It’s National Wellness Month! Feel And Look Your Best With These Beauty & Wellness Finds (As Seen On CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin”)

August is National Wellness Month, so there’s no time like the present to focus on your health and wellness. In my latest segment for CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin,” I rounded up some of my favorite finds to boost your immune system, supplement your diet, bolster your immune system, protect your skin from UV rays, balance your scalp, and promote relaxation and restful sleep. You can view the segment by clicking here and make sure to keep reading for the 4-1-1 (that’s very dated slang for info, y’all!) on all the goodies seen on air.

OLAY REGENERIST WHIP SPF 25

I recently learned a surprising statistic: only 1 in 3 women wear SPF daily. Given how much has been written (including by me!) about the harmful effects of UV rays, the risks of skin cancer, and the premature skin aging effects of prolonged sun exposure, I found the statistic startling. But then I learned the “why” behind it: see, most women who eschew sun protection do so  because they find that sunscreen leaves their skin looking or feeling  greasy and shine or else it leaves behind a pasty, chalky, ghastly white cast. Having tested more sunscreens than I can count, I can relate to many of these common gripes, and yet I know there are great products out there that manage to rise above the fray, delivering the desired protection without any of the unsavory side effects. One of my favorites is the Olay Regenerist Whip SPF 25 ($30 at Olay.com),  a lightweight and breathable face moisturizer that boasts a matte finish and offers broad spectrum SPF 25 protection.

I love that this product functions as a moisturizer with built-in sun protection: by doing double duty, the Olay Regenerist Whip SPF 25t helps me save time and money, allowing me to streamline my daily routine. Moreover, I love how weightless this moisturizer feels: thanks to a unique formula that transforms from cream to liquid upon contact with the skin, the moisturizer is readily absorbed, leaving skin supple and smooth but never shiny or greasy.

Formulated with vitamin B3 and peptides to hydrate skin while improving firmness and minimizing fine lines and wrinkles, this moisturizer is already a sweet treat. But, when you add the built-in UV protection, it becomes the ice cream, whipped cream, and cherry on top.

DOCTOR BABOR CLEANFORMANCE MOISTURE GLOW SERUM & MOISTURIZER

When it comes to our diets, we know to avoid high fructose corn syrup, MSG, sodium nitrites, artificial sweeteners, and trans fats. Many of us have made an artform out of scouring the labels of every bottled, boxed, and pre-packaged product at the supermarket to avoid unwittingly adding any potentially harmful items to our pantries. But are we as vigilant about what we we put on our bodies as we are about what we put into them? Considering that the skin is the body’s largest organ, and that it can absorb much of what’s applied onto its surface, we need to be just as cautious about the ingredients lurking in our beauty products. That’s why I look for skincare products that are green, clean, and never mean — like those that comprise the new Doctor Babor Cleanformance Collection, a range of clean cosmeceuticals formulated with at least 95% sustainably sourced natural ingredients. Not only are these clean beauty products great for the skin, but they’re also helping the environment — in fact, all the product boxes are made from 80% FSC certified recycled paper while the glass jars are 100% recyclable.

There are 8 products in the collection but the Moisture Glow Serum and Moisture Glow Serum are two of my absolute must-haves as they help you achieve healthy, dewy-looking, bouncy skin. Both products are formulated with prebiotics and probiotics that help balance the skin microbiome, as well as antioxidant-rich red maple bark extract sustainably sourced from Quebec, and moisturizing plant-based ingredients like hyaluronic acid and sugar beet extract (rich in polysaccharides that retain moisture). Together, these two products help you level up your glow up game both long-ter, and short-term — see, in addition to the cumulative benefits they deliver with regular use, these products also offer instant gratification on the radiance front thanks to light-reflecting pigments that camouflage imperfections, minimize the appearance of dark spots, and give skin a lit-from-within glow.

The Doctor Babor CLEANFORMANCE Moisture Glow Serum and Moisture Glow Cream $59.95 each at Babor.com . If you need an added incentive to purchase these radiance-boosting powerhouses, you’ll love this:: BABOR has partnered with Feeding America to donate 1.5 million meals, so 15% off net sales from Babor.com will be donated to the organization. By purchasing these products then, you’ll be doing right by your skin, your community, and your planet.

STRIVECTIN CREPE CONTROL EXFOLIATING BODY SCRUB & TIGHTENING BODY CREAM

If you’ve had kids or are over the age of 30, then you know all too well that gravity is very, very, very real. I remember giggling when I watched the dressing room scene in 2002’s The Sweetest Thing, when the two besties (played by Cameron Diaz and Christina Applegate) jokingly gripe about descending breasts and sagging tricep skin before shaking off their woes and trying on a plethora of hideous outfits. Although I was in my early 20s when I watched the movie, I still found it relatable. After all, most of us women dread the idea that, as the years go by, we might start to encounter crepey, sagging, dull-looking skin on our arms and legs — especially in tell-tale areas like the knees and elbows.

Luckily, nowadays we can keep the skin on our bodies looking as youthful as that on our complexions thanks to some groundbreaking, high-performance beauty products that address everything from firmness to uneven skin tone. Case in point: the latest additions to StriVectin’s Crepe Control line, which are designed to improve hydration, firmness and elasticity below the décolletage.

The Crepe Control Exfoliating Body Scrub  ($35 at StriVectin.com) feature physical exfoliants like rice powder and quartz crystals that gently polish off dead surface skin cells, combining these with chemical exfoliants in the form of AHAs like lactic and glycolic acids, both of which promote cellular turnover. Together, these exfoliants help to reveal smoother, softer, more radiant skin. The body scrub also features ingredients like papaya and guava enzymes that enhance radiance and even skin tone and sunflower, jojoba oil, sweet almond, and grape seed oils to nourish and hydrate.

After the scrub, you’ll want to reach for the Crepe Control Tightening Body Cream ($59 at StriVectin.com). This super-charged body moisturizer is  packed with potent peptides, radiance-boosting turmeric extract, and skin-tightening ingredients like caffeine and jojoba seed oil. It also features a blend of shea, cupuacu, and murumuru butters to deeply hydrate and soften skin.

When used together, these products will help your skin appear more toned, tight, and radiant so that, the next time you stare in your reflection inside a dressing room, you won’t be bemoaning the effects of gravity but, instead, admiring your age-defying silhouette.
NEUTROGENA HEALTHY SCALP HYDRO BOOST SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

A strong foundation is key – whether we’re talking about lasting relationships, strong buildings, or healthy hair. It’s like what that Maren Morris “The Bones” song says, “When the bones are good, the rest don’t matter.” If you apply the metaphor to the realm of hair care, that means your mane is only as strong and healthy as your scalp.

That’s why Neutrogena recently launched its Healthy Scalp Haircare Collection, featuring clinically-proven, non-medicated, pH-balanced haircare products infused with powerful skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, micellar water, pink grapefruit, and tea tree oil. The collection is comprised of 4 shampoo and conditioner pairings, each addressing a specific scalp concern.

Powered by hyaluronic acid, which can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water and bind it to skin and hair, the Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Hydro Boost Shampoo and Conditioner ($11.49 each at Walmart and Walmart.com) are specifically designed to infuse moisture into the scalp, relieving dryness and itchiness, while also hydrating strands and smoothing hair cuticles, making them less prone to breakage. Like Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost skincare products, the shampoo and conditioner are thirst-quenching heroes.

ONE A DAY NATURAL FRUIT BITES MULTIVITAMINS

Not sure if you’re consuming enough iron or potassium? Wondering whether your diet is a good enough source of vitamin C? Well, no need to play guessing games. To ensure your body is getting the nutrients it needs, reach for the new One A Day Natural Fruit Bites Multivitamins ($14.99 for 60-ct; available at Target and Target.com).

Voted the #1 Product of the Year in the Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements category, Fruit Bites are unlike any other multivitamin you’ve ever tried. See, these are not capsules nor are they gummies: they’re bites made with real, farm-grown apples and filled with key nutrients that support physical energy, immune health and bone health. If you hate swallowing large pills (I’m right there with you!) but you’re reticent to take gummies because of all the added sugar and artificial colors, you’ll love the One A Day Natural Fruit Bite Multivitamins. They’re just as convenient and chewable as any gummy, but they have a natural fruit taste and are free of scary additives like high fructose corn syrup, synthetic colors, gelatin, GMOs, artificial sweeteners and flavors.

Moreover, these vegetarian and gluten-free capsules come in varieties that cater to every member of the family, with options for Kids, Men, Women, Men 50+ and Women 50+.

For more information, visit OneADay.com

CLEARED IMMUNITY SUPOORT SHOTS & IMMUNITY SUPPORT LOZENGES

Sometimes it feels like all the allergens in the world are headquartered right here in Austin. Ragweed? Check. Cedar? Check. Grass pollen and tree pollen? Check and check. Mold? Yup. It’s a year-long merry-go-round of environmental allergens that can lead to everything from stuffiness, sneezing and coughing to itchy eyes, skin rashes and hives, headaches, and more. If it feels like you’re adding a new over-the-counter medication to your daily routine every single year, then maybe it’s time to try a new approach to battling seasonal allergies. And that’s exactly what Cleared offers: allergist-approved supplements that provide holistic, science-backed, seasonal immune support.

Cleared takes into account the root cause of seasonal allergies. So let’s start there: an allergic reaction occurs when your immune system produces antibodies to fight an allergen it perceives as a threat, even though that allergen (be it grass, cedar, or any other substance) may be harmless in itself. As a result of this perceived attack, the body produces IgE antibodies and trigger the release of histamine from mast cells. Since histamine is the same chemical released when you have a cold, allergic symptoms can look fairly similar to cold symptoms. But, of course, allergies are like a never-ending cold — as long as the exposure to the allergen continues, the symptoms persist.

Now, there are plenty over-the-counter medicines that can help to alleviate some of the uncomfortable symptoms associated with seasonal allergies, but Cleared is hoping to go beyond that by providing a unique form of immunotherapy via supplements that reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system and naturally quell seasonal allergy symptoms.

The Cleared Immunity Support Shots ($34.99 for 6-pack at GetCleared.com) are designed to strengthen your immune system so your body can better defend itself against seasonal irritants and allergens. They’re formulated with ingredients like organic reishi mushrooms (which have adaptogenic properties and help detox the system), curcumin (a compound derived from turmeric that supports immune health), vitamin C, zinc, and magnesium.

When you’re on the move, meanwhile, you can reach for the Cleared Immunity Support Lozenges ($12.99/bag at GetCleared.com). Each herbal lozenge helps to reduce inflammation and stuffiness so you can breathe easier and feel sharper mentally, minimizing the brain fog allergies can produce. The lozenges are formulated with ingredients like organic peppermint oil, rosehip, nettle root, elderberry, ginger and honey.

You can buy these products separately or opt for a Cleared Immunity Support Bundle including both products for $45.99, plus you’ll enjoy  a savings of 15% on every purchase when you subscribe  at GetCleared.com

Beyond supplements, you can enjoy Cleared’s telemedicine services and speak with certified allergists via message or video when you visit GetCleared.com

LOVE CRUNCH GRANOLA

Think eating clean means ignoring your sweet tooth? Not at all. You can totally enjoy an indulgent treat without abandoning your commitment to clean eating. Just check out these Love Crunch Granolas ($4.99 per bag at grocery stores), which are made using exquisite organic ingredients like whole grain rolled oats, freeze-dried strawberries, fair trade dark chocolate and crunchy peanuts.

There are tons of delicious flavors to choose from: Dark Chocolate & Red Berries, Dark Chocolate & Peanut Butter (my personal fave!), Dark Chocolate Macaroon, Dark Chocolate Cinnamon & Cashew, and more.

And know what else is sweet? For every Love Crunch product sold, the equivalent in cash and organic food is donated to a food bank via Love Crunch’s Bite4Bite program.

HOME & FASHION GOODIES — ALL AVAILABLE AT JCPENNEY 

Sometimes, we’re so busy taking care of others that we forget to tend to our own needs. And, as many of us know from experience, that can lead to feeling mentally, physically, and emotionally drained. After all, as the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. To create a Zen space within your home that promotes relaxation and helps you recharge your batteries, check out these products — all available at JCPenney — which will help you infuse some serene vibes into your bathroom or bedroom.

Want to turn your bathroom into an at-home spa? Then run a bubble bath, light some candles, and soak your troubles away. Afterwards, you can dry off with an ultra-soft Liz Claiborne Home Signature Plush Bath Towel ($20 each at JCPenney.com). Sustainably manufactured and made of 100% cotton, these towels feel like a comforting hug and look elegant and chic in any bathroom.

Want to transform your bedroom into the ultimate sleep sanctuary? Well, you will sleep like a baby when you’re curled up under a comforter from JCPenney’s Linden Street bedding collection. The Linden Street Meadow 3-Piece Comforter Set ($190; available exclusively at JCPenney.com) features a cozy comforter with a timeless medallion print and two matching pillow shams. Not only are the colors and prints versatile and classic, but the material is so soft you’ll feel as snug as a swaddled baby.

And to get into the right mindset for some R&R,  slip on a knee-length, belted, long-sleeved Liz Claiborne Robe ($49 at JCPenney.com)  and a pair of fuzzy and adorable Mixit Slip-On Slippers ($14 at JCPenney.com).