FitSugar

7 Beauty "Sins" You Should Be Forgiven For

BellaSugar — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:40:27 PDT

We're all about promoting healthy living and beauty habits that'll help you feel your most confident, but just because we try to be good, it doesn't mean we're perfect - or that you should be either. So we made a list of not-so-hot beauty habits that you shouldn't stress about. Feel free to add your own forgivable foibles in the comments, and to see our list, just keep reading.

You Asked: I Started Exercising, But Now I'm Breaking Out!

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:00:00 PDT

Dear Fit,
I just got on an exercise kick and joined a gym. I've been doing 30 minutes of cardio three times a week and finishing with 30 minutes of strength training and stretching. I feel amazing and am starting to lose weight, but now I have a new problem - acne. And it's not just on my face. I have it on my neck and back too. How can I prevent this?
- Blemished Back

Acne and bacne can be unfortunate side effects of exercise, especially in hot weather. There are definitely ways to prevent breakouts caused by sweating.

Wash your face before working out to remove excess oil and makeup that can clog your pores. Then apply a facial moisturizer that's made for acne-prone skin such as Neutrogena's Oil-Free Anti-Acne Moisturizer.
Always wear clean workout clothes, and choose sports bras and tank tops with shoulder straps rather than racerback style. You want the skin on your back to breathe as much as possible, and if there's material covering it, heat, sweat, and bacteria get trapped, which can lead to bacne. Also, the more your skin is covered, the hotter you'll feel, and the more you'll sweat, which also leads to breakouts.
Wear clothes made of wicking material that pulls sweat off the skin.

To find out what else

After cardio, wash your face before you strength train and stretch. Also dry the rest of your body off. You can even change into a dry bra and top if you're especially prone to bacne.
Shower immediately after you're done exercising. Not only does it rinse the sweat and pimple-causing bacteria off your skin, but the water also helps to cool your body temperature down so you don't continue sweating once you get out. Don't have time to shower? Definitely wash your face and put on clean, dry clothes.
Unclog pores and remove dead skins cells from your skin by exfoliating in the shower with loofah gloves. They're gentle enough to use everyday on your face and the rest of your body. Use the gloves with an antibacterial cleanser such as Cetaphil, or soaps that have acne medicine in them, such as salicylic acid.

Whatever you do, don't stop working out. If acne is still a problem after trying out these tips, see a dermatologist.

Source

Do You Get Skin Blemishes From Your Cell Phone?

GeekSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 03:30:24 PDT

As glamorous and fun as they are, most gadgets are breeding grounds for bacteria. Cell phones are among the worst because they come in contact with our hands, face, purses, desks and many other dirty hot spots. I periodically wipe down my cell phone with a damp cloth and always wash my hands, but I can't help but get a few pesky pimples on my cheek or jawline- the exact spot where I hold my cell phone. Do you get blemishes from your cell phone? Do you have a secret to keep your face glowing and free from zits caused by gadgets? Leave your comments below! Image Source

How To: D.I.Y. Spa Treatment - At Home Blemish Blaster

BellaSugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 08:12:22 PDT

After reading about the many spot treatments available, I've researched a little at home remedy that won't cost you a lot and will leave your skin free of pestering pimples. All you need is a small bowl of crushed mint leaves and all natural oats. Here's what to do:

Take a handful of fresh mint leaves and pulverize them with a pestle in a bowl.
Next, add moist oats to the mixture and mix until it forms a paste.
Apply evenly to your face, or just to your affected areas, and wait 20 minutes.

Relax and take deep breaths during your waiting time. Allow the oats and the oils to absorb. The mixture should smell delicious and should also do the trick. Apply twice a day as needed storing the remaining mixture in a sealed container in the fridge. I hope this helps! To read my last D.I.Y. post, click here, and for even more D.I.Y. ideas from FitSugar, click here.

Source

Superior Spot Treatments, Part I

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 08:13:33 PDT

Let's face it, everybody gets a pimple here and there and they always come at the most inopportune times. Who saw My Big Fat Greek Wedding? When you get a blemish that's red, swollen and sore, you look and feel pretty terrible. Here are a few of my favorite zit zappers that can help blast those gnarly blemishes! Be sure and stay tuned for part two of superior spot treatments later this week!

Origins Spot Remover, $10, is a clear acne blemish treatment gel that tingles upon contact. Just a teensy bit goes a long way. It is made with salicylic acid that helps dry up your trouble areas, prevent new pimples from forming and also helps calm redness.

Stop using as often if your skin becomes dry or irritated but because it is created for sensitive skin, it shouldn't provoke any tenderness. Use as needed, one to three times a day and apply a thin layer to the area and let it dry. Suitable for all skin types.

For two more ways to blast blemishes,

SkinCeuticals Blemish Control Gel, $32, is an ultra light acne treatment that helps combat, whiteheads, blackheads, cysts and other acne related issues. It also helps to kill the bacteria on your skin that causes new breakouts to form. Active ingredients include purifying agents and salicylic acid (one per cent)!

This gel will also help exfoliate the dead skin around the pimple and unclog your pores. This is one super strong sucker, but not to worry; it won't leave you dry, red or irritated.

Murad Acne Spot Treatment, $17, is a sure fire way to banish your blemishes! This powerful formula is made from: sulfur (to minimize breakouts), salicylic acid (to dry up and kill bacteria), zinc oxide (to reduce swelling), licorice extract and allantoin (to calm irritated skin), hydrolyzed oat flour (to fight flaking and over-drying) and lastly Vitamins E and C (to keep skin protected). This is my buddy FabSugar's pick, what's yours?

Blast Bacne Easily with ClindaReach

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 02:00:00 PDT

I've been talking a lot about bacne and ways to prevent it so I was really interested when I heard of the latest medication to hit pharmacy shelves.

The biggest problem with getting zits on your back is that they are so hard to reach and treat without having the helping hand of someone else. ClindaReach, from DUSA Pharmaceuticals, is a new, easy to use treatment that packages a topical antibiotic with an ergonomically designed applicator for treating hard-to-reach acne. Now that I am thinking about it, I don't know why they didn't come up with this fab idea sooner. So, if you are taking all the precautions before and after working out (such as wearing wicking clothing and showering post workout) but still getting unsightly bumps on your back, you may want to ask your dermatologist about getting a prescription for ClindaReach.

Got Pimples?

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 02:00:00 PST

Dermatologists found a link between acne and high levels of iodine, which is found in foods such as shellfish. High levels of iodine are also found in dairy products, because the cows are fed iodine-enriched feed to prevent infection.

When iodine enters the body and mixes into your bloodstream, the excess is secreted through the oil glands, irritating your pores. So drinking milk could be aggravating your skin.

But you don't have to give up your love of milk, butter, or cheese. Just switch to an Organic version that contains less iodine.

Fit's Tip: If you love sushi, be aware that the nori wrap contains huge amounts of iodine - 1,020 parts per million as compared to 26 in butter.

Be Gone Damn Spot

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 04:00:00 PST

Getting active can wreak havoc on your clear complexion (on your face and elsewhere), but why? Well as you heat up your glands produce more oil and the oil can (and for most of us, usually does) clog your pores. How do you still work out but keep clear skin?

After cardio be sure to wash your face and body as soon as possible. If you like to stretch and/or lift weights post cardio then just rinse your face really quick and, if you're prone to "backne," then change into a fresh top and sports bra before continuing your work out. After you have finally washed your face and body, follow up with an astringent to close up pores. Try Murad's Clarifying Body Spray ($32) for a quick and easy way to close all your post work out pores. Buy it here.

11 Fun and Useful Photoshop Tips and Effects to Try

GeekSugar — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 01:31:34 PDT

Now that you've polished up your photography skills, it's time to take your photos to the next level by having some fun with Photoshop. Editing and tweaking your pics isn't considered cheating - it helps bring out the beauty in your images, and keeps things interesting. Here, I'll cover ten fun and useful Photoshop tips and effects that you can use every day, or when you want to add some pizzaz to your pics.

Get Photoshop for free - Don't have Photoshop? No prob! Get Photoshop Express for free!
Take in some free tutorials - Get the low down on Photoshop basics free of charge.
Get rid of blemishes - Who doesn't want clear skin? Make it a reality with this tip that ditches the zits.

See the rest of the tips, and learn about some sweet and simple effects you can add to your images after the break.

Your Instagram Photos, Wedding Hair From Pinterest, and More

BellaSugar — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 04:02:39 PDT

Check out our latest BellaTV episode and some of our favorite stories from the week:

See your photos from our first-ever Instagram challenge.
See our favorite bridal hairstyles from Pinterest.
Master the makeup-free runway trend with these easy application tips.
Learn to look better in pictures from ANTM winner Lisa D'Amato.
How to get flawless makeup every time you apply.
Stars get zits, too! Find out their acne solutions.
These cuffs will add pizzazz to your ponytail.
Forget fashion! These designers are doing nails now.
Love the Earth this month and make your beauty routine more eco-friendly.
Can you guess which celebrities have had Botox?