Archive for category: Beauty & Health

I saw this quick facial scrub tip from The French Beauty Solution. I am still reading this book and as I said before it has been a great book! You should really pick up a copy. It is very educational but moving right along here is the quick tip…

For an anytime scrub, simply mix one tablespoon of baking soda with water until you have a paste, rub it gently on, then rinse with warm water. This is an instant way to get rid of dead skin cells and give your skin that special glow. ~ Mathilde Thomas 

I am continuing my reading of the French Beauty Solution and I am now in Chapter 6 which discusses “Taking Care of your Face and Neck”. I got right into this chapter because it was so informative about skin descriptions.

One section that stuck out to me was the snippet about acne. It blasted away all the myths I was told in high school. Here is what is said…

“Acne is not caused by eating chocolate or french fries. That’s a relief. But for women who suddenly develop acne as adults, it can be devastating to have such visible skin problems. Acne is an inflammatory disease that is caused by genetics, your fluctuating hormone levels, and the P. acnes bacteria. These hormonal changes affect how often your skin cells turn over; if they don’t turn over as they should- becoming stickier and oilier instead- pores get clogged and pimples and blackheads form. 


It’s not a good idea to treat acne yourself, especially if it suddenly develops, as this may be an indication of a hormonal imbalance that warrants medical attention from a physician, either your dermatologist or endocrinologist. Over the counter acne products are usually targeted to teens that tend to have oilier and less fragile skin than adults, and they can cause irritation and make your skin look even worse. Your dermatologist can devise the right treatment plan and check your hormone levels too”.  ~Mathilde Thomas 


I thought this information was so fantastic and right on time. I have noticed some changes in my skin too. I would encourage anyone to pick up this book. It is wonderful…

I am still reading The French Beauty Solution. It is such a great reference book. I have really enjoyed learning about my skin and about sunblock.

I really didn’t know how important sunblock was until recently. Now, that I am in my 30’s my overall health has been at the top of my list. I am in Chapter 4 of the book. In this section Mathilde is discussing dermatologist visits. Are they needed?

Well, according to Dr. Waldorf, you should see a dermatologist for any of the following:

* For a baseline, healthy checkup at any age. Your doctor will photograph your entire body and use this in the future for comparison to see if any moles or spots are growing or changing. Given how prevalent skin cancer is, you can’t be too safe. Some women go to medi-spas to have moles removed, but this can be risky as the people working there are often not medically trained and can’t tell the difference between skin cancer and benign mole. The same risks go for at-home devices. When it comes to your skin, it’s always good to trust a professional.

* If you have any moles, spots, or splotches that don’t heal, change shape or color, or appear suddenly and don’t go away no matter what you try. A normal pimple doesn’t last for months, and scrubbing at it won’t make it go away and can make it much worse. 


* If you suddenly develop any skin condition such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, painful irritation, or rashes.


* If the texture of your skin changes dramatically. This can be due to fluctuating hormone levels. 


* If you start losing a lot of hair on your head and growing it on your face. This, too, might be caused by hormonal changes.


* If you just want advice about more intensive skin care treatments, especially to treat sun damage.




This book has been so helpful to me. I hope you can pick up a copy of your own and start educating yourself on the importance of skincare. I am looking forward to Chapter 5. I will be reading about skincare ingredients, natural oils, and perfume. 




To read more about my entries on this book see here and here.