Q: I’m so concerned about my dark spots. I have pimples before, and now that they’re healed, they left blemishes on my skin. What will I do to even-out my skin tone and get rid of ugly spots?

A: Pimples usually leave brown spots once they’re healed. Thus, it is essential that we use skin brightening/whitening products which also act on eliminating the blemishes and not just lightening the other surface of the skin. Choose skin care creams with Vitamin B3 helps erase unwanted blemishes on our skin.

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Q: I have a dark and dry skin. I want to be whiter, and my friends advised me to have skin peeling products to easily renew my skin. But I’m afraid if this will really help?

A: Skin peeling is not the only answer to whiter skin. These are natural alternatives to achieve fairer complexion. There are whitening products with natural ingredients that are very skin-friendly. Do no immediately jump into chemical-based whitening for this might pose a bigger problem in the future. Choose the natural way to a whiter and moisturized skin.

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Q: I read about skin metabolism. What does it mean, and how will it help me look younger?

A: Skin metabolism is the process of renewing our skin cells, the old skin cells are replaced by new ones. Skin metabolism usually takes 14-28 days when we’re young. But as we age, this process slows down. Slow skin metabolism leaves our face covered with flat, rough, and moisture-deprived cells. They mask our natural skin color and radiance. Hence, we must act on speeding up our skin metabolism in order to maintain a toned and rejuvenated complexion.

The Chinese have called in the “Great Treasure”. American farmers have hailed it as Gold from the Soil.  Indeed, protein-rich  soybeans are among the world’s natural wonders.

Whether as oil, milk, sauce, or tofu, a daily serving of soy protein good for your heart, as it lowers blood cholesterol levels. What’s more, soy improves bone density among women, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

But did you know that more than being a delicious way to better health, one can now make use of soybeans to lighten skin safely? Thanks to the discovery of Essential Soy has proven to deeply penetrate skin to reduce melanin and dark spots for an even and vibrant skin tone.

Essential Soy contains nutrients essential for fair skin:

• Protein softens and smoothens the skin
• Lipids restore your skin’s natural protective barrier, helping it retain much-needed moisture
• Carbohydrates continuously nourish the skin
• Anti-oxidant rich Isoflavones keep skin supple and young-looking
• Saponins deeply cleans the skin

Dermatologist recommended and clinically tested to be mild and safe for everyday use, experience the wonders of Essential Soy right in your own home with the new Fine Fairness Cleanser and Fine Fairness Lotion SPF 15, only from Neutrogena.

Daily use of Fine Fairness Cleanser thoroughly cleanses and washes away dirty, surface oil, and dead skin cells to reveal smoother, more radiant skin in as early as one week!

Fine Fairness Lotion SPF 15 is a daily facial moisturizer that works in three ways: it hydrates and revives dull skin; it shields the skin from the sun’s UV rays; and because it has Essential Soy, it lightens the skin to keep it naturally fair, naturally glowing.

When you were young, it was all about the rush. There was exhilaration in everything you did; the rigorous sport activities you engaged in, the late nights of partying with friends and all those stressful meetings to meet your deadlines. There seemed to be no end to the excitement and your energy was unyielding. But something a reality check is called for.

As the years go by, you realize that you age and that things change. Your daily activities have started to take a toll on you and your skin has begun to show signs of aging. Suddenly you get a panic attack and start to look on aging as the new enemy.

There are three causes of wrinkles:

1. The first is repeated facial expressions. Remember squinting your eyes while doing research? Those long frowns you made when you have to do overtime? And those scowling looks (or extended purse lips) that you gave your boyfriend when he was 10 minutes late in picking you up? Just as all these have caused you unwanted stress, they can also result more lins and wrinkles on your face. Get the wrinkle eye cream that battle against crow’s feet with its special cream formulation. It effectively shields skin from the sun and promotes cell energy production to fight skin aging. It also has UV filters which protect against premature skin aging and prevent puffiness in the eye area.
2. The second cause of wrinkles is prolonged exposure to the sun, the skin loses the ability to repair itself, and the damage accumulates. As you get older, years of sun damage start to surface on your skin, making it look dull, less even and more wrinkled than before. A top quality facial cream successfully protects your skin from the sun. Formulated to be light and faster absorbing than other day creams, it’s perfect for use even under make-up. No greasy and sticky feeling during the day.

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What better way to vege out and save than to have your spa treatment in the comfort of your home.

Throw out those cardigans and let your shoulders feel the warm sun. The chilly holiday months usually leave skin dry and dull so best to head to the spa and enjoy some exfoliating treatments. If going to the spa is beyond your budget, however, at-home treatments you can do yourself will work just as well. Try these simple spa-inspired concoctions that will leave your skin looking fresh and glowing.

At-home spa treatments:

1. Salt Scrub

You will need: 3 cups fine sea salt, 3/4 cup olive oil and 3/4 cup sweet almond oil.

How to make: In a bowl, stir olive oil and salt using an egg beater. Add 3-4 drops of sweet almond oil to the mixture. You may also choose the essential oil you want to use. Peppermint, for instance, helps perk up your mood. This mixture is good for 15 applications. Simply place in a sealed jar to keep it fresh.

How to use: A salt scrub is good for exfoliating dry skin. This recipe is especially effective on areas like your elbows, knees and feet. After a warm shower, don’t dry off completely as this works best when you’re a bit moist. Using circular motions, rub the mixture throughout your skin starting with your extremities and working your way to the heart. This is also good for your blood circulation. Wash off mixture.

Remember not to use salt scrub if you just shaved your legs or have minor cuts in your skin. If you’re pregnant or have medical problems, consult your doctor first before using essential oils.

2. Sugar Body Scrub

You will need:

2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
2 cups fresh milk

How to make: Mix sugar, milk and canola oil in a bowl. Place in a clean jar. Good for 15 applications.

How to use: Same procedure as the salt scrub. This mixture though is much milder on the skin.

3. Sweet Facial Scrub

You will need:

1 tsp brewer’s yeast (stimulates blood circulation)
2 1/4 tsp yogurt (good for balancing ph of your skin)
1 1/2 tsp sugar (for exfoliating)

How to make: Mix the ingredients quickly and use right away before sugar dissolves.

How to use: Apply mixture on face. Stay away from the eyes. Wash off after 5 minutes.

Don’t get stuck in a rut.

Yes, you can look 10 years younger. You’re 30 but feel and look like you’re 10 years older. No amount of vitamins will make you look younger if you don’t take the effort to update your look. Sure, you’re already a mom but you don’t have to stick to that blah mommy look. Here are some look 10 years younger:

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Choosing a skincare product that combines efficiency and care has never been easy. Most brands are either ineffective, or too harsh. Salons and spas are quite capable of bringing out that sought-after glow, but these treatments are often too expensive and time consuming. Even the experts at Fort Myers cosmetic surgery thinks so.

Finding a simple skincare regimen that actually works is almost as challenging as snagging Mr. Right. While we can’t certainly give you the man of your dreams, we can share a few basic tricks on how to keep your skin clear, and your confidence on all-time high.

1. Scrubbing is for pots. After washing your face, make sure you pat it dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing it vigorously. Your face is one of the most delicate areas of your body, and thus needs to be treated with absolute care. Rubbing your face excessively may result in the removal of too much skin cells — leading to redness and sensitivity.
2. Make fruits your best friend. Loading up on fruits and vegetables will not only strengthen your body against sickness and disease, it will also help you achieve healthier, thus more beautiful skin. Fruits and veggies are powerful antioxidants, which basically means that they protect you from cell-damaging free radicals that are said to cause premature aging, as well as illnesses such as diabetes and obesity. Snack on fresh fruits instead of munching on pre-packed crackers and cookies; and drink fresh shakes instead of sodas and powdered fruit juices. Among the yummiest sources of antioxidants are oranges, mangoes, strawberries and watermelons.
3. Out, damned spot! Hands off that pimple! Sure, we know how terrible you must feel about having that big red on your cheek take the attention away from your new lip gloss. But you must not take matters into your own hands! Or rather, your fingers. Do not pop or prick pimples because you run the risk of infecting them. And we all know that infected pimples are the most common causes of scarring and black spots. The best thing to do is to keep your face as clean and moisturized as possible — dry skin is also a common cause of breakouts.

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