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Author: rachel

bookmark_borderIs Dairy Good or Bad For Your Skin?

Posted on by rachel
milk skin

Getting great skin is dependent upon not only on what you put on your skin, but what you put in it as well. One food group that has often been said to impact one’s skin is dairy. So let’s take a look – is dairy good or bad for your skin?

Dairy products are pro-inflammatory, which means they can worsen acne issues and also accelerate aging (according to dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, M.D.). Focus on getting your calcium intake in other forms, such as dark leafy greens and tofu.

Growth hormones in milk can cause acne.  IGF-1, a hormone often found in milk, can cause acne breakouts in humans. IGF-1 is one of several factors that cause inflammation in humans and eventually lead to acne, according to Devin Mooers. If you’re having trouble with your complexion, try switching to non-dairy options like almond milk, hemp milk or soy milk as an alternative to dairy.

Registered dietitian Maria Bella agrees, citing the hormones in milk as the reason for certain skin issues.  “Most of the cows used in farming are actually pregnant cows. The hormones such as progesterone and insulin growth factors make their way into the milk,” Bella explains. “When we consume the milk, it leads to increased levels of inflammation, skin breakdown, aging and acne in many people.”

Dairy causes your skin to produce excess sebum (oil), which can lead to clogged pores (which often leads to breakouts or worsening of acne).

 

bookmark_borderWhat Makes Your Skin Plump?

Posted on by rachel
plump skin

Have you ever wondered why some women have naturally plump skin, while others seem to lack fullness and a healthy glow? It turns out that there are various ways you can make your skin appear plumper by using a few products and updating your skincare routine.

Vitamin C

Getting enough Vitamin C isn’t just good for your health, it also has great effects on your skin as well. Vitamin C helps you fight off wrinkles while helping amp up the formulation of collagen, which gives skim a plump appearance and texture. In addition to getting enough of the vitamin in your diet, there are also topical products that contain Vitamin C as well.

Staying Away from Smoking & The Sun

Both smoking and exposure to UVA rays damage the collagen in your skin, leading to wrinkles, sagging skin, and more.

Consistent Exfoliation

Exfoliating removes the top layer of skin (all those dead skin cells) to help speed up the natural process of skin and collagen renewal. Look for products that contain hydroxy acids, since they promote new skin cells ones to grow after the exfoliation. Or if you’d rather do-it-yourself, there are various homemade exfoliating scrub recipes available online.

Exercise

Although it may sound silly, facial exercises can help keep your skin in tip-top shape. Use your fingers to tap skin on your forehead, under eyes, the jaw, chin and cheeks. Repeat these exercises twice a day (for about five to ten minutes per day) to start to really see results.

bookmark_borderVitamin-Packed Smoothies That Are Good For Your Skin

Posted on by rachel

Having healthy and luminous skin isn’t just about what you put on your skin, it’s also about what you eat and drink. Vitamins and antioxidants are often found in smoothies, making them a healthy and delicious treat. To help your body keep your skin hydrated and healthy from the inside out, start taking a look at the ingredients in your favorite smoothies- premade or custom-made in your own kitchen. It’s no surprise that smoothies and green juices are all the rage lately, but which ingredients in these smoothies are actually good for your skin and which are just filler?

 

  • This Glowing Skin Smoothie recipe is a fruity way to get all your nutrients in. This specific recipe includes avocado, which not only hydrates the skin but gives it a summer glow year-round. Mangoes and pineapples are two fruits that contain carotenoids, which help revive dull-looking skin. Kale (or spinach if you prefer the taste of it) contains lot of antioxidants which work to remove toxins from the body and skin. Lastly, the coconut water works to hydrate the skin.
  • This Glowing Skin Berry Smoothie recipe promises similar results but with quite a few different ingredients. Ingredients include a variety of berries, which are a great source of antioxidants to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays. The addition of flax seeds works to reduce irritation and inflammation in the skin due to their high level of omega-3 fatty acids.
  • This Healthy Banana Almond Smoothie is a great alternative to the traditional, sugary dessert. The smoothies top ingredient is bananas, which do wonders for the skin. They are full of potassium, which hydrates and moisturizes dehydrated skin and B-vitamins, which protect against free radicals that cause premature aging.

bookmark_borderThe Beauty Benefits of Lemon Water

Posted on by rachel
lemon water for skin

Lemon water isn’t just a yummy alternative to sugary sodas and juices, it also does wonders for your skin and health. You’ll notice that many wellness experts advise drinking a big glass of lemon water each morning, but why? Below are just a few of the many beauty benefits of drinking lemon water.

It keeps you — and your skin — hydrated. When you don’t get enough water, your skin reflects that. Dry, flaky skin or breakouts can occur, which is a telltale sign you need to up your water intake. Adding lemon to your water makes it a bit tastier to drink, which can encourage you to get the recommended eight glasses a day. You’ll start to notice less dry skin after starting this ritual.

It brightens your skin. Lemons contain antioxidants that work to reduce uneven texture and coloring in your skin and give you a brighter appearance. Some women even rub a lemon half directly onto their skin to get extra brightness.

It helps reduce wrinkles. Lemons work to combat damaging free radicals and remove them from your body. Lemons are also a good source of vitamin C, which repairs damaged skin cells and helps you get rid of fine lines and wrinkles.

bookmark_borderWhy Should You Cleanse Your Skin Last in the Shower?

Posted on by rachel
wash face in shower

Think about your daily shower routine. Do you apply hair products first and then cleanse your skin? Or do you tackle your face first and then your hair last? The key to a successful shower is to cleanse your hair first, then your body, and save your face for last. Note that removing makeup comes right before cleansing your face (if you wear makeup). Below are a few reasons why you should cleanse your skin last in the shower.

This will help prevents breakouts. Think about it — during your shower, you use a variety of products including shampoo, conditioner soap, body wash, and then your facial products. If you cleanse your skin first and then follow up with a sticky hair product, some of that can get on your skin as you wash. This buildup essentially negates the cleansing you just did to your skin and can linger and cause breakouts. This goes for your face, but also your back (this is a common culprit of “bacne”).

Your pores will be open near the end of your shower. Deep cleaning the pores becomes easier and more efficient since your skin has been exposed to warm water for a few minutes. The shower’s steam helps open up your pores and liquefies the buildup of sebum trapped in your pores.