D&G Anthology LA FORCE No. 11 by Dolce & Gabbana

Rating: ★★★★¾ 

Just yesterday, an exclusive Q&A article about me was published on Men’s Health Magazine’s website. Not only is it an honor to have been given this opportunity, it’s also a dream fulfilled!

So please give it a read when you get the chance, and let me know what you think.

Click here to read!

We all know about dry skin.

Dry skin is a condition characterized by a decreased level of fats in the skin, as well as reduced amount of water in the outer epidermal (skin) layer. The skin frequently appears rough and scaly, and it may even itch.

There are several different causes of dry skin — some can be the result of bodily conditions, and some can stem from environmental factors. Here are four common triggers:

• Weather: The lack of humidity in dry and cold climates prevents the skin from retaining its natural water content. Indoor heaters can also make the air even drier and worsen skin dehydration.
• Excessive skin-washing: Overexposure to water, detergents and alkali soaps can strip the skin of oil and lead to dryness. Moreover, contrary to what you make think, scrubbing the skin can make dry skin even worse!
• Health problems: Thyroid disease, eczema, psoriasis and ichthyosis are just a few common health-related causes of dry skin. Malnutrition can lead to scaly skin as well. When the body is not healthy, the skin and oil-producing glands cannot work as well as they should.
• Old age: As we get older, our skin loses moisture as a result of weaknesses in the skin barrier, loss of water, and decreased amounts of fats that are produced in the surface of the skin.

So how do you treat dry skin? Limit the number of times you wash your skin each day, and use mild, soap-free cleansers. Always use moisturizer after cleansing and consider using a humidifier to increase the moisture levels of the air inside your home. Also, since the act of shaving can also dry the skin, following with an after shave balm will help to restore moisture and heal the skin. This should be done prior to using your face moisturizer. If necessary, talk to your dermatologist about other prescription options.

Do you feel that cold air?  So does your skin!

Picture this, you’re hopping out of a hot shower, get dressed and hit the town.  The weather is cool, and so is your body.  The best way to prep your skin to handle this colder weather (especially your scalp) is to finish your shower with a cold water rinse (See Post: Cold Water).  Cold water brings your skin back into balance, allowing your scalp to produce the necessary oils (sebum) to naturally moisturize itself and thereby help prevent dry scalp.

Here are a few others…

Moisturize your “whole” body – come on guys, it not just for women.  Your body needs the added protection to prevent drying out, especially in colder weather  .  Ever have chapped lips?  Well, the same can happen to your body!

Shave and protect – by now, you know that a layer of skin is removed everytime  you shave.  So, after you shave, make sure you have an aftershave lotion and a moisturizer handy.  This combination is always important, and, even more so during the winter.

Save on your water bill – here’s one.  Change your long hot showers into short warm ones.  The longer and hotter the shower, the more natural oils are being stripped from your skin.  That squeaky clean feeling after a hot shower feels good.  But, it puts pressure on your body moisturizer to provide double protection, since those natural oils aren’t there to help.

Hey don’t get me wrong, we’ve all fallen victim at some point, especially when the cooler months start to roll in.

But, when there’s a solution, there is no excuse! 

A quick fix, is to have a small tube of hand cream in your desk at work, your jacket, and or your car. That way, wherever you are, you’re covered! Sure it’s an extra step… But it sure beats being remembered as the guy with the “ashy” hands!

A tell-tale sign that you get manicures is buffed fingernails. If you’re a guy that plays by his own rules and is not afraid of a little jarring from his friends, go for it. The bottom line is whether you buff or not, you’re taking the time to care for your hands.

Besides, buffed fingernails have been popular for over 30+ years. And, sure this style won’t fit everyone or every occasion for that matter. But it most definitely will fit YOU if you want it to.

So go ahead, shine them up! Trust me, you won’t hear many ladies complaining…

Did you know

So what do you do about it?

Doctors say that the quickest remedy is to get a good night’s sleep. “Seven to eight hours of seep each night makes a huge difference,” says New York dermatologist – Dr. Amy Wechsler. The vitamins calcium and magnesium can also help.

Oh and another thing… long term exposure to cortisol has been linked to memory loss. So rest up, and deal with it in the morning!

Starting Monday, I will be placing a scale called The Men’s Grooming Meter, at the bottom of all current and future articles.

The purpose of this scale is to give you the opportunity to let me know how useful this article is to your grooming regimen, and to help me provide you with the most relevant and useful tips and ideas.

So my one request is that you please vote honestly and often!

Thanks so much for your participation!

- Craig

All jests aside, there is a very simple answer to almost every unwanted hair issue we will ever have… Trim it, Shave it, Wax it or Laser it!

In this day and age, with such an assortment of options for getting rid of unwanted hair, there should never be unnecessary embarrassment.

Hey, everyone has something that they’re self-conscious of, and if unwanted hair is one of them, there are plenty of solutions!

It’s getting warmer by the day isn’t it?

In some parts of the country, it’s going to be a down right scorcher this weekend! So with that being said, I figured I’d help you prepare for this summertime heat fest using a skin protection regimen with a twist… an edible one!

Did you know that eating tomatoes can aid your skin in blocking the suns dangerous rays?

That’s right!

Foods like tomatoes, peppers, and beets contain the antioxidant lycopene.  ”Along with increasing your skins collagen levels, lycopene also acts as a natural sun block.” says NYC nutritionist Brooke Alpert*

So the next time you’re out searching for sunscreen, stop by your nearest market to pick up a few tomatoes as well!

*Source: New Beauty Magazine