Prunes.  They may not sound exciting or sexy, but they may just become your new best friend after discovering  all the benefits packed into this small, dark, shrivelled up fruit. Long used as an aid to constipation, prunes are brimming with some surprisingly impressive health benefits that might be enough to convince you to add them to your shopping list.

What do prunes have going for them and why do they deserve their place on a list of superfoods?

1. They're an excellent source of fibre. For good reason, prunes and prune juice have long been the answer to irregularity.  High in insoluble fibre, prunes are nature's laxative.  Insoluble fibre doesn't dissolve in water, passing through the gastrointestinal tract and speeding up the journey of food through the gut.  Prunes are also a good source of soluble fibre, the kind that helps to lower LDL, or bad cholesterol.

2. Prunes may help protect against cancer.  This unassuming little fruit contains high levels of phytonutrients called phenols.  Phenols act as antioxidants, protecting against damage from free radicals that can cause cell damage that may lead to diseases such as cancer.  Suprisingly, prunes are also believed to lower the risk of Alzheimer's due to the same free radical fighting power.  

3. They promote bone health.  A recent study by the University of Florida showed that prunes were effective in improving the bone mineral density in postmenopausal women at a time when the risk of osteoporosis increases due to estrogen deficiency.  It's believed that the high content of boron in prunes works to optimize estrogen levels which in turn increases calcium absorption.

4. Prunes help to fight hypertension.  Including half a cup of prunes to your daily diet will provide over 600mg of potassium, an important mineral in maintaining a healthy blood pressure level.   Adding a medium-sized banana to your breakfast will bump up your potassium intake by another 400mg.

Are you convinced yet about prunes?  Maybe if we called them dried plums instead.  Definitely more sexy.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti-aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com .
For a limited time, Fabulously 40 members save 5% off all purchases. Code fab40 at checkout.

Apart from the quick flush of the cheeks due to an embarrassing moment, the cause of redness in the face may be difficult to pinpoint and may depend on a myriad of factors.  Does the redness come and go or is it constant?  Does it appear suddenly or gradually?  Are the red patches raised or flat?

Here are four common causes of redness in the face and tips to help tone it down:

1. Rosacea: A chronic and progressive skin condition which often presents itself as flushing of the skin, redness, bumps, pimples and tiny visible blood vessels on the face.  Symptoms tend to appear in a cyclic fashion, characterized by flare-ups and remissions with no fixed pattern of occurrence. One of the keys to controlling rosacea is to identify and avoid triggers that may lead to flare-ups.  The benefits of a gentle skin-care routine cannot be underestimated. Look for soap- and fragrance-free cleansers as well as creams like Cliniderm RosaCalm  that reduce the appearance of redness and skin imperfections to restore a more uniform and healthy-looking skin.

2. Sensitive Skin: Itchy, irritated skin from topical treatments, cleansers, lotions or even a cold wind may indicate that you have sensitive skin.  And contrary to popular belief, even those with normal, oily or combination skin can suffer from skin sensitivity.  Although sufferers from sensitive skin have a tendency to lose moisture, it is by no means limited to those with dry skin. If your face turns red from everyday skin care products, stick with gentle cleansers and moisturizers that are fragrance free and contain a minimum number of ingredients.  Apothekari's Daily Infusion Moisturizer is gentle enough for sensitive skin and improves skin barrier function to help protect against environmental irritants.

3. Sun damage: Unprotected exposure to the sun and severe sunburn in the past may also contribute to redness in the face.  Small red freckles may indicate sun damage.  It's never too late to make sunscreen a priority in your daily routine.  Researchers in Australia recently found that even if you are middle-aged, using sunscreen on a daily basis can slow the aging of the skin as well as decreasing the risk of some skin cancers in the long run. We never tire of extolling the virtues of our favorite Anthelios sunscreens . With a wide range of formulations, there's one to suit virtually every skin type.

4. Aging: Over time, loss of collagen and elastin as well as a slower skin cell turnover causes the skin to thin and make blood vessels appear more visible. This can also contribute to an overall redness in the face.  To help boost collagen production and thus thicken the skin, choose a gentle retinoid product, like Apothekari's A is for Anti-aging , a serum which incorporates stabilized retinaldehyde, the ultimate retinoid and least irritating version of Vitamin A to skin.

Red in the face?  Not anymore. Unless it's from all the admiring looks.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti-aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com .
For a limited time, Fabulously 40 members save 5% off all purchases. Code fab40 at checkout.

Lustra Cream, which contains 4% hydroquinone , is indicated for the treatment of hyperpigmentation or patches of dark skin (sun damage, age spots, uneven tone and post-inflammatory pigmentation). As far as medications go, hydroquinone is one of the most effective therapies for the management of hyperpigmentation.

Hydroquinone is thought to work in a few ways:

1. It inhibits the tyrosinase enzyme, which is necessary for the synthesis of melanin.

2. It might possibly inhibit a protein associated with melanin synthesis.

3. Some researchers claim that it denatures the melanin-protein complex, causing a decoloration of the skin.

 Yes, Lustra Cream (and other hydroquinone formulations) are effective, but you may be concerned about their safety, which is widely discussed online. A number of issues have been raised:

 1.Ochrononis. A bluish/black discoloration of the skin that may occur with using hydroquinone. It's important to keep in mind that this is a very rare side effect and has only been witnessed in a handful of cases amongst individuals using hydroquinone. Reported cases involved individuals using it long term with very high doses (8% or more). It is thought that the products may have been adulterated with dangerous ingredients such as mercury and steroids.

 2.Carcinogenicity. Rats injected with large doses of hydroquinone developed cancer. However, there have been no concerns raised with topical use either in animals or humans.

 3.Leukemia. The link is not for hydroquinone but rather for benzene, which can be metabolized into hydroquinone. And, in any case, the amount of hydroquinone used in studies that suggest an association with leukemia are somewhat larger than the amounts used in topical skin lightening products.

 4.Skin Sensitivity. As with any topical preparation, Lustra Cream carries the risk of skin irritation. For this reason, do a patch test first and discontinue use if excessive redness, itching or burning occur.

Practical experience shows that skin irritation is likely the largest safety risk associated with hydroquinone. And, while you will read a lot about other associated risks, there is little evidence to back it up.

Hydroquinone is often combined with other ingredients to enhance its effectiveness. Find it with glycolic acid and Vitamin C in Lustra Cream. Clinicians often recommend using it in conjunction with a retinoid (as in Apothekari A is for Anti-Aging Retinal Serum ) as well which enhances its effectiveness. In order to reduce the potential for side effects, skin care professionals may recommend that you use hydroquinone in a cyclic fashion – on for four months and off for two – repeat cycle. If you are concerned at all, check in with your dermatologist.

The risk of side effects are small if hydroquinone products are used wisely – concentrations of 4% or less; in a cyclic fashion; careful attention.  However, if after reading this post you are still concerned about using hydroquinone or unable to tolerate its use topically consider alternative skin lightening agents such as:

 •Kojic" target="vblank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.pharmacymix.com/product.aspx?ProductID=5096&deptid=778&/">Kojic">http://www.pharmacymix.com/product.aspx?ProductID=5096&deptid=778&/">Kojic acid ),

 •Alpha Hydroxy Acids such as MaMa Lotion
•Other botanical lighteners such Lomelin Cream or Neostrata Spot Lightner 

Lustra Cream and Lustra AF Cream (includes sunscreen) may be found at PharmacyMix.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti-aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com .
For a limited time, Fabulously 40 members save 5% off all purchases. Code fab40 at checkout.

We love, love, love new Anthelios XL Lightweight Lotion SPF 30 and Anthelios XL Lightweight Lotion SPF 60 . Formulated with patented Mexoryl sunscreen technology plus other sunscreen filters, these new products have been rigorously formulated to provide excellent protection against the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Both Anthelios XL Lightweight Lotion SPF 30 and SPF 60 are designed for use on the face and body. Choose Anthelios XL Lightweight Lotion SPF 30 for moderate sun exposure and Anthelios XL Lightweight Lotion SPF 60 for extreme sun exposure. Both formulations are water resistant and may be used on sensitive skin.

When we recently trialed these products at our store, everyone loved the texture of both these products. The lotion had  a pleasing texture that suited the range of skin types and we all liked how quickly the formulations absorbed into skin without feeling greasy or leaving a white cast. We can see ourselves applying these new sunscreens daily or packing them along for our next holiday.

Everyone knows that protection against UVA and UVB rays is the best way to protect against sunburns, premature skin aging and some types of skin cancer. Anthelios sunscreens  deliver in spades – photo-stable, water-resistant and broad spectrum protection. Plus, a range of formulations in pleasing textures to suit all skin types. As with other sunscreens, apply these new products generously before sun exposure. Reapply every 2 hours or as needed after swimming,towel-drying, perspiring heavily and washing.

Anthelios XL Lightweight Lotion SPF 30 and Anthelios XL Lightweight Lotion SPF 60 are:

 •Hypoallergenic

 •Fragrance-free

 •Paraben-free

 •Non-comedogenic

 • Water resistant.

We spot new top sellers at our store!

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com 

For a limited time, Fabulously 40 members save 5% off all purchases. Code fab40 at checkout.

Although menopause brings with it the much talked about symptoms of hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings, fluctuation of hormone levels can also initiate a series of changes in the skin.  The decline in estrogen levels during menopause, coupled with a lifetime of UV exposure and the natural slowing down of cell turnover due to age, are at least partially responsible for those subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) changes that we see when we look in the mirror.

Cells in the body and the skin have estrogen receptors. During puberty the increase in estrogen production sends messages that tell the body to ramp up the development of female secondary sexual characteristics.  During perimenopause and menopause, however, estrogen levels drop and those messages don't get through.  For the skin, this can mean a few extra challenges to deal with. Here's how to meet them head on:

 1. Acne:  Often a result of hormonal changes, acne is experienced by nearly half of women going through menopause.  The same advice that you heard during puberty still holds true: keep the skin clean with a gentle, soap-free cleanser and avoid over cleaning or scrubbing.  Consider adding either a salicylic acid treatment, like Unagel Calming Acne Treatment, or a retinoid such as Green Cream .  Both ingredients help to unplug pores and exfoliate.

 2. Age spots:  Some of us show our age via fine lines and wrinkles, others develop age spots.  Hereditary disposition plays a part, but a lifetime of sun exposure and UV damage can make them appear seemingly overnight during menopause.  Incorporating an alpha hydroxy acid treatment into your routine may help improve the appearance of uneven pigmentation and sun damage.  Legendary MaMa Lotion is formulated with 20% AHA. As a bonus, AHAs also counteract the "crepiness" of the skin that is so common during menopause. To prevent future age spots, keep up with the daily application of a stable, broad-spectrum sunscreen like Anthelios , rain or shine.

 3. Dryness:  Likely the most common change in the skin during menopause is increased dryness.  Think about switching to a richer, more emollient moisturizer, like Neostrata's AquaYouth Anti-Wrinkle Cream  with Hylasome, a cross-linked hyaluronic acid for serious hydration.

 4. Deep wrinkles:  As estrogen levels drop, collagen production slows down, resulting in deeper wrinkles and loss of elasticity.  Adding a retinoid treatment will help boost collagen production, increase cell turnover and plump out the skin.  Backed by clinical studies, the effectiveness of retinoids like retinaldehyde (retinal) or retinol has been proven over and over again . This top anti-aging ingredient can be found in our new Apothekari A is for Anti-Aging serum as well as customer favorite La Roche Posay Redermic R .

 5. Loss of contrast between our facial features and skin:  Menopausal skin can get darker while the color of our eyebrows, eyelashes, eyes and lips lighten, giving us a pale, washed out look.  The changes are so gradual that we may not notice them right away.  Since we appear younger when the contrast between our skin color and our features is more marked, this is a great time to reassess our makeup routine, too.  What may have seemed too heavy in our 20's may just help knock ten years off that reflection in the mirror.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com 

For a limited time, Fabulously 40 members save 5% off all purchases. Code fab40 at checkout.

Our new Apothekari Daily Infusion Moisturizer  is a moisturizer your skin will love! Not too rich, not too diluted, the formulation makes it suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive. Apothekari Daily Infusion Moisturizer hydrates and plumps skin year-round restoring its moisture content, which can help to increase the penetration of other skin actives. Not only that, but it also provides anti-aging benefits, protects against bacteria and leaves your skin feeling refreshed. This light, well absorbing cream is fragrance free, gluten free and paraben free.

Key ingredients include:
•Fructooligosaccharides (D‐beta). Also known as oligofructose, these naturally occurring carbohydrates are derived from cane or beet sugar, which help to promote healthy surface bacteria thereby protecting against harmful bacteria
•Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. A refined triglyceride oil that increases the skin's permeability in order to promote penetration of active ingredients. Improves skin barrier function and restores moisture content
•Squalane. A naturally-occurring emollient derived from olives, which enhances the skin's natural barrier function, warding off external damage. Boosts the skin's ability to retain moisture, making it ideal for rehydrating dry skin.

Apply Apothekari Daily Infusion Moisturizer to clean skin once or twice daily to hydrate and plump. Use in combination with our full line of Apothekari skin care products Your skin will thank you.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti-aging skin care and women's wellness. She owns and operates an online skin care store at PharmacyMix.com .
For a limited time, Fabulously 40 members save 5% off all purchases. Code fab40 at checkout.