bookmark_borderVitamin-Packed Smoothies That Are Good For Your Skin

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_borderHow to Prepare Your Skin for the Hot, Humid Summer

Once the sun comes out, everyone starts to show a little more skin to keep themselves cool. Since more of your skin will be exposed and on display, it’s important to efficiently prep your skin for the summer season. Here are a few tips to get a glowing complexion and smooth body for summer.

Exfoliate off that dead skin from spring. For a smoother shave, exfoliate your legs and body with a gentle product, such as Shinso Glow, and a washcloth or loofah. After exfoliating, follow up with a rich moisturizer.

Apply sunscreen every day. There’s nothing worse than getting a sunburn. It’s not only an eyesore and a literal pain, but sunburns are an indication of damage to your skin and can lead to skin cancer. Even on days that aren’t 100% sunny, it’s still crucial to apply SPF on your face and body. If you are forgetful, opt for a daily moisturizer or foundation with SPF built in.

Drink enough water. Your skin will be parched from the heat, sun and all of summer’s fun activities, so make sure you stay hydrated. Drinking enough water isn’t just good for your health, it also keeps your skin looking plump and full.

 

bookmark_borderWhy You Should Choose a Natural Sunscreen

It’s a no-brainer that sunscreen is an extremely important part of everyone’s daily skincare routine, but what specific types of sunscreen should you be using? Natural sunscreens have become more widely produced and available at affordable prices, making this the clear choice. Below are a few reasons why you should choose a natural sunscreen.

They don’t contain harmful toxins. Some sunscreens contain ingredients such as retinyl palmitate and retinyl acetate (derivatives of Vitamin A that could speed up the development of skin tumors and lesions) or ozybenzone (could disrupt hormones by penetrating the skin and entering the bloodstream).  Instead, look for mineral-based ingredients that won’t penetrate the skin, like zinc or titanium oxide.

Natural sunscreens often are unscented. Fragrances in sunscreens are often petroleum-based and can lead to organ toxicity and allergies. People with sensitive skin or skin that burns/breaks out easily should avoid anything with fragrances as well.

You’re helping the environment. Sunscreens that don’t contain these harmful toxins won’t get released into the environment. Any mineral that is harmful to humans to put on their skin also is generally harmful to wildlife and their ecosystems. You could also take into consideration that sunscreens with natural ingredients are produced in a more eco-friendly way as well, but this isn’t proven yet.

bookmark_borderIs Your Skin Care Regimen Right For Your Skin Type?

While walking by the skincare aisle in a drugstore or department store, you’ll notice a variety of products created for different skin types. Generally these fall into one of the following categories: normal, oily, dry, combination or sensitive. It may sound obvious to say that these products are created and formulated specifically for those with certain skin problems, but you’d be surprised at home many women are using products for the wrong skin type.

How do you find out which type of skin you have? 

People with normal skin have very few imperfections, no severe sensitivity to products or the seasons, barely visible pores and a radiant complexion.

People with oily skin have enlarged pores, a shiny, thick complexion and blackheads, pimples or other blemishes.

People with dry skin have barely-noticeable pores, a dull and rough complexion, a few red patches, less elasticity and fine lines.

People with combination skin can be dry or normal in some areas, but then really oily in others (usually the T-zone). Some characteristics of this include overly dilated pores, blackheads and shiny skin.

People with sensitive skin often notice redness, itching, burning and dryness on their face.

 

What regimen should I follow if my skin is…

Normal? If you’re blessed with normal skin, stick to the basics of skincare: washing with a gentle cleanser, exfoliating to remove dead skin, and moisturizing daily.

Oily? Oily skin can get worse based on the weather and stress, so try to stay happy and healthy to avoid those triggers. Be sure to wash your skin no more than twice a day (to prevent over-washing) with a gentle cleanser. Products labeled “noncomedogenic” work well for oily skin types, as they don’t clog pores.

Dry? Dry skin types should take shorter showers to prevent drying out their skin. They need to focus on applying rich moisturizers immediately after showering to absorb into the skin. Ointments and creams have a thicker consistency that work better to penetrate dry skin.

Combination? With combination skin, you’ll need to use different products on the different areas of your face. Follow the directions above for the oily and dry areas as needed.

Sensitive-? If you have sensitive skin, you should use products without fragrance. Sticking to all-natural products helps as well, since they don’t contain the typical irritants like parabens. Exfoliate only once or twice a week since anything more can be too harsh on the skin.

bookmark_borderHow to Combat Spring Allergies Affecting Your Skin

Spring is upon us, which means cute sundresses, weekends spent outdoors and, unfortunately, allergy season. Allergies often cause physical symptoms such as sneezing, runny eyes, headaches and more. Allergies can also affect your skin, specifically the sensitive skin on your face. This can be seen in puffy eyes, a sallow complexion, or red and itchy skin. Here are a few tips to help combat spring allergies that affect your skin.

Try an OTC medicine. After consulting with your doctor, head to the local drugstore for an antihistamine, such as Allegra, to help soothe your symptoms and prevent flare-ups. There are also various herbal remedies you could use in place of OTC medicine, so be sure to research that as well if it’s what you prefer.

Avoid products with fragrances. Strong fragrances in your beauty products– everything from makeup to your facial moisturizer– can further irritate your skin during allergy season. Look for products labeled “fragrance-free” or marked specifically for sensitive skin, since these are your best bet.

Avoid anything with parabens or propylene gycol. Much like strong fragrances, products that contain these preservatives can irritate skin.

Monitor pollen and mold counts. Keep track of the weather reports on the Internet or on television– local news stations often include this information during allergy seasons.

Stay super-clean. Especially during spring, make sure to take showers often. Washing your hair and changing your clothes after you’ve been working or playing outdoors eliminates any form of allergens.