BellaSugar

Do You Have a Beauty Bad Habit?

BellaSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:00:11 -0700

A bad habit is an undesirable behavior pattern, like whipping out the credit card a bit too often during those late night infomercials or spending a mind boggling amount of time on the Wii. But what about beauty - do you have any bad habits you'd like to break? Whether it's pimple popping or nail biting, what's your worst vice? Such a delightful topic, no?

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Bella Quiz: Do You Know Where Your Spots Stem From?

BellaSugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:00:22 -0800

Before I began my facial at The Vaishaly Clinic, owner, Vaishaly Patel inquired about my health, what foods I eat and my menstrual cycle. I was experiencing quite a bad breakout at the time, and she explained how through research and experience, she has come to understand how the effects of stress, hormones and digestion directly affect the condition of your skin.

She can even correlate which problems affect which part of the face. I found this conversation riveting and wanted to ask if you know where your spots stem from? Take this quiz to test yourself!

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How-To: Cover Up Your Acne

BellaSugar — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:00:05 -0800

Almost everyone gets acne, but that's pretty cold comfort, isn't it? Dealing with spots is enough of a hassle, so covering them up shouldn't be. As I was cursing a particularly stubborn cystic spot this morning, I thought you might like to see how to cover up your pimples. So for my step-by-step guide-including pictures-read more

You'll need to use different techniques depending on the blemish. Cystic acne-the spots that just show up as red, "under-the-skin" bumps-requires a different approach from the zits that are coming to a head. Read on.

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Step One: After applying your moisturizer, put a very small dab of concealer on your clean index finger. This will help warm the concealer, making it go on smoothly. I used Amazing Concealer ($40) in Fair. It's very concentrated, and because it's creamy, I find it easy to work with.
Step Two: Cover your cystic acne by dabbing the concealer on and around the spot. Gently tap it into the skin in quick motions, until the concealer blends with the rest of your skin. (In the picture you see here, I hadn't yet blended.)
Step Three: For pimples that are raised or that have come to a head, I recommend using a small, pointed concealer brush. I got mine at Sephora; it's on sale for $7, and has proven valuable during those times when I've needed to put just a tiny dab of concealer on a pimple. Dip the point of the brush in your concealer, then gently "paint" the pimple in question. Be sure to get the point on not just the top of the pimple, but on the sides and at the base as well.
Step Four: Follow by applying foundation. (I used my Prescriptives Custom Blend.) I also like to use a little bit of Touche Eclat on my chin area (where I tend to be red) and on top of any large blemishes. This diffuses the light, and it helps everything look more natural.

Hope this helps! I'm always trying to improve my pimple-concealing skills, so if any of you have other tips, feel free to share them!

Bella Brand: Aveda Outer Peace

BellaSugar — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 13:00:50 -0800

Launched earlier this year, Aveda's latest skin care collection is called Outer Peace. This four-step skin care line uses modern Ayurvedic botanicals to achieve balanced, clear skin. Some key ingredients in these products include salicylic acid, the anti-irritant saw palmetto, ambla (a popular Ayurvedic berry that helps heal) and a blend of organic essential oils such as lemon, tea tree and rose geranium.

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For a detailed list of each of the products and their prices, read more

STEP 1: Outer Peace Foaming Cleanser ($24) is a mild cleanser. Use morning and night.
STEP 2: Outer Peace Anti Blemish Relief Pads ($30) are gentle exfoliating pads. Think of them like a grown-up version of Clearasil pads. While they similarly provide a post-cleansing punch to blackheads, they don't sting. Plus, they smell slightly woodsy and fresh.
STEP 3: Outer Peace Spot Relief ($28) is a spot treatment that can be dabbed on pimples.
STEP 4: Outer Peace Anti Blemish Relief Lotion ($38) is a lightweight lotion that helps to clear blemishes, control oil and minimize the appearance of pores.

Another Acne Tidbit From the No Duh Files

BellaSugar — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:00:25 -0700

Last week, I was hanging out with a guy friend when the subject of acne came up. (Clearly, I know how to regale men.) I offhandedly mentioned the prevalence of acne among adult women compared to men, and he was baffled. "Do women really get more pimples than men?" he asked. Uh, yeah. I explained that thanks to hormones, women are more likely to experience breakouts along the jawline and on the chin. He had no idea. (Lucky lad.)

Now there's more than anecdotal evidence that women break out more often. A University of Alabama study found that not only do females get more zits than men, we tend to get them around the time of our periods. (For this, they needed to do a study?) Some other findings:

During their 20s, 50.9 percent of women experience acne. By the time we're in our 50s, that percentage is down to just 15.3.
Of the pre-menopausal women surveyed, 62.2 percent noted that their acne gets worse around the time of menstruation.
73.3 percent of men and women have experienced acne.

I suppose it's good to understand who's getting acne, but gosh, I could have saved these researchers some time. Just swing on by my place once a month and see my chinny-chin-chin erupt into Vesuvial proportions. Are you surprised by these findings?

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Bella Guide: Cystic Acne 101

BellaSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 08:00:24 -0700

If you're in your 20s or 30s, you've probably experienced stubborn breakouts on your chin. And no matter how much you exfoliate or get facials, a few stubborn lumps won't go away. Welcome to the wonderful world of cystic acne!

Cystic acne differs from your everyday, run-of-the-mill pimple farm. This kind of spot is buried under the skin, so it won't come to a head no matter the amount of poking and prodding you do. Worse yet, the cysts can be red, tender and sore. And lucky for us women, hormones make them more common for us than for men—which is why these devils pop up around that time of the month. To find out what you can do about cystic acne, just read more

Unfortunately, there's no magic treatment to clear up cystic acne. Don't even think about trying to squeeze the cysts, as you'll just wind up with a lot of pain and potential scarring. (Really, don't do it!) In a few weeks or even months, most of these zits clear up on their own. In more extreme cases, a few treatment options can improve the situation:

It won't eliminate cystic acne, but gently applying a warm-to-hot wet washcloth on the pimple seems to help it disappear a little more quickly. It could just be the placebo effect, but at the very least, it's soothing and calming.

Birth control pills regulate hormones, which minimizes the breakout factor; but, as is the case with any other medication, you might experience side effects. I use YAZ, a low-dose pill approved by the FDA to keep women minimally zitty (and minimally pregnant). I still break out a little bit each month, but nowhere near as badly as I used to.

Topical retinoids such as Retin-A Micro can help clear up cystic acne, but things might get worse before they get better—be prepared for peeling, redness and photosensitivity. I tried Retin-A Micro a few years ago and decided the side effects weren't for me, but your experience could be different.
Accutane is considered the last-resort option for severe, recurring cystic acne. While it's largely effective, most dermatologists I've talked to say they won't prescribe it unless it's the sole remaining option due to the side effects (which can include birth defects).

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How To: D.I.Y. Spa Treatment - At Home Blemish Blaster

BellaSugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 08:12:22 -0700

After reading about the many spot treatments available, I've researched a little at home remedy that won't cost you a lot and will leave your skin free of pestering pimples. All you need is a small bowl of crushed mint leaves and all natural oats. Here's what to do:

Take a handful of fresh mint leaves and pulverize them with a pestle in a bowl.
Next, add moist oats to the mixture and mix until it forms a paste.
Apply evenly to your face, or just to your affected areas, and wait 20 minutes.

Relax and take deep breaths during your waiting time. Allow the oats and the oils to absorb. The mixture should smell delicious and should also do the trick. Apply twice a day as needed storing the remaining mixture in a sealed container in the fridge. I hope this helps! To read my last D.I.Y. post, click here, and for even more D.I.Y. ideas from FitSugar, click here.

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How-To: Bring a Pimple to a Head

BellaSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:00:36 -0700

Pimples under the surface of the skin can be painful, annoying, and just plain stubborn. Recently, a reader contacted me about an unfortunate case of an under-the-surface pimple on the chin. "I've tried a deep-cleansing pore mask, alcohol wipes, and soaking it with hot water and no luck," she said. Making a hot compress to apply to the problem area is one of my favorite ways to bring a pimple to a head, but since it doesn't seem to be working in this instance, I've done a little research on the topic. Find out how to get that pimple out fast when you read more.

5 Tips For Minimizing Adult Acne

BellaSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:00:38 -0800

Dr. Amy Wechsler is not only a dermatologist, she's a psychiatrist as well. What a combo! In fact, some even call her a "beauty shrink," and the Manhattan-based skincare expert and author of The Mind-Beauty Connection: 9 Days to Reverse Stress Aging and Reveal More Youthful, Beautiful Skin ($20), has a few things to share with us regarding adult acne. As we all know, breakouts that occur post-high-school can be rough on the psyche, and that's why I asked Dr. Wechsler her tips on helping us prevent and deal with pimples in our 20s, 30s, and beyond. To check out her advice, keep reading.

Reader Review of the Day: Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:05:24 -0800

Got bacne? Don't worry, you're not the only one. Reader bengalspice found something that works to keep the back pimples at bay. Here's her review of Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub:

I bought this for my boyfriend three years ago when we started dating because he had really gross bacne. No, really. I mean really gross bacne. I would use this to scrub his back because he had no clue how bad it was back there. Within a month his back was SPOTLESS! He's been using this less frequently since then, and the bacne hasn't come back. He also likes how the grit feels when he massages it into his shoulders. It smells really good, too. I also use this when I have acne spring up during the winter, when I tend to wear stuff that irritates my skin.

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