Skincare Ingredients – What Do they Mean?
You’re at the cosmetic counter at the mall, looking to invest in a few new products for your skin. You choose several products and compare the ingredients, but you ask yourself, what is hyaluronic acid? Or, you’re at the drugstore and notice your cleanser has new packaging with headlines such as “antioxidant-rich” and ingredients such as kinetin and Vitamin A. You ask yourself, is it still good for my skin?
Gone are the days when skincare products were simply categorized for dry, normal or oily skin. Over the past decade, products have (and continue to) evolved with sophisticated new formulas and ingredients that can mimic products and treatments once found only in dermatologist’s offices. Here is a quick guideline on how to decipher the current list of 50-cent words on product labels.
Antioxidants
Chemicals that halt the oxidation of cells and ward off free radicals, unstable electrons that lead to cell breakdown. Cell breakdown leads to fine lines, loss of moisture and elasticity, dull, rough appearance and discoloration. Common antioxidants used in skincare are Vitamins A, C, E and K.
Alpha Hydoxy Acids (AHAs)
A group of chemical compounds that can occur naturally or chemically that can help reduce aging and wrinkling and improve the skin’s look and texture. AHAs include glycolic (the most commonly used in skincare), malic, citric, tartaric and lactic.
Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs)
A mild acid that helps with the sloughing of dead skin cells that can clog pores and deep cleans without overdrying. The most common BHA is salicylic acid.
Coenzyme Q10
A fat-soluble antioxidant with a similar structure to Vitamin K. Plays an important role in preventing cell breakdown and promotes cell renewal and an increase of hydration, moisture and cell revitalization.
Hyaluronic Acid
A jelly-like substance that occurs naturally in the soft connective tissues of all living substances and can also occur in some cartilage and joint fluids and skin tissue. Hyaluronic acid holds moisture within the collagen and elastin of the skin and can hold 1000 times its weight in water.
Hydroquinone
A powerful, topical lightening ingredient that was once available only in dermatologist’s offices. Over the counter products only allow up to 2% of this ingredient. When using hydroquinone, one must use it on a three-months on, three-months off basis, or as soon as discoloration is less noticeable.
Kinetin
A botanical-based ingredient found in plants, which helps plants to retain water. When used in skincare products, kinetin helps treat the signs of photoaging and restore the skin’s moisture barrier.
Idebenone
Pronounced “ee-dee-bee-known”, its structure is similar to Coenzyme Q10 but its function is more powerful. Along with the treatment of wrinkles, idebenone has been successful in both cerebral and some organ studies.
by carefair.com
Let Your Skin Breathe
Everyday we put our skin in harm’s way, whether we realize it or not. UV rays and environmental pollutants are common culprits when it comes to upset skin but what about what you wear? Surprisingly enough, the very material your skin comes into contact with can trigger rashes, irritation and other negative skin-specific responses. Learn what fabrics you should stay away from and which ones you should include in your wardrobe and in your life.
Dry skin, eczema, acne prone and sensitive skin types often have the toughest times maintaining happy skin. When the use of a daily skin care routine isn’t enough, look around your home to see what factors may be contributing to the problem. This includes the clothes you wear, the sheets you sleep on and even the pillowcase you rest your head on at night.
When it comes to clothes, completely avoid harsh fabrics such as wool, which can easily irritate any skin type and cause severe itchiness. Although Spandex, Rayon and Lycra don’t pose a direct hazard to your skin the way wool does, it’s still important to limit how long you wear this type of material throughout the day. These fabrics are widely used in leggings and athletic wear and are being used more often in dresses and other form-fitting fashions. As stylish and comfy as Spandex, Rayon and Lycra can be, your skin is not able to breathe properly and wearing these restrictive garments for too long can trap sweat and other surface debris, leading to breakouts and zits on the chest and back. Make it a point to never lounge around the house in these fabrics and remove them as soon as you get home so that your skin can breathe - the same goes for all clothes that are designed to fit tightly on your body. Hop in the shower or bath soon after so you get a head start in washing away the sweat, oils and other dirt that may have accumulated underneath the fabric.
In order to avoid putting your skin at risk, be sure to wear safe and natural fabrics such as cotton, bamboo, tencel (this fabric is made from wood pulp and is cool, smooth and dry), linen, silk/satin and hemp. Because these contain natural fibers, the chances of irritation or contact dermatitis is greatly reduced, not to mention that the cool and soft feel pacifies upset skin.
In addition to the clothes you wear, you also need to be mindful of the sheets you sleep on, the pillowcases you use and even the furniture you relax on. Before you start to get worried, switching out harsh fabrics for gentler ones is a simple task. To ease your nights, turn to satin pillowcases and silk, linen or cotton sheets. These fabrics allow your skin to breathe at night and are restrictive so you can toss and turn as you please. If you own a couch or comfy recliner that irritates your skin but you don’t want to toss it out, buy blankets made of cotton or another skin-friendly material that you can wrap yourself in so you can enjoy the coziness of your furniture without putting your skin at risk. By following these tips you’ll be able to simplify your life and your skin care.
by carefair.com
The Battle of the Calories
Counting calories has become an obsession for many people concerned with health and fitness. In order to lose weight safely, it’s very important to know how many calories should be consumed without putting your health at risk. Once you know that, it will be super easy to put together a diet you can follow.
Contrary to popular belief, calories are good for you. Without them, your body wouldn’t have enough energy to make it through the day. However, consuming too many calories without burning them off through exercise can result in weight gain. By knowing what foods to stay away from and keeping track of the amount of calories and fats you eat on a daily basis, you’ll be able to successfully lose weight without worry.
Knowing the difference between good and bad fats is key in the food choices you make. Saturated fats are bad for your body and are responsible for high cholesterol. This type of fat is mainly found in eggs, seafood, dairy and meat. Trans fats are also unhealthy and are used in many commercially packaged foods to ensure longer shelf life. You can find trans fats in any bag of chips, French fries, margarine and microwaveable popcorn. Unsaturated fats are the ones to include in a healthy diet. There are two types of unsaturated fats: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol and can be found in nuts, canola oil and olive oil. Polyunsaturated fats also work the same as monounsaturated fats and are found in salmon, fish oil, corn, soy and sunflower oils.
An easy way to replace bad fats with good fats in your daily diet is to read the labels of the products you buy. All of the ingredients and nutritional information is listed in detail so you know exactly what you’re getting. Switch to using canola oil or olive oil for cooking. When grocery shopping, cut out the commercially packaged food to avoid trans fats and opt for foods that are trans-fat free. Because dairy is an important part of the food group, switch to skim milk instead of whole and when it comes to preparing meat for dinner, trim off the excess fat.
When it comes to calorie counting and losing weight, the key is to lose weight slowly instead of all at once. Trying to shed 15- 20 in a short period of time is an unrealistic goal dieters have that can actually backfire. Losing too much weight at once only results in gaining it back after going off the diet. A more realistic goal is to lose no more than 2 pounds per week.
In order to know how many calories you should cut back on, you’ll need to figure out your BMR, which is the amount of energy your body needs to function properly. There are BMR calculators online that help simplify the math. Once you know your BMR, you can begin setting your caloric intake goal. The easiest way to count calories is to keep a diary of the food you eat each day - don’t forget to list how many calories each food has. With each day, you’ll be able to keep an accurate count of how many calories you consume. Be cautious, as calorie counting can become additive and can cause you to lose more calories than necessary. Never consume less than 1,200 calories per day.
by carefair.com
Wear What You Eat – Making Masks From The Fridge
No one does it better than Mother Nature, and skin care is no exception to that rule. Get together with some friends and have fun whipping up these quick and easy recipes for facial masks that require ingredients you probably already have in your refrigerator.
For normal skin , this peach and oatmeal mask loaded with alpha-hydroxy acids that help soften wrinkles, reduce blemishes and unclog pores is just for you:
Cook one medium peach until soft, then mash. Add one tablespoon honey and enough oatmeal to thicken the mask. Apply evenly to skin and wait ten minutes. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
For normal to oily skin , try this blend of carrots and honey:
Cook until soft, then mash 2-3 large carrots. Mix with 4 tablespoons honey. Gently apply the mask to your skin and wait ten to twelve minutes. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
For oily skin , strawberries and honey will help reduce excess oil and refresh enlarged pores:
Mash nine strawberries into a pulp. Add three tablespoons honey. Mix well, but don’t over do it or your mask will be runny. Apply to entire face and wait three to five minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
If your skin is oily and acne prone , let this apple and honey mask spruce up your natural glow and texture:
Core and grate one medium sized apple. Blend with three to four tablespoons honey. Smooth over entire face and relax for eight to ten minutes. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
If your skin is normal to dry and prone to bouts of acne , let this aromatic mask work to remove toxins and oils that reduce blemishes and tighten pores:
Boil five bay leaves in one cup distilled water and allow to cool. Strain the leaves, but keep the liquid. Slowly add the bay liquid to four tablespoons French clay. Mix until it is medium thick. Dab and blend onto skin and allow mask to dry for up to twenty minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
For dry skin , your mask of bananas and honey will restore vitality to over-stressed skin:
Lightly mash two medium bananas. Don’t over mash or mask will be runny. Add two tablespoons honey and lightly blend. Apply to skin and wait ten minutes. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
Want to get crazy? Try this recipe for a banana bread mask that will moisturize, soothe, soften and cleanse your skin along with the added bonus of a whole wheat flower antioxidant:
Mix well ½ very ripe mashed banana, a pinch of nutmeg, two tablespoons ground oats (put rolled oats through a clean coffee grinder or blender until it is a fine powder.) Add two tablespoons whole wheat flour. Blend in milk or cream until mask is a smooth paste. Apply to a clean face and enjoy for five to ten minutes. Rinse well with warm water and pat dry.
Because there are no preservatives in these recipes, they should be used immediately and then discarded.
by carefair.com
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