Latest news with #PaulaBrezavscek
Elle
03-07-2025
- Health
- Elle
Death to Strawberry Makeup—Guava Girl Summer Is Officially Here
When happy hour beckons, my go-to cocktail almost always stars a fruit—passionfruit, to be precise—shaken with a dash of gin. But during a recent post-work outing with a friend, a new contender stole the spotlight: a fizzy spritz bursting with a playful tug-of-war between guava and mint. I've always known guava as a tart yet sweet delight, compressed into a juice so addictive that it demands encore sips until surrender. I assumed my guava affair would end in that quaint Lower East Side hideaway where we laughed over drinks. However, as it turns out, the beauty world had other plans: bottling the fruit's juicy essence into kissable balms, lather-worthy washes and butters, and spritzable potions ripe for summer indulgence. Folks have already dubbed the upcoming warm season Guava Girl Summer—and fittingly so. Cut the fruit open and you'll be greeted by its glossy pink heart, the same finish that informed the season's buzziest lip glosses and blush launches. My aversion to food-themed beauty turned me away from joining the 'strawberry makeup' or 'brownie glazed lips' bandwagon. However, upon researching guava's benefits, the fruit goes beyond its aesthetic appeal—guava actually boasts impressive benefits for the skin and hair. 'For skin, guava is loaded with antioxidants like vitamin C, which helps brighten the complexion, fade dark spots, and boost collagen production,' says Paula Brezavscek, PA-C, board-certified physician's associate and the founder of AZALA SkinClinic in Miami, Florida. Guava is also packed with another antioxidant named lycopene that 'protects the skin against environmental stressors and signs of aging. I especially love guava for its dual-action benefits: It protects and perfects. Plus, it has natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, a great option for acne-prone or sensitive skin,' Brezavscek adds. The powerhouse vitamins harnessed from the fruit offer additional strengthening and protection benefits to the hair. 'I've even seen guava leaf extract used to calm dandruff and soothe irritated scalps. It's one of those ingredients that supports both the health of the hair and the skin underneath it. To me, guava isn't just a seasonal ingredient, it's a fruit-forward glow-up that actually delivers,' Brezavscek says. Enticed by more than just the taste of the tropical fruit? Allow these guava-infused and guava-themed beauty picks to satisfy your craving. These days, the supple, glossy sheen you notice on most lips comes courtesy of Summer Fridays' cult-favorite lip balms. The brand's latest iteration of its viral formula has an even pinker hue than, say, Pink Sugar or Birthday Cake, to mimic the color of the fruit's core. Rahua's curl cream is formulated with fortifying and strengthening ingredients, including biotin, African shea butter, and oils, among others, with guava as the standout. 'Think less damage, more shine. It hydrates and smoothes the hair cuticle, which results in softer texture and a natural, healthy glow, all with that fresh, fruity scent lingering behind,' Anna Ayers, founder of Rahua, explains. Vacation starts as soon as you spritz on a Kopari fan-favorite SPF formula. However, in this case, your real respite begins in-shower. Beyond the guava scent, the Hydrating Body Wash caresses the skin with calming aloe, hydrating coconut water, and antioxidant-rich sea kelp to prep your skin for a day of fun. This lightweight leave-in conditioner will help your hair achieve its silkiest, softest form. Guava extract conditions and adds sheen to every strand, while aloe vera juice and plum extract lock in hydration. You get the best of many worlds from this one spray. Ceremonia's Guava Rescue Spray serves as a detangler and nourisher, while guava offers heat protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Whether worn alone or paired with a lip liner, this YSL formula glides effortlessly onto the lips for a comfortable, soft-sheen finish in a light pink shade. One scoop of this body cream is enough to give your skin a vacation-like glow, and its delicious scent is the cherry, uh, guava on top. As the moisturizing formula imparts a subtle sheen and softness to the skin, your body is wrapped in the scent of guava, coconut water, and gardenia. Ayesha Curry's Sweet July offerings are love letters to her Caribbean upbringing, and the Pava cleanser utilizes the tropic island's star ingredients to address a bevy of skin concerns. Papaya, guava, and glycolic acid work together to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, revealing a refreshed, smoother, and more refined complexion. Florals and fruits fight for the spotlight in this fragrance, which features a medley of creamy florals ylang-ylang and osmanthus, and vibrant banana and guava for a fruity touch. This toner is powered by Dezi Skin's patented Guavazyme technology, comprised of guava and pear extracts, aimed at reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation and scarring. Ere Perez's tan drops allow you to achieve a sun-kissed glow without a sunny escape. Made with vitamin C from guava and aloe vera, these drops can be mixed into your favorite serum and moisturizer, so you can wake up feeling like you're in the tropics—without leaving home. As its name suggests, Tropical by Arquiste smells like a summer cocktail waiting to be indulged. Ginger anchors the juicy tang of ripe guava and lime upon first spritz, and as it settles, guava continues mingling with the notes.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The best anti-wrinkle serums of 2025, tested and reviewed
No one is ever thrilled to see their first wrinkle, but after a certain point in life, both fine and deep facial lines are unavoidable, an inevitable result of things like genetics, sun exposure and repeatedly smiling or frowning — in other words, being alive. And while most wrinkles can be treated with injections of neurotoxins like Botox which temporarily "freeze" the facial muscles and keep them from further crinkling, not everyone has the desire — or the funds — to undergo this kind of regular in-office procedure. An average neurotoxin treatment lasts just three months, which means, in about 90 days, you have to re-up — or hunt down a longer-term Botox alternative. This is where the best anti-wrinkle serums come in. "If you're looking for a smoother appearance with fewer fine lines without using Botox, the most effective approach is to combine treatments," says Paula Brezavscek, the founder of Miami's Azala Skin Clinic. Along with daily use of high-SPF sun protection and complexion smoothers like micro-needling, Brezavscek recommends "a consistent, at-home, medical-grade skin care routine." What that means in layman's terms: daily use of products with high concentrations of things like peptides and retinoids, ingredients that have been thoroughly researched, studied and proven to both build collagen and improve skin texture and, in the process, soften wrinkles. "Peptides stimulate collagen production. As we age, collagen production declines, leading to wrinkles, sagging and thinner skin," explains Boston board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Akshay Sanan. "Peptides can actually have a 'Botox-like' effect by relaxing facial muscles and reducing the depth of wrinkles caused by repetitive movements." In addition to peptides, studies show that, over time and with consistent use, retinol — one of many vitamin A compounds known as retinoids — effectively reduces the appearance of fine and even deeper lines. "Retinol and retinoids are highly effective at reducing the appearance of wrinkles and improving overall skin texture," says Sanan. "They work by targeting the root cause of wrinkles — collagen breakdown. By increasing collagen, retinoids thicken the dermis, reducing the depth of fine lines and wrinkles." I'm 51, and I spent the past 18 months testing anti-wrinkle serums on my own increasingly lined face. Read on for the ones I found most effective — and those we definitely would not recommend. The best anti-wrinkle serum of 2025 Other top anti-wrinkle serums we recommend for 2025 How we tested anti-wrinkle serums Other anti-wrinkle serums we tested that didn't make the cut What to look for in an anti-wrinkle serum Anti-wrinkle serum FAQ Meet the experts I spent the past 18 months testing more than a dozen anti-wrinkle serums, applying each one at least once daily for 4 to 8 weeks. I rated them on efficacy (did my fine lines soften?), absorbency, ease of use, texture, versatility (is the product safe for many skin types?), ingredient quality, ingredient potency and value. I tested Esteé Lauder's famous Night Repair Serum and found that it didn't absorb well into my skin and instead pilled in a gross way, knocking it out of consideration. Though it's often included in other best lists, Glow Recipe's Peptide Serum was inferior in all ways to the two I chose to include above — it has a sticky, tacky texture and didn't seem to do much for my skin. And, while I regularly recommend RoC retinol products, during this testing period, I found the formulas more irritating and harsh but with similar benefits to (the much less expensive) Differin gel. Look for high potency of key ingredients — actives like peptides should be listed in the first five ingredients. For safety reasons, only purchase skin care from trusted retailers and reputable brands. Most dermatologists recommend proactive, preventative use of anti-aging serums starting in your late 20s and early 30s, as this is when collagen production starts to slow down. But it's equally never too late to begin a quality skin care regimen — consistent application of targeted, high-quality products, plus religious use of daily sunscreen will go a long way to improve your skin at any age. "Wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher daily is a non-negotiable for me," says Dr. Melanie Palm, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at San Diego's Art of Skin MD. "If you aren't protecting your skin from UV damage, all your best efforts — skin care, diet, lasers, injectables — are going down the drain." This depends on the number of steps of your personal skin-care routine, but, as a rule, serums should always come after cleansing but before moisturizing. You want the active ingredients to really sink into your face, so the cleaner your skin, the better. Dermatologists also recommend using these products at night to give them even more time to absorb while you sleep. Many anti-aging serums are potent and the ingredients can be irritating and harsh — and not safe for everybody. If your skin is sensitive or ultra-dry, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before adding these to your skin-care regimen. Dr. Akshay Sanan, MD, Boston board-certified facial plastic surgeon Paula Brezavscek, the founder of Miami's Azala Skin Clinic. Kimberly Austin, an aesthetician at the Los Angeles 7QSpa Dr. Melanie Palm, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at San Diego's Art of Skin MD
