Coconut Water and Dry Skin

I don't know about you, but I've been hearing about Coconut Water EVERYWHERE lately!  I've heard good things anecdotally,  but hadn't seen much from reputable sources on what, if anything, coconut water can do to help with overall skin health.

To be honest, my research has provided information on both sides of the debate on the benefits of coconut water.  The biggest thing I've found in my research is that the water IS, in fact, very hydrating (similar to Gatorade, but higher in potassium), which is always a great thing for your skin.

According to NewBeaty.com, a website with really good information about all things beauty, Coconut Water can be good, but the consensus is that coconut itself is the real gem:

"Coconut water has some oils from the coconut milk that are part of the essential ingredients for a healthy skin barrier," says West Palm Beach, FL, dermatologist Kenneth R. Beer, MD. "Drinking it may help a little, but not as much as eating fresh coconut or making a face mask with it," he says. 

You can read the rest of the article here - it's short and sweet and has some good info.

As for the nutritional properties of the coconut craze, you can find some really good information here, in an article by US News about the current research and information about both the water and the oil.

At the end of the day, the most important thing for you to do for your skin is to hydrate!  Whether you drink Coconut Water, regular water or Gatorade, be sure you're drinking at least 8 glasses per day to keep those wrinkles away!

~Sandy

"Beauty Routines" for Men

None of us grew up watching our fathers dabbing moisturizing cream on their eyes or lying on the couch with tea bags on their face. But men are wising up; sales of department-store eye products for men shot up a whopping 33 percent in 2011 over 2010. Eye creams and gels for men brought in just $3.5 million in 2007. In 2011 they jumped to $5.4 million.

It makes sense. Everyone wants to look younger, though men have long avoided using anything that could appear to be unmanly. “Women go to the bathroom together and talk about lip color, but in my experience guys don’t get together for 'Monday Night Football' and talk about what eye creams they use,” Brian Boye, fashion and grooming director for Men’s Health magazine, recently told The New York Times. All that seems to be changing as skin care becomes more mainstream among men - not just 'metro-sexual' types, but across all types of men.

I have seen evidence of this in my own salon, and have been getting more calls and requests for treatments for men.  It used to be that women called for their husbands, boyfriends, or teenage sons.  Now, the tide is shifting a bit and I'm getting calls from the men themselves!  

There's a great article I found about over-the-counter skin treatments - be sure to take a look at it!  If you have any questions about your skin care regimen, or need advice on available treatments, be sure to call the salon and ask... we're happy to help!