5 Essential Self-Care Practices to Thrive in Your 40s

As we age, it is important to prioritize our physical and mental well-being. Self-care in our 40s is essential for leading a healthy and balanced life. Taking the time to practice self-care can have many benefits, such as improved physical health, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. It can also help reduce stress levels, improve relationships with others, and increase productivity. By taking the time to focus on ourselves in our 40s, we can ensure that we are living our best lives for years to come.

1. Eat Healthy Foods for Optimal Health

Eating healthy is essential for optimal health, especially in your 40s. As you age, the body’s nutritional needs change and it is important to ensure that you get the right balance of nutrients from your diet. Eating a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats will help to maintain energy levels and keep your body functioning at its best. Here are some tips for making smart, healthy choices:

– Strive for variety in your diet, eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables every day.

– Make sure that you are also getting more than the recommended minimum daily intake of fresh fruit and vegetables.

– Don’t rely on protein to make up most of your diet; it’s better to eat more whole grains high in fiber.

– Aim for at least half the amount of whole-grain food that you eat each day.

A good rule of thumb is to try and eat something made from whole grain every 3 or 4 hours during the day.

2. Create a Personalized Exercise Plan that Works Best For You

It’s never too late to start a fitness routine, especially if you’re over forty. With the right exercises and plan, you can become more physically fit and improve your overall health. But what are the best exercises for busy adults over forty? You do not have to slug it out in the gym every single day.

Make sure that whatever activity you choose, you get at least 20-40 minutes of exercising. Make it a routine and a habit in order to ensure that it helps you achieve your fitness goals. You can try activities such as swimming, biking, yoga, running, or even hiking. All of these will also help you get out in nature.

3. Get Quality Sleep Every Night

Quality sleep is essential for adults over forty to stay healthy and energized. Not getting enough sleep can lead to serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. It also affects our mental health, causing us to feel anxious and depressed. To get quality sleep every night, it’s important for adults over forty to follow certain sleeping habits and tips that will help them get better rest each night.

Do not use any electronics at least one hour prior to when you are supposed to sleep. Use your bedroom only for sleeping and not for other activities such as work and eating food. Try to establish a bedtime routine that consists of taking a shower, doing some skincare, and reading a book in order to get in bed.

4. Get Checked Regularly

As we age, our health can start to decline. That’s why it’s so important to get regular checkups in your 40s and beyond. Getting checked regularly is key for identifying any potential health issues before they become serious and can help you stay healthy and active as you get older.

A woman’s risk for breast cancer increases with age, which is why they should get checked every 6 months.

As for men, testosterone replacement therapy and aging are directly related since testosterone levels in men decline with age. Low testosterone can lead to fatigue, depression, weight gain, and decreased libido. By getting regular checkups, you can make sure that your testosterone levels are within normal range and take action if they are not. Regular checkups also help identify other medical conditions that may be causing symptoms similar to low testosterone levels.

5. Take Time to Relax and Recharge

For adults over forty, taking the time to relax and recharge is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. As we age, our bodies and minds are more prone to stress, which can lead to physical and mental health issues. To combat this, it’s important to take the time to de-stress and unwind after a stressful day. Try to take out time for yourself that is away from work and personal commitments. Strive to give yourself a break at least once a week so that you do not burn out. Try to develop some hobbies that make you happy and keep you busy.

It is important to take good care of yourself in your 40s so that you age well. Use this list to help you figure out the areas you have been lacking in to help you improve your quality of life.

Prejuvenation: 6 Things Millennials Can do to Maintain Their Youth

Many people in their 20’s (and 30’s) are stressed out about high post-college student loan debt requiring side hustles to pay it off. They’re noticing tired eyes and premature wrinkles as they turn to filters to optimize their social media photos. There is pressure to keep up with celebrities their age not to mention the countless millennial “social media influencers” who are setting the new standard for beauty and youth. Bottom line, millennials are stressed, and they don’t want to look it. Dr. Manish Shah, a Denver, Colorado Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in facial plastic surgery urges the under 30 crowds not to overdo it with expensive treatments and procedures that can actually make them look older and put them further into debt.

Featured Photo from Market Watch.

Here is Dr. Shah’s of 6 things millennials can do to maintain their youth.

1. Use sunblock every day.

“The best way to make sure your face is protected from the sun is to use a daily moisturizer with SPF of no less than 30,” explains Dr. Shah. He also suggests applying creams to your neck and chest to postpone wrinkling and sagging in these areas. “The sun protection done daily in your 20’s will pay off greatly in your 40’s,” he says.

2. Get your Vitamin C.

“Vitamin C is a huge collagen booster and it also reduces pores and brightens skin, and these are the exact things women in their late 30’s and 40’s complain about most,” he reveals. Foods such as cantaloupe, mango, pineapples, oranges, grapefruits, and berries are all packed with this antioxidant which, when eaten regularly does wonders to sustain a youthful glow.

3. Ditch the fast food and eat more fish.

Those late night post-partying fries and pizza are to be expected and at 25 are difficult to avoid. Perhaps your metabolism can handle it, for now. Offset these weekend indulgences by eating fish during the week. “Fish oil has fatty acids can erase early wrinkles you may notice. It prevents inflammation which can only make wrinkles more noticeable and deeper over time. Many millennials who are picky eaters and avoid seafood can get Omega-3’s via supplements but getting it directly from eating fish is best,” Dr. Shah suggests.

4. Quit smoking.

Nothing will age you quicker than smoking. “It is possible for a 25-year-old to look 8-5 years younger, within just 3 months after quitting smoking. This number increases after age 30. Women over age 40 who don’t smoke typically look up to a decade younger than their counterparts who still smoke,” says Dr. Shah. There are a gazillion reasons to quit smoking. Linking it to vanity is a pretty powerful motivator.

5. Decrease your sugar intake.

You really want to start getting mindful about your sugar intake in your 20’s for many reasons. “Sugars and carbohydrates are a beauty killer because they are pro-inflammatory. Pasta, ketchup, candy, ice cream, and fruit juices are often dietary staples for those under 30. Any inflammation in the body will show up on the face in the form of adult acne, sagging and wrinkling not to mention sallow skin tone,” warns Dr. Shah.

6. Maintain your glow with facials and peels.

While many millennials are starting off with “Baby Botox” which can postpone wrinkling, Botox isn’t cheap. It also can be a “gateway” treatment which leads to lip injections and fillers that often have a reverse effect making younger women appear older, cautions Dr. Shah. “Lasers and peels have come very far, offer an excellent solution for sun damage, skin texture, pores, acne scarring and cell turnover to stimulate collagen growth.

Dr. Shah concludes that millennials who get into a good solid habit of taking care of themselves both inside and out, will create a lifestyle of longevity. “Millennials raised by mothers who may have had breast implants, Botox and lip injections may feel that getting things “done” is normal. This is exactly why I am always very honest when advising patients under 25 on procedures they’re considering.”

About Dr. Manish Shah

Plastic Surgeon Colorado | Dr. Manish Shah, M.D. | Denver https://drmanishshah.com/

Manish Shah, M.D., F.A.C.S. is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. After completing his formal plastic surgery training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Univ. of Tennessee College of Medicine, he moved to New York City and was selected for the prestigious Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship at Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital. He underwent extensive, advanced training in aesthetic surgery of the face, breasts, and body at the hands of some of the most renowned cosmetic surgeons in the world. Dr. Shah is one of only a select few plastic surgeons in the country who has undergone formal post-graduate training in aesthetic surgery.

Dr. Shah’s specialties include revision facial aesthetic surgery, rhinoplasty (“nose reshaping”), and aesthetic surgery of the breast (breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction). He is, however, well-trained in all areas of aesthetic surgery. Dr. Shah’s aim is to obtain a natural appearing transformation that complements the real you!

Bioré Blue Agave + Baking Soda Collection: A Dynamic Duo

Introducing the NEW Bioré Skincare Blue Agave + Baking Soda Collection. The new Pore Cleanser, Instant Warming Clay Mask and Nourishing Whipped Detox Mask help deep clean and nourish combination skin by leveraging blue agave + baking soda in these new formulas. While Baking Soda deep cleans, Blue Agave provides conditioning benefits—making these ingredients a dynamic duo—for combination skin sufferers who need an exfoliating, deep clean while still being able to condition those dry patches.

 

Featured Photo from Byrdie

 

Bioré Blue Agave + Baking Soda Balancing Pore Cleanser: Developed especially for those with combination skin, this everyday cleanser deep cleans the oily parts while smoothing and conditioning the rough, dry parts— for balanced, conditioned skin. Not only does it remove deep down dirt and impurities from the pores, but it gently exfoliating away dead cells, allowing healthy cells to emerge. With continued daily use, you’ll achieve softer, smoother skin and a more balanced complexion.
How to use: Wet face, pump cleanser into hands and work into a lather. After massaging over entire face, rinse thoroughly. $5.99.
Bioré Blue Agave + Baking Soda Instant Warming Clay Mask: Sometimes your skin needs a little extra TLC—plus, what better way to take a selfie—if not with a blue mask on! Designed to purify and refine skin by absorbing excess oils, this instant warming mask opens pores and melts away that pore-clogging dirt, oil, and sebum—leaving your skin clean, soft and refreshed. This warming clay mask, formulated to deep clean pores, is pH balanced for comfortably clean skin. This mask has a unique self-healing technology that is activated when massaged into the skin. This thermal formula in conjunction with purifying and skin toning clays optimize the mask’s ability to deep clean and purify.
How to use: Wet face, as the mask is activated by water. Dry hands and apply mask. Massage mask for about 1 minute to help heat it up. Then thoroughly rinse with warm water to remove the mask. The mask does not dry or harden. $5.99.
Bioré Blue Agave + Baking Soda Whipped Nourishing Detox Mask: Clogged pores seriously need to chill! The menthol in this detox mask creates an intense pore-tingly sensation—that’s the feeling of a good deep clean. Formulated for combination skin, this mask contains natural Blue Agave, known for its ability to soothe and condition, and deep cleaning Baking Soda to help eliminate impurities, leaving skin clean, refreshed, and ever-so-nourished.
How to use: Wet face and apply mask evenly, avoiding eyes. Chill out for 3-5 minutes for seriously purified pores, then thoroughly rinse with warm. $6.49.

3 Easy Tips for Treating Afro Hair

After decades of spending small fortunes on relaxing and weaving their hair – read, stressing! – many women have decided to finally call it quits by going back to their natural roots and letting their afros come out to play.

With the rise of racial bias, hairstyles such as the afro and braids have increased in trend with celebrities such as Beyoncé setting an example of what it means to own and find empowerment, in one’s cultural identity. If you’re ready to grow out your afro and are navigating the best ways to take care of it, follow these three tips by renowned hairstylists specializing in afros.

Featured Photo from BET.com

Treat it Well

Our hairs’ natural oils take longer to absorb into curly hair, so it is important to keep your tresses moisturized to stop it from frizzing. There are various hair-products specifically for natural hair available on the market but the best oils to treat your hair with are usually the ones you already keep in your kitchen: coconut, olive, castor, jojoba, and avocado oil will work wonders on your hair.

These oils are extremely nourishing and inexpensive and will help you get your hair to look as though you have just walked out of the salon.

Wash your hair then follow up with a conditioner, letting it soak in for at least five minutes ensuring it reaches all the way down to the roots. Once you’re out of the shower, treat your hair with your moisturizing cream or oil of choice and let it soak into your hair, being careful not to use too much to avoid droopy, wet-looking curls.

Pump up the Volume

An afro should be voluminous and one of the best ways to ensure the full look is by braiding your hair prior to going to bed. This will ensure that your hair isn’t flattened while you sleep and will instead spring back into its voluminous form once your release it from its braids in the morning.

One of the most important things to keep a check on when it comes to afro-maintenance is your split ends. Schedule a standing appointment with your hairdresser to avoid skipping your monthly trim. Split ends will make it difficult for you to style your afro and will travel up to mid-length causing further damage to your hair.

Also, try to add some natural volume to your hair.

Invest in a Silk Headscarf

All that moisturizing care you have been putting into your natural hair will be for nothing if you don’t protect it with a silk headscarf or pillowcase while you sleep. Instead of your hair absorbing all the oily goodness, your pillow will and come morning, your afro will be back to a state of dry frizz. Wrapping your hair in a silk scarf before you go to sleep, will retain the moisture, allowing it to work its magic on your hair while you sleep. Your hair is also prone to more breakage during the night time as you are constantly moving against your pillow, the fabric of which can cause our hair to get caught and damaged. Wrapping your hair in a silk scarf or investing in a silk pillowcase, will protect it from breakage throughout the night and you will wake up to healthy-looking hair that is easy to comb.

 

Be The Best Version of You: Embrace Your Natural Beauty

It’s not easy being a woman. We’re bombarded with photoshopped images of beautiful models, we have strict beauty standards forced upon us and most of us receive criticism throughout our lives for one feature or another on our face or body. But it doesn’t have to be this way, instead of comparing ourselves to others it makes sense that we should embrace our own natural beauty. Accentuate our best features, look and feel our best in a way that’s true to us. Here are just a few of the ways you can go about doing that.

Photo from People Style.com

Choose a Hairstyle and Color That Works For You

By the time most of us reach our twenties, we’ve dyed our hair every color under the sun. You might have spent some time bleach blonde, jet black, bright red or any other weird and wonderful shade of the rainbow. But to embrace your natural beauty, why not go back to your roots? If you have natural auburn hair, why not make the most of this stunning rare color and show it off! If you’re beachy blonde, ditch the dark dyes and if you’re naturally darker than give up the bleaches. If you have grey hair, don’t feel as though you need to change it- the silver color can look beautiful. Toners can help to keep it the best shade of grey it can be without permanent damaging colors being added. Sticking with your natural shade will save you time and money, you won’t have to keep running to the hairdresser or using box dyes to cover your roots. Your hair will be in good condition where you won’t be constantly dying it, and when it comes down to it- your natural hair color is what will suit you best. It will complement both your eyes and skin tone and will make you feel like ‘you’- especially if you’ve been coloring for a while.

Stick To a Good Skincare Routine

These days there are all kinds of ‘lunch hour procedures’ that can keep you young from lip injections to fillers to Botox. They’re not too expensive and the recovery time is minimal, however, prevention is better than cure. If you treat your skin well you will reduce the signs of aging and naturally stay looking younger for longer. You should use SPF every day, even in winter as the sun’s UV rays are damaging all year round. Eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water and avoid damaging habits such as smoking, excessively drinking or taking drugs. Look after your body as a whole, and your skin is one place you will really reap the rewards. If you do feel as though you want a procedure or a little nip/ tuck to rewind the years however then go for it. When it comes to surgery, have the aim in mind that you should look like the best version of yourself, not someone completely different!

Work on Your Physique

A strong and supple body is, of course, practical- it allows you to live your life without feeling easily fatigued and you feel fit and healthy. But maintaining a healthy weight and having toned muscles also looks good too, and can give you a huge confidence boost. If you’re overweight, shedding some pounds will be useful for both your health and your self-esteem. You could join a dieting group for support, and join a gym along with a friend or partner for motivation. Alternatively, you could find an activity you enjoy, whether it’s swimming, yoga, a dance class, a sport or just hiking with the dog and family. Aim to get to a BMI that’s healthy for you (there are lots of calculators to show you this online) and you will look how you are supposed to look and feel great too. You’ll slash your risk of all kinds of health issues that can come from weighing too much or too little. Healthy eating and exercise don’t have to be a chore, there are tones of delicious dishes out there and lots of fun activities to get you up and moving. Don’t see it as a diet, instead see it as a lifestyle change in pursuit of becoming your best self.

You don’t have to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, instead just work on making the best of yourself and highlighting your natural beauty. When you feel good on the outside it does affect the way you feel on the inside- plus many things that improve the way you look will also improve your health.

Collaborative Post

 

Dealing With Acne Breakouts: What Every Woman Should Consider

When you were little, did you dream of the day pimples wouldn’t be a problem any longer? Every girl did because a zit could be the difference between an easy life and one fraught with self-esteem issues.

Featured Photo from Byrdie

Fast forward a couple of years and, unimaginably, the spots haven’t disappeared. If anything, they are just as bad as before. Okay, the hives of redness are no longer glued to your face, but the little dots still pop up out of nowhere. What happened to girls growing into their bodies?!

The truth is that lots of women deal with breakouts to this day, and it isn’t pretty. To stop it, you have to learn how to prevent the genie from slipping out of the bottle in the first place. Here’s what every woman with skin problems should consider.

Keep It Clean

Acne sufferers can let their daily cleaning habits slip because, well, the worst has already happened. However, the problem with this logic is that the pimples will never clear if you don’t do the basics. And, the simplest tool at your disposal is a cloth and a bar of soap. Washing your face at least twice a day is a fantastic way to keep it pure and rid it of dirt and bacteria. From oil to dead skin cells, blockages occur in the skin on a daily basis, and it is the obstructions that lead to zits. Apart from clearing the pores, it’s also important to add a cleanser to get deep into the cells. There are lots of industry products on the market, but a standard bottle of antiseptic will work wonders.

Moisturize Wisely

There is a lot more to the process than meets the eye. For example, did you know that there are different lotions for various types of skin? Also, did you know that some moisturizers lead to dryness and encourage spots to breakout? Many women don’t know these facts to be true and apply a bog standard lotion without much thought. However, it’s essential to research your condition and take it into account if you are an acne sufferer. An excellent tip is to search for products which have the word non-comedogenic written on the label. In simple terms, it means it doesn’t cause acne. Another factor to keep in mind is sin hydration. Should you have dry skin, an oily lotion is better, but the reverse is true if you have greasy skin.

Avoid Bad Hair Days

What on earth has your hair got to do with acne? Well, the answer is quite a lot. Although you might not realize it, the product from your scalp often pours down on your face. Yep, everything from hairspray to wax and even scented aromas can clog up the face’s cells. When this happens, it encourages bacteria to grow and pimples to form without notice. So, it makes sense to stop the river of chemicals flowing from your hair on your skin. To do this, avoid overdoing it with products such as gels and sprays. Also, keep your fringe away from your forehead if you have one. Any strands with chemicals will automatically transfer to the skin as soon as they touch.

Don’t Conceal It

As soon as a spot pops up, the urge is to cover it with makeup. That’s a job well done, right? Not necessarily because, although it might be a short-term solution, it does long-term damage. Makeup such as foundation and concealer are two of the leading causes of breakouts, and you have to start using them sparingly. If at all possible, don’t use makeup at all on the target area and focus on how to cover acne without concealer. For those who think it’s impossible, organic methods such as ice are excellent ways to reduces blemishes, swelling and redness.

Eat Healthly

Spots occur because of unhealthy cells that, as this post has pointed out, can come from various sources. One cause that you can never forget is a lack of nutrients in the body. Usually, junk food contains all the ingredients that have no benefit on the skin, such as saturated fats. Healthy foods, on the other hand, include everything from omega-3 fatty acids to vitamins, proteins and iron. With extra good bacteria, it’s much easier for the body to fight breakouts and stop acne at the source. Superfoods, ones that have plenty of the good stuff, are things such as asparagus, spinach, avocado and fish.

Spots might be bad, but the excellent news is that dealing with them is straightforward.

Collaborative Post

 

Talk of Alabama Lifestyle Segment: New Year, New You Beauty Must-Haves

Monday marks the official beginning of the new year!  Everyone’s setting goals and changing their beauty regimen.

I hosted a Lifestyle Segment on Talk of Alabama – ABC 3340; themed “New Year, New You” sharing beauty advice through the use of hair care products.

A few of the tips shared on-air included applying Root Touch-Up, Clip-In Hair Extensions, and It’s a 10 Haircare Products.  This was a fun segment and to showcase the hair extensions I wore a human hair color strip.  Details about the segment included:

Use a Root Touch-Up Marker to cover gray roots without a permanent chemical process.

Insert colored extensions from Hairdo USA for a glamorous hair style without committing to an entirely new hue.  Don’t forget to use a wrap around pony for quick star-worthy style!

It’s a 10 Haircare products are holiday and salon-worth products that can be used at-home.  This product line is a celebrity favorite amongst Gabrielle Union and Gwen Stephani.  The products can be used on all hair types while protecting, smooths, and conditions. This product can even be used on kids and pets! There’s also something for the men in our life!  He’s a 10 Miracle Pliable Paste and 3-in-1 Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Treatment: He’ll love these versatile stylers that glide easily through hair and body with zero sticky residue and a clean feel. These grooming essentials will save men money and time.

Hair:

Root Touch-Up Marker

Human Hair Color Strip

Long Wave Pony

French Braid Band

It’s a 10 Haircare

Hairdo How to Tips and Videos:

Go with the Gut: 7 Foods to Eat for Better Skin, Hair and Mood

All symptoms of the body from thin, dull hair, and sallow skin, to acne breakouts, body aches and sluggish energy all point to the gut. Gut health is incredibly important making mindful eating an essential part of longevity and anti-aging. If you want to feel vibrant and maintain a youthful appearance up to 15 years younger than your actual age, start weaving these key foods into your diet.

Garlic:

When we have an overgrowth of candida in the gut we experience things like acne breakouts, bloating, and constipation. Garlic mitigates all of this because it kills candida. Garlic also aids in digestion and immunity. Garlic also has anti-inflammatory properties making it ideal for joint aches. Allicin, which serves as an anti-aging, antifungal benefit to garlic aids in smoothing skin and preventing acne and other skin conditions.

Ground Flaxseed:

Responsible for helping food to travel effortlessly and smoothly through the GI tract, flaxseed keeps us regular. Flaxseed also contains cancer fighters called lignans which also ward off heart disease. Flaxseed helps to minimize rashes, skin flare ups and irritation. When you consume flaxseed your skin becomes more even toned and less sensitive.

Apple cider vinegar:

One of the best ways to address any digestive issues is to combine a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water or in tea and drink it before a meal. It helps your body to break down food. It helps with to prevent indigestion and stomach issues after eating. Anytime you can aid the digestive process you’ll notice glowing skin and a youthful radiance.

Celery & Celery Juice:

Another anti-inflammatory and cancer fighter celery also lowers blood pressure and rids us of sugar cravings (and sugar makes the skin sallow and leads to breakouts). The natural salts in celery juice maintain a healthy gut pH. The common recommendation is to drink 16 ounces on an empty stomach and improvements to digestion and physical appearance will be evident within 10 days.

Cauliflower:

High in fiber, cauliflower helps the gut maintain healthy microbes. This is important because when microbes or gut flora are out of whack a whole slew of symptoms become evident. These include digestive issues, depression or anxiety, and skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne.

Fermented foods:

Kimchi is delicious and sauerkraut or pickled vegetables can make for a nice topping to a salad or mid-day snack. These fermented foods are packed with good bacteria which balances the microbiome, which is the anchor for our health and immunity.

Asparagus:  

Another “prebiotic” fiber that keeps the gut healthy and balanced is asparagus. You can add garlic to it and broil it in the oven offering a 1 -2 punch of gut friendly foods in one delicious side dish. It’s important to note that people who suffer from stomach pain may not do well with prebiotics in larger amounts. If the gut is already inflamed these foods can cause a flare up.

About the Doctor:

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. is an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, and anti-aging medicine. Proclaimed the “The Stem Cell Guru” by the New York Daily News, Dr. Calapai is a leader in the field of stem cell therapy in the U.S. His stem cell treatments have achieved remarkable results in clinical trials on patients with conditions as varied as Alzheimer’s, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, frailty syndrome, heart, kidney and liver failure, lupus, MS and Parkinson’s. He has worked with Mike TysonMickey Rourke, Steven Seagal, and Gotham’s, Donal Logue; and as a medical consultant for the New York Rangers. Connect with him via twitter @drcalapai or at www.drcal.net

How To Glow During NYFW: Dr. Maryam Zamani

With NYFW kicking off this week, that means hectic schedules, runway shows, after parties and a jam-packed social schedule all while wanting to look our very best! Oculoplastic Surgeon, Dr. Maryam Zamani, would love to share her guidelines (below) on how you can glow in the midst of the madness.

Featured Photo from Instagram

  • Exfoliate: Gently exfoliate and remove any dead skin that accumulates, particularly in colder temperatures and heating. I recommend a Natural Konjac Sponge to help slough off the dead unwanted skin and allow beautiful new skin to glow through.
  • Maintain Hydration: Hydration helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, boosts hydration and makes skin glow. Look for a moisturizer with sun protection, brighteners (like Vitamin C), and skin plumpers.
  • Focus below the neck: never forget the décolletage especially in the season of the little black dress. Use a daily body scrub every morning. Swap your regular body lotion with one with lactic acid to help dissolve rough patches without irritating the skin.
  • Get a nutritional facelift: Make sure your diet is filled with Omega 3, 6 and 9 to help combat inflammation and maintain the health of the skin and hair. Fruits and vegetables loaded with antioxidant help rid your body of free radicals that make your skin look older
  • Avoid salty foods for at least two to three days prior to a party to prevent puffy eyes.
  • Increase your water intake to keep yourself hydrated and counter the effects of alcohol and caffeine.
  • Do not get a facial or peel the day of a party; this should be done one week before an event to avoid redness and irritation.

Avon ANEW Anti-Agining Skincare: Packing Staple from Dr. Kim Nichols

Summer may be fading away right before our eyes, but that doesn’t mean your skin routine should too. Avon’s consulting dermatologist, Dr. Kim Nichols, offers her weekly skincare tip below to keep your skin fresh and glowing for the rest of the summer and right into fall.

 

Pack carefully. Take along travel sizes of your gentle cleanser or convenient Avon ANEW Clean Facial Cleansing Wipes and Avon ANEW Ultimate Multi-Performance Day Cream to moisturize the skin, especially if you’re planning a vacation or trip with ultra-dry humidity.

 

Using hotel products or saying “I’ll just take a few days off” from your skincare regimen is a no-no! This can lead to an otherwise preventative flare-up, pesky pimple, or dull appearance.