and how good you look at any age.”

If you’re a baby boomer, it’s important to update your skin care and makeup regimen to keep your skin healthy and looking its best. Here are four skin care secrets every boomer woman should know:

1.  It’s not the number of years, it’s how well you’ve cared for your skin during them.

Age causes certain changes in the skin; cell turnover and renewal slows down, skin cells become less adept at retaining moisture, and skin becomes more sensitive. Taking care of your skin throughout your life – moisturizing, exfoliating and using sunblock – can help skin stay healthier and more youthful longer.

“As we age, lifestyle habits start catching up to us, some of which have been decades in the making before we see the visible proof,” says De La Cruz. “While it can seem as if a wrinkle appears overnight, there is no fountain of youth or instant cure.”

It’s also never too late to start taking better care of your skin, and it is possible to enhance skin health at any age. For wrinkles and fine lines, look for products that contain firming ingredients that will help stimulate collagen production, antioxidants to help protect against free radical damage, and smoothing ingredients to encourage cell renewal.

2. Your clothing and hair style have changed in the past 20 years; your skin care products should, too.

The moisturizer you used in your 20s may not be a good fit for your skin’s needs when you’re in your 50s. Baby boomers should look for skin care and makeup products specifically designed to address common concerns of aging skin, such as wrinkles, fine lines and hyperpigmentation. The leading edge in addressing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines is phytostem technology. Plant stem cells and firming active ingredients in the Cyto-luxe collection by glo therapeutics work to lift and tighten skin, as well as promote healthy cells and collagen production to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Two new formulas, Vitamin C+, which contains 20 percent L-ascorbic acid, and Hydration+, address the top two causes of aging: sun damage and moisture loss. To learn more about this luxury line of 10 products, visit www.gloprofessional.com.

For boomer women concerned about hyperpigmentation, daily sunscreen should provide protection of 30 SPF or higher, and include ingredients that brighten and lighten skin, such as retinol and glycolic acid.

3. Update your diet to include the nutrients skin needs to age more gracefully.

Good nutrition is important throughout life. Healthful nutrition is good for overall health, and it can help improve the skin’s appearance. Vitamins A, C and D are vital for skin health, and topical applications of A and C are also good for the skin.

De La Cruz recommends boomer women stay on top of hydration by drinking lots of water. Incorporate plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, too – especially those containing key vitamins.

4. Your look has matured and so should your makeup routine.

The wrong makeup application can actually amplify the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores. As skin matures, a “less is more” approach is often more flattering.

“I advise women in their 50s and 60s to explore a clean, classic look,” says Janeena Billera, National Makeup Artist for glo minerals. “To achieve this, use natural foundations that illuminate and hydrate the skin. Choose neutral shades of matte to satin eye shadows, apply eyeliner tight to the lashline, maintain well-groomed eyebrows and add a natural flush to the cheek.”

Finally, Billera advises, growing older doesn’t mean you have to give up being trendy and fun. “Use current trends as an inspiration and simply tweak or tone down the look, always keeping placement and blending in mind.”

(BPT)

The post Wrinkle-busting skin care tips for boomer women appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

With changing seasons, there come changes in your complexion.  Winter months are approaching, which means frigid winds, dry air, and freezing temperatures are upon us.  These blustery conditions can strip your skin of its natural glow, and cause it to be a war zone filled with flakiness, dry spots, redness, and acne.  As mountains of skincare creams, moisturizers, toners, and exfoliators pile up on your bathroom counter, and little to no changes in your dull and damaged face to show for it, your next best bet might be hitting up your refrigerator.  Diet has a direct effect to your skin health, and is the best natural remedy to curing your problems.  Here are five foods that will help your derma-drab become derma-beauty so you can have glowing, refreshed looking skin all year round with health that is truly skin-deep.

Kiwi is a low fat, low calorie fruit that amps up your derma-beauty to the next level of rejuvenation.  One kiwi fruit supplies your body with over 100% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C, making it the leading fruit for vitamin C content – that’s right, even more so than the infamous orange.  Vitamin C takes a large part in collagen formation, which is the skin’s support system against damage caused by free radicals produced from sun exposure, pollution, and smoke.  This helps rejuvenate the skin, and fight against wrinkles.  Kiwi is a natural source of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that help with skin rejuvenation, and are found in many skin creams and moisturizers that are stocked on drugstore shelves.  The AHAs found in kiwis help combat acne and keep pores clean to prevent future breakouts.  One fruit holds about 2 grams of fiber, combined with it’s antioxidants, kiwi has a laxative affect that helps rid your body of nasty toxins, resulting into glowing skin during those winter months.

Raw walnuts are a shield against the effects of dry winter weather thanks to it’s healthy fats, proteins, and minerals.  Walnuts are so packed with antioxidants, just 1 oz. holds more than what the average person consumes throughout an entire day.  Key micronutrients that make walnuts superfood title justifiable are zinc, magnesium, potassium, iron, and vitamin E.  These vitamins and minerals help increase circulation and blood flow to the skin, reduce fluid retention, and help eliminate the look of saggy and/or puffy skin.  Many believe nuts are high in fat, and therefore, cause weight gain.  But no worries here, walnuts have no known link to this food-stereotype.  One serving consists of 14 walnut halves and 185 calories.

Onions are an anti-viral, anti-inflammatory veggie with incredible detox properties that help fight against disease and boost circulation and blood flow to the skin.  It’s antioxidants, Vitamins A, C, and E, protect against free radicals, slowing the aging process and reducing cell damage.  Onions are antiseptics, which prevents bad bacteria from making a home on your skin and allowing unfortunate, bulbous pimples from making an appearance.  Allicin is the powerhouse phytochemical found in onions due to its ability to stop collagen-digesting, pro-wrinkling enzymes from wreaking havoc on the body.  Onions, especially red and yellow onions, are also made up of a high level of quercetin, a bioflavonoid that protects the skin against UVB damage and lowers the risk of cancer.

All of those mugs of hot cocoa you find yourself drinking during a late-night snowstorm could be maximizing your beauty benefits!  With its high concentration of antioxidants, such as epicatechin, cocoa wards off wrinkles by turning off the functions of age-promoting cells and activating protective cell mechanisms.  Cocoa replenishes the skin’s vitality by boosting it’s hydration through pumping nutrients, blood, and oxygen to the skin, which essentially reduces any redness caused by windburn, acne, rosacea, and other skin disorders.  You’ll get the most benefits from dairy-free chocolate made with at least 70% cocoa, but don’t go overboard.  Eating an entire chocolate bar in one sitting will give you more fat, sugar, and calories than healthy nutrients.  Research shows two to three ounces of dark chocolate per week will give you what you need to attain radiant skin.

Avocados help the health of skin in a number of ways.  They’re a major source of healthy fats that metabolize easily, making them a good energy supplier that supercharges the body’s natural detox process of the liver, helping to keep skin clear.  Avocados are rich in vitamin E and B vitamins, which assist in a variety of things.  Vitamin E keeps skin cells strong and hydrated, allowing your skin to stay firm and dewy.  B vitamins alleviate redness and inflammation through detoxification and DNA repair.  Specifically rich in vitamin B7, commonly known as biotin, consuming avocados can prevent dry skin and brittle hair and nails.  Because avocados are higher in fats, it is advised to eat them in moderation.  One half of an avocado per day will give you all of these benefits, plus a little 2-gram protein boost.

Remember, hydration is your best friend when it comes to skin health.  Drinking enough water helps balance your skin’s moisture levels, so make sure your body gets enough fluids through liquids and foods every day.  By stocking your kitchen with these five items and teaming up with water, you’re one step closer to getting that flawless complexion you’ve always dreamt of having.  Your external appearance is a reflection of what you’re putting into your body, so keep choosing nourishing foods that make you look and feel beautiful from the inside-out!

Resources 

www.rd.com

www.youbeauty.com

www.skinglowingtips.blogspot.com

Hart, Jolene. Eat Pretty: Nutrition for Beauty, inside and out. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

www.medicalnewtoday.com

www.stylecraze.com

The post Eat Your Way to Glowing Winter Skin appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.