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Product Review: Nature's Cure Anti-Acne Papaya Skin Care System

BellaSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:00:33 PDT

I'm always a little leery of anti-acne products, because let's face it - some almost do the reverse of quelling the breakout situation. With that said, I realize the effectiveness of any anti-acne product varies so much by individual, and for me, I think I've hit the jackpot with this one (and I hope it works for you, too).

Nature's Cure Anti-Acne Papaya Skin Care System ($19.99) comes as a three-product package. The main acne-fighting ingredients are salicylic acid and papaya enzymes, known for their exfoliating and antibacterial properties. The kit includes:

Acne-Clearing Papaya Cleanser - It's a little more liquidy and low foamy than I am used to, but it did the trick.
Pore-Perfecting Papaya Toner - Removed pretty much all the makeup the cleanser may have missed without a stinging, burning, or "mediciney" feel.
Acne-Repairing Papaya Moisturizer - Super-light feeling, and a little goes a long way. It also wore really well under foundation.

Overall, this skin care system worked wonders to keep my acne problems in check - without producing dry, flaky skin. At first I was a little unsure about the somewhat sweet, musky scent (mostly papaya), but it grew on me with regular usage. And since the results were so stellar, a little stink is acceptable in this case.

Other bonuses? Soft skin, smoothness, no tie-dyed sheets, and reasonably priced - heck, I'll pay anything to put a halt to the breakouts, but when it comes at such a bargain price, woohoo, I say!

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

Doing Drugstore: Nature's Cure Acne Treatment

BellaSugar — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:59:04 PDT

You know how you can go to Walgreens, and the bottom of the shelf has a bunch of unusual products you've never heard of? Well, I saw Nature's Cure Acne Treatment ($9.99), a homeopathic remedy for acne, and thought it sounded a bit quacky. After all, I'd had bad luck with a previous fling with supplements. At the same time, though, I was curious, so I did a little online research and found lots of rave reviews. Sold!

Nature's Cure claims to "tackle internal causes by stimulating your body's natural defenses to help stop acne where it starts." The homeopathic pills include English walnut, yeast, cone flower, wild rosemary, vegetable carbon and frost weed-all in micro-doses which aim to clear up skin. You take two pills a day (one in the morning, one at night) and apply the included benzoyl peroxide cream on zits. Simple. The box promised "results within two weeks," and boy, did I get them. To find out what happened,

read more You know, the pills aren't too terrible. They're flavorless, slightly chalky and chewable. I had great faith in them: Every time I took one, I thought, "Ha ha! Flawless skin will soon be mine!" Chomp, chomp, chomp. I was a pill-popper, and happy to be one. (I tried using the cream, but because my skin is sensitive, it dried out almost immediately.) Soon, just as Nature's Cure promised, I saw results. Ugly results. Let me tell you, I have never broken out as badly as I did after taking these pills. About a week after becoming a pillhead, my chin erupted into gross, goop-filled pimples. I stuck with the program, though, because I'd read reviews by people who explained that this was just skin "purging" existing junk, and that in a few more weeks, everything would be gravy. But there was no gravy, only more pimples. I took Nature's Cure for a little over a month, but then I had to stop. The zits didn't stop coming, and I was tired of waking up every morning to see more blemishes. I headed to see my dermatologist (don't miss my interview with him), and started a prescription program that is working great! But that's another story. For now, I have to say that Nature's Cure merely aggravated my acne. Based on other people's experiences, maybe I'm just a fluke-but this is a final sign that my skin just doesn't respond well to supplements. Anyone else have a more positive experience?

Will Susan G. Komen's U-Turn Make a Difference?

Annie Scudder — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:40:00 PST

This morning, Susan G. Komen for the Cure announced that it has reversed its decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood's breast cancer screenings. Under pressure from its own affiliates, employees, and supporters, the breast cancer foundation released a statement that began, "We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives." It continued:

Our original desire was to fulfill our fiduciary duty to our donors by not funding grant applications made by organizations under investigation. We will amend the criteria to make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political. That is what is right and fair.

Acknowledging the damage to its brand, it stated, "We urge everyone who has participated in this conversation across the country over the last few days to help us move past this issue. We do not want our mission marred or affected by politics - anyone's politics." The reversal fell short of an apology to Planned Parenthood for creating a policy that blatantly targeted the organization, and there is still evidence that staunchly pro-life individuals are running the show. But do you think responding to the public's outcry will bring people back on board with Komen?

Healthy Dose Link Time: Brazilian Blowout Contains Formaldehyde

Susi May — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:22:22 PST

Health hazards of hair straightening: Brazilian Blowout contains carcinogens - Blisstree
Go crazy and try the Insanity Workout for free! - Self
10 easy ways to get cooking with kale. It's a superfood! - Real Simple
Could a club drug be the new cure for depression? - The Stir
Three natural ways to soothe your sore throat - Prevention
Trying to diet? Try skipping the food boards on Pinterest - Fit Bottomed Girls
A full-body workout for you. Print it out and do it! - Fitnessista
Race on! Train for a 5K personal record! - Women's Running

Savory Sight: Cherry and Chamomile Nightcap

Yum Community — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:01:55 PST

We are loving My Fare Foodie's delicious cure for insomnia. The description makes us sleepy just reading about it!

As an attempt to cure my chronic insomnia, I came up with a nightcap featuring all types of natural sleep aids. Warm milk, chamomile tea, honey, cinnamon, and tart cherry juice help the body miraculously produce melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. This drink not only helps me sleep soundly, but it also happens to taste delicious! So long, sleepless nights.

For the recipe, check out her blog and share your recipes with us in our Kitchen Goddess community group!

The Biggest Diet Trends of 2011

Leta Shy — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 03:35:06 PST

Like years before, 2011 was chock-full of trendy diets that got everyone talking, as well as trying. So what were the top diets of 2011? Read on to find out!

HCG Diet
The HCG diet isn't new (it's been around for more than 50 years), but it's once again a phenomenon. This was the year that people flocked to doctor's offices to get a pricey hormone injection all in the name of weight loss. The diet's deal: eat a restricted calorie diet, usually 500 calories a day, and inject the HCG hormone (or use drops or lozenges) every day. The claim is that the HCG hormone, which occurs in pregnant women naturally and helps them burn fat to use to feed their babies, helps convert body fat to energy so you get all the adequate calories you need every day without feeling hungry, but experts warn that there aren't any studies that prove the safety and effectiveness of the diet.

Paleo Diet
Eat like your ancestors did - as in, the ones from a very long time ago. The Paleo diet is a meal plan based on the hunting and gathering instincts of cavemen. That means lots of free-range, grass-fed meat, fresh seafood, and vegetables, but no grains, dairy, legumes, refined sugars, and processed foods. The Paleo Diet's main focus is to improve your overall health, and many people who have been on it say it's cured their digestive conditions, such as IBS. Experts are split on whether or not it's an effective diet - especially since some very common foods, like dairy and grain, are forbidden.

Read on for more top diet trends of 2011.

3 Throat-Soothing Herbal Teas

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:51:09 PDT

If you find yourself suffering from a scratchy, sore throat, take comfort in the herbs astragalus, licorice root, and elm bark, which have a soothing effect on throat and respiratory issues. While the medical properties of these herbs have not undergone extensive scientific research, they have been brewed as healing teas for centuries and are mainstays in the alternative medicine community. Their natural sweetness, earthy scent, and slippery texture are pleasant, soothing, and worth trying out when colds strike.

Astragalus

What is it: Dr. Weil recommends taking astragalus, a sweet-tasting Chinese root which has immune boosting properties and helps soothe sore throats and bronchial infection.
Where to try it: Astragalus Immunity Tea ($6)
What scientists think: While the root has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, no detailed, Western clinical trials have been done to prove or dispute its benefits for throat and respiratory issues. (Studies have shown astragalus to be helpful in reducing symptoms related to seasonal allergies.) Astragalus is also traditionally taken with ginseng, angelica, and licorice.

See more throat-soothing teas.

Halloween Sugar Overload? Get Back on Track With These Tips

Leta Shy — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 03:08:10 PDT

Even the healthiest among us can't help but get into the Halloween fun, and while everything's good in moderation, sometimes a night of temptation means we allow ourselves to go overboard. Whether you've snacked on trick-or-treating leftovers too much or are still recovering from the weekend, here are some ideas to get back on track for the rest of the week.

Break the sugar addiction: Spent the holiday eating way too many fun-size treats? Eating a lot of sugar will only make you crave it more, so your Monday of celebration may be leading to mindless reaching for your candy stash the rest of the week. If you're craving sweets, take celebrity trainer Jackie Warner's advice: take five days to wean yourself off sugar and refined carbs by eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies instead. If forgoing sugar altogether seems impossible (especially in light of leftover holiday treats), check out our tips for reducing your sugar cravings.

Stop the hangover: If you overdid it with a multinight costumed celebration, now's the time for post-Halloween hangover remedies. Get back on track by helping your overpartied body. Here are five morning-after fixes to help cure your hangover.

Read more healthy post-Halloween tips after the break.

Bizarre Home Cures That Work

Prevention — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 03:13:50 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

Ease pesky health issues with vodka, duct tape — more
From the Editors of Prevention

Of course there are some health staples you should never be without - bandages or OTC pain relievers come to mind. But you can treat or cure a surprising number of minor ailments with these unexpected household objects and foods.

Home cure: Vodka
Use it for: Foot odor
If your feet smell less than swell, wipe them down with a vodka-soaked washcloth to get rid of the stench. It's the same principle as rubbing alcohol (which works equally well if you'd rather drink your Grey Goose). Vodka contains alcohol, which is antiseptic and drying, so it destroys odor-causing fungus and bacteria and dries out the moisture that lets these organisms grow.

Surprising Reasons Why You Smell

Home cure: Licorice
Use it for: Calluses and corns
"Licorice contains estrogen-like substances that soften the hard skin of calluses and corns," says Georgianna Donadio, PhD, director of the National Institute of Whole Health. Make this homemade licorice paste: grind up a few licorice sticks, mix them with 1/2 teaspoon of petroleum jelly, and rub the mixture into the rough areas of your feet.

How to Get Soft and Sexy Feet

Home cure: Baking soda
Use it for: Urinary tract infections
At the first sign of symptoms, drink a solution made with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda mixed in eight ounces of water. Continue this once a day until you can get a culture done at a doctor's office and start antibiotics. Baking soda makes the bladder environment more alkaline, which reduces bacteria's ability to multiply, says Larrian Gillespie, MD, a retired assistant clinical professor of urology and urogynecology in Los Angeles.

Keep reading for more home cures.

The Best and Worst Flu Season Remedies

Prevention — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:12:53 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

Find out which immune-boosting supplements really help — and which are just hype
By the Editors at Prevention

Flu shots, hand washing, healthy eating, and regular exercise are the best ways to avoid cold and flu.

But sometimes even the most scrupulous germaphobes and healthy people get sick anyway. While certain natural remedies can help shorten symptoms — or prevent infection entirely — many people waste money on measures that are all hype. Here's how to know the difference so you can get well faster — without wasting a penny.

The Germiest Spots in Your Home

1. Omega-3 Pill
The Verdict: Help
Take it: All season long
If you don't like or eat a lot of fish, pop an omega-3 supplement daily to reap the fatty acid's impressive immune-fortifying properties. Omega-3s increase the activity of phagocytes — cells that fight flu by eating up bacteria — according to a study by Britain's Institute of Human Nutrition and School of Medicine. Other research shows that omega-3s increase airflow and protect lungs from colds and respiratory infections.

Look for purified fish oil capsules that contain at least 1 g combined of EPA and DHA.

Keep reading for the rest of the list.