3 Ways to Detox Your Skin

April 10th, 2009

Detox is very important for getting and maintaining healthy, younger-looking skin as well as keeping your body functioning at its optimal level. Toxins from foods and environmental pollution and stress build-up in our bodies and can show in our skin’s tone and texture unless we get rid of them by taking small, simple steps. Here are 3 easy ways to detox your skin (and body) for a healthy, happier complexion.

1 - Drink lots of water


People don’t take this one seriously enough but water is hugely important not only for great skin but also for healthy functioning of our organs. Water helps flush out wastes and without at least 6-8 glasses a day you will have skin problems as well as other health issues. Start drinking enough water and you should notice an improvement in digestion, energy levels, and overall well-being - as well as your skin!

2 - Exfoliate skin with a dry brush

The point of dry brushing your skin is to exfoliate dry skin and unclog pores which fill up with dead skin cells. Not only do clogged pores lead to dull skin and body breakouts, they also prevent toxins from leaving our bodies like they should. Remember, skin is the largest organ so taking care of it is important. Use natural bristle brushes for best effects and brush everywhere except your chest and face, but go easy.

3 - Get 30 minutes of exercise per day

Exercise gets the blood flowing and helps keep the wastes and toxins moving out of your body. Whether it’s light jogging, running, or something heavier, getting 30 minutes of physical activity every day will work wonders for your skin. It will help promote circulation and make you sweat which gets all the bad stuff out and keeps your skin looking healthy - just don’t forget to hydrate to replace the water you lost.

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4 Quick Skincare Tips Everyone Should Know

April 10th, 2009

Everyone wants great skin but not everyone knows how to get it. Despite the fact that it takes time to identify your skintype, experiment with products, and find out what works for you, there are basic things out there everyone should know about how to take care of their skin. Here are 4 quick tips you should be aware of if healthy skin is one of your priorities.

1 - Don’t smoke


Your skin is your largest organ and it helps your organs breathe…smoking impairs your skin’s ability to do it’s job by bringing toxins and chemicals through your bloodstream rather than fresh oxygen…not good. Avoiding smoking will give you healthier skin and a healthier body, not to mention nice and shiny hair and a lot less wrinkles down the line!

2 - Try to relax


This one is tough for many people considering the high-tech, fast-paced world we live in but you have to try. Stress, both emotional and mental, can destroy your skin by causing inflammation, flare ups, and more. There are lots of ways to relax but some of the most common and fun are through light exercise like jogging or dance, playing sports (also gives you exercise benefits), meditation, deep breathing, and yoga. Even taking a few minutes to listen to some relaxing music can help. Try it.

3 - Make sure you wash your face 2x a day

You would think most people do this but sadly that is not the case. Many don’t realize how many dead skin cells and how much dust and dirt build up on one’s skin while they sleep or throughout the day. Being sure to wash your face in the morning and at night will ensure proper hydration, removal of bacteria and debris, and keep your skin looking as healthy as possible. Add special treatment products where needed but overall make sure you cleanse.

4 - Use products in moderation - especially makeup


So many people think they need every product and cosmetic out there but this is false. Don’t get swayed by advertising and the girls working the makeup counter at department stores. Use only what you absolutely need and don’t over-apply anything - use enough lotion to cover your face for example, but don’t feel the need to slather it on endlessly - this will only clog your pores more. Also, be especially careful of trying new makeup products; they have so many ingredients it’s hard to know what you’re putting on your skin - and whether or not it will irritate you.

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3 Huge Skincare Myths to Banish Now

April 10th, 2009

In the quest to get great skin, banish wrinkles, reduce acne, and stay looking young, people will do almost anything from drink mysterious green liquids to buy expensive, exotic products they aren’t sure will work. The good news is getting great skin involves basic things everyone can do like improving your diet, following a skincare routine, and protecting your skin from sun exposure. In the meantime, let’s banish some common myths about skincare so you don’t waste your time and money buying beauty pipe dreams!

Myth #1 - Collagen-infused products help minimize wrinkles


People spend millions of dollars each year on collagen-based products and creams but they are getting taken for a ride. Contrary to popular belief, collagen cannot enter the pores because the actual molecules are not small enough. In order to get any benefit at all, collagen has to be injected under the surface of the skin - so all these creams and lotions are unfortunately a waste. Don’t get taken.

Myth #2 - Unhealthy foods like french fries and chocolate cause breakouts

For years people believed that breakouts and acne were caused by a person’s poor diet, but we’ve found out this is untrue. While eating certain foods can absolutely improve one’s skin, eating french fries won’t necessarily lead to a breakout. If you notice you breakout after eating certain foods, by all means, try cutting them out, but don’t jump to the conclusion that food is the reason for your flare ups.

Myth #3 - Vitamin E is good for reducing scars

Whether it’s scars from acne, chicken pox, or childhood accidents, many people think applying Vitamin E creams and oils to their face and skin will help heal and minimize scars when this is simply NOT the case. The irony is Vitamin E is actually a serious and common skin irritant and can cause horrible allergic reactions in people sensitive to it. If you want to reduce scars, apply healing creams without vitamin E for better results.

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5 Types of Food to Eat for Healthy, Glowing Skin

April 9th, 2009

Many people struggle trying to find the right skincare regimen but neglect to realize what they eat has a lot to do with the appearance and health of their skin. While there are supplements you can take if you really want to, you can get most of the same benefits from eating the right foods. Here are 5 types of food to eat if you want healthy, glowing skin.

1 - Low-Fat Cottage Cheese and Yogurt

Low-fat dairy products are one of the best sources of Vitamin A, which is an essential nutrient for healthy skin. Great sources of Vitamin A include low-fat cottage cheese and yogurt. An added bonus? Live bacteria like the kind found in yogurt is excellent for promoting healthy digestion, and healthy digestion is another path to great skin.

2 - Fruits and veggies high in antioxidants


Antioxidants are important not only for great skin, but also for overall health. This is because antioxidants protect the skin cells from damage caused by free radicals found in pollution and generated from exposure to the sun, both of which can cause premature aging. Filling your diet with blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums will help you reap the rewards antioxidants provide because these four fruits are known to have the highest total antioxidant capacity. If you want to boost your antioxidant intake, add beans, artichokes, and pecans.

3 - Fish and nuts high in essential fatty acids

Essential fatty acids like omegas are key for healthy skin and this is because they help keep cells and skin lubricated so nutrients and wastes can go in and out and the skin is healthier and younger looking.

4 - Foods high in selenium

Selenium has been shown to be a key factor in skin cell health- if if you get a bad sunburn, if your selenium levels are high you may be able to minimize the damage. What foods are good for getting selenium? The list is a little random - the easy to remember things are whole-wheat products and cereals, but you can also get good amounts of selenium in turkey, tun, and brazil nuts. Yum.

5 - Green tea

In addition to drinking lots of water to keep your cells hydrated, adding green tea to your diet does amazing things for your skin. First of all green tea has anti-inflammatory benefits which can help reduce breakouts and irritation, especially in those with sensitive skin. Secondly, green tea has also been shown to reduce damage from the sun…it really can’t be beat.

Add these elements to your diet and your skin will be looking gorgeous in no time!

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5 Tips on Keeping Wrinkles At Bay

April 8th, 2009

Wrinkles may be unavoidable but there are things you can do to avoid them for as long as possible. Check out these 5 tips about things you can do to help keep wrinkles at bay forever.

1 - Follow a complete skincare routine

There are 3 components to any good skincare routine and you should follow these steps if you want to keep those wrinkles away as long as possible. The 3 steps are pretty basic but you wouldn’t believe how many people skip some in the name of convenience and saving time, only to find themselves saddened when those wrinkles start appearing early. Here are the steps for anyone who wants to know:

- Wash 2x per day
- Exfoliate up to 3x per week
- Moisturize every day

Simple as that. You don’t have to spend lots of your daily products either, just get something that works for your skin type.

2 - Supplement with anti-aging products

Once you get your 3-step skincare routine down, there are a few supplemental anti-aging products to investigate. There are serums and creams galore, but no matter what you pick, make sure your anti-aging products have peptides and antioxidants in them which help promote cell regeneration and skin elasticity. You should also make sure to include a sunscreen of at least SPF 15 every day, even in the winter - this is one of the biggest preventative methods when it comes to avoiding wrinkles so don’t skimp - you can probably even find a moisturizer with an added SPF to make it easier on your routine (and wallet).

3 - Get (or give yourself) regular facial massages

A facial massage is a regular part of a professional facial but you can easily do these yourself at home with a little research. Do a search online for ‘how to give facial massages’ and you’ll get a few tips but really all you do is massage your face with your fingertips! Doing so will give you a healthy glow, help drainage, and promote cell regeneration to reduce and halt the formation of wrinkles.

4 - Add oily fish and antioxidant-rich foods to your diet

Oily fish like herring, salmon, and tuna are full of essential fats and omegas which do wonders for your skin making it more supple, soft, and smooth, as well as less prone to wrinkles. Likewise, adding foods rich in antioxidants to your diet like blueberries, spinach, and kale (or other fruits and veggies with rich, deep colors) will help you fight pollutants and minimize skin irritation that can lead to aging.

5 - Change poor lifestyle habits - and replace them with good ones

Unhealthy habits like smoking cigarettes regularly and drinking heavy amounts of alcohol can wreak havoc on your skin. This is because smoking depletes the Vitamin C in your skin and makes it more susceptible to wrinkles, while alcohol dehydrates the skin and has the same effect. Instead, try running which helps your circulation and skintone and replace alcohol with water. One last thing, don’t sit and bake in the sun…it is one of the fastest ways to age your skin.

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