BellaSugar

DIY Spa Treatment: Sweet Tea Antioxidant Facial Exfoliator

BellaSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:05:41 -0700

No matter the season, exfoliators help rejuvenate dull-looking skin. Plus, they help lay the foundation for creating a nice, even surface - perfect for smoother makeup applications. Are these warmer-weathered days wreaking havoc on your appearance? "The green tea in the Sweet Tea Antioxidant Exfoliator is full of antioxidants, which boost health and resilience and can even soothe Summer sunburns," says dermatologist Dr. Hema Sundaram. "Brown sugar is a natural exfoliant that scrubs away dirt and impurities without being too harsh on skin."

Get Dr. Sundaram's recipe, along with application tips, when you read more.

Bellissima! Kenneth Mark Antioxidant Hydrating Cream

BellaSugar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 17:06:15 -0800

If "summer" is a verb for you-as in, "I summer in the Hamptons," you might already know about Dr. Kenneth Mark. The dermatologist works with some of New York's and Aspen's fanciest faces, focusing on cosmetic treatments such as Botox and chemical peels. I'm not interested in those things, but one of his creations definitely caught my eye.

Kenneth Mark Antioxidant Hydrating Cream ($95) is a pricey cream, for sure. But here's what's cool about it: it contains astaxanthin, which is up to 10 times more potent than other antioxidants. Since antioxidants fight free radicals, which cause aging, this cream is a power punch of good-skin stuff. By the way, its rarity helps explain the product's high price; synthetic astaxanthin fetches $2000 a kilogram on the market, while the natural stuff (which is harvested from sea organisms) goes for more than $7000 a kilogram.

I've sampled this cream, and although it's a lightweight cream, it's surprisingly hydrating. Plus, it's used in the Ritz-Carlton spa in Aspen, which makes me feel kinda fancy myself.

Definition: Rooibos Tea

BellaSugar — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 11:00:14 -0800

Rooibos is a naturally-decaffeinated and full-bodied tea that comes from a bright-green needled shrub in South Africa. When the needles are processed they turn red, and in Afrikaans, rooibos actually means red bush.

Not only is rooibos low in tannins, but it has a strong aroma and is one of the most popular drinks in South Africa. In addition to tasting delicious and being an excellent source of antioxidants (it contains higher concentrations than other teas), it can also be used as a toner on your skin to reduce puffiness and redness, especially around your eyes.

Source

Bella Brand: 29 Cosmetics

BellaSugar — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 08:16:04 -0700

Would you like a little wine with your makeup? 29 Cosmetics may not be able to serve you a Shiraz, but the color line has something even better: A full line of makeup formulated with grape seed extract. This ingredient is thought to be an anti-aging powerhouse because it's a strong antioxidant; since antioxidants fight free radicals, which contribute to the aging process, grape seed extract may keep you looking younger, longer.

You might say that 29's founder, Lydia Mondavi, has wine in her blood. She married into the Mondavi wine-making family, which produces varieties in California's Napa Valley. But her status as an oenophile doesn't end there. Named after Highway 29, which snakes through Napa, her color collection features vino-inspired names such as Sinfully Zin, Spicy On The Finish, Let It Breathe. To find out more about the line, read more

29 has a lot of what you'd expect from a new makeup line: lipsticks, foundation and the like. A few products sound pretty innovative, and I'm looking forward to trying them. For instance, Preserves First Crush Lip Scrub ($23) is a lip exfoliator with shea butter and crushed apricot seeds. There's also the Napa Mist Replenishing Atomizer, a light spray with rosewater. Neiman Marcus is the exclusive retailer for 29, and it's rolling the line out in stores nationwide. If your Neiman's doesn't have 29 yet, you can shop online. Que syrah, syrah. (Sorry, couldn't resist!)

Definition: Antioxidant

BellaSugar — Tue, 29 May 2007 13:44:37 -0700

For years, I've heard from friends like FitSugar that antioxidant-rich foods are good for me. Now, antioxidants are showing up in more and more skincare products, promising to protect your cells from damage. So what exactly are they?

According to the National Cancer Institute, antioxidants are "substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals." When a free radical steals an electron from another molecule and changes the state of the atom, that is called oxidation. Free radicals are bad for the skin, because they can cause cell damage and decrease elasticity and resilience.

Found in tons of fruits and veggies, antioxidants take the form of enzymes, hormones, vitamins, or minerals. They help promote healthy organs and tissue, and some evidence shows they could help prevent cancer, heart disease, and other health problems. As for the benefits of antioxidants in skincare, the jury is still out, so read more

I recently ran across this article by Paula Begoun, where she basically says that the beauty industry doesn't really know if antioxidants prevent wrinkles or repair skin. Here's more:

Despite the proliferation of skin-care products containing antioxidants, according to Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg, chief of antioxidants research at Tufts University, "there is no conclusive scientific evidence that antioxidants really prevent wrinkles, nor is there any information about how much antioxidant(s) or exactly which one(s) has to be present in a product to have an effect."

However, if it does turn out to be possible to slow free-radical damage in skin, then antioxidants would be the answer. In the meantime, they certainly can't hurt.

Source

New Product Alert: Clinique Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer

BellaSugar — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 10:15:40 -0700

I read something interesting about Clinique the other day: Did you know that its ad campaign has followed the same format from day one? With the exception of the Happy campaign, Clinique almost always chooses a white background and a beauty shot of the product. I like the consistent nature of the ads, but I like new products even more. And this one sounds like something I'd like to try.

Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer ($39.50) is a new three-piece line of facial moisturizers. The formula has eight antioxidants, some of which are immediately active, while others have a delayed release. The idea is that antioxidants fight free radicals that cause aging, and this moisturizer-available for dry, combination, and oily skin-will constantly deliver the good stuff.

I'm planning to sample this the next time I head to the Clinique counter, but the absence of SPF makes me a little hesitant to buy it. (Another skin care step in the morning? Too much!) But it is a good reminder to eat more antioxidant-rich foods such as blueberries. If you need a healthy weekend treat, check out this fish dish, which won Clinique's contest for antioxidant-rich recipes.

New Product Alert: 100% Pure Organic Pomegranate Antioxidant Hydration

BellaSugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:48:29 -0700

I love it when ingredient lists have recognizable words, because then you know exactly what you're putting on your skin. 100% Pure is one company whose formulas are 100% easy to understand. The all-vegan, organic line uses fresh fruits and extracts to create natural, highly concentrated products for your body.

The latest addition to the collection is Organic Pomegranate Antioxidant Hydration ($26), a lightweight moisturizer with SPF 15. Here's what's inside:

Organic white tea, organic pomegranate oil, vitamin E, chamomile and lavender wax, extracts of rosemary, oregano, thyme, grapefruit seed, golden seal and cinnamon.

Pretty simple stuff, right? There's nothing there that would give me pause, though I'd still probably use an additional sunscreen if I were going to be in the sun. What about you-do you have faith in all-natural products, or are you more likely to go for a clinically tested product that has chemicals in it?

Wine and Chocolate For the Holidays? Oh Yes, and Here's Why!

BellaSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:00:59 -0800

Dropping temperatures often equate to a less than glowing appearance of the skin. But you don't have to look like a poor turkey on Thanksgiving day during these cold-weathered months. In fact, this year, I'm giving my thanks to dermatologist/psychiatrist Dr. Amy Wechsler, who has not only provided us with her adult acne tips, but now she's got some helpful advice on banishing dry, wintry skin, along with suggestions for beauty-friendly gifts this holiday season. Find out what she has to say when you read more.

Beauty Byte: Jennifer Garner the New Face of Neutrogena

BellaSugar — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 13:52:04 -0700

I wasn't surprised when I saw the news that Jennifer Garner has signed on as the new face of Neutrogena. But I was surprised that the youthful 35-year-old will be advertising antiaging products. According to Women's Wear Daily, the actress will appear in print and TV ads starting in September with Neutrogena's Anti-Oxidant Age Reverse line. Here's more from the article:

Garner will also appear in ads for Neutrogena's Healthy Defense SPF 45 Daily Moisturizer with Helioplex, a patented sunscreen designed to provide antiaging protection.

Garner said in a statement that Neutrogena had always been a part of her beauty regimen.

"I've used the products for years.…I feel an emotional connection to the brand because it represents healthy beauty - and that's something that I strongly support," she stated.

Garner's contract with the brand will run through December 2008 and pay out an estimated $1 million per year. Neutrogena and Garner definitely seems like a good fit; what do you guys think?

Product Review: Dr. Brandt Antioxidant Water Booster

BellaSugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:00:53 -0700

I'm a skeptic when it comes to ingesting beauty-related supplements. I've tried the Phytophanere Dietary Supplements For Hair & Nails, which were supposed to make my nails and hair grow faster and stronger, but instead they gave me nothing but blemishes. So when I learned about this Antioxidant Water Booster ($35) from Dr. Brandt, I sort of dismissed the product altogether.

However, lately I've been reading lots of positive reviews about the blueberry flavor, so I decided to give it a go. Supposedly, the antioxidant content in one dose is the same as you'd find in 15 cups of home-brewed green tea.

My guess it that it's getting attention because there has been so much written about the powerful effects of antioxidants lately. They help protect your cells from free radical damage, keep your organs healthy, and they may even contribute to fighting cancer and heart disease.

As it turns out, the Water Booster is indeed delicious. I did a taste test to see what I was getting into before I drank the full glass of water. It's flavorful and sweet, but it doesn't contain any calories or even one iota of caffeine or sugar.

Each bottle (there are five different kinds) contains enough for 60 servings. All you have to do is shake it, add one dropper to eight ounces of water, mix, and chug. I've only had three cups and I don't notice a difference in my skin, but as the saying goes, you look better if you feel better. Knowing that I am doing something good for my body definitely makes me feel better, too.

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!