Category Archives: All Natural Skin Care

  • What is REALLY In Your Makeup?

    20 Octubre 2014



    Every day, we slather on lotions and apply various beauty products our face. Most of the time we don’t even bother looking at the ingredients of the skincare and makeup products we use so often. “What you don’t know can’t hurt you” isn’t always 100% true. Harmful chemicals and toxins can irritate skin, causing rashes, allergic reactions or acne (to name a few).

    So what are the bad things your makeup may already contain? Lead acetate can be found in some hair dyes and cleansers, formaldehyde is commonly found in nail products, phthalates (plasticizing chemicals that are probable human reproductive or developmental toxins and endocrine disruptors) are found in some fragrances and hair spray, parabens (a group of compounds widely used as anti-microbial preservatives) are often found in cosmetics products, and mercury can be found in mascaras.

    In addition to the things above, makeup and skincare products can also contain toxins, various chemicals, fragrances and oils- some of which can irritate the skin and cause reactions to some people. It’s always better to be safe than sorry and to prevent these reactions and harmful side effects but choosing products that have ingredients you are aware of.

    So what should you do to avoid these products? First of all, read the labels of everything you buy. If you don’t recognize an ingredient, look it up and research it. Be aware of bogus marketing claims and always look for clinical tests run by doctors to confirm any statistics. Always opt for an unscented product made without dyes- this will lower your chances of a negative skin reaction. Lastly, keep your routine simple. Something such as organic, all-natural coconut oil can be used in many different ways- as a moisturizer, makeup remover, etc. Using fewer products ultimately saves you money, time and a possible negative reaction.

  • Healthy Skin= No Need for Foundation

    19 Octubre 2014



    It can be frustrating to have to splurge on expensive foundation that doesn’t even work to cover up your skin’s problems. Not to mention finding the perfect formula and shade is extremely difficult, and that foundation can often feel cakey and make your skin feel like it can’t breathe. If you could get away with not wearing foundation, would you?

    Most women would answer “yes” to the question above, which is proof of how important it is to take good care of your skin. Healthy skin allows you to get away with wearing little to NO foundation at all. Here are a few tips to help you clear up your skin and wear less foundation.

    • Determine your skin type. So many women are not aware of their skin type (oil, dry, combination), so they are constantly using products that don’t work for them. Read up online, in your favorite magazine, or ask a dermatologist to help you determine your skin type. From there, look for products made specifically to tackle your skin type and problem areas, and stay away from the others.
    • Develop a skin routine. Using products daily and as the directions say will increase your chances of the product actually working for you. Make sure to add exfoliation into your routine, as well as moisturizing. These two steps are crucial for most skin types- just make sure to cater to products that match your skin type, as mentioned above.
    • Let your skin breathe. If you’re staying at home all day and have no plans, try to let your skin breathe by not wearing any makeup that day. Your skin needs time to be pure and clean of cosmetics and chemicals. As soon as you get home from work and any other commitments, remove your makeup (specifically your foundation and other skincare products) with a gentle cleanser and pat dry. Before putting any nighttime products on, give your skin a few hours to be bare.

  • Foods That Protect Your Skin From Pollutants

    13 Octubre 2014



    To get that perfect, healthy and glowing skin, you need to exhibit a healthy lifestyle and take care of yourself. One of the most overlooked factors in skin care that can affect the health of your skin is pollution. Whether it’s dirt, dust, smog or other more harmful chemicals and particles in the air are great threats to healthy skin. Here are a few food and ingredients that you can consume to help protect your skin from pollutants.

    • Foods with antioxidants help to block free-radical activity in your body. Antioxidants can prevent or slow oxidative damage to the body.  Including antioxidant-rich foods in our diet can help, so fill up on the following: blueberries, kidney beans, squash, leafy greens, cranberries, artichokes, pecans and more. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants can help against the damaging effects of pollution.
    • Many skincare products contain antioxidant ingredients, such as vitamins A, C, and E, provide various benefits. Foods to consume with a high vitamin A makeup include sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, and cantaloupe. Foods with a large amount of vitamin C are bell peppers, broccoli, strawberries, brussel sprouts and more. Finally, foods with enough vitamin E for your daily intake include tofu, spinach, almonds, avocados, shrimp and more.
    • Water. Drink plenty of water and consume foods (such as fruits and vegetables) with a high-water content.

  • Hot Springs in Japan

    12 Octubre 2014



    Next time you’re up for a vacation, why not visit Japan? Specifically, the hot springs in Japan. These hot springs represent the single largest sector of the domestic tourism industry, with over 120 million visitors frequenting the more than 3,000 naturally-occurring springs each year. For more than 2,000 years, the Japanese have soothed their bodies, skin and souls at traditional onsens, which are bathhouses centered around various hot springs. The tradition continues to this day!Hot spring baths come in many varieties, indoors and outdoors, gender separated and mixed, developed and undeveloped. Many hot spring baths belong to a ryokan, while others are public bath houses. An overnight stay at a hot spring ryokan is a highly recommended experience to any visitor of Japan.

    There are various types of hot springs, which are differentiated by the minerals dissolved in the water. These various minerals provide a range of health benefits, and all hot springs have a relaxing effect on your body and mind. Depending on the spring, different minerals are dissolved in the water, giving it different colors and smells (in addition to the health and skin benefits).

    Besides conventional hot water tubs, a popular feature of larger baths are so called waterfalls, which comfortably massage your shoulders if you sit below them. Other bath types include sand baths, where bathers are buried in naturally heated sand, mud baths and steam rooms.Making the most of a bath in these Japanese hot springs is simple. First, remove your clothes and keep a towel nearby. Rinse your body with tap water prior to entering the bath. Next, enter the bath and soak for a while. You may need to enter slowly as the water is very hot. After soaking for a while, emerge from the bath and wash your body with soap and water. Then re-enter the bath and soak some more. When you are finally done, emerge from the bath but do not rinse your body with tap water this time. This allows the hot spring’s water’s minerals to have a full effect on your body.