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Tag: skin

  • Sun Safety is Very Important

    We need the sun. The sun aids our body in producing vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption of the bones to keep them strong. But there are downsides to unprotected exposure to the sun. The sun gives off UV (ultraviolet) rays, which can damage skin cells. In the long run, it can cause premature aging and even skin cancer.

    When Do You Need Sunscreen?

    Sunscreen is essential all year round, even if it is the middle of Winter and cloudy. The sun’s rays are most harmful during mid-morning to mid-afternoon, so be sure to apply sunscreen then. You can even consult your phone’s weather app to see how high the UV Index is.

    How Often Do You Need to Reapply Sunscreen?

    Most sunscreen’s you purchase will tell you that you need to reapply your sunscreen once every two hours. It may be more often if you have been sweating or swimming.

    Mineral or Chemical Sunscreen?

    Mineral sunscreen contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Chemical sunscreen contains avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and others. Both sunscreens essentially act the same, taking the energy produced by UV rays and turning the heat negligible. If you have sensitive skin though, chemical sunscreen can sting, so mineral sunscreen can be an option. But the downside to mineral sunscreen is that it can often leave a visible layer of white. Depending on your skin and your personal preferences, pick the sunscreen that works best for you.

    Sunscreen is Key

    Whichever sunscreen serves you best, remember to apply and reapply, even when it is cloudy outside. The negative effects of too much UV radiation can cause harm to your skin over time, so it is best to prevent it. Use that sunscreen, seek shade when you can, and stay safe!

  • The Sun Isn’t Always Our Friend

    I love going out and feeling the sun against my skin. The warmth and comfort that the sun brings my skin is always a wonderful experience for me. Not to mention, it is a great way to make sure you get your dose of vitamin D.  Sadly, the sun isn’t always our friend. Too much sun exposure can have negative effects. Let’s discuss what some of these negative effects are and what we can do to prevent them.

    We’ve all heard of UV rays by now but what are they? UV rays are ultraviolet light radiation that can harm our skin. The negative effects of exposure to UV rays through sun, tanning beds, and other UV sources can cause not only various degrees of sun/skin burn but also cancer. This is because UV rays affect your skin cells and DNA which in turn can lead to skin cancer. It is also important to know that UV rays are not only the strongest during the summer, they’re still very much present throughout the year. UV rays reflect off surfaces like snow and sand and can still affect you during cloudy or colder days! Weather channels and apps on our devices now tell us the UV index, which is key to understanding how low or high they are. This is why sunscreen is your bestie all year long.

    Sunscreen Is Your Bestie!

    Sunscreen provides all sorts of benefits for your skin! It prevents sunburns, skin cancer, and premature aging. Who doesn’t want to stay youthful looking? You’ll often see sunscreen products with a “30 SPF”-”60 SPF” label on it. SPF stands for “sun protection factor” and as you can assume, the higher the SPF value, the more protection your skin will receive. For those of us who wear makeup with SPF, it alone is usually not enough to provide protection and it’s often recommended that we double up with regular sunscreen. Remember to always reapply every couple of hours especially on days when you’re outdoors! Have safe fun in the sun!

    Read more about our health, beauty tips and skincare product recommendations!

  • Get Yourself A Good Night Sleep For Better Skin & Health

    Getting enough sleep is essential for your health. Without a good night’s rest, you won’t have the ability to function throughout your day. You’ll just feel too tired. Not well focused. And probably not in your best mood. Well, besides these effects from lack of sleep – let’s bring you the bright side of good quality sleep. Did you know good quality sleep contributes to healthier skin?

    If not, here is why. 

    Get Seven to Nine Hours of Rest: 

    Try to at least get recommended seven to nine hours of sleep per night. You do your skin a favor, especially your health. There are times indeed when life makes it a challenge for whatever reasons but it’s important to set a routine you can stick to prevent mental and physical effects on your health. Being sleep deprived is not fun and common effects on physical appearance include dark circles, under-eye bags, swollen eyes, and puffiness to name a few. In addition, physical health includes the risk of obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Therefore, mental health can worsen if you are not getting sufficient sleep and these include anxiety, depression, confusion, behavior changes, and stress. 

    Boost Brighter Appearance:

    Though a good skincare routine plays a vital role in maintaining a youthful complexion, not getting the sufficient hours of sleep (7-9 hours) reduces the results of healthier skin. Sleep is the best time for skin to repair, especially the body to heal itself. During sleep, blood flow is increased allowing skin to rejuvenate from day’s exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which damages DNA skin cells and the risk of skin cancer, for instance. What’s more? Good quality sleep boosts collagen production, reduces breakouts, improves clearer skin, moisturizes skin, and more.

    Do your best to get to bed early! Sleep well! 

    Sources:

    1. Kendra Cherry, Mse. (2023, January 23). How sleep affects mental health. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/how-sleep-affects-mental-health-4783067#:~:text=Mood%20Changes,-Not%20getting%20enough&text=We’re%20more%20likely%20to,don’t%20get%20enough%20sleep.

    2. Shens. (2022, July 22). Why does lack of sleep cause bags under eyes?. Shens Clinic. https://shensclinic.com/why-does-lack-of-sleep-cause-bags-under-eyes/

  • Don’t Ignore Sweat, It’s Good for You

    Ever wondered why sweating is important? And how sweating may be beneficial for your skin too? Well, today I’ll be discussing the benefits of sweating. 

    The Function of Sweating:

    Sweating is a natural response to cooling our bodies down, especially during exercise or physical activities. Sweat glands are essential in regulating the body’s temperature. When our bodies overheat, sweat begins to produce and without sweat it can potentially lead to a serious problem. What kind of problem, you ask? A common problem when there’s lack of sweat is the risk of heat exhaustion. Dangerous, indeed. For this reason, sweating plays a vital role in keeping us in check. 

    Exercise and Sweat: 

    Moreover, according to honehealth.com, an expert on sweat studies named Andrew Best, has talked about the benefits of sweat during exercise. He describes that sweating can be enhanced throughout daily exercise. The more you exercise, the more sweat is increased resulting in withstanding for longer periods and higher intensity because sweat glands are keeping you cooler. As he stated from a previous research study “subjects who participated in aerobic training four times a week for eight weeks, either on an exercise bike or running on a treadmill, improved their fitness by an average of 19 percent and their sweating capacity by an average of 38 percent.” (Best, 2022) 

    Healthier Immunity: 

    Research has shown that sweating is also beneficial for immunity health. Sweating provides the necessary objective of removing toxins from your body. By exercising or simply heading out on warmer summer days the influence of sweat is your protector in helping your body kill pathogens and therefore improve your immune cells. So, take a walk, do a little jog or a run and it will do the job in helping you maintain your immunity in shape!

    Sweat and Skin: 

    Sweating surprisingly has some benefits for your skin. Studies have shown that sweat can have a good impact on skin glow. By exercising or heading outdoors during a hot summer day and sweating it out can lead to positive results to anti-aging effects, moisturizes your skin, kills harmful bacteria from skin, cleanse skin, and much more. So why not, sweat it out and enjoy the benefits that sweat brings to you! 

    Sources:

    1. Frothingham, Scott. “Sweating Benefits: Beyond Body Temperature Regulation.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 25 Apr. 2019, www.healthline.com/health/sweating-benefits. 

    2. Middleton, Tracy. “9 Surprising Things Sweat Can Reveal about Your Health.” Hone Health, 18 July 2022, honehealth.com/edge/health/benefits-of-sweating/. 

    3. “Boost Your Immune System during COVID-19.” Iowa Specialty Hospital, Iowa Specialty Hospital, 20 Apr. 2020, www.iowaspecialtyhospital.com/news-and-events/news/boost-your-immune-system-during-covid-19. 

    4. Ford, Rosie. “Sweating Is Good for You, and These Are the 5 Biggest Benefits.” DMoose, 4 Apr. 2023, www.dmoose.com/blogs/health-lifestyle/is-sweating-good-for-you. 

    5. of Frisco, By Dermatology Consultants. “What Effects Does Sweating Have on Your Skin?” Dermatology Consultants of Frisco, 5 Dec. 2019, mydermconsult.com/blog/what-effects-does-sweating-have-on-your-skin. 

  • The Beauty Benefits of Yoga

    Yoga: A Path to Inner and Outer Beauty

    Regarding exercise for both physical fitness and for creating beauty, yoga is an all-inclusive procedure of change. This blog post will touch on the cosmetic aspects of yoga and how it could also revamp your looks. This blog post seeks to examine the beautiful effects of yoga and how it can be magical in terms of looks.

    Yoga is traditional; it came from India and nowadays is popular all over the world due to its manifold merits for health (Harvard et al., 2017). However, aside from these physical and emotional benefits, yoga can make an essential contribution to boosting your beauty.

    Yoga entails numerous body positions and contortions, which boost the circulation of blood, resulting in clear and glowing skin (Medical West Hospital, 2023). Enhanced blood flow facilitates the delivery of oxygen and nourishment to skin cells for a good facial glow (Harvard et al., 2017). These include some yoga poses like the Downward Dog and Cobra pose, among others.

    Stress causes premature aging and wrinkles. Relaxation, together with mindfulness of yoga, can considerably reduce the level of stress (Medical West Hospital, 2023). With daily yoga practice, one reduces stress-related wrinkles and lines over the face’s surface, appearing younger in this way (Harvard et al., 2017). It helps develop toned muscles as well as posture because it greatly targets the core and back areas (Harvard et al., 2017). For example, a strong core and proper posture will help one look taller and more beautiful.

    It is essential to maintain the right weight as this is a determinant in looking and being beautiful. Yoga may also help with weight management by encouraging conscious eating and regular exercise (Medical West Hospital, 2023). Some forms of yoga, like Power Yoga and Vinyasa, can also be used as a means of burning calories and losing some weight.

    Yoga helps in reducing stress, which can lead to healthier hair. Reduced stress leads to better, more shiny scalps, therefore avoiding hair loss (Harvard et al., 2017). Additionally, there are certain inverted postures, such as the headstand, which induce the circulation of blood on the scalp, thus promoting the growth of hair.

    In conclusion, yoga is more than just an exercise as it takes the route of total beauty and health. As mentioned, the benefits include clearer skin, fewer stresses, toned muscles, weight control, and healthy hair if you incorporate yoga into your life every day. Unlike what may be assumed, the beauty effects of yoga go deeper than physical as they also foster inner beauty and confidence. Thus, place your yoga mat and go on a quest for a more attractive self.

  • Dealing with Dry and Oily Skin

    Everyone’s skin type is different and a process of experimenting and finding the right skincare products. According to verywell health, it is said that there are 5 different skin types — which includes normal, dry, oily, sensitive and combination. To learn and find out more regarding skin types, I recommend reading their article as it is a good short read (by clicking on the link highlighted above).

    In my case I have a combination of both oily and dry skin. Possible factors may be due to my genetics, lack of hydration, weather conditions, etc. You may wonder and ask what is the difference between both oily and dry skin?

    Well, dry skin lacks enough moisture in the skin and appears to be flaky, eczema prone, and itchy (AAD, 2014). Therefore, oily skin is prone to acne and breakouts — makes the appearance shiny and feel greasy (ADD, 2014).

    However, we can care for our skin to feel nourished, healthy and clean. One is to simply buy the right skin care products based on your skin type and test what works for you. 

    The products that I normally use are those from CeraVe. They are CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser For Normal to Dry Skin, in addition to For Normal to Oily Skin. Moreover, CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Normal to Dry Skin.

    For dry skin it is essential to have a moisturizer as skin needs moisture to stay refreshed and hydrated. For this reason, CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion gets the job done. Who wouldn’t want their skin to be younger, clearer, and smoother?

    Furthermore, the benefits of CeraVe cleansers are due to its gentleness and Frangrance-free characteristics. It’s indeed suited for a variety of skin types as their products label suggest. It’s effective in removing excess oil, dirt, and more. I definitely recommend you try this product out and test whether it is suitable for you.

    It is possibly best to test a new product by only applying a short amount of the lotion/cream into an area of your face and if it’s a cleanser, keep the product in your skin for about 3-5 minutes for any reactions. 

    Sources:

    1. “What Are Skin Types?” Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2023, www.verywellhealth.com/skin-types-5088964. Accessed 16 Oct. 2023.

    2. American Academy of Dermatology. Skin Type.

  • A Healthy Habit- The Influence of Drinking Water

    Water is life! Of course, this saying is heard by everyone, so. Water is an essential commodity that the human body needs to stay alive. However, most of us don’t drink enough of it. In our next blog post, we will talk about the various benefits of drinking more water and how it can become a healthy habit that changes your life.

    1. Hydration is Vital to Excellent Health

    Hydration is an important element of our health since our bodies are composed of about 60% water. Keeping well-hydrated enhances body functions, facilitates digestive processes, and ensures that the skin looks radiant. In fact, sufficient water consumption can aid in weight control with the feeling of being full and decreased chances of taking more food.

    2. Upgrade Your Energy Levels

    Are you drained and exhausted? It can become a crucial factor. Being properly hydrated can boost energy levels by making the body function more effectively. Therefore, instead of grabbing a sugary energy drink, try drinking some water to perk yourself up.

    3. Glowing Skin

    Want the Perfect, Dewy Glow Complexion? You can also benefit your skin if you drink more water. By taking in enough fluids, the toxins could come out from the body; therefore, the skin will be clearer and brighter. Hence, instead of expensive skincare products, pick a glass of water.

  • You’re Making Your Face Sad. Do Something.

         Is your face dry? Is it itchy? Does it look dull and/or rough? Did you answer yes to any of these questions? If you did, don’t you worry. There’s an easy fix. What is it, you may ask. Good question. There’s this magical thing called moisturizer. Moisturizer is an amazing thing that prevents dryness in the skin and if you find the right one for your face, you’ll not only prevent dryness and itchiness in your face, you’ll also mask a little bit of those fine lines and wrinkles. If you have any, that is. 

    A Recommendation

        I for one, use the Multi Function Formula All In One Snail Repair Cream from Mizon. The tub has seventy-five milliliters for an average price of about twenty dollars. It spreads amazingly, just a small amount covers a large portion of your face, making it easy to cover every square inch. I got my tub In July. It has been three months and I have just used about half the tub. If I finish the tub in the next three months, I can divide twenty dollars by six. It’ll be $3.33 a month spent on this product. It’s pretty cheap in the long run. 

    More Recommendations

         Now if we hop onto the oo35mm website, where I got my own tub from and it costs $21.99. If you buy from here, guess you’ll have to pay an extra thirty-three cents per month. But it’s worth it! Snail mucin is said to be very beneficial for the skin and this product has plenty of snail mucin. It helps repair your skin and revive it. It’ll leave your skin moisturized, nourished and plump, bringing your skin close back to its prime! 

    You Do You

         Of course, not everything is for everyone and sometimes, skincare is more of testing what is right for you. I have oily skin. It literally oils itself five minutes after I step out of the shower. Now that I’ve started to take care of my face, it doesn’t do that anymore. I can probably attribute it to the Multi Function Formula All in One Snail Repair Cream from Mizon because it’s what I’ve been using so far. 

  • Adding These Two Vegetables to Your Diet Could Benefit Your Skin

    Fruits and Vegetables on a wooden table
    Photo by Engin Akyurt

    Eating a healthy diet indeed contributes to one’s wellbeing. It’s essential to keep in mind the food choices you make as good nutrition leads to a healthy lifestyle.

    With a proper well balanced diet that includes foods consisting of fruits and vegetables (which I will be focusing on two veggies) you’ll be able to maintain a healthy weight, necessary vitamins/minerals, and healthier skin.

    Consuming variety of fruits and vegetables could bring you good benefits to your health, especially if you’re interested in nourishing your skin!

    Without further ado, let’s begin:

    1. Sweet Potatoes

    Chopped sweet potatoes on a cloth
    Photo by Jess Loiterton

    Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin A with lots of varieties in texture and sizes.

    Vitamin A is essential for protecting skin from the sun and serves as a defensive barrier to prevent skin from sunburn and wrinkles. Therefore, helps strengthen your immune system against diseases/infections and maintain healthier vision.

    What’s more? Not only does it contain vitamin A, but vitamin C, fiber, potassium and the list continues.

    Shown below is an example of nutritional content of baked sweet potatoes with skin. (Gather from healthline.com)

    One cup, or 200 grams (g), of baked sweet potato with skin provides: 

    Calories: 180

    Carbs: 41 g

    Protein: 4 g 

    Fat: 0.3 g 

    Fiber: 6.6 g

    Vitamin A: 213% of the Daily Value (DV)

    Vitamin C: 44% of the DV

    Manganese: 43% of the DV 

    Copper: 36% of the DV

    Pantothenic Acid: 35% of the DV

    Vitamin B6: 34% of the DV

    Potassium: 20% of the DV 

    Niacin: 19% of the DV

    Sweet potatoes are an excellent choice if you’re looking for healthier skin in addition to the benefits it provides for your health.

    2. Kale

    Kale on a wooden chopping board
    Photo by Eva Bronzini

    Kale is a leafy green vegetable rich in vitamins A, B, C, and K and antioxidants. It is part of the Brassicaceae family (also known as Brassica oleracea).

    It’s another popular option with a myriad of health benefits, including nourishing your skin. For this reason, it promotes a healthier youthful skin, slows down aging, hydrates your skin, boosts collagen, and more.

    So, why not give kale a try? Perfect for your everyday salads, green juices, smoothies or your side dishes.

    To Wrap Up

    Vegetables are excellent for healthy eating. And if your goal is to brighten your appearance of your skin – why not add more vegetables into your daily meals? There’s a lot to choose from. You aren’t limited to kale or sweet potatoes. Moreover, it’s recommended that you include fruits to your diet such as oranges, cantaloupe, kiwi, berries, tomatoes and many more. Adding more fruits and vegetables into your diet will provide you with vitamins and minerals you’ll need for a healthier glowing skin and health.

  • Carrots, Your Skin, and More Carrots

         Hey, y’alls want healthy and supple skin? Well, boy do I have the food for you. It’s called a carrot. Y’know, that vegetable we all kinda hated to eat as kids. They gave it to us raw, unseasoned, and it  had some weird aftertaste. But, that’s besides the point because the easy fix is to add heat and season them with spices and sauces. They taste so good that way. 

         I remember the first time I shredded my carrots with a manual grater and dropped it into a pan with oil to let it slowly cook. I then proceeded to forget about it, but luckily I had the heat so low. By the time I remembered the carrots, they turned to mush when I stirred them around. Thus, I slapped in some garlic, onion and curry powder. Then I added just the smallest dash of soy sauce. Lastly, I threw in some noodles I had made earlier and mixed it all up. Those were probably the best noodles I had ever made. Add in some sriracha, too. It tasted heavenly.

         Alright, now that we’ve gotten “how to make carrots taste good” out of the way, we’ll discuss why carrots can aid you in achieving healthy and supple skin. 

    Note: Do not eat carrots if you are allergic to them. Do not try any of the mentioned spices and sauces if you are allergic to them. Do not have noodles if you are allergic to them. We all know what we are allergic to. Please eat responsibly, thank you.

         Carrots are very high in beta carotene. Not only does Beta carotene protect your skin from the sun’s rays (a necessary component in preventing wrinkles), it also converts into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is retinol, that thing we go crazy over because it keeps out skin tight and youthful. So, moving from beta carotene into vitamin A, the body benefits all over. You get healthy skin and the added bonuses of aiding your vision and eye health, your immune system, and mucous membranes.   

    Note: Do not over consume carrots or beta carotene. Anything in excess is bad for the body.

         What more could you ask for? Healthy skin, and most importantly, a healthy body. It’s a two for one deal!