Intake for Your Skin's Health

Caring for Your Skin by Monitoring What You Ingest

7 Essential Skin Care Tips for All Skin Types

May 28th, 2023

Having healthy and beautiful skin comes with taking good care of it. Doing so doesn’t necessarily require special creams or expensive products – it’s all about how you take care of yourself on a daily basis. By following these essential skin care tips, you’ll be on your way to having the glowing skin of your dreams.

1. Cleanse Your Skin Regularly

The most important skin care tip to remember is to cleanse your skin regularly. This means washing your face twice a day, as well as after exercise to remove any sweat and dirt that may have collected on the skin. When cleansing, be sure to use a mild cleanser – preferably with no color or fragrance.

2. Exfoliate

Exfoliation is a key part of skin care, as it helps to clear away dead skin cells and any other impurities that may be blocking your pores. It also helps to promote cell turnover, which is essential for having healthy and youthful-looking skin. Exfoliate gently once or twice a week, using a product specifically made for face exfoliation.

3. Moisturize

Moisturizing is an absolute must for all skin types – even oily or acne-prone. This helps to prevent the skin from becoming too dry and flaky, as well as helping to lock in much-needed moisture in the skin. Make sure to use a product that is specifically suited for your skin type, as heavy creams can clog pores and cause breakouts.

4. Protect Your Skin From The Sun

We all know that the sun can do serious harm to our skin, which is why it’s so important to protect it from the sun’s damaging rays. Wear sunscreen every day, even when it’s cloudy – a lot of sun damage can occur from the UV rays that pass through the clouds. Make sure to choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and be sure to reapply every two hours (or more often if you’re swimming or sweating).

5. Don’t Over Wash

Another important skin care tip is to not over wash your face. Too much washing can strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. Instead, aim to wash your face once or twice per day and always follow up with a moisturizer.

6. Remove Makeup Before Going To Bed

Makeup can clog your pores and lead to breakouts, so it’s essential that you wash it off before going to bed. Use a gentle makeup remover or oil-based cleanser to make sure that all traces of makeup have been removed. Don’t forget to cleanse your neck area and also behind your ears, as makeup can easily build-up in these areas.

7. Stay Hydrated

Hydration is essential for healthy skin, so make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Staying hydrated helps to keep your skin looking plump and vibrant, and also helps to flush out toxins and keep your skin’s natural balance. If you struggle to drink enough water during the day, try adding some fresh fruits or herbs to your drinking water for an extra boost of flavor and nutrition.

Beautiful skin comes with dedication to a regular skin care routine. By following the tips above, you’ll be on your way to having the glowing complexion of your dreams. And always remember to be gentle with your skin – harsh treatments can cause excessive dryness and irritation, leading to long-term damage.

Effects of stress on your face

July 27th, 2022

Stress is a common feature in our lives. Different occasions cause stress, and the only way to manage the effects is to implement the necessary health practices.

When stress is not well managed, it can become a chronic condition leading to adverse consequences on your health. Stress can also become obvious on your skin, especially your face which might not be great for you.

Here are some of the effects of stress on your face

Acne

When you are stressed, the hormone, Cortisol is produced. In turn, this hormone makes the hypothalamus produce the corticotrophin-releasing hormone, known as CRH.

This hormone triggers the sebaceous glands located around the hair follicles to release oil. When this oil production is in excess, the pores become clogged, resulting in an acne breakout.

Eyebags

Eye bags are caused when there is swelling under your eyelids. As we get older, we are likely to develop bags under the eyes because the muscles around the eyes become weaker.

When people don’t get enough sleep, they become stressed. This increases the chances of having eye bags.

Rashes

It is important to note that stress has a negative profound effect on the immune system. When your immune system is weak, it can cause a bacteria imbalance in your skin and gut called dysbiosis. The effect of this imbalance is rash or redness.

Dry skin

The part of the body majorly responsible for ensuring the skin cells remain hydrated is the stratum corneum. This is the outer layer of the skin that contains lipids and protein.

If the stratum corneum is dysfunctional, your skin will become itchy and dry. The stratum corneum serves as the barrier which protects the skin. If it is impaired because of stress, it can affect skin water retention.

If you are feeling signs of stress, it is important to take time out to restrategize your life. You need to understand that stress can affect other aspects of your life apart from your skin.

Consider implementing some health practices like exercising regularly, eating a nutritious diet, sleeping for 7-8 hours, taking enough water, etc.

Natural ways to maintain a healthy skin

July 20th, 2022

If you are looking to get a healthy skin and maintain it, there are a couple of ways to achieve this. Remember that having a healthy skin helps to delay natural aging, and it also helps you to make the right health choices.

Here are some natural ways to make your skin healthy

Try to avoid the sun

If you are too exposed to the sun, you might get some skin problems like age spots, wrinkling, coloring, etc. Also, it increases the chances of skin cancer.

Therefore, you need to protect yourself from the sun by putting on clothes that reduce the sun’s intensity on your skin. Additionally, you can avoid stepping out when the sun is intense.

Remain hydrated

According to numerous research studies on the internet, taking enough water is great for your skin health. When you remain hydrated, your skin becomes healthy. It also glows and remains moisturized. To be on the safer side, you can take a minimum of 8-ounce glasses of water each day.

Eat a healthy diet

One of the cost-effective ways to nourish your skin and keep it healthy is by eating a nutritious diet. You can begin by taking foods rich in vegetables and fruits. When you reduce the amount of processed and junk foods, you will see a noticeable change in how your skin looks.

The amazing part is, that eating a healthy diet is like using a stone to kill multiple birds because apart from making your skin healthy, it comes with other benefits for your body.

Avoid substance abuse

People who abuse substances like alcohol and drugs are more likely to have less healthy skin than their counterparts who don’t. One of the symptoms of substance abuse is a change in how the skin looks. You will observe that the state of their skin looks like a deviation from the norm.

Apply aloe vera

Aloe vera comes with some healing properties that can benefit the skin. Some research studies have proved that Aloe vera is great for skin moisturizing and stimulation of new cell growth. However, you have to check in with your health provider because some people react to Aloe vera application.

HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR SKIN IS UNHEALTHY

April 9th, 2020

Not everyone has the knowledge that they have an unhealthy skin. You might see some defects on your skin, but may be unaware of the reasons why they are there. Perhaps if we paid more attention to our skin, we will discover that our overall state of health will improve.

When you see some strange defects on your skin, it is essential not to ignore them, but give extra attention.

One of the common signs to know if your skin is unhealthy is having dark circles beneath your eyes. The reason why dark circles occur is because of the thin nature of the skin below the eyes.

Hence, these dark circles show the blood below the skin. As you age, our skins becomes thinner, so it is important for us to put in extra care.

If you see dry patches on your skin occasionally then there is a chance your skin is unhealthy. To smoothen them out, all you need is to apply rich balm or cream and your skin would be back to normal.

At this phase, you need to decipher that your skin needs more hydration than before. Having dry patches on your skin could also reflect that your nutrition is not good enough.

Also, there is a tendency for you to experience mild signs of discomfort. Sometimes, it might be easier to ignore, but when it occurs more than usual, then you need to check yourself.

Your skin might be unhealthy at that instant. These mild signs of discomfort could be as a result of a new skincare product you just started using.

People who have naturally dry skins could have cracked lips. However, if your skin is not the dry type, then there is a possibility that you are Vitamin-B deficient.

This becomes more evident when the corners of your lips are very dry. To solve this, it is important to take more foods rich in Vitamin B.

It is also crucial to reach out to your healthcare provider for more health insights as regards your skin.  

5 WAYS TO CARE FOR YOUR SKIN

April 2nd, 2020

Not everyone has the luxury of time to implement intensive skin care. However, there are ways you can work around it to give yourself something worthwhile.

When you give your skin good care and make healthy choices, it would help you slow down aging and avert diverse skin issues.

One of the basic steps is to protect yourself from the sun. Someone who exposes his or her skin to the sun risks the chances of having some skin problems.

You can use a sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. Also, you can stay under the shade during periods when the sun is intense.  Another way to prevent yourself from being under the sun is to put on protective clothing.

The second proficient way to care for your skin is to avoid smoking. People who smoke tend to look older than those who do not. Smoking induces wrinkles on the skin. It makes the blood vessels narrower, and this reduces the flow of blood making the skin pale.

The fibers that impact elasticity and strength to your skin also stands the chance to be damaged. These fibers are the elastin and collagen. For those who smoke, the best way to quit is to reach out to your doctor for the needed treatments and tips that would help you.

Thirdly, ensure you handle your skin gently. When you bath, it is best to use warm water instead of hot water. Also, make sure you do not use strong soaps and detergents, mild cleansers are your best bet.

In handling your skin, ensure you shave appropriately. It is also essential to use a moisturizer especially if you have a dry skin.

The fourth step is to eat healthily. When you eat a healthy diet, it would make you look at your best. It is vital to eat lots of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and the likes. For your skin to be hydrated too, it is crucial to take much water.

To wrap it up, try all within your means to manage stress properly. When stress is not controlled effectively, there is a tendency for some skin problems to surface.

Putting the above listed measures in place would help you maintain a healthy and glowing skin.

Food Tips for People with Acne

December 9th, 2015

acne food tips

Many people experience some level of acne at some point in their lives, but few people realize how complicated a condition it is. It is not something that can be switched on or off. We have many hormones and bodily chemicals that must be in balance and be produced in proper proportions in order to have clear skin. If those hormones and chemicals are out of balance, acne is the result. A very specific diet will be one of your primary tools in fighting acne.

  • Cleansing the body and reducing inflammation is one key goal in eating to manage acne. These dietary habits are good for everyone trying to clear their systems of toxins, not just people who struggle with acne. This means consuming cleansing foods containing antioxidants as well as inflammation reducing foods, such as citrus, cinnamon, turmeric, apple cider vinegar, berries, spicy peppers, bell peppers and green tea.
  • Aiding the metabolism of fats, proteins, carbohydrates and sugars is another primary diet goal in managing acne. This means eating to aid digestion, process nutrients and vitamins, and limit intake of things that are too high in these substances. Good substances to consume are plain yogurt, flax seeds, whole grains, nuts and legumes, fish oils, vitamin B and D supplements, calcium heavy foods such as kale and milk, avocados, olive oil, lean protein such as turkey and fish, and light carbs and sugars that do not include white flour or refined sugar.
  • Eating for balanced hormones is a complicated matter. One can never guess at what their hormone levels are. One does not innately know which hormones they are deficient in and which they have an abundance of. Having said that, there are some herbs and substances, primarily plant based, that are known to have general hormone balancing qualities, such as green tea, saw palmetto, chasteberry, holy basil, white peony, spearmint tea, licorice root, nettle root and dandelion. In addition to these substances, it is wise to check your levels to know for sure, because you may be deficient in iodine, chromium and other bodily chemicals that affect your hormone production and metabolism.

Root Causes of Acne

December 9th, 2015

acne causes

There is far more inaccurate information available on acne than there is accurate. People with acne are long familiar with anyone and everyone offering them lotions and potions to help with their condition, most of which are total quackery. The most important thing that people should know about acne is that there is more than one root cause of it, the underlying causes are real medical conditions, not topical care problems and it may require a physician, a dermatologist and an endocrinologist to diagnose the problem. Your crazy aunt may think she knows best, but she is not the medical opinion to listen to.

One common cause of acne is hormone problems. Teenagers go through massive hormonal changes, which is why acne first flares up during the teen years. For most people, the natural aging process eases the hormone fluctuations and returns them to clear skin. But for others, a hormone imbalance continues to exist. Depending on which hormones are imbalanced and why, this condition can have several different names, but all of them are extremely complex to diagnose and treat.

A dysfunctional metabolism can also be a primary culprit in the skin condition acne. People with acne often have difficulty metabolizing fats, carbohydrates, proteins and sugars. Their bodies struggle to convert these substances into useful energy and they end up with chemical imbalances.

Simply having stress can cause breakouts. Western medicine is becoming more and more accepting of the fact that our mental health and our physical health affect one another. One way we have collectively acknowledged this is by studying the effects of stress on the body and learning that the body has a negative reaction to stress. For people who struggle with acne in any capacity, stress will aggravate their condition.

And lastly, other skin conditions play a part in acne as well. Conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea and shingles can all interact with acne, aggravate it and increase its frequency.

https://youtu.be/zkhnJ6FjzmA

A Word About Cleansing Routine, Sleep and Exercise

February 4th, 2015

skin cleansing exercise sleepIn this blog, we emphasize the importance of watching what you ingest in order to manage acne, which is not to reduce the importance of the other things that affect the condition of your skin; primarily sleep, exercise and your cleansing routine. Acne is a complicated infection because it requires treatment through many different methods, not just one. The best advice that modern medical science has to give about acne is that a person needs to be aware of how their lifestyle affects their skin and be prepared to make adjustments.

Your sleep schedule is an important contributing factor to the health of your skin. We all know that foregoing sleep can create dark circles under the eyes and make skin look older. Less commonly known is that foregoing sleep can lead to break outs. The body does a considerable amount of healing during sleep, and this includes balancing the system’s chemicals. Without the right amount of sleep in regular increments, the body’s chemistry can become unbalanced. Hormone production can become irregular. Oil glands can become over or under productive. Mood swings may occur. All of these things can contribute to acne. For the best skin possible, get eight hours of sleep every night at the same time every night.

Exercise is also a contributing factor to your skin’s health, particularly because it is a kickstart to the metabolism. Exercise cleanses all bodily systems with fresh blood and oxygen. It causes the body to sweat out toxins and to burn fat. A slowed metabolism, toxins and excessive fat storage can contribute to bad skin, so it is important that you maintain a daily exercise schedule, even if it is brief, in order to keep your circulation high and to purge the body of acne causing elements.

And lastly, topical skin care will always play a part in the condition of your skin. Everyone’s perfect cleansing balance is different. Some people require more exfoliation, while others require less. Some people have sensitive skin and need a light cleanser while others need to use products that are deeply penetrating. Some people require a heavy moisturizer while others are naturally very oily and need less. The most important thing to remember for your topical routine is that your skin builds a relationship with it, so be observant and conduct some trial and error.

However, if your skin was permanently altered by acne scars or other traumas, doing all of these things to care for your skin will not restore it. Instead, you may want to consider plastic surgery, laser therapy or a number of other permanent remedies that can restore your skin’s healthy look. Plastic surgery in the Okanagan is available, or in any other region of Canada. Reach out for help with your skin today!

Visit PLASTIC-SURGERY-RESOURCE.COM for More Information

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Acne Medications

February 4th, 2015

medication for acneThere are some pros and cons to acne medications. Acne medications largely consist of antibiotics and hormone medications. These options work well long term for some people and not as well for others. Many people find they have to spend time in a trial and error phase with acne medications to find the one that works right for them. Acne medication does not negate the need for a responsible diet, exercise regimen and sleep schedule for your skin’s health, but particularly in severe cases of acne, it can play a very important role.

Antibiotics for acne can be useful, but complicated. Antibiotics for acne are actually not meant to treat the infection itself, but rather are meant to alter the oil glands of the skin in order to produce less oil. The only problem with this is that skin will develop a tolerance to the antibiotic and will no longer be effective. The recommended method for taking acne antibiotics is to be on them for approximately two weeks, then off them for approximately two more weeks. Continuing this cycle will keep the skin from developing a tolerance. Antibiotics can have some negative side effects, such as photosensitivity.

Hormone medications, such as birth control for women, are also frequently used to treat acne. This is because acne is largely attributed to hormonal irregularities. Teenagers are the age group most prone to acne because of puberty and the influx of hormones in their bodies. One of the leading causes of adult acne is ongoing hormonal irregularity. Hormone medications work to balance these irregularities and clear the skin of acne. These medications can have drawbacks as well. Many people complain of drastic mood swings due to their hormone levels changing suddenly. Other people experience nausea or headaches. Again, experimentation is critical when it comes to choosing a medication that can work for you long term.

If your skin is scarred by acne, you may want to consider laser therapy or cosmetic surgery. Kelowna cosmetic surgeons can improve the appearance of your skin and restore it to its original smoothness and texture. Do not hide behind make up any longer. Instead, reach out for a permanent solution to acne scars.

Continue Reading at cosmetic-surgery-consumer-guide.com

Diet Advice for Acne Prone People

September 3rd, 2014

acne diet adviceDiet is a huge piece of the healthy skin puzzle. Anyone with acne issues cannot afford to forego nutrition. The reason for this is that the skin, like every other organ, is affected by the toxicity and the medicinal qualities of the things we eat. We do not know the exact cause of acne, but we do know that in part it has to do with the skin reacting to food in an abnormal way. It could be that acne prone people lack a certain enzyme to break down ingested substances. It could be a metabolism problem. Medical science is still looking into these questions, but in the mean time, we can make correlations between ingested substances and the general health of skin.

Here is a list of foods that are known to help fight acne:

  • Vegetables of all varieties: these natural foods contain vitamins, minerals, fiber, acidity and antioxidants to fight infection.
  • Fruits of all varieties: these natural foods contain vitamins, minerals, fiber, acidity and antioxidants to fight infection.
  • Natural spices: foods such as jalapenos, habaneros, cayenne pepper, ginger and wasabi are excellent for the skin as they boost metabolism and circulation.
  • Yogurt and other probiotic supplements: probiotics are essential to intestinal health, where much of the immune system lives. The body fights infection with a strong immune system.
  • Wheat and grain carbs: these natural sources of carbs are easier on the digestive system than white flours.
  • Olive oil: good for softening the skin and arteries.
  • The right kinds of proteins: proteins that contain monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, omega 3’s and fatty acids, such as fish, nuts and avocados act as healthy moisturizers to the skin and replenish it with lipids that give it a young vibrancy.
  • Water and other hydration: as critical to the skin as it is to every other bodily system.

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