• Shea Butter – rich in fatty acids and vitamins like A, E and F; but, because it’s very thick, it’s better to use on the body and NOT the face.
• Lanolin Oil – prone to aggravating acne.
• Mineral Oil – creates a film on the skin which can trick your skin into thinking it’s actually hydrated. It’s also thick and clogs pores which may lead to breakouts.

Here are a few brands without these ingredients!

• Kiehl’s - Ultra Facial Moisturizer Moisturizer SPF 15
• Anthony Logistics – Oil Free Facial Lotion & w/SPF 15
• Lab Series – Instant Moisture Gel
• Jack Black – Double Duty Face moisturizer SPF 20
• Molton Brown – Ultra light Bai Ji Hydrator
• Dermalogica - Active Moist

*Source: New Beauty Magazine

I stumbled upon this article

Have a read!

Not knowing when to reapply sunblock is one of the main reasons so many of us are at risk of getting skin cancer. To help you remember, UVSunSense has developed a wristband to which you apply lotion at the same time as you slather it on yourself.  When the band fades from bright purple to lavender, it’s time to reapply. You’ll know you’ve had enough sun for the day when the band turns pale yellow.

For only $7, find it here!

*Article taken from Men’s Journal Magazine – August 2010.

Here’s the list!

• Night Shift? – Burberry Sport for Men. The citrus aroma boost beta waves in your brain, making you more alert.
• Long hours? – Nautica Pure. Want to relive your last vacation? The sea-spray fragrance with driftwood notes, helps to conjure the emotions you felt the last time you were enjoying one.
• Taking work home? – Diesel (Only the Brave -Iron Man Edition). The formula has notes of lavender, traditionally used to relieve insomnia.
• Work in retail? – Calvin Klein Eternity Aqua. The hints of cedarwood in this scent produce calming effects, so you can pretend that you’re cheerful, even when you’re not!
• Number cruncher? - Bond #9 (Andy Warhol Montauk). Has a beefed up fragrance compliments of the red oak scent, but the real plus is the plant oil Muguet (lily of the valley), which boasts improvement in your attention to detail.

But what about the guys that aren’t so lucky?

As I’ve stated in other posts, (see post: Going bald? Take it off!) you can embrace it by introducing your scalp to a new razor or the “zero” setting on a pair of clippers. If you aren’t ready for that, a different haircut may be in order. The medical route is also always an option, hair restoration surgery, Propecia, Minoxidil, Avacor… Rogaine.  All of these choices have happy customers, but they can also have uncomfortable side effects.

So, before you consider any of the above choices, why not ask your doctor about a new hair growth procedure that is gaining popularity - Low-level laser light therapy. It’s a non-surgical procedure designed to stimulate hair growth with multiple treatments. Patients report signs of hair growth after four to six months of treatments.

Hey what have you got to lose?  Ouch!…  Sorry!

Have you ever noticed

Sure, I know that there are edible vitamin D sources, like eggs, milk and cheese, but the sun offers a special kind of vitamin D provided by its ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays… vitamin D3.  And,  just as little as 10 minutes of exposure is thought to be enough to prevent deficiencies in your body!

Benefit:

The major biologic function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Recently, research also suggests vitamin D may provide protection from osteoporosis, hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer, and several autoimmune diseases.

So go ahead and take that break, and make sure to tell ‘em it’s the doctor’s orders!

*Source: Mayoclinic.com

Does that equation make any sense?

You see, during the summer months the human body has to work faster and harder to help the body cool down. This leads to faster cell division due to more efficient blood circulation throughout the body, which, among other things, causes hair to grow about 10% faster.

So if you’re starting to notice your barber smiling more, or your razor blades finishing faster… Now you know why!

*Source: eHow.com

Why? Because, green tea drinkers appear to have lower risk for a wide range of diseases, from simple bacterial or viral infections to chronic degenerative conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, periodontal disease, and osteoporosis.

Reason? Green tea is the least processed of the 3 types of teas (green, black and oolong) and thus provides the most antioxidant poly-phenols, which is believed to be responsible for most of the health benefits linked to it.

And to top it all off… there are skin benefits as well!

Here are two!

Reduces Inflammation – green tea also has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. If your skin is very sensitive and often red, products containing green tea extract can be used to help soothe the area.

Fights acne – the compounds in green tea are anti-bacterial and can decrease hormone activity.  This means green tea is an effective way to control acne, without the unpleasant side effects of benzoyl peroxide based creams.

Sources: healthmad.com, amazing-green-tea.com, WHfoods.com

And, before we know it, we’ll be shedding our clothes to show off the results of all the hard prep-work we’ve been putting in the gym. With that being said, I figured I’d help you prepare for your summertime skin protection regimen by offering you an additonal tool…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 (Spring – Summer, 2010)

What is the hot style for suits right now? And what ties / shirts look best-skinny ties, bow tie, etc. ?–

This is a timeless question, but the answer always remains… “it depends”! Just like a hair style or hair cut, you should go with what you like and what makes you feel good.  However, there are some international trends and styles that are “hot” or more popular for the time. For suits, the 3 button is the classic business style; however, the 2 button suit is now a bit more stylish in business, allowing for more of the tie and dress shirt to be seen when the jacket is closed.

Ties: Skinny ties and bow-ties are all personal preference, but a great tip is to match the colors with the seasons, for example: Spring – yellow, pink, pastel colors, and Fall –  brown, tan, mustard, etc.

Shirts: Find a brand that fits your body type and stick with it. Also, although wearing colors that match the seasons is not required, it is a plus.

For more style questions…  “Life… And Style” by Michael Ferrera

Free-Radicals – also known simply as radicals, are organic molecules responsible for aging, tissue damage, and possibly some diseases.

Free-Radicals are created by environmental pollution, cigarette smoking, and poisons like cleaners and herbicides. Preliminarily, low concentrations of free radicals have been associated with a reduced risk for heart disease and stroke, but more studies are needed to understand their relationship.*

So without a full-on chemistry lesson… what do we do?

Studies have shown that antioxidants such as Vitamins A, C & E will slow the process of aging by preventing free-radicals from oxidizing sensitive biological molecules.

Perhaps the best free-radical avenger of all vitamins (internally and topically) is Vitamin C.  Here are a few suggestions!

• Vitamin C + Pomegranate Vitamins by Slice of Life
• Vitamin C Serum by Anthony Logistics
• Vitacrystal Liquefaction C by Envie De Neuf

*Source: Wisegeek.com