Homemade Skin Care Serenade

Make an Easy Lotion For Your Skin

Years ago I found out how incredible easy it is to make lotion. It is so inexpensive and organic that I wondered why anyone would even consider spending a dime on the chemical rich lotions on the market.

Besides I had an added incentive, I have eczema, so I am extremely sensitive to what I put on my skin. Making my own lotion was a great alternative for me.

To begin, for a lotion base all you need is water, oil and an emulsifier. An emulsifier is simply an ingredient that blends the water and oil together. Here is the base that I begin with to make my lotion:

• Ѕ cup distilled water
  
• Ѕ cup oil (I usually use olive, almond, macadamia nut, or grape seed)
  
• 1 TBS liquid lecithin
  

You can experiment from here by adding essential oils, combining other oils; you can steep beneficial herbs into your water before you add your oil, etc. . .

Here is a nice winter lotion to get you started:

• Ѕ cup distilled water
  
• Ѕ cup olive oil
  
• 1 TBS lecithin
  
• 6-8 drops of geranium oil
  
• 2-4 drops Myrrh oil
  
• 400 IU Vitamin E oil (1-2 open capsules)
  

Geranium oil is good for supporting balance and rejuvenating dry skin conditions and for wrinkled and matured skin.

Myrrh is a gentle oil that is effective in replenishing moisture.

Vitamin E oil is an excellent antioxidant and helps to protect the skin as well as a nice preservative.

Blend all ingredients in the blender either on whip or cream. You will have a nice creamy firm lotion. Add more water to make a lighter lotion. Store in the refrigerator in hot climates or store in a cool place. Shake well before use.

Enjoy your lotion. Hopefully this little recipe will inspire you to become creative!

Author, Danielle Sims, explored her library of alternative health, herbal books, and aromatherapy books and created a blueprint for making her own body wrap formulas at home. For more information vist Danielle's website http://www.wrapyourselfslim.com.

Skin Care Verse

Cosmeceuticals: The New Wave in Skin Care Solutions

Cosmeceuticals are the new wave in skin care. They are topical cosmetic-pharmaceutical hybrids intended to enhance the health and beauty of the skin. Skin is the largest organ in the body, both by weight and surface area. In adults, the weight of your skin accounts for about 16% of your total body weight. The skin separates the internal environment from the external. It is essential to protect and preserve the skin for your own personal health and self esteem.

Cosmetic skin care products only serve to cleanse and beautify. As opposed to cosmetics, cosmeceuticals will alter the structure and function of the skin. Let’s take a look at some of the ingredients and the science behind why they work.

Centella Asiatica is a botanical agent, which increases collagen production by inducing its precursor enzyme. This ingredient has a shelf life of 6 months, which is why you will not find it in stores. This amazing material reduces the appearance of stretch marks and is currently being researched for its effects on varicose veins.

The FDA recognizes Salicyclic Acid as a proven anti-bacterial destroying agent.

Retinol is a vitamin A treatment, which accelerates the skin cells natural exfoliation process and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Glycolic Acid is a natural fruit acid, which accelerates the skins cellular turnover. It improves circulation and produces vibrant, smoother, younger-looking skin.

Alpha Lipoic Acid is a powerful anti-oxidant proven to shrink pores, reduce under eye puffiness, and erase fine lines and wrinkles, while improving circulation and brightening your overall complexion.

DMAE is a natural substance that stabilizes and strengthens the cell's plasma membrane. Dramatically tightens, firms, and tones the neck, eyelids, and facial muscles, resulting in a lean, toned, and youthful look.

Sodium Hyaluronate is a protein that functions as a lubricant between the connective tissues of the skin, allowing the retention of skins natural moisture, leaving the skin soft, supple and silky smooth.

Other ingredients include Dimethicone Copolyol Meadowfomate, which is an anti-irritant, retinyl palminate an anti-wrinkles agent, and actifirm, a skin-firming agent. In short, a combination of these ingredients will reverse sun damage and treat acne. They also reduce the appearance of wrinkles, old age spots, and stretch marks. I hope I have convinced you that cosmeceuticals will improve your happiness and your health. I encourage you to contact me with any questions, concerns, or your own rave reviews.

Author, Christina Iacovelli, Executive Consultant: My name is Christina. I currently work for a continuing medical education company, and I am a consultant for Nouveau Cosmeceuticals. With a degree in molecular biology, I always look for the science behind everything. Finally, a skin care company has developed a product that is made for all ages, all skin types, and all races. Read the reviews, try it for 30 days, and you will not be disappointed. The scientific evidence was enough to convince me to try it. After 30 days, I decided it was so amazing that I wanted to sell it. I am glad I have the opportunity to share with all of you. “It’s not your imagination…it’s Nouveau.” ciacovelli@aol.com. http://www.bynouveau.com/flawless.

Anti-Aging Serenade

Wrinkle Remover That WORKS!

That's a pretty optimistic statement, isn't it? But yes, in my opinion, this cream does work and no I'm not an agent or in any way tied to the manufacturer financially, but as a fitness and health consultant I am always looking for any "edge" to help my clients, and this product fits that criteria.

Now I had thought about writing a bit about fashion and how it's really all about "the ladies", and rightly so ('cos who really cares about what guys are wearing anyway) but then you already know that. And then I thought about saying something about how fashion is really about appropriateness; how it's best to dress in a style appropriate to your personal individuality; and don't forget that you are going to project so much more йlan when you are wearing something that you feel comfortable wearing, not something you have been pressured into by some fad or trend.

I think it was Orson Welles who said, when asked about fashion, "Fashion is whatever I happen to be wearing at the time". And he had a point. If HE was wearing it, then it was fashionable!

So it's really about confidence and self-possession, to the extent that you could be wearing jeans and a Tee-shirt amongst a gathering of "suits" but you could still exude that fashion-runway arrogance by assuming that they, unfortunately for them poor souls, are all dressed inappropriately, whereas you with great panache have got it right on the money.

But you want to know about the wrinkle cream, right? Of course, and being a bit more serious here, I can say that I honestly believe this cream can have a beneficial effect, whether great or small, and I genuinely believe it works in reducing lines around the eyes, the mouth and those tracks across the forehead. You can use it pretty much over the whole face and neck and you should get just a bit more "bloom on the rose" all round.

So as I said, I'm not an agent or in any way associated with the manufacturer, nor do I receive any commissions or such, I just wanted to give you "my take" on a product I think can be a boost to your beauty arsenal. There are so many cosmetic creams in tiny jars that purport to erase wrinkles and fine lines, but I feel, of them all, this is your best bet for some actual noticeable results.

At this point I had thought of putting in the usual, "to get the name, click on my website www.gordonblack.com and send me an e-mail", but whenever I read that stuff my eyes go skywards and I think, "oh yeah, there's a catch here somewhere". So there is no such hook to get you to look at my weight management/fitness site, although I'd appreciate you visiting it; I'm giving you the name right here: made by Klein-Becker USA, it is StriVectin-SD (Striadril) and it is described as an Intensive Repair for Existing Stretch Marks. It comes in a big 6 oz. tube and lasts for ages and you can read all about it on www.strivectin.com or www.kleinbecker.com.

Author, Gordon Black, is a world-ranked Master swimmer and Canadian national record holder. A member of the British swim team in the late '60s, after thirty years out of the pool, last year Gordon returned to competitive swimming in the Masters forum. He offers an online weight loss, fitness and motivational coaching service through his web site http://www.gordonblack.comwhere his competitive comeback is chronicled. Gordon is currently working on a book based on his own weight management and fitness system - publisher's enquiries welcome.

Stretchmarking Verse

Men and Stretchmarks

Seeing a man with stretch marks is just as likely as seeing a woman with the skin condition. The only difference is in how they develop the condition. Stretch marks are the result of a hormonal imbalance that affects the skin’s natural production of collagen. The imbalance typically happens to women during pregnancy. While both men and women strength train by lifting weights, a man who lifts weights and has stretch marks is far more common because men typically lift weights to obtain muscle mass. Increasing muscle mass results in a change in the hormonal system.

When you see a man with stretch marks you will typically notice them on his shoulders because this is the area where most of the muscle growth occurs. In both cases presented, the hormonal changes affect the production of collagen that is needed to accommodate the extension of the skin.

Many products that are designed to treat stretch marks are also excellent moisturizer. A man with stretch marks may not be interested in the dual purpose of the product. A product whose main function is to repair the skin and rebuild the collagen stores is Rejuvine Cream. A man with stretch marks will feel comfortable using this product because it is absorbed into the skin quickly. At a cost of nearly $20, Rejuvine is inexpensive in comparison to products with similar benefits.

Another product that is recommended for a man with stretch marks is Mederma. This product has been on the market for several years and many people have reported success with using it, even on old stretch marks. A man with stretch marks may be especially interested in purchasing Mederma because it is typically sold with products for skin ailments, as opposed to other products for stretch marks that are sold with cosmetics. In addition, Mederma does not include feminine fragrance that is also added to products created for treating stretch marks.

Author, Nicky Pilkington. Detailed information about stretchmarks, including tips on stretchmark avoidance and treatment, and also reviews of skin treatment products both traditional and new is available at http://www.stretch-mark-removal.org.

Tanning Poem

Fake a Tan with Sunless Tanning Lotion

A great tan is associated with health and beauty. While a bronze look is desirable, especially in the summer or on holiday -- we all know the dangers of the sun's UV rays. Is a temporary tan worth the permanent sun damage, wrinkles, and skin cancer risk? Absolutely not!

You can save time and avoid these risks entirely with sunless tanning lotion. Today's self-tanners give you a deep golden tan, not the orange look of years ago.

Many new self tanning lotions are tinted and these are the ones I recommend. Not only do they give you an initial tan, you're more likely to apply the lotion evenly and avoid streaking.

First, take a shower or bath and exfoliate your skin. Pay special attention to your elbows, knees and any other rough spots. These areas will soak up the self tanning lotion and turn darker so you need to get rid of any dead skin.

Pat yourself dry and pin your hair up. Apply regular body or hand lotion to the dry spots you exfoliated. Allow yourself several minutes to completely dry.

You may choose to wear thin gloves to put on the self tanning lotion and avoid getting it on your hands, but applying it with your bare hands will probably result in a more even application. It's your choice.

Start applying the lotion from the bottom - up, bracing your foot on a chair or stool. Rub in lightly, you can always go back later and apply a second time.

Don't forget the areas that would tan naturally in the sun, the back of your legs, knees, arms, and neck. When applying to your face, remember to smooth it on your eyelids and into your hairline -- avoiding your eyes and hair. For people with sensitive skin, there are self tanning lotions formulated specifically for your face and will result in a more natural look.

If you will be wearing your hair up, don't forget to apply the self tanner on the back of your neck, and behind your ears to look more natural.

When you're finished, wash your hands thoroughly if you chose not to wear gloves, so your palms don't turn an unnatural color. Use a hand towel to dry them completely.

Before the lotion dries, it's more likely to tan what you're wearing too, so let yourself dry and put on some loose clothing. If you're going to be sitting on a cloth chair or couch, sit on a towel to avoid staining.

For a deep, dark tan before a special occasion, apply self tanning lotion before bed, and again in the morning. Before you go out, check yourself in the mirror for any streaks and correct them with a damp paper towel. Apply bronzing powder to your face and shoulders for a finishing touch, and hit the town!

Author, Lorene Radenz, is a freelance writer and the founder of http://www.beautytipsonline.com and http://www.ibizedge.com - websites for online beauty and business.

Skin Care Fruit Verse

The Fruits Of Summer

Peaches, plums and nectarines are a rite of summer - and a must for healthy summer skin!

It's a sure sign of summer: mounds of sweet, juicy peaches; plump, flavorful plums; and aromatic nectarines that seem to arrive with the warm days of late spring and leave with the first cool autumn breezes.

Perhaps it's just a coincidence that these same peaches, plums and nectarines - long considered a delicious source of nutrition like most fruits and vegetables - are also important sources of antioxidants, essential for maintaining healthy skin. When the sun begins to shine, these fruits begin to work their magic.

A recent study conducted by the University of California - Davis found that these three summer stone fruits are rich in phenolic compounds which act as antioxidants, and include ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), carotenoids (orange or red colored substances found in many fruits) and provitamin A/beta-carotene.

Here's how antioxidants work to protect the skin. Photoaging - skin changes resulting from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays - happens where there is an imbalance of pro-oxidants (free radicals) and antioxidants in the skin's cells. The sun's UV rays can accelerate free radical production while at the same depleting antioxidants. Photoaging usually manifests itself in rougher, drier, wrinkled and less elastic skin.

Antioxidants protect skin cells by counteracting free radical activity. In addition,

Vitamin C is critical for the formation of collagen in the skin, and beta-carotene (transformed in the body into vitamin A) is important for maintaining the growth and health of skin cells.

All are good reasons to stock up on tree fruits between now and September. The best reason is just to enjoy these juicy, flavorful fruits that seem to be bursting with sunshine - all the while combating the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.

A long legacy

According to The Peach Sampler, a cookbook compiled by Eliza Mears Horton, peaches originally came from China: the fruit is referred to in the writing of Confucius in the fifth century. Peaches then traveled, via caravan routes, to Persia, Greece and Rome. In the United States, peaches first appeared only years after the pilgrims landed in 1620.

Interestingly, peaches, plums and nectarines are members of the rose family. Nectarines, which many consider a form of the peach, is actually a very distinct fruit and likely predates the peach. Nectarines take their name from the drink of the Olympic gods: "nectar".

Plums come in two types: Japanese and European. Japanese plums - tarter, juicier and larger than European plums - are the most abundantly produced varieties in the United States. They were first introduced to the United States in the late 1880s when legendary plant breeder Luther Burbank imported the parent stock from the Satsuma province of Japan. They come in a variety of colors - red, purple, black, green and yellow. European plums were introduced in the United States by the Pilgrims: they tend to blue or purple, more oval-shaped, smaller and sweeter than the Japanese varieties.

Today, there are more than 1.7 billion pounds of plums, peaches and nectarines packed each spring and summer in the United States, with more than 75 percent grown in California.

The state commercially produces more than 200 varieties of peaches, 200 varieties of plums and 175 varieties of nectarines. Most peach varieties are freestone, meaning the flesh of the fruit easily slips away from the pit. For nectarines, freestone varieties are generally available in June and July. All plum varieties are clingstone.

Summerwhite varieties of peaches and nectarines have a pale white skin with splashes of bright pink, while the flesh is light pink or white. Summerwhite varieties represent about 20 percent of the peaches and nectarines packed in California.

The basics: Selection, storage and handling

When stone fruits are purchased in the grocery store, they often feel hard to the touch and are not fully ripe. The best way to ripen stone fruit is to place it in a paper bag, fold the top of the bag over loosely, and place the bag on the counter for one to three days. Never store hard fruit in the refrigerator, in plastic bags, or in direct sunlight.

Check the fruit daily. When it's ripe, it will be aromatic and will give slightly to gentle pressure. Once ripened, it can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week.

Peaches, plums and nectarines are easy to prepare: simply rinse under cool water and they're ready to go. Unless a recipe calls for it, you never need to peel any of these fruits: in fact, many of the antioxidants found in stone fruits are contained in the peel, and it's highly recommended that the peel be consumed along with the flesh.

For more information, please visit the California Tree Fruit Agreement's consumer Web site at http://www.eatcaliforniafruit.com.

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Men Rough Skin (Care) Ode

Men’s Skin Care

Believe it or not men have the same skin care issues as women. We usually do not hear about them, however, because the media tends not to focus on them as much in our society. Nonetheless, men get wrinkles and pimples, they have dry skin and they have oily skin, they are prone to skin cancer, and many struggle with ingrown hairs much of their lives. Now that these concerns have been brought to light, the question is: how do men construct a regimen that is best for them?

Let’s start by mentioning the differences between men and women’s skin care. In general, men don’t spend as much money on skin care products as women; men don’t wear as much make-up as women; and men shave their facial hair much more than women do. There are product lines on the market that target men only, and there are product lines that cater to both men and women. Furthermore, men tend to go for basic, no frills labeling and products that are multi-purpose, such as a soap that can be used for hair, face and body.

Here is a good all-purpose skin care regime for men to follow: cleanse morning and evening with a gentle facial cleanser (no bar soap since it will only dry out skin and lead to problems), use a mild shaving product when shaving, exfoliate areas not shaved or if you don’t shave regularly exfoliate the entire face 1-3 times per week, treat breakouts with a disinfecting product, use sunscreen with SPF of 15 everyday, and use a moisturizer over areas that are dry.

Since shaving facial hair sets men apart from women, the subject should be discussed further. If you suffer from ingrown hairs, razor burn or any other kind of irritating reaction from shaving, I want you to know that this isn’t normal. If you’ve ever wondered why aftershave products sting or even if they should, just remember “pain equals no gain”. Using a razor over your skin scraps the surface of your skin leaving it vulnerable; if you apply a product with an irritating ingredient afterwards, it is going to sting.

If you experience rash like reactions after shaving, most likely it is due to the product being used before, during or after shaving. Many shaving products contain ingredients that may sound nice on the label, but in reality they are very irritating to your skin. Here are some common ingredients put in shaving products that tend to cause problems: alcohol, menthol, camphor and peppermint. If you have products with any of these ingredients and you experience irritation with shaving, I suggest trying something new.

Look for shaving creams, foams or gels that contain emollient ingredients to allow for a moisturized, calm, more soothed skin. Look for aloe, silicone, or allantoin to be listed in the first 5 or so ingredients of a shaving product. On the front of shaving products many times the word “enriched” indicates it may contain skin soothing vitamins and emollient ingredients that will moisturize your skin instead of drying it out. Another important indicator of a potentially non-irritating product is “alcohol free.”

So, to the men who are reading this, remember, “pain equals no gain.” If the shaving product you’ve been using seems to irritate your skin, it is time for you to try something new. For all the ladies, take my advice and pick up some new shaving cream for the man in your life and casually swap it with what he is using now, he’ll thank you for it eventually.

Heather Hawthorne has been a practicing licensed esthetician for 4 years, and is part of a team of licensed therapists at The Lane Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Becoming an esthetician was the result of a lifelong pursuit to help people feel better about themselves. Here are some suggestions to getting started for the best men's skin care needs: http://www.spalook.com/search_results.asp?txtSearch=anthony&Submit=search&userSearch=1.


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Health & Beauty Skin Dehydrated Ode

Health & Beauty: Oily Skin Can Get Dehydrated Too

All skin types - normal, dry, and oily - needs to be moisturized in summer. Your face may appear to have a shine without a morning lotion, "but what you may be witnessing," says Jacquie Hutchinson, national product trainer for Almay, "is a false sense of security."

The skin, she says, has the life-sustaining role of protecting our veins, arteries, blood and organs from exposure to the environment. "It is such an important role that even with the first sign of dehydration, the oil glands immediately pump out more oil to protect from potential damage. Non-moisturized, dehydrated skin therefore can easily look oily and as a result it ruins that flawless, matte look you are trying to achieve.

"Instead, all skin types should be moisturized at least twice a day, but if you like, tuck-away the heavier cream for winter use and apply a lighter lotion in summer."

Sunscreen Reminder

Skincare specialists virtually agree that daytime products for your face should include a sunscreen, all year-round.

"Our company's hypo-allergenic line up recommends kinetin for youthful, regeneration of the skin," Hutchinson said. "Kinetin is an anti-aging discovery found in green leafy plants and for daytime use, it is combined with UVA/UVB protection and offered in Almay's line of moisturizers, foundations, concealers and lipsticks.

"Kinetin, has healing benefits too," she said. "Clinical testing indicates an efficacious ability to help reverse and repair sun damaged skin and to protect from sunspots, lines, and dry patches. Unlike retinol-based formulas, Kinetin skincare requires no "sun-avoidance" program and recently, our two Kinetin products with SPF were awarded accreditation from the Canadian Dermatological Association."

For those of us concerned about applying too much product on oily or normal skin during the humid days of summer, specialists do suggest "the easiest solution is to get skin protecting and enhancing benefits, all in one."

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Talk About Teen Acne Poem

Acne is the most common skin disorder -
Scream for the living as it flies to the ground.
The canine's legs did curl asunder
With empatiense and silent sounds.

Dermatologists Offer Advice to Parents on How to Talk to Teens About Acne

Acne is the most common skin disorder in the United States, involving 85 percent of the population at some point in their lives. Approximately 20 million teenagers have acne.

"Acne can be especially emotionally devastating for teens because they are extremely conscious of their appearance and their image," says Hilary Baldwin, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at the State University of New York at Brooklyn. "Several studies have shown that acne sufferers can experience everything from decreased self-esteem and problems with body image to depression and anger."

Dermatologists encourage parents to seek medical treatment for teenagers with acne and warn against taking a "wait and see" approach. "Many parents are often stuck in the mindset of past generations that nothing can really be done about acne," says Sandra Swanson, a Charlotte, N.C. dermatologist. "They still believe in those old wives' tales that chocolate, pizza, french fries, and their child's hygiene habits are to blame, and that pimples can be healed or prevented by simple lifestyle changes."

Avoiding treatment, however, can make acne worse and may increase the chance for permanent scars. "The ultimate goal of acne therapy is to help clear up the pimples you have and to prevent the occurrence of future breakouts," says Larry Green, assistant professor of dermatology at George Washington University School of Medicine. "In general, if your child is not responding to home remedies and over-the-counter treatments after one month, it's a good idea to see a dermatologist. Dermatologists have a greater chance for long-term success if treatment is started sooner rather than later."

On www.caringforyourskin.com, dermatologists from around the country offer advice to parents on how and when to talk to teens about acne and acne treatment, and share some of the common mistakes they see parents make during their child's treatment.

Perhaps the most common mistake parents make occurs during the first visit to the dermatologist's office. Too often, parents monopolize the conversation with the doctor and do not give their child a chance to verbalize his/her feelings. "For those parents, I let them know in no uncertain terms that this is not their condition, but rather the child's condition and I need to hear from him/her," says Omaha, Neb. dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, M.D. "I think it is imperative that parents be there at the first visit and always be available to discuss issues such as medication, but direct communication between doctor and patient is critical to successful treatment."

"As far as supporting their child's acne treatment is concerned, most parents do really well," says Katie Rodan, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, Calif. "I like to have parents in the room because I want their input regarding oral vs. topical medications and other issues that arise where I may need their consent. I also like parents to know the treatment regimen because they can help their kids find a workable routine and can give 'soft' reminders to use the medications."

"Parents play an integral role during treatment," says Montclair, N.J. dermatologist Jeanine Downie, M.D. "They need to be supportive and encouraging, but must resist the impulse to nag or criticize, as it could have a counter-effect (i.e., the child may elect to rebel by not complying with the doctor's instructions)." Dr. Downie generally provides her teen patients with written instructions they can put in visible places (such as a bathroom mirror) to serve as gentle reminders. "This gives them a sense of ownership to the treatment plan."

For more advice on "Talking to Your Teen About Acne," and other skincare topics, visit http://www.caringforyourskin.com.

Tips for teens are available on http://www.pimpleportal.com. The site offers information about the causes of acne, how it can be controlled, dispels common myths about the condition, and offers information about a variety of over-the-counter and prescription treatments. Visitors can also ask a panel of dermatologists questions about acne, makeup, and subjects ranging from skin to nails to hair.

Courtesy ARA Content.

Skincare Opus

Acne-prone teens with dark complexions
Marking time, but no looking back...
Who the hell used all reflections?
Monkeys gone, jackals compel them to hack.

Web site Offers Skincare and Beauty Advice to Meet Unique Needs of Teens With Darker Skin

Acne-prone teens with dark complexions have skincare and makeup problems unique to their darker skin tones, and also have difficulty finding skincare information that speaks directly to their needs. Now, teens with complexions ranging from the darkest shades of black skin to lighter olive-colored skin, can get expert skincare and makeup advice on www.pimpleportal.com.

Jeanine Downie, M.D., a dermatologist based in Montclair, N.J., recognizes the frustration darkly complected teens experience. "People with darkly complected skin, which can include persons of African-American, Asian, Latino, Mediterranean and Native American heritage, must cope with controlling their acne and are also more prone to scarring. Furthermore, they often have difficulty finding skincare information that addresses darker skin, and don't know that a dermatologist can provide treatment to help with their specific needs."

Celebrity makeup artist Michael Criscuolo, whose high-profile client roster includes supermodels Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks, also knows that darkly complected skin requires a bit of extra attention when it comes to finding the right shade of foundation and cover-up. "Women with dark complexions sometimes have difficulty finding a natural shade of makeup to conceal blemishes and scars," says Criscuolo. "However, new lines of makeup that cater specifically to those with darker skin tones allow the skin to appear flawless, and best of all, natural."

Named one of 2000's "Best of the Web" by Access Magazine and awarded a Gold Triangle Award by the American Academy of Dermatology for furthering public understanding of dermatological issues, www.pimpleportal.com provides information for teens to help them cope with, cover-up and conquer breakouts and other skin problems. Dr. Downie and Michael Criscuolo offer teens with dark complexions the following advice:

Dermatologist Jeanine Downie's professional advice includes:

HANDS OFF - No matter what your skin color, adopt a strict "hands off" policy since picking leads to permanent scars. Darker skin is more prone to scarring and hyperpigmentation (a dark spot that remains on the skin after the pimple is gone).

AWAY WITH ASHINESS - Since dark skin can be extra sensitive, teens undergoing acne treatment often experience dry skin or ashiness. To avoid this condition, use a non-comedogenic, oil-free moisturizer all over the face in addition to your daily zit-fighting regimen.

TREATMENT X 2 - Black skin undergoes a two-step process during acne treatment. First, a dermatologist will probably prescribe a treatment to reduce and prevent breakouts. After existing acne is under control, some African-Americans require additional treatment for hyperpigmentation. Dr. Downie advises her patients to start each morning by washing with a cleanser containing alpha hydroxy acids and applying a bleaching agent like hydroquinone to treat dark spots. At night, Dr. Downie's patients treat skin with a pimple-fighting product like RETIN-A MICRO (tretinoin gel) microsphere, 0.1%, to prevent future breakouts, and again apply hydroquinone cream to even out skin tone.

Celebrity Makeup Artist Michael Criscuolo's expert advice includes:

GET EVEN - Darker skin tones tend to have more variations in shading than lighter skin tones. For those who lack an even complexion, match your foundation as close to your natural color as possible, then, using a large blush brush, swirl (almost like a car wash buffer) powder over your entire face for the appearance of evenness.

YOU GLOW, GIRL - If you suffer from oily skin, counteract oil slicks by applying a light layer of loose powder over your makeup. Keep your powder puff with you for touchups during the day.

BROW BEATER - Some African-American women have coarse or uneven eyebrows, so they choose to trim the hair and define the brow line. To create natural looking brows, use a brow pencil in your natural hair color and draw in brows. Be sure to use feather-like strokes so the line doesn't appear too bold or unnatural. If your brows are a bit thicker, apply an oil-free hair gel to hold hairs in place. Visitors can log on to www.pimpleportal.com for additional skincare and makeup information. In addition, teens can subscribe to "What's Popping," a free monthly e-mail newsletter in which dermatologists and other skincare experts share information and "tricks of the trade" in dealing with a variety of skincare and makeup issues.

RETIN-A MICRO starts working in as little as two weeks, with full results after seven weeks. Unprotected exposure to the sun or tanning lights, extreme wind or cold, or use of irritating skin-care products may aggravate the skin. The most common adverse reactions to RETIN-A MICRO were limited to mild or moderate irritation of the skin. For specific questions pertaining to RETIN-A MICRO, visit www.retinamicro.com.

Courtesy ARA Content.