SkinProducts-related stories
Skin analyzers: What your skin isn't telling you
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Reviews & Products, Alternative & Green Health
The next time you're wandering by the beauty counter of your favorite department store, you might be asked if you want to have your skin analyzed. Basically, you put your face in the box, have your picture taken, and the machine reveals all of your skin care sins -- wrinkles, large pores, you name it. After this unseen damage has been revealed, the sales person at the beauty counter will be happy to assist you in "fixing" it. So what's the deal here -- are these boxes for real, or just a big scam? It depends on who you ask, and the NYT has a good article that covers both sides of the story. Many dermatologists think they're invaluable in telling patients about unseen damage, while others take a "if it's not broke, don't fix it" approach. If my large pores and hidden sunspots don't bother me, then do I need to spend hundreds of dollars fixing them? (The machines are not designed to detect skin cancer.)
Read the article and decide for yourself. Have you tried one of these skin analyzers? What did you think?
Skin care starts with a healthy diet
Diet & Weight Loss, Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements
A healthy, glowing complexion can be your best accessory. But if you're like me, the alphabet soup confusion of retinol-As and alpha-hydroxys in the supermarket aisle make you wonder what it is exactly you need to get that healthy glow. Some creams and lotions can improve common skin problems, but according to this article, taking care of your skin from the inside can prevent a lot of those issues in the first place.
Many of the lotions and cleansers out there today contain vitamins C and E, so it stands to reason that eating foods rich in those same nutrients will help your skin, right? Right! These vitamins protect cells from damage and appear to work in combination when placed together. Other suggestions include getting plenty of beta carotene from mangoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots and selenium from tuna, crab, and wheat germ. Omega-3s, as always, are important addition to any diet.
It's important to point out that the author does not recommend taking supplements to improve your skin. Some of them in high doses can be dangerous. Instead, seek out nutrient rich foods to eat instead. If you do take a supplement, she recommends a daily vitamin or omega-3s. She also includes a recipe for a luscious sounding smoothie that I just might have to try for breakfast. Beautiful skin, here I come!
Many of the lotions and cleansers out there today contain vitamins C and E, so it stands to reason that eating foods rich in those same nutrients will help your skin, right? Right! These vitamins protect cells from damage and appear to work in combination when placed together. Other suggestions include getting plenty of beta carotene from mangoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots and selenium from tuna, crab, and wheat germ. Omega-3s, as always, are important addition to any diet.
It's important to point out that the author does not recommend taking supplements to improve your skin. Some of them in high doses can be dangerous. Instead, seek out nutrient rich foods to eat instead. If you do take a supplement, she recommends a daily vitamin or omega-3s. She also includes a recipe for a luscious sounding smoothie that I just might have to try for breakfast. Beautiful skin, here I come!
