March 23, 2008

Finally have skin as soft as a baby’s bottom.  My baby that is!  Mattea Gabrielle was born Saturday March 15th at 2:50 am, weighing 6 1/2 lbs.

We’re all doing well and am very excited about the new little addition. 

Fortunately, I did not get any stretch marks (and did not use Cocoa Butter or Vitamin E oil- so maybe it is all hereditary??!) but now have skin issues now with relation to nursing.  Will be sure to write about that for all you fellow pregnant women out there!

With respect to My Beauty Beat’s skincare product reviews and Beauty Beat Blog, will resume soon. 

Thanks to everyone for sending their warm wishes!
Jackie

Posted by Jacqueline at 5:35 pm    COMMENTS (0)
Category: Beauty Beat Spotlight
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March 13, 2008

In the recent Spring 2008 New York Times Style Magazine section, there was an article on Tracie Martyn, referred to as the “A-List Skin Care Expert.”  Tracie Martyn operates a high-end salon in New York and has a successful skin care line.  Her signature “Resculpting Facial” includes electro-stimulation to serve as a “mini-lift without the downtime.”  Ms. Martyn is well known “beauty guru” to the stars.  This mere mortal did try a series of her signature facial a while back (alas not by the Queen herself) but by a very capable and knowledgeable technician.  Her impressive roster of celebrity clientele, including Susan Sarandon, Madonna, and Renee Zellweger, seem to swear …

Posted by Jacqueline at 8:10 am    COMMENTS (0)
Category: Beauty Beat Spotlight
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March 11, 2008

In the April 2008 issue of Lucky Magazine, Korres Natural Products Pomegranate Lip Butter is featured.  Although My Beauty Beat does not normally discuss lip glosses and balms, needed to make an exception for this one!

 In short, love it.  Not only is Korres one of Beauty Beat’s favorite lines (see our review Korres Wild Rose Moisturizer), but it contains one of our favorite moisturzing ingredients, Shea Butter.  Shea Butter is a solid fatty oil from the nuts of wild shea trees in Africa. The moisturizing and healing properties of Shea Butter have been a mainstay of African pharmacology for centuries to protect, heal, and smoothe the skin. High in …

Posted by Jacqueline at 9:28 am    COMMENTS (1)
Category: Beauty Magazines, Love your Lips
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March 10, 2008

I was recently looking at the recommended directions on several exfoliating products regarding the suggested number of times to Exfoliate per week.  Many recommend about 3-4 times per week.  Is that really necessary or is a company just trying to sell products? 

While the process of Exfoliation is a very important component in a skin care regimen, I have found it is important not to “over-exfoliate” the skin,  as well as combine too many exfoliating products, both of which could cause irritation the skin. 

Exfoliation helps to improve the skin’s appearance by removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.  Removing excess dead skin cells helps to rejuvenate the skin by revealing younger and healthier-looking …

Posted by Jacqueline at 8:13 am    COMMENTS (0)
Category: Exfoliation
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March 6, 2008

Question: 
Please review Aveeno positively ageless daily facial moisturizer. I have been using the serum by this brand and I find it very good. I am currently using Aveeno Positively Radiant facial SPF 15 moisturizer but because I am 60 years old, would like to know more about the other product line - positively ageless to see if I should switch. thank you.  Laura

Beauty Beat:
Will be happy to review Aveeno Positively Ageless Daily Moisturizer.  Please look for it in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, I am a fan of the Aveeno line.  Think for a “drugstore” brand you get your money’s worth and the line is comparable to many high-end, more expensive brands.  This line contains “Natural Shiitake Complex” …

Posted by Jacqueline at 12:14 pm    COMMENTS (0)
Category: Beauty Beat Reader
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March 4, 2008

There are several types of products that dermatologists often recommend in skin care articles to help banish breakouts and acne. 
Mild Solution
Products that contain Salicylic Acid have been cited to help with the occasional breakout by unclogging pores. 
Moderate Condition 
For a more acute case, skin care products that contain Benzoyl Peroxide or Retin-A are a stronger alternative to Salicylic Acid since they help get rid of bacteria as well.  For moderate cases of acne, the use of antibiotics (either topical or oral) have been demonstrated to work well.  Ziana, a prescription acne gel, and Solodyn, a precription oral antibiotic, were cited as effective treatments (but best to discuss first with your dermatologist).  
Advanced Acne
For an advanced state of acne, Accutane, an oral prescription, is a favorite choice to decrease …

Posted by Jacqueline at 3:55 pm    COMMENTS (0)
Category: Acne
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March 3, 2008

Idebenone has been cited as one of the most effective antioxidants on the market today.  Idebenone is a potent antioxidant that is an variation of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).  In skin care products, Idebenone serves to scavenge free radicals and binds to them in order to prevent degenerative cellular damage. 

This antioxidant has been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve the appearance of skin roughness and dryness, and reduce the appearance of age spots and discoloration.  In addition to providing the same benefits as CoQ10, Idebenone offers distinct advantages as a powerful antioxidant based on its longer chain organic structure.  Idebenone is the active ingredient used in the Elizabeth Arden/Allergan Prevage …

Posted by Jacqueline at 10:04 am    COMMENTS (0)
Category: Antioxidants
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February 29, 2008

On this February 29th, as we “leap” further into the many advances in skin care, I wonder if sometimes going “back to the basics” (not the brand, just the concept!) is the way to go.  With respect to anti-aging, one of the best pieces of advice I got from a highly acclaimed dermatologist (hint hint she is often photographed in Vogue Magazine ) is to incorporate the following in your skin care routine:

1.  Sunscreen everyday.  Ok we’ve all heard this over and over.  A broad spectrum rain or shine, warm or cold.  She recommended Ocean Potion (see my Beauty Beat review Ocean Potion Sunscreen ).
2.  A good Cleanser with a high concentration of Glycerin.  Check out one of her …

Posted by Jacqueline at 10:49 am    COMMENTS (0)
Category: Anti-Aging Techniques
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February 27, 2008

As someone who is expecting, but trying all ways possible not to expect stretch marks, and as a devotee to skin care, I feel compelled to find out out what, if anything, works to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.

A well-know common remedy is Cocoa Butter.  One popular brand is Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula, Massage Cream for Stretch Marks.  While Cocoa Butter is a terrific moisturizer and a great choice to hydrate the skin, pregnant or not, there does not seem to be any proven link between applying cocoa butter during pregnancy and preventing stretch marks. 

Stretch marks occur due to weight gain.  Specifically, the collagen and elastin …

Posted by Jacqueline at 10:45 am    COMMENTS (3)
Category: Pregnancy
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February 25, 2008

That is the question!  The terms “Moisturizer” and “Emollient” are often used interchangeably.  However, the term “emollient” more often describes a single ingredient, whereas “moisturizer” describes a finished product.  Emollients are substances which soften and soothe the skin, as well as help with dryness, and are part of the composition of moisturizers.  Emollients provide occlusion to the skin (a layer of oil to slow water loss and increase moisture content) and serve as a humectant (preserve or increase water content).

Some examples of emollients include Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Triglyceride, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Linoleate, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Decyl Oleate, and Stearic Acid.  Additionally, some examples of “natural” emollients include Lanolin, Plant Oils, Shea Butter, and Cocoa …

Posted by Jacqueline at 8:16 am    COMMENTS (0)
Category: Ingredients
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February 22, 2008

In the March 2008 issue of Allure Magazine, there is a feature on dermatologic researcher Dr. David McDaniel.  Dr. McDaniel, who has a practice in Virginia Beach, states that most women do not give a skin care regimen the proper time it needs to see results (yours truly is certainly guilty of this!).  McDaniel states he would “like patients to try skin care products for six to eight weeks before they judge.”  Interestingly, for those of us “short on patience,” he notes “In the next couple of years we’ll see things like sound and radio waves that work on tissues under the skin and selectively destroy cellulite or elevate the eyebrows without a brow lift.”  Looking forward !

Dr. McDaniel …

Posted by Jacqueline at 9:57 am    COMMENTS (0)
Category: Beauty Magazines
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February 19, 2008

Is your skin on “Red Alert?”  Blotchy Skin can result from many different things.  Although flushed skin can be hereditary, it can also result from dry skin, stress, or sun exposure.  If dryness is the cause, the use of a rich moisturizer may help to decrease inflammation and hydrate the skin.  Beauty Beat recommends looking for moisturizers that have a high concentration of Glycerin to hydrate the skin. 

If the skin has a “ruddy” appearance, it may be due to Rosacea.  In addition to staying out of the sun, it may be best to avoid spicy foods, alchohol, and caffeine.  A soothing moisturizer containing Green Tea may help to decrease redness and reduce inflammation associated with blotchiness, but a prescription cream may be needed to help …

Posted by Jacqueline at 9:13 am    COMMENTS (1)
Category: Skin Types
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February 15, 2008

As winter finally settled in here in New York (at least for two days!) I find my skin is more in need of a good exfoliation.  Although I typically prefer a gentle, natural, granular scrub or a homemade one (like oatmeal or brown sugar and honey), I like to mix it up sometimes with an Alpha Hydroxy Acid.

The use of Alpha Hydroxy Acids, or AHAs, has been shown to help reduce fine facial lines and improve the overall smoothness and texture of the skin.  They are used by dermatologists in high concentrations in chemical peels, and offered in home kits in low concentrations.  The most widely used …

Posted by Jacqueline at 10:11 am    COMMENTS (2)
Category: Exfoliation
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February 13, 2008

There are many topical skin care products on the market that compare themselves to Botox.  I certainly would prefer using a cream to a (poison-like!) injectable but, logically, it does not seem likely to compare.  How can you relax the muscles on the face and smooth out wrinkles with an over-the-counter skin care product? 

Gamma Aminobutyric Acid, or GABA, is a substance found in the human nervous system that can block signals between nerves and muscles.  Skin care companies that use GABA in their products claim it topically relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles on the face.  This has been referred to as “Botox in a Jar.”  GABA coagulates when it dries and, subsequently, “grips” the skin in …

Posted by Jacqueline at 10:49 am    COMMENTS (0)
Category: Anti-Aging Techniques
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February 11, 2008

Some skin care experts question whether it is necessary to use a separate eye cream.  In effect, they contend that a facial moisturizer is sufficient to use on the eye area, along with the rest of the face.  The skin surrounding the eyes is the most fragile skin on the face and, typically, the first to show signs of age.  There are no oil glands in this area and little subcutaneous fat.  From my experience, the delicate area surrounding the eye responds well to specific eye formulations, whether in the form of a cream, lotion, serum, or gel. 

One of the most important aspects of an eye cream is hydration.  If the area tends towards dryness, an eye cream, containing more oil …

Posted by Jacqueline at 9:53 am    COMMENTS (1)
Category: Eye Cream
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