In today’s economy, we are all looking for affordable but effective ways to keep skin looking its best.  From the dollar store to the department store, there are many products available.  The reality is that most of them are great.  There are, however, home alternatives which often times don’t require a shopping trip.  Not only do these alternatives work, but they are also fun and simple to create.

TREAT ACNE
Acne can be one of those persistent problems, popping up at the worst time.  We’ve all had these flare-ups, which include pimples before a big party or that pimple that appears just before an important date.  The best at home treatment for acne is a warm compress, consisting of a washcloth and some warm water. 
Then follow these steps: 
1. Apply the warm washcloth to the pimple or acne-prone area
2. Hold the compress on for 3-5 minutes, continually warming it up as necessary, to maintain a warm feeling on your skin  
3. Be sure not to use water that is too hot — not only will it burn the skin, but it won’t do any good in treating the acne   
4. Repeat the compress every 2-4 hours until the acne disappears.  Depending on where you are in the acne breakout, your acne should clear up within 24-36 hours  

For an inexpensive product that can be used in conjunction with this remedy I suggest Unblemished Treatment Concealer by Beauty Benefits. 

UNCLOG BLACKHEADS
Not many faces are blackhead free… To help rid your skin of these, use oatmeal and rose water to create a soft paste.  Cover blackheads with the paste and rub it into your skin.  Wait 15-20 minutes and then rinse away.  You can also use this oatmeal mask all over your face for a radiant glow.  

If you are in a rush, and don’t have time to create the paste, simply head to your nearest drugstore and purchase Neutrogena Healthy Skin and Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blemish Scrub. 

CLEANSE AND EXFOLIATE
For an affordable but effective skin cleanser and exfoliator, I recommend creating a solution of sugar and water.  Before putting the solution on, open pores by first leaving a warm cloth over your face for a few minutes.  Rub the water and sugar solution gently into your skin and then rinse.  This does a great job and will leave your skin clear, clean and refreshed.

For a more aggressive exfoliator, mix in sea salt instead of sugar.  This can be used to exfoliate your entire body and works great on those annoying rough spots like feet, knees and elbows.

Not interested in making it yourself? Pick up St. Ives Apricot Scrub.  It’s a solid alternative.

ALLEVIATE DRY SKIN
Take a quick trip to your pantry and pull out a bottle of olive oil … Olive oil was good enough for the ancient Greeks and it’s good enough for you, too.  The ancient Greeks used olive oil to bathe and to moisturize dry skin.  Almost every vegetable oil is compatible with the skin.  Apply just after bathing to moisturize and protect dry skin.  Use it daily to help reduce dry patches and the appearance of stretch marks. 

While I recommend olive oil for any skin, if you insist on store bought, try good old Coconut Body Butter.

HYDRATE
Drink water every day.  We know it’s good for us in every way.  It makes your skin look great, too.

NOURISH YOUR SKIN
Facial masks can be fun and help rejuvenate your skin.  Try making one at home.  A honey mask is a great way to brighten and lighten your skin.  Mix one tablespoon of honey, one egg yolk and one teaspoon of olive oil together.  Beat the egg yolk first and then add the oil and blend well.  Add the honey with a spoon rinsed in hot water and blend well.  Apply this honey mask to your face, avoiding your eye area.  Leave on your face for 20-30 minutes and rinse.  The difference is visible.

A great alternative to the honey mask is The Original Mint Julep Masque available at almost any drugstore.

TONE AND TIGHTEN
NE Witch hazel, available at any drug store has been the main ingredient in most toners and is not irritating to the skin. It still works great on its own.  Gently wash your face.  Pat your skin dry and then apply witch hazel with a cotton ball.  If you have dry flaky skin, try diluting the witch hazel with two parts water.  Since witch hazel is an astringent, always moisturize after you tone.  Try mixing two tablespoons of witch hazel with one teaspoon of lemon juice and three tablespoons of rose water for a refreshing toner.

Be sure to keep witch hazel at home.  Not only does it do a great job of toning and tightening your skin, but it’s an excellent topical remedy for the treatment of traumatic bruises and bumps and promotes speedy healing.

MOISTURIZE
Moisturizing is essential for your skin not only because it locks in hydration, but moisturizer creates a protective barrier between your skin and the elements.  Making an effective moisturizer at home is not difficult. Take five to six drops of sweet almond oil and add a few drops of water. Mix the two ingredients in your palms, rubbing both hands together then gently smooth the blend into your skin. 

Moisturizing is the bottom line in skincare — almost any moisturizer will do the trick.  Eucerin Extra Protective Moisture Lotion with SPF is a great body moisturizer and it is available at most drugstores nationwide.

SOOTHE
From time to time you may find your skin red and irritated.  Taking care of red, irritated skin at home is as easy as a glass of milk. It doesn’t matter if you prefer cow’s or soy milk ― they both get the job done.  Soak a wash cloth in milk and then apply the cloth to the effected area.  Leave on the skin for at least five minutes.  Repeat as often as necessary depending on the irritation.  Milk sooths and calms the skin and helps to promote healing while softening and nourishing the skin.

For the store bought alternative, try an aloe vera gel.  It’s cooling to the skin and aloe naturally helps promote healing. 

MINIMIZE PORES
Our pores are an open target. They collect oil and often get clogged, causing the pores to appear larger than we want.  The easiest treatment option is actually free.  Run hot water into a stopped sink or a large bowl. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the steam.  Using the towel helps to trap in the rising steam.  Gently cleansing the skin or gently exfoliating the skin helps minimize the appearance of clogged pores.  Pat skin dry and use a toner to tighten and refine.

A great option that you can purchase in the store is Neutrogena Pore Minimizing Mask.  It will minimize the appearance of your pores and refresh your skin.

Dr. Neil Sadick is one of the most renowned dermatologists and researchers whose multiple discoveries have strongly influenced and transformed the future of dermatology. He is a Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College and President of the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation. Dr. Sadick is author, or co-author, of more than 500 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has contributed more than 75 chapters of medical books. Read more at www.sadickdermatology.com.

Don’t those models look so good with their milk mustaches? Well you should try one! Studies show that drinking 3 glasses of low-fat or fat -ree milk a day can help maintain a healthy weight and have better quality diets, compared to those who didn’t.

Milk provides you with essential nutrients such as:
• Calcium: Which helps build strong bones and teeth.
• Potassium: Which helps maintain normal blood pressure.
• Protein: Which serves as a source of energy.
• Vitamin A: Which helps maintain normal vision and skin
• Vitamin D: Reduces the risk of heart disease and protects against many cancers.
• Vitamin B12: Which is required for normal cell activity. It also protects against the risk of stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.

Today, there are many different varieties of milk,  but here are some other alternatives to your typical milk:

Soy Milk:
For people who are vegans or lactose intolerant, soy milk is the perfect drink for you. People who drink soy milk have much to gain because it is made from beans which contain fiber, while dairy milk has none. Soy milk is also a good source of protein, and although it contains more fat than reduced-fat 2 percent milk, it is low in saturated fat and cholesterol free. Although it is not a good natural source of calcium, some brands of soy milk are fortified with calcium and vitamin D. Soy milk is a good source of isoflavones — estrogen compounds that seem to have a myriad of health benefits.

Lactaid Milk:
Approximately 75 percent of the world’s population (including 40 million Americans) is lactose intolerant. Lactaid milk contains the same nutrients as regular milk — the only difference is that lactose has been broken down so that it is easily tolerated by those people who are intolerant to it. Lactose is the predominant sugar in milk products. An enzyme called lactase is produced in the small intestine and breaks down lactose so it can be absorbed into the blood stream. It is not usually serious, but symptoms can be bothersome, so Lactaid milk is the perfect option for a dairy-free diet.

Organic Milk:
Organic milk is the purest and healthiest form of milk. Organic milk means that cows’ feed, such as corn, soy and hay were grown organically. In addition, organic regulations prohibit the use of antibiotics and synthetic growth hormones. Organic regulations also mandate specific humane animal standards including access to fresh air and pasture. However, organic milk can be at least twice the price of regular milk, and there is still a debate over whether this milk is really worth your money.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to force yourself to drink a glass of plain milk! Here are some helpful and tasty ways to receive your three servings of milk a day:

• Use milk instead of water in your oatmeal
• Pour it over a bowl of cereal
• Stir it up into hot chocolate
• Blend it with frozen fruit for a delicious smoothie
• Grab a skim latte or cappuccino
• Substitute cream in soup for milk

Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD is a nutritionist and founder of Skinnyandthecity.com.    She is also the creator of The F-Factor Diet™, an innovative nutritional program she has used for more than ten years to provide hundreds of her clients with all the tools they need to achieve easy weight loss and maintenance, improved health and well-being.  For more information log onto www.FFactorDiet.com.

Of the nearly two thirds of U.S. adults surveyed, 64 percent agree that they are filled with greater joy soaking up the summer sun, then bundling up in winter coats. According to studies done at Cornell University, the winter blues and its more severe foil, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), affects about four times as many women as men.

Although the science is still relatively new, research has begun to reveal how mindful eaters can choose their fuel to help achieve or maintain a desired mental state.  Our moods are linked to the production or use of certain brain chemicals. Scientists have identified many of the natural chemicals in foods that change the way we feel. Food influences neurotransmitters by attaching to brain cells and changing the way they behave. This opens pathways to those cells so that other mood-altering chemicals can come through the gates and attach themselves to brain cells.

So the next time you want to change your mood, take a walk to the kitchen — it might just save you a trip to the therapist!

To ease feelings of depression:  Eat more fish!  Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fatty fish such as salmon, herring, sardines and tuna) may help ease depressive symptoms.  A recent study showed that eating fish twice a week was associated with lower risk of depression and suicide. Magnesium, can also ease symptoms of depression. Enjoying a bowl of whole-grain cereal and soy milk topped with walnuts will supply you with magnesium and increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids, which will ease your frame of mind into the afternoon frenzy when your kids come home.

To get out of a bad mood: A lack of selenium can cause bad moods. Individuals suffering from too little selenium have been shown to be more anxious, irritable, hostile and depressed than people with normal levels of selenium. Pistachios, salmon, and shitake mushrooms can instantaneously get you out of this funk.

When you want to feel pleasant and alert: Eating foods that stimulate the release of dopamine may produce enjoyable feelings. Phenylnine is an essential amino acid found in the brain and blood that can convert in the body to tyrosine, which in turn is used to synthesize dopamine instantly increasing your energy and alertness. Start your morning off with a bowl of hot oatmeal to warm you up try adding skim milk and sliced bananas to add a boost of dopamine and to leave you feeling happy throughout the day. Breakfast is a must because it provides glucose to your brain, making you mentally efficient and vigilant.

When you want to feel happy:  When we don’t get enough exposure to sunlight our moods and physical health may suffer. More specifically, serotonin levels, a hormone associated with elevating your mood rises when you’re exposed to sunlight. So we often feel sad during the darker, winter months.  An amino acid, tryptophan helps raise serotonin levels in your body, causing you to feel upbeat once again. Eating foods that are high in tryptophan such as, simple carbs, low-fat cottage cheese, nuts, and chicken will help cure your winter blues.  A slice of whole-wheat toast with low-fat cottage cheese and jam is a sure way to boost your mood. 

Get Moving: Studies show that anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour of exercise every day can have a positive impact on your mood. When we exercise our body releases endorphins that help us to feel happy, but it also has been shown to reduce stress, which often intensifies feelings of depression brought on by the winter blues.  It can also increase your joy by making your skinny jeans and little black dress fit better, and is there any greater feeling then that?!

Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD is a nutritionist and founder of Skinnyandthecity.com.  She is also the creator of The F-Factor Diet™, an innovative nutritional program she has used for more than ten years to provide hundreds of her clients with all the tools they need to achieve easy weight loss and maintenance, improved health and well-being.  For more information log onto www.FFactorDiet.com.