Megan Gates is an active blogger who provides written work to the blogosphere pertaining to NYC Real Estate, Hamptons Homes, home improvement and the latest architecture, design, fashion and travel. Follow her on twitter @MEGatesDesign

Overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet, or UV, rays can happen in any season. While some consumers are careful to slather on the sunscreen during the summer months, many stop their sunscreen habits when the weather cools down. The truth is that your skin benefits from yearlong protection.

Have you ever overheard someone speaking about “free radicals?” They, most assuredly, were not talking about dreadlocked hippies sporting tie-dye at a music festival. Free radicals are harmful electron particles that can do permanent damage to the skin. The UV rays of the sun contain free radicals that can speed the aging process, causing hyperpigmentation and creating wrinkles on youthful skin.

How can you protect against these free radicals? Sunscreen and sunblocks containing an SPF, or sun protection factor, of at least 15 can protect against UV light. SPF 30 is typically considered suitable for all complexions. Many companies have created products with SPF counts over 50, but they offer no added guaranteed protection. The only way to ensure effective sun protection is to reapply your sunscreen or sunblock throughout the day. Never apply sunscreen once and assume that you will be protected the entire day, even if your product has a high SPF count.

Good news, women! Many of today’s cosmetics, moisturizers and toners have been designed with sunscreen included in the formula. You may already realize that some of your favorite cosmetics contain UV protection, but if they do not, there are several options to fit every lifestyle. Even ladies who prefer to go natural can find moisturizing facial creams with UV protective sunscreens that are hypoallergenic and oil-free to keep pores unclogged.

Whether you intend to keep your sun-kissed glow with tanning beds or use bronzers and self-tanning sprays, be sure to smooth some sunscreen on your skin first. Healthy, young-looking skin is in season every day of the year, so protect your skin against dangerous free-radicals no matter the forecast.

Do you have any tips to share for keeping your skin safe from sun damage? Please leave us a comment below!

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Superhero body without the gym or chocolate cut-backs? Umm…sign me up!

Well…let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

I’m not going to lie and say that it wasn’t the name of this product that peaked my curiosity, but I’m no fool and knew it wouldn’t be a miracle waist shrinker (nor does it claim to be). That said, I’m a huge fan of the Super line so I knew that the cream would have something in the way of high-impact moisturization to offer and that it did!

Dr. Perricone is my go-to when it comes to learning about the benefits of superfoods (not too long ago I had the chance to peek inside his fridge!), and with Super he has taken everything he knows about healthful eating and applied it topically. What makes the Superhero Body Sculpting Serum ($35) such a stand-out in his line is that not only is the lotion so super lightweight that it can easily be layered underneath an SPF or a treatment cream, but it’s formulated with superfood-inspired anti-agers, all of which are typically found exclusively in facial skincare products (think olive leaf extract to reduce redness and smooth appearance, polyphenols – aka the flavonoid found in olives – to increase moisture retention and guard against the damaging effect of free radicals, DMAE which provides skin firming benefits, and various other ingredients to ensure healthier, firmer skin). To boot, Superhero also has caffeine, which is known for its skin-firming effect and ability to, albeit temporarily, hide cellulite.

Image: Dr. Perricone

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One of the biggest mistakes you can make — especially if you live somewhere where the air is very dry — is to use a foaming cleanser. Foam cleansers not only strip your skin of moisture, but also make it more difficult for your skin to absorb subsequent serums and creams.

Now, NARS (the brand responsible for the runway looks seen at the likes of Marc Jacobs) has launched a fantastic new alternative. Called Makeup Removing Water ($28), it’s a soap-free, oil-free, alcohol-free, no-rinse solution that works double duty as a makeup/dirt remover and a toner. I had the chance to try a sample of the just-launched product and was pleasantly surprised at how gentle and skin-soothing it actually was (honestly, I tried it half-thinking it would be no different than tap water). Much to my delight, the skin-purifying water was incredbly refreshing and was a perfect boost to my dehydrated, tired-looking skin after I got off my recent Seattle flight!

While it can be used to effectively get rid of makeup (on its own if you have light makeup or before a gentle cream cleanser if you have heavy makeup), I’ve been using it in the AM to refresh my skin and wipe off any grime that may have accumulated overnight. To boot, it’s infused with cucumber, chamomile and hyaluronic acid, so it helps calm my face which, when I don’t get my 7-8 hours of sleep, looks 10lbs heavier right when I wake up…!

Image: NARS

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I’ve turned to Kimberly Snyder before (see here), because when it comes to beauty, health, and fitness she has some fantastic insights. Since many of us turn to natural beauty products when we’re concerned about our skin health, I spoke to Snyder about what natural ingredients to look for in beauty products so that we can all start off 2012 on the right foot! Here’s a look at what to stock up on this coming year.

1. NaPCA is the most vital moisturizer naturally occurring in the skin. The ability to retain dermal moisture correlates directly to NaPCA content. NaPCA facilitates the skin’s absorption of atmospheric moisture, giving it a moist and youthful glow.

2. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant free-radical scavenger that combats skin damage and neutralizes environmentally induced deterioration. Vitamin E assists in collagen production, moisturizes and dramatically decreases wrinkle length and depth. I just got back from Morocco, which is the birthplace of argan oil. Certain oils, like argan oil, naturally contain Vitamin E.

3. Witch hazel. High in astringent tannins and great in natural toners. Helps to tighten and shrink superficial cells. Reduces redness, and acts as an anti-inflammatory.

4. Hyaluronic Acid drastically reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while improving smoothness, tone and firmness. In addition to creating volume in the face, which bestows a healthy, youthful, appearance, Hyaluronic Acid is also an exceptional moisturizer due to its unique liquid-retention capability.

5. What’s NOT in your products is just as important as what is. Artificial fragrance is one of the worst. It takes thousands of chemicals to make up a fragrance as simple as artificial blueberry. All bodies are different, but with so many chemicals, we are bound to react to some of them. Avoid artificial fragrances in makeup and body care and note that if a label simply says fragrance, it is probably artificial fragrance. Look for essential oils, which are usually listed instead.

6. For facial powders, look for aloe and allantoin, which are both soothing and non-irritating. Avoid Bismuth Oxychloride, which is common in many popular mineral makeups, and can create or aggravate acne. Also avoid talc.

7. For liquid foundation, look for fruit oils and colors from natural micas and iron oxides. Avoid mineral oil, propylene glycol and parabens, which can clog skin and may contribute to health complications.

When I asked Snyder what her favorite natural beauty products are, she told me that her number one pick are ones from Sally B’s Skin Yummies. The line is completely plant-based and she makes everything by hand in her personal lab. “Her mineral makeup is the best I’ve ever used,” says Snyder, adding, ” and the products won’t clog skin. I love her Luxury Cleanser, which has a great combination of Tamanu Oil and other saponified oils that provide excellent cleansing, as well as a treatment for inflammation like rosacea. The Healing Hand Butter is full of kokum butter and shea butter, which are both highly prized for healing qualities, and are especially great this time of year.”

(Note: If you enter “beauty” as a coupon code for checkout at Sally B’s, you get 5% off!)

Snyder also told me she like Tata Harpers Replenishing Nutrient Complex (I’m also a fan!), which contains alfalfa extract providing vitamins A, B, C, D and E, helping maintain a youthful appearance and protecting from environmental conditions that cause skin damage and age spots.

Image: Kimberly Snyder

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1) The best time to moisturize is after a shower as it will keep the moisture in your skin a lot longer. I like to use a thicker or stronger lotion so that it will really absorb into my skin so I’ve been using Egyptian Magic. After reading hundreds of rave reviews online, I now know why — it’s incredible! It’s like a paste when you get it out of the jar, but once you rub it between your hands, it becomes more oily and just absorbs into your skin. Some people do use it on their face, but I prefer to just use it on my body because my face is a bit more sensitive to thicker lotions. Another great perk of Egyptian Magic is that it makes for a fabulous lip balm as well!

2) For my face I’ve been using Bio-Oil, which I started using this summer, but it’s been a lifesaver for this winter where my face feels especially dry. I only use it at night before I go to bed, but it helps keep the moisture in for the entire day. It’s also supposed to help out with scars and uneven skin tone. I have a little bit of acne scarring, so I really like it for this purpose as well.

3) This is good for any spots that really need a bit more moisturizing. I have some spots on my back and knees that get a little bit drier, as well as my feet. I love the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream. It’s pretty thick, so I don’t like to put it everywhere or else I feel a bit greasy, but just using it in specific spots has been so helpful!

4) My hands get super dry when I’m out, especially after I wash them and it annoys me to no end to have dry hands, so I keep L’Occitane Shea Hand Cream in my purse. It’s got a light scent and the best creamy consistency for hand cream. I buy this stuff in bulk because I have to keep one in every bag! It’s definitely the best that I’ve found.

So those are my solutions for dry skin. Any products that you’ve found that you love? I love trying out new products, so please share!

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Just when you think you’ve seen and heard it all, a brand like Dairyface comes along. Dairyface — made in a kitchen, not a lab — is formulated with ingredients so fresh that their products literally MUST be stored in the fridge! The number one ingredient in each product is yogurt and all are based on the nutritional benefits of milk to nourish skin cells, hence the name. Fittingly, each skincare product comes packaged in a container that looks straight out of the Greek yogurt section at my local Health Nut store (expiration date sticker and all)!

I had to put a Post-It marked “DO NOT EAT; NOT EDIBLE” on the containers when I got them because not only do they look like yogurt, they actually smell and have the same consistency! Honestly I have a feeling that if you were to eat one of them, you’d not only be fine, but that it would probably taste good!

The line consists of five products, four of which can be used on your face and body (peppermint, orange, green tea, and lavender), and one eye cream. I love eye creams that can be stored in the fridge because nothing is better to wake me up in the morning than a cooling sensation on my face, so obviously that one was my favorite, but, if you love the scent of yogurt (the products smell strong), and love the invigorating sensation of cooling treatment masks, you’ll love their facial refreshers as well.

Each package contains two single-serving treatments ($19.95), packed with prebiotics and probiotics specifically formulated for topical use on the skin.

Image: Dairyface

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Yes to Carrots is one of my favorite brands because their products are trust-worthily effective (I’ve tried dozens), super affordable, nearly 100% natural, based on science, and they’re chic-ly packaged. They also donate a portion of their proceeds to the Yes to Seed Fund, a nonprofit that supports sustainable agriculture.

The brand’s Yes to Tomatoes products are all focused on helping achieve and maintain clear skin, and their latest — as well as recent favorite of mine — is the Yes to Tomatoes Acne Roller Ball Spot Stick ($9.99). This spot stick is awesome because it has a stainless steel ball that’s not only cooling, but allows you to treat any flare-ups with a blend of ginger root and bisabolol (clinically proven to reduce redness around blemishes and calm inflammation by 50% within 2 days), tomatoes (rich in lycopene, a potent antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental agents that can contribute to clogged pores and breakouts), and 2% salicylic acid without having to touch the product or your face. I’m always trying to minimize the amount of contaminants I’m exposing my skincare products to and I hate touching my face with my hands — especially when I have  a breakout — so this product design is especially great for me.

They’ve also got Deep Cleansing Facial Pads ($7.99 for 50), which are made with the same potent goodness as the spot stick, but are easier to use if you’re looking to treat more than a few spots. Plus the pads won’t zap your skin’s moisture like many of the other ones out there do.

Images: Yes to Carrots

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Do you guys remember that Sex and the City episode where Carrie says she uses her oven for shoe storage? Well, as a fellow New Yorker, I can relate; except I use my oven to store unused kitchen appliances! Popsicle makers, panini grills, snow cone machines — you name it, they’ve been in there.

I don’t like to cook, so the only kitchen contraptions that end-up getting used regularly are the ones that can help me improve my bodily health and, therefore, my skin health (think steamer, juicer, etc). To that end, I wanted to talk about food dehydrators in my post today. It’s probably a gadget you’ve never thought of buying if you’re not a raw foodie, but let me tell you it can really change your life.

I first became interested in getting one when I discovered New York Naturals Kale Chips, which are delicious, but expensive. The brand literally just sells dehydrated boxes of kale with various spices, but wow do they taste amazing! Seriously, if you’re addicted to Doritos or Fritos, or one of those other unhealthy snacks, I dare you to try one of these and not think they’re just as good — if not better. You won’t believe that they’re actually good for you (and your skin)!

Dehydrating your fruit, vegetables, and even your meats, is not only a great way to preserve them, but it’s a great way to get your vitamins and minerals if you’re averse to eating these vital foods in their non-dehydrated state. One hundred sixteen degrees is the temperature where the enzymes in our foods start to die, and the properties which make healthy foods so appealing begin to dwindle, so a dehydrator — which you can set at a temperature below 116 degrees — allows you to cook these foods without compromising their properties (it blows warm air over the food, preserving almost 100% of the nutritional content, plus it inhibits the growth of bacteria).

One of the downsides is that dehydrators can get pretty expensive, but I’d recommend looking into Deni’s Food Dehydrator, which is a guilt-free $45. Of course, it’s not as sophisticated or quick as some of the other ones on the market, but if you don’t have $175-plus to spend, this one is hard to beat. Plus, it has space to make lots of fresh snacks from fruits and veggies. The other downside is that there’s no way around the fact that dehydrating is a commitment that will take a few hours, but if you have spare time on the weekend it’s a great way to kick-start a healthy routine before Thanksgiving and other holiday-related indulgences start to kick in.

Lastly, makeup is fun, but to really enjoy playing and experimenting with it there’s nothing more important than a clean base (a.k.a. your face), and eating healthfully and controlling stress levels (not easy, I know…) is the most effective way to achieve healthy, clear skin. So why not let a dehydrator help you be on your way to clean, healthy skin?

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I’ve been lamenting my dry skin, lips, and hair for a few weeks now and I’ve finally come-up with the ultimate regimen. How do I know it works? I was a patchy, dry (and complain-y!) mess a few weeks ago and I am now proudly silky smooth! The key, however, is to keep up the regimen despite my body and face going back to normal because the tides can quickly turn.

For lips, I’ve been alternating Blistex Medicated Ointment (it’s ugly, but it works…) with Burt’s Bees Medicated Lip Balm; for skin, I’ve been lathering Murad on my face, L’Occitane on my hands, Elizabeth Arden on my body, and I’ve been using Oribe Masque for Beautiful Color on my hair. That may sound like a lot of moisture, but trust that while all these products are effective if you’re living in a place with air anywhere near as dry as what we have right now in Manhattan, that won’t be enough. For the aforementioned products to work their magic, enlist the help of humidifiers.

I’ve tested out countless humidifiers from a slew of brands over the years, but none can compare to Air-O-Swiss — aka the Rolls Royce of humidifiers! This time of year I cannot sleep without one of their humidifiers plopped down next to my bed and, while I’ve tried out a few of them in the past, the best one thus far is their AOS 7144 model ($198). Not only can you set it to your desired humidity level (40-55% humidity is considered the optimal for comfort), but it can also blow warm air, it makes zero noise, and it covers up to 650 square feet, despite it’s compact size. In fact, it’s half the size of many other humidifiers that claim to cover the same amount of space.

Hands down — without a doubt — if you have dry skin, sleep with this model plugged in for one night and you will be astounded. It may be a touch pricier than some of the other models, but since you won’t have flaky dry skin any longer, you’ll save on exfoliator. It’s also worth noting that the tank lasts a good 15 hours and it’s easy to fill. Also, the model shuts off automatically when it no longer has water and it has an LCD screen to let you set a timer, sleep mode, etc.

By day, I’ve been using the Swiss-designed Stadler Form FRED Hot Steam Humidifier ($99.99). This piece is completely different from the AOS one. It doesn’t have as many technological features, but since I use it by day it doesn’t matter because I can turn it on and off as needed. What makes this piece so special (if it isn’t already obvious), is its spectacular design! Have you ever seen a device that humidifies air (up to 400 square feet) with bacteria-free steam that looks as sleek as this one? It also has two settings: normal and a low-power, environmentally friendly one. Designeratti, this one’s for you!

Regardless of which device you opt for, you can’t forget to clean it regularly (every two weeks would be ideal), and Bionaire’s Humidifier Aromatherapy Starter Kit comes with easy-to-use Cleaning & Care Tablets to eliminate scale deposits and residue in the humidifier tank, as well as a sponge/brush to target hard to reach areas. It also comes with a hygrometer/thermometer in case your humidifier doesn’t have an LCD screen like the one AOS has and it comes with an array of Aromatherapy Tablets that you can just plop into your humidifier (aloe, eucalyptus, lavender, or chamomile). Note that while the tablets work best with Bionaire’s humidifiers, they can be used with any device. The kit retails for $16.99

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As you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and countless beauty brands are contributing to the cause. Among the most notable is Murad, with their Hydrate for Hope Duo. Priced at $85 (the retail value is $130), 10% from the sale of each set will be donated to City of Hope for breast and women’s cancer research, treatment, and education. They expect that they will be donating about $1,000,000! Murad is an awesome skincare brand — I swear by their Clarifying Body Spray, which  I spray all over my body immediately after I workout and it prevents breakouts; plus it’s refreshing! This particular duo has two 1.7 oz jars of their cult-favorite, Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture, which is just what most of our faces need when the temperatures drop and our faces are parched (i.e. what happens right about now if you live on the East Coast!). It’s been clinically proven to give skin up to eight hours of hydration and it works even for those with sensitive or combination skin .

I love this moisturizer because it absorbs quickly (stops my boyfriend from complaining about my face being “sticky”!), it leaves skin feeling velvety smooth, and you only need a tiny amount of the cream for it to be effective. Speaking of how much you should use, it’s important to remember that skin can only absorb so much product. If you apply too much serum/cream on your face, your skin will be unable to absorb it and it will just sit on top of your skin.  Sometimes less really is more!

Image: Murad

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