Tackling the 5 Most Common New Year’s Resolutions: Part II

New Year’s is a time of renewal and rebirth, when you see packed gyms and picked-over vegetable aisles more than other times of the year. In our last post, we talked about the common goals of exercise, dieting, and an improved appearance along with tips for reaching these goals, such as introducing healthy habits gradually and user friendly products like NeriumAD. Keep reading for the last two common resolutions and tips for keeping up with your goals this year. 

4.            Quitting smoking

As a common bad habit, I often have clients telling me they want to finally quit smoking this year. There’s no one best way to quit smoking, so perhaps after trying a method without success, such as patches, going cold-turkey, cutting down gradually, or  medication, look into something different. Quitting smoking is a great goal, so keep at it! 

5.            More time with loved ones

Whether it’s your significant other, family, or friends, many want to spend more time with loved ones for their resolution. Try planning regular time together, such as weekly date nights and family nights, monthly dinners, or whatever works for your relationship.

No matter what your New Year’s goal is this time, there are some important things to keep in mind so that yours don’t fall in the category of the estimated 92% of resolutions that fail. Before resolutions even fail, there are common issues with resolutions that make them difficult to keep: 

·         Over-ambition

The most common source of a failed resolution is over-ambition. If you decide to go from couch potato to body builder, it’s easy to either get burned out or frustrated that it’s so difficult to keep your resolution. The nature of resolutions cause people to think that their habits must change drastically starting January 1^st. Taking smaller steps make a habit easier to keep. 

When starting an activity, people often picture an end goal when making their resolution—like getting six-pack abs. But when this doesn’t happen immediately, it can be disheartening. Try a resolution that involves reasonable goals and extensions after you reach those goals. Or if you have a general goal, focus on smaller aspects and then expand your routine. 

For example, in my last post, I mentioned the goal of improving appearance. Take the easiest steps first, like integrating NeriumAD into your bedtime routine for those that hate seeing fine lines and wrinkles every time they look in the mirror. A simple nightly application of this one-of-a-kind product, the only to contain Nerium oleander extract, can give encouraging results. Developing a habit that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles can help stick to your goal—it’s hard to make a habit with a method like seeing a dermatologist, since finding the time and available appointments doesn’t always work out regularly. Once you have this habit down, you can look into other avenues of appearance like wardrobe or hair care. 

Check back soon for our last installment of this series, where we’ll look at more reasons why resolutions fail and tips for keeping them.

Why Does Skin Get Irritated?

Before I changed my skincare regimen, I often dealt with skin redness. I thought that perhaps there was something else wrong with my skin, but the problem was actually my daily habits. It took several changes to my routine, including the addition of NeriumAD, to get my skin back to normal.

Unless you have a specific medical explanation for irritation or you’ve recently spent time in the sun, irritation is often caused by issues with your skin’s protective barrier. Your skin can easily become dry, red, itchy, or otherwise irritated when this barrier is damaged. 

-Hot showers

Hot showers, especially long ones, can take a toll on your skin. Hot temperatures can soften your skin’s natural oils, which showers and baths can then strip away. One issue is that damaged skin is not always recognized as such. You may notice that after getting out of the shower, your skin may be shiny or red. This is sometimes mistaken for that “squeaky clean” feeling after washing thoroughly, but this could actually be skin that is damaged. Habitual hot showers may lead to dryness as well. For most people, lukewarm is the ideal water temperature.

-Harsh products 

After using harsher products like chemical peels or chemical exfoliation, some see skin redness or irritation a sign that it is working. While this depends on the product, it may actually be that the product is damaging your skin. Trying out gentle products is may be a better route.

-Over scrubbing

When I dealt with acne as a teen, I sometimes thought that scrubbing harder or longer would clean my skin better. By the end, I’d be shiny and red. I also overused a mechanical exfoliation brush in my attempts to scrub my blemishes away. Problem is, I scrubbed away good skin oils and the protective as well, which just left my skin vulnerable to more problems. 

-Too many products

I also thought that when it came to treating my skin, more was better. Cleansers, exfoliators, masks, peels, serums, moisturizers, anti-aging creams—when used correctly, these can be great tools, but using too many products is sometimes just too much for your skin to handle. I wanted to use everything every day and as many times a day as I could. It totally wrecked my skin. 

Now I’ve cut it down to a gentle cleanser, sunscreen, wrinkle cream, and moisturizer as needed. The biggest change came with switching out my anti-aging arsenal of sub-par products with one daily product that really works—NeriumAD. It’s gentle enough to use every day, but gives big results. Containing Nerium oleander extract, NeriumAD is the only product that worked to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and it’s safer for my skin than all the chemical peels and serums I was using.  

3 Fantastic Tips for the Soon-to-Be Bride

Possibly since you were a little girl, but definitely since the moment that he placed an engagement ring on your finger, you began envisioning your upcoming wedding. While decisions concerning place cards and wedding favors are on the “to do” list, chances are the importance of those pale in comparison to the excitement you feel over thoughts of the dress and the shoes. Appearance is naturally one of the biggest concerns of any soon-to-be bride. Why not have an applause-worthy skin care solution like NeriumAD at your fingertips while prepping for your day in the limelight? Upon further reading you’ll discover more details about NeriumAD and find additional tips on how to dissolve the stress that comes with wedding planning. 

-Love the glow that NeriumAD will give your skin

Fine lines and wrinkles should be the least of your worries. NeriumAD Age-Defying Treatment is a stellar anti-aging solution that can deliver results within weeks of the initial application. While perusing your wedding “to do” list, tending to tasks that fall along the lines of “weeks and months” before your big day, ease future anxiety by including skin care on that list. Revamp your image with NeriumAD Age-Defying Treatment nightly and own the confidence that comes with knowing your skin is well on its way to boasting a rejuvenated appearance.

-Etsy is your friend

From browsing for something blue to purchasing bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts, etsy.com is the place to shop. Find handcrafted accessories and gifts on this little gem of a website. Search for ornate garter bands, jeweled bouquets and veils for your own ensemble and lockets, necklaces and cufflinks for your wedding party. When it comes to tailoring your wedding with innovative items, Etsy delivers with elegance and confidence.

-Break in your shoes (and have a back-up pair) 

During the days leading up to your wedding, wear your day-of shoes around the house and while running errands. By doing so you’ll be able to detect any discomfort in advance instead of being surprised by the beginnings of blisters while walking down the aisle.

Prepare to dance the night away at your reception by having a back-up pair of shoes on standby. Four inch heels will certainly elongate your legs and flatter your frame during your ceremony. However, after a few hours in stilettos, you’ll be happy to give your tootsies a well-deserved break via a pair of kitten heels or ballet flats. A grimace will never translate as gorgeous in your wedding photos, so choose to plan ahead and keep an extra pair of shoes on reserve for when your feet start to ache.

Relish in these shortcuts to creating an unforgettable day. I’m happy to say it: congrats on your engagement! I wish you all the happiness in the world! Make this day your own. Get innovative and turn it into everything you dreamt it would be!  Share with us the knowledge you come across along the way by posting your own wedding-prep tips in the comments section below and stay tuned for more tips on health, wellness and lovelier living.

Common Mature Skin Issues

Biologically, mature skin is very different from younger skin. Instead of acne breakouts (while some do deal with mature acne) you’re dealing with a different set of skin problems. Your mature skin may depend on more factors than just aging, such as diet, lifestyle, and environment. This type of skin requires a different skincare routine, which may include special moisturizers or an anti-aging cream like NeriumAD. 

 

As you age, the epidermis will not be able to recover from damage as quickly. Sweat glands are not as active, meaning you may notice a difference in how fast your body can help cool you down. However, the difference with mature skin does not only lie on the surface. Regulating the skin involves many different skin layers. The skin’s innermost layer, the dermis, loosens as it loses elasticity and collagen. Skin becomes rougher and more transparent.

Some common issues for mature skin include:

Sun damage

As skin ages, it loses some of its ability to protect itself from the sun. It’s important to help your skin ward off sun damage by using a broad spectrum SPF of at least thirty. The most damaging sun exposure starts in your 20’s, so make sure to get regular screenings for a full body skin exam.

Dryness

Mature skin tends to be dryer and commonly plagued by “winter itch,” which is made worse by dry indoor air. With dryness comes itching. If you have generalized dryness all over your body, you should change up your bathing routine. You will want to bathe less often, avoiding long, hot baths, as this can dry out skin further. You should also look for gentle types of soaps and oily moisturizers.

Irritation

Mature skin tends to be dry, but also irritates more easily. Skin irritation often occurs because the skin barrier breaks, allowing more irritants to come into contact with skin. Irritation with mature skin can also happen a lot with overuse of intensive anti-aging treatments. If you have sensitive skin, you will be especially prone to irritation from any type of skin treatment, but there are products you can look for to alleviate the problem.

You should be careful to note the difference between a treatment that is intensive and treatment that can be used daily. Many types of chemical peels and other strong formulas can cause skin to redden, dry, and break if used too often. Your skin may not be meant for intensive treatment at all.

For anti-aging, you can look for more gentle products that are safe for everyday use. You don’t necessarily have to use intense treatments to get intense results. For example, NeriumAD cream, one of the most effective products for improving the look of fine lines and wrinkles on the market today, can be easily and safely incorporated into your nighttime routine. The product’s secret is Nerium oleander extract, which can help you see a diminished appearance in your wrinkles everyday as you wake up with a face that looks smoother and more youthful.

Techniques for Mature Skincare

It is surprisingly difficult to find advice for a mature skincare routine. Most skincare techniques focus on acne. While mature skin may still have this concern, it’s better to create a routine that focuses on aging, moisturizing, discoloration, and skin tone instead. Check out how oil cleansing and NeriumAD can be a great part of your mature skin care routine: 

Oil-cleansing

Oil cleansing is a very popular technique in Asia, and is starting to gain speed in other areas of the world as well. Many men and women in the western world balk at the idea of applying pure oil on the skin because our “oil-free” consumer environment leads us to believe that oil is a skincare villain. 

However, it all depends on the type of oil you use. While everyone’s skin reacts differently, oils can be used to cleanse the skin and even treat acne along with mature skin concerns—different oils have different functions.

For mature skin, you can use oil cleansing to even skin tone, brighten your complexion, and reduce hyperpigmentation and scarring. To find the right oil or oil blend for you, it’s best to experiment and see how your skin reacts. The oils to use for mature skin include rosehip seed oil, avocado oil, kernel oil, and pomegranate seed oil.  

Once you have your oil blend, splash skin with warm water and apply a generous amount of oil to your face and neck. The length of time you let the oil sit will depend on what works—I like to massage the oil in slightly at first, and then let it sit for a few minutes. Next, one of the most important aspects is the massage. Work the oil into your skin with a circular motion. You may feel “grits” loosen as these contaminates are cleansed from your skin, which the oil essentially lubricates free. You will want to use physical exfoliation a few times a week with this method after cleansing, and then it’s suggested to follow with moisturizer daily. 

Find a wrinkle cream that’s simple yet effective

Regular use of an effective wrinkle cream is a vital step for a mature skin care routine. While other skin types may be more concerned with preventing the signs of aging, mature skin routines will address reducing the appearance of wrinkles that are already present. 

The key is to find one that works for you. The best skincare routine is a simple one, so before you look to making an appointment for injections or other more severe treatments, you should invest time in finding a wrinkle cream that works without demanding too much time and effort from both you and your skin. The problem with regular visits to the doctor is that once you begin the routine of wrinkle procedures, you have to keep up these exhausting appointments to treat maintain the previous work and prevent new wrinkles.  It’s better to act now to find a product that your skin loves.

If you’re looking for something easy and effective, take a look at a unique product that is the only of its kind to contain Nerium oleander extract, a breakthrough cream for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. NeriumAD’s results impressed in clinical trials, so you can stop wasting your time on drugstore products that don’t produce results. I use NeriumAD daily, and I’m constantly asked what it is that I do to maintain this youthful look. Reducing the appearance of wrinkles doesn’t have to be complicated! 

Want more techniques for mature skincare? Don’t worry—we’ll have another installment up soon.