People with enlarged pores or combination skin tend to be unhappy with “weighty” SPF’s go on thick and tend to sit on the skin, rather than absorb. Photo Plasma is an oil-free formulation, but you’d never know by touching it. It has an incredible lightweight texture and feels like cool air on your skin.

Photo Plasma’s hydrating ingredients keep skin look velvety, dewy and fresh while defending against environmental aggressors such as sun exposure, dehydration, pollution, harsh wind, excessive heat, extreme cold, heavy metals, smoke, stress and chemical irritants.

What are your questions about Photo Plasma? 

1. Avocados can be one of the trickier foods to determine ripeness. Avoid both the rock hard and mushy. Ripe avocados should have the slightest bit of give when squeezed.

2. Acidity is crucial for providing depth of flavor and keeping the guacamole green rather than brown. Classic guacamole calls for lime, but feel free to experiment and include other citrus fruits, such as lemon.

3. Make it hot for some metabolism boosting benefits. Try minced jalapeno, Serrano, Habanero peppers depending on your preferred level of spiciness.

4.  Add garlic. Crush cloves first with the back of a butter knife to help release the active compounds.

5. Make it original. You can add diced grilled onions, pineapple, mango, shredded cheese etc.

6.  Add extra Cilantro for a detox boost. Cilantro is thought to help support the body’s natural cleansing processes.

7. Substitute sliced bell peppers and radishes for chips.

What are your healthy Cinco de Mayo cooking tips? 

1. Rehydrate Skin
Winter can leave skin feeling parched, flaky and in need of serious hydration.
Tip: Increase your skin’s hydration levels by using a moisturizer rich in humectants and reparative nutrients such as Tocotrienols, a type of Vitamin E, and Omega-3 rich oils (such as chia) which are deeply nourishing.

2. Eat Seasonal Super foods
Visit your local farmers’ market and pick up some in season greenery. Spring vegetables provide some of the highest levels of vitamin K, iron and phyto-nutrients that ward off wrinkles and chronic diseases and help to maintain skin’s clarity.
Tip: Some anti-inflammatory best bets include asparagus, arugula, fava beans, lettuce, scallions, spinach, radishes, and artichokes. Asparagus in particular is an excellent source of the ‘master antioxidant’ glutathione, which naturally diminishes as we age, but can be slowed through diet, supplements and even topicals.

3. Go for a Deeper Clean
Spring weather can mean more sunscreen and more makeup with SPF. This is the time to focus an additional minute or two on cleansing to reveal brighter, cleaner skin. Properly cleansed skin will mean better results from the products you use daily.
Tip: Simply massage your cleanser in upward circular motions, especially focusing on any congested, black head prone areas in smaller circular motions.

4. Invest in the right SPF
While the active ingredients of sun screens can vary, they are divided into two groups based upon how they protect skin, either via chemical or physical agents. Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the energy of UV radiation before it affects your skin, whereas physical sunscreens reflect or scatter UV radiation before it reaches your skin. I recommend avoiding chemical sunscreens- especially if you tend to have sensitive or reactive skin.
Tip: Look for a non-chemical, broad-spectrum UVA/UVB formulation for the most complete sun protection.

5. Try a Toner
Warmer weather can mean more “shine” than glow for oily or combination complexions. To avoid breakouts and control excess oil production in warmer months, try incorporating a toner made withAlpha Lipoic Acid, DMAE and/or salicylic acid into your skincare regimen.
Tip: Toners can be applied with finger tips or a cotton pad and wiped over the skin to remove any excess oil, cleanser residue or even minute traces of makeup, dirt or dust.

6. Don’t neglect the décolleté.
We reveal more skin during the spring months, which exposes the delicate décolletage area. Keep skin well hydrated and protected to prevent signs of crepines, redness and slackening skin caused by sun damage.
Tip: Try to avoid V-necks on the sunniest days and look for a product formulated with anti-glycation properties to reduce appearance of deep lines on the neck.

7. Exfoliate Smarter
Exfoliation is a good thing, as long as it’s done right. Avoid using harsh, scratchy scrubs that can actually cause skin to thin over time, potentially causing micro-tears, redness and irritation.
Tip: Use a retinol or enzyme based treatment to gently dissolve dead skin and reveal a brighter, more radiant complexion.

The most powerful member of the Olive Oil Polyphenol group is Hydroxytyrosol. Extremely rare (and found most abundantly in Spanish olive oils), and effective in even small concentrations, this super antioxidant, anti-inflammatory has been proven to be effective in improving general health and appearance. When this powerful molecule is combined with Oleuropein, extracted from the olive leaf, and additional advanced multiple hydration factors, sensitive, dry, irritated skin is rapidly soothed and restored to a luminous and youthful vitality.

What are your tips for soothing sensitized skin?

Chris Scott of MakeupGourmet takes us through the most natural way to apply blush for mature skin. Nina, 54, has been prepped with Formula 15 and Face Finishing Moisturizer. 

1. Blushing is natural and should look it. Remember,  blush is meant to mimic the effect of blood rushing to the skin.

2. Apply to the “heart of the face”. To find your “heart” smile and see where your cheeks naturally round.

3. Include the cheek bone for a blended, natural blush.

4. Go for a cream blush if you tend to have dry skin and desire a dewier finish.

5. Dab cream blush onto the face with the pads of a finger tip. Use small circular motions to blend the color.

Remember the basics:

• Follow the anti-inflammatory diet.
• Take targeted nutritional supplements.
• Learn to control stress. Stress is highly destructive. When we are under stress, our adrenal glands produce hormones, including cortisol. This produces a host of negative effects that include increased inflammation and appetite, storage of fat (particularly around the abdomen) and acne flare ups.
• Follow a regular (ideally daily) exercise regimen. In an ideal world, exercise at least five times per week for 30 to 45 minutes per day. Even three days a week will make a difference.
• Get enough sleep. An important study at the University of Chicago demonstrated that sleep deprivation causes us to overeat. When we don’t get enough sleep, our levels of grehlin, a hormone produced by stomach cells and believed to increase feelings of hunger, increases. If we are sleep deprived we crave carbohydrate-rich foods, such as sweets, pasta and breads.
• Eat three small meals and two snacks each day. This will help keep your blood sugar stable throughout the day and hopefully prevent you from becoming ravenous and losing will power.
• Stay well hydrated. Water naturally suppresses the appetite and helps the body metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that if we decrease our water intake, our fat deposits will increase. Conversely, an increase in water intake will reduce fat deposits. When we give our bodies adequate water (6 to 8 glasses per day), we should also notice a decrease in our appetites.

When Meal Planning:

• Plan lots of meals with salmon, especially Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon, which has the highest concentration of Omega-3s of any fish. Salmon will help you glow and keep you feeling full.
• If weight loss is your goal, limit complex carbohydrates in the forms of grains and legumes to morning and afternoon meals.

• Each meal should have 3 elements: 1. A high quality lean protein 2. A complex carbohydrate (such as vegetables) and 3. A healthy fat.
• Plan to start your meal by eating the protein and enjoy fruit at the end of the meal for optimal blood sugar control.

At the Grocery Store:

• Go organic and free-range whenever possible. Avoid any poultry products with nitrates, often found in lunch meats.
• When choosing olive oil, opt for extra-virgin, cold-pressed Spanish varieties. They tend to have higher levels of an antioxidant known as hydroxytyrosol.
• Dairy: choose low-fat varieties and look for free-range, pasture-raised or grass-fed products whenever possible.
• Buy seeds amd nuts that are organic, unsalted and raw.
• When choosing beef, go for pasture-finished, grass-fed cows. Not only do they have a more heart healthy omega-3 profile, grass-fed cows naturally have higher amounts of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), an excellent fat-metabolizing nutrient.

• If you must sweeten anything, rely sparingly on Stevia, a low calorie sweetener.

For more tips on losing weight and turning back the clock,  join the Start Fresh Challenge and follow the 28-Day Diet.

• Is the eye area your main concern? Apply Deep Wrinkle Serum around the orbital area before applying your primary eye treatment. The Deep Wrinkle Serum will help to infuse more hydration into the delicate eye area and the eye treatment will lock in the moisture.

• Decongest pores with a do-it yourself mask. Work up a lather with your glycolic based bar (like the Glycolic Cleansing Bar.) Apply to skin and massage 3-5 minutes for a quick and gentle glycolic mask.

• Going to work up a sweat? Cleanse skin first and apply Blue Plasma before your workout. You’ll get the benefit of an added glow of a deeper cleanse.

No Makeup Looks:

• Concentrate on applying No Foundation Foundation in the center of your face, smoothing outwards. The center of the face is typically where women need the most coverage, whether it be redness around the nose or dark circles under the eye. Be sure to gently blend the product into the skin, leaving no unblended areas.
• Makeup brushes are great, but for applying the No Foundation Foundation or No Concealer Concealer, the heat of your (clean) fingertips works like magic to help the product melt into the skin. Fingertips work well in applying these two products also because they are formulated with physical sun screens that can adhere to brush bristles.

• Apply No Concealer Concealer above eye brows to give brows are more groomed and defined look.

1. Start with the refrigerator. Toss jam, jellies, sugar condiments like Ketchup, as well as salty foods. Say good bye to pickles, relish, cranberry sauce, chutneys and syrups. Toss any fruit juice, sodas and diet drinks. Also say good bye to margarine, shortening and peanut butters made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Lastly, throw out any nitrate-laden lunch meats, bacon and sausage.
2. Now the freezer. Get rid of the packaged foods, even “healthy” meals that contain high-glycemic carbohydrates and transfats.
3. Open the pantry. Time to rid it of cereals, rice, bags of flour, sugar, pasta, bread, crackers, instant mashed potatoes, cake mixes etc.

How did your kitchen rate? What did you have to toss?

1. Eat more healthy fats. Contrary to popular belief, eating more of the right fats can actually help you lose weight, feel full longer and  Best bets:  extra virgin coconut and olive oils, raw nuts, avocados and cold water fish.

Try: Adding unsweetened shredded coconut to your morning oatmeal and a small handful of chopped raw nuts to your salads.

2. Ditch scrubs. If you can see the granule (or piece of shell) it’s too large to penetrate into your pores. Essentially you’re just scratching your skin’s surface, which can create micro-tears, leading to thinner skin over time.

Try: Blue Plasma. It’s a gentle, non-acidic daily peel that imparts a boost of hydration while removing dead skin cells.

3. ‘Boost’ your routine. Using the same routine year round? Rediscover your favorite products by layering them over Cold Plasma. Thanks to Cold Plasma’s unique delivery system, products that are layered over this incredible formulation tend to work better and faster.

Try: Cold Plasma under your favorite treatment or moisturizer.

4. Invest in a high quality Omega-3 supplement. The scientific community has weighed in again and again on this subject, and the answer is to start taking an Omega-3 supplement daily for myriad health boons, including: a healthier heart, slimmer waist line and shinier hair, stronger nails and more supple skin. Do look for Omega-3’s that are purified and cleansed for heavy metals.

Try: Omega-3 Supplements. If fat loss is a goal, Dr. Perricone recommends taking 9,000 mg per day.

What beauty rules are you following for 2013?

• Make sure that you never drink alcohol on an empty stomach and that you stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Green foods such as Green Magma contain dried barley grass which can neutralize the toxic effects of the aldehydes. It is the perfect ‘detox.’
• If you’re drinking hard liquor, avoid mixing them with sugar-laden juice or sodas, which also have pro-inflammatory effects. Use soda water or tonic instead.
• Coffee is not an antidote to alcohol. In fact will leave you feeling even worse!

Should you over-indulge, drinking fresh, pure water and taking the right blend of nutritional supplements can help repair the internal and external damage that greets you the following morning. I recommend:

• 10 -12 ounce glass of water
• 1000 milligrams of vitamin C
• 1200 milligrams of n-acetyl cysteine
• 100 milligrams of alpha lipoic acid
• 1000 milligrams glutamine
• 500 milligrams of pantothenic acid
• a B-complex capsule

Wishing everyone a happy and safe New Year’s Eve!