For Mothers.

Like Beyoncé's new song says Girls, we run this Mother. We are literally the nation builders of the world, one birth at a time. So I'm talking to You Kid. You!

You're strong. Smart . Funny. Sexy. Beautiful. CAPABLE. So dream it. Now get up. Get up!

Happy Mother's Day.
xoxo Amalou Skin

Mama, it's a jungle down there!

Have you considered your hair grooming habits lately?

If you're 7 months pregnant or more, probably not. But give it a month and that thought will come around again..." It's a jungle down there... what to do about it before I hit the delivery room?"

It is understandable that you might not give a fig about your husband's senses.. .but showing that much jungle bush to a doctor or hospital nurse is a thought more embarrassing than most of us can take.

Electrolysis and laser hair removal are not recommended during pregnancy because there have been no real studies about potential effects on your unborn baby.  (See: http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/hairremoval.htm)

You could salon wax. But that means getting on a table in a compromising and uncomfortable position (epically for the more-pregnant woman - flat on your back is NOT comfortable). And then there is the potentially-embarrassing exposure to yet another stranger. Also, trips to a salon are time-consuming and expensive on top of that.

We would say that waxing at home is NOT suggested. Forgetting for a moment that you can't really see below your belly-button after a certain point--- Once you put on the wax, there is no going back. So if it hurts like hell to pull at your extremely sensitized skin -- well, too bad. You've got to finish the job or walk around with your thighs wax-glued to your underwear.

Of course, there is the option of depilatory creams. But they can irritate sensitive skin (common during pregnancy) and they also involve a certain amount of commitment. You need to get naked, apply (which again involves seeing below your belly-button), wait for allotted time, then rinse off. And hope it doesn't rub or run into your hoo-ha by accident.

SO! We recommend an epilator. They've come a long way on the ouch-factor since our teen years.

You can pick up a Remington Smooth & Silky Body Curve Epilator at your local Walgreens for approximately $25.00 (prices vary regionally). We won't lie to you-- it still hurts at first.  But no more than waxing. And you can use it standing up, sitting down, however, where-ever on your own time at your own pace. It works, it's inexpensive and it can be used in the privacy of your own home. What's better than that?

xoxo
Amalou Skin

Summer is coming-- Time to ramp-up your SPF routine.

As spring turns into summer, it's time to "spring clean" our beauty routine as well.  Cosmetics containing SPF in them are wonderful for use in winter months, but now that the sun is stronger it's time to ramp-up your protection as well. During stronger-sun months you should use an actual Sunscreen.

First, you likely need to go out and buy yourself some new SPF. The average shelf-life for sunscreen is about 1.5 years.

After cleansing and using a toner/and or moisturizer, wait a couple of minutes for those products to sink in and then apply your sunscreen.

Here are some other things to consider:

* If your skin is acne-prone or oily, try a lightweight lotion or liquid, or an alcohol-free gel base. Spray-on sunscreens are also a good option and can be re-applied over make-up without messing up your "look".


* Everyone should use a sunscreen of at least 30, that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.


* If you suffer from melasma, than you should also consider using an SPF that contains physical blockers, like zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Regular use of SPF will help your other melasma treatment products to be more effective. Melasma is made worse with sun-exposure so one of the best things in your beauty arsenal is to use plenty of sunscreen and of course, a hat.

* A recent study found that there might (we stress might) be a link between skin cancer and a common sunscreen ingredient, Retinyl Palmitate (a combination of Vitamin A and palmitic acid). So consider avoiding sunscreens that contain this ingredient.   (See: http://www.ewg.org/release/nih-panel-links-vitamin-sunscreen-skin-tumors).

Whichever one you go with, layer it on and have a great Summer!
xoxo
Amalou Skin

This Spring, Be An Egg-Head.

Eggs are cheap and easy to make. Anyone can boil and egg, even us. And they're a super-food, especially for our pregnant gals. Eggs are loaded with vitamins, minerals and protein.

Eggs promote cell growth (as cells are made of protein) and eggs enriched with omega-3 fats help vision and brain development in your baby's growing little body.

Plus eggs are relatively low-choleric but satisfying... So go ahead, create your Einstein and eat an egg!

You can also use eggs to make a very good home-remedy face mask for oily or blemished skin:

1 egg yolk;
1.2 tablespoons ground oats (oatmeal);
1/2 teaspoon almond oil;
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
In a blender: Beat the egg. Add oats, lemon juice and then almond oil. Apply mixture to skin and let it dry. Wash off with warm water and then follow with cold water to close pores.

xoxo Amalou Skin.

Thought when you were done with being a teenager, you were done with blemishes? Think again.

Adults can develop blemished skin later in life for many reasons: stress-induced hormones; pregnancy-induced hormones; childbirth, menopause; or stopping the pill.

Cleansing your face alone will not clear up blemished skin... But keeping your skin clean with a wash and/or toner are first important steps in clearing dirt and oil build-up out of pores, which can lead to break-outs.  Exfoliating your skin is also imperative to get rid of dead skin cells which can mix with dirt and also clog pores.

And keeping your skin moisturized is vital. Dehydrated skin produces a greater number of dead skin tissue on the surface of your face, which in turn, clogs pores.

But what about my wrinkles you ask? What to do about those?

Well, we thought of that too. That's why Amalou Skin™ was developed with anti-aging peptides and anti-oxidants like grape seed oil and green tea extract, as well as blemish fighting ingredients.

We believe your skincare should multi-task, just like you do.
xoxo Amalou Skin

Look What We Found!

Amalou Skin put grape seed extract in our Tonic because it containes polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants. But grape seed extract also contains smaller levels of Resveratrol.

We just read about a new pilot study that claims to have found a  reduction in acne lesions in patients treated with a resveratrol gel. (See: American Journal of Clinical Dermatology (April edition)).

Of course, to truely determine resveratrol’s potential acne fighting power, more research is needed.  But it looks like Amalou Skin, and grape seed extract users everywhere, are on the right track!

xoxo Amalou Skin

(For more information on the study see: www.newbeauty.com/dailybeauty/entry.aspx?id=4117; Article Source; http://EzineArticles.com/1922825)