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Reader Review of the Day: Estée Lauder Foundation Brush

BellaSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:00:55 -0800

Zoot alors! My favorite foundation brush recently bit the dust. After searching through the Product Reviews pages, I think I might just have to give Estée Lauder Foundation Brush 1F ($30) a try. Reader brandysbug had nothing but positive things to say about this makeup brush, and here's why:

When I purchased this brush, it was a huge splurge for me. I just don't usually drop $30 on something like a brush, but I was pregnant, having major acne problems, was totally into the Estée Lauder Resilience Lift makeup line, and the saleslady talked me right into it. For liquid foundation, this is absolutely a wonderful brush. It helps to get the most from your bottle as it provides better coverage with less makeup than possible with other methods (sponge/fingers). This brush definitely helped me out covering up some very bad acne. It provided the full coverage I needed without piling too much makeup on. The results of using this brush with liquid foundation were astounding. My face almost looked airbrushed. I would recommend this to anyone who is considering buying a new foundation brush. It's worth the $30.

What makeup brushes can you not live without? What brushes went straight to returns? Tell us all about it on our Product Reviews pages. We love to hear your opinions - good, bad, and everywhere in between.

Reader Review of the Day: Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:05:24 -0800

Got bacne? Don't worry, you're not the only one. Reader bengalspice found something that works to keep the back pimples at bay. Here's her review of Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub:

I bought this for my boyfriend three years ago when we started dating because he had really gross bacne. No, really. I mean really gross bacne. I would use this to scrub his back because he had no clue how bad it was back there. Within a month his back was SPOTLESS! He's been using this less frequently since then, and the bacne hasn't come back. He also likes how the grit feels when he massages it into his shoulders. It smells really good, too. I also use this when I have acne spring up during the winter, when I tend to wear stuff that irritates my skin.

Agree? Disagree? Share your opinion on this or more than 50,000 other items in our product reviews section!

Link Time!

BellaSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:51 -0700

How to create this ghoulish look - Stylelist
Addressing the Jolie-Pitt hair police - Jezebel
See the cringe-delivering ANTM brownface footage - The Cut
How much you should really tip at the salon - Lemondrop
Fake perfect skin, even if you have acne - Lucky
Make your manicure happen faster - Allure
This nail polish indeed looks pretty bad - Temptalia
Find your Halloween style match - People StyleWatch
Oh boy, reiki nail polish remover - Beauty Snob

Reader Review of the Day: Origins Modern Friction

BellaSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:02:38 -0700

If you like the effects of microdermabrasion, but you want something gentler than crystals, this could be the item for you. Origins Modern Friction dermabrasion scrub ($37) uses rice starch to scrub away dead skin. Reader smoy1004 digs the smell, but wishes it were less pricey.

An Origins sales girl suckered me into purchasing this, but I can't say that it was a bad purchase! It smells soft and wonderful. Although I don't agree that it makes your skin look like porcelain, it does do a great job of gently exfoliating your face. Product also lasts a long time. I have combination skin with mild acne, and this product doesn't exacerbate the situation . . . even if it doesn't help it. I take one star away for hefty price tag and not doing much for my perpetually clogged pores.

Want to get the lowdown on a product you're not sure about? Check out our Product Reviews pages. We have more than 50,000 products for review, and readers add new ones daily. Daily, I say!

Reader Review of the Day: Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash Cream Cleanser

BellaSugar — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 08:00:32 -0700

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash Cream Cleanser ($6) is one of the most popular drugstore cleansers on the market, but even good products aren't meant for everyone. Reader sukhisukhi found that for skin like hers, this cleanser isn't the best decision. She says:

"I have sensitive, combination skin. I heard a lot of good things about Neutrogena, and decided to try this face wash based on recommendations. Unfortunately, it didn't work as well for me as it does for other people. I felt like it left residue on my skin without really taking any dirt away. Even without any makeup to remove, I felt like the product didn't do much for skin. It's been so bad for me that I've begun breaking out all over my face."

Absolutely love something you just tried (or absolutely hate it)? Want to know what people who've tried the newest products think about them? Head over to our Product Review section to write reviews of your own, and see how other people rate the beauty goodies you're interested in.

Zinc

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:35:25 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Overview

Zinc is an essential trace mineral, so you get it through the foods you eat. Next to iron, zinc is the most common trace mineral in the body and is found in every cell. It has been used since ancient times to help heal wounds and plays an important role in the immune system, reproduction, growth, taste, vision, and smell, blood clotting, and proper insulin and thyroid function.

Zinc also has some antioxidant properties. Therefore it helps protect cells in the body from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals may contribute to the aging process as well as the development of a number of health problems, including heart disease and cancer. Antioxidants such as zinc can neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause.

Your body doesn't need a large amount of zinc; the recommended daily allowance for adults is 8 - 11 mg. A mild zinc deficiency isn't uncommon but taking a multivitamin plus eating a healthy diet should give you all the zinc you need. It's rare for people in industrialized countries to be seriously deficient in zinc. Low zinc levels are sometimes seen in the elderly, alcoholics, people with anorexia, and people on very restricted diets. People who have malabsorption syndromes, such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease, may also be deficient in zinc.

Symptoms of zinc deficiency include loss of appetite, poor growth, weight loss, lack of taste or smell, poor wound healing, skin problems (such as acne, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis), hair loss, lack of menstrual period, night blindness, white spots on the fingernails, and depression.

Zinc lessens the amount of copper your body absorbs, and high doses of zinc can cause a copper deficiency. For that reason, it is usually recommended that you take 2 mg of copper along with a zinc supplement.

Acne

Some studies suggest that taking oral zinc supplements may help improve acne. However, most studies used a high dose of zinc that could have toxic effects, and not all studies found any benefit. There is some evidence that a topical form of zinc, used in conjunction with the topical antibiotic erythromycin, might be helpful.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Zinc is often recommended to slow the progress of age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease that occurs when the macula, the part of the retina that is responsible for central vision, starts to deteriorate. A major clinical trial, the Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS1), found that people who had macular degeneration could slow its progression by taking zinc (80 mg), vitamin C (500 mg), vitamin E (400 mg), beta-carotene (15 mg), and copper (2 mg). But not all studies have found zinc to be helpful. One 2007 study found that people with macular degeneration had deposits with high levels of zinc, leading some researchers to wonder if zinc actually contributes to macular degeneration. A new study, AREDS2, is examining exactly what role zinc plays in macular degeneration.

Colds

Many people believe that taking zinc lozenges or using zinc nasal spray when they first show signs of a cold can reduce the duration and severity of symptoms, but the evidence is decidedly mixed. More and better studies are needed that examine which kinds of zinc may be effective and against which kinds of cold viruses.

Immune Response

Zinc is necessary for a healthy immune system, and people who are deficient in zinc tend to be more susceptible to a variety of infections. For that reason, zinc supplements are sometimes suggested to improve your overall immunity and ward off infections, but that may only work if you are deficient in zinc to start with.

Sickle Cell Disease

People who have sickle cell disease are often deficient in zinc. Studies suggest that taking zinc supplements may help reduce symptoms of the disease. Children who took zinc showed improvements in height and weight, and had fewer sickle-cell crises.

Stomach Ulcers

Some studies suggest that zinc may help speed the healing of gastric ulcers.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Some evidence suggests that taking zinc may cause a slight improvement in symptoms, reducing hyperactivity, impulsivity, and impaired socialization in children. However, there was no change in attention deficit symptoms, and zinc may only benefit children who are deficient to start with. Zinc may be most helpful to children with a high body mass index, low levels of free fatty acids in their blood, and low levels of zinc.

Herpes simplex

Topical preparations of zinc have shown benefit in relieving symptoms and preventing recurrences of oral herpes lesions (canker sores).

HIV/AIDS

Zinc deficiency is common in people with HIV (even before symptoms appear) or AIDS. In people with AIDS, low levels of zinc may be a result of poor absorption, medications, and loss of this important nutrient through vomiting or diarrhea. Zinc deficiency leads to increased susceptibility to infection in people with AIDS (called an opportunistic infection). Some studies show that HIV positive people who take zinc have fewer infections, gain more weight, and have a better immune system response. But not all studies agree, and one even suggests that taking zinc may be associated with higher death rates. If you have HIV or AIDS, talk to your doctor before taking zinc or any supplement.

Wilson's Disease

Some early research suggests that zinc may be beneficial in treating Wilson's disease, a condition which causes copper to build up in the body. Because zinc lessens the body's absorption of copper, it may help reduce levels of copper in people with Wilson's disease.

Other

Other conditions may increase the need for zinc or affect how your body absorbs or uses this mineral. It is not known, however, whether taking zinc will help treat any of these conditions:

Acrodermatitis enteropathica (a skin disorder due to an inherited inability to absorb zinc properly)
Alcoholism
Cirrhosis (liver disease)
Kidney disease
Celiac disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease)
High blood pressure
Pancreatic conditions
Pregnancy

Dietary Sources

Your body absorbs 20 - 40% of the zinc present in food. Zinc from animal foods like red meat, fish, and poultry is more readily absorbed by the body than zinc from plant foods. Zinc is best absorbed when taken with a meal that contains protein.

The best sources of zinc are oysters (richest source), red meats, poultry, cheese (ricotta, Swiss, gouda), shrimp, crab, and other shellfish. Other good, though less easily absorbed, sources of zinc include legumes (especially lima beans, black-eyed peas, pinto beans, soybeans, peanuts), whole grains, miso, tofu, brewer's yeast, cooked greens, mushrooms, green beans, tahini, and pumpkin, and sunflower seeds.

Available Forms

Zinc is available in several forms. Zinc sulfate is the least expensive form, but it is the least easily absorbed and may cause stomach upset.

More easily absorbed forms of zinc are zinc picolinate, zinc citrate, zinc acetate, zinc glycerate, and zinc monomethionine. If zinc sulfate causes stomach irritation, you can try another form, such as zinc citrate.

The amount of elemental zinc is listed on the product label (usually 30 - 50 mg). To determine the amount to take in supplement form, remember that you get about 10 - 15 mg from food.

Zinc lozenges, used for treating colds, are available in most drug stores. There are also nasal sprays developed to reduce nasal and sinus congestion. Nasal gels seem to work better than the spray.

How to Take It

You should take zinc with water or juice. However, if zinc causes stomach upset, it can be taken with meals. Don't take zinc at the same time as iron or calcium supplements.

A strong relationship exists between zinc and copper. Too much of one can cause a deficiency in the other. Long-term use of zinc (including zinc in a multivitamin) should be accompanied by copper.

Do not give zinc supplements to a child without talking to your doctor.

Daily intake of dietary zinc (according to the U.S. recommended dietary allowances) are listed below:

Pediatric

Infants birth to 6 months: 2 mg (AI)
Infants 7 - 12 months: 3 mg (RDA)
Children 1 - 3 years: 3 mg (RDA)
Children 4 - 8 years: 5 mg (RDA)
Children 9 - 13 years: 8 mg (RDA)
Males 14 - 18 years: 11 mg (RDA)
Females 14 - 18 years: 9 mg (RDA)

Adult

Males 19 years and older: 11 mg (RDA)
Females 19 years and older: 8 mg (RDA)
Pregnant females 14 - 18 years: 12 mg (RDA)
Pregnant females 19 years and older: 11 mg (RDA)
Breastfeeding females 14 - 18 years: 13 mg (RDA)
Breastfeeding females 19 years and older: 12 mg (RDA)

Therapeutic ranges (elemental zinc):

Men: 30 - 60 mg daily
Women: 30 - 45 mg daily

You should not take high doses of zinc for more than a few days unless your doctor tells you to. Talk to your doctor before taking more than 40 mg of zinc per day.

Precautions

Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should take dietary supplements only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.

Research has shown that less than 40 mg a day is a safe amount to take over time, but researchers are not sure what happens if more is taken over a long period.

Common side effects of zinc include stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, and a metallic taste in the mouth. High doses of zinc can cause dizziness, headache, drowsiness, increased sweating, loss of muscle coordination, alcohol intolerance, hallucinations, and anemia.

Very high doses of zinc may actually weaken immune function. High doses of zinc may also lower HDL ("good") cholesterol and raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol.

Possible Interactions

If you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use zinc without first talking to your health care provider.

Amiloride (Midamor) -- Amiloride is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that may increase the levels of zinc in your blood. Do not take zinc supplements if you take amiloride.

Blood pressure medications, ACE Inhibitors -- A class of medications called ACE inhibitors, used to treat high blood pressure, may decrease the levels of zinc in your blood. ACE inhibitors include:

Captopril (Capoten)
Benazepril (Lotensin)
Enalapril (Vasotec)
Lisinopril (Zestril)
Fosinopril (Monopril)
Ramipril (Altace)
Perindopril (Aceon)
Quinapril (Accupril)
Moexipril (Univasc)
Trandolapril (Mavik)

Antibiotics -- Zinc may decrease your body's absorption of two kinds of antibiotics, quinolones and tetracyclines. These include:

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
Ofloxacin (Floxin)
Moxifloxacin (Avelox)
Norfloxacin (Noroxin)
Gatifloxacin (Tequin)
Tetracycline
Minocycline (Minocin)
Demeclocycline (Declomycin)

However, doxycycline (Vibramycin) does not seem to interact with zinc.

Cisplatin (Platinol-AQ) -- This drug, used for chemotherapy to treat some types of cancers, may cause more zinc to be excreted in your urine. If you are undergoing chemotherapy, do not take zinc or any other supplement without talking to your oncologist.

Deferoxamine (Desferal) -- This medication, used to remove excess iron from the blood, also increases the amount of zinc that is lost in urine.

Immunosuppressant medications -- Since zinc may make the immune system stronger, it should not be taken with corticosteroids (such a prednisone), cyclosporine, or other medications intended to suppress the immune system.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -- Zinc interacts with NSAIDs and could reduce the absorption and effectiveness of these medications. Examples of NSAIDs, which help to reduce pain and inflammation, include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naprosyn (Aleve), piroxicam (Feldene), and indomethacin (Indocin).

Penicillamine -- This medication, used to treat Wilson's disease (where excess copper builds up in the brain, liver, kidney, and eyes) and rheumatoid arthritis, decreases the levels of zinc in your blood.

Thiazide diuretics (water pills) -- This class of medications lowers the amount of zinc in your blood by increasing the amount of zinc that is passed in your urine. If you take thiazide diuretics, your doctor will monitor levels of zinc and other important minerals in your blood:

Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
Hydrochlorothiazide
Chlorthalidone (Hygroton)
Indapamide (Lozol)
Metolozone (Zaroxolyn)
Polythiazide (Renese)
Quinethazone (Hydromox)
Trichlormethiazide (Metahydrin, Naqua, Diurese)

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Review Date:
9/26/2007
Reviewed By:
Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D., private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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Reader Review of the Day: Clarisonic

BellaSugar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:10:03 -0700

As you know, I am a big fan of my Clarisonic, even putting it in places where the sun don't shine. And judging by the number of glowing reviews from readers, they're loving it, too. Reader Lovelie says it's all about finding the right cleanser:

I will admit that I had some problems with the Clarisonic when I first got it. I was using a really harsh cleanser with it and ended up overstimulating my skin and breaking out . . . BADLY! For the last few years, I have been plagued with blackheads under the skin but no acne. Well after using the Clarisonic with my MdForte cleanser, I had acne. It was terrible. So I stopped using it for a while, let my skin heal, and switched cleansers to a gentler cleanser, Philosophy Purity. Well, this was the magic combination, because my skin has clarified itself to a point that it hasn't been in years. Stubborn blackheads that wouldn't BUDGE pre-Clarisonic made their way to the surface where eventually they just popped out. My conclusion is that you have to pick the right cleanser to go along with this.

For the record, I agree; using a glycolic cleanser with Clarisonic was a bit much, but a gentle cleanser worked wonders. BTW, it's the last day of our $500 gift certificate giveaway from Benefit. To enter, check out the rules - and be sure to write three reviews today to qualify for the contest. Just head over to Product Reviews and get going. Good luck!

Healthy Eating Tip: Eat Low GI Foods to Feel Full

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:00:00 -0700

Some issues are black and white with carbs being a case in point. There are good carbs and bad carbs. Carbs low on the glycemic index (GI) are good and conversely those high on the scale aren't. High GI foods have been linked to a variety of problems, from acne to Alzheimer's as well as increasing your risk of type 2 diabetes. New research shows that foods low on the glycemic index release a hormone in your gut to make you feel satiated, helping you avoid overeating. A rating of 50 or under on the index indicates a low GI food and a rating above 70 puts a food in the bad column. For instance, three ounces of soy beans rate 18 on the GI, but one ounce of a French baguette is 95. So choose foods with a low GI rating, like whole grain bread, which has a rating of 40 instead of white bread, which is rated 70.

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Bella Guide: Cystic Acne 101

BellaSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 08:00:24 -0700

If you're in your 20s or 30s, you've probably experienced stubborn breakouts on your chin. And no matter how much you exfoliate or get facials, a few stubborn lumps won't go away. Welcome to the wonderful world of cystic acne!

Cystic acne differs from your everyday, run-of-the-mill pimple farm. This kind of spot is buried under the skin, so it won't come to a head no matter the amount of poking and prodding you do. Worse yet, the cysts can be red, tender and sore. And lucky for us women, hormones make them more common for us than for men—which is why these devils pop up around that time of the month. To find out what you can do about cystic acne, just read more

Unfortunately, there's no magic treatment to clear up cystic acne. Don't even think about trying to squeeze the cysts, as you'll just wind up with a lot of pain and potential scarring. (Really, don't do it!) In a few weeks or even months, most of these zits clear up on their own. In more extreme cases, a few treatment options can improve the situation:

It won't eliminate cystic acne, but gently applying a warm-to-hot wet washcloth on the pimple seems to help it disappear a little more quickly. It could just be the placebo effect, but at the very least, it's soothing and calming.

Birth control pills regulate hormones, which minimizes the breakout factor; but, as is the case with any other medication, you might experience side effects. I use YAZ, a low-dose pill approved by the FDA to keep women minimally zitty (and minimally pregnant). I still break out a little bit each month, but nowhere near as badly as I used to.

Topical retinoids such as Retin-A Micro can help clear up cystic acne, but things might get worse before they get better—be prepared for peeling, redness and photosensitivity. I tried Retin-A Micro a few years ago and decided the side effects weren't for me, but your experience could be different.
Accutane is considered the last-resort option for severe, recurring cystic acne. While it's largely effective, most dermatologists I've talked to say they won't prescribe it unless it's the sole remaining option due to the side effects (which can include birth defects).

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Win $200 Worth of Back-to-School Beauty!

BellaSugar — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 23:30:00 -0700

I loved back-to-school shopping. I'll never forget the smell of crayons, the swish of freshly purchased corduroy pants, and the glittery shine of my new pink lip gloss on the first day. Thanks to our friends at Sephora, would could be sporting a whole new look with this amazing assortment of beauty products, just in time for new school year. This huge lot of products includes an acne regimen and just about every kind of makeup you could ever imagine. So avoid being tardy, and take my quiz now.

Today's prize includes:

Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara - for thick, lush, colorful lashes

Sugar Beauty School Bronzing Kit - to give you that golden-girl glow

Benefit BADgal kit - for the sexy bad girl inside you

Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 30 - to protect and perfect your skin

ColorON EyeEnvy Kit - for an innovative way to apply eye shadow

Murad Acne Complex Starter Kit - to stop acne before it starts

Too Faced Mood Swing Lip Gloss - to give you a lip color for your every mood

Not a bad haul, huh? To enter, just take the quiz by 5 p.m. PDT today, and one winner will be selected at random. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just on taking the quiz after you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member to enter. So if you're not already one, register for an account. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Prizes can be shipped to US destinations only. Remember: You must be logged in to TeamSugar for your vote to count. For the complete rules, click here. Good luck!

Take the quiz