The Difference Between Body Lotion With SPF and Body Sunscreen

My fair-skinned roommate came home the other weekend frantically searching for aloe to soothe a bright red sunburn down the front of her legs. No, she hadn't been at the beach or lying out on a rooftop—she was just running errands on a sunny day. "I need an everyday body lotion with SPF so I'm always covered," she declared. Sounds like a no-brainer, I thought, there must be tons. Only...not so fast.

A search of my local Sephora, Duane Reade, and the Allure beauty closet turned up plenty of sunscreens and endless body lotions, but only a handful of body lotions with sunscreen—and they all had a pretty low SPF level. I asked cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller (who also edits thebeautybrains.com) to tell me why:

"To be an effective sunscreen, a product must form a good film on skin and be resistant to sweating,” he explained. “Once you formulate a product to meet these criteria, it's less likely to look and feel like a body lotion." Which explains why body lotions with SPF tend to only go as high as 20: "The higher the SPF value, the more 'sunscreen stuff' a formula needs to have. And products with a lot of those ingredients tend to feel heavy and greasy and leave a white residue on your skin unless you rub them in really well.” Not exactly what you want from your body lotion.

So there you have it. If you're looking for serious sun protection, a sunscreen is still your best bet (just layer it over your favorite skin-smoothing body lotion). Only need coverage for a quick commute? We love the four body lotions pictured above: Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Body Lotion, Glytone Retexturize Body Lotion, and Avon DD Firm&Restore Body Cream all offer SPF 15; L'Occitane Jenipapo Body Jelly Milk has SPF 20 and smells like a tropical vacation.

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article source: allure.com

New polish!

What is sexier than a pair of stilettos? Maybe the new Rouge Louboutin from Christian Louboutin! This beautiful red nail polish comes in a collector-worthy bottle that mimics the heel we all lust after! You can shop for Rouge Louboutin ($50) here: http://bit.ly/1nwWwgP.

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How to Keep Pounds Off for the Long Run

6 Long-Term Weight Loss Success Secrets Based on Research

Maintain, don't gain
If you've ever dropped pounds and then tried to maintain your lower weight, you've probably blamed yourself when the scale started creeping back up. Well, emerging research shows that faulty willpower is not the main culprit. "Multiple systems in your body conspire against you in a push to regain lost weight," explains Michael Rosenbaum, MD, an assistant professor of clinical medicine at Columbia University Medical Center and a top obesity researcher. After you've slimmed down, your brain, muscles and hormones work together to slow down your metabolism, so you naturally burn hundreds of fewer calories each day.

In fact, Rosenbaum's research reveals that people who've lost weight require about 400 fewer calories per day to keep the scale steady compared with people of the same weight who never went through a slim down.

Lose the weight for good
Fortunately, there are proven ways to counteract these pound-hoarding tendencies. "It's not a losing battle," stresses Holly Wyatt, MD, associate director of the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center at the University of Colorado, Denver. "You can keep the weight off for the long run." By analyzing data from the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR)—a database of more than 10,000 people who have lost at least 30 pounds and kept them off for a minimum of one year—experts have discovered strategies that work, many of them quite different from the ones that help take off pounds in the first place. "Losing weight and maintaining it are really two different animals," Dr. Wyatt notes. Mastering the art of maintenance is the key to making sure your goal weight turns into your new normal.


Success secret #1: You have to move every single day
"The most successful dieters simply move more," Dr. Wyatt says. "When you're active, you're fighting your body's tendency to keep the weight from returning." Ninety percent of the NWCR's success cases exercise about 60 minutes a day on average. Being very active goes beyond just burning calories. Exercise also triggers helpful biological systems: Hormones like epinephrine and adiponectin that cut down on your fat stores kick into high gear, actively incinerating flab up to 24 hours after your workout. Plus, "When you're more active, you feel better about yourself and you make better food choices and avoid couch-potato behavior," Dr. Wyatt says. And as recent research from Stanford University School of Medicine shows, good habits truly reinforce each other. People who focused on changing both diet and exercise habits were significantly more likely to get in their regular workouts and to follow healthy eating plans than those who focused on either diet or exercise separately.

How to get moving more
If you don't have time for a full hour of exercise every day, it's fine to break it up into spurts of activity. Doing 10 focused minutes here and there throughout the day is effectively equivalent to one big workout, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. Try using a tech tool, like the Nike+ Fuel Band ($149; nike.com) or Jawbone UP ($130; jawbone.com), to keep tabs on how many calories you're burning throughout the day, then challenge yourself to maintain or go beyond that amount by climbing a few additional flights of stairs or doing some extra laps around the office. You can get the same type of data through your smartphone with such free apps as Endomondo Sports Tracker.


Success secret #2: Maintaining muscle matters
There's an unfortunate side effect of losing weight: You tend to lose lean muscle along with the flab. (This can also happen if you always skip the weight training in favor of cardio.) Since muscle burns more than twice as many calories as fat (7 to 10 calories for a pound of muscle compared with 2 or 3 calories for a pound of fat), the more muscle you keep, the higher your metabolism will be. Recent research finds that doing resistance training—using weights or just your own body weight—a few times per week can increase the number of calories you burn even at rest by 100 a day or more. This is important if you are going to maintain your new lean profile: In a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, twice as many people who did regular strength training lost weight and kept it off compared with those who didn't.

Start strength training
You don't have to make like a bodybuilder to get stronger. Sneak simple body-weight moves, like squats, push-ups, lunges and dips, and even strength-building yoga poses (think Warrior 2 or Chair pose) into your routine a few days a week, whether it's a set of each in the morning before your shower or a pre-dinner circuit. You'll hit all your major muscles in just a short workout. For instructions on body-weight moves, go to health.com/strengthplan.


Success secret #3: Mediterranean means more burn
It's well-established that following a Mediterranean diet—which is high in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts and healthy fats like those in fish and olive oil—is good for your heart, but it turns out it may also be vital to fighting the metabolism slowdown that follows weight loss. A study from Harvard University shows that eating this type of food, which is low on the glycemic index (a measure of how quickly certain foods are digested and how much they make your blood sugar spike), can help keep energy levels elevated, so you naturally burn about 20 percent more calories over the course of a day than you would following a low-fat diet.

Make Mediterranean work for you
"Eating Mediterranean eliminates those wild swings in blood sugar that can ultimately undermine your metabolism," says study author David Ludwig, MD, director of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children's Hospital. The best part: It's not a diet, but rather a balanced, realistic way of eating, which makes it, as Dr. Ludwig says, "easy to follow for the rest of your life."


Success secret #4: Your scale is a weight-loss weapon
Regular weigh-ins may have been a mainstay when you were in reduction mode, but this habit is just as critical after you've hit your goal. National Weight Control Registry research found that dieters who stopped using the scale as a check-in tool gained back two times as much weight as those who kept monitoring their size. "You can't stay in a healthy range if you don't know what your numbers are," Dr. Wyatt points out.

Find your "red zone"
Numbers don't lie, so establish a "red zone"—a weight you find unacceptable. If you reach that number, or slip above it, it's time to go back to some of the stricter diet controls (such as cutting down on calories and measuring out proper portions) that helped you downsize in the first place. "Most people naturally fluctuate by a few pounds here or there, but if you notice your numbers creeping above your red line, you have to snap back into active weight-loss mode," says Dr. Wyatt. When you get back to your "green zone," you can relax...a bit.


Success secret #5: That rumor about breakfast being crucial is true
If you're tempted to start your day with a cup of coffee and nothing else, consider thisfact: 78 percent of the thin-for-lifers from the NWCR group rarely if ever skipbreakfast. And they make it a hearty one. "Most people simply don't eat enough atbreakfast time," says Angela Lemond, RDN, a nutritionist based in Plano, Texas, and aspokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "It's a meal, not a snack, soeat up."

Build a better breakfast
For a woman who is moderately active (exercises 30 to 60 minutes three times a week), your breakfast should be between 300 and 500 calories and rich in protein. Research from the University of Missouri--Columbia found that folks who ate about 35 grams of protein at breakfast felt fuller longer and had fewer cravings, making them much less likely to snack on high-fat or high-sugar foods later in the day. Try oatmeal with fat-free milk and some eggs on the side, or a bowl of Greek yogurt with nuts and fresh fruit. Then follow up with a mid-morning snack and a relatively early lunch.

"About 50 to 60 percent of your calories should be consumed by 2 p.m.," says Lemond. "When you front-load your day, you get a better energy balance, which helps you ultimately make better choices." Jumpstart your day with one of these High Protein Breakfast Recipes.


Success secret #6: Trying to eat perfectly is a recipe for failure
The occasional indulgence does more than just keep you sane—it keeps you slender for the long haul. "Being too rigid about eating healthily means eventually you're much more likely to go off track," points out J. Graham Thomas, PhD, assistant professor at the Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center of the Miriam Hospital inProvidence, R.I., and a member of the research team for the NWCR. "Having a more flexible approach, which allows for the occasional indulgence, ultimately helps you control your weight better over the long term."

Follow the 80/20 rule
Since life would be pretty boring if you could never have that side of fries, keep the bulk of your diet well-balanced but allow yourself occasional goodies. "I call it the 80/20 rule," says Jennifer McDaniel, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy ofNutrition and Dietetics. "Eat healthy the vast majority of the time, and you can still have room for those treats." You get the brownie and the buff body. Who can argue with that?

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article source: chixrx.com

Skin Needs Moisturizer in the Summer Too

Summer can be rough on skin, especially if it gets burned in the sun. Sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher and protective clothing is recommended. (Shelbi Lynn Awabdy / Getty Images)

 

By Lily Dayton

 

For most people, sunscreen is a given in the summer, even year round. But many people neglect moisturizer when temperatures are high, and that's a mistake.

"A lot of people don't think they need to use as much moisturizer in the summer. They might feel like their skin is greasier, but they should keep up the same moisturizing regimen they use in the winter, especially if they spend time in an air-conditioned environment," says Ray Jalian, cosmetic dermatologist at UCLA Medical Center.

Summer skin care: Could be the season of the itch

Lily Dayton

Artificially dehumidified air dries the skin, which makes wrinkles and fine lines look more pronounced. Jalian recommends that people apply a noncomedogenic moisturizer (one that won't clog pores) to their face two or three times per day, all year round.

To keep skin looking its best, he also recommends that people use a sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, that they don't smoke cigarettes and that they regularly use products containing vitamin A derivatives, such as retinol or Tretinoin. By increasing the rate of cellular turnover, these products exfoliate the skin, soften fine lines and improve skin texture and tone. With long-term use, they also stimulate the skin to synthesize new collagen fibers.

"It's perfectly OK to use these products in the summer, but the caveat is they do dry out the skin — and they make the skin more sensitive to the sun," says Jalian.

He tells patients going on a sunny vacation or to the beach "to skip it for a few days before and during the vacation, then start again when they return."

Likewise, such people should hold off on dermatologic procedures such as chemical peels and laser treatments until fall or winter. Not only do these treatments leave the skin more susceptible to sun damage, but the chance of discoloration following the procedure is higher with sun exposure.

He adds that people can still get injectable treatments such as Botox or dermal fillers. "These injections are deep, so they're not disturbing the top layer where sun damage occurs."

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article source: latimes.com

Top Expert Tips to Combat Common Hair Problems

How to Get Healthy and Beautiful Hair

As women, we are constantly trying to crack the code to beautiful hair. But unfortunately, this pursuit involves money, time, patience, and lots of experimenting. To answer your most pressing hair questions, we’ve gathered top advice from our ChickRx experts so you can cut out the frustration and be proud to whip your hair back and forth.  


Fight Frizz
One of the biggest culprits of bad hair days is frizz. Hair gets frizzy when it is damaged or has a naturally rougher texture leading the hair to absorb more moisture from the air. That’s why your hair may look like a hot mess on humid days. To avoid looking like you stuck your finger in a socket, there are a few key rules to follow:  

T-Shirt Dry – resist the urge to towel dry your wet hair when you get out of the shower. Towels’ thick, rough texture can damage the hair cuticle, so instead reach for an old (clean) t-shirt to soak up moisture. 
   
Don’t Brush – instead of brushing your wet hair, comb through with a wide toothcomb or just your wet fingers. This will help prevent damaging the hair shaft. You can use a brush to blow dry your hair straight, but avoid brushing dry hair as it can stretch out the hair cuticle.  

Skip Shampoos – In order to prevent frizz, it’s key not to wash your hair every day. This can deplete the natural healthy oils your scalp produces making your hair even frizzier. Try rinsing with water and applying just conditioner or skip the water all together and go for a dry shampoo (more on that below).  

Treat it – For an extra benefit, reach for the jojoba or coconut oil once a week. These apply the right amount of moisture and frizz control without weighing hair down. 

(References: thebeautydepartment.com/2011/05/bounce-with-me; allure.com/hair-ideas/2008/top_five_hair_tips)  


Quick Oily Hair Solution
When you don’t have the time or will to wash your oily hair, reach for the dry shampoo. Some ChickRx community favorites are Pssssst or Suave Professionals, about $6 at drug stores for beauties on a budget, while dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman recommends Klorane Extra Gentle Dry Shampoo, for $18.  

Dry shampoos work by absorbing the oil on your scalp that can weigh hair down if it becomes built up--especially on thin hair. If you’re using a dry shampoo with texturizing spray it can also work to give your hair more boost and volume. Best part? It’s fast, you don’t have to restyle your hair again, and unlike shampooing daily, it won’t strip your scalp of the natural oils it needs to keep your strands healthy.  


Promote Hair Growth If you’re looking to be Rapunzel-esq come summer, the waiting game can have you feeling a little like you’re locked in a tower of short hair purgatory. While there’s no quick fix to grow your hair overnight, our experts stress the importance of diet, protection, and avoiding damage to your hair.  

Make sure you’re loading up on protein, healthy fats and vitamins. Protect your growing hair from UV damage by shielding it with a hat if you’re spending a lot of time outside. And, of course, skip blowouts when you can and go for air drying instead.  

A common myth is that trimming hair frequently will promote growth. While this simply isn’t true because the hair growth happens at the scalp (and is not determined by what happens at the ends of hair), frequent trims can help the hair appear longer by removing dead split ends that cause the hair to stick out rather than lay flat. And, hey, if all else fails, there are always extensions.  

(Reference: oprah.com/style/Biggest-Hair-Myths-Do-Frequent-Trims-Make-Hair-Grow-Faster/4)  

Revive Dull Hair One too many straightening and dye jobs can leave your hair looking dull and lackluster. Heat and chemicals can both leave the hair shaft damaged, which makes your hair lose shine and appear dry.  

To revive your locks, Dermatologist Dr. Debra Price recommends having your split ends trimmed frequently (aim for no more than 8 to 12 weeks between trims) and using conditioners to smooth the damaged hair shaft. 

If you’re worried about weighing your hair down or making your scalp oily with conditioner, you can avoid applying it to your scalp and simply apply it to the bottom half of your hair, working toward the ends. For a natural product alternative, you can use a weekly DIY hair mask to brighten up your strands: check out these great recipes on ChickRx: http://chickrx.com/articles/diy-hair-masks .    


Banish Dandruff
If you’re tired of dusting snow off your shoulders, the first thing you might want to do is try Head and Shoulders or Nizoral shampoos that you find at the drugstore for about $10. These shampoos work by reducing seborrheic dermatitis, a condition where oily areas of the skin become inflamed and produce those pesky flakes, explains dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman.
If the zinc pyrithione shampoos like Head and Shoulders do not work well for you, there are also Tar shampoos like Tera-Gel, Neutrogena T/Gel and Polytar AF.  Dr. Jaliman says these products work by shedding the top layer of skin on the scalp while decreasing the itchiness. Tar shampoos should not be used if you have blonde hair because it can darken lighter tresses. If these over-the-counter products don’t kill off your flakes, visit your dermatologist who may prescribe special steroidal treatments.

     
Eat for Your Hair
Just as it affects the other parts of your body, your diet has a big impact on the quality of your hair. “Hair can really show our diet quality,” explains Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Expert Carlene Thomas. “If the body isn’t getting enough calories, healthy fats, and especially protein, it can become dull and lifeless.”  

For extra benefit, make sure you’re including foods with key nutrients for your hair. Your diet should be rich in protein (like in lean chicken, salmon, Greek yogurt and lentils) and fatty acids (like in salmon, avocado and walnuts).  

An added bonus of eating walnuts for hair health is that they are rich in biotin and vitamin E, which work to protect your hair from damage.   Zinc is necessary to maintain the quality of your hair and a deficiency can often lead to hair loss and dandruff.  For more zinc, load up on oysters, eggs and nuts.   Don’t forget to fill up on vitamin C for a hair and immunity boost. Vitamin C can help promote circulation to the scalp and prevent hair breakage.  

(Reference: webmd.com/healthy-beauty/feature

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article source: chixrx.com

Is It Really OK to Stop Sudsing Up Your Hair?

Cleansing with just conditioner? The trend—long popular among women with naturally thick, curly, or coarse strands—is becoming mainstream, thanks to several new products designed for all hair types.

Browse a few online beauty forums, and you’ll find proponents of “co-washing” touting the benefits of cleansing strands with specially formulated conditioners instead of shampoo. (We even reported the “anti-shampoo” movement here).

Among them: Suds-free formulas can moisturize dry scalps, reduce frizz, detangle knots, and soften texture. African-American women have long used conditioners instead of lathering shampoos to refresh strands and help keep them moisturized and glossy, and now new non-foaming and low-lather formulas from companies such as Ojon, Palmer’s, Purely Perfect, and Kerastase, Vidal Sassoon Pro and Wen are geared towards those with straight, fine hair as well. Though it may seem like a gateway to build-up, tiny amounts of detergent in these products remove dirt and grime without stripping color or natural oils (traditional lathers, which often contain harsh sulfates, make hair squeaky clean, but frequently leave it brittle, frizzy, and damaged), so they are gentler than even the gentlest shampoo.

Cleansing Conditioners to Try

Ojon Rare Blend Moisture-Rich Cleansing Conditioner, $27
Palmer's Olive Oil Co-Wash Cleansing Cream, $10
Purely Perfect Cleansing Creme, $40
Wen Cleansing Condition in Summer Honey Peach, $30 [Limited Edition]
Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Colorfinity Cleansing Conditioner, $4

Think of it, if you will, as the hair-care equivalent of hand-washing your favorite cashmere sweater. Like dry shampoos, these formulas can be used between regular washes, but they're laced with ultra-rich ingredients that smooth and lock in moisture, so they're more than just a temporary fix.

Over time, they can save money, precious minutes, and even a need for masks or styling products.
But before you think about swapping your regular conditioner for shampoo, be warned: “The silicone in traditional conditioners would eventually create residue,” says  Michael Gordon, a celebrity stylist and the creator of Purely Perfect (as any fine-haired woman who’s mistakenly grabbed the wrong bottle can tell you). “These new products are similar to the high-end, non-foaming cleansers that you’d use on your face because they contain oils and moisturizers, but have a specific cleansing system, so your hair does gets clean,” Gordon says. With continued use, they claim to help restore hair’s natural vibrancy and oil balance, giving you that “Very much desired ‘second-day hair look’ on the first wash,” Gordon says. The pros? Smoother, healthier strands, plus fewer products to get there.

The cons? If you enjoy working up a good lather in the shower, you’ll be robbed of the experience. 
Though I don’t wash my long, super-thick, wavy, color-treated Indian hair on a daily basis (it’s more like three times a week), I was a bit skeptical about trying this new trend. As someone who swims frequently and spends a lot of time outdoors in hot, sunny Los Angeles, I do appreciate the “so fresh, and so clean, clean” feeling of a nicely-scented, lathering shampoo. In general, I don’t use styling products (they tend to weigh my hair down), but I still had some concerns about build-up and oiliness.

Courtesy PhotosFrom left: Ojon Rare Blend Moisture-Rich Cleansing Conditioner, $27; Palmer's Olive Oil Co-Wash Cleansing Cream, $10; Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Colorfinity Cleansing Conditioner, $4; Wen Cleansing Condition in Summer Honey Peach, $30 [Limited Edition]

The first day I tried the Palmer’s Olive Oil Co-Wash Cleansing Cream—which contains vitamin E, keratin protein, and natural herbal extracts—I was admittedly surprised by the great results. I massaged a small amount from roots to ends, just as I would a conditioner, and rinsed. I ended up skipping conditioner altogether, since my hair felt smoother in the shower already. The scent, very green, seemed like an organic, non-chemical shampoo, and though different from the perfumed shampoos I’m used to, was actually fresh and clean-feeling.

But, the best and most noticeable thing was how soft it made my hair; Touchably soft to the point that I wanted to wear it down instead of in my go-to top knot all day. The next day, I went for a swim, and used the co-wash again. There wasn’t a single trace of chlorine left in my strands: Just smooth, nicely-scented hair.

I don’t think I’ll be giving up shampoo altogether, but in-between washes, I’d definitely incorporate a cleansing cream to moisturize and soften my normally dry hair. 

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article source: youbeauty.com

Bare Minimum Beauty & Hygiene Routine for Lazy Nights

Simplest Nighttime Bathroom Routine Needed to Get By

 

 

You’ve probably read all about what you need to be doing before bed to maintain and improve your skin, and it can amount to a long, daunting list. Removing your makeup, cleansing, exfoliating, using masks, applying toner, dabbing on acne treatments, moisturizing, slathering on eye cream, etc. Then there’s the work to maintain basic hygiene: brushing, flossing, mouthwash, eye care, washing your hair, etc. That’s a lot of tedious work when all you want to do is unwind and get to bed.    

So for the days when you’re feeling particularly lazy, we’ve pared down that nighttime routine list to the bare minimum experts recommend you should be doing to stay in proper form, based on your specific issues and needs.      


Facial Cleansing Whether you’re wearing makeup or not, it’s important to wash your face to remove the dirt and germs you pick up in day-to-day life and whenever you touch your face. Washing your face gives your face a clean slate, so to speak, so your skin can embark on its natural exfoliating and rejuvenation process while you sleep. This is probably why some research has shown that cleansing before bed can give keep your skin more youthful.  

But for those tired, lazy nights, just how diligent you need to be with your face washing depends on your skin type.  

Dry Skin (or Normal)
For dry skin, you have a little leeway when it comes to your facial cleansing. Opt for a creamy (non-soap) cleanser, which has moisturizing properties. Wet your face with warm water, work the cleanser into your skin using your fingers and then rinse and pat dry with a clean towel. Make sure the water is not too hot as this can make your skin feel tight and dry it out even more. Though your skin needs extra moisture, you can skip it every now and then if you’ve used a moisturizing cleanser.  

Absolute worst case, in the laziest of scenarios, with dry skin you’re more able to get away with just splashing your face with water and rubbing it off with a clean towel. This will remove a basic layer of makeup, dirt, etc. that’s on your skin before bed.  

If you’ve missed a little makeup residue on your skin from your quick cleansing routine, just know that the makeup may slightly dehydrate your skin, licensed esthetician Daniela Ferri explains. She says that leaving makeup on overnight will not cause you to have more wrinkles, but if you have dry skin and it becomes drier from sleeping in your makeup, the dehydration will make your skin appear dull, lackluster and can magnify existing wrinkles.    

Oily or Acne-Prone Skin
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, it’s particularly important to make sure you cleanse before bed to remove makeup, excess oils and dirt so you don’t wake up to a breakout. Licensed esthetician Daniela Ferri explains that foundation and powder create a barrier on your skin, and if you’re also producing excessive oil, your pores will quickly get clogged. This leads to blackheads and breakouts.  

To remove makeup and grime, dampen your face with warm water and lightly apply a cleanser formulated for oily or acne-prone skin with your fingers. Rinse thoroughly and pat your skin dry with a clean towel.

Or, for a faster approach, simply scrub your face with facial wipes or pads that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide (likely the same ingredients in your cleanser)—keep the wipes by your bed if you’re feeling extra lazy.      


Eye Makeup Removal
Regardless of your skin type, it’s important to wash off your eye makeup most nights. Keeping your eye makeup on can lead to eye infections and clogged pores in your eyelids, which can lead to those painful little styes and puffy red eyes.  

You can quickly remove eye makeup with makeup remover pads (keep them next to your bed if it means you’re more likely to use them). If you skip the eye makeup removal now and then, it’s not likely to lead to problems, but try to avoid making a habit of it—your skin and pillowcases will thank you.      


Moisturizers & Eye Creams
One of the best things you can do to prevent wrinkles from forming is not to apply moisturizer, but to protect your skin from the sun. Because of this, if you’re tired, go ahead and skip your moisturizers and eye cream without feeling guilty. In the morning, you can apply a daily moisturizer and, of course, make sure to apply sunscreen.  

(For dry skin, make sure you’ve read the section above on using a moisturizing facial cleanser.)  

If you have aging skin, and it’s dry to normal (not oily or acne-prone), you may want to be more vigilant with your night creams. So if you’ve skipped a thorough facial cleansing on a lazy night, you can still apply your anti-aging moisturizer before you hit the sheets—it may be more difficult for it to penetrate your skin, but you’ll still derive benefits from it.  


Dental Hygiene   “The recommended brushing time is between 2 to 3 minutes per session with a minimum of two brushing sessions per day,” says dentist Marielaina Perrone, DDS. That being said, we get it, you don’t always want to brush when you’re exhausted—but you really should. So, to cut corners, instead of waiting until bedtime to brush those pearly whites, do it just after you’ve finished dinner. This might also help deter after-dinner munchies (double bonus!).  

When it comes to flossing, doing it twice a day would be great, but you really just need to make sure you’re getting it done once a day to fight gum disease. This once-a-day floss can be done when you brush after dinner or even at another time, when you have more motivation, during the day.  

As for mouthwash, you don’t really need it. Properly brushing and flossing are enough to do the trick, so unless you just can’t sleep without the minty aftertaste of mouthwash, you can skip it.    


Hair Washing If you’re debating washing and styling your hair before bed because you know you won’t have time in the morning, just go ahead and skip it. Skipping washes is actually beneficial for the health, color preservation and shine of your hair. Washing too frequently depletes the healthy oils from your hair leaving it lackluster and even frizzy.  
In the morning, if your hair is looking oily, spritz on dry shampoo (or even baby powder) and style as usual. Worst case, you can always rock the low, chic bun look.      

Eye Health
In an ideal world, you would only wear your contacts maximum eight hours per day, but we all slip up on that. If you do wear contacts, though, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly and remove your lenses before bed (or earlier, if you can). Contact lens overuse can cause serious, painful damage to your eyes by blocking oxygen from reaching your cornea amongst other things.      

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article source: chixrx.com