The Truth About Skin: What Pharmaceutical Companies Don't Want You To Know

Please read this in its entirety. Say no to drug companies and improve your health while looking younger and feeling better in the process!

I have posted a few things here and on facebook touching upon this topic but I decided to put everything together here in one concise, easy-to-find place.

I don't have a complicated skin care regimen and I don't spend a ton of money either. I don't buy into hype or marketing ploys. These are things that I do, principles and products that I believe in and these tips are for men and women alike.

FREE ANTI-WRINKLE TREATMENT

We spend about 1/3 of our lives in bed, right? Imagine for all of that time your face is squished, contorted or hanging to one side. What does that do to your face? Wrinkles and sags are created as we sleep. Try sleeping on your back if you can. Your face will look much younger and less puffy if you do.

THE MYTH ABOUT DRY SKIN
"Dry" skin is DEAD skin. YOU CAN'T HEAL DRY SKIN! It is a myth created by large pharmaceutical companies to get you to buy their products!!! You must remove dry skin. No matter how much moisturizer you apply you will never make any headway. You must rid yourself of dry, scaly skin and make room for new, healthy skin underneath. Think about what happens to your skin after a day at the beach. The salt, sand and seaweed slough and then "heal" your skin. Look to products that give you this result all year long.


EXFOLIATION
Why is it that men tend to look younger than women? Exfoliation! Men, though completely unaware, are constantly exfoliating their faces each and every time they shave. Women, please don't take a razor to your faces but do exfoliate once or twice a week. Sloughing your skin helps your body create new, healthy skin; it aids in the regeneration process. It also stimulates the production of collagen which helps to firm your skin and fill in lines and wrinkles. Massaging your skin during exfoliation also stimulates your blood cells and helps release toxins.

The cheapie St. Ives Apricot Scrub is great and very effective. No need to spend a lot of money on fancy packaging, marketing ploys or high end fragrances. You just need abrasion. Make sure you dampen your skin with warm water, use a small amount of scrub and massage yourself in a circular motion for about 1 minute. Gently wipe off the scrub with a washcloth soaked in warm water and then immediately apply a moisturizer. And don't forget your neck! You will instantly feel cleaner and you will look younger.

Another way to help get rid of dead skin is to take a bath for 15-20 minutes in warm water mixed with Epsom salts. After you soak, take your fingernail and gently scratch your leg. You should see the skin come right off. Using a washcloth, vigorously rub your entire body, drain your tub and then rinse off in the shower. Immediately apply a moisturizer such as a natural oil. Jason's Vitamin E Oil is amazing and also helps to heal cuts. With any oil, apply to towel-dried skin and allow 10 minutes for the oil to be absorbed by your skin before getting dressed.

CHAPPED LIPS

Chap Stick had wonderful commercials when we were growing up and we all bought into it at some point. However, Chap Stick does not help chapped lips! It's waxy texture can protect lips from the elements but once you're chapped, you're done. The next time you brush your teeth try running your toothbrush under warm water, then gently brush your lips using a circular motion. If you do this once or twice a week you will prevent dead skin buildup. Your lips will appear larger and will have a healthier color. Moisturize your lips with a dab of Vitamin E Oil after you exfoliate. Keep Kiehl's Lip Balm in your car. You can also use this balm to massage dry cuticles while you're at a red light.

DRY HANDS


Getting a really great manicure with a paraffin wax treatment tremendously improves the look of dry hands but if you are like me and you don't have the time try the Apricot Scrub in the shower. If that isn't enough to do the trick, wait until your skin is completely dry and using a nail file, literally file your skin but only in one direction. Pick a direction and stick to it! Then wash your hands with warm water and apply moisturizer.

CRACKED FEET


Again, dry skin is dead skin. I must say this again. You must remove the dead skin on your feet to reveal healthy skin underneath. I keep an antibacterial foot file in the shower which is great. And remember, as always, when filing anything, only file in one direction. DO NOT go back and forth. This goes for skin, nails, sharpening knives, etc. Stridex pads work well also because they are soaked in salicylic acid which helps break down dead skin. They also work great for cleaning underneath your nails. Apply moisturizer to your heels after your shower. You can also try applying Vitamin E Oil to your feet at night. Sleep with white cotton socks. Wake up in the morning to new feet!

MOISTURIZER
I LOVE me some Creme De La Mer. I recommend this to everyone. It moisturizes and improves texture. Nope, it's not cheap my friends, it's over 100 bucks but it lasts over a year. There's a link below. Check it out. I got it from J. Lo, though she buys the industrial size at $1,000 per pop. Ouch!

Read your ingredient labels!!! If your "moisturizer" contains anything at all ending in "ol" like: alcohol, ethyl, glycol, methanol, benzene or isopropyl alcohol...guess what? It is drying out your skin!!! THROW IT AWAY AND NEVER LOOK BACK! If your moisturizer is drying out your skin, what will you need to do? BUY MORE MOISTURIZER! Don't fall for it. Take a stand. Some moisturizers with very high alcohol contents even say, "Dermatologist Approved" on the labels! Guess what? Those dermatologists are paid by drug companies to approve those products. 


Also look for formaldehyde, aluminum, animal fats (tallowate sodium), sodium laurel sulfate, bentonite, butane, collagen, DEA, MEA, tea, dioxins, hydrocarbons and glycerin. These chemicals are harmful to you and your body. 


Try natural products, especially those made of food-grade ingredients like oils made from olives, coconuts, cocoa butter or almonds. Support small businesses by purchasing lesser known moisturizers. Johnson & Johnson doesn't need your money. By the way, Johnson & Johnson's Baby Lotion? POISON! Filled with alcohol, parabens, silicone, cheap fragrance and loads of chemicals. Know what you are putting on your skin and your children's skin. If you can't eat it, don't use it. Your skin absorbs what you put on it; it eats it. Think about it and make a change for the better. 


SPA AT HOME


No time or money for a professional facial? Bliss Spa in NYC has created a line of at-home facial masks that work amazingly well. I have one listed below that is one of my faves. Just follow the simple directions and see an instant improvement in the way your skin looks and feels. I heart Bliss products. Santa, are you listening? 


Using these basic principals will help you to look and feel better about yourself. Here's to you!


WHERE TO BUY: