Lori's Beauty Blog

I’ve been traveling quite a bit lately and I always try to get as much in my carry-on as possible to avoid the dreaded baggage claim! However, those little quart-size TSA-mandated baggies are quite limiting to say the least. Because space is at a premium, I came up with a remedy. I take disposable sealed “wipes” for cleansing such as Dermalogica Purifying Wipes, which are great for absorbing excess oil and helping with breakouts. Dermalogica sealed Solar Defense Wipes SPF15 are ideal for broad-spectrum protection from the sun, and I like sealed tantowels for self-tanning. Another space-saving suggestion is sealed capsules such as Dermalogica Age Smart Power Concentrate and sample-size skincare products that require very little room. And best of all, you can skip the baggage claim. Have a great trip!

Primers retexturize and smooth the skin and allow makeup to be applied more evenly creating a “poreless” and “flawless” look to the skin. They also keep your makeup in place so you won’t have to reapply during the course of the day. I personally think that primers are the best things to come along since “sliced bread!” Try GreatSkin Retexturizing Face Primer and GreatSkin Botanical Eye Primer at really good prices!

Broad-spectrum sun protection protects against both UVA (aging rays that can cause an awful blotchy, wrinkled, pigmented look) and UVB (burning rays that can burn the skin and eventually cause skin cancer) at the same time. Try Dermalogica Daylight Defense Kit which includes travel-friendly SPF favorites with everything you will need for fun in the sun this summer! This kit includes: Solar Defense Booster which can be added to any facial moisturizer, Multivitamin Body Block SPF20, Solar Shield SPF15 (which is applied to often neglected areas such as nose, lips, ears, and the back of the neck) and After Sun Repair which can help if we do get too much sun. Save 38% on this kit that is regularly sold for $57 and is available for a limited time for just $35!

I realize that some of you out there “live to tan” especially at this time of the year, and I know that you know that it’s bad for your skin, but did you know that it’s not only bad for your skin, but bad for your health as well! Yes, ultra violet rays not only burn and damage our skin, but also suppress our skin’s immune system weakening its defenses against toxic pollutants, viruses and bacteria and additionally, may damage our cell’s DNA, not to mention make you look old and wrinkly early in life! A tan may “look” good on you today, but believe me, some day you will pay for it dearly in some way.

Applying a sunblock is imperative to remain safe when exposing oneself to any form of ultra rays, including tanning beds which have been equated to mustard gas and arsenic for dangerous items in this world, and even hand lamps in nail salons can cause photo damage on the hands. If you just can’t seem to get in the habit of using a sunblock and carrying a bottle of it around with you, try something easy like Solar Wipes which are so easy to use and disposable, to boot! Try Dermalogica Solar Defense Wipes, which, are hygienically and individually, sealed towelettes for the face and body that provide triple protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Another thing, most peoples forget to cover places like the back of the neck, ears, lips, nose, temples, and between the eyes.  Try Dermalogica Solar Shield Stick SPF15 which is so easy to carry and use, as well.

So, next time you’re out in the sun, think PROTECTION!!

Of course, we all know that if we want to escape developing the dreaded “wrinkle” that we should avoid sun exposure and smoking. That’s a given! But did you know that if you eat the right foods rich in beta carotene, lycopenes and Vitamin C that you could subtract years from your looks? People with high levels of these nutrients in their skin are less prone to premature aging. Red and orange produce offer beta carotene and lycopenes, which help block the effects of UV light. Foods rich in Vitamin C help build collagen and fend off free radicals. Red foods rich in lycopenes are: strawberries, tomatoes, red peppers, watermelon, raspberries and cherries. Orange foods rich in beta carotene are:  oranges, pumpkin, carrots, cantaloupe, and orange peppers. Many of these foods are rich in Vitamin C, as well. So, head to your favorite Farmer’s Market or grocery store and stock up on these wonderful anti aging foods!

Above all, avoid sugar––easier said than done, I know. The average American consumes 150 pounds of sugar a year when we should only be consuming closer to four pounds a year. Sugar spikes blood sugar levels and leads to the storage of fat. And we wonder why we Americans have a problem with obesity. Excess sugar causes damage to proteins in our body, and new findings show that sugar does impact skin (our largest organ), as well. When sugar comes in contact with a protein (such as collagen), it immediately reacts. This generates Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS–free radicals), which leads to cross linking of collagen and inflammation. Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) are formed, and bond with a Receptor on the cell to form Receptor (R-Ages). This causes inflammation, inhibits skin cell growth and contributes to cross linking of collagen, causing inflammation, wrinkles, sagging, and loss of skin tone. As part of a healthy aging diet, replace refined sugars with whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and topically treat skin with Dermalogica AGE Smart products that include glucosamines, soy, genestein, Vitamin A, licorice, and the unique polypeptide, argine/lysine which binds and traps sugars to help prevent the formation of AGEs (Advanced Glycation End) products.

I always try to meld good skin care with good nutrition and exercise on a daily basis.  The following is an example of my daily appointment book for great healthy living!

6:00 AM

Start the day with some form of exercise. For me, exercise reduces stress and helps my balance, posture, and helps me feel more confident in my own skin. I do stretching, aerobics and weight-bearing exercises for this. Exercise does more for our skin than one might realize. It redirects blood flow, pumping blood into our face, neck, and chest improving circulation and skin tone for a radiant complexion.

7:00AM

Before showering, I dry brush with a natural bristle bath brush to exfoliate and stimulate the lymphatic system and circulation. Brush with outward circular motions starting at the feet working upward. Then, I shower with tepid water and moisturize while skin is still damp with La Roche Posay Lipikar Baume. I apply my face moisturizer (Dermalogica Intensive Moisturizer) for the day before applying Dermalogica Sheer Tint SPF15.

8:00AM

Breakfast with natural oats and lots of blueberries, topped off with a holistic Zrii drink.

9:00AM

Start facial treatments on clients.

11:00AM

Snack of Zrii Protein Shake.

1:00PM

Lunch of spinach salad with balsamic and olive oil dressing topped with cranberries and walnuts with wild salmon and green tea. Salmon boosts the skin’s firmness beautifully!

3:00 PM

Snack of mixed nuts.

7:00 PM

After cleansing with Dermalogica Precleanse and Essential Cleanser, I apply a wonderful mask with lots of antioxidants and hydration three times a week. One of my very favorites is Dermalogica AGE Smart Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque or “Ambulance in a Tube.” It feels and smells yummy and does so much for my skin! After 15 minutes, I rinse off the mask, and apply a peptide serum (GreatSkin Peptoxyl Serum) followed by an emollient moisturizer (GreatSkin Super Firming Creme). I then brush and floss my teeth followed by my Waterpic regimen, which I couldn’t be without.

8:00PM

Do a crossword puzzle, watch Jeopardy, or read a book to keep my mind engaged and active.

9:00PM

Go to bed.  Getting enough sleep is one of the most important things that we can do for our health. I make sure I get 8-9 hours a night.  I keep an aromatherapy infuser in my bedroom for a better sleep.

Those were the days my friend! Baby boomers. A generation more than 82 million strong. Born between 1946 and 1964. Now 46 to 64 years old.

We were born before Sun Protection Factor was a household staple. When “free radical” denoted one’s political stance. When antioxidants were the realms of industry and biology rather than health and beauty. Now, we’re an entire generation coping with the damaging effects of decades of sun exposure, environmental toxins, stress, even cigarette and alcohol use.

Don’t despair there is help for repair! We boomers are also living in a time of great scientific advancements in anti-aging skincare.

I’ve selected our most effective anti-aging products. All are especially geared for the Boomer Generation to heal, renew, refresh, revitalize, as well as to prevent further harm to their skin.

I urge you to turn back the hands of time and rediscover your baby face today!

Here are my recommendations for beautiful skin for the Boomer Generation.

GreatSkin

Effective anti-aging products proven by scientific research and clinical results to restore skin to a healthy, youthful condition.

Bioelements

The first line of professional skincare products to introduce probiotic science to anti-aging skincare.

Dermalogica

The “professionals’ choice” skincare from the International Dermal Institute. No artificial colors, synthetic fragrances, S.D. alcohol, lanolin or mineral oil.

DCL

Dermatologic Cosmetic Laboratories provides physicians with premium-quality, non-prescription skin formulations, using the finest pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.

IS Clinical

Innovative Skincare anti-aging products, developed through cutting-edge technology, encourage the skin’s natural processes of exfoliation, circulation and cellular regeneration for exceptional, long-term results.

Kinerase

Formulations deliver the amazing restorative power of kinetin, a plant-based extract that helps visibly improve the appearance of aging and sun-damaged skin.

MD Forte

Alpha-hydroxy acid skincare system with the benefit of notably high concentrations of glycolic acid and a pH close to that of normal skin to minimize irritation.

Rhonda Allison

Superior line of unique products and therapies that heal and rejuvenate the skin achieving its optimum potential for health and beauty.

Q: If I’m inside all day working, do I really need an SPF?

Lori: Studies have shown that short periods of exposure to sunlight are just as dangerous as exposure from sunbathing. As a matter of fact, skin cancers that result from exposure to ultraviolet light rays are generally the result of years of exposure. This can be from short bursts, such as walking from your car to the house or office, or from longer periods of exposure such as playing a game of tennis or going for a walk. Unfortunately, we often think that we only need to apply sunblock when we are sunbathing or staring at the sun. Unfortunately, this is not the case. You probably get more sun exposure than you think even if you are indoors most of the day. Just think about this for a minute. How do you get to work? Do you go out to lunch? Do you work at a desk by a window? And lastly, how do you go home from work? All of these daily routines can expose you to damaging UVA/UVB light that can cause premature aging of the skin. So be sure to use an SPF15-try Dermalogica Solar Shield SPF15-even if you are indoors most of the day. If you work outdoors, then you need at least an SPF30-check out La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 Sunscreen Cream.