While I mourn the impending loss of summer (it’s my favorite season after all – give me beaches and the tropics over a skiing holiday anytime), fall’s arrival isn’t necessarily all bad. Fall fashions hit the stores and Hallowe’en and Christmas are around the corner (especially magical when kids are involved). Snuggling up under a blanket reading a good book holds an appeal that just can’t be matched in warmer weather. I’m also more productive as fall approaches both at work and at home.

Like Spring, Fall is a great time to take stock of things. Cleaning out closets, getting back to an exercise routine and fine tuning your diet. It’s also the perfect time to revisit your skin care regimen. Cooler temperatures and lower humidity may cause havoc with skin leaving you to reassess your product choices. Skin often becomes drier and may require exfoliation and more emollient products. For Fall skin care tips, read more here.

Summer isn’t over yet, though. Today it’s sunny. Enjoy the rest of summer.

While it shouldn’t really surprise you, many individuals are still taken aback when they discover that managing exposure to sun is the best way to keep skin young and healthy. Why? Simple. Studies show that the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are responsible for more than 85% of skin aging. From wrinkles and fine lines to skin discolorations and saggy jowls, minimizing sun exposure will not only decrease chance of sunburn, but also help to reduce the more chronic effects of sun exposure such as premature aging and the risk of developing some types of skin cancer.

Sunscreen should be the foundation for any good anti aging skin care regimen. Look for one that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays as found in a brand like Anthelios sunscreens. Depending on your skin type and needs, add in gentle cleansers, antioxidants to fight free radical damage, exfoliants, moisturizers and targeted treatments as needed. Once you discover that the best anti aging cream is probably You’ll discover that ed. Good skin care isn’t that complicated.

Appearing as either blistering or non-blistering types, the Staphylococcus bacteria is the most common cause, but Streptococcus pyogenes may also be responsible. Impetigo is more common in warm climates with high humidity. Skin trauma may associated with its development and direct contact hastens its spread.

In children, fever may accompany blisters or small pustules, which are typically found on the face around the nose, mouth and the extremities. Untreated impetigo may resolve on its own, however topical antibiotics may be used as they tend to be very effective. More extensive cases may require treatment with oral antibiotics for resolution.

Acute sun damage presents itself in the way of a sunburn, an experience which many of us are only too familiar with. Chronic sun damage occurs gradually, as a result of long term unprotected exposure to UV rays. The results of chronic sun damage (often referred to as photo aging)include wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, changes in skin texture and an increased risk for the development of some types of skin cancers.

If you live in a sunny climate, you are particularly at risk for developing sun damaged skin. The same is true if you spend a lot of time outdoors. You are also at risk if you vacation frequently in tropical areas, without protecting yourself against UV rays. Keep in mind that sun exposure that results in a tan is indicative of sun damaged skin. There is no such thing as a safe tan.

Other risk factors include fair skin and tanning studios.

Your best bet in protecting against sun damaged skin is prevention. Minimize your exposure to UV rays and protect yourself with shade, clothing and a good sunscreen when you can’t.
Read our article on how to treat sun damaged skin here.

For the majority of us, travel on a moving vessel isn’t an issue, but some individuals experience motion sickness. Characterized by dizziness, nausea and vomiting, motion sickness is caused by an increase in activity of the nerve fibers in the inner ear. This causes a disruption in the body’s balance mechanism and precipitates the symptoms mentioned.

Transderm V contains scopolamine, a medication that works to reduce activity of the nerve fibers in the inner ear. This can prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting.The scopolamine in Transderm V is delivered via a small adhesive disc, which is applied to the area behind the ear. The drug is released slowly and absorbed into the bloodstream over a period of 3 days. A new patch may be applied if treatment is required for more than 72 hours.

While scopolamine should not be used in children, individuals with glaucoma or anyone with a known sensitivity to the drug, it is suitable for many individuals. Check with your physician if you have a  medical condition or aren’t sure.

Transderm V is available over the counter without a prescription at PharmacyMix.com.

In particular, skin care for fall should take into account lower humidity. Summer lends itself to lighter moisturizers, but fall may necessitate a product that contains more emollient ingredients, especially if skin is dry. The one thing that shouldn’t change is the need for sun protection. While the shorter wavelength UVB rays will start to wane as seasons change, UVA rays are prevalent year round. For this reason, ensure that moisturizer contains sun filters that block UVA and UVB rays or wear a dedicated sunscreen. Here are some of our top selling products to consider:

• Hydraphase UV SPF 30
• Anthelios Fluide Extreme SPF 50+ or Tinted Version
• Anthelios Creme SPF 50+ or Tinted Version

Make up experts recommend using a primer after your moisturizer and prior to applying foundation. This helps to ensure that your makeup stays on well into the night. As well, you may want to move away from lighter, sheer foundations into products that help perk up dull, flat complexions that winter may bring.

So how to achieve younger looking eyes? It’s not as difficult as you might think. Here are some simple steps to incorporate into your skin care routine:

1. Cleanse gently. Remove all make-up using light strokes. Don’t pull or tug and stay away from harsh cleansers, which can irritate the eye area. Choose from a range of gentle cleansers here.
2. Apply a cream containing antioxidants and collagen boosters (peptides, Vitamin C, retinol) to fight free radical damage that can contribute to wrinkles and fine lines. Moisturize if you need to. Dryness exacerbates the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. View a full selection of products that lead to younger looking eyes here.
3. Wear sunscreen daily – don’t forgot to apply around the eye area. Cover up with big sunglasses when outdoors.
4. If you have dark circles, apply a concealer to minimize their appearance.Think about incorporating a product like Neostrata Dark Circle Serum formulated with Vitamins K and retinol and clinically shown to help.
5. When it comes to make-up stick to a neutral palette. Dark colors can make you look older. Also avoid products that glitter as they can enhance the appearance of wrinkles.

You may be able to rest easier now that an independent analysis published online in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD) determined that there is no evidence that the inclusion of retinyl palmitate in sunscreens can cause cancer in humans. When used in sunscreens, retinyl palmitate is added as a cosmetic ingredient and NOT as an active drug ingredient (as are sunscreen filters). Its purpose in a sunscreen is to act as an antioxidant, which helps to improve the sunscreen’s performance in blocking UV rays.

Dr Wang, a lead investigator and dermatologist involved in the analysis, states, “Based on the current available data from in vitro, animal and human studies, there is no convincing evidence to support the notion that retinyl palmitate in sunscreens causes cancer. On the contrary, years of research suggests that retinoids are helpful in reducing your risk for skin cancer. The bottom line is that people should continue vigilantly using sunscreens along with other sun-safe practices – such as limiting sun exposure, seeking shade, and wearing sun-protective clothing, hats and sunglasses – to reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature aging.”

Read the full article here.

Skin that lacks luster may be caused by a number of things. Firstly, cell proteins may cross link causing them to become rigid. The result is a loss in skin transparency and the ability to reflect light. In addition, a build up of dead, dry skin cells can also cause skin to look dull and tired.

While there isn’t a quick fix, here’s how to brighten things up:

1. Exfoliate with a gentle exfoliant that includes an alpha hydroxy acid (glycolic acid, lactic acid) or beta hydroxy acid. Choose from a range of products including Neostrata Skin Renewal Peel Solution or M2 HP Skin Refinish Serum. Both will help to remove dead, dry skin cells leaving you with brighter skin.
2. Add in Vitamin C. At concentrations above 5% Vitamin C has been shown to lighten and brighten skin, resulting in a more youthful complexion. In addition, Vitamin C is an antioxidant and helps to fight free radical damage associated with skin aging.  Consider Neostrata Vitamin C Concentrate or Neostrata Skin Brightener.
3. If dark patches of hyperpigmented skin are dulling your complexion, consider a range of skin lightening solutions including Mela D Serum, 4% hydroquinone creams or a botanical skin lightener.

Help prevent dullness from developing in the first place by protecting skin against the damaging effects from UV rays with a good UVA/UVB blocking sunscreen as found in Anthelios sunscreens http://www.pharmacymix.com/department.aspx?DeptId=775&. And here’s to brighter skin!

Consumer Reports has recently highlighted 12 dangerous supplements it calls the “Dirty Dozen.” Thought to treat conditions from gout to obesity to anxiety, they have been shown to cause major health issues, including cancer, stroke, liver damage and death.
The supplements in question include:

• Aconite
• Bitter orange
• Chaparral
• Colloidal silver
• Coltsfoot
• Comfrey
• Country mallow
• Germanium
• Greater celandine
• Kava
• Lobelia and
• Yohimbe.

If you  aren’t sure about taking a supplement check with your physician or pharmacist. Read the full article here.