Daylight Saving Time: Spring Forward to Protect Your Skin Against Overexposure to the Sun

Did you oversleep this week? Are you having trouble keeping an alert state of mind? 

No doubt about it. Daylight Saving Time (DST), which began last weekend, can make you feel out of sorts--especially if you're not sure to what to do. Take Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, who gained international fame last year after admitting to smoking crack cocaine and media reports of public intoxication. He wrongly advised his 130,000 Twitter followers to "turn your clocks back." The guru of gaffes soon deleted the tweet without explanation and then posted a correct one stating, "Daylight saving time starts this evening, turn your clocks forward and change batteries in smoke alarms."

DST disaster: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford

DST gives evenings one more hour of sunlight, while mornings now have one hour less. It begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November--except in Hawaii and Arizona, which observe standard time year-round. And, if you can remember the phrase "spring forward, fall back," you'll have no problem resetting your clocks to the proper time.

The seasonal adjustment serves as a reminder to address important safety concerns. While fire departments and politicians such as Ford prompt people to change the batteries in their smoke alarms, it's also a good time of the year to reassess your sunscreen needs. Do you require a higher formulation of sun protection factor (SPF)? Should you carry a tube or container around in your purse, so you don't forget to use it? Do you need to use it more than once each day?

Overexposure to the sun can cause uneven pigmentation, dark spots and premature aging. Now that we have more waking hours of daylight, skincare products containing SPF need to be top of mind--which should happen during any season. So take a look-see at the latest creams, sticks and balms. They will help you avoid any DST disasters, and your skin will glow as bright as the spring season.

Change smoke alarm batteries. Check! Rotate throw pillows. Done! Wear sunscreen. Always!

SHINE: 100% Pure Everywhere Sun Stick SPF 30. BEAUTY: Cloak your skin in broad spectrum UVA/UVA protection and keep your pores unclogged with titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, vitamin E, and sunflower and castor seed oils. BEACON: Vegan, and gluten and cruelty free. Also contains no detergents, synthetic chemicals, or artificial fragrances or colors.

SHINE: Alba Botanica Even Advanced CC Cream Tinted Mineral Perfector SPF 15 (Fair to Light). BEAUTY: Algae extract, aloe vera leaf juice, shea butter and titanium dioxide not only shield your skin from the harmful effects of the sun, but they also aid in giving it a smooth, even and airbrushed look. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances and artificial colors. Supports Furry Friends Rescue and Farm Sanctuary.

SHINE: Coola Organic Suncare Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 (Unscented Matte Tint), Body Classic Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 30 (Plumeria) and Face Classic Sunscreen SPF 30 (Cucumber). BEAUTY: Promote elasticity, while also protecting and pampering your skin, with avobenzone, titanium dioxide, cucumber fruit extract and linseed seed oil. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of paba, parabens, petroleum and phthalates. Supports Save Our Seas.

SHINE: Éminence Organic Skin Care Red Currant Protective Moisturizer SPF 30. BEAUTY: Red currant extract, zinc oxide, elderflower tea and vitamin E prevent sunburn and early skin aging. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. The company plants one tree for each product sold through its Forests For the Future program.

SHINE: LATHER Citrus Lip Balm SPF 15 and Unscented Lip Balm SPF 15. BEAUTY: Hydrate and heal chapped lips with avobenzone, vitamin E, sunflower and hemp seed oils, and aloe vera extract. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of sulfates and parabens. 

SHINE: Refineé Daily Defense Cream SPF 30. BEAUTY: Titanium dioxide, aloe vera leaf juice powder and vitamin E help nourish your skin and prevent sun damage. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no parabens.

SHINE: Yonka Paris Solar Care Sunscreen Cream SPF 50. BEAUTY: Minimize overexposure to the sun, while you deeply moisturize your face and sensitive areas of your body with oxybenzone, apricot kernel oil, vitamins B5 and E, and green tea, white tea and rooibos leaf extracts. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no parabens.

National Sleep Awareness Week: Prevent Premature Aging with Proper Rest & Nighttime Skin Treatments

Slumber party: Sweet deep sleep.

Time to get your beauty rest. It's National Sleep Awareness Week!

Most of us don't get a good night's sleep. However, proper rest not only improves your health and quality of life, it may also significantly increase your longevity. In fact, researchers say that seven to eight hours of Zzzs each night help boost your memory, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and keep your emotional well-being in check.

On the other hand, lack of sleep can wreak havoc on your body and complexion. If your skin doesn't get a chance to renew and repair itself during the night, it can result in sagging, puffy eyes, dark circles and premature aging. Plus, the way you position yourself in bed can cause problems, so avoid sleeping on your side or stomach. It may result in facial creasing, fine lines and wrinkling. Instead, rest on your back and stay in this position throughout the night.

If you need to step up your slumber strategy, the National Sleep Foundation suggests the following tips: 

 • Avoid napping during the day.

 • Prior to bedtime, steer clear of caffeine, chocolate, nicotine and alcohol.

 • Participate in regular exercise.

 • Establish a relaxing bedtime routine, such as sipping a cup of herbal tea or listening to soothing music. 

 • Keep your sleep environment comfortable, quiet and cool (between 60 and 67 degrees).

You also want to maintain proper skincare practices as much at night as you do in the morning. This means you need to remove your makeup and cleanse your face prior to bedtime to keep your pores unclogged. Plus, apply a nourishing night cream that will help hydrate and heal your skin while you sleep without irritating it. 

The following moisturizers will turn you into a sleeping beauty in no time. Sweet dreams!

SHINE: B-Leve B-Restful Rejuvenating Night Cream. BEAUTY: Deeply moisturize and mend damaged skin cells with safflower and castor oils, grape stem cell extract and peptides. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Night Cream. BEAUTY: Replenish essential skin nutrients and restore radiance with yerba mate tea leaf, and inca inchi, olive and castor oils. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of sulfates, parabens, petrolatum, dyes and phthalates. Supports The Nature Conservancy and Forest Stewardship Council.

SHINE: Skin Authority Night Revitalizer. BEAUTY: Brighten dull skin and tighten fine lines with sunflower seed oil, glycolic acid, aloe vera leaf juice and algae extract. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, dyes and added fragrances. Supports Look Good...Feel Better.

SHINE: Veria Innerdosha Ideal Night Moisturizer. BEAUTY: Sunflower seed oil, shea fruit butter, hyaluronic acid and peptides help restart collagen production and smooth fine lines while you sleep. BEACON: Vegan and cruelty free. Contains no parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, sulfates, artificial colors or GMOs.

SHINE: Vie Collection Night Peel Progressive Resurfacing Cream. BEAUTY: Gently exfoliate your skin to leave it more luminous with vitamin E, and algae and shea butter extracts. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens.

November Celebrity Birthdays: Transformational Treatments that Help Turn Back the Hands of Time

Photo (c) SpreePiX-R.Imre
Rachel McAdams stars in About Time.

What would you change if you could go back in time? Rachel McAdams' latest romantic comedy, About Time, explores this age-old question. It tells the tale of a young man, portrayed by Domhnall Gleeson, who has inherited his father's ability to time travel. He then uses this gift to visit the past to correct a few mistakes that he's made with the love of his life, played by McAdams.

The notion of going back in time to change the course of history presents a fascinating concept--especially when it comes to dealing with the aging process. Fortunately, women over 35 don't need a time capsule to help shave off a few years from their appearance. Today's formulations contain ingredients that plump, protect and pamper skin to minimize signs of creasing, crinkling and creping skin.

McAdams turns 35 this month. In honor of her new movie, which opens today, and other actresses aged 35 and over who celebrate birthdays this month, we've assembled the latest anti-aging moisturizers, serums, peels, eye treatments and cleansers. They're designed to create a dewy, youthful glow. 

Truly transformational--and no time travel required!

November 1: Jenny McCarthy turns 41.

Photo by Manfred Werner

November 6: Rebecca Romijn turns 41.

Photo by Andrew Bishkinsky

November 17: Rachel McAdams turns 35.

November 24: Katherine Heigl turns 35.

Photo by Stefanie Keenan

November 25: Christina Applegate turns 42.

SHINE: Beauty Without Cruelty Facial Cleanser 3% AHA Complex. BEAUTY: Alpha hydroxy acids, aloe vera leaf juice and sweet orange oil help cleanse, condition and calm the skin to remove dead surface skin cells and impurities. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of parabens and synthetic fragrances.

SHINE: CellCeuticals InterActive Moisture Serum2. BEAUTY: Hydrate and heal your skin with peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and green tea leaf extract. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Contains no artificial colorants or fragrances, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates or parabens.

SHINE: Coola Face Mineral Sunscreen Unscented Matte Tint SPF 30. BEAUTY: Retain moisture and protect your skin with titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, shea butter and cucumber fruit extract. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of paba, parabens, petroleum and phthalates. Supports Save Our Seas.

SHINE: Gingi Refreshing Toning Water, Deep Comforting Cleanser and Make-Up Removal Clarifying Cleanser, which represents the cleansing component of the Gingi Oscar Official Presenter's Gift Box. BEAUTY: Aloe vera gel and vitamin E help maintain a proper pH balance for your skin, stimulate circulation and promote a supple complexion. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Hydroxatone Hydrolyze Instant Under Eye Illuminator. BEAUTY: Refresh and rejuvenate the look of your eyes by diminishing the appearance of dark circles, and minimizing sagging skin and wrinkles with hyaluronic acid, peptides and vitamin E. BEACON: Contains no parabens.

SHINE: L'Occitane Sublime Essence. BEAUTY: Salicylic acid, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid reduce redness and tighten pores to help create radiant skin.  BEACON: Contains no parabens. The L’Occitane Foundation supports women’s entrepreneurship and visual impairment fields of action.

SHINE: M-61 Power Glow Peel (10 Treatments). BEAUTY: Delivers deep exfoliation to enhance your skin's tone, texture and clarity with glycolic and salicylic acids, vitamin K, witch hazel and bilberry extract. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances and dyes. Supports Action Against Hunger.

SHINE: Maijan Moroccan Organic Argan Oil Healing Treatment for Hair, Skin and Face. BEAUTY: Argan oil and vitamin E revitalize and restore dry hair, skin, nails and scalp. BEACON: Free of alcohol, parabens and sulfates. Vegan and no animal testing.

SHINE: ProBios Laboratories Transderma M Moisturizing Serum. BEAUTY: Smooth and soften your skin by maximizing its moisture-retention ability with ceramides and vitamin E. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of preservatives, fragrances, oil and alcohol. 

SHINE: Refineé Anti-Aging Eye Treatment and Micro Derma-Peel. BEAUTY: Aloe vera and green tea extracts, and vitamins A, C and E help stimulate the skin's renewal process to firm its tone and maintain its suppleness. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Weleda Pomegranate Firming Serum and Pomegranate Firming Day Cream. BEAUTY: Improve elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with aloe vera leaf juice, and jojoba, pomegranate and macadamia nut seed oils. BEACON: Contains no synthetic fragrances, colorants, preservatives or raw materials derived from mineral oils. Supports Conservation International.

2013 Spa Week: Unmasking the Latest Treatments that Combat Common Skincare Concerns

Mask mania begins! Not only do they reach their full appeal during Halloween party season, but they gain even more popularity when fall Spa Week arrives. 

Starting today, hundreds of spas across the country offer discounted services for the entire week. Participating facilities reduce the price of two to three full-service treatments, such as facials, massages and scrubs, to $50 each. The promotion ends on Sunday, October 20. 

Spa Week also allows guests to address specific skincare concerns. If you've got dry or aging dermal issues, for example, a hydrating and healing facial that utilizes lots of vitamins and natural oils would work best for you. For oily or acne-prone skin, look for treatments that purge toxins while still regenerating new cells. In other words, they should say buh-bye to blemishes without causing excessive dryness or peeling. 

Check out the latest ingredients that help treat common conditions:

Acne--Salicylic acid, zinc oxide, alpha-hydroxy acid, benzyl peroxide, glycolic acid, aloe vera, green tea extract and licorice root.

Dry/aging skin--Shea butter, vitamins A, C and E, and avocado, coconut and sunflower oils. 

Sensitive skin--Oatmeal, cucumber extract, almond and jojoba oils, and chamomile.

Millions of Americans struggle with skincare problems on a daily basis. So, in honor of Spa Week, we've assembled the latest products designed to treat acne-prone, sensitive and dry/aging skin. We've also included revitalizing products for your body. Be prepared for spaaah-tacular results!

ACNE-PRONE SKIN

SHINE: Murad Acne Body Wash and Clarifying Body Spray. BEAUTY: Keep pores clean, clear and unclogged with salicylic and glycolic acids, green tea and licorice root extracts, and vitamin E. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Pevonia Problematic Skin Care Cream, Purifying Skin Mask, Problematic Skin Lotion and Clarigel Exfoliating Cleanser. BEAUTY: Salicylic and glycolic acids, aloe vera leaf gel and grapefruit peel oil help to purify and protect skin, as well as prevent breakouts and bacterial growth. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, mineral oil, artificial colors and sulfates. Supports the Beauty Bus Foundation.

SHINE: Prana SpaCeuticals Acne Complex. BEAUTY: This advanced liquid form of benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria and prevents future breakouts without drying your skin. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens and SLS.

SHINE: Skin Authority Calming Mask. BEAUTY: Hydrate inflamed skin caused by acne with aloe vera leaf juice, algae extract, sea kelp extract, peptides and eucalyptus leaf oil. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, dyes and added fragrances. Supports Look Good...Feel Better.

SHINE: Nature Pure Labs Soy Doctor Acne Treatment Serum. BEAUTY: Salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera leaf juice, and cherry bark and green tea leaf extracts help to reduce sebaceous glands and decrease the amount of sebum secreted. BEACON: Free of parabens, mineral oil and petrolatum.

DRY/AGING SKIN

SHINE: Beauty Without Cruelty Daily Facial Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 18 Sunscreen. BEAUTY: Shield and smooth your skin for a more supple looking appearance with avobenzone, aloe vera leaf juice, shea butter, sunflower seed oil, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of parabens, SLS/SLES and synthetic fragrances. 

SHINE: Coola Rose Essence Tint Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20. BEAUTY: Titanium dioxide, acai fruit oil, and cucumber fruit and sunflower seed extracts prevent sunburn and promote elasticity. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of paba, parabens, petroleum and phthalates. Supports Save Our Seas.

SHINE: NeemAura Naturals Concentrated Neem Cream. BEAUTY: Highly moisturizing, this face and body cream mends skin by replenishing and rejuvenating it with aloe vera leaf juice, cocoa seed butter, and neem and jojoba seed oils. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan.

SHINE: Refineé Firming Mineral Moisture Cream. BEAUTY: Hyaluronic acid, red marine algae, and vitamins A, C and E maximize moisture retention, and minimize fine lines and wrinkles. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens.

SENSITIVE SKIN

SHINE: Weleda Almond Soothing Facial Lotion and Almond Soothing Cleansing Lotion. BEAUTY: Calm redness and irritation, and soften and strengthen skin with sweet almond oil. BEACON: Contains no synthetic fragrances, colorants, preservatives or raw materials derived from mineral oils. Supports Conservation International.

BODY

SHINE: Eight Skincare Ginger Lime Créme Body Wash, Ginger Lime Body Moisture and Ginger Lime Sugar Body Scrub. BEAUTY: Sweet almond oil, vitamin E, and jojoba and avocado seed oils revitalize your skin to promote more smoothness and silkiness. BEACON: Contains no parabens.

SHINE: Sonoma Soap Company Citrus Medley Hand & Body Lotion and Citrus Medley Bath & Shower Gel. BEAUTY: Remove impurities and restore skin's natural moisture balance with vitamin E, aloe vera leaf juice, and orange and grapefruit fruit oils. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Contains no parabens, gluten or artificial colors. Supports Clean the World.