Anti-Aging Secret Revealed on Rachel Ray

I enjoy watching Rachel Ray's show. When I get out of class early and got the time, I'll lay out on the couch and watch her shows. My favorite segment... her human labs.

Check out this video and learn some secrets from her human lab segment for anti-aging:

Fountain of Youth in Wine? Oh I Hope So!

In the past twenty or thirty years, there has been scientific studies of red wine, and it all began with the French. Despite a high fat diet and high consumption of alcohol, only a small number of these people suffer heart diseases compared to Americans.

The theory, red wine! Which has been undergoing through a variety of scientific tests from health and disease related issues, and now to the skin! It's been suggested that red wine contains the chemical resveratol that promotes anti-aging, allowing those to take it, look younger.

Experiments have been done on monkeys and researchers have noticed that the monkeys who are coming near to the end of their average lifespan of 27 year, and who have taken resveratol consistently look much younger, healthier, their coat is more shinier than the controlled monkeys which have not taken resveratol. In fact, fewer of the monkeys that took reservatol suffered arthritis.

So I might go to GNC and try it out!

To learn more click here.

Physical vs Chemical Sunblock.. You Have Been Warned!

I'm about to pitch the sunblock that I use to rave about, the Dove Moisture. Why? Because even though they are advertised and a company that cares about your skin and beauty, it is all a hoaxs because it comes down to cash.

Recently, thank to a colleague and friend I found out that sunscreens that contains chemical sunblock are harmful to the skin. Chemicals such as:

• Benzophenones (dixoybenzone, oxybenzone, avobenzone)
  
• PABA and PABA esters (ethyl dihydroxy propyl PAB, glyceryl PABA, p-aminobenzoic acid, padimate-O or octyl dimethyl PABA)
  
• Cinnamates (cinoxate, ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate, octocrylene, octyl methoxycinnamate)
  
• Salicylates (ethylhexyl salicylate, homosalate, octyl salicylate)
  
• Digalloyl trioleate
  
• Menthyl anthranilate

All these chemicals used for sunblock are powerful free radical generators, have strong estrogenic activity, and synthetic chemicals that are alien to the human body and accumulate in body fat stores.

What scares me the most is that these chemical sunscreens that prevent sunburn don't actually block the sun, instead the chemicals absorb the UV rays. So with these free radicals generations, it actually INCREASES cellular damges AKA wrinkies, fine lines, discolored skin, and pretty much just plain looking OLD! Free radicals are the main causes for aging. And someone, like me, who is a freak about keeping the skin looking young and beautiful, this is not the product I want to use! I even drink my Isotonic daily just to eliminate the free radicals on my skin!

So I must say I am absolutely disappointed with Dove. (You guys really had me fooled thinking you actually do provide product for the benefits of the skin, but when it comes down to it, you're just looking for the cash). I looked at my Deep Moisture facial lotion from Dove and found out that it contains Avobenzone. I almost collasped and fainted. So if you will excuse me, I'm gonna go wash my face and get this chemical crap off of me!

But until I come back, does anyone have a good healthy sunblock they could recommend me?

The Obvious.. H2O!

You guessed it! The free stuff that comes out of your foucet helps prevent anti-aging. Doctors and nutritionist, and fitness gurus aren't kidding when they tell you to drink lots of water. And we all know the average.. its about 8 to 10 cups a day! I think I average out on two and at more five, but I'm working on it.

Now I'm sure there are a lot of you that are thinking, water? How much can that help with age prevention? Well after talking to a lot of women who are in their fifties and sixties at bars, grocery stores, malls, doctor offices, etc etc; who look like they're still in their twenties, thirties, and forties, their secret is water. And it shows!

So drink up! To read more about the benefits of drinking water, click here.

I Believe in Isotonix

Here is the number one product I use to mainly focus on age prevention, Isotonix OPC-3 Beauty Blend. It is my best kept secret (well not anymore) to keep my skin glowing. Even though I am in my twenties, but I can tell a difference. While my friends are also in their mid twenties or older, I can see their skin starting to lose its luster. Even some of them have begun to form wrinkles but don't even realize it. With Isotnix OPC, my skin feels as soft and smooth before I had acne.

Think of Isotonix OPC-3 as a vitamin pill designated to solely prevent you from aging but in liquid form. Everyone in my family uses it, even the males in my family. Some use it for acne, others like me use it to keep my skin looking young, and I am seeing results. Not just on me, but on my whole entire family. Most of the males in my family tend to have severe acne even well into their adulthood, and after three months I don't see a single zit on their face. My aunts who are well into their forties and fifties now look like they're in their twenties and thirties. It is miraculous how healthier our skin looks.

Isotonix is really like a vitamin pill, but it comes in powder form and all you have to do is mix it with a very small amount of water. Unlike regular vitamin pills, your body will completely absorb all of the Isotonix mixture where as regular vitamin pills you may only absorb 30% of what you actually swallow, the rest of it is flushed down the toilet. So to put it really simple, if your taking the regular vitamin pills whether it's for health, bones, heart, etc, you are not taking all that vitamin daily value, only just a small percentage of it.

So what's in Isotonix? Isotonix OPC-3 Beauty Blend contains a high concentration of vegetable extracts such as grape seed extract, red wine extract, bilberry extract, citrus bioflavanoids and it is completely natural. No extra lab chemical added. What makes these ingredients effective is that they are free-radical scavengers, preventing cellular damage from pollution such as smog.

You can't find this product in stores, well at least I haven't seen them around here. I get my supply from a nutritionist in Canada! However you can find it online, but they usually run at $60-$70 a bottle which seems expensive, but a bottle should last you for three to four months. If you would like to try OPC but for a cheaper price, just feel free to send me an email found in my profile, and I will connect you to my nutritionist.

Aloe Vera, Not Just Something You Put On After a Sunburn.

Aloe Vera has always been known to be a great topical ointment on the skin to help with sunburns or other skin irritants. However, have you ever considered the benefits of taking it internally? Believe it or not Aloe Vera has many long term health benefits! This is one of the closest things you will find youth in a bottle, Aloe Vera juice!

Even if anti-aging isn't your thing, I still would recommend Aloe Vera juice just for the taste! It is absolutely delicious! Anyway back to the benefits:

• Body-Building Blocks: Amino acids are our body's building blocks. Drinking Aloe Vera Juice on a regular basis allows you to help maintain your health by replenishing your body naturally with these essential amino acids. An analysis of the aloe vera plant shows that it comes closer than any other known plant to the duplication of essential amino acids.


• Daily Dose of Vitamins: Aloe Vera Gel includes Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E, Folic Acid and Niacin. The human body simply cannot store some of these vitamins; therefore we need to supplement them regularly through our diets.
  
• Daily Dose of Minerals: Some of the minerals found in aloe vera juice include calcium, sodium, iron, potassium, chromium, magnesium, manganese, copper, and zinc. We all know that adding foods to our diets with naturally occurring vitamins and minerals is recommended for overall health. Drinking Aloe Vera Gel is a natural and healthful way to replenish the body's supply.
  
• Diabetes Prevention: After undergoing research, aloe extract has been proven to decrease blood glucose levels. Research claims that aloe can prevent or at least slow down the development of diabetes. Medications given to diabetics also contain significant amounts of aloe. The plant is clearly the herbalist's method to control the deadly disease.
  
• Aids in Healthy Digestion: A healthy digestive tract ensures that nutrients from the foods we eat are absorbed into the blood stream. Aloe Vera Juice has natural, detoxifying abilities. Drinking Aloe Vera Juice made from the pure aloe gel regularly may improve bowel regularity and increase protein absorption, while at the same time decrease unfriendly bacteria and yeast.
  
• Immune Support and Function: Aloe Vera juice provides natural support for the immune system. Since the immune system works around the clock protecting the body, aloe vera, with its natural immune enhancers, gives the body a continual arsenal from which to draw.
  
• Regulates Weight and Energy Levels: Aloe Vera Gel naturally, and with regular use, allows the body to cleanse the digestive system. Our diets include many unwanted substances which can cause lethargy and exhaustion. Taken regularly, Aloe Vera Juice from the pure aloe gel ensures a greater feeling of well-being, allowing energy levels to increase and helping to maintain a healthy body weight.
  
• Heartburn Prevention: Heartburn may not be life-threatening but it can certainly cause discomfort. Instead of waiting for the condition to subside, you can ingest oral aloe or aloe extract to speed up the healing process. Aloe is pretty bitter, so you better take it with water.
  
• Dental Health and Hygiene: Aloe Vera juice is extremely healthful for your mouth and gums. Because aloe vera is safe to be taken internally, it can be used to treat injuries that occurred on soft tissue, such as mouth ulcers, canker sores, fever blisters and other lesions. It has also been used effectively to treat bleeding gums and to soothe pain and discomfort after oral surgery or extensive dental treatment.

One of the reasons why I drink Aloe Vera juice is mainly because I love the taste. The fact that it's good for your skin is a bonus. Also I've noticed that it makes me feel better even when I'm sick.

My aunt has been drinking Aloe Vera is replace of water and her skin is pure perfection. She's in a mid forties but she still looks like she is in her late twenties. So hopefully, if I keep drinking this I'll look like I'm in my twenties while I'm in my forties! :)

Wrinkle Prevention Right at Home! TA-DA!

So I've been following Dazzledust25 on her blog and I have to handle it to her. She's good and I love the content she's giving. So I have tried her Wrinkle Prevention for those who are in their 20's and I gotta say, I love it! My skin feels soft and it's looking better too. Besides its better to use organic products than chemicals thats created in a lab. So follow the recipe below and try it out yourself!

This particular oil is best for people on their 20’s. After you have made the mixture store it in a tinted tincture bottle (available at the chemist). Use morning and night.

Anti-aging treatment oil (20’s)

•Carrot – 1 drop
•Geranium – 8 drops
•German Chamomile – 3 drops
•Fennel – 5 drops
•Lavender – 5 drops
•Neroli – 8 drops
Dilute this blend of oils in 2 tablespoons of almond or apricot kernel oil.

What these oils do:

1. Encourage the regeneration of cells

2. Oxygenate the blood which energises cells

3. Help maintain collagen

4. Encourage firming of the skin (Fennel)

5. Deal with manifestations of anxiety on the skin (Geranium)

6. Helps skin heal and repair (Lavender)

7. Acts as an antiseptic (German Chamomile)

If you want to get to know Dazzledust25, meet her yourself in this youtube video:


Got any home remedies you want to share?? Post it!

Patricia Wexler M.D. - The Skin Regenerating Serum

In another attempt to reverse the damages on my skin from my younger years of excessive tanning, this product was not the answer. Patricia Wexler's Skin Regenerating Serum was introduced to me from Bath and Body Works as a free sample. And of course I was extremely excited to go home and use it since products that I have purchased before from Bath and Body Works such as the Superfill Speed-Plump worked- I saw results and it was effective. However, I was in for a disappointment.

The only real results I found was that my skin felt softer in the morning when I applied on at night. I still had the harsh leathery, discolored skin that resulted from my tanning. It didn't regenerate my skin's tone nor did it give my skin that healthy glow.

I'm not a big fan of this product because it requires you to apply it on twice daily and this product was not something you would want to apply to your skin before you head out of the house. The serum has a very thick feel to it and when you apply onto your face, it does not absorb right away. In fact, it kind of feels like I'm applying a layer of play-doh to my face.

On top of that it also leaves my skin feeling sticky, greasy and shiny. Thus it wouldn't be a great product to use to if you plan on putting on makeup which I have tried once. Since this product is so thick, I couldn't apply my make up on smoothly. My bronzer looked caked on and uneven because of the product.

This product runs at a whopping $65 and was originally $150 for only a 3.4 oz bottle! Yikes! Talk about over priced!...

So stick around and found out products that are cheaper but get the job done!

If you have a review that you would like to share, please feel free to post it! I would love to hear your toughts and comments.

SUNBLOCK- The Propaganda for Anti-Aging Products

In this post I'm taking a different route in my sunblock series. Many beauty product corporations are claiming to be anti-aging or even age reversing all because of one ingredient... sunblock. Do not be fooled by products that claim to be anti-aging or age reservsing! Now sunblock can prevent damages to the skin but age reversing? I don't think so... There is no FDA regulation for what qualifies as using the term anti-aging, so companies like Neutrogena are using it loosely! All they have to do is just stick a little SPF into any products of theirs and voila... it's all of the sudden an age-reversing product!

Evidence #1: Neutrogena Anti Oxidant Age Reverse Day Lotion with SPF 20

I have never like the majority of Neutrogena's products, there has only been one item from the brand line that has passed my test. As a consumer, Neutrogena has failed me over and over again, from face wash to shampoos and conditioners. So when I hear the name Neutrogena, its rings a negative resonance for me.

Now back to Neutrogena Anti Oxidant Age Reverse Day Lotion with SPF 20, age reverse my ass! (Excuse my language- but I am very bitter about this product). Yes, I know I'm only in my twenties but I have seen actual results from other products that also have claimed to be anti-aging or age reserving. With this product, it was a complete epic failure! And even as a sunblock, it ranks the bottom of my list.

First of all, like I said when it came to age reversing it was a complete failure, I saw no results. Now I may not have any wrinkles, but I do suffer from an uneven skin tone time to time. So this product even out my skin tone like it claimed it would... NOPE! NOTHING.. NADA!

Well since this product won't work in the age reversing category, I thought I might as well just use it as a sunblock. The experience?... Horrible! Even though this product claimed to be more of age reversing lotion, it felt more like a sunblock than it did a moisturizer. It smelled like one too. The product was oily and greasy, and felt heavy when applied on. To top it all off, only a week and a half after purchasing this product, it started to separate on me. The oil from this product must have separated itself and when I tried to apply it nothing but oil and grease came out of this tube! Literally, clear drops of oil was squeezed out. So I had to throw away $20 in the garbage. I'm not risking a break out!

So save your money and don't buy this product! Unless you want to apply oil all over your face... (I'm still angry at this product... )

A lil' Something for Sensitive Skin: Coppertone UltraGuard Continuous Spray SPF 70

My skin has been through a lot and I have been so rough on it that if it was sensitive... well let's just say it's not sensitive anymore. However, I know there are plenty of people who have sensitive skin and just a dab of the wrong moisturizer can cause one to break out in a rash.

So I have search far and wide, read many reviews to find something a sunblock that would be suitable for those who have sensitive skin... (especially if you're planning on going a vacation near the equator soon).

Here is a review by njchicaa from Viewpoints.com:

Coppertone UltraGuard Continuous Spray SPF 70 — My husband has delicate Irish skin and chose not to go tanning before we headed off to Mexico on our vacation. I knew I needed to bring some serious sunblock along for him so I bought two cans of Coppertone UltraGuard Continuous Spray SPF 70.

This is a broad-spectrum sunblock that is very easy to use: you simply press the top to dispense an even layer of spray onto your skin. You don't even have to rub it into skin because it absorbs so quickly. You can spray this product while holding the can at any angle which is helpful because you can cover areas like your upper back and the backs of your arms without asking anyone for assistance.

I was extremely impressed with Coppertone UltraGuard Continuous Spray SPF 70. We were diligent about applying it religiously to my husband's skin and he never once had to deal with burned skin. I also used it my very first day on the island to protect my Italian skin and I developed some nice color without burning. The problem with this spray sunblock, like all others, is the fact that it truly does "stick" to skin and is very difficult to wash off of skin. My husband and I had to help each other scrub it off of our backs with a mesh sponge because it simply isn't the kind of product that will just rinse away.

Still, Coppertone UltraGuard Continuous Spray SPF 70 did an excellent job of protecting lily-white skin from burning in tropical sunshine. I can deal with the whole showering difficulty issue when I know that it is so effective in protecting skin. I will definitely buy this product again at the start of the summer so my husband can use it again during our days at the beach and in the pool. Recommended!

To visit her blog visit: http://www.viewpoints.com/Coppertone-UltraGuard-Continuous-Spray-SPF-70-review-1ad05




Enjoy being tan and burnt-free!

Dove Deep Moisture Facial lotion.. Weren't Kidding When They Called it Deep Moisture!

This time I'm going to start off with my favorite facial sun-block moisturizer! The Dove Deep Moisture facial lotion! Now that I'm getting older (okay maybe not that old) but I know I need to start protecting my skin. I wanna be able to look like I'm in my twenties even when I far into my thirties and forties, so one of the most important steps... Sun block and moisturizer!


Now I have tried many sun blocks and well so has my mom, but the majority we hate them! Why??? Because (a) they're too greasy leaving your face super shiny, (b) they don't absorb quickly, (c) they always leave a white streak no matter how hard you rub it in!

This is not the case with the Dove Deep Moisture facial lotion! I absolutely love this product! First, this product is not greasy at all! It will not leave your face looking oily and shiny!

Second, it truly moisturizes your face! The feeling from this product is truly refreshing unlike most sunblocks where I feel like I'm applying goo all over my face. Also it doesn't leave the skin feeling heavy like regular sunblocks do.

Third, it's a sunblock but it doesn't feel like a sunblock. And it's SPF 15! Once I apply this product my skin feels soft and smooth like a baby's bottom!

Fourth, I have nothing bad to say about this product. I cannot find a flaw! No break outs, no pimples, nothing! And it's less then $10 at your local grocery store!

So if you want the sun block without the feeling of a sunblock this is it! Enjoy healthy skin!

Gettin Rid of those Dark Circles... Part 3

Now the past two posts I have blogged, I've criticized and ridiculed the products that claimed to be effective in decreasing puffiness or eliminating the dark circles under your eye. Well behold a product that I have found to work! Well at least to some extent... the Olay Age Defying Revitalizing Eye Gel. You might get half of your money's worth from this product which is better than getting no value at all.

Now you might not get the best results but little results are better than nothing. When I've used this product I've seen a small decrease in puffiness around and under my eyes. Dark circles faded just a little bit, and the skin around my eyes are a little more firm. I also like using this product because it nicely cools and soothes the skin around my eyes. A good product to use if you had a good cry from watching a movie.

I have bought this product repeatedly, however I do not plan to buy it again in the future.

In my opinion, if you want to purchase a product to prevent puffiness and dark circles around the eye, this may be a good product for you. However, if you are planning to buy this product to completely get rid of puffiness and dark circles, you should rethink about spending your money.

However, I haven't seen this product on the stores shelf lately, but you can still find it online. Just becareful of scams!

Come back for part 4 as I reveal my most favorite product for puffiness and dark circles under the eyes and especially for those days when I'm exhausted from the night before!

Gettin Rid of those Dark Circles... Part 1

As I get older I begin to see those dark circles forming under my eyes and it is not attractive! It makes me look old, and at the age of 22 who is already been using anti-aging products, looking old is a something I cannot endure or gracefully accept. I'm even dreading turning 23 in the next couple months.

So what is a girl to do? How do I get rid of this under eye issue? What product works and don't? Do cucumbers really do the trick?

In my desperate need of finding a solution I have ran across a lot of products that don't work, including L'oreal Skin Genesis Eye Serum.

If you're looking something to get rid of dark circles this is not the trick. I'll but it on day and night and I just see the same dark circle under my eyes just sitting there refusing to budge. However, this product is not a complete waste, it does help with other eye issues that I've noticed.

If you've started to see very small premature wrinkles around your eyes this might do the trick. There are times when I wake up and I see a tiny wrinkle under my eyes, and yes I do freak out, but I've noticed if I put the eye serum right before I got to bed the tiny wrinkle disappears or is less visible. The only problem is when I do put this product on before I go to bed I end up waking up with crust all over and around my eye. And it is disgusting. It clings to my lashes and sometimes hard to wipe off without irritating my eye.

So in the end I wouldn't buy this product again, it was too expensive and the negatives out weighed the positives.

What products works or doesn't work for you? Feel free to put your two cents in!

Other than that, stayed tuned for part 2!