Why Having A Best Friend is Good for You

If you’re ever feeling under pressure, it might be an idea to see your best friend. Being in their presence can reduce stress levels – at least according to a study of children.

‘One of the interesting things about these findings is that it’s not just any friend – it’s the best friend,’ said Ryan Adams, the study’s lead author and an assistant professor of paediatrics at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre.

A hundred children aged ten to 12 were asked to fill out a diary five times a day for four school days, and rate how they felt about what they’d experienced in the past 20 minutes.

They were also asked whether they’d been alone or with parents, siblings, a best friend, a boy or girl friend, classmates, strangers, teachers or some other person.

And they had saliva samples take to measure for the stress hormone cortisol. Researchers found that the presence of a best friend, more than anyone else, buffered the physical effects of a negative experience, so the child produced less cortisol.

When no friend was around during stressful times, cortisol levels shot up. Although the study only looked at children, experts say its findings are likely to apply to adults too.

Dr Karen Majors, an education psychologist with Barking and Dagenham Community Educational Psychology Service, said: 'A child’s close friends can be problematic and lead them astray, but they can also be incredibly positive and supportive.

'Friendships serve really important purposes socially, emotionally and cognitively as well as being a playmate and companion. For example, previous research shows if you transfer school with friends you know, it bodes well for making new friends.'

Natural woman!

Embracing her curves is nothing new to Kate Winslet, but now the actress is taking an active stand against the pressure in Hollywood for women to undergo cosmetic surgery.

The 35-year-old actress told London's The Telegraph that she and fellow British Oscar-winners Emma Thompson and Rachel Weisz have formed what she describes as the "British Anti-Cosmetic Surgery League."

"I will never give in," she said. "It goes against my morals, the way that my parents brought me up and what I consider to be natural beauty."

While the women's resolve not to go under the knife is real, their league might be more of a way to speak out against ageism than an active organization.

"I am an actress, I don't want to freeze the expression of my face," Winslet said.

Thompson, 52, agreed. "I'm not fiddling about with myself," she exclaimed. "We're in this awful youth-driven thing now where everybody needs to look 30 at 60."

Newly-married Weisz, 41, said that people "who look too perfect don't look sexy or particularly beautiful."

Source @

L'Oreal ads of Julia Roberts banned for airbrushing

Retouched advertisements are certainly nothing new, but The British Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has been cracking down on companies they believe have been heavy handed with the airbrushing wand.

According to BBC News, Member of Parliament Jo Swinson has been lobbying against digitally altered images and she raised the red flag on two L'Oreal advertisements she claimed were "not representative of the results the products could achieve."

One ad features actress Julia Roberts for Lancome Teint Miracle foundation, while the other shows supermodel Christy Turlington for a Maybelline foundation called The Eraser.

As evidenced by the ads, the results of these products, both owned by parent company L'Oreal, are just a little too flawless.

Source @

Why Sleep is The Key to Success

It is one of our most basic functions, as important as the in and out of our breath. Our need for sleep is primal, yet the pace of life means it's often pushed to the periphery, sacrificed at the altar of work, friends, study and fun.

But now science is beginning to show that getting the right amount of sleep might be the key to making the rest of our lives run more smoothly.

Increasingly, research is indicating that the quality and quantity of our sleep affects every part of our lives, from success in work and school to our likelihood of developing problems such as obesity or mental illness.

Writing in the journal Frontiers in Neurology last year, American researchers highlighted the growing body of research confirming that students who have insomnia, inadequate sleep, daytime sleepiness, irregular sleep patterns or poor sleep quality do not perform as well in school as others.

Many sleep researchers now advocate the introduction of staggered start times for older high-school students - one of the most under-slept groups in society after shift workers.

But the most cutting edge of sleep research is beginning to show it seems also to be linked to mental illness.

Nicholas Glozier is at the forefront of such research in his work as a professor of psychiatry and sleep research at the Brain and Mind Research Institute at the University of Sydney.

Morning eye puffiness? Here's an easy trick

Expert says the most simple remedy for lightening dark circles and decreasing puffiness under the eyes—two of her patients' most common complaints—is splashing cold water on your face first thing in the morning, which shrinks the blood vessels and decreases eye puffiness.

However, more serious under-eye circles may call for more aggressive treatment. Dark circles can be caused by sun damage or from genetically driven pigmentation; bluish-hued circles can stem from vascular issues. Also, as we age, we lose the fat underneath our eyes, which causes a gaunt or tired appearance.

In-office treatment isn't always necessary, however. Expert says there are some very effective lightening creams available at drug stores. The key is in finding a topical cream that is made up of hydroquinone in 2% concentration. He says most people notice an improvement in the skin around their eyes in about two weeks.

Food Could Cause You Age Faster

Watch out what you eat! It turns out that the type of sandwich fixing you choose could cause you to age faster. And the bread stuffing that really sticks it to you? Processed meat. In a study, researchers found that people who ate the highest amount of processed meat -think salami, pressed ham, and bologna- showed the greatest signs of wear and tear in a key marker of cellular aging.

Telltale Telomeres

The people who ate the most processed meat had the shortest telomeres. Not a good thing, because telomeres are those tiny protective coverings on the ends of your DNA strands. The shorter they get, the older your body is on a cellular level -and the wider the door opens to problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. In the study, the telomeres of the processed-meat lovers showed about 3.4 extra years of aging compared with those who ate the least processed meat.

A Processing Problem

What's so bad about processed meats? The trouble is that they tend to be packed with a whole bunch of bad things like saturated fat, sodium, cholesterol, nitrates, and nitrites - all things believed to be linked to telomere-shortening inflammation.

Snake Serum - Skin Care

Smooth skin belongs to celebrities isn't some privilege we all can have. But Kate Moss willing to share her secret what make her skin glow, snake serum!

Kate Moss and her fellow celebrity’s friends have some special skin care that are made from snake serum, some ingredients that make skin so smooth, healthy and glow.

"This skin care doesn't have any side effect like botox. It also has immediate effect" This is what the manufacturer of the cream has said about their product, as quote by Female Artist.

Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham and Cheryl Col are just few celebrities to mention here that very satisfied with the result of this product. To use, just apply the cream once every two days.

Katie Holmes who just started to use Glamoxy Snake Serum, was able to hide some light wrinkles only 9 seconds after applying the cream.

Five Tips Prevent Memory Losses

Most of the time memory losses can be triggered by too many tasks at once (multitasking) or effect from menopause, but do not give up by accepting it as a natural thing. This article will explain to what you should do so memory losses can stay away from you longer than you expected:

Flossing every day. The formation of plaque on teeth is not good for our brain, and then the memory. According to Michael Roizen, MD, co-author YOU-The Owner's Manual: An Insider's Guide to the Body that Will Make You Healthier and Younger, plaques that form between the teeth can trigger an immune reaction that attacks the blood vessels, so blood vessels can not send nutrients to the brain. The solution? Do not forget flossing every day. Keep forgetting? Then keep your floss in your makeup case, it would be easily seen.

Multitasking at the gym. Just as body exercise that keep your body in good shape, so does exercising your brain, it will be in good shape too. Do both it will bring a double benefits. How to multitasking at the gym? Try to fill in a crossword puzzle while pedaling stationary bikes or listen to language lessons or iPod while running. Scientists say, train your body and mind at the same time can rejuvenate brain cells. Do not like multitasking? Fill out the crossword puzzle right after the exercise, when the brain is still really energetic.

Consume more fish. Omega-3 contained in fish such as salmon and fortified foods such yogurt for instance, is a super food for memory which is the DHA, a type of omega-3, effectively reducing inflammation and improving arterial nerve protective layer. Again, according to Roizen, will reduce memories losses due to age factor, reducing the risk of dementia, depression, and accelerate the intellect.

Sports. Increasing the heart rate 3 times a week for 20 minutes, even just walking, will increase the oxygen in the brain that helps the growth of new cells. According to Sam Wang, Ph.D., associate professor of neuroscience at Princeton University, aerobic exercise is as effective as the other brain training activities. You don’t even have to go to the gym. Studies show that physical activity of moderate to strong, even just once a week, proved to be able to help you maintain cognitive function up to 30%.

Use chopsticks. According to Maoshing Ni, PhD, author of Second Spring: Dr. Mao's Hundreds of Natural Secrets for Women to Revitalize and Regenerate at Any Age, studies show that engaging in activities that involve the fingertips will directly stimulate the brain. Activities with your fingertips, such as using chopsticks, spinning, or even twirling a pen or pencil between the fingers can also help the brain; all this fingertips activity helps blood circulation to brain. As we all aware good blood circulation will help remove waste products which prevent nutrients reaching the brain.

Anger management everyone can practice

One of the ways used to manage anger is a method of distraction. When the heart is controlled by anger, just do things that can confiscate your concentration, like writing letters or doing tasks that are not yet settled. You can also listen to music, washing cars, cleaning houses, visiting malls to shopping activity.

For those who are aggressive, they can get over the anger through sports, or something like boxing. Provide sandbags as a target and pretend it to be the object of your anger is one powerful alternative. Meanwhile, cleaning up your house will help your mind to organize things, and the side result is neatly place.

Perhaps at first, it will turn out to be a bit difficult, because your heart and mind are still controlled by anger. But, do keep exercise. Let your concentration torn between doing something and thinking about the anger. After quite some time, you will get used to it and be aware that anger is just something natural that does not need the act of yelling, screaming or punching.

But, if one day you're really angry, the first step to remember is to take a deep breath, and exhale slowly. Do it several times and always bear in mind that anger is always preceded by unconscious and ended with regret. So, if you want to be controlled by the consciousness, and do not want to experience regret, why should you angry?

8 Foods That Help You on Fat-fighting!

Fat-fighting is something we hear almost everyday, if you are dealing with fat fighting right now or just want to have a good and healthy life, it is strongly recommended always to have the following items added into your daily meal.

Almonds, yummy nuts that are high in alpha-linolenic acid, which can accelerate your metabolism of fats. In fact, dieters who ate 3 ounces of almonds daily slashed their weight and body-mass index by 18 percent, while those who skipped the nuts reduced both numbers less— just 11 percent—a study in the International Journal of Obesity revealed. Chomp almonds à la carte (limit yourself to 12 per serving to keep calories in check). Go nuts!

Berries are nature's candy! Turns out they're also your body's best friends. Strawberries, raspberries and other vitamin C–spiked fruit can supercharge your workout, helping you burn up to 30 percent more fat, research from Arizona State University at Mesa has found. If they're not in season, buy the little gems frozen in a bulk-sized bag so you'll always have them on hand to whip up a Berry Bliss Smoothie or Strawberry-Sunflower Pops, regardless of whether berries are in season.

Cinnamon Adding 1/4 teaspoon to your plate may prevent insulin spike—an uptick that tells your body to store fat. Sprinkle it on your morning cereal or coffee or on your yogurt in the A.M., or savor it in Apple-Cinnamon-Raisin Oatmeal.

Mustard, it's heaven on a soft pretzel, but mustard may also be a weight loss wonder. Turmeric, the spice that gives mustard its color, may slow the growth of fat tissues, a study in the journal Endocrinology finds. Use it on sandwiches instead of mayo, or sprinkle turmeric on cauliflower pre-roasting to give it a kick. Try it on tuna salad—I promise it adds zest.

Oranges, this citrus fruit, which contains fat-blasting compounds known as flavones, deserves to be your main squeeze. Women who ate the most flavones had a much lower increase in body fat over a 14-year period, a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition notes. Eat oranges sliced or swig fresh OJ (including pulp!) to get the best benefit from the fruit.

Soybeans, reason to toss a half cup on your salad? Soybeans are rich in choline, a compound that blocks the absorption of fat and breaks down fatty deposits. Oh, and they're addictively delish! But if breast cancer runs in your family, experts suggest you should talk to your doc before adding soy to your diet.

Sweet potatoes, the colorful spuds' high-fiber content means they keep your insulin steadier than their white sisters, which means less fat packed on your hips, research finds. Top a small baked tater with lowfat cottage cheese for a tempting side dish, or whip up Miso Soup With Sweet Potato Dumplings.

Swiss cheese, Calcium-rich foods reduce fat-producing enzymes and increase fat breakdown, and Swiss has more calcium than many of its cheesy peers. Choose the reduced-fat variety, such as Sargento. Slip it into your sandwich, put it on top of high-fiber crackers or use it for a healthier grilled cheese. Yum!

Electronic Stimulation of Muscles to Fight Wrinkles

When considering the methods available to fight the most troublesome signs of old age, wrinkles and saggy skin, we all know that they are quite limited: either Botox, which freezes the muscles of the face, or fillers that add more volume to the face, making it plumper. However, as of late, a third option has started gaining more ground: electronic stimulation of the facial muscles is supposed to fight wrinkles and other signs of aging, a piece in the Daily Mail reveals.

Electronic stimulation of the muscles is definitely not a new technology, as some of us have probably already used it on parts of our bodies that needed more toning, thanks to home products that work the abs, bums and thighs. However, it’s just now that it’s starting to be used for the face, after research has shown that, by working out the muscles, wrinkles and saggy skin appear later on and are less obvious than without the extra “exercise.”

“Latest research has shown that it’s loss of volume, as much as wrinkles and sagging skin, that contributes towards making us look old – hence the explosion in the number of women opting for plumping fillers. […] Experts believe working the facial muscles regularly can do just that. But while exercising muscles in the body is relatively straightforward, giving facial muscles a good workout is harder. This is where electronic stimulation, or electro-stim, comes in. Essentially, it involves running a micro-current to the facial muscles, which causes them to contract, firming the muscles and consequently making them bigger.” the Daily Mail writes.

Of course, this is a procedure that beauty salons all over the world have been using for years. Still, it’s just now that it’s becoming widely accessible, with home options being released, which means any woman (or man) in need of a good facial electro-stim can do so for a fraction of the cost – and hope that what some doctors say about plumpness and volume being the closest thing to the fountain of youth holds water. In the UK, for instance, Slendertone Face comes out next month at Harrods and women are so hyped about the product, that there is already a waiting list of more than 2,000 customers.

“For [£299] you get what looks like a pair of high-tech headphones and a rechargeable headset system with a hand-held controller. The idea is that the two pads, which transmit electrical current through the skin, sit on either side of the face, in front of the ear. At this point is a specific nerve that has branches to all of the major muscles of the face, treating the whole face in one go.” the Mail writes. Studies say this device, along with the many others like it, works wonders: to determine if this is actually true, all those interested have to get in line and brace themselves for a long waiting.


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Diet Myths Exposed

If you're so committed to losing weight that you refuse to eat a baked potato for fear of eating empty carbs, you might be missing out on important nutrients and backing your diet into a corner. Open your mind to the truth behind these diet and weight myths and learn how to enjoy some of your favorite foods again.

Myth 1: Potatoes and bread are fattening.
Actually: It's just the opposite. Starchy vegetables and bread (whole-grain bread, that is) are quality carbs needed to fuel every part of you, from your brain to your muscles. What gets you into trouble is how you eat them: Smear butter on a slice of whole-wheat bread or deep-fry potatoes and you can double, triple, or quadruple the calories.

Myth 2: Drinking a glass of water before a meal curbs appetite.
Actually: Yes and no. Water tames appetite if it's incorporated into food, such as soup, or a thick drink, like V8 100% Vegetable Juice. Apparently, when water is bound to food, digestion is slower, explains Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of 10 Habits That Mess Up a Woman's Diet.

That's why women in one study found chicken-rice soup more satisfying than chicken-rice casserole and a glass of water -- even though the soup had 27% fewer calories! One exception to this rule: It's easy to confuse hunger and thirst, so if you find yourself craving something -- but what? -- drink a big glass of water and wait a few minutes. You may find that's what your body really wanted.

Myth 3: Shellfish is high in cholesterol.
Actually: On the one hand, it's true: Just 3 ounces of shrimp delivers more than a third of your daily cholesterol. But there's a surprising flip side to this story: Shrimp is low in saturated fat -- the kind that becomes artery-clogging bad cholesterol -- and has a smidgen of heart-healthy omega-3s. In fact, University of Southern California researchers discovered that eating shellfish, such as shrimp, every week reduced heart attack risk by 59 percent!

Myth 4: The occasional burger and fries won't kill you.
Actually: It depends on your definition of "occasional." If occasional means every Friday night and then some, well, you may be pushing it. But if it means every few months, and you're fit, and you've got good numbers (i.e., weight, waist size, cholesterol, blood pressure), AND you're chowing down on vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and other nutritious fare most other days, hey, you'll live. But few of us are that perfect. If you do occasionally indulge, offset the effects of a fat fiesta with a brisk 90-minute walk afterward.

Green Tea Booster

Did you know that most of the free-radical fighters in green tea never make it to your bloodstream? But there's a solution.

To get a better grasp on the healthy catechins in your green tea, flavor your cup with a squeeze of citrus juice.

Green Tea Booster
Catechins -- the antioxidants in green tea famous for lowering your risk of chronic disease -- quickly lose their power in your intestine. In fact, as much as 80% of the catechins in green tea are never absorbed. The solution to boosting absorption, researchers recently found, is as simple as flavoring your tea with freshly squeezed and strained lemon, orange, lime, or grapefruit juice.

Taking Tea with C
The vitamin C in citrus may help with absorption by increasing the acidity in your small intestine. Other unidentified substances in the juice probably lend a hand, too. Researchers found a 50-50 mix had the greatest catechin-preserving effect, and lemon did it best, closely followed by orange, lime, and, in last place, grapefruit.

If you do take steps to boost the power of your green tea, you may even get a few added benefits.

* It may help you lose weight. At least one study shows green tea can stimulate moderate weight loss.
* It may help keep your knees young and strong catechins fight inflammation and arthritis.
* It can help your skin look great if used in conjunction with an antioxidant cream. Dab it on.
* It can help you stay sharp -- try 2 cups a day to see benefits.

Benefit: Getting the right amount of antioxidants through diet or supplements can make you 6 years younger.

Sexy Abs Without Crunches!

Even if you loathe crunches, you’ll love the following easy, no-equipment moves. Work a few of these moves into your exercise routine three times a week (easing them in minimizes soreness), and then after two weeks, do them all together in one session. Then don’t be surprised if you find yourself surfing the web for bikinis, preparing to reveal your sleek new abs surfside.

Plank pose
Balance on toes and forearms (or palms) for up to a minute, pulling belly button to spine and keeping back straight.

Standing bicycle
Stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, hands clasped behind head and elbows pointed out to sides. Straighten left leg as you lift right leg, knee bent, thigh parallel to floor. Keeping knee lifted and steady, twist torso toward right. Return to start. Repeat on other side for one rep. Do 10 reps.

Side winder
Stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, hands clasped behind head and elbows pointed out to sides. Lift right leg to side, knee bent, thigh parallel to floor. Keeping knee lifted, bend torso to right side, bringing elbow and knee toward each other. Do 10 reps; switch sides; repeat.

Seesaw
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, hands on hips. Lift right leg, knee bent, thigh parallel to floor with foot flexed. Straighten right leg, pressing heel toward floor, as you lean torso backward. Return to knee lift position and repeat five times. Switch sides and repeat.

Forward bend
Stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, arms overhead with palms facing in. Lift right leg, knee bent, thigh parallel to floor. Keeping knee lifted and arms raised, bring torso and knee toward each other as close as you can. Return to start; switch sides and repeat for one rep. Do 10 reps.

Top 5 Causes of Skin Aging

Let's count down the top five barriers between you and healthier, younger-looking skin:

5. The enemy: Lack of moisture. Dry skin isn't just uncomfortable - it's also a sign that your skin isn't holding on to enough water to allow its repair enzymes to work properly. That means that your skin is less able to naturally heal the inflammation caused by external attackers like the sun, excess sugar intake, and pollution.

The solution: Moisturize! Not all creams and lotions are created equal, though: Ideally, a moisturizer should not only temporarily hydrate, but also strengthen skin so that it can retain moisture more effectively. Check ingredient lists for ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids (stearic acid is the one you'll see most often) - those are the very lipids found naturally in your skin barrier, a layer of the epidermis that keeps moisture in and irritants out. Deliver those powerhouse moisturizers topically, and you'll bolster skin's ability to prevent further dryness.

4. The enemy: Pollution. The exhaust-belching cars and other pollutants in our modern environments are among the major causes of free radicals in the skin (the sun and cigarette smoke, which you'll read about below, also make the list of free-radical producers).

So just what is a free radical? In a nutshell, it's an oxygen molecule that has been stripped of one of its electrons ... meaning that it's on the hunt for replacement electrons. As a result of that hunt, free radicals attack vital skin components like collagen, resulting in skin aging.

The solution: Chances are, you can't take off for the less-polluted climate of a pristine desert island, but antioxidants can help mitigate the damage that pollution causes. Antioxidants calm free radicals by delivering the electrons they seek - and as a result, they also stave off free radicals' aging effects. Get them through your diet (through green tea, dark chocolate, and lots of fruits and veggies, particularly berries and pomegranates) or topically with skin-care ingredients like coenzyme Q10, green tea, coffeeberry, and idebenone.

3. The enemy: Genetics. Yes, to some extent each person's aging process is the unavoidable result of the genes they inherited.

The solution: Obviously there's not much to be done about this one. We are, however, looking into the genetic component of skin aging at the University of Miami Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute and hope to pinpoint the exact genes involved.

2. The enemy: Smoking. If you need another great reason to quit smoking, here's one: Smoking breaks down collagen, one of the most critical structural proteins in your skin. The result is premature aging in the form of lines, wrinkles, and loss of skin firmness. Smoking also decreases blood flow to the skin, which leaves the complexion sallow and less radiant, and allows damaging toxins to build up.

The solution: Talk to your doctor, research stop-smoking aids, or enlist the support of your friends... just do what it takes to quit smoking!

1. The enemy: The sun. The No. 1 saboteur of healthy, youthful skin is the ultraviolet light of the sun. UV rays induce skin-aging inflammation and generate free radicals, which make the sun the biggest threat to skin's collagen, not to mention the fact that UV exposure puts you at a dramatically increased risk for developing skin cancer.

UV light also worsens and causes hyperpigmentation (they don't call 'em sunspots for nothing!). I have found in my years of practice that dark spots and pigmentation irregularities age people as much as - if not more than - lines and wrinkles.

The solution: Protecting your skin from the sun requires a combination of avoidance and vigilant sunscreen-application. Try to stay out of the sun when it's strongest, at midday, and wear sunscreen every day, even if you're not planning a lot of outdoor time. Incidental sun exposure - on the way to lunch, as you walk to and from your car, while you're waiting for the bus - adds up.

'Don't Worry Be Happy': happiness is key to longer life

Keep humming "Don't Worry Be Happy". The 1980s New Age-inspired hit got it right. New research shows being happy can add several years to life.

"Happiness does not heal, but happiness protects against falling ill," says Ruut Veenhoven of Rotterdam's Erasmus University in a study to be published next month.

After reviewing 30 studies carried out worldwide over periods ranging from one to 60 years, the Dutch professor said the effects of happiness on longevity were "comparable to that of smoking or not".

That special flair for feeling good, he said, could lengthen life by between 7.5 and 10 years.

The finding brings a vital new piece to a puzzle currently being assembled by researchers worldwide on just what makes us happy -- and on the related question of why people blessed with material wealth in developed nations no longer seem satisfied with their lives.

Source @ Yahoo! News

Natural Based Skin Care

There are so many skin care and body treatment products you can buy over the net, but we need to have more awareness about the quality of the products since more and more harmful ingredients are found in skin care and body treatment products.

Purity Skin by Outside Health, this company has produced over 50 specialty skin care including treatments for face, hair care and spa products; they use aloe as the skin care base for their product, to name few of them are anti wrinkle cream, moisturizer, eye cream, dark circles eye cream, puffy eyes cream, alpha hydroxy and vitamin c renewal cream.

Aloe has been known for ages, widely used in the alternative medicine and skin care industry; as for skin care aloe is very popular for its skin-healing properties, stimulating the reproduction of skin cells and many other benefits but at the bottom line is to make your skin healthier and firmer.

Purity Skin focuses on natural based and organic based skin care products that bring you long term healthier skin. You will not find propylene glycol, parabens, and mineral oil ingredients which will cause negative side effect, but instead you will find aloe based concentrated creams, bio penetrating cream and Dead Sea ingredients, all these ingredients are safe for long term use.

Visit www.outsidehealth.net to learn more about Purity Skin products, check out their best selling natural anti wrinkle cream for face and eyes; most of the products are come with buy 1 get 1 free promotion. Get your natural aloe based products at Purity Skin!

4 Must-Have Beauty Supplements

Are you taking an inside-out approach to beauty? You know that nourishing your mind, body, and spirit enhances your natural glow; what's surprising is that scientists now say it's worth adding supplements to your diet, exercise, and skin routine.

"It's important to also feed the skin internally," says Leslie Baumann, MD, director of cosmetic dermatology at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami. "In addition to eating a healthy diet, certain supplements can provide a constant supply of essential nutrients." Here's the latest on which pills have been scientifically proven to help deliver firmer, more radiant skin and healthier nails.

For Strong, Pretty Nails
BIOTIN
Age-weakened nails may have met their match in this B vitamin. Several studies, including one published by dermatologist Richard K. Scher, MD, a professor of clinical dermatology at Columbia University, show that daily supplementation with 2.5 mg of biotin significantly improves nail strength—translating into firmer, harder nails that are less likely to crack or chip. (Another possible benefit that hasn't been studied: thicker hair, which a number of people have reported.) Experts don't know why megadoses of biotin help fortify fragile nails—the idea originated with veterinarians, who give it to horses to harden their hooves.

Although getting nutrients from your diet is most desirable, you'll probably need a supplement to notice a difference in your nails: Eggs and liver, two rich dietary sources, deliver a scant 25 and 27 mcg (or 100 times less than the studied amount), and many multis provide just 30 mcg.

Your Rx: Look for a supplement such as Appearex ($25 for a 12-week supply; appearex.com) that contains 2.5 mg of biotin. Because the vitamin is water-soluble, it won't build up in the body and cause side effects. To be safe, Scher recommends checking with your physician before taking biotin and discontinuing use if you haven't seen any improvement at all after 3 months.

To Help Prevent Aging
HELIOCARE
Nothing wears out skin like UV exposure, which is why applying sunscreen is the most important thing you can do to safeguard it. But bolstering skin's UV defenses with Heliocare—a potent antioxidant that mops up free radicals produced by the sun—is a good second step. Derived from a South American fern, the supplement has a huge dermatologist fan base: One loyal user, New Orleans dermatologist Mary Lupo, MD, a Prevention advisor, calls it "a slam dunk." "I'm positive it helps," she says. "On a recent trip to Cancún, my husband and I both used sunscreen and took Heliocare one day, and neither of us burned. The following day, we both used sunscreen, but only I took Heliocare—and he burned."

There's strong scientific support for the supplement's skin-protecting ability: It dramatically reduced the incidence of sunburn as well as damage to collagen and elastin, the fibers that keep skin smooth and firm, in two published Harvard Medical School studies. That's because Heliocare is particularly effective against the "aging" UVA rays that most sunscreens don't protect against completely.

Your Rx: Lupo recommends taking one capsule 30 minutes prior to sun exposure if you're prone to sunburn. If you plan to spend an extended period of time in the sun, take another capsule 3 hours from the first ($60 for 60 capsules; heliocare.com).

For Soft, Smooth Skin
OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
These supplements aren't just making headlines for preventing heart disease—dermatologists are recommending them to help heal dry skin and the rough, red, scaly patches of psoriasis and eczema. "Countless studies show that increasing the consumption of omega-3 oils improves these conditions," says Baumann. In one study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, volunteers with severe dermatitis taking high levels of omega-3s (6 g) saw a 30% decrease in symptoms. Psoriasis sufferers experienced similar results in other research.

It's easy to see why omega-3s are crucial to skin health: Besides being an integral part of the membranes that surround our skin cells, these essential fats—which must be obtained from diet or supplements because our bodies cannot make them—are a key component of the lubricating layer that keeps skin supple. They also aid in the production of hormones that improve skin texture and help combat the inflammatory damage wrought by free radicals—one of the causes of wrinkles and blotchiness. This is likely why sun-sensitive people may be significantly less prone to burning after omega-3 supplementation, according to one study.

Your Rx: Eating fish such as salmon, mackerel, and albacore tuna—good sources of omega-3s—twice a week and taking supplements are easy ways to increase your intake. For better skin, Baumann recommends taking 1,000 mg of omega-3 oils a day—about the same dosage recommended to keep your ticker in good shape. Try Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Purified Fish Oil ($27 for 120 soft gels; nordicnaturals.com) or Kirkland Signature Fish Oil ($9 for 400 soft gels; costco.com).

To Boost Firmness and Hydration
IMEDEEN PRIME RENEWAL
The idea that a biomarine-based complex can shore up aging skin may sound a little fishy, but the evidence is impressive, says Baumann. Postmenopausal women taking the supplement (which is recommended for those age 50 and up) saw significant improvement in skin firmness and smoothness in a 6-month study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition—and the results were seen on the face, décolletage, and hands. Likewise, in a similar 12-week study on women taking a sister supplement (Imedeen Time Perfection, suggested for women 35 to 50), skin's moisture content increased by 30%. Other changes include a visible reduction in fine lines, a fading of sunspots, and an overall brighter complexion.

The contents of the capsules—which contain a proprietary protein derived from a deep-sea fish and high concentrations of antioxidants such as vitamin C and lycopene—work in part by increasing production of collagen and elastin, as well as hyaluronic acid, the body's natural moisturizer, says Imedeen's Lars Lindmark, PhD.

Your Rx: Take the Imedeen supplement suggested for your age, advises Baumann, who uses Time Perfection herself and recommends it to patients. Although a 90-day supply of Prime Renewal ($245) is significantly more expensive than Time Perfection ($180; both at imedeen.us), it supplies twice the amount of the biomarine complex.

Source @ MSN