A vitamin-C gel is gentler to sensitive skins than a vitamin-C serum
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Vitamin-C products in the form of L-ascorbic acid are a great way to protect your skin against the harmful side effects of sun exposure and the ravages of the free radical damage. As a general rule of thumb, the potency and penetration of a serum will always trump that of any other form of other skin care product. That said, if you have sensitive skin, a serum might be too strong and you might need a gentler formulation of vitamin C. A gel is an excellent alternative that will gently protect your skin (as long as the gel does not contain AHAs or BHAs — alpha or beta hydroxy acids). Young Pharmaceuticals uses a formulation process that enables the vitamin C L-ascorbic acid to be more tolerated by more sensitive skin types.
I had originally started using the C-Mollient Antioxidant Serum from Young Pharmaceuticals, but I felt my skin needed more moisture. The switch to the C-Mollient Antioxidant Gel offered me the protection I was looking for without the associated dryness.
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Botox® therapy may be addictive to some
Botox® has worked for many people, but it’s been criticized for eliminating all facial expressions. Many stories from Hollywood circulate about actresses reading a tragic scene but yet looking very relaxed and emotionless. Just like anything else in this world, overuse (or worse, addiction) usually leads to disasters.
Angelica Houston once commented on overdoing it a tad with Botox® treatment on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show“. She explained how her husband was telling her a horrible story that had happened to a friend and Angelica could only respond with a stony emotionless face. Her husband became upset, she recounted, because he thought she was mocking him and they got into an argument. No doubt, Angelica has learned not to overdue it when it comes to her Botox® treatments.
So is Botox® to blame or is overusing Botox® the real problem? This study came out in September 2006 and it’s an important read if you missed it: ‘Botox® therapy may be addictive‘. Botox® is like everything else…so much better in moderation!
Whole foods will help you age better
In February 2007, the government updated the Canadian Food Guide after 40 years. It’s no secret that whole foods, slow foods (as opposed to fast foods) and natural foods are much better options if you want to maintain optimal health. But if you are still uncertain how to integrate better quality foods in your diet in a way that’s easy and convenient, you may want to take a cue from cookbook author Heidi Swanson. In her new book, Super Natural Cooking: Five Delicious Ways to Incorporate Whole & Natural Ingredients Into Your Cooking
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Gong Li redefines Asian beauty after 40
You might remember her as the cold and calculating Hatsumomo in “Memoirs of a Geisha” or maybe from the 2006 film adaptation of “Miami Vice” or more recently from the 2007 film “Hannibal Rising”. One thing is certain: it’s impossible to forget Gong Li’s beautiful features. In fact, she is considered one of the most beautiful women in the world…even in her forties.
Beauty is not the only thing Gong Li has going for her. She’s also one of the most successful actresses in Chinese cinema and is quickly becoming an international star. Some of her performances have been recognized with awards from the Venice Film Festival and New York Film Critics Circle.
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Adding SPF to your favourite daily moisturizer
You might be fully aware of the need to wear a daily SPF formulation to protect your skin against sun damage, but you might not be willing to give up a moisturizer that works really well for your skin. Many cosmetic companies have recently introduced moisturizers with SPF 15, 20 or 30, but they may not work for you or you may simply want to stick with your favourite one. Thanks to Clinique’s “Super City Block” SPF applications, you can keep your trusted moisturizer and simply apply Clinique’s SPF for a complete sun protection. The formulation is available in SPF 15, 25 or 40. It’s oily-free, therefore perfect for any skin type and it’s also safe enough to wear around your eyes. You’ll find Clinique’s “Super City Block” at Holt Renfrew, Bay Canada and Sears Canada. It retails for $21.50 for the 40 ml tube, which should last you two to three months.
Men are more sensitive to the sun than women!
Our sexy and gorgeous Canadian men might think that sun exposure problems are only a female problem. Nothing could be further from the truth because guys are more sensitive to the sun than us gals. In fact, according to an April 2007 study conducted by WebMed Medical News, men are more likely to see the appearance of skin cancer faster (and more dramatically) than women.
Because most of our Canadian men worship the outdoors, they are far more exposed to the sun than many women and therefore have a rate of skin cancer that is twice that of women.
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Anti-aging medical spa treatments for smokers
In this two-part series, we’ll explore the anti-aging products and medical spa treatments specifically targeting smokers.
In the second part, we’ll talk to Norma Pasquale, cosmetic nurse at Pure Med Spa in Toronto’s Yorkville, who will highlight some of the best medical spa treatments to rejuvenate a smoker’s skin.
Along with the proper skincare and skincare treatments, there are a number of vitamins smokers might want to consider to achieve optimum results.
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The anti-oxidant POWER of berries!
The markets are bursting at the seam with fresh berries at this time of the year. Not only are berries available in copious amounts, they also at their prime and taste just perfectly and ready to be eaten on their own, as part of your favourite dessert, or served up with sinful crème fraîche or whipped cream (my personal favourite). To be a true Canadian is to indulge in locally grown blueberries, blackberries, cranberries (in the fall and winter), black and red currants, strawberries, and red and black raspberries simply because they taste so good.
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