It's your Skinsational News!

Welcome to your September edition of Skinsational topics that will keep your skin looking younger, healthier, and absolutely gorgeous!

Be sure to bookmark the Skin Care Resource Center's Anti-Aging Skin Care Blog and visit us frequently. You don't want to miss out on valuable skin care news or the hints and tips that are published every day!

(. . .and be sure to share the Skinsational News! by forwarding these newsletters along to your friends. Thanks!)

September Issue At-A-Glance:

• Feature Article- Banishing the Under Eye Bag Lady Syndrome
• Skin Care Technique- The Power of Consistency
• Your Top Secret Facial Treat of the Month- Under Eye Bag Lady Treatment
• Beauty Tip- Skin Care for the Seasons
• Skin Care Product Review- Eyeliss for the treatment of Puffy Under Eyes by Dermajuv: Psst. . . Don't miss out on the special discount coupon offer!
• More Magazine- "The Beauty Queen and the Crone", (Feature story on yours truly)

Feature Article:

Puffiness under the eyes has to be one of the most chronic and frustrating signs of aging to deal with. Unfortunately, as we age the delicate skin underneath the eye loses its resiliency, capillaries weaken, and the amount of fluid that collects in that area increases producing those puffy eye bags.

Puffy eye bags are a form of edema which is typically caused by fluid build-up. Swelling under the eyes is most noticeable after sleeping for a period of time which allows fluid to puddle and accumulate in the under eye area.

In order to treat under eye bags effectively it is helpful to first take a look at some of the various causes:

• Fluid retention caused by allergies, changes in hormone levels, fatigue and even changes in the weather Heredity
• Dermatitis- Usually accompanied by redness and itchiness
• Medications- Consult with your Physician or Pharmacist to determine if any medications you are taking contributes to edema
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Stress
• Dehydration
• High blood pressure
• Salt laden diet
• Symptom of an underlying disease

The traditional recommended remedies as described in medical journals and physician reference documents include:

• Changes in lifestyle such as an increase in exercise to enhance blood circulation, reducing alcohol consumption and adequate sleep
• Low carbohydrate diet to prevent water retention
• Eat foods rich in vitamins A, C and E
• Sufficient hydration throughout the day (Drink plenty of water)
• Cold compresses to constrict the blood vessels and reduce swelling
• Plenty of sleep: Recommended 8 hours uninterrupted sleep a night
• Elevating the head with an extra pillow when sleeping
• Proactive allergy prevention
• Gently tapping the puffy area underneath the eye to disburse accumulated fluid
• Use of natural astringents such as cold cucumber slices
• Applying freshly brewed tea bags as a cold compress under the eyes. The tannin helps reduce puffiness.
• Hemorrhoid cream- Note: This remedy is anecdotal only, there isn't any clear clinical evidence to support the wide spread claims as an effective treatment however, many people swear by this home remedy.

Battling under eye bags is personally one of my most aggravating aging skin problems. Unfortunately, my eye bags are a result of at least half of the causes so I take an extremely aggressive approach to treatment, all with a moderate degree of success.

Meaning, I use as many of the traditionally recommended remedies as possible including reducing the swelling by placing partially frozen tea bags under my eyes every single morning, tapping the swollen area periodically throughout the day, trying to get 8 hours of sleep every night (even when my boys are home from college and come in at all hours of the night), and I have used an unbelievable number of different eye creams throughout the years.

It all does work to a degree. Unfortunately, I haven't found anything thing yet that produces miraculous results yet and makes the eye bags vanish together. I've even asked the assorted Dermatologists, Physicians (no matter what specialty) and other medical practitioners over the years and have consistently been told that hereditary genetics plays a major role in causing under eye puffiness. (Figures doesn't it?) Other than the remedies listed above, or considering a major surgical procedure; there isn't much else that can be done. (Disappointing isn't it?)

So I have been avidly monitoring the research on Eyeliss for the past year or so and have recently identified a brand that includes a potent percentage of the 3-peptide combination, Dermajuv's Eyeliss Cream. (See the one time special offer at the end of the newsletter). I've just started using it, so it will be a few months before I can report back on my results.

I know that many of us are also concerned with our constant battle with dark circles. And although the causes are similar to those of under eye puffiness, the treatments are very different so don't despair, we'll get to that dark and dismal topic in a future newsletter.

As a last but very important note, Dr. Lawrence E. Gibson of the Mayo Clinic recommends that if your under eye puffiness seems extreme or is persistent to consult with your doctor as it may be indicative of a larger medical concern such as a thyroid condition or kidney problem.

Don't give up on yourself. Your looks are important! Even a very intensive skin care regimen doesn’t take more than a few minutes every morning and again in the evening.

If you religiously follow a strict regimen rather than slathering on any old moisturizer now and then; you are going to see results. It might be within a month, three months or six months but your skin will ever so slowly become healthier and younger looking.

Stick to your regimen for the long haul! It took decades for the damaged aging skin symptoms to gradually materialize and it will take awhile to repair all that damage and to keep your skin looking as good as possible.

Put the power of Mother Nature to work for you and start treating those under eye bags. Rosemary is a natural astringent, mint is an antiseptic and natural stimulant, rose petals are jammed packed with emollients and a potent source of natural vitamin C, and the tannin in the antioxidant rich green tea helps to reduce swelling. Whip up a quick batch and check that extra baggage! :-)

Simmer gently together for 10 minutes over low heat:

• 4 green tea bags
• 1 tablespoon roughly chopped rosemary
• 1/4 cup fresh rose petals
• 1 tablespoon roughly chopped fresh mint
• 1 1/2 cups water

Cool completely. Firmly squeeze the liquid from the tea bags, then freeze in a small plastic baggie. Wrap in paper towel or thin soft cloth and place under eyes for 5 to 10 minutes every morning. Gently tap the under eye area after treatment to help disperse the fluid.

Tip: Don't throw away the liquid! This recipe serves double duty as a skin spritzer. Strain the liquid into a small spray bottle to use throughout the day to lightly mist the skin.

More natural homemade rejuvenating facial treatments: Natural Skin Care Recipes

Have you noticed that your skin type changes with the seasons? It’s not true for everyone but quite frequently a normal to dry skin type in the winter will find that their skin has transformed into a combination skin type in the summer months complete with an oily “T” zone.

Just as often, a summer oily skin type might find that their skin becomes more sensitive and dry towards the end of the season.

Why do seasonal skin changes matter? Well, different skin types respond differently to treatments. If you experience seasonal skin changes, they you will also need to review your skin care regimen and change up your products accordingly!

If you struggle with determining your skin type, the easiest way to get a free analysis and advice is to stop by your local department store’s cosmetic counter.

I have written an extensive review of Eyeliss and the new Eye Revolution Gel here: Eyeliss Under Eye Cream For Bags

Occasionally I am fortunate enough to secure a special offer for subscribers to the newsletter. The Marketing Manager at Dermajuv was nice enough to extend a limited time only discount only to the visitors to the Skin Care Resource Center as an introduction to their new product. (Lucky you!)

With a special deal like that, now is the perfect time to lose all that extra under eye baggage!

Get Ready for Next Month. . .

, Haunted Skin Care Happenings will be the topic of October's Newsletter as we explore the benefits of anti-aging home spa facial masks. And we will have an extra special yet rejuvenating gruesome treat for you too. So dust off your cauldron and get it ready to bubble up a festive and fun Halloween spa facial!

Have a beauty filled day!

Until next month. . .

Skinsationally Yours,

Sue