Finally, an Acne System to Treat, Prevent, AND Reverse Your Skin Damage

Acne is something almost everyone has to deal with at some time in their life.  For me, my big battle was in college.  I was horrified to have terrible breakouts just when my social life took off!  It was so bad on my cheeks that it left scars and I’m sure I’m not the only person to have faced adult acne.  Adult acne is actually more common than acne as a teenager.  However, acne as a teenager –or younger- can really affect your self-esteem at a time when your self-esteem is teetering on the edge of okay or not okay. 

In my day we had little to combat the acne so we lived through it the best we could.  When my daughters were battling acne in middle school and high school all we had was Proactive.  Proactive works at first because of the high alcohol content but eventually it contributes to future breakouts, makes the skin red and sensitive and can prematurely age the skin.  By severely drying the skin out it contributes to wrinkles and future breakouts!  It has no moisturizers and no ingredients to help fade dark spots or minimize and eliminate any scarring.  Eventually, the skin on my girls faces was dry, sensitive and breaking out again.  One of my daughters suffered from cystic acne, which is very painful.  The Proactive didn’t help with that at all.  Also, when you make your first order, you are automatically placed on an auto ship program so you end up with too much product, which you cannot return.

Understanding acne is the first step to combating it so here is a helpful map of acne and its causes on the different areas of the face:

 Face Mapping is a good way to show you some easy things you can do to decrease your acne using diet and hydration. The forehead focus on eating less junk food. The chin is more about those pesky hormones as a teenager. Click here to see what your acne is all about.

In college, my daughters have had to face adult acne, which has been worse than the previous acne.  Thankfully, I found a product that works.  It worked when my youngest was in high school and has helped while in college. 

What has worked for us?  The NuSkin Clear Action System is what has taken care of present acne, has prevented future acne and has eliminated any discoloration or scarring.  Here’s why, it contains the following ingredients that other acne skin care products don’t have or don’t have enough of them to get rid of acne and improve your skin:

5.0% Salicylic acid—OTC anti-acne agent that exfoliates and keeps pores clear

Dipotassium glycyrrhizate—Reduces redness and soothes skin

DL-Pyrrolidonecarboxylic acid (Zinc PCA)—A 5 alpha reductase inhibitor that reduces sebum flow, diminishes redness, and soothes the skin

Potassium ascorbyl—Tocopheryl phosphate—Water and lipid-soluble antioxidant

Camellia sinensis leaf extract (White tea)—Polyphenolic antioxidant

Lactic acid—Exfoliates to keep pores clear and reduces discoloration of acne scars

Phytosphingosine—Reduces redness

Hexapeptide-2—Reduces discoloration and hyperpigmentation

Thioctic acid (Alpha lipoic acid)—Patented agent for reducing redness, pore size, and scarring

Retinol—Accelerates skin renewal, thickens skin, evens texture, and lightens dark spots

What you don’t see is a lot of alcohol to dry, irritate and prematurely wrinkle the skin.  These products can be used on sensitive skin because ingredients soothe the skin.  And, the addition of antioxidants adds nutrients to the skin so it doesn’t prematurely age.  This is the only product like this on the market.  I know I looked high and low so my daughters wouldn’t have to suffer like I did!

I always like to read product reviews so I’ve included them as well for acne skin care solutions as close to NuSkin Clear Action as possible…none of them can really prevent and repair though. (Adults: have old scarring? Using this system will REVERSE that past damage leaving a younger, healthier face!)  Notice the percentage of alcohol and/or salicylic acid, as that is very important in the fight against acne.  Never use a product containing alcohol and be sure the percentage of salicylic acid is at least 5%.

Reviews:

NuSkin Clear Action - click to read additional reviews

Age: 18 & Under Skin: Combination, Other, Not Sure Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine Eyes: Brown

I LOVE this system! It's the only system that works for me and it clears up acne scarring and dark spots as well! I have never broken out on my forehead, cheeks, or chin before until now. And by breakout I mean get one or two pimples in these areas. My forehead had subsurface bumps and they were basically zits waiting to appear. And on top of that, I had blackheads all over my nose and a little bit right on the sides my nose. This system made a hugeee difference after only two weeks of use! The subsurface bumps disappeared and blackheads have greatly diminished and so has my occasional zit or two. I recently ran out of the foaming cleanser so I stopped using the system all together. My acne started coming back and I tried to use Neutrogena to hold me over, but it didn't work. At $92 for the whole system, it's worth it. Big results in such a little amount of time and it lasts a looong time - a good two or three months for me!

Murad Anti-Aging Acne Treatment - click to read reviews

Dermalogica - click to read reviews

Health Tip:  Drink Plenty of Water or Green Tea for Clear Skin

Dermatologists will all tell you that getting enough water every day will help to keep you skin acne free. The best guideline for water consumption is 8 8-ounce glasses per day.  Drink more if you exercise or spend time outside in the heat.  Green Tea is excellent to drink because it contains catechins, which provide potent antioxidants to defend against the bacteria behind acne.

To learn more about the Clear Action System or to buy, click here. 

7 Tips on Running A Home Based Business

1. Set up a scheduled time to work.
    By setting a scheduled time for work on your business, friends and family understand you are unable to chat or answer questions that could wait for another time. This keeps you focused on the tasks you need to complete to ensure your business's success.

2. Designate a work space.
     It is best if you can occupy space in a room with doors that you can close when you need to make an important, uninterrupted phone call or creative thinking time. When doors are closed, family members are more likely to respect your work time and save their questions during family time.

3. Set Periodic Goals
     -Daily Goals
     -Weekly Goals
     -Monthly Goals
     -Yearly Goals
These all feed into the BIG Goals at the end of the year. Review your goals monthly, quarterly...whatever works for you because let's face it, life happens and your business is a living entity so it needs to adjust accordingly.

4. Attack your most difficult task at the very beginning of your work day.
     When we promise to return a call or follow up with a customer or potential customer sometimes the thought of that can create anxiety so we put it off until the end of the day. At the end of the day we are busy tying up loose ends so that phone call never gets made. Do it first and set up your entire day for success.

5. Distractions happen!
     The home/work balance is a delicate one that can be difficult to manage. Every morning or afternoon give yourself one hour to complete or at least begin the "housework" so you can spend the rest of your available time really focused on your business with a "clean" conscience.

6. Get Help aka Idea Bouncer
     Even if you are not in the position to hire an assistant or coach, you can elicit help from a trusted friend or find a mentor. Meeting weekly or monthly and setting goals together helps keep you accountable to yourself and your business. The input you receive will help keep you on track to reaching your goals.

7. Have Fun!!!
     If you aren't having fun, then why are you doing what you are doing? With so many choices in today's world, choose products and/or services you like, use.....and believe in. Their products and/or services will lead you to working with people you enjoy.

Overall Tip: 
     Do your research so you know your competition's business or the business of complimentary companies so you can work together.  Know when to say you don't know something a potential customer asks you, but that you find out and get back to them by a determined time and date.  This will actually impress upon your customer how genuine you are.  You don't want to be thought of as a fake!

For example: I am a NuSkin Distributor so I have done a lot of research to know skin care, anti-aging skin care, and nutrition leading to anti-aging. Sometimes I am faced with questions and have to get back to people with the answer on how to help them. When I do what and when I said I would, my customers are very appreciative and very loyal which makes my work very satisfying. 

America’s Detrimental Addiction: Processed Sugar

Who doesn’t know candy; cupcakes, cookies, ice cream, soda, sugary drinks and other sweet treats were bad for the waistline when over enjoyed?  However, how many of us know just how detrimental and addictive processed sugar can be?  And, do you know where it lurks in our foods, including “healthy” foods?  I just recently became aware of how bad processed sugar is for the human body and all the sneaky places it can be found in our diets…even healthy diets.

You think you are being “healthy” by eating “reduced fat” and “fat free” products.  Well, sadly, any food product that is either “reduced fat” or “fat free” is loaded with sugar to compensate for the lack of fat.  Calories are calories my friends and in order to perform our bodies need some healthy fats so replacing them with sugar is not a good idea.  As a matter of fact, a recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found we are consuming more than three times the six- teaspoons –per-day maximum of sugar recommended by the American Heart Association.  All that sugar adds up to about 300-plus calories each day.  To gain or lose one pound of body weight takes 3,600 calories.  This means if you are downing 300 extra calories just in sugar you will gain one pound in 12 days…just over 30 pounds in a year.

Natural sugar, which our bodies processes easily, can be found in fruit and vegetables like beets, corn, and potatoes so before you enjoy your chocolate chip cookie, you’ve probably already consumed all the sugar your body needs.  Don’t cut back on your produce!  Simply be aware of how much processed sugar is in all the pre-packaged foods you eat.  It is hidden in things that don’t even taste sweet such as bread and salad dressing.

Now you are wondering, “What is so toxic about sugar?”  Basically, sugar is made of both fructose and glucose molecules, which are metabolized differently by your body.  When consumed in excess, fructose triggers your liver to convert it to fat, while glucose triggers a blood-sugar spike and the release of insulin, a fat storing hormone, to counter-act the spike.  This means that eating too much sugar may stimulate your appetite rather than satisfy it, leading to craving more food after eating sugar.  How sneaky!!!  The worst of it all is that in addition to sugar’s association with obesity, excess sugar consumption has been linked to serious conditions like insulin resistance, high triglycerides, fatty liver, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Be sure to just say, “no” to sugary drinks as well.  Researchers speculate that the human body didn’t evolve to register liquid calories the same way it does solid food.  By eliminating sugary drinks, you can slash 350 – 500 calories a day from your diet.

Whether you are either trying to lose weight, or stay healthy it’s a good idea to reduce the amount of processed sugar in your diet.  I still have an occasional sweet treat, after all, I’m human, but by taking processed sugar out of my diet I feel lighter, happier and more energized.

Credit:  Women'sHealth, women'shealthmag.com "Weight Loss Guide", Summer 2012, Bonus: How Sweet It Isn't

Health Tip:  Super Easy-Gift Quality DIY Sugar Scrub for the Shower

Don’t throw out your processed sugar!  Use it to make an exfoliating treat for your hands, feet and entire body.  This also makes a lovely gift at the holidays in a canning jar with pretty ribbon and a cute label.

Ingredients:

Brown Sugar

White sugar

Olive Oil (great antioxidant for your skin)

Lemon juice or any high quality essential oil for scent and extra antioxidant benefits

Using a whisk, mix equal amounts of the brown and white sugar in a bowl.  Slowly pour in enough olive oil to the sugar mixture until crumbly.  Add drops of the essential oil of your choices and whisk thoroughly.  If using lemon juice, add about one tablespoon and a bit more oil until creamy.  Place contents in canning jar and decorate, as you like.  Voila!  Summertime, wintertime, anytime skin treat without the calories.

How To Repair Cracked Heels and Soothe Dry Feet

I don't know about you, but the summer sandal craze really makes me want to keep my feet sandal ready. I came up with a great (and pampering) way to get those pretty feet. We do this technique at our Spa Parties, so please let me know if you would like to have a spa party for a pampering night with your friends.  

How To Repair Cracked Heels and Soothe Dry Feet

What You Will Need:

 Epsom Salts, Polishing Bar, Foot Pumice Foot Stone or Foot File, & Sole Solutions

This may be done anytime of day or before bed.

            1.      Place ½ cup to 1 cup Epsom salts in tub of water, as warm as you like. (The ones I sent you are   infused with lemongrass oil that isn’t necessary just smell nice).  The Epsom salts are made of magnesium sulfate, which will help soften and heal the skin of your feet.

            2.      Soak feet at least 10 minutes but may soak as long as you wish.

3.  One foot at a time, rub all over with polishing bar.  The polishing bar polishes your skin while you cleanse. Containing Glacial Marine Mud and sisku’pas (ground bark)—used by Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest to smooth the skin—this soap-free, allover deep cleanser effectively cleanses while helping slough off dead skin cells for a smooth, clean feeling.  The Glacial Marine Mud contains more than 50 skin beneficial minerals and trace elements for deep skin conditioning.

4.  Before rinsing polishing bar off of foot, use pumice foot stone or foot file with as much pressure as is comfortable.

5. Rinse foot, place back in tub with Epsom salts.  Repeat with other foot.

6.  Soak feet for 5 more minutes in Epsom salts.

7.  Rinse and dry feet completely.

8.  On each foot, using about the size of a quarter, rub Sole Solution, concentrating on driest spots, which is usually the heels.  May apply more to heels if cracked.

9.  Put on a pair of socks for at least 30 minutes or if before bed wait until Sole Solution has dried, 5 minutes before sliding feet between the sheets to protect your sheets.

*If this procedure was done during the day, wash feet before bed with Polishing Bar and then apply Sole Solution as in #9.

I had to show a few pictures from the 4th of July celebrations we had with family and friends yesterday. 

yummy festive desserts (at least the berries are full of antioxidants! ;))

 Joy's very appropriate and cute toes for the party!

Savoring Favorite Childhood Summertime Memories

I recently have been reviewing old family photos and reminiscing some favorite holidays and moment when my children were young and carefree.  Seeing their sweet faces and smiles of joy dressed in costumes, playing in the summer garden, swimming in the pool, building sandcastles on beaches and playing with bubbles in the bath tub at the end of the day at various summertime vacation locations made me think of my own childhood summers.

Of all the summer fun my sister and I, my favorite memory is of our annual birthday swim and slumber parties.  My sister and I enjoy our birthdays five days apart, at the end of August.  This meant two huge parties in two consecutive weekends.  These were epoch parties in that we swam for hours and hours, rode bikes in our huge semicircular driveway, played all kinds of pretend games in the huge garden, had water balloon fights and then all camped in our enormous back yard.  Italian immigrants on 7/8th of an acre built our brick house in the 1930’s.  They planted all the herbs, fruit and nut trees indigenous to their area of origin in Italy.  These huge trees provided ample shade in the 110-degree weather, jungle gyms for climbing and a continuous feast.  Our grandparents bought us a tent and sleeping bags in pinks and oranges, made just for girls enjoying a summer camp out in their backyard.  I have yet to uncover photos of these memorable parties and I will one day.  It gives me a sense of well being as I picture those parties in my mind at a time when I was carefree and simple.  I look forward to the new memories I will make this summer with my family and friends and will try to keep the theme of carefree and simple since that seems to bring me happiness and contentment.

Joy's Summer Memory: 

 

I grew up in Minnesota  - the land of (over) 10,000 lakes. Like many families, my family had a cabin on a gorgeous lake in central MN. From the time I was 10 years old, every weekend of every summer we were at the cabin swimming, reading, tubing, skiing, boating, snorkeling, (some but not much fishing). I have to say my sister and I became serious tubing champions over the years. My dad has sort of a tubing routine which we have learned where to hang on super tight or where you (meaning me) can kick your sister’s tube. However the highlight of every summer was the 4^th of July. We usually had some family or friends come up for the day, grilling, and enjoying the lake goodness. The day always ended with a fire and s'mores while waiting for the fireworks. There was a huge show on a nearby lake and many shows on our lake. No Fire danger in MN!!  If you ever get the chance to do a family vacation – consider going to rent a cabin in MN and enjoy the beauty and family fun that MN lakes can offer! 

 

Health Tip:  Herbal Insect Repellant

If at all possible, it is best to try to avoid using DEET-based products to keep from getting insect bites during the summer.  DEET-based products occasionally give me hives, which is telling me it is bad for my body.  Instead, I make my own using essential oils and 190-proof grain alcohol, found in liquor stores.  Here is a list of oils from which to choose.  Be sure to test each out for skin allergy by a placing a small amount on your skin before you cover yourself and to see which oils work with your personal chemistry.

Oils:

Basil    Lemon Balm  Catnip Myrrh Clove   Neem  Citronella       Palmarosa

Eucalyptus     Peppermint    Garlic  Pine     Geranium       Rosemary       Lavender

2 1/2 teaspoons total of any combination of these oils

1-cup 190-proof grain alcohol, found in liquor stores

Place ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously.  Transfer to small bottles, can be a small spray bottle for storage.  To use, shake vigorously, then rub a small amount on exposed skin, dab or spray on clothing.  You will not smell good to the mosquitoes but to your friends and family without using toxic poison.

Soften and Purify your Skin By Getting Muddy!

Whether we are young or old, male or female, nothing improves your skin texture quicker than a good mud mask.  Since my sister and I were teenagers, we have coveted a good mud mask for clear, smooth skin!  We both feel the same way today.  Over the years I have searched high and low for the mud mask that delivers all it promises.  However, with so many products on the market, which one do you choose?  I believe I have finally found “the one” to give me tighter, smoother, beautiful skin.  Don’t just take it from me, at my spa party last month the mud mask was a huge hit!

The key ingredients in this mask are:

Glacial marine mud obtained from a remote glacial estuary in the Pacific Northwest to absorb impurities from the skin – dirt, excess oil – and remove dead cells.  This mud also attracts water to hydrate the skin.

Algae extract to keep skin moisturized while providing protection against harmful irritants

Deposits more than 50 skin beneficial minerals and trace elements to nurture the skin such as:

Copper to improve skin strength

Zinc is an essential mineral for healthy skin, especially acne suffers because it controls oil production.

Magnesium to promote cell energy for faster cell turnover for more youthful appearing skin

Silver to help skin fight off harmful bacteria

For more information or to buy this epoch mud mask please email me at ajulie@me.com

My Preferred Customer Pricing - $17.75 (a $5 savings from the website price!) 

The coolest part of using this mud mask is that a portion of every purchase of this product NuSkin donates $0.25 to the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation, a skin disorder that primarily affects children, causing the development of blisters or open sores on as much as 75% of the body.  To date, more than $1,299,050 has been given to the foundation.

Help find a cure for this disease and enjoy clearer, smoother, tighter softer younger looking skin when you purchase this fabulous mud mask. PS: Don't forget your sunscreen this summer. :)

FREE PRODUCTS: By hosting your own Spa Party! (in the Sacramento, CA area)

Health Tip: Getting Rid of Pool Hair

 Found this tip on Pinterest! Click here to see the pin.

"Swimming in a chlorinated pool can have a noticeable, and often unpleasing, effect on your hair coloring if you have light-colored hair. But you can usually return your hair to its former shade by dissolving six to eight Aspirins in a glass of warm water. Rub the solution thoroughly into your hair, and let it set for 10-15 minutes."

Kickstart Your Summer Workouts!

Sick of the gym? Enjoy the summer sun and get out of the house for your workouts! Spend more time with family and friends and try new activities (and get off the couch!)

1.       Rent paddle boards and try this fantastic sport (Joy loves this!) They offer these to rent at many places including Santa Cruz (love this place), Lake Tahoe, and more!

2.       Lotus, CA has some great White Water Rafting for all skill levels – Feel the rush as you ride the rapids! Check out this Video!

3.       Learn how to climb a rock wall! Sacramento has many options - http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/top-lists/rock-climbing-walls-sacramento-davis-auburn-ranchocordova/

4.       Hiking is such a great option for those at all fitness levels. Explore a new part of the state and get some cute hiking gear! My favorite new spot to hike is Loon Lake. This remote location is bound to test your endurance as you trek over the beautiful terrain.

5.       Set up your own obstacle course in your yard! During that barbeque have your friends/family join you in setting your best time. Don’t forget the classics like a hula hoop, hopscotch, and jump ropes in this course!

   6.     Netflix has lots of workouts for you to try. Try doing a different one every day so you don’t get bored! Most are only 30 mins! Remember it only takes 30 minutes a day of exercise to stay fit and healthy. (UPDATE: As of August 1, 2012 Netflix instant is not offering the wonderful 30 minutes workouts. At least the DVDs are cheap!)

   7.       Date and a workout at the same time? Have you and your honey tried out ballroom dancing classes? Joy and her husband took classes before their wedding and wowed their guests with a routine! 

8.       Kayaking at Lake Natoma – or for the really adventurous try wind surfing lessons! All classes taught by young professionals, mostly students from CSUS.

9.       Catch a wave at Half Moon Bay with surfing lessons.   Spend the weekend at one of the quaintest beach towns in NorCal and learn to surf! How Cali!

10.   Biker? At North Star try mountain biking – be sure to wear a helmet (and maybe other pads too). 

Health Tip: Post Workout Smoothie!

Julie's Morning smoothie (In a blender):

1 banana

1 peach

1 kiwi

½ cup raspberries

½ cup unsweetened almond milk

1 tsp of local bee pollen, it helps my allergies and is full of protein and antioxidants

2 tbls maca root powder, aids in mental acuity, energy and helps modulate hormones plus it adds protein

3 -4 tbl of full, fat, plain greek yogurt *Fat free and low fat yogurt is not good for you if you are trying to maintain or lose weight.   Studies now show everyone needs a percentage of “good” fat or else your body will start to store fat.

½ cup of crushed ice

It’s a great way to cool off after a fun workout, and get those antioxidants everyone needs!

Here is Joy's tasty recipe ratios!

Add whatever combo of frozen (I like it icy and they are cheaper) fruit you want (she always adds a banana), a scoop of plain yogurt for creaminess, and liquid like almond milk. Enjoy!