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!