Royal Baby Rosacea Alert: Can the Future Monarch Escape the Windsor Couperose Skin Curse?

A glowing Duchess of Cambridge.

Princess Kate looks more radiant than usual. It's most likely due to the fact that she's expecting the arrival of her first child with Prince William in July. Buckingham Palace has yet to announce the gender of the baby, so royal oddsmakers continue to wager if the future monarch will be a king or a queen.

One could also speculate whether the new British bundle of joy will possess a genetic predisposition toward developing rosacea (pronounced roh-ZAY-sha). Prince William has a mild case of the chronic skin condition, which causes inflammation and redness in the cheeks, nose and forehead. So, although it appears he may spend too much time in the sun or blush easily, his ruddy complexion instead indicates a common symptom of the disorder.

Rosacea afflicts approximately 45 million people around the world--especially those of Northern European descent. Prince William inherited it from his father, Prince Charles, and mother, the late Princess Diana. Both have shown signs of flushed cheeks and an overall reddened appearance. Other famous sufferers include Wills' brother Prince Harry, former president Bill Clinton, Cameron Diaz, Clint Eastwood and comedian Ricky Gervais.

Researchers still don't know what causes rosacea. However, it may be triggered by sun exposure, exercise, alcohol consumption, hot weather, spicy foods and stress--all of which the new princess or prince will experience in good measure during his or her royal duties. 

No cure exists for rosacea, but mild cases of the condition can be controlled with the appropriate skin creams and serums. April marks National Rosacea Awareness Month, so we'd like to present the latest products formulated to help minimize symptoms in honor of the observance. 

Here's hoping the new heir to the throne will escape the royal rosacea curse. For more information, please feel free to contact the National Rosacea Society.

Photo by TheMatthewSlack
Prince William's flushed face often matches the red carpets where he makes appearances.

Photo by Dan Marsh
Although Prince William's father, Prince Charles, enjoys lots of outdoor activities, his ruddy complexion can most likely be attributed to a royal case of rosacea.

Women all over the world were red with envy when Princess Diana danced a duet with John Travolta in 1985, but her couperose skin condition caused her cheeks to look like they were blushing.

SHINE: Osmotics Cosmeceuticals Blue Copper 5 Molecular Repair Treatment. BEAUTY: Diminish redness, soothe irritation and stimulate the skin's natural repair process with copper peptide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins A, B5 and E. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no parabens.

SHINE: Pevonia Botanica Ligne Rose RS2 Concentrate and Ligne Rose RS2 Care Cream. BEAUTY: Green tea, chamomile and licorice extracts, safflower seed and hazel nut oils, and vitamin E strengthen capillaries, decongest your complexion and control blotchiness. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports the Beauty Bus Foundation.

SHINE: Sanitas Skincare Rosacea Serum. BEAUTY: Improve circulation and support blood vessel stability with vitamins A, C, E, D and K. BEACON: Free of parabens. Supports the Cinderella Foundation. 

SHINE: Sumbody Avocado Honey Soy Polishing Paste and Simple Solution Face Serum. BEAUTY: The paste gently cleanses and exfoliates the skin to soothe and calm redness, while the serum utilizes jojoba, carrot and tamanu oils to minimize inflammation. BEACON: Contains no parabens, animal oils, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates or artificial preservatives. 


A royal flush of faces.

Celebrate Spring Spa Week with an At-Home Facial that Utilizes Brightening & Tightening Formulations

It's one of those good news, bad news days. The bad news: Today marks the IRS deadline to file your taxes. The good news: Spa Week starts, so seize the day and soothe your soul--after you file your taxes, of course. 

Spas across the country now offer massages, scrubs and facials at a discounted rate of $50 until April 21. This means you can spend the day sampling various services at a participating facility or stretch out your favorite treatments throughout the entire week. Either way, it's the perfect opportunity to relax and rejuvenate in a tranquil setting at a significantly reduced rate.

Still, you may not have the ability to work a Spa Week treatment into your busy schedule. If this is the case, consider an at-home facial. It allows you to enjoy some much needed me time while also addressing concerns such as dull, dehydrated or sagging skin. The formulations below serve to brighten and tighten your complexion for a more youthful and radiant look. They contain results-oriented ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, peptides and anti-aging antioxidants, which restore and revitalize your skin.

Feel free to play some soothing music and light up a couple of candles. Spa Week awaits in the privacy of your own home.

BRIGHTEN

SHINE: Apothederm Bright Skin Serum. BEAUTY: Enhance skin's natural radiance with malic and mandelic acids, peptides and hyaluronic acid. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, phthalates, fragrances and formaldehyde-releasing ingredients.

SHINE: L'Occitane Immortelle Brightening Face Mist. BEAUTY: Daisy flower extract, castor oil and vitamin E help refresh and illuminate skin, and keep makeup in place. BEACON: The L’Occitane Foundation supports women’s entrepreneurship and visual impairment fields of action.

SHINE: Naturopathica Sweet Cherry Brightening Enzyme Peel. BEAUTY: Promote a smooth and bright complexion with sweet cherry seed oil, salicylic and lactic acids, and pomegranate extract. BEACON: Contains no sulfate detergents, PEGs, DEA, TEA, parabens, glycols and urea. Supports the American Botanical Council and The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

SHINE: Pevonia Botanica Ligne Tropicale De-Aging Mist (Mango-Passion Fruit). BEAUTY: Hyaluronic acid, aloe vera leaf gel and pomegranate extract awaken skin with a refreshing boost of hydration. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports the Beauty Bus Foundation.

SHINE: LATHER 10-Minute Brightening Mask with Glycolic Acid. BEAUTY: Lactic and kojic acids and vitamins B3 and C improve the texture and tone of dull and dehydrated skin, and reduce hyperpigmentation. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of sulfates and parabens. 

TIGHTEN

SHINE: Dermalogica Skin Renewal Booster. BEAUTY: Smooth and soften the skin's surface with aloe vera leaf juice, lactic acid and lavender extract. BEACON: Contains no artificial fragrances or colorants. Championed joinFITE (Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship). The Dermalogica Foundation also supports Skincare for Kids in Need.

SHINE: IT Cosmetics No. 50 Serum Collagen Veil Anti-Aging Primer. BEAUTY: This two-in-one serum/primer utilizes more than 50 ingredients, including grape, pomegranate and jojoba seed oils, peptides and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture, and reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens and fragrances.

SHINE: Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer. BEAUTY: Apple and grape buds, lemon bark, shea butter and aloe vera leaf juice improve elasticity and encourage new cell growth. BEACON: USDA Organic certified. Free of parabens, petroleum, propylene and butylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfates, pesticides, phthalates, artificial dyes and synthetic fragrances.

SHINE: Kate Somerville Quench Hydrating Face Serum and DermalQuench Liquid Lift. BEAUTY: The serum utilizes hyaluronic acid, and vitamins C and E, to help increase firmness and elasticity, while the lift contains hyaluronic acid, vitamins A, C and E, and lavender oil to combat sagging skin and dryness. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: LashEm Picture Perfect Instant Wrinkle Reducer. BEAUTY: Boost cellular regeneration, and fill in fine lines and wrinkles with aloe vera leaf extract and vitamin E. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, fragrances and prostaglandins. 

SHINE: Luzern Laboratories Force De Vie Pure Oxygen Lotion. BEAUTY: Aloe vera leaf juice, algae extract and hyaluronic acid maximize suppleness and minimize signs of aging. BEACON: Contains no parabens, petrochemicals, formaldehyde, synthetic preservatives, colorants and fragrances.

SHINE: ProBios Laboratories Transderma C Vitamin C Serum and Transderma M Moisturizing Serum. BEAUTY: Transderma C contains vitamin C to enhance luminosity and firmness, while Transderma M utilizes olive fruit oil and vitamin E to repair and renew the skin. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of preservatives, fragrances, oil and alcohol. 

Eye Candy: Diminish Dark Circles, Crow's Feet & Puffiness with Healing & Hydrating Treatments

Photo by Esra

Eye creams hold a special place in my heart. First of all, what's not to like? These multitasking miracle workers not only moisturize, mend and minimize fine lines and wrinkles, but they also combat crow's feet, crepiness of the upper eyelid, dark circles and puffiness.

Second, they feel good. Cooling and calming creams provide a rejuvenating rush of refreshment. They're also formulated to smooth and soften without any sticky residue.

Finally, a little dab will do you. You don't need several layers of product to experience the benefits of these luxurious lotions. In fact, most manufacturers recommend using your ring finger to apply a pea-size amount to the eye contour and above the crease of the lid twice each day (morning and evening).

April marks Women's Eye Health and Safety Month. In honor of this special occasion, we'd like to remind you to schedule your annual eye exam. Plus, take a look-see at our fave gels, creams, serums and treatments. They're designed to help you transform your overworked orbs into pretty peepers. 

Beauty is now in the eyes of the beholder!

SHINE: Apothederm Hydrating Eye Cream. BEAUTY: Calm, soothe and nourish tired eyes with vitamin E, peptides and shea butter. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, phthalates and fragrances. 

SHINE: Éminence Organic Skin Care Lavender Age Corrective Night Eye Cream. BEAUTY: Shea butter, marigold oil, lactic acid and vitamin E restore radiance and diminish the appearance of crow's feet. BEACON: No animal testing. Company plants one tree for each product sold.

SHINE: Clarisonic Opal Sonic Skin Infusion System with Anti-Aging Sea Serum. BEAUTY: Gentle micro-massage technology helps the eye serum, which contains a blend of hyaluronic acid and marine extracts, reach beneath the skin's surface to refresh and revitalize the delicate orbital area. BEACON: No animal testing. Paraben free.

SHINE: Fleur's Eye Contour Expert. BEAUTY: Gold peptides, edelweiss stem cells, shea butter and passion flower oil help stimulate cellular renewal and step up suppleness. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of fragrances, dyes, sulfates, petrolatum, alcohol, mineral oil and parabens.

SHINE: LATHER Licorice Root Eye Treatment. BEAUTY: Anti-inflammatory extracts, such as licorice root, and hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and avocado seed extract, reduce puffiness and ease fine lines and wrinkles. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of sulfates or parabens. 

SHINE: LashEm 3 in 1 Eye Bright. BEAUTY: Tighten and brighten lackluster skin around the eyes with a variety of peptides. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, fragrances and prostaglandins. 

SHINE: Mineral Fusion Revitalizing Eye Treatment. BEAUTY: Aloe vera leaf juice, hyaluronic acid and peptides maximize new cell production and minimize dark circles. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of gluten, parabens, SLS, phthalates, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances. Supports the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 

SHINE: MoonEssence Contour Eye Gel. BEAUTY: Relieve puffiness and dryness around the eyes with aloe vera leaf juice, cucumber fruit extract, cranberry seed oil and hyaluronic acid. BEACON: Vegan, and free of parabens, mineral oils, petroleum and sodium lauryl sulphate. Supports the Carousel Fund.

SHINE: Murad Renewing Eye Cream. BEAUTY: Mango seed butter, wild yam root extract and peptides repair under-eye damage and restore radiance. BEACON: No animal testing. 

SHINE: Pevonia Botanica Ligne Veux C Evolutive Eye Gel and Evolutive Eye Cream. BEAUTY: Soften and smooth skin's texture, and firm and fortify the eye contour, with hyaluronic acid, hazel and carrot seed oils, and vitamins A and E. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports the Beauty Bus Foundation.

SHINE: Prana SpaCeuticals ReVital Eyes. BEAUTY: Energize exhausted eyes and increase suppleness with reishi mushroom extract, seabuckthorn oil and hyaluronic acid. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens and SLS.

SHINE: Sanitas PeptiDerm Eye Treatment. BEAUTY: Red algae provides anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce puffiness, while peptides and hyaluronic acid soften skin and reduce the effects of aging. BEACON: Paraben free.

Mineral Makeup Must Haves: Create a Flawless Complexion Using Pure Ingredients from the Earth

Mica in rock formation. 

Earth Month has arrived. It gives us the chance to re-evaluate the way we recycle, reuse and reduce waste, and to rethink how we utilize our resources.

In the beauty industry, mineral makeup foundations, concealers, blushes and shadows contain mica, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These finely ground natural minerals appeal to a variety of skin types, including acne and rosacea sufferers, due to the pureness of their properties. 

Mica can be found in a variety of rock formations. It possesses the ability to retain a sheen and glimmer in direct light, so it enhances luminosity and color when used in cosmetics products. 

Zinc oxide protects against sunburn. Due to its ability to sit on the skin's surface without being absorbed, it blocks the rays of ultraviolet light when used in sunscreens. It also contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, so it's considered nonirritating, nonallergenic and noncomedogenic. 

Titanium dioxide has a high refraction capacity. Therefore, it's often utilized in cosmetics products to reflect light away from the skin. Similar to zinc oxide, it's added to sunscreens to block ultraviolet rays since it doesn't absorb into the dermal surface.

To make mineral makeup more moisturizing for the skin, formulations often blend in a variety of hydrating ingredients. They include sea kelp, jojoba seed and avocado oils, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and aloe vera leaf juice. In honor of Earth Month, we've assembled the latest, greatest foundations and concealers designed to give you a luminous, flawless complexion. 

Let the celebration begin!

SHINE: Beauty Without Cruelty Ultimate Natural Liquid Foundation (Light, Beige and Medium) and Super Cover Cream Concealer (Fair and Medium). BEAUTY: Balances and nourishes skin with titanium dioxide, iron oxides, jojoba seed and avocado oils, and vitamin E. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of parabens, SLS/SLES and synthetic fragrances.

SHINE: Emani Hydrating Liquid Mineral Foundation (Natural Beige). BEAUTY: Apricot kernel oil, mica, hyaluronic acid and jojoba seed oil maximize coverage and moisture. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Contains no parabens, synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals, FD&C dyes, glutens or talc.

SHINE: IT Cosmetics IT-O2 Ultra Repair Liquid Oxygen Foundation (Light). BEAUTY: Create a flawless finish, and smooth and soften skin with peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins A, C and E. BEACON: No animal testing. Paraben and fragrance free. Supports Look Good...Feel Better.

SHINE: Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream (Warm Glow). BEAUTY: Zinc oxide, coconut oil, aloe vera leaf juice, and apple and grape buds help color correct your complexion and minimize fine lines and wrinkles. BEACON: USDA Organic certified. Free of parabens, petroleum, propylene and butylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfates, pesticides, phthalates, artificial dyes and synthetic fragrances.

SHINE: (Clockwise) Mineral Fusion Sheer Tint Foundation (Olive), Concealer Duo (Deep), Loose Powder Foundation (Warm 2) and Pressed Powder Foundation (Neutral 1). BEAUTY: Even skin tone, and smooth the appearance of fine lines with pomegranate extract, red and white tea leaf extracts, sea kelp, mica, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of gluten, parabens, SLS, phthalates, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances. Supports the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

SHINE: Scott-Vincent Borba Anti-Fatigue 8 Hour Mineral Foundation: Anti-Wrinkle Treatment Duo with Broad Spectrum SPF 29 (Medium) and Anti-Fatigue Foundation/Contour Perfecting Brush. BEAUTY: Mica, diamond powder, jojoba seed oil and hyaluronic acid revitalize and restore tired skin. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

SHINE: Sumbody Olive Forever Medium Foundation and Under-Eye Concealer. BEAUTY: Create a natural finish and increase moisture retention with zinc oxide, pearl and silk powders, and silica microspheres. BEACON: Contains no parabens, animal oils, sulfates, artificial preservatives or synthetic chemicals. 

SHINE: Tarte Cosmetics BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer SPF 30 (Light, Medium and Tan). BEAUTY: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, mica and diamond powder minimize pores and skin imperfections, and maximize radiance. BEACON: Cruelty free and vegan. Formulated without parabens, mineral oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates and synthetic fragrances. Supports the Sustainable Amazon Partnership.

SHINE: Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Mineral Radiance Creme Powder Foundation (Tawnee). BEAUTY: Soothe redness and step up suppleness with peptides, algae extract and vitamin E. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no alcohol, artificial fragrances and dyes, parabens, petroleum, mineral oil or talc.