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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.

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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,

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