Blog Posts by Beyond the Beauty Pages, SELF Magazine

Shannon R., SELF magazine

You probably know that a green tea fix is awesome for your body (green tea is packed with antioxidants, which help protect the body from free radicals). But--news flash!--putting green tea on your skin is beneficial, too!

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Green tea is made from unfermented tea leaves and contains a very high concentration of antioxidants called polyphenols. Remember how I said that these antioxidants help protect the body from those nasty free radicals? Well, the antioxidants protect your skin in a similar way. There has been some research suggesting that when green tea extract is applied directly to skin it reduces sunburn.

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Obviously don't replace your sunscreen with green tea. But the evidence suggests that antioxidant skin care products may enhance sun protection when used in addition to a sunscreen. We all know the dangers of sun exposure so the idea that antioxidants can help your

Photo: Courtesy of drugstore.comShannon R., SELF magazine

As if acne on your face wasn't bad enough, acne can also form on other parts of the body--like your back. While the causes and treatments of bacne are pretty much the same as the face, there are some treatment tips that may help to rid you of this unsightly skin problem. Here's what you need to know about bacne:

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Try higher concentrations of acne ingredients - Concentrated benzoyl peroxide (10%) would be too irritating for the face, but not for the back (its skin is thicker and less sensitive). Salicylic acid is another common acne fighter; look for body washes that contain high levels of this ingredient. Since these ingredients are considered drugs by the FDA the ingredient concentration is required to be listed on the back label of the package. This will help you easily figure out what products have the highest levels of zit zapping ingredients.

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Watch your wardrobe - Tight

Shannon R., SELF magazine

As I've mentioned in previous posts this week, there are several effective ways to treat acne. Unfortunately, many of these treatments can be irritating to the skin and expensive. And while I've heard of many natural remedies for acne, they often aren't supported by any concrete scientific evidence. That's why it's so exciting to see some research out of England that may support the use of a common herb in the treatment of acne.

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Time for Thyme

Recently, the Dermatology Times reported on a study out of Leeds University in England. The researchers tested several natural extracts for efficacy in killing p. acnes, the bacteria that contributes to the formation of zits. They found that a tincture of thyme was not only more effective than the other natural extracts tested, but was actually superior in efficacy to benzoyl peroxide, a commonly used acne fighting medicine! In addition, since the thyme tincture is less

Shannon R., SELF magazine

Acne treatments: They work, but for a price. While active ingredients (like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid) are great at zapping your pimples, they can also be great at drying and irritating your skin. This is a major prob when you get older and skin becomes drier and potentially more sensitive. If this is happening to you, then you may want to look into at-home laser treatments. Here's how they work.

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Lasers deliver a controlled burst of heat that helps to neutralize the bacteria that cause acne. Additionally, they can reduce sebum (oil) production. So instead of using a medication to kill bacteria, a blast of heat kills it instead--without the over-drying effects! We call that a win-win.

Laser therapy used to just be available at a dermatologist, but you can now buy handheld devices to treat mild to moderate acne at home (if you have severe acne, you'll still need to visit a dermatologist). These devices are

Shannon R., SELF magazine

When it comes to beauty woes, acne scars are right up there with unwanted facial hair and nail fungus. You really don't want them, and it's really hard to get rid of them. While they aren't always easy to treat, there are ways to help reduce their appearance. And with long term treatment, you may be able to remove them permanently. Here's everything you need to know.

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Why you scar:
Dermatologists aren't exactly sure why. Family history might have to do with it, so if scarring is in your genes, then you may be more likely to experience problems. Severe acne can cause scarring, too. If you have severe acne or are prone to scarring, it is especially important to treat the acne and scars early before scar tissue has time to develop (making the mark more difficult to treat).

What you can do about it:

Consider aloe. Theoretically, natural aloe may have some skin benefits. It has natural film forming and antibacterial

Shannon R., SELF magazine

Just because the cold, dry air of winter is gone doesn't mean that hair isn't still prone to damage. Exposure to sun, humidity and chlorine can strip hair of moisture, leaving it dry and damaged. There are plenty of treatment products that claim to quench dry locks, but do they really work better than your regular conditioner?

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How do deep conditioning products work?
Deep conditioners don't use different technology than regular conditioners, but they do use higher levels of hair-helping ingredients. Let's take a look at the three most common hair treatments and how they work:

Rinse-out conditioning treatments: These products are often referred to as intensive treatments, hydrating masks or restorative treatments. While they may have different names, they are all basically heavy duty versions of your regular rinse out conditioner. They tend to use higher levels of fatty alcohols (like stearyl or cetyl alcohol)

Shannon R., SELF magazine

Are your makeup brushes tossed at the bottom of your makeup drawer along with a collection of half used blushes and bronzers? If you're anything like me, your makeup can get a bit cluttered and messy. Unfortunately, poorly cared for makeup brushes can a be a breeding ground for bacteria and dirt, which can easily transfer to your skin (causing blackheads and breakouts!). Here are a few simple tips to keep your brushes (and skin!) in tip top shape.

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Shampoo. The best way to disinfect brushes and remove dirt and old makeup is to simply wash them with shampoo. Use a pea-sized amount of mild shampoo (baby shampoo works great) and gently suds up the brush with the shampoo and water. I just swirl the brush in the palm of my hand and then rinse under warm water. You'll likely need to let the brushes dry for about 24 hours before using them again. If you have wood-handled brushes, dry them brush side down (or set them flat on

Shannon R., SELF magazine

Ever heard that storing your beauty products in the fridge makes them last longer? Well, there just may be some truth behind that rumor. Here's why this beauty tip actually works!

Low-Temp Beauty
When it comes to making cosmetics last longer, lower temperatures are generally better. That's because chemical reactions occur faster at higher temperatures. Makeup and moisturizers in particular are prone to oxidation reactions since they contain oils that can turn rancid (ew!). Keeping them in the fridge can slow down that process. Perfumes also last longer when stored at cool temps. Fragrances contain hundreds of ingredients, and some of those ingredients can go bad over time. Storing them in the fridge can slow down chemical reactions and keep the perfume perky.

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Any downsides?
There can be a few potential problems with storing beauty products in the fridge. For example, you may see beads of "sweat" on your