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Gelatin for Better Skin

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Learn How Gelatin Can Improve Your Skin

Gelatin for Better Skin

Although most of us think of jiggly, colorful bowls of sugary Jello when we think of gelatin, after reading this article, you’ll have an entirely new outlook on gelatin and why you may want to supplement with it for healthier, more vibrant skin.

Gelatin is type of protein that is derived from collagen. This collagen comes from animal parts that are no longer commonly consumed in the American diet. You see, we live in different times. Historically, mankind did not have the luxury of being overly choosy about which parts of the animal would be eaten. This meant that bones were used for creating broths, soups, and stews, while other parts of the animal from organs, to skin,  to cuts of meat containing large amounts of cartilage and sinew would be cooked in any number of ways – and consumed. It just so happens, that in our taste for “good” cuts of meat, we’re throwing away some of the healthiest parts of the meat we eat: the collagen rich parts. Unfortunately, this tossing aside of the collagen-rich portions of food means we get far less collagen naturally in our diets and this affects everything from our joint health, to our digestive health, to our skin health (and more).

You see, there are (at least) 16 types of collagen found in the human body. Yes, there are actually different types of collagen! It isn’t all just the stuff that makes your skin look plump and youthful (although I know we beauty enthusiasts are primarily concerned with that type of collagen). Collagen, in its various forms, is the predominant protein of the human body and is found in muscle, tendons, skin and even bones! As we age, collagen production decreases. This decrease begins around the age of 40 and becomes much more dramatic post-menopause. A decrease in collagen production results in compromised integrity of our skin’s structural systems and leads to all the common signs of aging: lines, wrinkles, hollowness beneath the eyes, reduced skin hydration, and laxity. In truth, there are far worse problems that may occur in the body when collagen is decreased (like poor joint health), but since this article is about gelatin and your skin, we’ll focus on the important relationship between your skin and your collagen intake.

Our bodies construct themselves from the foods and drinks we consume. This is as true for your skin as any other organ. With the slowing down of collagen production mentioned earlier, one way we can continue to provide our bodies with the building blocks for healthy skin is through consuming foods rich in those nutrients which are integral to healthy, firm skin. Gelatin is a key player in this arena, as it is full of just the right amino acids for producing long term structural improvements in your skin and other body tissues. Have you ever cooked up a pot of soup or made a stew and noticed that overnight some strange jelly-like substance formed in the pot? That’s gelatin. That’s collagen. That weird gelatinous stuff makes for healthy skin (and joints, and bones). Adding gelatin to your diet (we’ll talk about how to do this next) can create substantial improvements in the health of your skin over time. To be clear, this is not a magic potion that will mysteriously make your skin look 20 years younger after a few days to a week (those don’t exist in reality). Instead, it is a longer term plan for providing your body with the raw materials  it needs in order to produce healthy skin tissue over the course of your life.

A decrease in collagen production results in compromised integrity of our skin’s structural systems and leads to all the common signs of aging: lines, wrinkles, hollowness beneath the eyes, reduced skin hydration, and laxity.

When a person begins supplementing with gelatin, she may notice some changes rather quickly; others may think is happening at all. Because we see ourselves every day, we don’t always notice those small improvements the way someone who only sees us occasionally will. Conversely, if we have a significant problem that a certain nutrient really hits hard very quickly – we’ll be more apt to notice changes sooner than expected. Then, there is the fact that for people who begin caring for their skin early on – they may never witness marked “improvements” because there was never much to improve. Rather, the skin is healthier overall, ages less quickly, and retains more youthful qualities over a longer span of time.

Gelatin and Skin

Adding gelatin to your diet can lessen the appearance of wrinkles, slow down the early onset of sagging skin, maintain and improve skin firmness, increases skin hydration levels, and aid in maintaining and restoring vibrancy and vitality to your complexion. Problems in any of these areas are often related to both damaged collagen fibers and a slowing down of collagen production. Daily gelatin consumption can improve these conditions – along with creating benefits for your hair, nails, joints, and bones.

The tricky thing about supplementing with gelatin is that gelatin – gels. Certain more processed forms of gelatin are both hot and cold water soluble, but the standard form of gelatin is only soluble in hot water. For this reason, many people will mix a few teaspoons to 1 tablespoon in a hot cup of coffee or tea. Interestingly, it really has no taste, so although I was skeptical about mixing gelatin into coffee, I can tell you – it’s completely tolerable! Another way of getting gelatin into your daily food plan is by mixing it into smoothies that will be well blended. Again, gelatin gels, so you have to watch how much you’re adding. A tablespoon of gelatin mixed with cold liquids will turn into a giant glob of unappealing goop. This is where the blender comes in. Blend a smoothie like crazy to distribute the gelatin. Gelatin can also be added to warm breakfast cereals like oatmeal, hot soups, stews, and broths, and can even be tossed in to other recipes you might make. I read about one lady who randomly adds gelatin to all sorts of recipes – from meatloaf to chili. Because it dissolves in hot liquids, it can be added to any number of dishes where it will never be noticed.

The type of gelatin I use is a bulk Unflavored Gelatin. I am an Amazon Prime member, so I just have it shipped in as needed. This particular gelatin is used widely in both  the culinary world and by people who supplement with gelatin. There is no flavor, it is basically colorless and odorless. I began supplementing with gelatin at about 1 tablespoon per day, but am now taking 2 tablespoons daily. I divide this amount between morning and evening – or frankly, whenever I find it convenient.


While discussing gelatin as a form of collagen supplement, you’re likely to wonder if topical collagen products work. Here’s the problem: collagen is  a big, fat, protein molecule. It doesn’t do so well, being so large, at penetrating the very tight network that is the surface of your skin. Remember, your skin’s surface is a network of keratin filled skin cells which are surrounded by a matrix of lipids (fats) and  other goodies that are meant to keep bad stuff out and good stuff in. So, although some ingredients and nutrients do very well at penetrating this barrier, big molecules do not. Collagen on the skin’s surface works more like a (very) temporary patch. There is no long term improvement to the deeper layers of your skin when applying collagen topically. That said, it can make it feel nice and look better – so a collagen mask before an event is never a bad idea. Just remember, in the case of collagen, you really need to be getting it in your body, not just on it!

If you decide to begin supplementing with collagen, I’d love to know! For those who already do, I’d love it if you’d share in the comments how you use it, what you mix it with, and how it’s improved your skin (or anything else).

Brow Tools I Can’t Live Without

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Top 3 Must-Have Brow Tools

I love some pretty eyebrows, and I’m often asked what my favorite brow products and tools are. Here are my 3 must-haves… I use them every day.

 

Brow Must-Have #1 – Anastasia Beverly Hills Duo Brush #12 for Brows

Anastasia Brow Brush

Even on “no makeup” days – I at least give a tiny dab of color to my brows. Your eyebrows frame your face, and it is absolutely amazing to me how much better most women look with a little brow touch up. The synthetic bristles of this brush are the perfect balance in texture: it perfectly picks up color and provides wonderful definition for a well-defined brow look, yet, it can also offer the lightest, most delicate, hair-like strokes for even the most nude makeup applications. The spooley end is fabulous for coming brows up and over, as well as for softening brow powder after application. I have owned more eyebrow brushes than I care to think of, and there is not a single one I like as well as this brush. There are definitely good and “ok” brushes out there, but this one is GREAT and I consider it an absolute must-have for anyone who fills her brows. By the way, if you aren’t filling your brows – you should start! If you happen to be a client of mine and aren’t sure how to fill your brows, just let me know during your next appointment and I’ll be thrilled to show you! This awesome little treasure costs around $18 and can be purchased through any number of outlets including Ulta, Amazon, and directly from Anastasia.

 

Brow Must-Have #2 – Anastasia Beverly Hills Precision Tweezers

Anastasia Precision Tweezers

I purchased my first set of Precision Tweezers in 2006. I still own them. They still tweeze just as beautifully as they did the day I purchased them. They have never bent nor stopped grabbing hairs with… wait for it… precision. But really, they haven’t. I now own several of these tweezers. I have one on my beauty vanity, one in my purse, and two at my skin care studio. The Anastasia Precision Tweezers do not break hairs off, they are precise enough to grab even the finest of little hairs as well as the shortest little hairs that you so desperately try to get but most tweezers just won’t grasp on to. These truly are “precise” tweezers and I consider them a must have tool. These tweezers run $28 – thus far, I’m working on my 11th year with my first pair – if only I got 11 years out of ALL my investments! As of the writing of this blog post, Anastasia is offering free shipping for orders over $25, so if you picked up the brow brush above and these tweezers – you’d pay nothing for shipping.

Quick note: I receive NO kickbacks from ANY of these products lines or companies. I just happen to be loyal to products I love – and I want my tribe (that’s all my guests at the studio and my readers) to know about those things I find extra special!

Brow Must-Have #3 – Matte Eye Shadow in a Perfect Color for You

Matte Eyebrow Powder Here’s the truth: I dislike brow pencils and most brow powders. I threw away all my brow pencils years ago, and if you were to dig through my makeup stash, you might find a long lost brow powder product – but it’d be so old, I’d hope you’d throw it away for me.

For some reason, the industry seems to think we need waxy and tacky substances to properly fill our brows. I am of a different opinion. I think most of us just need a little color and a good brush (see above), and unless we have particularly unruly brows – we don’t need the waxy, tacky, sticky stuff.

 

So, matte shadow it is. Cheap, a bazillion colors to choose from, lasts forever, easily removed if you mess up, no strange feeling residue, and can be applied as natural or dramatic as desired – with ease.

The key here is finding a matte eye shadow in a color suitable to your natural brow color, or in some cases, to match nicely with whatever dye color you’ve been using in your hair. I personally use a medium depth cool tone brown (meaning it does not have a golden hue) that’s in a bigger eye shadow palette that I love. I get eyes, brows, and a myriad of other uses out of one palette. But, I’ve had singles before as well. As for application, I really should make a video about this sometime in the future – but what you’re looking to do is gently tap the edge of your brush into your color, and using short, gentle strokes, follow  the natural lines of your brow and fill in the center. You only add more powder when you really need more color. Using short and gentle movements means you won’t be tracing harsh lines around your brows. To get a great inner edge to your brows, hold the edge of the brush vertically – and gently press it against the inner line of your brow. You’ll get a perfectly aligned inner brow and can then use that as a starting point for your fill. Use the spooley end of your brush to gently brush your brows up and over to soften any areas that need it. And, just like I mentioned earlier, if you’re a guest at The Lantern Skin Studio and need help learning how to fill and define your brows, just let me know the next time you’re in – I’ll be happy to show you!

Do you have favorite brow tools and products? Have you tried any of the ideas above? I always enjoy reading your ideas and feedback so feel free to leave a comment below!

 

Did you enjoy this post? If so, you might also be interested in Makeup Makeover: 5 Ways to Save BIG on Makeup and Still Look Great.

 

The Best Foot File – Ever!

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Get better feet – fast.

We’re quickly moving towards the spring season, and I know some of you will be ready to get a jump start on spring-ready feet. If you have spent a bazillion dollars on every crazy gadget that promises to give you softer paws, life will change for you after this post. It takes some elbow work, there’s no battery operated magic here, and you’ll want to sit on the edge of your tub to use this, but let me introduce you to the last foot file you’ll ever need…

Swedish Clover Foot File by Flowery

Folks, this is THE foot file. I mean, really – it is the one you need to have, and the one you will cherish above all foot files. Toss away those garbage Ped Eggs, ridiculously expensive rotating foot sanders like Amope, and flimsy files that lose quality within one use or the adhesive sanding paper is coming off within a month. Trust me. Do it.

The Swedish Clover Foot File has two sides – one with a coarse  grit and one with a very fine grit. The key to falling in love with this file is using it properly. Lots of people use these things dry, and you’ll get covered with a funky dead skin cell powder within minutes. You’ll be breathing in the old dead cells from your feet and the stuff goes everywhere. So, please – don’t use it dry. It is MUCH more effective damp (not wet).

Here’s THE BEST way to use it:

With dry feet, sit on the side of your tub (faucet turned off and no standing water in tub). Turn your faucet on to where you have a tiny dribble of water that won’t get near your feet. Take your file, pass it once through the water, turn off the water, and give the file a shake it to get rid of excess.  Now, and only now, do you start filing your feet. Best place to begin is the bottom of your heels – usually the toughest part – give it some decent pressure, and get that arm to moving. Once you’re doing it properly, you’re going to see dead skin start to roll up and off your feet. At this point, you keep going until you’re seeing the skin come off as dry – once that happens, re-dip the file in the same way you did in the beginning – again not saturating your feet or overly wetting the file. Continue on all areas of your feet that need to be softened – avoid tops of your feet, tops of toes, or coming up too far on the sides of your feet – stick with areas that are tougher.

This file means business, so don’t use it on delicate skin or normal body skin.

You can use the coarse or fine side – depending on the state of your feet. If you’ve got Flintstone feet like many of us get during the winter – start with coarse, remove excess buildup and finish with the fine side. If your paws don’t need a major overhaul, go with the fine side. The fine side also works really well if you get extremely dry palms or callouses on the sides of your fingers. The important part is the water balance – we want enough moisture to keep  the dead skin cells from being a dust – but not so much that everything is saturated to the point you can’t get a good polish. If you have a bunch of gray, funky looking rolled up skin cell blobs in the bottom of your tub – you’ve done well. Rinse your feet – pat dry – lotion up. Clean off your file – and go stare at the transformation of your paws.  You won’t need to replace this file for months upon months – if then. I replaced my last one after about a year – not because it didn’t work any longer, but just because I figured I could use a fresh surface.

These awesome files can be purchased at a ton of places online and are also available at your local Sally’s. They’re under $10 bucks, but I would literally pay $30 for this foot file if it was the cost. It’s that good.

P.S. If you struggle with finding something, anything, that will actually moisturize your feet and repair cracks, you’ll want to check out my article The Quickest Fix for Dry, Cracked Hands and Feet.

 

 

The Quickest Fix for Dry, Cracked Hands and Feet

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Learn how to quickly repair severely dry and cracked hands and feet with this simple, affordable product.

I have been blessed with pretty good skin – on my face. But like many others, I struggle with maintaining healthy, hydrated skin on my hands and feet. Due to the nature of my work, I wash my hands an extraordinary number of times a day – and with extremely strong soaps. Although I wear gloves (as all estheticians should) during every service I perform, I still must wash my hands before setting up for every service, before working on any client, after completing any service, after cleaning up post-service, and all the other times that one must wash hands during any given day. Over time, and without special attention given to them, my hands literally crack at every little line. It is terribly painful and even lotions and creams that normally work beautifully will burn my skin when they are that dry. Fortunately, I don’t have to wash my feet so frequently! But, even so, I struggle with dry feet, and if I fail to keep up with them – especially in the winter – I am subject to painful cracks at worst, and rough funky feeling skin at best. Naturally, I have tried every lotion, potion, cream, and balm known to mankind with much disappointment along the way.

I have used tons of cheap over the counter products from plain Vaseline to Eucerin. I’ve invested in extremely expensive and luxury brands as well. Some smell great. Some feel great. Some even seem  a bit promising, but generally don’t repair my dry, chapped skin the way I, as a skin therapist, expect in order to consider a product worthy of investing in or promoting.

One very cold winter day last year, I left my studio with my hands feeling like they were on fire due to tiny cracks all along the insides of my palms and fingers – and with a painful crack in my heel to boot! After getting home, I applied multiple lotions  to my hands only to be in absolute discomfort as the lotions penetrated the micro-cracks in my hands and caused immense, firey, burning. Of course,  these lotions did nothing for my heel either. While digging through a drawer in my vanity, I happened across a tube of Desitin. Yes, Desitin. Diaper cream. I don’t know how it got there, when I bought it, or even why, but I am glad I discovered it as this event ended my long search for the final answer as to what on this green earth would ever help my poor hands and feet when they get so dry!

Diaper creams are typically very high in zinc. Zinc plays a critical role in our bodies in so many ways that I don’t even have time to touch the surface of just how important it is to the human body. But to give a little glimpse, just know that it is of critical importance to the health of skin tissues, our ability to heal, and our immune function. It is anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant in nature, and also has antiviral and antibacterial properties. 20% of your body’s zinc is stored in your skin, so it makes sense that topically applied zinc would be beneficial and healing. Combine the healing and repairative effects of zinc with the conditioning and protective qualities of the other primary ingredients in diaper cream (I prefer Desitin brand due to its high zinc content), and you have a winning product for helping dry, cracked hands and feet. Oh, and then there’s the price point. GREAT skin care products usually are not cheap. In this case, however, there is not a single high dollar hand or foot cream I would even consider suggesting to anyone, as I am not convinced a better product for this particular problem exists than zinc-rich diaper cream.

How I Use it:

For Feet – Hydrate feet by gently rinsing in warm (not hot) water for a few minutes. Pat dry. Apply a good layer of Desitin and work it in well. Pay particular attention to areas of extreme dryness or cracks. Throw on a pair of thick socks and head to bed. Your feet will feel entirely different by morning. Repeat this as often as needed, but once you get your feet back in a decent state of softness, you’ll likely only need to do this for maintenance. Just remember, it’s best to not let them get to the point of cracking before begining to treat them!

For Hands – The only downside to using diaper cream for hands and feet is that it is especially thick. This makes it not so functional for application on hands during the day when you have to touch things all day long. Desitin covered fingers do not lend to nice looking smartphone screens, window, door knobs, etc. I find that I get a good amount of the product worked into my hands when applying to my feet.  I will then use warm water to wash away the excess (plenty will remain), then blot with a towel to absorb any surface moisture. If I am in need of a serious hand-repair treatment, I will apply a thick layer of the cream, throw on loose disposable glove, allow the cream to penetrate 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse and blot as outlined above.

So, there you have it! An affordable hand and foot repair cream option that is readily available and really works! I hope this discovery will help you end the torture of painful hands and feet due to severe skin dryness and would love to hear your feedback once you’ve tried it!

Strawberries for Better Skin: A Little Berry with Big Benefits!

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Strawberries may be small, but don’t doubt their ability to provide great benefits to your skin.

Strawberries for Skin Health

Here in Tennessee, we’re getting closer and closer to strawberry season. This excites me for a number of reasons, not the least of which is homemade strawberry shortcake.  I love the taste of fresh strawberries, and I enjoy cooking, baking, and preparing jelly and jam with them. Nothing says “summer is on the way” to me more than those beautifully ripened red berries all piled up in a basket. But as an esthetician, I have some other reasons to be fond of strawberries. They truly are a natural bounty of antioxidants and nutrients that are especially useful for those who are interested in healthy skin.

Strawberries are rich in antioxidants. In fact, they’re so full of antioxidants that they rank as the 3rd best source of antioxidants per serving of all commonly consumed US foods! Wow! Now, what do antioxidants do for skin? The short answer is that they limit the production of free radicals, and free radicals are  the monstrous little molecules responsible for most all the damage to our bodies – including our skin. Yes, free radical damage is at the heart of fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation problems, inflammation and redness, and the breakdown of our precious collagen and elastin fibers. Antioxidants, like those found in the Strawberry, effectively reduce the formation of free radicals and thereby slow down  the aging process – even in our skin.

Vitamin C, one of your skin’s most needed vitamins, is also found in Strawberries. As we often like to say in the beauty industry, “Vitamin C brightens, lightens, and tightens“. That is a big reduction in the real science behind Vitamin C, but I don’t want to bore you to tears with chat about physiology and cosmetic chemistry, so we’ll stick with that catch phrase. Vitamin C is directly involved in the production and health of all your important skin cells – again, think collagen and elastin. It is one of the top warriors against the signs of aging, and I am of the school of thought that says “No matter the age or the condition – women looking to improve their skin should be getting topical and nutritional Vitamin C.” When it comes to fresh strawberries, do note that the antioxidant and Vitamin C levels in freshly picked strawberries diminish quickly. So try to scarf down those berries in just a few days to get the fullest benefit of their nutrients.

 

Strawberries have a host of other skin and health benefits. In fact, I would never be able to list them all in a single blog post, but I would like to mention that they are also anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, immune boosting, and somewhat astringent. All of these factors  add up to give us one tiny little fruit that means big business when it comes to health (and healthy skin).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strawberries can effectively:

  • Reduce breakouts and remove surface oil through astringent activity
  • Brighten complexion
  • Gently exfoliate the skin
  • Assist in slowing down  the visible signs of aging
  • Promote the building of new, healthy skin cells and collagen

Did you know?!

  • The average strawberry has over 200 seeds! By the way, those little seeds make a great addition to face scrubs.
  • The average American consumes 3.4 pounds of strawberries each year. With all the benefits we looked at above, we should try to beat that average this year for sure!

With all these details – what’s not to love? Strawberries – eat them, enjoy them, and your skin will love you for it!

 

Benefits of Dark Chocolate in Skin Care

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Dark Chocolate in Skin Care Despite being given a bad reputation by the diet industry, chocolate is actually a wonderful gift from nature. Now, when I say chocolate, I’m referring to the main ingredient used in what we know as chocolate, and that is cacao. Rumors that chocolate causes “bad skin” or breakouts are probably more tied up in the excess dairy and sugar present in most forms of edible chocolate – and not in the presence of cacao which is a very healthful and beneficial substance. In fact, when compared to many other foods, cacao stands out as hugely rich in antioxidants. And, as you probably already know – antioxidants are some of the most powerful substances we have for combating the signs of aging and maintaining healthful, radiant, youthful skin.

When we look for ingredients and foods rich in antioxidants, chocolate is often overlooked. This is unfortunate, as chocolate contains more polyphenols and flavanols than many other plant-based foods that are deemed “super fruits” in the nutrition industry. Blueberries and acai berries are popular trend fruits that are touted for their antioxidant benefits, but studies have shown that dark chocolate and cocoa powder actually contain higher antioxidant activity than both blueberries and acai berries!

Chocolate contains more polyphenols and flavanols than many other plant-based foods that are deemed “super fruits” in the nutrition industry.

Chocolate (cacao) is also rich in minerals including magnesium, copper, and potassium and iron. Magnesium is the most prominent mineral in cacao, and magnesium is a mineral the body just can’t do without. Aside from its many other benefits and roles in the body, magnesium has been shown to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, clear pimples, and relieve allergic skin conditions.

Now, before you run out and start indulging on loads of chocolate goodies, cakes, pies, and candy bars – keep in mind that we’re discussing cacao here. We aren’t discussing the sugar-rich, dairy-rich chocolate products lining the grocery store and bakery shelves. Excess sugars and dairy products can create significant skin issues in some people. It is not the sugar nor the dairy itself that is the problem, but instead how our bodies often react to excess amounts of these foods in the diet. When consuming chocolate, the best route is to look for the highest quality and darkest chocolate you can tolerate. People with an extreme sweet tooth often find milk chocolate products more tasty, but dark chocolate is a far healthier option.

When consuming chocolate, the best route is to look for the highest quality and darkest chocolate you can tolerate.

Topically, cocoa can be used in a variety of skin care preparations. I personally love the use of chocolate in skin exfoliators and polishers along with aromatic antioxidant mists and facial masks either in clay or cream bases depending on the skin I am working with. Cocoa is well-tolerated by most skin types and do I even have to mention the amazing aromatherapy this lovely ingredient provides? So, the next time you hear chocolate getting a bad rap for causing skin problems, don’t be so quick to jump on the anti-chocolate bandwagon. There’s a little more to that story, as you’ve learned in this article, and our oh-so-tasty, amazing smelling chocolate friend really is not the enemy! In fact, chocolate is our skin’s friend – it’s just those two guys (sugar and dairy) he runs around with all the time that can bring along some problems.