Springtime Skin Care Shopping List

I am so excited!  After having such a cold and snowy winter, spring will be here in a few days.  We’re already hearing Spring Peepers in the evening and early morning here.  Some of my crocuses are starting to bloom.  And, of course, birds are up chirping bright and early.

Spring is one of my favorite times of the year.  I love to garden and be outside doing various activities.  If you are someone who loves to get outside when the weather turns warm and beautiful, you might want to make yourself a Skin Care Shopping List.  Here are a few items on my shopping list:

1.    Facial Anti-Aging Moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15 or maybe 20.  I want to be able to protect myself from the sun’s rays and pollutants in the air.

2.      Foundation with an SPF of at least 15.  I probably will have two varieties.  One that is a medium coverage foundation and another foundation that has a light coverage with a slight tint.  I usually prefer the latter, as it doesn’t feel heavy on my skin on the hotter days of summer.

3.     Next, I want to protect myself from Deer Ticks and Mosquitoes.  Therefore, I want to make sure I have lots of Bug Guard on hand.  I’ll have one with that is a lotion with an SPF of 30 and the other will be a spray that does not contain sunscreen.  I am a huge fan of Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus.  It is Deet Free and its ingredients are plant based.

4.      For those occasions, when I do pay homage to the sun gods without my sunscreen, I will make sure I have an after sun care lotion with aloe.  This will help reduce peeling and dry skin.

5.      I will be adding a lip balm and/or lip conditioner with an SPF of 15.  Of course, I will be careful not to over use.  Have you read my article “Are Your Lips Addicted to Lip Balm”?

6.      Lastly, if you’re like me, your feet will be making their debut soon in sandals, flip flops and open-toe shoes.  I’ll be getting an exfoliating Foot Scrub and an Overnight Renewing Foot Cream.  If you tend to walk in bare feet often, it’s also a good idea to have on hand a Cracked Heal Relief Cream.

Well, I think my list covers everything from “head to toe”, unless you can think of anything else.  What would you add?

Adding Almonds to Your Daily Skin Care Regimen

Over the Holidays I made a new appetizer that contained Almonds.   I have been snacking on Almonds ever since . I have been enjoying them so much, I bought another can.  I became curious as to whether eating Almonds had any skin care benefits. I was pleasantly surprised at what I found and learned quite a few facts that I did not know.

 

 

 

First, did you know that the Almond Tree is a fruit tree related to the plum family?  The fruit looks like an elongated peach and has a hard husk which is greenish-gray in color.  When the fruit matures, it splits open revealing the shell, which contains the nut meat. 

Almonds are native of North Africa, Asia and the Mediterranean.  Romans were the first to cultivate them and referred to them as “Greek Nuts”.  Spanish missionaries are credited with bringing Almonds to California. California is considered the world’s largest producer and now grows more than 100 varieties of Almonds. 

As for the health benefits of eating Almonds, you might want to stock up on them.  Almonds are considered a “Superfood”.  Once thought to be a high fat food, it has been discovered that a 1 ounce serving (approx. 23-24 almonds) only has 1 gram of saturated fat and fortunately, contains 13 grams of the healthy fats that are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats; and 6 grams of protein.  Almonds are high in fiber, riboflavin, magnesium, iron, calcium and Vitamin E. 

So having learned all that, because one serving of Almonds contain more than nearly half of your RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of Vitamin E, eating them can be beneficial in helping to achieve great looking skin   Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, which is crucial in protecting your skin against sun damage and pollutants.  Vitamin E also promotes a nourished and smoother complexion. 

In addition to having better looking and healthier skin, your heart with thank you, as monounsaturated fats may help reduce LDL , the bad cholesterol.  Studies have also shown that chances of developing diabetes and heart disease are reduced. This, in turn, can lower your risk of a heart attack.  Lastly, since so many women are concerned about Osteoporosis, you’ll be happy to know that Almonds contain the highest amount of calcium compared to any other nut. 

An Old Wives’ Tale states that if you are at a christening or a wedding and receive Almonds in uneven numbers of 3, 5, or 7 that is a token of good fortune and happiness.

In case you are interested, here is the appetizer recipe that I made over the holidays:

Baked Brie and Red Pepper Jelly Phyllo Cups

1 pkg premade mini Phyllo Cups (approx. 15 per package)

Sweet Pepper Jelly or Spread

Brie Cheese, cut into 15 small pieces

Salted Almonds, chopped and slow dry roasted on low heat in small frying pan.  (Let cool slightly before handling.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place Phyllo Cups on baking sheet; put approximately ½ teaspoon of Sweet Pepper Jelly in each Phyllo Cup; place small piece of Brie Cheese next; sprinkle almonds on top.   Place on middle rack of oven.  Bake 12-15 minutes.   Enjoy!!

 

I believe that adding roughly a handful of Almonds to your healthy daily diet, and drinking plenty of water, is good for you inside and out.  Wouldn’t you agree? 

AVON Products & Their Gracious Donation To Help The People of Haiti

I wanted to share information that was hot off the presses at AVON Products’ Website under their Investors’ Tab.  http://www.avoncompany.com/investor/

It’s a good thing!

“Avon Commits $1 Million to Support Relief Efforts in Haiti

NEW YORK, Jan 18, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE: AVP) today announced that it has committed $1 million to support relief efforts in Haiti in response to the devastating earthquake in that country. The company said that the money will be donated through the Avon Foundation for Women, and will be distributed to the American Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders, two organizations that are deeply involved in efforts to aid victims of the January 12 earthquake.The company said that the Foundation plans to distribute the $1 million as follows:   $500,000 to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, the humanitarian organization that provides relief to victims of disasters; the agency is working closely with Haitian Red Cross to assist those affected by this disaster. $500,000 to Doctors Without Borders, the international medical humanitarian organization that has already assisted more than 1,000 people on the ground in Haiti and has committed to continuing to provide critically-needed medical services. Andrea Jung, Avon’s chairman and chief executive officer, said: “We are deeply saddened by the devastation caused to our neighbors in Haiti by the recent earthquake. Disaster relief has long been a critical component of Avon’s philanthropy. I believe it is our responsibility as a global corporate citizen to lend our support to the relief efforts aiding the people of Haiti.”In addition, the company said that its North America business is planning to launch other initiatives to further assist the victims of the earthquake, including donations from product sales.Avon, the company for women, is a leading global beauty company, with over $10 billion in annual revenue. As the world’s largest direct seller, Avon markets to women in more than 100 countries through approximately 6 million independent Avon Sales Representatives. Avon’s product line includes beauty products, as well as fashion and home products, and features such well-recognized brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals, and Mark. Learn more about Avon and its products at www.avoncompany.com.   SOURCE Avon Products, Inc. ”

Are You Storing Skin Care Products In Your Refrigerator?

The other day I came across a beauty tip that I had not seen before.  It is recommended that you keep your eye cream in the refrigerator.  This, if you think about it, makes sense.  Women swear by putting cool cucumbers or cool washcloth compresses over there eyes to reduce puffiness.  Many eye creams claim they reduce puffiness, so why not further enhance the results of the product by cooling it.  When I had discovered this beauty tip, I posted a question on Facebook asking how likely is it that you would try this tip.  Unanimously, the answer was, yes.  One Facebook buddy also was aware of the benefits in reducing eye puffiness.  Another Facebook friend  informed me that she keeps her facial mist in the refrigerator because it is very refreshing. 

Anti-aging products that contain Vitamin C should be kept in the refrigerator.  Not only does applying it to your face feel soothing, but by keeping it cold, will preserve the Vitamin C to keep it from breaking down.  I have also read that storing your beauty products in the refrigerator reduces the chances of increased bacteria growth.

Now, I fear if I keep my skin care products in my refrigerator, I will forget to use them.  It’s the out of sight out of mind thing for me.  However, did you know that there are manufacturers that actually make Bathroom Refrigerators or as some are called Cosmetic/Medicine Fridges?  What will they think of next?  One Bathroom Refrigerator has one temperature/humidity-controlled compartment for medications and the other, larger compartment, for your skin care products. The manufacturer claims you can choose a setting to match your skin type, oily, dry and normal.  They are even small enough and portable enough to take on trips.  Of course, when I told my husband about this, he gave me a look and said, “I’d rather keep a six-pack in it”. 

Cosmetic/Med Fridge

I don’t think I will go to the extent of purchasing one of the Cosmetic/Medicine Fridges.  However, I think I will need to keep my products near my coffee creamer, where I will see it everyone morning to remind me to use them.   Thoughts?

Bonus Beauty Tip:  For years my mother has been keeping her nail polishes in the refrigerator.  She had heard that the nail polish consistency would stay smooth.  So far, it has worked all these years.