Looking in the mirror is not one of my favorite things to do.  Too many wrinkles!  I wonder what the best eye cream for wrinkles is, or if it’s very expensive.  It’s really not that big a deal for me anymore, though.  My family and true friends will love me regardless of my wrinkles.  And you know what?  It’s a person’s personality and warmth that I notice.  I don’t care if they have wrinkles or not.  A lot of people probably feel the same way!

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the U.S. FDA Advisory Committee reports that washing hands with plain soap and water kills bacteria just as well as anti-bacterial soaps. I read about anti-bacterial soaps causing bacteria to be resistant to antibiotics several years ago.  We have not used these types of soaps since then.

Here are several good reasons not to use anti-bacterial soap:

• The active ingredient is triclosan (and the related triclocarbon) which is linked to liver toxicity.
• Low levels of the above active ingredient may disrupt thyroid function.
• The American Medical Association recommended not to use triclosan at home because it may end up causing bacteria to be resistant to antibiotics.
• This chemical ends up in our water sources because wastewater treatment does not remove all of the chemical.
• Triclosan is very toxic to aquatic life.

So which soaps should we use?  The EWG recommends looking for soaps that do NOT contain these three things:

1. Triclosan
2. Triclocarbon
3. “Fragrance” (which can open the door to all sorts of chemicals)

We do use the instant hand sanitizer which is alcohol based.  That is good to use when hand washing with plain soap and water is not available.

When I was a teenager, I had trouble with acne and had to go to a dermatologist.   I remember taking vitamin A and maybe another vitamin for a while, but something with a storehouse of vitamins and herbs like Acneticin was not available.  I think the most natural approach is best, and I know herbs have been very beneficial for me so it seems they would be helpful for acne as well.

What does your daily facial routine consist of?  Do you have several steps with cleansing, facial moisturizer, eye cream, and other creams? Or do you have a simple routine consisting of simply cleaning and then moisturizing? I used to do the several step routine a long time ago, but now I just go the simple route.  Not that it’s better but it doesn’t take so much time!

We have been having so much rain which is great because we need rain.   However, it has been cloudy and humid for so many days that people are longing to see the sun.  During the summer when it was so hot and dry and you needed wrinkle creams to keep your skin from drying out, people were wishing for rain.

Ideally, it would be nice to have rain for two or three days a week and then sunshine for the rest of the week.  However, we are not the ones in control of the weather.  So I guess we need to be thankful for the rain which we really need! And when sunny days come, we will be really thankful for them!

There’s nothing like having a blemish (or pimple or zit, whatever you call them) in a highly visible place such as the middle of your chin or forehead.  Some people have problems with multiple blemishes.

There are acne treatments on the market such as Acnepril that are oral acne treatments that attack acne from the inside.  These natural ingredients decrease the body’s oil production and work to balance hormones and detoxify the body with vitamins and nutrients.  This helps to prevent more acne from forming.

If you are looking for equestrian apparel that is comfortable, then The Equestrian Corner.com is the place to look.  You might want to check out their closeout deals with up to 70% off selected items.  The Equestrian Corner.com carries not only riding apparel but also equipment and saddles. They offer great prices and variety with gift items as well and even things for your dog.

This is not a paid ad, just a testimonial of a product that we have been using for years and have recommended to friends.  NO-AD is the best suncare product for our skin that we have used, and it’s also the best value!  They don’t advertise, thus the name “NO-AD.”

• It’s an excellent sunscreen and also an excellent moisturizer.
  
• They use the best quality products at the lowest possible price.  Since they don’t advertise, you get twice as much suncare product for the money.  Now that’s a good deal, and since most people are looking for ways to save money then this is a great way to save on summer expenses.
  
• What really impresses me is that they are recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

TIP: If you happen to forget putting on sunscreen and get a really bad sunburn, NO-AD is great to put on for a moisturizer.  If that happens, NO-AD Suntan Lotion with SPF 4 is excellent to help take away the pain of sunburn.

According to EWG, try to avoid toiletries with these ingredients listed in the label:

• Words ending in “paraben”
• DMDM hydantoin
• Imidsazolidinyl urea
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone
• Methylisothiazolinone
• Triclosan
• Triclocarban
• Triethanolamine (or “TEA”)
• “PEG”
• “-eth” in the middle (e.g., sodium laureth sulfate)

The ingredient “FRAGRANCE” can include a lot of different chemicals, some of which may pose a hazard.   Use EWG’s Cosmetics Database to choose safer products.

FormalTux.com offers new tuxedos and accessories from the top designers as well as discounted new tuxedo jackets and pants.  They carry a great selection perfect for weddings and formal occasions and offer name brands such as:

• Perry Ellis
• Ralph Lauren
• Lord West
• Geoffrey Beene.
  

Women’s formalwear and a large line of career apparel are also offered as well.  They offer just about any tuxedo style, have been in business for over 70 years, and offer great customer service.