Your eyes are one of the first places to show ageing. You can reduce, slow and even prevent lines by using quality eye creams and a few tricks.

Eyelids are very oily, something many people don't know. When you start to age, the skin on and around eyes is not as firm as in younger days and can become thin and wrinkly. The skin can tend to stick a little on the eye lids.

A simple trick is to use either Mineral Veil or Mineral foundation to keep the eye lid smooth, with a dry silky feel.

The colour of eyelids is different to the face. They can be pinkish, blueish or have visible fine veins. Using either of these powders gives the face a more uniform tone.

Quality serum or eye cream used daily will reduce the number of lines or prevent lines forming so pull out all stops and keep your peepers looking good.

VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS FOR ROSACEA AND SKIN HEALTH

As someone who suffers from Rosacea and the constant challenges of keeping smooth clear skin ongoing trials with various vitamins have yielded good results.

Whether you have skin issues or not there are some supplements that will help anyone achieve a glowing complexion.

When buying nutritional supplements buy the best quality you can afford - stretch the budget. Do without that extra item or fast food each month. Your skin and weight will show the benefit. You will usually not find the best quality on supermarket shelves. Naturopathic quality is ideal.

These are my favourite supplements that have helped Rosacea, breakouts and delivered anti ageing results:

Vitamin C powder with flavonoids: Orthoplex is a good brand that is buffered and should not upset your tummy.

Vitamin E: Look for mixed tocopheryls and tocotrienols for the best results. More expensive and harder to find but worth the effort. Thorne or Dr Vera are 2 brands

Vitamin A drops: Bioceuticals have a good liquid.

IMPORTANT: If you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant do not take Vitamin A without speaking with your doctor. Excess Vitamin A can cause birth defects.

Vitamin B: Thorne or Dr Vera are 2 excellent brands

MSM: Excellent quality MSM is available from www.mismo.com.au

Zinc: Capsules are a better option than tablets. Microgenics are available in health food stores.

Essential Fatty Acids: Omega 3 oils are essential. These can be flaxseed (best for Rosacea), fish oil  or those products labelled "Omega 3 supplements"

There is plenty of clinical research available to support using the above vitamins and supplements to support skin health.

This combination of Vitamins and supplements strengthens the skin barrier, a very important aspect of controlling Rosacea, Acne and any skin condition.

Blemishes heal faster will less or no scarring. Blemishes are often prevented from occurring by treating from the inside out. Skin will be super soft with a satin sheen.

It goes without saying "fresh is best".

Fresh vegetables, fruit, lean meat, fish, nuts and eggs with no processed foods will give a beautiful complexion and a trim body.

With summer approaching sunscreens keep coming up. Why doesn't MiSMo have sunscreen in Moisturisers or why don't we have our own is often mentioned and these are fair  questions.

Mismo products penetrate deeply in the skin and that is where they work. Sunscreens on the other hand are a surface barrier. If we add sunscreen to products they will minimise the effect of moisturising - their primary purpose.

Sunscreens are tested by authorities at 2mg per sq cm. You can imagine how that dilutes a quality moisturiser. Apply sunscreen over moisturiser if necessary.

If you  use makeup daily, then drive or catch transport to work in an indoor office why would you use sunscreen on your face as a matter of habit. Any make up will create a physical barrier.

Between 60 and 70% of Australians are now Vitamin D deficient. A small amount of sunlight daily is essential for bone health and prevention of osteoporosis. Early morning or late afternoon when the sun's rays are not so strong is the ideal time.

The most common sunscreens added to day moisturisers are of a group which often cause irritation or allergies. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays which can create free radicals which in turn mean more lines and wrinkles.

Many of our clients are people with Rosacea, sensitive skin and skin damage and we need to look after them. Mismo is about nurturing and calming skin.

Titanium and Zinc are also used in sunscreens are a physical barrier to UV radiation and reflect rays. These ingredients are quite benign and don't cause the irritations of chemical sunscreens. We recommend looking for sunscreens containing Titanium and Zinc. They are not so common but are freely available.

Quality Mineral makeup is still our preferred choice for sun protection for the face and neck. Hats and sunglasses need to be a part of your wardrobe to retain youthful looks and smooth skin.

MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE

mAGNESIUM OIL, mAGNESIUM GEL, MAGNESIUM FOOT SOAKS???

Magnesium Chloride is an amazing form of Magnesium and it can be very confusing to work out how to use it to your best advantage.

The important thing to know is all Magnesium Chloride methods of application work, it comes down to personal choice and convenience.

Why do we need to supplement magnesium? Most adults in Australia and USA are deficient in this precious mineral. Changes in diet and the way we live has contributed to the reduction in our bodies.

Magnesium comes in many forms and is used both orally and transdermally. Transdermal use means applying to the skin. Used this way magnesium is absorbed through the skin.

Benefits are huge with transdermal application. This is the best way to boost you body's store of magnesium. When magnesium is taken orally it needs to stay in the body for around 12 hours to work.

 Unfortunately, magnesium taken orally can pass through the body through bowel movements fairly quickly, less than 12 hours. When applied to the skin, magnesium bypasses the digestive system and stays in the body going to the places most in need of supplementation.

Choices of using transdermal Magnesium are: 

Magnesium Gel Forte - a lotion;

Magnesium Oil: dissolving Magnesium Chloride powder in purified water and applying to skin

Baths or foot soaks: Adding Magnesium Chloride to your bath or in a foot spa or bucket of hot water

Benefits: Relaxed muscles; pain relief; easing headaches; better sleep patterns; relieves anxiety; increases libido; anti ageing via increased DHEA by natural means; help prevent heart attacks;

WARNINGS: If you have kidney failure do not use magnesium

It can take years literally to increase your magnesium levels but using Magnesium Chloride levels can be restored in months.

Don't waste another day without this magic mineral. Try either MiSMo Magnesium Gel Forte or Magnesium Chloride Powder.

GOOD CLEANSERS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

While on holidays recently I ran out of cleanser about 3 days before coming home. Oh well that's OK I'll use the body lotion provided at our 5 star hotel, it's good quality. What a mistake.

You'd think a very mature skin like mine could take anything but by the first night the lumps had started coming up on my forehead. The next morning a few developing pimples were near my nose. It took a week after our return to restore my face to a clear status again.

For most ladies this probably won't happen but if you suffer from Rosacea like me, it doesn't take much to start a breakout.

Rosacea skins tend to have more layers of dead skin cells so must be routinely cleansed with a suitable face cleanser. Pores just have to be kept clear.

The hotel body lotion was too drying, full of chemicals and immediately blocked the pores. Bingo inflammation began.

The best cleansing solution for Rosacea and acne prone skins is a lactic acid and glycolic acid face wash. This combination is gentle but effective in removing dead skin cells thus working as a preventative of lumps, bumps, pimples and cyst type eruptions.

When we developed Daily Face Wash last year it was very exciting for myself and the hundreds of girls who started using it straight away. Feedback has been excellent and sales tell the story.

 Going on holidays - take plenty of your own skin care. You should come back glowing not with zits!

HYGIENE IN SKIN CARE

MSM, COLD SORES AND THE LIP TATTOO

Have you ever had a cold sore? If it's yes you'll be familiar with the first signs; you run your tongue over your lip and there's a little bump. Did the tingling come first or after you felt the bump.

The memory of my first cold sore is vivid. I wasn't sure what the bump was but within hours the bump became a big, swollen sore lump. The pain and the cold sore grew and became excessive as the days went by. It was just cruel, for over 2 weeks.

All that was available in the pharmacy was a generic "cold sore cream" that was useless.

Cold sores came and went as the years went by. A pattern was clear. Whenever my lips were dry, sun exposed, windburned or stress was heavy, up came the dreaded cold sore. They would last up to 2 weeks, with a great deal of pain and discomfort.

Years down the track came MiSMo and Cell Soother. Zovirax was also around by then and always on hand.

One day the tingling started and I thought I'd give Cell Soother a go instead of Zovirax. I applied Cell Soother often, as you do Zovirax. A lovely surprise followed:

• No Swelling
• No Pain
• No real development of the cold sore
• Scab was off in 3 -4 days instead of a week or two

Needless to say I have not used anything except Cell Soother since that day about 4 years ago for Cold Sores and also a mild shingles outbreak.

Why would Cell Soother work. It contains the maximum amount of MSM you can physically use in a gel. 15% MSM (methylsulfonyl methane) or Organic Sulfur and Organic Aloe Vera.

Both ingredients are:

• anti-inflammatories hence reduction or no swelling
• accelerate healing at a cellular level
• have anti-viral properties

A week and a bit ago I succumbed to vanity and had a cosmetic tattoo on the outline of my lips - age has caught up and definition was minimal. It is common for cold sores to erupt on the lips after cosmetic tattoo if you are susceptible.

All was well for 3 days as I flashed the new well defined lip shape. On Monday the bumps came - 8 of them all across my top lip. The bottom lip was spared for some unknown reason.



Tuesday

Thursday


Monday

I had been applying Cell Soother several times a day since the tattoo was done. Paw Paw ointment was applied over Cell Soother. The usual recommended product is Bepanthen from the pharmacy.

The exciting part has been that in spite of such a large number of Cold Sores there has been no pain and minimal swelling.  I looked a bit like Daffy Duck on Wednesday but no pain.

The pretty shape was not being flashed for a few days with all those scabs but now Friday of the cold sores there are only 2 scabs left and thanks to Cell Soother we'll be ready for public scrutiny.  By Monday the last of the cold sores were gone and my lips clear again. To have 8 coldsores come and go in 7 days is amazing.

Cosmetic Tattoos are done twice usually. After the first 5 or so days the tattooed area exfoliates and the colour reduces by about half. This is because a lot of colour is on the surface of the skin. The skin is broken when a tattoo is applied so it scabs and peels away. My description not the salons!

The skin seems tougher the second time around and not as much colour is lost.

That's my story for the week. I LOVE Cell Soother. It saves the day over and over.

It will be interesting to see how the second session goes on my lips in a few weeks time.

mineral makeup a great sunscreen

Mineral Makeup is a great solution for sunscreen for your face. Many women are very sensitive to chemical sunscreens.

Sunscreen made using the common chemical ingredient Octyl methoxycinnimate often blocks pores and causes flare-ups and pimples on the face. This is a common occurence for many children and adults anywhere on the body.

Sunscreen is still essential for UV protection on the body so choose one containing titanium and zinc oxide.

The face, however, does have an alternative.

Mineral Makeup is that alternative.

When choosing a Mineral Makeup, look for a Mineral powder that contains Titanium Dioxide and Zinc oxide for maximum protection. These will usually give 15+ SPF when a light covering is applied and 30 SPF or more when more than one coat of Mineral foundation is applied.

The extra benefit using Mineral Makeup is you look fantastic at the same time as protecting your precious face from sun damage.

A quality Mineral Makeup:

• will not block pores
• feels as light as air
• gives excellent coverage for pigmentation and Rosacea
• will not irritate the skin
• breathes
• looks natural
• is waterproof
• has high SPF factor

The sun is our worst enemy when it comes to lines, wrinkles and pigmentation marks. Skin needs to be well protected.

Something else that does need to be considered is the body needs Vitamin D for bone strength and that is supplied by sunlight. An easy way around this is to go for an early morning walk without sunscreen before any heat is in the sun.

Lack of Vitamin D is a serious problem these days and shows no obvious symptoms. Osteoporosis is the concern with low levels of Vitamin D. Have a check every few years to ensure your bones are in good condition. It is painless except for about $80 out of your pocket.

What not to have in Mineral Makeup:

• No Bismuth Oxychloride
• No Dimethicone
• No Talc
• No Nanoparticles

 Look for:

Titanium Doixide: Zinc Oxide: Boron: Magnesium Myristate: Rice Powder.

These natural ingredients will give a beautiful silk finish powder to make you look years younger and also provide full protection from the harmful UV rays.

Why not try some Mineral Makeup Samples!