Posts Tagged ‘skincare’

3 Huge Skincare Myths to Banish Now

Friday, 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.

5 Types of Food to Eat for Healthy, Glowing Skin

Thursday, 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!