Category: Beauty

Categories
Beauty Lifestyle Nutrition

A Complete Guide To Almond Oil In Skincare.

Almond oil as it seems is an amazing ingredient made from almonds. It is a great ingredient not just for skincare but also for general health. Almond oil has been used for centuries in ancient Chinese culture, primarily for skin care. Almond oil can treat dry skin/soothe skin and clear scars and imperfections in the skin. There are two types of Almond oil, sweet almond oil and bitter almond oil. Sweet Almond oil is the type that is advised for skincare. The difference between the two almond oils is that sweet almond oil is considered to be a fixed oil, meanwhile bitter almond oil is considered an essential oil. 

Almond oil is a great soothing product for the skin. It reduces things like itchiness, scarring, swelling, or even clinical issues such as eczema. Almond oil also contains anti-inflammatory and immunity boosting properties almond oil can also benefit your body’s cholesterol. Cosmetically almond oil can also reduce puffiness, improve complexion/give your skin a glowing look, clear up and prevent acne and reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. It can also even be used as a cleanser. This is because almond oil breaks up dirt and makeup and also gets rid of toxins in the skin and opens the pores. 

Almond oil has tons of different nutrients that make it so wonderful for the skin. Almond oil contains Vitamin A which contains retinol helps skin regeneration and production of new skin cells, Vitamin E which helps protect skin against harmful UV rays and prevents skin cell damage, zinc which is great for clearing acne and acne scars which is great because it is less harsh than most acne treatments, and lastly Omega 3- fatty acids which prevent sun damage and premature aging. Although almond oil has little disadvantages it is important to avoid almond oil if you have a nut allergy as putting it on your skin is just as bad as consuming it.  

Along with being good for the skin almond oil also has many benefits for the hair. Much like the skin almond oil has great hydrating benefits for the hair. This helps the hair look shiny and feel soft. It can also help hair grow stronger, become less likely to break and become less prone to split ends. 

Another great thing about almond oil is that it works for all skin types. Almond oil is even good for oily skin. This is because not only is almond oil lighter than most oils but also as stated before almond oil can clean out clogged pores. It is also amazing for dry skin because it is so hydrating and soothing. But that’s not all almond oil is also great for acne prone and normal skin.

Using sweet almond oil is also super easy. Almond oil is great because you can just use it on its own rather than buying a product with the ingredient in it. Using almond oil is as simple as dropping some on your hands and rubbing it on your face when you would use the moisturizer in your routine once or twice a day.

Categories
Beauty

Everything You Need To Know About Benzoyl Peroxide

If you struggle with acne you’ve probably heard of the ingredient benzoyl peroxide before. Benzoyl peroxide is supposed to be a great product for not only getting rid of acne but also preventing breakouts before they even come. In fact benzoyl peroxide works so well that it has become the top skincare product for preventing and removing acne. 

So what exactly is benzoyl peroxide? Benzoyl peroxide is an organic acid in the peroxide family. Benzoyl peroxide can work on all types of acne but it specifically targets inflammatory and cystic acne. These are the more pussy and big types of acne. Although benzoyl peroxide also works to clear acne scars and dark spots on the skin, by peeling away the layer of skin that shows the scaring. Benzoyl peroxide works so well because it contains keratolytic, moderate comedolytic, and antibacterial properties these properties help to fight P.acnes. However if you are struggling from only whiteheads and blackheads benzoyl peroxide may not be the best ingredient for your skin, because it can be drying and irritating.  

The way benzoyl peroxide works is by killing and preventing bacteria from growing, works similarly to an exfoliator by removing dead skin cells and removes excess oil and shrinks your oil glands. Now benzoyl peroxide may seem great however there are some downfalls. Firstly benzoyl peroxide can be very drying especially to people with sensitive or dry skin. This is why its recommended only to use one form of benzoyl peroxide twice a day, although for some it may be better to use it only a few times a week. Benzoyl peroxide can also decrease the effect of Vitamin C in your skincare routine. 

Benzoyl peroxide comes in many different products and forms. The most popular form is in a face wash. Benzoyl peroxide face wash can also be used on other places on the body and not just the face. You can use benzoyl peroxide face wash on your back, arms, bottom or basically anywhere else you have acne. 

Another popular form of benzoyl peroxide is a spot treatment. As mentioned before benzoyl peroxide removes bacteria and excess oil from the skin. Things like oil and bacteria are what feeds acne so removing these can stop acne from getting worse. Aswell as this it also works to unclog pores removing the cause of the acne.  

Benzoyl peroxide also comes in a toner form. One of the plus sides of a benzoyl peroxide toner is that you have more control over where you apply it. You can apply it everywhere which is great  for preventing acne and breakouts before it comes however if you have sensitive or dry skin you can apply similar to a spot treatment only in areas that already have acne. 

You can also apply benzoyl peroxide in a lotion or moisturizer form. The lotion similar to the toner is nice because it can be applied everywhere both preventing and getting rid of acne. This can also be helpful for people with dry skin if the benzoyl peroxide is combined with a moisturizing lotion to help keep moisturized while still removing excess oil. 

So is benzoyl peroxide the best acne ingredient? Benzoyl peroxide has always been a popular ingredient along with salicylic acid. Which one is better is still a debate and the truth is it really just depends on your skin to know which one works best. While benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are similar they work differently. Salicylic acid exfoliates components that can lead to acne-causing bacteria. Benzoyl peroxide works by killing bacteria that are already there and preventing bacteria from forming. In the end, it is best to experiment with both products and discover which works best for you.

Categories
Beauty Nutrition

Foods To Avoid For Acne Prone Skin

Taking care of your skin on the outside is super important, but taking care of it on the inside is just as important if not more. If you’re breaking out it’s super important to take a look inside and know what foods to stay away from. 

  1. Sugar

Sugars are in the category of refined carbohydrates along with refined grains. Refined carbs are high in glycemic index, which means that when consumed they cause a spike in glucose. This then leads to our insulin growth factor to increase, which causes our skin to produce more oil therefore creating a perfect environment for bacteria such as acne to grow. 

  1. Dairy

Most dairies such as ice cream, cheese, butter and straight up milk contain cow’s milk. Cows milk increases your insulin growth factor, which increases our tissue growth and increases cell production. When our body starts producing more cells our skin starts producing more oil which can clog pores which later leads to acne. 

Aside from that the cows that produce milk also are feed hormones, so that they produce milk faster. When these hormones are in our body it triggers our skin to produce more oil. 

  1. Fast food

Fast foods are another one of those inflammatory foods filled with oils, sugar, and other inflammatory ingredients that can lead to breakouts.  

  1. Refined grains

As I stated before sugar and refined grains are both in the category of refined carbohydrates. Therefore they function similarly when it comes to how they affect the skin.

Categories
Beauty

Sheet Masks, Pros, And Cons?

Doing masks a few times a week are a great addition to anyone’s skincare routine. Sheet masks have been a super popular form of masking for years. They show up in basically every skincare store not to mention there all over instagram. But why are they so popular and are they really that great. Here are some of the pros and cons of sheet masks. 

Pros

-When the mask is taken off your skin it leaves behind extra product on your face so you’re getting the full benefit, rather than washing it off.

-Super easy and quick to use, all you have to do is open up a package and plop it on your face.

-Sheet masks offer tons of hydration for the skin, which everyone’s skin can benefit from.

– When you’re done with your sheet mask it leaves the skin looking dewy and plump

Cons

– You can only use a sheet mask once and most are not biodegradable, which means these masks are unfortunately not very environmentally friendly. 

-Whenever I use a sheet mask it is way too big for my face and many have the opposite issue. So unless you have the perfect sheet mask face chances are they don’t fit your face shape.

-It is nearly impossible to move your face or talk with these on because they don’t cling to the skin like other masks.

Categories
Beauty Nutrition

Benefits Of Cocoa In Skincare

Cocoa is well known for being the primary ingredient in chocolate. Cocoa has been shown to not only be delicious but have many health benefits, for your body, brain and skin. Typically people access cacao’s benefits by eating it whether it be in the form of dark chocolate, cocoa powder, or any of the other many forms of cocoa. But maybe you’ve seen cocoa as an ingredient in a few skincare products. So can cocoa actually help our skin not only from the inside but also on the outside? Yes! Cocoa actually has many external benefits for the skin. 

For one cocoa is a very powerful antioxidant. This is because cocoa is high in a powerful antioxidant called flavonoids. Antioxidants can help the skin repair itself and reduce visible damage on skin such as acne scars. Cocoa is actually a more powerful antioxidant than green tea. 

Along with its powerful antioxidant properties, cocoa is also great for anti-aging and providing the skin with a youthful, glowy look. For one cocoa has been shown to reduce wrinkles, as well as this cocoa, can reduce the harm done by UV rays. This happens because cocoa contains theobromine. Theobromine helps increase blood flow to the skin’s surface. This is the same thing that happens to the skin when it is sunburnt in efforts to repair the damaged skin. As well as minimizing effects from UV damage the increased blood flow can also result in more glowing and young skin. 

But that’s not all, cocoa is also soothing and calming externally. A cocoa mask can help soothe irritated and damaged skin. Cocoa butter (a fat extracted from the cocoa bean) is also a great natural moisturizer. Cocoa butter is especially great for oily skin because it repairs the skin’s moisture barrier so that the skin will only produce as much oil as needed and not extra. Lastly, cocoa butter is easily absorbed and doesn’t leave the skin with a greasy film which is another bonus for people with oily skin.

The most popular and my favorite way to use cocoa on the skin is in a mask form, but as mentioned earlier cocoa butter is also a great way to use cocoa to benefit your skin. Also even though this article was mainly talking about the external benefits of cocoa you can still get all these benefits for eating dark chocolate. Yes, really dark chocolate is not only delicious but eating it can actually help you achieve radiant and healthy skin.

Categories
Beauty Lifestyle

Benefits Of Using A Jade Roller.

You’ve probably seen jade rollers, whether it be on instagram, in conversation or at a beauty store. They have been super popular recently, but what exactly are they? They have been said to do everything from improving circulation, sculpting, reducing puffiness and even more. So do they actually work and what are the real benefits. 

Although these jade rollers may seem new, they have been used in traditional chinese medicine for centuries. The chinese used them for healing and cleansing. They are supposed to work by aiding in the lymphatic drainage, which is a process in which the lymphatics in the face drain out toxins and waste. When the lymph is drained it can make the face and skin less puffy.

All this being said it sounds as though jade rollers seem to be pretty great why not try them, but it is important to note that the technique in which you use the roller is super important. Below is a chart on how to use a jade roller.

Jade roller benefits

  • It makes the skin extra glowy

This is where that lymphatic drainage comes in. The lymphatic drainage process can slow down the process of aging and boost skin town which is what really gives you that glowing look. They are also typically cool to the touch (and if it’s not you can use cold water to make it so) which can help brighten your complexion. 

  • Makes other skincare products work better 

When you use a jade roller after using serums and moisturizers, it helps the product soak into the pores. 

  • It soothes the skin

Getting a facial massage is super soothing, and is made easy to do by yourself with a jade roller. As well as this as I mentioned before they have a cooling effect which helps give the skin a soothed feeling.

  • Reduces puffiness

Puffiness reduction is probably the most well known benefit of a jade roller. This also leads back to that lymphatic drainage. When your lymphs get drained it reduces the look of puffiness because actual waste products are under your skin.

Categories
Beauty Nutrition

11 Foods That Boost Collagen Production

Collagen is a huge component in your skin, hair, nails and general health. It makes skin, hair and nails look youthful, bouncy and healthy, however as you get older your body produces less collagen which leads to aging and less healthy skin and hair. However, to keep your body producing collagen, you can eat certain foods that can boost your natural collagen production no matter what age. Here are some of the top collagen boosting foods. 

  1. Fish

Like different creatures, fish have bones and ligaments made of collagen. However the parts of the fish that contain the most collagen are the less desirable parts of the fish such as the skin, bones, head and eyeballs. 

  1. Citrus fruit

Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, limes and lemon are high in vitamin C. Vitamin C is a fundamental part of collagen production. Getting your daily dose of vitamin C is crucial for the skin. 

  1. Berries

Berries are another fruit with high contents of vitamin C. In Fact strawberries actually have more vitamin C than oranges. As Well as the high vitamin C contents berries also have antioxidants which are great for protecting the skin from damage. 

  1. Garlic

Garlic has so many health benefits, and one you may not know of is its contents of sulfur. Sulfur helps prevent the breakdown of collagen.

  1. Tropical fruits

Tropical fruits are another on the list with high vitamin C. Tropical fruits such as mango, kiwi, pineapple and guava. Guava also is high in zinc which is another great ingredient for collagen production. 

  1. Leafy greens

Leafy greens as we all know are a key feature in a healthy diet. These greens also have chlorophyll which is an amazing antioxidant for the skin. Chlorophyll also increases the precursor for collagen production. 

  1. Beans

Beans are great for collagen because they not only have copper (a nutrient for collagen production) they also have proteins necessary for collagen. 

  1. Tomatoes

Tomatoes (including sundried) also contain the high vitamin C levels needed for collagen production. 

  1. Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds boost your levels of zinc and copper. Zinc and copper are great nutrients to support collagen production. 

  1. Bell peppers

Bell peppers are yet another food with vitamin C. In Fact half of the bell pepper is around 117 ml of Vitamin C.  As Well as this bell peppers contain anti-inflammatory properties that combat aging. 

  1. Eggs

Eggs have large amounts of proline, which is an amino acid which is a key component for collagen production.

Categories
Beauty Nutrition

Does Drinking Water Actually Help Your Skin

While drinking water has so many benefits for your mind, body, and overall health. You’ve probably heard before that drinking water can help your acne, or make your skin glow, and maybe you’ve also heard this isn’t true. So is it really true, if so many people swear by it drinking water must help your skin in some way? 

According to science, there isn’t really any evidence that drinking extra water will cure your skin issues. That being said there is no denying that water has so many benefits, and is quite literally crucial to human life. So if it helps your skin or not it is still crucial you drink water. But going back to the question of whether or not water will save your skin, the truth is no. 

So what can you do to help your skin, without water? Rather than upping your water intake try lowering your intake of sugary beverages such as juices and soda. This is probably where the myth came from in the first place. It’s less about drinking more water and more about replacing unhealthy drinks with water. Another thing you can do is to simply take care of your skin on the outside. Following a skincare regime is the best thing you can do for your skin, and while drinking water may not make a huge impact on what you’re eating actually will. Stay away from fast food, eat collagen boosting and nutritious foods, and stay on top of your skincare regime and you should be pretty good.