Spring Renew: 6 Steps To Fresh, Vibrant Skin

Tag Ceder is a well-reknowned massage therapist, medical esthetician, dermatologist, and formulator of Definitions Skincare.

4 Tips For A Relaxing Space

Since the world has become so fast paced, it’s nice to come home to a relaxing, pleasing space. Calmer energy, a sense of “presence”, and balance can easily begin there, just by creating your ideal living space to fit your budget.

Releasing our minds will open the door to amazing things, so follow these simple tips to “redesign” your life:

Set the Stage

First things first, go through your surroundings and take inventory. Is there a room that you aren’t crazy about? wallpaper that’s screaming 2 decades ago? a light bulb that just doesn’t seem bright enough, or maybe a bit too bright? a hole in the wall? a squeaky door?

It doesn’t cost much to put on a fresh coat of paint, fill holes, fix a squeak, or replace bulbs and batteries for a clean, updated look, and you’ll feel so much better. And, if design isn’t your thing, flip through a magazine to find a picture if a room you’ll love. Recreate the look yourself, and you’ll save tons!

Choose Colors Carefully

Keep in mind colors affect us more than we think. Pick colors that are conducive to what you want your space to be. If you want a serene room, stray away from red! Red is an energizer and may even stimulate your appetite! Greens are calming colors, perfect for a spa-inspired setting. Or, if you want a cross between calm and amped up, choose a shade of blue.

Tackle Your To-Do List

We all have mental to-do lists, but now’s the time to put it on paper and check it off. Make a list of the things that have been on your mind, like organizing a closet, filing cabinet, or drawer. Tackle the items one by one. Clearing clutter clears your mind, too.

Store No More

Our closets, garages, and basements are havens for hidden treasures we may have written off too soon. You can go green and save green by refurbishing old furniture (it’s amazing what furniture treatment and new hardware can do), using bottles as decorative details – glass is said to be relaxing just to look through. Get creative, and you can design a whole new space with items you already own. Then, cleanse your home and storage areas from what’s not in use and no longer serves a purpose in your life.

Organize to Organize

If you’re trying to get organized, it may be overwhelming at first. Start simply by getting 3 bins together: “Use, Donate, Shred.”

Items in the “Use” bin should be put to use now!

Donate unwanted items by picking an organization of your choice. Many even offer free same-day pick up services, as long as you pick up the phone to call them!!

The only items we should be tossing are paper such as non-essential paperwork. Shred private information and recycle it!

Fashion Forward Skin – Is Your Skin Ready?

It’s finally here, the week that we all gear up for all season long…. FASHION WEEK!

The talk will be about who’s wearing what and everyone will be looking their absolute best – of course. This year one of the hottest accessories will be the best looking skin one could have and under all of those flashing bulbs and high definition cameras. Well, your skin must looks its best!

I have found the hottest product that will get your skin ready for fashion week in no time at all. The Brazilian Peel (www.brazilianpeel.com ) is one of the most innovative products available out on the market. Why you ask:: this innovative product is the first ever of its kind! It is a medical grade strength AT HOME glycolic peel infused with Acai. This once a week treatment leaves your skin radiant and flawless, not red and irritated like most glycolics. Your skin is ready for those HD cameras immediately!

Prep your skin with The Brazilian Peel then wear your favorite HD make-up and get to the tents and the parties - you are going to love seeing yourself in any and all HD shots!  Your skin will look like its been photo shopped but hasn’t.

Static, Dry Scalp, & Limp Tresses Have You Down? Insider Advice From NYC Stylist Angelo David.

Winter have your hair down? Yes, the cold weather is here and that means we need to look after our hair differently. Whether the harsh elements out in the cold, or the super dry air in your NYC apartment, factors like these bring our hair down!  We headed over to the beautiful Angelo David Salon in midtown and got first hand advice on how to deal with all out winter hair woes

Problem: STATIC
Tired of your hair flying away from you and clinging to every sweater you pull over your head?
Solution: A laundry dryer sheet works wonders for unruly static hair. Run the sheet lightly over your head and make sure to not overdo it (hair can get greasy). A static free brush also is great tool to eliminate the problem. For an emergency quick fix for static hair, a small amount of lotion should do the trick to tame your static mane.

Problem: DRY SCALP
The winter season is notorious for drying the scalp.
Solution: The best suggestion is to use intensive hydrating shampoos and conditioners, such as the Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner. Going for a weekly deep scalp conditioning scalp treatment is highly recommended to address dry scalp. Also limit the use of products with alcohol or sulfates in it, since they further dry the scalp.

Problem: DRY LIMP HAIR
Winter elements like cold harsh weather and dry air can bring your hair down!
Solution: Always spray a leave in conditioner (like the Angelo David Vital Complex Leave-in Conditioner or the Zero Frizz Control) after a shower.  When styling or blowing out hair, using a wooden brush will help reduce static electricity. Finish your look with a serum or a pomade to lock in shine and moisture. Finally, don’t forget to drink lots of water.

BONUS TIPS: A humidifier will help bring moisture back to the air and in your hair. Also, moisturizing treatments, such as a deep conditioning, are key to bring moisture back to the scalp and hair.

To find out more about Angelo David and his midtown salon head to www.angelodavid.com

Photo: Flickr

Cold Weather Is Here: Is Your Skin Ready?

Its that time of year… the temps are dropping, the layers are piling on,  and our skin starts  to get more dry, irritated and flaky. Are you using the same products that you were using in the middle of summer? Well it’s time to change your summer routine to suit the winter months.

For these drier months look into using a creamy or milky cleanser such as Fresh Soy Face Cleanser. Make sure that your cleanser isn’t going to strip your skin of natural oils that it needs to keep your skin balanced and healthy!

Moisturize appropriately too morning and night, your skin will be very thankful! One of my favorite moisturizers right now is Natura Bisse Recovery Cream. This cream helps hydrate and soothe irritated skin. A must for the winter months!

And of course we can’t forget out lips. Smooth, shine, & protect with LypSyl. The secret behind the LypSyl is pure Swedish beeswax, ultra light to spread evenly and penetrate deeply, for unsurpassed moisturizing and protection.

Don’t forget your body! One of the hottest richest body products for fall ~ Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Soy Milk and Honey Whipped Body Butter. This product not only smells delicious but wonderfully hydrates any dry body parts!

Top Photo: Flickr

Healthy Beauty: Dangerous Ingredients In Your Makeup

We try our best to eat right, exercise, and use the best possible products with the  least possible side effects so that we can have a longer healthier life. However, there are a lot of times that we may be using products that are harmful to us without even knowing it. Here are some ingredients that are found in our makeup and the packaging of our cosmetics that can be dangerous for us to be exposed to in the long run.

Ingredients To Avoid (and some products to choose!)

Alpha Hydroxy Acids
This chemical is used in anti-aging products, however, research shows that it can actually cause you to age faster because it destroys your skin cells. If your skin cells don’t regenerate properly you will not be protected from the harmful rays of the sun and are more likely to get fine lines and wrinkles.

Tip: You’ll be hard pressed to find an anti-aging product that doesn’t contain this chemical so the best thing to do is find a cream that has the lowest possible amount in it. This way you’ll fight your wrinkles while protecting your skin. Try Clarins or Allu Skincare

Aluminum
You can find aluminum in many drug store brand deodorants to help control sweat and smell. Although you may have to take one shower less, studies have proven that long term use of this metal can lead to Alzheimer’s.

Tip: Tom’s deodorants don’t contain aluminum and are sold as sticks and roll-on so you can decide which you prefer.

Benzoic Acid
This chemical is used to stop bacteria from growing in your cosmetics for a given period of time as well as to get the product to retain its fragrance. Both the FDA and the European Union ran tests on this chemical and found that it sometimes irritated the skin and so it is deemed as safe until we have more accurate information.

Glycolic Acid
Beauty companies use Glycolic Acid to create exfoliators for the skin even though it makes us more susceptible to sunburns because it has the ability to get rid of dead skin cells in order to make your skin is smooth and healthy looking. However, it’s also used to remove rust and cut through grease by other industries so it’s a very controversial chemical. While the FDA has approved cosmetics companies to make products that contain up 10% of it, it’s so dangerous that many companies won’t go that high for fear of being sued. Peter Thomas Roth’s face wash has 3% Glycolic wash.

Glycerin
Glycerin is used to create moisturizers and creams with the promise that it will make your skin feel softer and healthier. The way that it works is that it takes moisture out of your body and bringing it to the surface of your skin. The process damages the natural moisturizing abilities of your body and dries it up. The drier your skin the more cream you’re going to purchase.

Tip: Goe Oil is a good brand that is all natural and glycerin free.

Lye
Lye is commonly used to drain fluids from people who have passed away and to clean drains. It’s also used to make soap. However, do you want to get the same squeaky clean feeling from lye soap as when you wash your clothes or home?

Tip: Aveda sells products that don’t contain lye in them.

Talc
Talc is found in blush and eye shadow because it gives the products them beautiful shimmer. The downside is that it’s linked to ovarian cancer.

Tip: Physicians Formula is a brand that is becoming popular and doesn’t contain talc.

Toluene
This chemical is used to get nail polish and hair dyes to last longer and be shinier. However, a lot of companies are cutting back on using it because it’s highly dangerous and can get in the way of reproduction as well as developmental progress.

Tip: There are a lot of nail polish companies that don’t use Toluene in their products including Opi, Zoya and Sally Hansen.

Some of these chemicals are not as dangerous as others, but it’s always better to read ingredients to make sure that you’re and healthy as safe as possible.

About the Author:
This post was written by Aleya who writes the blogs for LI Beauty School and Hair Design Institute which beauty schools in NYC as well as throughout New York and Florida.

Photo: Flickr

Post- Summer Skin Care: 5 Tips To Undo The Damage

Adieu to summer. The unofficial end of summer has passed, and perhaps now your skin showing the results of all of those care-free, sun filled days. Instead of dry, sun damaged skin, why not move into fall with fresher skin? Take a look at some easy skin care tips from dermatologist, Cybele Fishman.

Do you feel like a lizard at the end of the summer? After the fun of the pool, the beach, the sun (not too much I hope!), your skin can look and feel dry, rough, ashy, blah.

What causes dry skin?  There are many causes, both internal, like low thyroid hormone, and external, like a side effect of medications such as certain cholesterol-lowering medications called statins. But when we are talking about end of the summer dry skin, we are mostly talking about environmental causes – the sun, chlorine in pools, frequent showering, and salt water.

Let’s start with some skin basics.  Normal, healthy skin is coated in a thin layer of natural lipids, or fatty substances.  They lock in moisture, leaving the skin looking and feeling soft and supple.  When either the environment or something we are doing to our skin strips away these oily substances, dry skin ensues.

5 tips To Undo The Summer Skin Woes

1. Don’t over-soap! Switch to a mild soap or soap-free cleanser.  A harsh soap will further remove the beneficial oils on your skin.  You are less dirty than you think, so you don’t need to scrub your skin, especially arms, legs, and back which have fewer oil glands.

2. Apply moisturizer right when you get out of the shower, when your skin is damp.  This way, the moisturizer will trap the moisture of the water into your skin.

3.  Use the right moisturizer. I know it is confusing out there with so many brands and so many types even within a brand.  Oil-based moisturizers work better in general than water-based moisturizers.  Avoid products that have water as the first ingredient.  Examples of ingredients to look for:  petrolatum, or if you prefer natural products, shea butter, avocado oil, argan oil, sea buckthorn oil, jojoba oil or sunflower seed oil.  Use something you like the smell of – you will be more likely to use it consistently!

4. Balance it out. I think oral intake of certain omega-6 fatty acids like borage oil and evening primrose oil, and omega-3 fatty acids, especially the EPA component, help maintain proper skin moisture balance, although no large scientific studies have been done to prove this.

5. Refresh: To get rid of that dry top layer of the skin, a series of light chemical peels at the dermatologist is a quick skin refresher.

Photo: Flickr

About our contributor:

Dr. Cybele Fishman is a Board-certified dermatologist who offers a highly personalized approach to both cosmetic & medical dermatology, integrating conventional therapies with a complementary approach to health and wellness.  After eight years of experience in Manhattan, she is pleased to announce the opening of her own practice, Integrative Dermatology, in the financial district.

She completed medical school at NYU, a medical internship at Brigham & Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, and Dermatology Residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.  She received additional fellowship training in moles and melanoma at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, and participated in a fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the Beth Israel Continuum Center for Health and Healing. For more information head to www.cybelefishmanmd.com.

Poolside Beauty

The time has come where we are spending those weekends out of the big city and heading out to soak in the sun and cool off at the nearest body of water! Whether pool or ocean side, we still want to look our best all day long.

I never recommend going to the beach or the pool with a full face of make-up, I do however believe that your skin should be protected and look great all day long. Try and always use products that are cream or liquid because any powder product will come off quicker with each dip in the water.

Thankfully there are some wonderful products that not only protect but make your skin look flawless and sun kissed. Here are a few of my favorite picks for pool side beauty:

I highly recommend wearing a great sunscreen while spending a considerable amount of time in the sun. If you’re spending the day lounging poolside or oceanside don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen every few hours. If you are just going to be spending your time “socializing,” a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen included such as Dr. Patricia Wexler’s Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30.

Keep your look simple and natural by using soft cream eye shadows that will stay put (such as Nars and Bobbi Brown) and waterproof eye liner such as Benfit’s Bad Gal liner and No-Smudge Mascara from Bobbi Brown.

If you want to add some color to your lips for that “just-sipped Kool-aid” look, try using a matte lip pencil, these are great because they give you a hint of color. Don’t forget, most of them do not have an SPF so I recommend putting on Fresh SPF 14 Sugar Lip Treatment over the lip pencil color or to use alone. The lip treatment not only infuses great moisture to your lips, it also will protect your lips from the harmful rays of the sun

Don’t forget to keep your hair looking great too! Try something like Cutler Protectant Treatment Spray. This product will not only keep your hair soft and hydrated but it will also act as a shield for your hair from environmental effects.

No matter where you will be spending your summer – the Hamptons or a local pool, you will look gorgeous all summer long.

Spotlight on Skin: 3 Sunscreen Ingredients To Avoid

Is your sunscreen disrupting your hormones?

Say what? I thought my sunscreen was protecting me from the dangerous rays of the sun, but now I have to worry about it harming me too? That’s right, ladies, there are many toxic chemicals lurking in the average product that you see on the shelf.

With summer in full swing, it’s freeing to be outdoors enjoying the warmth of sun on your skin. But as important as our daily dose of Vitamin D is, so is our protection from a burn and perhaps more serious illnesses. And with that, comes another caution – beware of the ingredient list on your sunscreen!

Ingredients to avoid and why:

OXYBENZONE – Oxybenzone easily penetrates the layers of skin, allowing it to enter your system. It has been linked with endocrine hormone disruption (including reproduction), an increase in endometriosis, cellular level changes, and system toxicity.

RETINYL ACETATE (VITMIN A ACETATE) – Vitamin A in your diet has been proven to protect against HPV proliferation and cervical cancer, but putting it on your skin in the sun does not have the same effects. Studies have shown that vitamin A treated skin exposed to sunlight can increase your risk of cancerous tumor growth.

OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE (OMC) – Studies have linked to increased levels of estrogen, reduced production of thyroid hormones, and declined immune function.

Ingredients to look for:

AVOBENZONE – Used in products since 1978, avobenzone provides protection against UV-A rays and test results show no hormone disruptions.

ZINC OXIDE – Remember the 80s with zinced up lifeguard noses? This mineral shows limited skin penetration, no photoallergy and no hormonal disruption.

TITANIUM DIOXIDE – Great for UV protection, this other mineral also has limited skin penetration, no photoallergy and no hormonal disruption.

Our environments today have an increased number of industrial-created chemicals that alone not seem toxic but in combination with all the other chemicals (in shampoo, make up, cleaning products, plastics in our home, paint on our walls, finishes on our furniture, I could keep going) and environmental factors (sun exposure) may lead to detrimental effects on our systems. Take control where you can!

At FLO living we love using EWG as a resource for product information, all studies cited in this post are results from research done by EWG. Take a peek at their sunscreen guide to 2012.

Knowledge is power, and we like you having power!

To go even deeper and get an in-depth power session for your body and hormones, sign up for a complimentary 30 minute consultation with Flo Living  here.

Sunscreen: The 411 & Picks For Summer 2012

Days spent in the sun are here, so what better time to know what you should be wearing for protection! All sunscreens are NOT equal. Rachel Lerner gives the 411 when it comes to sunscreen.

According to Dr. John Douillard, Ayurveda practitioner, there are two main UV rays that are potentially harmful to the skin. They are UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are more harmful than the UVB rays. Though UVB rays are essential for good health in short doses, they are responsible for sunburns because they tend to stay on the skin’s surface. As a result, UVB rays were blamed for causing skin cancers. The SPF (skin protection factor) rating system measures the ability for a sunscreen to block UVB rays -not the more harmful UVA rays. In other words, a sunscreen with an SPF of 50 will block out all UVB rays but may not block any UVA rays.

Commercially, 3 out of 5 sunscreens do not adequately protect us against skin cancer-causing UVA rays. While sunscreen use has increased, so has the incidence of skin cancers. Skin cancer rates have soared to over a million cases per year in the United States. 2009 is the first year we are seeing sunscreens claiming protection against both UVA and UVB rays. But remember, the SPF on the label only guarantees protection from UVB, which are the “good rays”.

Most importantly, the UVB rays make Vitamin D, which protects the skin from the sun as well as the bones from osteoporosis. Low Vitamin D levels have also been linked to about 16 different cancers. Sunscreens, because they block UVB, have been reported to reduce Vitamin D levels in the blood by 97-99%, putting us all at great risk.

There are only a few active sunscreen ingredients that effectively block both UVA and UVB rays. The only ones that are both safe and effective for UVA and UVB protection are
zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which do not penetrate the skin. They block or reflect the sun.

Avoid sunscreens with Oxtinoxate, Octisalate, Oxybenzone or Homosalate.
These chemicals are toxic and they act as either irritants, allergens, hormone disruptors or carcinogens.

How to Find the Best Sunscreens:

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) just released their extensive 2012 Sunscreen Guide that includes vital information such as sun safety tips and ranking of the best sunscreens.

Top Photo: Flickr