Ah, the holidays. ‘Tis the season to move into the relationship danger zone. We get so stressed out about buying the right presents, staying within our holiday budget, or trying to please impossible in-laws that the tension inevitably spills over into our love lives.

“It’s naturally a time of high stress and high expectations,” says Carol J. Bruess, PhD, the director of family studies at the University of St. Thomas, in St. Paul, Minn., and coauthor of What Happy Couples Do: Belly Button Fuzz & Bare-Chested Hugs—The Loving Little Rituals of Romance. Read the rest of this entry »

In winter, the humidity inside houses, offices and schools is low because of heating systems. Forced-air heating is probably the most drying (radiator heat is a little less so). When skin is dry and itchy, winter itch can occur – especially in the elderly because their skin produces less oil.

And it’s even worse for those of us who enjoy outdoor activities in snowy climates – there’s the problem of increased exposure to ultraviolet rays. Read the rest of this entry »

Green tea is now the preferred drink of supermodels, but is it really any better for you than a good, old-fashioned cuppa?

Clinical evidence suggests that green tea is packed with health and beauty benefits that you can enjoy whether drinking it or applying directly to your skin. Even the leaves can be used as a gentle exfoliant, guaranteed to give your skin a healthy glow. Read the rest of this entry »

Toxins, impurities, pollution, food additives, artificial coloring and flavoring, and parabens–with all these factors present in our world today, it’s no wonder your skin sometimes needs help to feel fresh and dewy.

Chances are, you don’t live on a mountaintop with cool, clear water to drink, and fresh, cleansing air to breathe. (Well, maybe you do, in which case, this doesn’t apply to you!) In any event, the toxins in our environment these days are doing a number on your skin, and they can leave your epidermis parched and thirsty for nourishment. Read the rest of this entry »

Some skin care scientists have suggested that regular shaving helps a man to keep a youthful face.

A person’s skin cells, they note, are renewed about every 30 days, and old cells need to be exfoliated.

Shaving helps in this process, the scientists say, by removing dead skin cells in addition to its intended purpose of getting rid of facial hair.

As more men turn to multi-product regimens to help keep their skin looking fresher and younger, advanced shaving gels, skin-conditioning ingredients formulated into shaving creams and new designs in razors themselves are helping give men the added benefits they are demanding. Read the rest of this entry »

Ditching superhot showers, sleeping face-up, and other tiny tweaks that will transform your complexion.

Think you know what causes your skin to age? You may be surprised. “Wrinkles, under-eye bags, and redness aren’t always caused by sun damage or genetics,” says Mary P. Lupo, MD, a dermatologist in New Orleans.

“I can look at a patient’s face and tell you a lot about her lifestyle—even the products she uses—based on the skin issues she has.” Save yourself a trip to the dermatologist, and read on to find out how you can get a healthier, younger-looking complexion just by tweaking your routine. Read the rest of this entry »

Without sufficient sleep your body is simply unable to function effectively. It is generally accepted that most of us need at the least seven hours each night.

However, getting these hours isn’t always easy, even when you go to bed at a reasonable time. So with this in mind here are some top tips to help you get a deep, restful night’s sleep… Read the rest of this entry »