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.

We all learned the alphabet back in pre-school, but did you know there is another that you may want to memorize? Renowned dermatologist and psychologist specializing in the mind-beauty connection, Dr. Amy Wechsler, has reinvented key letters of the alphabet with things you should consider, consume and keep in mind throughout your day, leaving your skin and mood in tip top shape.

• A is for Antioxidants: We all know the importance by now of antioxidants. They play a critical role in protecting skin against free radicals and fighting premature skin aging. Look for skincare products that contain antioxidants to work into your daily routine.

• E is for Exfoliate: Exfoliation is one of the most important steps in a skincare regimen. This process helps to slough away dry and dead skin cells that have adhered themselves to your face or other parts of your body leaving you with brighter looking and smoother feeling skin.

• M is for Moisturizer: I always say the cheapest anti-ager on the market today is a good moisturizer. Dry skin can not only appear dull but also heighten the appearance of fine lines. Be sure to use a good moisturizer daily to help plump skin and maintain its youthful appearance.

• Q is for Quality Time: Spending time reconnecting is critical to reversing signs of stress aging. Hanging out with friends, or cuddling and having sex with a partner releases all kinds of feel-good hormones within the brain that trigger relaxation.

• R is for Retinoids: Retinoids are prescription strength anti-agers than help with skin regeneration. In addition to helping minimize the appearance of sunspots and skin discoloration, they also help improve skin’s elasticity. They also can act as a great acne treatment, reducing the appearance of acne and shrinking pore size. Talk to your doctor about whether these are a good option for you.

• S is for Sleep: Sleep is free cosmetic medicine, plain and simple. Allotting the necessary time needed to catch some zz’s is critical to reducing signs of stress aging, not to mention allowing your body time to recharge and rev up again for the day ahead. There is also a link between sleep and weight gain, so hitting the sack for at least eight hours a night can also help keep you slim and trim.

• U is for UV Protection: Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer today, but when caught early can be treated 99% of the time. Avoid the risk by slathering on sunscreen before heading outside every day. When you are outside, be sure to cover up and seek shade, both of which will minimize your risk.

• Y is for You: Most importantly, be sure to take care of yourself. You have an active role in your health and appearance. For many of us, taking care of our skin helps us to not only look but feel good. Be sure to stay on top of your annual visits to your doctor, and remember there is no question too small.

The new and improved ABCs – a perfect formula for a skin-savvy you.

Bio: 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 Care Alphabet appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Your quest to healthy, glowing skin does not just happen overnight, but many of our worst skin habits do. Some of us have “bad skin habits” that make our journey to perfect skin longer and harder. Luckily, some minor changes can have your face looking flawless in no time, just in time for summer. 

Bad Habit #1: Sleeping in makeup.

This might be the most common offense.  After a long night out, many times we tend to skip washing off our makeup and head straight to bed. The small feeling of “I’ll just wash it in the morning” can be the direct cause of a major breakout later. For those nights when you could honestly fall asleep at the sink, try keeping makeup remover wipes on hand. With most makeup remover wipes, one sheet can effectively remove all of the makeup from your face without even using water.

So what happens when you sleep in makeup?

Remove eye makeup easily!

Bad Habit #2: Inadequate Moisturizing.

There are many things to consider when moisturizing your face. First, it is important to keep in mind your unique skin type. Is your skin usually dry or does it tend to be oilier? Figuring out if you have dry spots or sections that get shiny can make finding the right moisturizer much easier. Also, if you notice that a moisturizer that usually works for you just isn’t doing the trick, consider other factors like weather and diet changes because they can warrant a change in moisturizers.

Natural Moisturizer

Minimize your pores

Bad Habit #3: Washing too much (or not enough!)

Some of the face washes out there are harsh on our skin and it’s important not to over-do it. Washing your face too often can lead to over drying. On the contrary, your face needs to be cleansed daily to avoid clogged pores, which can lead to breakouts. Generally, you should only need to wash your face twice a day (once in the morning, once at night). There are tons of washes out there, so finding one that works for you can be overwhelming. Though most of us find that perfect cleanser through trial and error, use the Internet to your advantage. Once you figure out your skin type, look on YouTube for product reviews. There are many natural options (like oil pulling as a cleanser or apple cider vinegar as an astringent) that you can try that might save you time (and money!)

Oil Pulling?

Perfect for sensitive skin!

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