Summer Holiday Essentials - by Elle Macpherson

First Published at wellandgood.com

It is that time of year: The sun is shining and the kids are all on school holidays! Summer is really special to me, and this year we are spending some lo-fi family time together in the sun.

To get myself ready for a summer holiday, I seem to always go through the same checklist: good book, sunglasses, and cool new bathing suit (I just bought a Lisa Marie Fernandez frill bikini in Australia that I love!). As our family holiday gets closer, I embark on my 4-Week Body Reboot and add a skin-boosting smoothie every day.

What’s in the smoothie? Simply blitz banana, pineapple, kale, lemon juice, coconut water, and an alkalizing green powder. (Obviously I recommend WelleCo’s Super Elixir Alkalizing Greens!) This is one of the tips my nutritional doctor, Simone Laubscher, PhD, taught me when I was asking her for advice on more healthy-looking skin. Adding this to my breakfast routine is a great way to get in summer mode.  

What else says “summer” to me? I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite things to keep me glowing all season, from skin care to sunscreen to makeup bag essentials.

1. Sleep more

When I think of my skin being nourished and at its best, there is one thing I never underestimate—and that is the power of sleep. When the kids were young and I would stay up working until 2 a.m., I thought I was being really productive—little did I know my skin and general well-being was suffering from only three to four hours of rest a night. Sleep has become really important to me, and I now make sure I get at least seven hours to wake up and take on the day.

2. Apply sunscreen

Even though I like having a tan, my greatest regret is that I haven’t always protected my skin from the sun. I think sunblock is really important now and I always use SPF 50+. 

3. Exfoliate

In terms of skin care, I’m more of a wellness girl. I’m less about beautifying and more about wellness and treating from the inside with the right tonic and being toned and moisturized with soft skin.  For me these days, it’s all about stripping back the skin and re-moisturizing. And exfoliating! I exfoliate in the shower every day. If I don’t exfoliate my face skin in the morning I’ll do it at night so my skin is really soft.

4. Find a great concealer

I’m not big on makeup and I wasn’t even when I was younger. I always tell my two stepdaughters to take their makeup off—they look beautiful without it. I do like to use a concealer though, and I love RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-Up because I can use it without powder and it isn’t full of nasty ingredients, which matters a lot to me.

5. Hydrate—both inside and out

Overall my main tips for great skin are to treat and nourish from the inside and to keep it super simple. Stay hydrated from the inside, moisturized on the outside, and protected from the sun. And just keep having fun and smile—and you’ll always be glowing.

Fourth of July Beauty Detox!

This recipe was first posted at Kimberlysnyder.com 

Summer is in full swing and now Independence Day is only a few days away!  Now it wouldn’t be a 4th of July BBQ without watermelon right?  

 

Watermelon Slushie (Party Size)

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Author: Kimberly Snyder

Serves: 10-12

Ingredients

• 12 cups frozen watermelon
• 1 cup coconut water
• stevia to taste (optional)
• mint or basil to taste (optional)

Instructions

1. Mix the ingredients in the blender. Pour into cold glasses and garnish with mint or basil.

Inside Look: Summer Skincare On the Go

It’s official—summer is in the air. As your days heat up, don’t forget to factor in how high temps and outdoor activities can impact your skin.

Play smart, cover up. Wearing sunscreen is crucial, but it’s just the first step of safeguarding skin from the sun’s UVA/UVB rays. Whether you’re cruising around the golf course or relaxing at a barbeque, protect your skin with a long-sleeve layer (bonus points for fabrics with built-in SPF). Darker, tightly woven fabrics are more effective at blocking out sun—so a denim shirt offers an estimated UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of 1,700 while a white cotton t-shirt only provides an average UPF of 7. Shield the delicate skin on your face and neck with a wide-brimmed sunhat.

Be water wise. Ready to hit the beach or lounge poolside? Sun reflection from sand, water and cement doubles the amount of UV exposure on your body, so  apply broad spectrum sunscreen 30 minutes before you step outside. Chlorinated water can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry, tight, itchy, or even prone to a rash. Apply moisturizer before hitting the pool, then rinse off and re-moisturize again to help minimize skin irritation caused by dryness.

Don’t sweat it. Even water-resistant sunscreens eventually wear off, sweat off and wash off after fun in the sun. According to the FDA, ‘water-resistant’ sunscreens (like ESSENTIALS Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Body Sunscreen) maintain effective SPF levels after 40 minutes in the water. Waterproof formulas start losing their effectiveness after 80 minutes in the water. Time flies when you’re splashing around—so keep an eye on the clock, and take breaks to reapply your sunscreen.

Climate counts. Skin is mainly hydrated from the outside, so it helps to factor in the forecast. Since dry, windy climates and sun exposure can dehydrate skin, apply moisturizer morning and night—especially in high altitudes. UV radiation also increases up to 12 percent for every 3,000 feet of elevation, so carry extra sunscreen to reapply. Not surprising, when summer heat combines with humidity, skin produces more oil. If you are already prone to sensitive or oily skin and live in a moist climate, try mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide which can provide a mattifying effect.

 Cool off. Our default water temperature for baths and showers tends to run high, but summer is a great time to change it up. Hot, steamy water dehydrates skin, which can leave you dry, itchy or visibly red. Opt for short, tepid showers year-round, apply moisturizer right after bathing, and stick to cool splashes of water when cleansing your face.

Plan ahead. Going just one day without sunscreen can ruin a month’s worth of good habits. Go for a full-body sun protection routine like Summer Skin ESSENTIALS, with Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Body Sunscreen and Lip Shield SPF 25, plus Daily Body Moisturizer to soothe and hydrate skin after sun exposure. Keep a bag packed by the door so that you don’t forget your summer skin must-haves: sunscreen, hat, UV-blocking sunglasses, water bottle, and long-sleeve shirt or beach cover-up.

Enjoy your summer days—from pool to putting green—and keep your skin healthy along the way. 

Best Self-Tanner - #1 is Rodan + Fields

Published: June 2016 in Total Beauty

Best Self-Tanner - #1 Rodan + Fields Essentials Foaming Sunless Tanner, $24 ($21 for Preferred Customers)

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 10

Why It's Great: If you want a natural-looking tan, that's not streaky or orange, then readers say this self-tanner is your ticket. "I'd tried just about every self-tanner out there, and had pretty much given up until I picked this up," confesses one reader. "It's light, dries quickly and there's no streaking. I've never had a tan that looked so natural." Readers say the foam consistency of the self-tanner guarantees an even application, and gives you a nice, "sun-kissed" look.

The Best Free Anti-Aging Treatment: Break a Sweat to Keep Skin Looking Younger

Imagine if you could walk, run or swim your way to younger-looking skin. New research shows you can, and all you have to do is commit to a regular workout. It turns out that cardiovascular exercise, known for overall body benefits, also has the ability to improve your skin’s dermal layers to reverse some of the visible signs of aging.

Researchers at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, found that cardiovascular exercise causes the body to release a protein, IL-15, that actually stimulates the cells’ mitochondria, or power hubs. These amped-up mitochondria, in turn, boost skin-plumping collagen production and help trigger cell turnover, resulting in a more radiant, youthful complexion. What does all this mean? Your exercise regimen doubles as a beauty treatment.

In their 2015 study published in the journal Aging Cell, the researchers studied a panel of men and women, aged 20 to 84, about half of whom exercised at least three hours per week, while the others were sedentary. Sample skin biopsies revealed that the participants over age 40 who exercised had higher levels of the IL-15 (interleukin) protein, released only during cardio exercise, resulting in younger-looking skin. Similarly, once the sedentary participants aged 65 or older started 30 minutes of cardio twice a week, the aging of their skin also seemed to reverse. After only three months of exercise, the skin of these older adults appeared at least 25 years younger under the microscope.

Of course, there’s no match for incorporating a daily skincare routine like the REDEFINE Regimen, which layers proven peptide technology with cosmetic ingredients for noticeably firmer, smoother, younger-looking skin. If you do venture outside to get your cardio on, don’t forget the broad spectrum sunscreen.

Which Acids Can Work Wonders for Your Skin?

When you hear the words skin and acid together, it may call to mind intense peeling or red-looking skin, but there’s a brighter side to this skincare story. Some acids are touted in the dermatology world for their hydrating, lightening and rejuvenating effects on skin—leaving a dull, complexion visibly transformed. Other acids are the first line of defense against acne and signs of aging.

Learning the ins and outs of acids can help you find the right products for your specific skin type or condition. Check out our list of common skin concerns and skin-friendly solutions with potent acid ingredients:

• Troubled by wrinkles or large pores? Both are natural signs of aging, which can be reduced with the acid-based products. REDEFINE ACUTE CARE™ for Expression Lines targets wrinkles with line-defying hyaluronic acid—an ingredient which is naturally occurring and abundant in youthful skin, but declines with age. While you can never change the physical size of pores, you can minimize their appearance with skincare products that contain hydroxy acids to exfoliate dead surface cells—think REDEFINE Regimen for the Appearance of Lines, Pores and Loss of Firmness.

• Age spots, brown spots or discoloration got you down? Changes in skin pigmentation are common in the course of a lifetime, yet they often affect how our age is perceived by others. Whether the unwanted marks are due to sun damage, hormonal changes (resulting in melasma), or other forms of hyperpigmentation, several acids come to the skin’s rescue in the REVERSE Regimen. Alpha hydroxy acids loosen dead skin cells, kojic acid and antioxidants visibly brighten, and salicylic acid exfoliates and refines skin for a more radiant complexion.

• Agonizing over acne and post acne marks? Exfoliating ingredients like alpha hydroxy acid and salicylic acid help renew the skin by shedding surface cells that contain abnormal or uneven pigmentation. This allows lightening agents or other active ingredients to more easily penetrate the skin. Try UNBLEMISH Regimen to break the acne cycle—and diminish the visible signs it leaves behind on your skin.

Bottom line: Before using new acid-based skincare, always do a spot test to see how your skin reacts. Ease the products into your routine by using every few days at first, then build up to daily applications. Boosting your skincare smarts can lead you to the products most likely to deliver the best result of all: radiant, healthy-looking skin.

Dads Deserve Great Skin Too!

June is the month we celebrate our Fathers and Husbands, Brothers and Sons! Don't forget that the Rodan + Fields "Beyond the Shave" Kit is a GREAT gift for the men in your life. 

Here is a before/after pix of one of my friends' father who recently starting using the Reverse Regimen. He looks 20 years younger - truly! I'm sure you guessed it - but he is seriously happy with his results!

Consistency is Key

Over the last 4 years, Ashley has been using R+F Multi-Function Eye Cream religiously morning and night. She saw the results slowly over time. But it was not until she put these photos side by side a year apart that she saw the HUGE difference! Instead of looking 4 years older, she looks 10 years younger! Consistency is key. Those who take 1-2 minutes to wash their face twice a day with these Multi-Med products WILL see awesome results!

Dr. Tim Talks: In the Lab

Check out the latest video from our resident brainiac, Dr. Tim Falla. He's talking all things exfoliation from the R+F Innovation Lab at Berkley.

How Do I Tell If I Have Sensitive Skin?

For some people, sensitivity means red-looking skin in severe weather, or the appearance of bumps and redness after using a new soap or skincare product. For others, razor burn strikes after every shave. Or sometimes stress makes their skin go wild.

For the 70% of Americans who report having sensitive skin, there may be any number of underlying causes—from heredity to lifestyle or the environment. Where does your skin fit in?

The first step to a healthier-looking complexion is assessing your skin and identifying triggers that bring on sensitivity. Whether you face chapped, dry, cracked or red-looking skin every day or only on occasion, find the SOOTHE solution that works for your skin.

Talk to me or you can take my Online Solution Tool to access the needs of your skin individually.  SOLUTION TOOL

Get Your Summer Glow On!

Growing up in Venice Beach, Claire admits basking in the sunshine was a part of everyday life in Southern California. But one bad sunburn as a child, along with a predisposition to skin cancer, made her hyper-aware of spending time in the sun today. “Abstaining from direct sun exposure is now a part of my life, rather than just happenstance,” she explains.

Claire still loves the look of a sun-kissed golden glow, but wishes she could take the “sun” out of the tanning process. She volunteered to try ESSENTIALS Foaming Sunless Tan once a day for six days. While acknowledging that her “passion for beauty and skincare is pretty paramount,” she also cares about the sun’s visible effects on her skin and her overall health. “Skin is the largest organ of our body, so if we don’t take care of it, we’re putting ourselves at risk.” We couldn’t agree more.

She appreciates Foaming Sunless Tan for its simplicity. “The foam formula has an airy, merengue-like quality that makes it easy to spread, and it absorbs into the skin effortlessly with quick, lasting results that I could see within two hours. I’ve never used anything quite like it.”

Friends noticed Claire’s tan too. Before she showed them the “before and after” results, they were convinced she’d just come back from vacation. “I’m very happy with my warm golden glow. I don’t look overly tanned, but more like I’ve spent a little extra time outside.” Claire plans to try it on her arms, back and face next. “I love the idea of using it on my face because the foam is so lightweight, easy to control and feels no different than a real tan—except no sun is necessary.”

Kerry Washington's Top Tips for Flawless Skin

First published on Self.com

On the ABC drama Scandal, Kerry Washington’s character Olivia Pope is tasked with facing major political crises head on and using crafty maneuvers to solve them. IRL the stunning actress is using the same “fixer” formula she does on TV to help tackle a dire, medical situation: skin cancer. It’s a disease which one in five Americans will develop in the course of a lifetime.

So, Washington is supporting Neutrogena for the brand’s Choose Skin Health initiative. The goal is to fight the disease through education, early detection, and improved sunscreen habits. In a one-on-one interview with SELF, Washington reveals why the partnership is so important to her. “Before working with the company, I didn’t know as much about the danger of skin cancer. I didn’t know how prevalent it was,” she says. “For example, there are more incidences of skin cancer than breast, lung, prostate, and colon cancer combined, which seems crazy because it’s one of the most preventable cancers,” she adds.

Washington takes a page out of her character’s book by suggesting a manageable fix: Use the right tools (like SPF) to stay protected.  And she makes sure to layer and reapply often while filming on set. Washington also drinks copious amounts of water for healthy skin (at least a liter a day!) and makes sure to squeeze in a workout like a hike or elliptical session. Ahead, she shares her best tricks for mopping up makeup at night and the green smoothie she drinks in the morning.

Olivia Pope has gotten a lot of attention for being the best-dressed character on TV. What style trick would you steal from her?

“I think the most important thing is the importance of a tailor. We put a lot of unrealistic expectations on ourselves that everything on the hanger is supposed to fit us perfectly. That’s impossible because we all have such different bodies! There’s no reason why you should put something on and feel like you’re not perfect because the dress isn’t. Having a tailor is important. Even if it’s just someone in your neighborhood where you can jump in and say, ‘Hey, can you pull this up two inches or nip it here or take it out here?'”

You have flawless skin! How do you take off your makeup at night?

“I know it’s a bit of a buzzword, but I’m a strong believer in double cleansing. I really like to get it all off with a makeup wipe, and then cleanse after that. I like the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes, and sometimes I use them even before I get home—at work—to try to get it all off. Then, once I’m at home I cleanse again.”

Do you have a favorite post-workout drink or snack to refuel?

“It really changes honestly, but I like to make a green smoothie in the morning. I work with a really great nutritionist named Kimberly Snyder; it’s her glowing green smoothie.”