Best Natural Skin Care

My Natural Natural Weight Loss Plan: Looking Back

Friday, August 6, 2010 by Lauren Kent

Have you ever had one of those moments when you're in the middle of your natural weightloss journey and come across a picture of yourself before the weight started coming off? I had one of those moments last night.

My sister-in-law got married a couple weeks before I started my natural weight loss plan. Yesterday, we received several pictures from the wedding and I just couldn't believe how big I looked. In every picture I was holding one of my kids, so you can't really see my body. I'm sure this was some subconscious way to "hide" from the camera. But my face. That double chin. Yikes!

My first instinct was to hide the pictures, maybe even throw them out or shred them. But, since this was his sister's wedding, I knew my dear husband wouldn't go for that. So now they sit, in the middle of our dining room table. Ugh!

I know in all natural weightloss journeys there's a "before" picture. Just seeing what I looked like six months ago really reinforced why I was doing this in the first place. I said in the beginning that one of my ultimate goals was to have a picture of me with my girls that I wasn't ashamed of. And, hopefully, I'll have such a picture by year's end.

My Natural Weight Loss Plan: Dealing with Disappointment

Thursday, July 29, 2010 by Lauren Kent

I've been following my natural weight loss plan for about 6 months now. And, I've been lucky in that I've lost weight each week. Some weeks it was a couple pounds or more. Others, it was just a half pound. But, at least the scale was going down... until this past week. For the first time since I started this journey, I gained weight. It wasn't a lot. A pound exactly. But, I was still disappointed in myself. I know I had overindulged and hadn't picked up my exercise to compensate for the extra calories. All natural weightloss efforts come with highs and lows. I've been riding the highs for months now. And now, I have to deal with a low.

So many weight loss efforts get derailed by disappointment. I'm determined not to let this happen to me. I have to keep my eyes on the prize: a wedding ring that will fit on my finger, a picture with my girls that I'm not ashamed of, (and cellulite free thighs wouldn't be so bad either). I'm motivated to move on and start losing again!

Microderm for a Wrinkle Free Face?

Saturday, July 3, 2010 by Kimberly Day

I am a huge believer in using the best natural skin care…and then I turned 40. Suddenly, I started getting paranoid that my face was going to look like a road map and that my pores would become the potholes on that road.

As I looked into amping up my skin care regimen, I was hard pressed to find safe, natural alternatives. Then I came across microdermabrasion (microderm) and decided to give it a try.

Microderm is used primarily to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and reduce pore size. Okay, I was listening. The procedure itself involves a suction cup and what feels like sand to exfoliate the skin at a deeper level than most over-the-counter products can achieve.

I signed up for two sessions at a local medispa and discovered two things:

It is natural, in terms of no chemicals are used.
The person running the machine makes ALL the difference in the world.

I had the exact procedure performed by two different people and my results were dramatically different (think better) with the second person. My skin was smooth, soft, my pore size was reduced, and it actually seemed to glow. Best of all, the effect lasted a few weeks.

If you are looking for a chemical-free way to enhance your anti aging anti wrinkle regimen, I recommend giving microdermabrasion a try. My only caveats are to avoid the procedure if you have sensitive skin and to do your research regarding technicians.

For more information on skincare or to sign up for Dr. Lark’s FREE eLetter or monthly newsletter, visit Dr. Lark’s Web site.

Best Natural Skin Care Diets

Thursday, July 1, 2010 by Kimberly Day

There was a great article in the most recent issue of Elle magazine. They looked at several of the top natural weight loss plans on the market and had experts comment on how each individual diet affected the skin.

They looked at the Atkins diet, South Beach Diet, vegan diet, Mediterranean diet, raw diet, and low-fat diet. I immediately guessed that the Mediterranean would be their best natural skin care diet and I was right.

The Mediterranean diet is chock full of great essential fatty acids (keeps skin moist and helps attain a wrinkle free face), antioxidants (fights off free radical damage), and great lean proteins (maintain collagen and skin tone).

The vegan and raw diets are good in that you get lots of essential fatty acids to promote wrinkle free skin, as well as antioxidants to fend off those pesky free radicals. However, both diets run the risk of being dangerously low in protein. If you follow either of these natural weight loss programs, be sure to include lots of plant-based proteins such as beans, nuts and nut butters, and organic tofu once or twice a week.

The South Beach was next. The lack of sugars is great if acne is an issue, plus cutting sugar helps promote collagen production. The author suggests taking essential fatty acids and increasing water intake to prevent dehydrating the skin during the first two weeks of the program, when so many fruits and veggies are off the table (pardon the pun).

Low-fat weight loss plans are inherently bad for the skin by their very name…low fat. Your body needs healthy fats (i.e. essential fatty acids) to retain hydration and suppleness. If you insist on following this type of natural weight loss plan, add lots of fish to your diet and include a fish oil supplement.

Last was the Atkins diet. The author referred to this plan as “disastrous for the complexion,” due to the excess protein (causes calcium to plummet) and the acidity of the diet, which wreaks havoc with the skin. Not to mention the overabundance of saturated fat, which can lead to breakouts. Forgo this natural weight loss plan and opt instead for other, more skin-promoting programs like those listed earlier.

For more great weight loss and skin care tips, visit Dr. Lark's Web site. While there, you can sign up for her free eLetter, subscribe to her newsletter, check out her lastest products, and get more weight loss and beauty information.

Natural Skin Care Recipes: Breakfast

Saturday, June 26, 2010 by Kimberly Day

Don’t have the time to sit down to hot breakfast? These easy, beauty-enhancing breakfast options are all rich in the natural skin care ingredients that keep your hair and skin silky smooth, protein to even your blood sugar levels to help with natural weightloss, and fiber to protect you from heart disease.

Hard-boiled egg with mixed berries and glass of almond milk
Coconut yogurt with half a banana and ground flaxseed
Whip up a delicious fruit smoothie:. Put a cup of almond milk, 1/2 cup mango, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1/4 cup ground flax, and 1/2 cup of crushed ice in a blender. Blend and enjoy!

Natural Skin Care Recipes: Soups

Friday, June 25, 2010 by Kimberly Day

The best natural skin care around is hydration. In addition to drinking the recommended eight glasses of water a day, you should also eat foods high in water and mineral content. An easy way to do this is with soup.

To help you out, I’ve included my two favorite natural skin care recipes for summer soup.

Strawberry Soup
Serves 6

2 pints strawberries, sliced
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 cup coconut yogurt
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup rice milk
¼ cup xylitol

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
Serve chilled.

Watermelon Gazpacho
Serves 6

6 cups watermelon, cubed
¼ cup orange juice
2 tablespoons xylitol
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
1/8 teaspoon salt

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
Serve chilled.

Natural Skin Care Recipes: Fish

Thursday, June 24, 2010 by Kimberly Day

It’s no secret that essential fatty acids (EFAs) help create moister, softer skin and shinier hair. For women at midlife and older who tend to have drier skin to begin with, it may take a little longer to replenish the moisture content. The process may take as long as three to six months.

A delicious way to ensure that you are getting enough EFAs in your diet is to eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, especially cold-water fish, such as salmon, trout, or halibut.

To help you do this, I’ve included three great natural skin care recipes…one for breakfast, one for lunch, and one for dinner. Enjoy!

Fabulous Fritatta
Serves 2

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
½ onion, chopped
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1 can wild salmon
½ teaspoon dill
Black pepper to taste

Heat oil in 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
Add onion and cook until soft.
Add eggs, salmon, dill, and pepper. Stir often and cook until eggs are done.
Serve warm.

Ensalada Mista
Serves 4

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon Braggs Liquid Aminos
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon dried mixed herb blend
1 head romaine lettuce
4 red potatoes, boiled, peeled, and diced
2 hard-boiled eggs, cut in half
8 ounces lima beans, cooked
8 ounces artichoke hearts, drained
8 asparagus spears, cooked and drained
1 can tuna, drained

Mix olive oil, Braggs Liquid Aminos, salt, and mixed herb blend in small bowl and set aside.
Divide lettuce evenly between four plates.
Top each plate with one potato, one egg half, 2 ounces lima beans, 2 ounces artichoke hearts, 2 asparagus spears, and ¼ can tuna.
Drizzle about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dressing over each salad and serve.

Halibut Curry
Serves 4

2 teaspoons sesame oil, divided
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, peeled and minced
1 cup red pepper, chopped
1 cup red onions, chopped
1 teaspoon curry powder
2 teaspoons curry paste
½ teaspoon ground cumin
4 teaspoons tamari sauce
1 tablespoon xylitol
22 ounces coconut milk, divided
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
4 6-ounce halibut steaks
olive oil
3 teaspoons sesame seeds
2 cups quinoa, cooked in 2 cups water, 2 cups coconut milk

Preheat broiler.
Heat 1 teaspoon of sesame oil over medium high heat.
Add garlic and ginger and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Add pepper and onion and cook 2 minutes.
Stir in curry powder, paste, and cumin and cook 1 minute.
Add tamari, xylitol, and coconut milk and bring to a simmer.
Add cilantro and immediately remove from heat.
Brush fish with remaining teaspoon of sesame oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Place on broiler pan brushed with olive oil and broil for 8 minutes (or until fish flakes easily).
Place fish on top of quinoa and top with sauce.
Serve hot (each serving ½ cup quinoa, one steak, ½ cup sauce).

Best Natural Weight Loss Plan

Saturday, June 19, 2010 by Kimberly Day

To get great natural weightloss results that last, eat close to the earth.

To truly lose weight and keep it off, you don’t need to look to the latest fad diet. In fact, you shouldn’t look forward at all. Instead, look to our past for the most effective natural weight loss plan.

You see, your body is designed to eat the way our ancestors ate—close to the earth, consuming lots of whole fresh foods. This includes:

fruits and vegetables;
whole grains;
legumes;
raw seeds and nuts;
cold-water fish such as salmon and tuna;
free-range poultry; and
plenty of water.

Fruits

Consume fresh, in-season fruits whenever possible. Try to eat locally grown fruits in season, as they’ll be fresher and riper, and be sure to wash all fresh fruits before eating them. Eat the fruits whole so you retain the nutrients in the skin. That means no fruit juices…too much sugar.

Vegetables

Try to eat a combination of raw and steamed vegetables. They’re fresh and contain the highest levels of vitamins. Wash your vegetables well, and leave the skin intact because it is loaded with nutrients.

Legumes

Think beans and peas. Legumes are excellent sources of low-fat protein, particularly when combined with whole grains. They’re also great sources of fiber, and their complex carbohydrates are broken down slowly in the body.

Whole Grains

Whole grains contain fiber, protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins such as B complex and E, and numerous minerals, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, and manganese. They are also excellent sources of lignans, plant chemicals that act like mild estrogens in women, helping balance your estrogen levels, thus contributing to weight loss. Stick to brown rice, oatmeal, and quinoa.

Fish/Poultry

Both fish and poultry are excellent sources of high-quality protein. Many types of fish are also good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, essential for controlling numerous reproductive and inflammatory processes. Because of this, fish such as salmon, tuna, and halibut can be eaten two to three times a week as entrées.

Water

Water is not only a natural weightloss secret, but is also the best natural skin care secret around. Water facilitates toxin elimination, helps you maintain healthy glowing skin, and acts as an appetite suppressant. For optimal hydration, you need at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day,apart from any other liquids you’re drinking.

Natural Skin Care Recipe for Glowing Skin

Wednesday, May 19, 2010 by Susan Lark

Walk through any department store and you're bombarded with skin care products that claim to rejuvenate, rehydrate, replenish, and more. But if you turn that jar around and look at those products' ingredients, you'll find that most of them are impossible to pronounce...so how are you supposed to feel comfortable about what you're putting on your body?

Luckily, you don't have to spend money on a jar of chemicals to achieve incredible, wrinkle free skin. All you need to do is take a short walk to your kitchen.

Fruity Facial

All women want a wrinkle free face, along with freedom from acne, age spots, fine lines, and dryness. I love this natural skin care recipe so much because it contains avocado, a fruit high in iron, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and E. And they are rich in oils that rejuvenate the skin, reduce eye puffiness, and leave skin soft, smooth, and nourished.

Combine:
1/2 cup non-instant oatmeal
1 cup mashed avocado
1-2 tablespoon honey

Blend ingredients until desired consistency. Apply mixture to skin and let dry for about 15 minutes. Rinse off.

Effects of Menopause on Skin

Wednesday, May 5, 2010 by Susan Lark

I just came across a short article that reported on the effects of menopause on skin. The article didn't say anything new...it just reiterated the fact that dryness is yet another frustrating effect of menopause that women have to deal with.

When it comes to alleviating dryness, I recommend using the best natural skin care possible. One of my top recommendations is an all natural beauty care product called Trilane, which is made with 100 percent olive-sourced squalane with jojoba esters. I also write about many other natural anti aging skin care and beauty products throughout my blog (just use the search box and you'll find many, many entries for other natural skin care solutions). Remember, dry skin may be an effect of menopause, but it by no means has to be a permanent issue!

Natural Beauty Food #9: Sweet Potatoes

Friday, April 2, 2010 by Kimberly Day

Sweet potatoes are your best natural skin care source for two reasons. First, they are a great source of beta-carotene, the precursor to vitamin A. And, as you may remember from the blog I posted on March 27th, vitamin A improves the overall health of your skin.

But that’s not all. Sweet potatoes are also rich in the B vitamin biotin. On one hand, too little biotin can result in dry and scaly skin (not to mention fatigue and muscle pain). But on the plus side, brittle, weak hair and nails are well known to get healthier with oral supplementation of this B vitamin.

A few delicious natural skin care recipes that include sweet potatoes are my favorite oven fries and whipped sweet potatoes.

Oven Fries

Cut a sweet potato into “disks.”
Spray a cookie sheet with canola oil and place potato disks in single layer on the cookie sheet.
Spray the potatoes with the canola oil.
Sprinkle potatoes with cinnamon, then bake at 425°F for 20–25 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time.
Goes great with a veggie or turkey burger and side salad.

Whipped Sweet Potatoes

Peel and cut two sweet potatoes into large pieces.
Steam until tender.
Place in blender with two ounces apple juice.
Add ¼ teaspoon nutmeg and purée until smooth.
Great side dish to any free-range chicken meal.

Natural Beauty Food #8: Cucumbers

Thursday, April 1, 2010 by Kimberly Day

How many times have you heard to place sliced cucumbers on your eyes to reduce puffiness? Or to drink (or even make!) “spa water” with sliced cucumbers in filtered water. The reason? Cucumbers are high in silica.

Silica is a critical ingredient in healthy skin, hair, and nails, and it commonly declines with age. Studies show that daily silica supplementation significantly improves the condition of hair and nails. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 48 women with fine hair, those in the group who took silica enjoyed significantly thicker, stronger hair.

Silica also helps reverse graying and is critical for healthy bone density, which helps explain why prematurely gray hair is linked with bone loss.

So, if your goal is natural anti aging skin care, you can’t go wrong with cucumber. Just be sure to leave the skin on, as the majority of silica is found in the skin. Other silica-containing foods include beets, soybeans, leafy green vegetables, and whole grains. Combined with cucumber, aim to make at least one of these natural skin care ingredients part of your food-based beauty plan every day.

Natural Beauty Food #6: Wheat Germ

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 by Kimberly Day

Wheat germ is rich in vitamin E, which has mildly estrogenic properties. In fact, wheat germ contains the fatty acids and other nutrients that your body needs to support and produce hormones such as estrogen.

This is key for wrinkle free skin, as estrogen is responsible for the deposits of fat under the skin that give rise to the soft and fine-textured skin that many women enjoy when they are young. Estrogen also causes fluid and salt retention in the tissues, which helps plump up and fill out skin, giving you the best natural skin care Mother Nature has to offer.

You can use wheat germ much like flax, by sprinkling it on yogurt or oatmeal or adding to a smoothie. Additionally, you can reap the same natural anti aging skin care benefits from wheat germ oil. Again, you can add to smoothies or even take in supplement form. Dr. Lark recommends taking 2,000–2,400 mg in capsule form a day, in divided doses.

Natural Beauty Food #5: Berries

Sunday, March 28, 2010 by Kimberly Day

Berries are proof that great things do come in little packages. (Sort of like Tiffany’s…but I digress). Whether you are talking about strawberries, blueberries, or my favorite raspberries, all berries have one thing in common; they are high in antioxidants, particularly vitamin C. This fact makes them a powerful part of any natural anti aging skin care plan.

Vitamin C is needed for collagen production, thereby helping to strengthen the connective tissues underlying the superficial layer of the skin. Plus, research has shown that high levels of vitamins C (as well as vitamin E and beta-carotene) can provide added protection beyond sunscreen to prevent ultraviolet light-induced inflammation, dryness, and other skin damage. Overexposure to the sun can slowly destroy the dermis (the layer of skin just beneath the epidermis), causing it to lose its strength and resilience. The result: sags, folds, creases, and wrinkles.

So up your berry intake in get the best natural skin care these vitamin C powerhouses have to offer. And don’t be afraid to go beyond the obvious of adding them to smoothies, oatmeal, or as a snack.

Add raspberries to a spinach salad for a one-two vitamin A/vitamin C beauty power punch.
Add sliced strawberries and one tablespoon balsamic vinegar to cooked chicken breasts. Sauté for two minutes and serve over brown rice.
Toss quinoa with blueberries and chopped pecans for a delicious side dish to your favorite fish recipe.

Natural Beauty Food #3: Aloe Vera

Friday, March 26, 2010 by Kimberly Day

This succulent houseplant exemplifies the best natural skin care, due to its ability to soothe, heal, and moisturize skin. In fact, a large body of research documents the use of aloe for a variety of dermatological conditions, including rashes, acne scars, dermatitis, psoriasis, and wound healing.

When aloe is applied to skin, it reduces the scaliness, itchiness, and extent of seborrheic dermatitis; prompts the remission of psoriasis; relieves poison ivy; assists the healing of chronic leg ulcers; and speeds healing after dermabrasion, a technique used to remove acne scars and wrinkles.

Although allergic reactions to aloe vera gel are quite rare, before applying it, you should test yourself by dabbing a small amount on your leg or arm and monitoring the area for 24 hours. If your skin becomes red or itchy or you develop hives, do not use aloe preparations on your skin or ingest them.

I personally use aloe vera juice. As one of my natural skin care recipes, I mix aloe very juice with mineral water and a bit of pomegranate or cranberry juice, and pour over ice into a large wine goblet. (It’s my little evening ritual.)

Now, I’m not going to lie to you…this beauty food is definitely an acquired taste. But the skin and health benefits are worth it!

Natural Beauty Food #2: Avocado

Thursday, March 25, 2010 by Kimberly Day

Loaded with unsaturated fatty acids, avocados are a wonderful natural beauty food that promotes soft skin, as well as healthy cell walls and strong nerves.

There are so many ways to incorporate one of Mother Nature’s most versitle natural skin care ingredients in to your diet. You can add slices to any salad or sandwich, or mash and add diced tomatoes for a quick guacamole to scoop up with celery.

Of course, one of my favorite avocado-based natural skin care recipes is a vegan chocolate banana smoothie. Place one cup coconut water (not the milk), 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, one avocado (pitted and scooped out of shell), one banana, and handful of ice in a blender and mix well. The avocado provides a great thick texture without altering the taste!

Natural Beauty Foods

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 by Kimberly Day

Have you ever met a woman who just radiates natural beauty? Her skin is smooth and glowing, her hair shines and is healthy, and she seems to light up every room she enters. When you see a woman like this, do you wonder—what is her secret?

I can tell you first hand that the answer is NOT the latest beauty fad. In fact, most of the “beauty” products on the market are actually bad for your skin—not to mention your health. The true secret is natural. Natural beauty radiates from the inside out.

When you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, you look good. Best of all, some of my favorite natural beauty care products are actually food!

Over the next few days, I’ll share with you the top 10 beauty foods, as well as a few natural skin care recipes…some to eat and some to wear. But all will include foods you can find right in your local grocery or health food store.

Natural Beauty Food #1: Olive Oil

Olive oil is a one of my favorite natural beauty care products for two reasons: it is a great source of essential fatty acids (EFAs), as well as squalene.

EFAs help to moisturize and soften skin, as well as promote shiny, healthy hair. This is particularly important for women with estrogen deficiency (including those in premenopause or perimenopause), as dry skin is on of the more common menopause symptoms. In addition to benefiting skin and hair, EFAs have also been found to soothe and heal dry, chapped lips.

On the squalene front, this natural antioxidant found in olives also occurs naturally in all human tissues, with the greatest concentration in the skin. In fact, rumor has it that Sophia Loren uses olive oil on her skin as part of her natural anti aging skin care regimen.

In addition to using olive oil topically, you can use extra virgin olive oil in typical ways, i.e. to cook with or dress a salad. I also like to use it to top a sweet potato (also a beauty food!) or popcorn, as a delicious and beautiful alternative to butter.

#5 Natural Skin Care Ingredient

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Susan Lark

#5 Natural Skin Care Ingredient: Zinc Oxide

Zinc oxide is a main ingredient in many sunscreens--but not necessary the cheaper brands. The cheaper brands in grocery stores and drug stores often include scary-sounding ingredients like octyl-dimethyl PABA, benzophenone-3; octyl-methoxycinnamate, homosalate, and 4-MBC (4-methyl-benzylidene camphor). Now let me ask you...do you really want to apply these unpronounceable things to your entire body every single day? I doubt it!

So when it comes to sunscreen--something you should be using each and every day--I like to recommend the most natural forms available. And it just so turns out that zinc oxide is an all-natural sun protectant that shields your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.

Two brands of natural sunscreen that I love are Soleo and UV Naturals.

#4 Natural Skin Care Ingredient

Thursday, March 11, 2010 by Susan Lark

#4 Natural Skin Care Ingredient: Tea Tree Oil

Every woman experiences the occasional blemish. Yes, it is frustrating to deal with problems that you thought you let go of when you exited your teen years...but fortunately, you don't have to use a teen product to deal with acne. The best natural skin care you can use to treat acne is tea tree oil, which you can find at health food stores.

The antiseptic properties of teat tree oil have been used for centuries to clean and treat wounds. Even the early settlers of Australia and metal workers during the Second World War used this camphorous-smelling essential oil to treat cuts and insect bites.

After washing the affected area, place one drop of Australian tea tree oil directly on blemishes. Read the product label carefully to be sure the oil contains 50 to 60 percent terpenes (preferably terpin-4-ol) and no more than 15 percent cineole.

#3 Natural Skin Care Ingredient

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 by Susan Lark

#3 Natural Skin Care Ingredient: Aloe vera

Aloe vera is more than just your common houseplant! It is also a gentle, effective anti-inflammatory, as well as a skin regenerator. I often recommend using facial cleansers that contain aloe if you have acne, eczema, or another condition that causes sensitive skin.

In addition, aloe can:
• reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain;
• keep exposed tissue moist;
• combat skin pathogens as effectively as the antibacterial preparation used on burns and skin ulcers at most hospitals, silver sulfadiazine;
• promote wound closure; and
• stimulate skin repair and regeneration.

And studies have shown that Aloe vera reduces the scaliness, itchiness, and extent of seborrheic dermatitis; prompts the remission of psoriasis; relieves poison ivy; assists the healing of chronic leg ulcers; and speeds healing after dermabrasion, a technique used to remove acne scars and create wrinkle free skin.