We’ve rounded up some of our favorite beauty and wellness finds that are helping women feel confident, refreshed, and ready to make the most of summer. From skincare and beauty essentials to wellness must-haves and self-care favorites, each brand featured below brings something unique to the table. Whether you’re treating yourself or searching for your next favorite discovery, these products deserve a spot on your radar.

Intimate Wellness. Powered by Oxygen.

Experience CO2Lift® V, the patented carboxy treatment designed to deeply hydrate, support tissue health, and restore comfort where it matters most. Because confidence starts with feeling your best.

Get that Head-to-Toe Summer Glow from Within*

Support a more youthful glow and reverse the signs of aging—naturally—with SeroVital.* SeroVital activates HGH, your body’s own anti-aging peptide hormone.* HGH is associated with increased energy, decreased body fat, reduced fine lines and wrinkles, and deeper, more restorative sleep.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Fade Dark Spots & Refresh Your Skin with Musely

Ready for a summer skin glow-up? Musely offers dermatologist-prescribed treatments delivered to your door to help reduce dark spots, melasma, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. Personalized formulas make it easy to achieve brighter, healthier-looking skin—all from the comfort of home.

Fuel Your Summer Glow with Kroma Wellness

Looking and feeling your best starts from within. Kroma Wellness offers clean, nutrient-dense superfood lattes, smoothies, broths, and wellness essentials made with premium ingredients to support energy, digestion, and overall well-being. It’s an easy way to nourish your body while embracing your summer glow-up routine.

Shop now

Whether you’re looking to refresh your skincare routine, discover a new beauty favorite, or add simple wellness upgrades to your everyday life, these featured brands prove that a few thoughtful choices can make a big difference. Each one was selected for offering something that helps women look, feel, or live a little better this summer.

Here’s to feeling confident, embracing a little extra self-care, and making this your most radiant season yet. Happy shopping!

The post Glow Into Summer: 2026 Beauty and Wellness Guide appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Discover our must-have picks for 2026…

Tsoji handmade Soaps: Eastern Botanicals for Gentle, Non-Drying Cleansing

Tsoji handmade, cold-process soaps blend time-honored Eastern botanicals like moongrass, tea tree oil, and ginseng, natural, gentle care to help your skin become healthier with every use. $12.98

Shop all Tsoji products at: Tsoji and use code akamom25

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Do You Suffer From Dark Intimate Areas?

Millions do! From super models to soccer moms, everyone wants to look their best. Especially in their intimate areas. Now you can with South Beach Skin Solutions. This is the one you’ve heard about. The original. Safe, Gentle, Natural, Fast!

Shop our entire line of products!  

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Mitopure® Firming Serum by Timeline

Meet the first Mitopure® longevity serum that rejuvenates mitochondria and improves key markers of skin health. This flash-absorbing formula targets visible signs of aging at the source with antioxidants and barrier-supporting actives to hydrate, smooth and strengthen skin over time. $225

Moms Deserve to Glow, Too

Meet Acela Skincare—modern, refined tallow-based formulas designed to deeply hydrate and support your skin barrier for a healthy, lasting glow. Products made for skin of all consistencies and ages. Made for women like you. Shop at acelaskincare.com.

The code AKAMOM15 is active for 15% off.

Buy Now

At the end of the day, self-care doesn’t have to mean a full spa day or an hour long routine, it can be as simple as choosing products that support your skin, your body, and your confidence in a way that fits your life. The best routines are the ones you’ll actually stick to, and that means finding solutions that are effective, easy to use, and designed with real women in mind.

The post AKA Mom’s 2026 Beauty Drawer MVP’s appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Dry skin? Try this one.
Fine lines? Maybe that one.
Sensitive? Good luck.

This trial-and-error approach just feels … inefficient.

Now, beauty has entered its custom era.

Personalized beauty formulas are no longer reserved for celebrities with private dermatologists. Brands are using online assessments, AI-driven skin analysis tools, and in-depth quizzes to create products tailored specifically to your skin type, concerns, climate, and even lifestyle.

It sounds futuristic. It also sounds slightly intimidating.

But here’s the real question.

Does personalized beauty actually make a difference, or is it just a more expensive way to buy moisturizer?

Let’s unpack it.

What “Personalized” Actually Means

Personalized beauty formulas start with you, not a category.

Most brands ask you to complete a detailed questionnaire about your skin type, sensitivities, goals, environment, and habits. Some go further, analyzing uploaded photos or using at-home diagnostics.

Instead of buying a generic “anti-aging” or “hydrating” cream, you receive a blend adjusted to what your skin actually needs now.

For example:
• Your formula might dial back potent actives if you report sensitivity.
• It may emphasize barrier-supporting ingredients if you live in a dry climate.
• It may prioritize brightening or hydrating actives depending on your priorities.

Brands like PROVEN Skincare offer a personalized system where a Skin Genome Quiz gathers data about dozens of skin factors to craft a regimen just for you.

Other modern approaches, like Curology, combine photos with your history to deliver custom prescription-style formulas tailored to your skin goals.

In theory, personalized beauty reduces the trial-and-error cycle most of us know all too well.

And if you’ve ever spent money on three different serums that didn’t work, the appeal of something designed for you is obvious.

Why This Trend Is Growing So Fast

There are a few reasons personalized beauty formulas are exploding.

First, consumers are more educated. Women (and men) are reading ingredient labels, learning about actives, and asking smarter questions about what they put on their skin.

Second, technology has improved. AI-based skin assessments and algorithm-driven formulations make customization scalable and more precise.

Third, people are tired of waste. Filling a shelf with half-used products that didn’t deliver results no longer feels worth it.

Personalized formulas promise:

• Fewer products
• Fewer reactions
• More targeted results

It’s beauty with intention, not guesswork.

Does It Actually Work Better?

This is where nuance matters.

Personalized skincare does not mean magical skincare.

If you need prescription-strength treatment for acne, severe hyperpigmentation, or melasma, an algorithm won’t replace a dermatologist. Some brands guide you closer to that path, but they aren’t a substitute for medical care.

However, for everyday concerns like uneven texture, early fine lines, dryness, or dullness, customized formulations can minimize irritation and help avoid ingredient overload.

One issue many people run into is over-layering. With so many serums and creams available, it’s tempting to stack vitamin C in the morning, exfoliating acids at night, peptides whenever, and barrier creams just in case.

A single product tailored to your needs can simplify that chaos.

Instead of five bottles competing for attention, you end up with one or two that were created to work together.

Less confusion. More consistency.

The Psychology of Feeling Seen

There’s also something psychological happening.

When a product arrives with your name on it or clearly reflects your concerns, it feels intentional. It feels thoughtful.

For many women, that personalization increases adherence, you use it more consistently, and consistent use is what actually drives results.

Even if the formulation differences are subtle, the behavioral shift is real: you’re more invested in products that feel made for you.

The Caveats No One Talks About

Personalized does not automatically equal superior.

Not all personalization tools are created equal. Some use basic quizzes with limited variables. Others leverage more advanced data and even photo analysis.

You still need to:

• Understand your skin goals
• Avoid chasing every trending ingredient
• Give products time to work
• Wear sunscreen daily, always

And yes, personalized beauty often costs more.

But it’s worth considering if it replaces multiple ineffective purchases rather than adding to them.

Is It Worth It for Busy Moms?

If you’re juggling work, family, errands, and everything in between, simplicity matters.

A tailored moisturizer-serum hybrid that tackles hydration and early fine lines may be more practical than a six-step routine you never finish.

Personalized beauty works best when it reduces decision fatigue.

Because most of us do not have time to decode ingredient charts at 10:30 p.m.

We want something effective, streamlined, and low drama.

The Bigger Picture

The rise of personalized beauty reflects a larger shift in how women approach self-care.

It’s less about chasing trends and more about understanding your own biology.

Your skin is unique.
Your environment is unique.
Your stress levels, sleep patterns, and exposure to sun and pollution are unique.

Why wouldn’t your skincare reflect that?

Personalized beauty does not replace fundamentals like sunscreen, hydration, sleep, and healthy habits.

But it can make your routine feel more intelligent, not just assembled from what was on sale.

The Smarter Way to Approach It

If you’re curious about personalized formulas:

Start with one product, not an entire routine.
Look for transparency in ingredients and processes.
Make sure there is a clear return or adjustment policy.
Give it at least eight to twelve weeks before judging results.

And remember:

Customized skincare is a tool, not a miracle.

But in a world full of generic promises, something truly tailored just to you feels like a step in the right direction.

Because sometimes the best beauty advice is simple.

Know your skin. Support it consistently. And stop buying products just because someone said they were life-changing.

Your skin deserves better than trend panic.

The post The Rise of Personalized Beauty Formulas (Yes, Tailored Just to You) appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

They existed. They framed your face. No one laminated them. No one mapped them with string. No one owned four different brow brushes like they were surgical tools.

Then the 90s happened.

Then the ultra-arched Instagram era happened.

Then the soap brow phase where we all looked mildly electrocuted.

At this point, our brows have survived more trauma than our high school diaries.

Thankfully, 2026 is bringing us back to sanity…when it comes to brows that is.

The new brow direction is realistic. Softer. Forgiving. Efficient. The kind of brow you can do while someone is yelling from the other room that they cannot find their shoes. A natural brow routine for busy women is finally replacing complicated, time-consuming brow routines.

In other words, brows for real life.

The Shift: Enhancement, Not Reconstruction

The most realistic brow trends right now focus on enhancing what you have instead of rebuilding what you wish you had.

Softer fronts. Fuller texture. Less harsh outlining. No more drawing a thick rectangle at the inner corner and hoping it blends.

The goal is simple. Believable brows that move.

Not brows that look laminated into submission.

Much like we discussed in our guide to heatless hair trends for busy women, less really is more when it comes to everyday beauty.

Why We’re Done With High-Maintenance Brows

Why a Natural Brow Routine for Busy Women Works

If your brow routine requires a tutorial and a ring light, it is not surviving the school year.

Most moms do not have time to outline, fill, carve, conceal, and highlight before 8:00 a.m. We need brows that hold up through errands, meetings, playground visits, and the occasional emotional spiral over math homework.

That is why the realistic brow era makes sense. It respects your time.

The TikTok Tools That Actually Deliver

TikTok Shop has introduced us to everything from miracle cleansers to questionable contour hacks. But a few brow tools have earned their spot.

The iMethod Microblading Liquid 2-in-1 Brow Pen has become popular for good reason. One end creates fine, hair-like strokes using a liquid formula that looks softer than traditional pencil lines. The other end helps shape or fill quickly without overdoing it.

If you want more versatility, the iMethod 4-in-1 Brow Pen offers multiple angled tips in one tool, allowing you to build fullness gradually. It is especially helpful for sparse tails or uneven areas.

The trick is light pressure. Short strokes. Step back from the mirror. If your brow starts looking like a barcode, pause.

These tools work best when enhancing, not reinventing.

The Soft Structure Brow

This is the anti-stencil brow.

Instead of outlining the entire shape and filling it like a coloring book, focus only on gaps. Keep the front airy. Let the middle carry the natural density. Gently define the tail.

Fine-tip pencils still work beautifully for this. But liquid micro-stroke pens create softer texture when used sparingly.

And here is where we bring in the quiet hero.

Brown eyeshadow.

Yes, the matte brown shade that has been sitting in your palette for five years.

Using a small angled brush, lightly press a cool-toned brown eyeshadow into sparse areas. It diffuses naturally, looks softer than pencil, and is incredibly forgiving. If you mess up, it blends out easily instead of leaving harsh lines.

For women who want subtle fullness without precision artistry, eyeshadow is often the most realistic option of all.

It gives you shadow. Not stripes.

This natural brow routine for busy women focuses on realistic shaping and time-saving techniques.

Tinted Gel Is Still the MVP

If you only have seconds, tinted brow gel is your best friend.

Brush upward and slightly outward. It adds volume, color, and hold in one step. No overthinking required.

Options like Glossier Boy Brow, Kosas Air Brow, and Maybelline Brow Fast Sculpt deliver quick texture. Pair it over light eyeshadow or micro-strokes and you are done.

It is essentially mascara for your brows.

Tinting Instead of Daily Filling

If you are tired of filling daily, tinting can make a noticeable difference. Professional brow tinting darkens lighter hairs, making brows appear fuller even without makeup.

For those comfortable with at-home options, subtle tint kits exist. The goal is enhancement, not transformation. You want people to think you slept well, not wonder what happened overnight.

Growth for the Over-Plucked Generation

If your brows are still recovering from aggressive tweezing in the 90s, growth serums may help over time.

Products like GrandeBROW and RevitaBrow are often used to encourage thicker regrowth with consistent application. Results take patience, but for many women, subtle improvement reduces the need for heavy filling.

Patience is not glamorous. But neither are permanently surprised brows.

What We’re Officially Retiring

The ultra-square inner corner.
The overly dark shade that competes with your eyeliner.
The razor-sharp arch that looks permanently suspicious.
Filling every inch with heavy color.

Brows should frame your face, not intimidate strangers.

The Five-Minute Plan

Brush brows upward with a spoolie.
Lightly fill sparse spots with a microblading pen or matte brown eyeshadow.
Comb through with tinted gel.
Stop.

Do not keep layering.

You are not preparing for a red carpet. You are preparing for real life.

The Real Win

The best brow compliment is not, “Your brows look amazing.”

It is, “You look refreshed.”

Realistic brow trends are about subtle polish. They are about enhancing your features without announcing the effort.

If your brows look like yours, just slightly better, you did it right.

And if it took less than five minutes, even better.

The post Brows for Life: The Most Realistic Brow Trends That Don’t Take an Hour appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

A new year means a new energy and 2026 is all about upgrading the way we care for ourselves, our homes, and our families. Whether you’re stepping into better wellness habits, simplifying your routine, or looking to add a little joy to everyday moments, this year’s top picks deliver exactly what you need.

Elevate Your Wellness Ritual with Baby Foot

Wellness begins with healthy feet. Baby Foot’s trusted and award-winning foot peel combines hydration and gentle exfoliation for baby soft feet. Since 1997, our all-in-one treatment has made self-care simple, effective, and essential for your routine. $25.00

Achieve clarity: Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream

The distinct formulation of our Cleansing Cream makes it a very special product. Mixed with a little water between your hands, the Cleansing Cream starts to soften and you start to experience its entire spectrum of effects: Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream cleanses and gently exfoliates, softening and balancing, refining and revitalizing your complexion. We recommend using this as a basic cleansing product in the morning and evening.

Buy now

Dooney & Bourke Florentine Weekender

This warm weekender, made from Italian Vacchetta leather that grows softer with age, blends function and style with hand stitched handles, a detachable strap, and an extended zipper.

Buy now

Lose up to 9 lbs in 4 weeks – naturally!

Almased is a natural health superfood protein shake for busy moms to lose weight fast and keep it off. If on GLP-1s, it’s a must-have to preserve muscle. Backed by 31+ university studies, Almased optimizes metabolism, burns fat & you can lose up to 9 lbs in a month.

More Than Lotion—First Aid for Your Skin

Originally developed for medical use, finipil® is a dermatologist-approved antiseptic that kills 99.999% of bacteria. Cool, soothe, and protect skin from irritation, burns, and windburns. Not just for you, keep little ones’ skin bump-free, happy, and protected with this everyday essential. On Sale Now – $15.00

Buy now

Crazy Aaron’s® Pinchies™ Pet Parade

Meet Pinchies™—the squeezable fidget friends that clickety-clack with every pinch! Each game set comes with three collectible characters you can play with anytime, plus a game board that turns them into a fast-paced 1–2 player challenge. Whether you’re fidgeting solo or facing off with friends, Pinchies™ bring endless fun!

Line up your furry friends—dog, cat, and hamster—for a playful competition in the spotlight!

1 Player: Send your Pinchies™ into the spotlight! Launch one at a time and count how many tries it takes to land in the center of the game board.

2 Players: Choose your Pinchies™ pet and let the game begin! Both players launch their Pinchies™ at the same time. 10 points if your Pinchies™ land in the outer ring, 20 points for the middle, and center ring scores 30 points. The first player to reach 100 points wins the game!

Play the Game. Keep the Fidget. Collect them All.

PERSONALIZED HEIDI HEART INITIAL NECKLACE

Wrap your wrist in elegance with our Personalized Heidi Heart Initial Bracelet – a perfect blend of love and personal style.

GLASSWARE SPARKLES!

All natural plant-based wineglass cleaner. Bring a touch of refinement to your 2026 rituals with this all-natural, plant powered wineglass cleaner. It leaves glassware flawlessly clear and pristine, ensuring every wine’s true flavor shines through. No residue, no compromise, just pure elegance in every sip.

DeeplyRooted Complete Hair System

Destress your strands from the inside out with this comprehensive Hair Growth kit. Formulated for anyone with hair loss and thinning, DeeplyRooted Hair Serum uses potent plant-based ingredients to help calm a stressed-out scalp and increase the appearance of hair density and thickness.

Berry Sweet (Strawberry) Romper

Our Long Sleeve Bamboo  Romper brings together everyday comfort and timeless charm. Made from a luxuriously soft blend of 95% bamboo and 5% spandex, this romper is breathable, stretchy, and oh so gentle on sensitive skin, perfect for cozy naps, playful mornings, and everything in between.

Thoughtful details make this romper a favorite: a double zipper allows for quick and easy diaper changes (from top or bottom!), while protective zipper guards keep baby’s skin safe.

Fold over mittens on all sizes help keep tiny hands warm and prevent scratches, and convertible feet allow you to switch between footed and footless in seconds. Starting at 6 months, grippy soles add traction for little ones on the move.

Buy now

The post New Year, New Vibe: Top Picks for 2026 appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

The one where your calendar feels aggressive, your sleep is questionable, and your patience resembles a toddler’s attention span.

Suddenly, your skin joins the chaos.

Breakouts you have not seen since college. Dry patches that appeared overnight. Redness that makes you look permanently annoyed.

You stare in the mirror and think, what is happening?

What is happening is stress skin.

And yes, it is very real.

What Stress Actually Does to Your Skin

When you are stressed, your body releases cortisol. Cortisol is helpful in short bursts. It is not helpful when you are juggling deadlines, kids, laundry, and that one school email that required four attachments and emotional strength.

Elevated cortisol can increase oil production, weaken your skin barrier, slow healing, and increase inflammation. The result is skin that feels reactive, unpredictable, and slightly dramatic.

Your skin mirrors your nervous system. When you feel overwhelmed, your face often shows it.

This does not mean you need a complicated routine. It means your skin needs calming support.

The Barrier Is Everything

When stress hits, your skin barrier often takes the first hit. The barrier keeps moisture in and irritants out. When it becomes compromised, your skin can feel tight, irritated, or prone to breakouts.

This is not the moment for harsh scrubs or strong acids. It is the moment for repair.

Look for ingredients that support and rebuild the barrier such as ceramides, niacinamide, plant oils rich in fatty acids, seaweed extracts, and soothing botanicals.

One strong clean option is True Botanicals Renew Pure Radiance Oil. It is formulated with nutrient dense seed oils and antioxidants that help support hydration and calm stressed skin without clogging pores.

Another gentle barrier supporting moisturizer is OSEA Atmosphere Protection Cream. It uses seaweed derived ingredients and niacinamide to help defend against environmental stressors while keeping skin hydrated and balanced.

When your skin feels reactive, the goal is calm, not control.

Stress Breakouts and What to Do Instead of Panicking

Stress can increase oil production, which can lead to clogged pores and inflammation. The natural reaction is to over cleanse or attack blemishes with strong treatments.

That usually backfires.

Instead of stripping your skin, use targeted treatments that calm while clarifying.

Herbivore Botanicals offers plant based formulas that focus on soothing and balancing rather than harsh exfoliation. A gentle mask with blue tansy and white willow bark can help reduce congestion and redness without irritating the skin further.

If you prefer a simple at home option, a weekly bentonite clay mask mixed with water can draw out excess oil. A light dab of diluted tea tree oil on active blemishes can also help when used sparingly.

The key word is sparingly.

When Stress Shows Up as Dryness

Sometimes stress skin swings in the opposite direction. Instead of oily and inflamed, it becomes dry, tight, and dull.

This is when hydration matters more than exfoliation.

Layering a hyaluronic acid serum under moisturizer can help support water retention. Following with a light facial oil can seal in moisture overnight.

True Botanicals Renew Pure Radiance Oil works well layered over a simple moisturizer at night. OSEA also offers a Hyaluronic Sea Serum that focuses on clean hydration without synthetic fragrance.

For a basic home remedy, plain organic yogurt mixed with a teaspoon of raw honey can temporarily calm redness and provide gentle moisture.

It is simple, but effective.

The Nervous System Connection

Here is the part no product label mentions.

If stress is constant, skincare alone will not fix everything.

Sleep impacts skin repair. Hydration affects elasticity. Nutrition influences inflammation.

Even small adjustments can help. A short walk. A few deep breaths before bed. Drinking more water. Turning off your phone earlier than usual.

Your skin is not separate from your life. It reflects it.

Simplify When Everything Feels Overwhelming

When stress is high, your routine should get simpler.

Cleanse gently.
Hydrate well.
Moisturize thoughtfully.
Protect with sunscreen daily.

That is enough.

If you lean toward clean beauty during stressful seasons, brands like True Botanicals, OSEA, and Herbivore Botanicals focus on plant driven, non toxic formulations that are often better tolerated by reactive skin.

The goal is not perfection.

The goal is stability.

Stress skin is real. But it is manageable.

Treat it gently. Support it consistently. And remember that your face does not have to carry the weight of your week.

The post Stress Skin Is Real: What Happens and What Helps 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.

“As you age, your skin changes,” says Dr. Jeanine Downie, board-certified dermatologist from Image Dermatology P.C. in Montclair New Jersey. “When it comes to supporting skin and its care, women (and men) need to understand that aging is complex, and it varies greatly by individual. Genetics, tanning and smoking also influence the health of your skin.” She also noted that with skincare, there are a range of choices to consider, such as topicals, injectables, cosmetic treatments, surgery and even oral anti-aging skincare supplements. Additionally, Dr. Downie shares it’s important to adjust your skin care routine throughout the years, what worked in your and twenties may not have your skin glowing into your thirties and beyond.

Many women don’t know where to start. Meaning, what types of anti-aging skincare products might be right for them and what the choices are when it comes to anti-aging products.

She provides her tips for aging beautifully from your 20s to 50s and each decade in between:

20s: Preserve and protect. It’s never too early to start aging prevention. Hectic schedules, late nights out and days spent on the beach can wreak havoc on your skin. This stress shows up in the form of dark circles, under-eye bags, and dull or puffy skin. Fine lines begin to creep up as early as your late 20s, so a quality skin care routine is key. Start with a glycolic acid based cleanser and an oil free moisturizer. Dr. Downie recommends a separate sunscreen with an SPF 30 or above, rain or shine, January through December, regardless of your ethnicity. Sunscreen only works if you reapply it every two hours, according to skincancer.org. Sun protection forms the foundation of any anti-aging skin-care plan, according to the American Academy of Dermatology and The Skin Cancer Foundation, as the sun’s rays make our skin age more quickly – so regular use of daily sun protection is essential at all ages.

30s: Exfoliate. Once you hit your 30s, your skin’s natural exfoliation process begins to slow down. The growth factor in your skin also decreases. This means that you start to lose a teaspoon of collagen from your face every year by the time you are 30. Continue with your glycolic acid base cleanser. You also need an oil-free make up remover. Using an eye cream both day and night might help to increase moisture and suppleness around the eye area. Dr. Downie recommends a dual-pronged approach to help address some of the first signs of aging using topicals plus IMEDEEN Derma One, an anti-aging oral supplement that provides nutrients from within, targeted to the dermal skin layers where creams and lotions can’t reach.  This supports hydration and helps to create a radiant glow.

40s: Strengthen. As you enter your 40s, your estrogen levels begin to change, resulting in dryer and thinner skin. Anti-aging products and creams with ingredients like retinoids and peptides are must-haves and always make sure to apply sunblock. Moisturize with serums containing growth factors and hyaluronic acid. Exfoliate – use a gentle face cleansing brush to help get rid of dead skin cells. Be sure to extend your skin care down to your neck and décolleté (upper chest) area. There are specifically formulated products to soothe and ease discoloration in this area. While you work hard to care for your skin on the outside, add IMEDEEN Time Perfection. This age-adjusted anti-aging supplement formula helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, so add it to your daily routine to nourish your skin from within. Nourishment from within supports the whole body, including the back of hands and upper chest.

50s: Beyond Hydration and Prevention. You should already be on a steady anti-aging regimen. As soon as you count 50 candles on your birthday cake, moisturizing should be your top skincare priority. Look for products with retinoids, peptides, alpha hydroxy and amino acids. You should be keeping vigilant with your sunscreen and moisturizers. You could always consider laser treatment surgery, Botox with filler or other non-invasive treatments. IMEDEEN Prime Renewal, the anti-aging skincare formula for women 50 and older, is a dietary supplement that helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and age spots as it protects and repairs the skin, stimulating collagen production, and is a convenient addition to your daily skin care regimen.

Most important, Dr. Downie reminds that true beauty comes from within, so embrace your age throughout your life. Try to avoid excessive sun exposure (and indoor tanning as these rays may accelerate skin aging,) moisturize daily and consider an anti-aging oral supplement. Exercise, eat healthy foods, don’t forget to get enough sleep (it’s called beauty rest for a reason) and if you smoke, stop.

Follow this guide and take steps to shift you skincare routine throughout the decades to feel as beautiful as you look – both inside and out.

*BPT

The post From 20s to 50s: How to Age Gracefully appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

We’ve all paid the price for beauty in one way or another, whether it was wearing that pair of uncomfortable, sky-high heels that made our legs look great or enduring thirty minutes of painful eyebrow waxing to get that perfect arch. Maybe you even recall spending three hours perfecting your cat-eye liner for a first date that never led to a second one. Whatever the case may be, you’ve probably found yourself wishing you didn’t have to sacrifice so much time and comfort for beauty. Now with the arrival of new skin methods like the Pellevé System you won’t have to sacrifice time away from your kids or endure a painful procedure to reveal smoother, brighter, more youthful skin.

The Pellevé System consists of non-surgical treatments that gradually distribute radio frequency energy into the skin.

“Essentially the radio frequency waves are creating a thermal injury, for lack of a better description, by heating up the collagen and elastin fibers to cause them to contract and tighten to repair/restore themselves,” says Aesthetician Kristi Lett of the Lett Center in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.

The heat is nothing to be afraid of however. Often patients say the treatments are comparable to a warm facial massage. The Pellevé System has even been approved by the FDA.

Lett says that the treatment “is typically described as a warm ultrasound using viscous gel.” Once the ideal temperature has been reached, multiple passes over the skin with different devices ensures that the optimal results will be reached.

“Again, this unlike historical treatments where topical anesthetic cream was used to alleviate discomfort because each additional pass became more intense due to heating of the skin’s tissue. While the skin’s tissue is indeed heating with each additional pass (of the Pellevé System), it is still very tolerable.”

Because Pellevé treatments are non-surgical, you will not have the down time and side effects associated with other skin-tightening procedures. The system is color-blind and suitable for all skin types even during the summer months when the skin’s increased exposure to UV rays is often an issue.

Though patients will see improvement in their skin’s appearance after just one treatment, Lett says, “The patient needs ideally 4-5 consecutive treatments at monthly intervals, and after those initial ones, 1 visit every six months to maintain results.

Though Pellevé is a great option for many people and the results are truly remarkable, the system is not for everyone.

“If a patient has too much skin laxity, Pellevé won’t be the most efficacious treatment. Surgical intervention may be necessary. Also, patients with internal devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators, etc., are not candidates for Pellevé.”

Though Pellevé benefits a variety of patients for different reasons, Lett counts the initial tightening of the skin after a treatment among her favorite features.

“The greatest thing about Pellevé is that it can be done on the same day as a special occasion for that quick fix due to that 48 hour of initial tightening that persists.”

Along with receiving Pellevé treatments, drinking lots of water and regularly applying SPF during the summer months is essential to achieving that youthful summer glow we all want during this time of year.

“Drinking water is key in flushing impurities and aiding in overall health as sweat increases.” SPF should be reapplied “every 40-80 minutes without fail and skin will remain protected,” says Lett.

Kristi Lett is a licensed aesthetician and has worked at The Lett Center  for over nine years. Before pursuing her career in aesthetics, Lett earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Social Work degrees and worked in the social work field for many years. Lett is also a certified laser technician and has worked as a freelance make-up artist.

The Lett Center for Plastic Surgery has locations in both Mt. Juliet and Lebanon, Tennessee. The Lett Center offers a variety of services for patients, including reconstructive and aesthetic surgeries and Medi-spa services. For more information about The Lett Center or to book an appointment, visit the thelettcenter.com or call 615-443-0901.

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Women will do just about anything in the name of beauty. But what about these DIY facials? Here’s a list of funky facial treatments that just might save you from an expensive trip to the plastic surgeon.

Mayonnaise: If you don’t mind smelling like a fresh batch of coleslaw, then you should definitely give a mayonnaise mask a try! With soybeans and eggs as its main ingredients, mayonnaise is an effective facial treatment, especially for dry skin.  This creamy white goodness also contains vinegar, which helps stimulate the turnover of cells.  So you see, mayonnaise works double duty by moisturizing and lifting off dead skin cells.  If you suffer from dry skin, you may want to add a mayo mask to your daily beauty routine.

Caviar: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, caviar is basically good cholesterol for your skin.   This luxurious and decadent food product for your face provides a layer of shine on your skin, and even helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines that have set in due to age and years of using makeup. And because the cell structure of both caviar and human skin are so similar, this product helps speed up the rejuvenation process. Although this can be quite expensive, we suggest that if you have the means you should definitely indulge at least once!

Breast Milk: After recently covering a story on men drinking breast milk to get buff, I’m really not surprised to find that spas are now using breast milk as an active ingredient in their facial treatments.  Mud, a Chicago facial bar, is now offering breast milk masks to their customers who are looking for the next best beauty thing. Sure, breast milk is packed with antibiotics which are good for the skin, but we think there are far better (and safer) ways to nourish skin.

Escargot: While you might prefer your snails smothered in garlic butter and herbs, you may soon change your mind about how you like your slugs served. The “mollusk makeover,” as it’s known among celebrities, is quite the beauty breakthrough.  It’s reported that the slime or mucus from live snails offers a beauty-boosting cocktail of proteins, antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, which help skin retain moisture, reduce redness and remove dead skin.  While we don’t advise rummaging through your garden for snails to put on your face, you might want to consider it then next time you are at a high-end spa in Tokyo or London where these snail facials are on the menu.

Coffee grounds: The best part of waking up might not be Folgers in your cup, but rather on your face. Thanks to caffeine (which your morning cup o’ joe has in spades), a coffee mask made of fine grinds can improve the look and feel of your skin more than you would ever think.  Coffee helps tighten pores, remove dead skin cells and even has powerful antioxidants that help protect skin against free radicals and may even reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Beer:  I don’t know about you, but I’d rather drink my alcohol than wear it. Well, at least that was my opinion before I read about this ingenious concoction with beer as its main ingredient.  Turns out that combining beer, egg whites and fresh lime juice or honey can seriously increase your skin’s luminosity. There’s a little bit of science involved here: when mixed with egg whites, the yeast found in beer creates a filmy mask that actually improves the elasticity of skin.  The added lime juice or honey helps clean your pores, while the acidity fades brown spots. Bottoms up, ladies!

Kitty Litter: I wish this wasn’t a thing, but it is.  While some beauty bloggers like Michelle Phan swear that using an unscented kitty litter mixed with water acts as a perfect go-to beauty treatment, other professionals say that the coarse grains of litter can actually scratch the top layer of your skin, leaving ugly streaks and cuts. Unlike exfoliators with rounded edges, kitty litter is a bit too harsh to use on something as delicate as skin. Not to mention if you purchase the wrong kind of litter brand, you might end up using harmful chemicals that would obviously do more damage than good. I think we will pass on this meow mask, thank you very much.

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