Purple is a good colour for you. . .

I've recently noticed just how many of our posts concern food - perhaps a result of blogging on an empty stomach?  But it really is necessary to pay attention to what we're putting inside our bodies - not just on our skin.  So many women (& men) who purchase from us are looking for that miracle cream/serum/potion in a jar that will magically make those lines & wrinkles disappear.  But that's only part of the solution - your skin won't show improvement if you cover yourself in expensive topical products, then go home & chow down on Cheetos & a can of frosting for dinner.  Help your skin battle free radicals (which break down collagen, which in turn leads to those aforementioned annoying lines & wrinkles) with a diet rich in antioxidants.  If you find yourself in the grocery store, scratching your head because you can't find the "antioxidant" aisle, never fear: think purple.  If you choose purple-coloured foods like blackberries, black currants, blueberries, wild blueberries, plums, purple figs, purple grapes, beets, purple eggplant, purple asparagus or purple cabbage, you'll be well on your way to getting those free radical-fighting antioxidants your skin needs. 

Surprise! These holiday indulgences can be GOOD for your skin!

Red wine - Yes, too much alcohol can be dehydrating, but cabernet, merlot and pinot noir all contain resveratrol - a potent antioxidant that's making news for the positive effects it may have on health. 

Chocolate - For more antioxidant power, choose dark over milk.

Of course, as with all things, moderation is key!  HAPPY 2012!



This Thanksgiving, hit the (cranberry) sauce!



The humble cranberry may be a perennial source of debate at Thanksgiving dinner - love 'em or hate 'em, fresh or canned, jellied or whole - but in the dermatological community, the verdict is clear: cranberries are a wonderful source of antioxidants, so don't hold back when they come around the table this year. You might be thinking, why are antioxidants so important?  Every day, our skin is under assault - from UV rays, pollution, or cigarette smoke, for example. That damage causes free radicals, which are oxygen molecules that have lost an electron.  As a result, those unpaired molecules try to steal electrons from other molecules, including vital skin components. The result is visible skin damage, in the form of lines, wrinkles, and redness. Luckily, antioxidants can supply those missing electrons, calm attacking molecules, and prevent damage.
In a nutshell, antioxidants are among the most important preventive ingredients in the skin care arsenal. They can effectively prevent (and minimize) redness and inflammation, and are essential for slowing the signs of skin aging.  The good news - when it comes to neutralizing free radicals, you don't need to pick one favourite ingredient. Cranberries, green tea, coenzyme Q10, vitamins C and E - they're all powerful antioxidants, and using several of them is an even better option for healthy skin.  Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!