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Lifestyle Wellness

Is Nature The Best Medicine?

As wellness becomes a more popular topic we see the rise of nature as medicine. The human race has grown up in nature but as people spend less time outdoors we have seen higher levels of things such as type II diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety and even premature death. Yes, nature does actually offer many health benefits, just as withdrawals of nature can lead to bad health, nature actually works in the opposite way, spending time outdoors can actually offer many health benefits.  

“We don’t experience natural environments enough to realize how restored they can make us feel, nor are we aware that studies also show they make us healthier, more creative, more empathetic and more apt to engage with the world and with each other. Nature, it turns out, is good for civilization.” -The Nature Fix

Only a few benefits of nature include, reduced risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, stress, depression and increased sleep duration. As stated by Florence WIlliams, “We don’t experience natural environments enough to realize how restored they can make us feel, nor are we aware that studies also show they make us healthier, more creative, more empathetic and more apt to engage with the world and with each other. Nature, it turns out, is good for civilization.” (The Nature Fix). Infact nature works so well that doctors in Scotland can now prescribe time outdoors rather than medication to treat these things. As Well as this forest bathing has become a popular form of therapy in Japan, in which patients spend time lying down, sitting or walking outdoors. The Japanese have found this therapy very effective because when outside people inhale natural killers which promote immune system health and fight against viruses. We can also get these natural killers from essential oils such as cedar and wood essential oils. We have also seen a rise in the numbers of “forest schools” which originated from a tradition in Scandinavia where students do the majority of their learning outdoors. This idea has moved to the United states considering research that has shown you are more focused and retain more information when you have spent time outside. 

Nature’s benefits are not only limited to physical health but also mental health, studies have shown that nature can reduce feelings of aggression and even reduce crime. A study took place in 2015 in which 2,000 people in the United Kingdom found that the more time spent outside led to lower crime rates and more positive socialization. Nature also reduces many other negative emotions such as anger, fear, sadness and stress. 

As mentioned before one of the most powerful benefits of spending time in nature is stress reduction. Time outdoors can lower levels of stress hormones, and lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and increase immune system strength. Nature provides the perfect environment for less-effortful relaxation.  This has in turn helped people suffering with disturbed sleep patterns and even insomnia to obtain a better night’s sleep. That’s right, nature offers benefits for those with insomnia or other sleep disorders without the groggy effect that sleep medications offer. It can also help control mood disorders such as Attention Deficit Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. 

In addition nature can be used as a healthy coping mechanism for physical and emotional pain. In fact only looking at pictures of nature can improve our pain tolerance. According to doctors and surgeons, patients are much more tolerant to pain when looking at pictures of nature or trees rather than a plain wall. 

While nature is great for mental health that is not where its benefits end. Nature is also very healing for the body and different diseases. Studies have shown that hospitalized patients who have been exposed to nature and green spaces have healed faster than other patients. As Well as this people who exercise outdoors have been shown to have higher benefits from the workout rather than people who exercised indoors. 

Nature has always been a necessity for the human race however it is especially important in this time considering the rise of technology. As stated by Richard Louv,”“Time in nature is not leisure time; it’s an essential investment in our children’s health (and also, by the way, on our own).”(Last child in the woods). By 2050 two thirds of our population is estimated to be living in cities and urban areas. As stated by the quote above, nature is an essential part of human health. Health excerpts and researchers have become concerned with the rising lack of outdoor time in our society. As this becomes more of a concern government and health excerpts have been working to improve outdoor areas in cities and make nature more easy and accessible to everyone. 

The effects of nature are so strong that studies have shown that even having a single plant in your room can impact your day to day health. Aswell as this it only takes about 120 minutes or 2 hours a week outside to get people feeling healthier and happier. However even just 20 minutes outside a day can refresh your mind and energize you. To get the full benefits of nature the best amount of time to spend outside is around 72 hours. Even though you can get benefits from just going to a public park some of the best ways to get nature full benefits are hiking, forest bathing, and camping.

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Beauty Wellness

10 skincare tips for your hands.

It’s no secret that your hands and neck age the fastest of any other part of your skin. However even with knowing this information many people (including me) still don’t pay enough attention to our hand care as we should be. But you can hardly blame us, facial skincare is talked about so much that other forms of skincare get neglected. Not only do they age faster and easier our hands are also exposed to the same elements as our face but with less care and protection. Luckily it’s not too late to start taking care of your hands (no matter how old you are). 

Even though we may not hear about it as much there are many different hand care products and routines to help keep your hand in tip top shape. 

  1. Try a DIY hand mask

Masks have become super popular not just face masks but also hand masks. To make a DIY hand mask all you need is 1 avocado (ripe), 2 tablespoons of raw honey and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Then put all your ingredients into a blender and blend it until it’s smooth. After you apply it to your hands you can put your hands into plastic bags or gloves to preserve the moisture better. After 10-20 minutes you can take your hands out of the bag and wash off the mask. 

  1. Use cuticle moisturizers instead of cuticle cutters

Cutting cuticles may seem like a good idea for pretty hands but it can actually make cuticles more rough and jagged. Since the cuticle is basically the root of the nail it’s super important to care for your cuticles. Instead of trying cuticles cutters try using creams or moisturizers instead. Cuticle creams lock in moisturizer and combat dryness by acting as a barrier. Some of our favorite ingredients to look for in creams are jojoba oil and vitamin E.  

  1. Always wear SPF

SPF is a must in everyone’s face care routine but the same goes for hand care. Our hands are super prone to sun damage and aging. Not to mention our hands are almost always exposed to the sun for example when we’re driving. It’s important not only to apple SPF in the morning but also reapplying during the day is important especially if you’re doing something where your hands will be exposed a lot. 

  1. Use daily moisturizers

Moisturizers are super important for achieving smooth and moisturized skin. Especially during winter it’s super important that you keep your hands moisturized. Not only are dry hands unappealing but they can also allow bacteria and germs to get inside your body. It’s best to apply hand cream after washing, sanitizing your hands or anytime your hands are feeling dry.

  1. Invest in a nicer soap

As you may assume a higher quality soap is better for your hands. Better ingredients cause less drying and more effective soap. It’s also important to moisturize your hands after washing them to make up for any natural oils stripped from the water and hand soap.

  1. Exfoliate your hands

You’ve probably heard of exfoliation for your face but you can also do it on your hands. Just like your face dry skin can build up and clog the pores on your hands. How you want to exfoliate your hands is completely up to you. First of all you could use a dry brush. Dry brushing has been shown effective to not only exfoliate the skin. Dry brushing improves blood circulation and cell regeneration which promotes detoxification. Detoxification can cause smoother skin, less fat/cellulite and reduce toxins in the skin. 

Another way to exfoliate your hands is by a mechanical exfoliation product or a scrub. While we don’t recommend chemical exfoliation on your face it is much better on your hands because the skin is a lot less delicate. The last way is by using chemical exfoliation which is what we recommend for the face but it also works on the hands. Ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are really good for this.  

  1. Use a hand sanitizer that uses moisturizer

Hand sanitizers are one of the many things that are great at drying out our hands. While hand sanitizers are hard to avoid because they are so important for our health (especially during covid) the best thing you can do is find a hand sanitizer that has moisturizing ingredients so it’s less drying on your skin. 

  1. Try essential oils

Essential oils are super effective in many different aspects. They are super helpful for regenerating skin cells and balancing skin. Whether you want to diffuse them into the air using an essential oil diffuser or use them directly on your skin the benefits are super powerful. It is important however to always dilute essential oils if you’re using them directly on your skin. 

  1. Use a skincare friendly diet 

Diet is super important when it comes to skincare even more than you may think. Not only does eating healthy help your skin to glow from the inside out but it can also help improve nail growth. Eating healthy helps nails to stay strong and healthy while also producing more cell growth in our nails. 

Some of the best foods for your skin include

  • Carrots 
  • Leafy greens
  • Berries
  • Tomatoes
  • Nuts
  • Salmon and fatty fish
  • Beans, lentils and peas

Some of the best foods for your nails include 

  • Eggs
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Leafy greens
  • Whole grains
  • Fruits and berries
  • Avocadoes
  • Sweet potatoes
  1. Always use gloves when washing dishes

Unfortunately washing dishes is a daily task for most people. Even more unfortunately it can have a negative effect on our skin and nails. That much exposure to water can cause your skin to be dry and cracked and your nails to be frail and brittle. But wearing rubber gloves is the simple solution to this problem as it block the water from your skin and nails.

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Beauty Wellness

8 Tips For Preventing And Treating Maskne.

If you aren’t familiar with the term maskne yet, let’s fill you in. As the name suggests maskne is a term for acne, irritation or bumps bumps in areas caused by a protective facemask. Althoug many have taken to calling this maskne it actually has a technical term “acne mechanica”. With covid becoming a regular in our lives we are never outside of the house without a mask on. While masks are super important for keeping ourselves and others safe from covid-19 they cause the perfect environment for acne to form. The prolonged amounts of not letting the skin breathe in that area can lead to sweat heat and friction causing acne. Luckily since it seems we’ll be wearing these masks for a while there are many helpful tips that have been discovered. 

So who has discovered these things you may ask. It seems with the constant search for a vaccine or end to covid there isn’t much room to worry about maskne. While masks are a current thing for many people in the world however east asians have had experience with masks long before covid. Not only are masks seen as a fashion statement in some parts of asia. It is also common to wear masks just to avoid a common cold. High pollution dust storms are also a cause for mask wearing in Korea. Long story short asians have been working out how to deal with maskne for a long time and have found some quite helpful tips. Below are some of the top tips to deal with maskne. 

  1. Cleanse daily

While cleansing is a regular for most people it’s super important when it comes to maskne. With the mask covering your mouth and skin it makes it super easy for you pores to get clogged by sweat which is why cleaning to get any build up out of your pores is super important. If you’re used to cleansing twice a day (once in the morning and once at night) and you’re struggling from acne we recommend trying to cleanse three times a day (once after taking off your mask). This way your skin can immediately be refreshed from whatever has built up under your mask from throughout the day. The only downside to this is that over cleansing is a thing so it’s important to pay attention to how dry your skin is when doing this. 

  1. Focus on keeping your skin hydrated

When you hear hydration when it comes to skincare you probably think of preventing dry skin or looking to gain dewy skin, while hydration helps with both of these it’s also effective at preventing maskne and acne in general. When your skin is lacking hydration it may cause the cells to produce more oil and sebum to make up for the lack of hydration. This in turn causes acne and breakouts. And on top of all this when you’re wearing a mask that oil gets trapped and that (along with any other moisture being caused from the mask) causes the perfect environment for acne. 

So the simple answer to this is to simply keep your skin hydrated. Some studies have shown that water while being great for just about everything else isn’t super helpful when it comes to skincare. So we recommend a really hydrating product, face masks and cream moisturizers are perfect for this!

  1. Avoid using makeup when wearing your mask

Makeup is often shown to be problematic when it comes to acne but with a skincare routine and daily face wash it typically isn’t too big of an issue. However now that we are wearing mask makeup is one of the many changes in the world. When you’re wearing makeup you’re always running the risk of clogging your pores but when you’re wearing makeup under your mask this becomes more of a risk. This is because the makeup can become squished between your skin and your mask, the mask can then push your makeup deeper into your pores. 

The simplest resolution to this issue is to only wear makeup on the top half of your face. If however you find yourself struggling with this make sure to use a primer which creates a barrier between your skin and the makeup. And make sure you’re removing your makeup at the end of the day and cleansing properly. 

  1. Invest in a silk mask

Silk masks are some of the best masks to use if you can get your hands on some. They are not only much better for your skin but they also look super stylish. So why are silk masks so much better for our skin? First of all silk masks cause the least friction of all the different mask materials. Friction causes a type of acne mentioned before called “acne-mechanica”. Silk is also much more breathable compared to other masks, which helps prevent that moist environment that is perfect for bacteria growth. 

  1. Clean your mask after every use

While you should be cleaning your mask anyways to clean off any germs it’s also effective to prevent maskne. Cleaning your mask is pretty self explanatory but it basically gets rid of any makeup, oil or bacteria that’s built up on your mask. It also sort of resets that moist environment the mask creates. 

  1. Use benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is one of the many acne treating  ingredients similar to salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide works great for clearing up acne by exfoliating and shedding dead skin cells and killing bacteria that is underneath the skin. If you’re struggling from maskne or acne in general, we recommend starting with a 2.5% formula of benzoyl peroxide. If you feel the 2.5% isn’t working for you, you can try a 5% but be careful because benzoyl peroxide can be a striping ingredient (always moisturise afterwards).

  1. Focus on strengthening your skin barrier

If you’re trying to solve skin issues you’ve probably heard of strengthening your moisture barrier, seeing as it’s super important for your skin. However if you haven’t heard about it let me fill you in. Your moisture barrier is the outer layer of your skin that protects you from UV damage and controls your moisture levels. Unfortunately the skin barrier can become damaged resulting in redness, peeling skin, acne itchiness or roughness. 

Masks can be extremely irritating by the friction as well as the hot, moist environment caused by the mask, possibly causing a damaged moisture barrier. Luckily you can strengthen and heal your skin’s barrier. Using less stripping harsh ingredients such as chemicals, acne treatments or makeup wipes is the first step. The next step is making sure your staying hydrated drinking water, using stronger moisturizers and trying a humidifier can all help. Using a gentle moisturizer is also super important when it comes to a damaged skin barrier.

  1. Avoid touching your face

While touching your face should be one of the things on your don’t do list during the pandemic anyway, it can also help prevent acne. Touching your face is a great way to spread bacteria from your hands to your skin, which in turn can of course cause acne. While it’s difficult not to touch your face (trust me I know) it’s super important in preventing not only acne but also coronavirus.

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Beauty Wellness

A Guide To Achieving Smooth Skin.

Smooth skin is desirable for just about everyone, unfortunately a number of factors can make it difficult to get rid of rough and dry skin. Fortunately when it comes to skincare nothing is impossible including achieving the smooth skin of your dream, and there are a couple of simple techniques that can take you one step closer to having buttery smooth skin. 

Before we get ahead of ourselves how does rough skin happen in the first place? Well, there’s a couple of culprits when it comes to rough skin. It could be a skin condition such as eczema, a damaged skin barrier, or exposure of irritants to the skin. Unfortunately, skincare products could be contributing to this issue. One of the most problematic skin care ingredients is denatured alcohol. Although if you have sensitive skin other ingredients such as essential oils, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide can also be problematic. However, lack of skincare products can also become an issue, to be more specific lack of sun protection. Sunscreen is super important to matter what type of skin you have, UV damage can cause damage to important collagen fibers in the skin which in turn causes dry, irritated, and acne-prone skin. 

But the sun isn’t the only external issue, things such as air pollution, dry air or cold winds can be affecting your path to smooth skin. To avoid this it’s important to make sure cleansing and moisturizing are a regular part of your routine. 

  • Chemically exfoliate

Getting rid of dead skin cells is the first step to achieving glowing and smooth skin. Although the idea of a “chemical” exfoliation may seem far too harsh, it’s actually much gentler than a mechanical exfoliation. Instead of tearing the dead skin cells of like a mechanical exfoliation, chemical exfoliants use gentle (and safe) chemicals to dissolve the “glue” that is holding dead skin cells onto the face. However as with any type of exfoliation its important to be gentle and not to use it everyday we recommend 2-3 times per week. 

  • Start dry brushing

Another form of exfoliation that has become quite popular is dry brushing. Dry brushing has a couple of benefits which make it a handy tool when it comes to getting smooth skin. For one it exfoliates and removes dead skin cells but it also stimulates circulation, which reduces puffiness, improves skin elasticity, lifts and tones the skin. 

  • Use a humidifier

Smooth skin starts with hydrated and moisturized skin. While it is very important to hydrate your skin on the inside it’s also important to do so on the outside. Using a humidifier is a great (and easy) way to reduce the effects of dry air on your skin, and add extra moisture to your skin. 

  • Start using vitamin C serum

Vitamin C is a powerful skincare ingredient, it has anti-aging properties and repairs existing skin damage. This leads to  bright, smooth skin. It also helps prevent future damage from free radicals, by neutralizing them. 

Vitamin C also helps prevent and repair UV damage. When your skin is exposed to UV light it lowers your vitamin C levels. Using a vitamin C serum can reverse the effects of sun damage. Vitamin C also repairs collagen levels by supporting collagen growth. All of this combined make vitamin C the perfect ingredient for smooth skin.

  • Use a strong moisturizer 

Moisturizers are a must step when it comes to smooth skin. For starters they help treat dry and flakey skin, which are the opposite of smooth and hydrated skin. It also prevents skin from being too oily which can lead to acne and an oily appearance on the skin. 

Moisturizers almost always are made with ingredients called emollients. Emollients are some of the most popular types of ingredients when it comes to smooth skin because they trap moisture onto the skin while preventing water loss. Another form of ingredients often found in moisturizers are humectants. Humectants help to moisturize the skin by pulling moisture from the surrounding air and onto your skin. 

If your finding your moisturizer isn’t doing the trick for your skin try to find a stronger moisturizer with emollients (things like shea butter, squalene, beeswax and cocoa butter), or humectants (things like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, honey and niacinamide) to help on your road to smooth skin. 

  • Use daily UV protection

Harmful UV rays are a cause of a number of skin issues, but one thing they are definitely not helpful for is getting smoother skin. While this shouldn’t be surprising information, a key step in having healthy, glowing skin is protecting your skin from the sun. It’s super important to protect your skin with sunscreen of around 30 SPF. Keep in mind you also need to reapply sunscreen throughout the day and use other types of sun protection (hats, sunglasses, etc).

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Lifestyle Wellness

How Forest Bathing Can Help Improve Sleep.

Sleep is a rough spot in many people’s lives. Whether it be the day to day struggle of a bad night’s sleep or someone actually diagnosed with insomnia or other sleep disorders getting a good night sleep can seem impossible. There are tons of remedies that have come out to receive a better night of sleep but one of the best remedies we have found so far is forest bathing. 

What is forest bathing you may ask, it is a form of meditation which originated in Japan. Also known as shinrin yoku (shinrin meaning forest and yoku meaning bath) forest bathing has become a popular form of treatment for different mental and physical health issues. Despite the name there isn’t any actual bathing involved in forest bathing. In fact it’s quite simple, practicing forest bathing involves opening your senses to involve the nature around you. 

It may seem silly but studies have shown that forest bathing can reduce signs of anxiety, depression, insomnia and increased selflessness and gratitude. So forest bathing has been shown to have many benefits, one of its biggest being sleep improvement. But forest bathing isn’t just simply improving a night of sleep it has even been shown to cure insomnia. 

Anyone living with insomnia knows it is no simple illness. Sleep is a super important act of self care that improves and helps just about every bodily function. Insomnia makes it extremely difficult to even achieve one night of sleep. Insomnia does have medication treatment but it can cause your brain to be foggy and overall make life more difficult. Luckily as hopeless as it may seem forest bathing actually can have extreme benefits for insomnia and some have even said it’s completely cured them. 

While forest bathing offers great benefits for those struggling with insomnia it also offers benefits for those just struggling to get a full night of sleep. Forest bathing can improve sleep length and overall quality. While scientists have yet to figure out exactly what about forest bathing offers so many benefits as opposed to a regular meditation we know for sure that it calms the mind. Scientists have hypothesized that some of forest bathing benefits come from oils found in trees that cause our bodies to release a hormone called oxytocin. Oxytocin is the same chemical released when we experience positive human contact. Oxytocin also counters cortisol also known as the stress hormone stress is a big cause of difficulty with sleeping, oxytocin counters this leaving our mind peaceful and ready for sleep. 

The best part of forest bathing is it’s a quite simple act. You can forest bathe for as long as you want (there are even week long retreats specifically for forest bathing) however you only need a few minutes a day to get started. Forest bathing consists of going into the forest with no devices, for at least 20 minutes (for maximum benefits we recommend  45 minutes) and taking deep breaths and grounding yourself (be sure to stay safe during forest bathing and be aware of your surroundings). 

If you find yourself trying every sleep remedy on the internet or spending your days wishing you weren’t so tired, a great habit to start is forest bathing.

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Lifestyle Wellness

6 Best Lifestyle And Self Improvement Books.

Gaining new knowledge is something people are always looking for. A great way to gain new ideas and knowledge is books! I love reading self improvement books and I always learn something new that I use in day to day life. Here is a list of some of my favorite self improvement books.

  1. Atomic habits: By James Clear

This book focuses on how to build good habits and get rid of bad ones. I love this book because it really goes in depth on how to create habits and has diagrams and examples which are super helpful for learning new ideas. 

  1. Grit: By Angela Duckworth

Grit goes into how to have more grit and what exactly grit is as well as some of the science behind having grit. This book was super helpful in helping me fully understand grit and how to use it.

  1. The Four Agreements: By Don Miguel Ruiz

This book is probably one of my favorite books, it talks about a code of conduct based on ancient toltec wisdom in a meaningful way. I try to use the ideas in this book through my daily life. This book contains great ideas to live by and I definitely recommend you read it. 

  1. Presence: By Amy Cuddy

Presence is all about being present with your body language and how to use your body to boost your mood and confidence. It has all kinds of examples and studies in it wich was super helpful to understand the concept. 

  1. Everything is figureoutable: Marie Forleo

This book (along with four agreements) are on the top of my list. I found this book so entertaining while still containing useful information. Everything is figureoutable is great because not only does she use examples from her life but encourages the reader to find examples in their own life and has activities at the end of each chapter to keep you engaged. 

  1. Eat beautiful: Wendy Rowe

Eat beautiful is all about eating to improve your skin, including what foods to eat and what not to eat recipes and some skincare tips!

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Beauty

10 Simple Secrets To Dewy Skin.

There are constantly new trends in the beauty and makeup world. One of the most popular trends recently is dewy makeup and skin. This makes tons of sense, although it’s just recently become more of a trend dewy skin has always been desirable. That being said there are tons of tips to get rid of textured, blemished, and dry skin to move on to dewy skin. Below are some of our favorite tips to achieve glowing and dewy skin. 

  1. Exfoliate regularly.

Exfoliation is the best way to obtain brighter skin, it’s also super easy. The most important thing to keep in mind with exfoliation is to keep it to a minimum of 2-3 times a week. This is because exfoliation can be harsh and strip your skin if used too often. Dermatologists have found the best form of exfoliation is a chemical exfoliant as opposed to a mechanical exfoliation. This is because mechanical exfoliation can cause micro tears and damage to your skin. 

  1. Use serum.

Serums are great because there are tons of different formulas that focus on different benefits. Such as serums that brighten, exfoliate, anti-age and more. When it comes to dewy skin these are all great options but if you need a good place to start we recommend a brightening serum. 

  1. Use products that promote circulation.

Poor circulation has bad effects on the skin such as drying or aging skin. Unfortunately circulation can also be impaired with age which is one of the culprits to aging skin. Skin care products with stimulating ingredients such as niacinamide, peppermint and vitamin B12 improve blood flow to obtain dewy and radiant skin. 

  1.  Hang your head upside down to promote blood flow.

Blood flow is a great way to improve dull skin. A nice trick for glowing skin is to carefully hang your head upside down for around three minutes (be sure not to hang upside down too long and only stay if you are comfortable). This can help skin appear to have an “inner glow” you will also notice a slight blush on your skin.

  1. Use Vitamin C.

Vitamin C has become a popular ingredient when it comes to skincare. One of its many benefits is brightening the skin. This happens by interfering with the pigmentation production and improving overall skin health. You only need a small amount of vitamin C to see instant and visible improvements. 

  1. Keep skin hydrated with a moisturizer.

A dewy look starts with hydrated and moisturized skin. Anyone and everyone who’s interested in skincare should always start with a moisturizer no matter what skin type they have. For years there has been a misconception about moisturizers and people with oily skin saying that if you have super oily skin you don’t need a moisturizer. This is totally untrue; everyone should use a daily moisturizer especially if you’re looking to achieve the dewy look. For dewy skin we recommend using a low weight cream moisturizer rather than a thick oily moisturizer. 

  1. Focus on repairing your moisture barrier.

If you’ve noticed your skin is dry, flakey and irritated this most likely leads to issues with your moisture barrier. As we’ve said above moisturized skin is a crucial step to a dewy look which is why it’s important to work on repairing your moisture barrier if it seems damaged. Luckily there are tons of products aimed towards doing exactly that, look for products aimed to get rid of red, dry, flakey or irritated skin that use hydrating ingredients. 

  1. Use facial massage tools.

Recently massaging tools have become super popular from guashas to jade rollers there are tons of options when it comes to giving yourself a face massage. These tools decrease puffiness and promote good circulation. Most of these tools are also super simple when it comes to user friendliness. If you want something super easy to use we would recommend a jade roller as it does most of the work for you all you have to do is move the roller. 

  1. Cleanse your skin regularly.

Cleansing is a crucial part of the skin care routine. It’s super important to remove dirt and grime from your skin to prevent acne and dirt buildup. Some cleansers also include exfoliating ingredients for a more radiant look. Try finding cleansers with salicylic acid to help prevent acne, flakey skin and clogged pores. 

  1. Stay hydrated. 

Keeping hydrated is helpful for almost every bodily function. When you’re not drinking enough water it can cause your skin to appear dull while wrinkles and blemishes can appear more prominent. Hydrating properly has benefits for the skin such as keeping skin plump and improving skin elasticity. For an ideal skin glow, the average person should drink around eight glasses of water (or around sixty-four ounces). Staying hydrated will not only keep your skin glowing and clear, but it will also help make sure your organs and body are running smoothly.

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Beauty Wellness

What Is Plum Oil? And What Are Its Benefits In Skincare?

Recently there are tons of new natural skincare ingredients such as aloe vera, almond oil and plum oil. Plum oil is exactly what it sounds like, an oil extracted from the seeds of French Ente plums. It has a couple of benefits, Its most popular benefits being skin and hair. Plum oil has been shown to be a super powerful ingredient similar to dried plums, which have been added to our list of some of the top superfoods. 

People seem to love plum oil and its effect on the skin. Many people love how plum oil has a rich and non sticky texture while still offering many benefits, which is great for people with oily skin. 

So what are all the benefits of plum oil? Like many natural oils, plum oil has tons of proven benefits for the skin. Below are all of the reasons you should try adding plum oil into your routine. 

  • Sun Protection 

We can never get enough sun protection and even if you’re using a daily sunscreen we can always use a little extra. Plum oil contains vitamin E which naturally protects your skin barrier from harmful UV rays and sun damage. 

  • Heals skin

The skin on our face goes through a lot from acne scarring, to sun damage which is why healing our skin is so important. Plum oil uses its many vitamins and omega’s to help heal and protect the skin’s barrier. 

  • Hydrates skin

Whether they have oily or dry skin, moisturizer is a big part of anyone’s skin care routine. Plum oil contains omega fatty acids, which are moisturizing for the skin. As Well as this it contains Vitamin E which is another major moisturizing ingredient. 

  • Gives skin a radiant/bright look

If you’ve ever seen someone with glowing and radiant skin, there are many reasons and ingredients that could cause that one of which being plum oil. One of the greatest beauty benefits of plum oil is the glowing look it gives skin. 

  • Protects against free radicals

Free radicals are unfortunately responsible for breaking down collagen in skin which in turn causes aged, saggy or unflattering skin. Fortunately there are tons of ways to battle free radicals. And one of those ingredients is, you guessed it plum oil. Plum oil contains 13 nourishing omega fatty acids and Vitamin E and A which provide the skin the opposite of what free radicals do. They heal and hydrate skin, promote skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles. 

With all these benefits plum oil seems like a win win deal. However as always with natural ingredients and oils there is always a risk factor of side effects. Luckily plum oil doesn’t have many but there is always a risk or an allergic reaction. This is why it’s important to spot test the plum oil on your hand before slathering it on your face. 

Another wonderful thing about plum oil along with many other natural ingredients is its super easy to use. Once you get your hands on plum oil all you have to do is drop some into your hands and put it straight on your face. Simple as that!

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Beauty Lifestyle

12 Makeup Tips For Glowing Skin.

The way your skin looks can have a huge effect on how confident and good you feel, and even with makeup it can be hard to cover up skin blemishes and imperfections. However luckily it’s not impossible to get the perfect skin complexion using makeup with just a few simple tips. 

  • Take care of your skin.

It may seem obvious, or it may seem easier to just cover up blemishes with makeup. But it’s super important to put taking care of your skin first. If you’re taking good care of your skin and have a good skincare regime you won’t need as much makeup.

  • Apply concealer before foundation. 

Typically people apply foundation and then concealer, but it may be a better idea to apply concealer first and then foundation. Apply concealer on your nose, chin and under eyes. After doing this you wont need as much foundation and your skin will appear much brighter. 

  • Fully blend your foundation.

Blending foundation can be a bit of a hassle but it’s super important. Use a brush or sponge (more on this below) and blend outwards and down the neck. Blending down the neck is crucial to avoid looking like you’re wearing a “foundation mask”. To avoid it looking like you are wearing foundation blending it out fully is super important.

  • Use sponges and brushes.

Going along with the importance of blending foundation the most popular ways to do so is using a foundation brush or sponge. When it comes to deciding between a sponge or brush its all about preference, you can even combine the two. 

-Foundation Brush

A foundation brush is my personal favorite way to blend out foundation. It gets in every area of the face easily, and easily glides along the face unlike a sponge which requires a dabbing motion. To use a foundation brush just put some foundation on the back of your hand and directly dab the brush in the foundation and apply to the face. One of the only downsides to the foundation brush is that it can cause a streaky look on the foundation if it’s not completely blended, but this is pretty easy to avoid. 

Sponge

When it comes to foundation a sponge is probably the most popular option. While it can be a bit more difficult to deal with and to get into tight corners of the face its can offer a more smooth and even look than the brush when the foundation is fully blended. 

  • Properly match your color.

Matching colors can really make or break your makeup look because it can be quite obvious if your color doesn’t match. Unfortunately for some people it can be extremely difficult to find a color that properly matches them that where mixing colors comes in. When you can’t seem to find a foundation color you can mix your own using two different shades. Mixing shades is quite easy, just take the two shades closest to your own and mix them together. 

  • Use primers.

Primers have become quite popular to not only give your makeup a better look but also add a protective layer between your skin and the foundation. Primer is great because it helps the foundation apply more smoothly by filling lines and wrinkles so the foundation won’t sink into it. It also acts as a moisturizer and plums the skin. The good news is for anyone with super oily skin there are tons of oil free primers so it doesn’t add to the shiny look oil gives the skin.

  • Use blush and bronzer.

Since foundation covers up any access color in your face it’s important to use blush and bronzers so it doesn’t look super unnatural. Blush and bronzer are also super easy to use but really elevate your look. 

  • Use a low coverage foundation.

Unless it’s absolutely necessary for your skin its best to avoid a full coverage foundation when possible. This is so you avoid a “cake face” or a super thick, unnatural sheet of foundation. It’s best to apply foundation in areas with unnatural skin tones or blemishes. 

  • Apply facial mist averterwards. 

A dewy look is super desirable and achieving it doesn’t just come down to how you apply your makeup but also what you do afterwards. Facial mists are a great and super easy way to achieve a natural and dewy makeup look. 

  • Use a potted foundation.

While potted foundations may not be as popular as liquid foundations, it offers a more natural dewy foundation look. Potted foundations are super easy to use possibly even more so than regular liquid foundations. All you do is place your foundation sponge directly into the pot and then it can go on your face.

Categories
Lifestyle Wellness

What Is Epsom Salt And What Does It Do?

Epsom salt has recently come back in terms of trends. Epsom salt started with athletes using it as muscle relief however now epsom salt is used by everyone to celebrities and influencers to people at home. But people aren’t just using epsom salt for no reason, it actually has tons of benefits. 

Epsom salt, also known as magnesium sulfate is a mineral compound made of magnesium and sulfate. This means that epsom salt is not actually a salt but instead a mineral compound despite the name and the salt-like look. Despite not being a salt the name isn’t completely random. Epsom salt gets its name from Epsom,Surrey where it was discovered in the 17th century. However epsom salt has been shown to have more benefits than just treating muscle aches (which it is quite good at). The more benefits epsom salt has been shown to have the more popular it has gotten especially recently. 

Magnesium is a super important biochemical for our bodies. It reduces muscle pains, supports immune system health, produces sustainable energy, promotes healthy bones and keeps a steady heartbeat. Magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) has the same benefits. When epsom salt is used the magnesium directly soaks through the skin. The most popular and best way to get the benefits of epsom salt is through a bath. Warm bath water allows the magnesium so soak into the skin better. This is because the warm bath water allows the skin vessels to expand making an easy path for the epsom salt to enter the skin cells. 

So what exactly are the benefits of epsom salt? 

  •  Relaxation/stress reduction

Baths themselves have been known to have a stress reducing effect but to get even more benefits from your calming bath adding epsom salt is a great idea. Magnesium is a major stress reducing mineral and to promote a calm and relaxed mental state by lowering the stress hormone called cortisol. 

  • Alleviates joint pain

Many people have reported epsom salt reducing effects of arthritis and fibromyalgia. This is most likely because of the magnesium that epsom salt contains. Considering people with arthritis and fibromyalgia are typically lacking in magnesium. 

  • Heals acne and eczema 

While epsom salts benefits on acne have not been scientifically proven many people have seen benefits from it. Epsom salt may reduce the pain and swelling that comes with acne as well as serve as an exfoliant and loosen up clogged pores that cause blackheads. 

  • Releases toxins 

The best known way to release toxins is through the skin and luckily that exactly what epsom salt does. Due to the sulfate that epsom salt contains epsom salt is a great ingredient to flush out and release toxins from the body. 

  • Reduces inflammation

As stated above one of the many benefits epsom salt is drawing out toxins, this includes the toxins responsible for inflammation. Aswell as this epsom salt reduces swelling stiffness and general pain. 

  • Soothes skin

Epsom salt bethes can exfoliate dead skin cells, smooth rough skin, and even ease dry skin. 

  • Promotes foot health 

If you’re a dancer or athlete you’ve probably heard of or even used epsom salt before. While epsom salt is great for easing muscles and things alike another popular use for athletes is foot health. All of the benefits mentioned before also apply to the feet, but along with this epsom salt has been reported to prevent foot fungus. 

Luckily using epsom salt is quite easy. The main thing to keep in mind is when making an epsom salt bath it’s important to pour in a generous amount of salt. It is also important to make sure the water is fairly warm/on the hotter side. The recommended amount of epsom salt for a standard bathtub size is around 2 cups. Then all you have to do is soak in the bath for around 20 minutes. 

So epsom salt seems like a pretty great deal. Unfortunately everything comes with a few down sides, but luckily epsom salt doesn’t have many. The biggest issue with epsom salt is that it can be slightly drying, which is something to look out for if you have dry or sensitive skin. To make sure you’re good before fully submerging yourself in an epsom salt bath, spot test on a patch of skin. 

In conclusion epsom salt is an almost perfect ingredient that has many benefits and is super easy to use.