Regular exercise is key to maintaining naturally healthy skin, but hitting the gym for 30 minutes after sitting at a desk for hours on end just won’t cut it. One of the best things you can do for your skin, as well as your stress-levels and your health in general, is to move around and get your blood flowing throughout the day. Poor circulation caused by low activity during our work day can seriously affect your skin by causing puffiness, bloating, cellulite, acne, and even loss of muscle tone. Here are a few ways you can keep your circulation flowing and skin healthy throughout the day:
• Start everyday with a few stretches.
• Stand up and stretch a few times throughout the day.
• Go to the gym for a light workout at lunch.
• Take a couple quick breaks to go outside and take a walk around the block.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
4N21's top 4 Sexy Tips
1) Confidence: Beauty is about confidence. And this is true across all ages and continents. Holding your head up high with self-confidence is probably the number-one quality that people say leads to feeling and looking beautiful at any age.
2) Flexibility: People who can reinvent their "look" and let go of rigid images of beauty more easily feel attractive as they age. Tension is not an attractive feature, and holding on (or holding back) makes you appear tight. Sensuality is all about flexibility, openness and letting go. Letting go of a former self-image doesn't mean neglecting yourself. It's like learning to enjoy walking when you may have jogged in the past, or taking yoga in place of spin class. A flexible attitude toward beauty leads to the ability to adjust your fashion sense and is key to enjoying your looks at any age
3) A Radiant Smile: A person's smile is reported as the single most important physical feature that leads to being viewed as attractive. People say it conveys their inner beauty. It lets others see what they feel. And when they don't feel great, putting on a smile more often leads to feeling better. Think of a baby's smile. Does anything bring more pleasure to the eyes of others than that spontaneous, toothless grin? A generous smile is the best facelift you can have. Even better, it's free and natural.
4) Focusing on What You Have, Not on What You Don't: The sum is not always greater than its parts. This sounds counterintuitive, but when it comes to feeling beautiful, it is important to keep this in mind. Take a look at yourself and choose one feature that you like and embellish it. Delicate wrists? Wear an eye-catching watch. Thick hair? An elegant headband or jeweled clip can draw attention where you want it. Good posture? Stand tall and make everything else about you appear more attractive.
2) Flexibility: People who can reinvent their "look" and let go of rigid images of beauty more easily feel attractive as they age. Tension is not an attractive feature, and holding on (or holding back) makes you appear tight. Sensuality is all about flexibility, openness and letting go. Letting go of a former self-image doesn't mean neglecting yourself. It's like learning to enjoy walking when you may have jogged in the past, or taking yoga in place of spin class. A flexible attitude toward beauty leads to the ability to adjust your fashion sense and is key to enjoying your looks at any age
3) A Radiant Smile: A person's smile is reported as the single most important physical feature that leads to being viewed as attractive. People say it conveys their inner beauty. It lets others see what they feel. And when they don't feel great, putting on a smile more often leads to feeling better. Think of a baby's smile. Does anything bring more pleasure to the eyes of others than that spontaneous, toothless grin? A generous smile is the best facelift you can have. Even better, it's free and natural.
4) Focusing on What You Have, Not on What You Don't: The sum is not always greater than its parts. This sounds counterintuitive, but when it comes to feeling beautiful, it is important to keep this in mind. Take a look at yourself and choose one feature that you like and embellish it. Delicate wrists? Wear an eye-catching watch. Thick hair? An elegant headband or jeweled clip can draw attention where you want it. Good posture? Stand tall and make everything else about you appear more attractive.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
WHY OILY SKIN HAPPENS
Introduction
Many people suffer from oily skin. Oily skin leads to skin conditions such as acme, blemishes and blackhead. The skin appears to be shiny and thick. The coloring of oily skin is very dull and sometimes unappealing. What happens with oily skin is that the sebaceous glands are overproducing oil in the skin. Because of the overactive gland, pores become enlarged and the skin gives off a greasy look.
There are many causes of oily skin. For some people, it is heredity that causes their oily skin. For others hormonal changes in their body due to improper diet, puberty, pregnancy and birth control pills cause the sebaceous glands to become overactive. There are yet other causes to oily skin such as using the wrong cosmetics, humidity and hot weather. This article will cover the most common causes for oily skin and to correct the situation.
Improper Diet
Improper diet is one of the most common causes of oily skin. Diets full of animal and dairy fats, fried foods, processed foods, refined starches and sugars cause the sebaceous to produce more oil. Alcohol, soft drinks and junk foods are other contributors to oily skin. The body is unable to contain the oils that are being digested in those foods, plus the additional oil being produced as a result of the body trying to digest these foods. The result is the pores becoming enlarged as the body pushes the excess oils through them. The other skin problems that comes with oily skin soon develops; blackheads, blemishes and a shiny appearance.
The best way to offset the effects of an improper diet is to consume a proper diet. Stay away, or seriously limit, the foods that attributes to the oily skin (see above). Also, limit the consumption of salts. Add plenty of protein and leafy green vegetables to your daily intake. Get your daily amounts of sugar from fruits. Tying cooking with olive oil instead of vegetable oil or oils made from animal fat. With all of this, don't forget to drink eight or more full glasses of water a day.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes in the body from pregnancy, puberty and birth control pills are difficult to prevent. The body works hard to deal with the changes in hormones by increasing bodily fluids; one of these fluids happens to be sebum. You will notice the body behaving strangely to the hormonal imbalance; this includes developing oily skin. These things are a way of life, but you can offset any damages to your skin by taking vitamins and supplements. Prenatal and women's vitamins provide the body with enough of essential substances for the body to work properly. Remember to continue to demonstrate proper skin care to correct the damage done to the skin because of hormones.
Proper Skincare
Appropriate skin care is a necessity to combat oily skin. Failure to keep the skin clean of excess oil allows the oils to build up and become thick and shiny. Thoroughly cleaning the skin with a mild cleaner should be done daily on any skin type, especially oily skin. Stay away from harsh products that over-dry the skin. One of the great benefits of oily skin is that it ages slower than dry skin. Overly drying oily skin can causes it to become flaky and ages it. Use cleansers and moisturizers that are oil-based. This helps to remove the excess oils but also allows the skin to keep some of its natural essence.
Many people suffer from oily skin. Oily skin leads to skin conditions such as acme, blemishes and blackhead. The skin appears to be shiny and thick. The coloring of oily skin is very dull and sometimes unappealing. What happens with oily skin is that the sebaceous glands are overproducing oil in the skin. Because of the overactive gland, pores become enlarged and the skin gives off a greasy look.
There are many causes of oily skin. For some people, it is heredity that causes their oily skin. For others hormonal changes in their body due to improper diet, puberty, pregnancy and birth control pills cause the sebaceous glands to become overactive. There are yet other causes to oily skin such as using the wrong cosmetics, humidity and hot weather. This article will cover the most common causes for oily skin and to correct the situation.
Improper Diet
Improper diet is one of the most common causes of oily skin. Diets full of animal and dairy fats, fried foods, processed foods, refined starches and sugars cause the sebaceous to produce more oil. Alcohol, soft drinks and junk foods are other contributors to oily skin. The body is unable to contain the oils that are being digested in those foods, plus the additional oil being produced as a result of the body trying to digest these foods. The result is the pores becoming enlarged as the body pushes the excess oils through them. The other skin problems that comes with oily skin soon develops; blackheads, blemishes and a shiny appearance.
The best way to offset the effects of an improper diet is to consume a proper diet. Stay away, or seriously limit, the foods that attributes to the oily skin (see above). Also, limit the consumption of salts. Add plenty of protein and leafy green vegetables to your daily intake. Get your daily amounts of sugar from fruits. Tying cooking with olive oil instead of vegetable oil or oils made from animal fat. With all of this, don't forget to drink eight or more full glasses of water a day.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes in the body from pregnancy, puberty and birth control pills are difficult to prevent. The body works hard to deal with the changes in hormones by increasing bodily fluids; one of these fluids happens to be sebum. You will notice the body behaving strangely to the hormonal imbalance; this includes developing oily skin. These things are a way of life, but you can offset any damages to your skin by taking vitamins and supplements. Prenatal and women's vitamins provide the body with enough of essential substances for the body to work properly. Remember to continue to demonstrate proper skin care to correct the damage done to the skin because of hormones.
Proper Skincare
Appropriate skin care is a necessity to combat oily skin. Failure to keep the skin clean of excess oil allows the oils to build up and become thick and shiny. Thoroughly cleaning the skin with a mild cleaner should be done daily on any skin type, especially oily skin. Stay away from harsh products that over-dry the skin. One of the great benefits of oily skin is that it ages slower than dry skin. Overly drying oily skin can causes it to become flaky and ages it. Use cleansers and moisturizers that are oil-based. This helps to remove the excess oils but also allows the skin to keep some of its natural essence.
Friday, November 12, 2010
THE GOODNESS OF AVOCADOS
You can’t just shove junk food in your face and expect to have smooth, supple skin. But swap those cheese puffs for a cup of cottage cheese and you’ll get glowing results.
When it comes to your health, the outside reflects the inside. A dull, dry complexion is a blinking neon sign that you’re not eating right.
Lucky for you, you can put your best face forward with a better diet. Here’s how to do it with an Avocado as an example:
Face Food #1: Avocados
This creamy, green fruit is abundant in essential oils and B-complex vitamins that nourish your skin, inside and out.
Niacin (vitamin B3) is especially important for healthy skin, and avocados contain lots of it. Niacin, an anti-inflammatory, soothes irritated skin and red, blotchy skin. One avocado has 3.8 mg niacin – 27% of your daily need.
When it comes to your health, the outside reflects the inside. A dull, dry complexion is a blinking neon sign that you’re not eating right.
Lucky for you, you can put your best face forward with a better diet. Here’s how to do it with an Avocado as an example:
Face Food #1: Avocados
This creamy, green fruit is abundant in essential oils and B-complex vitamins that nourish your skin, inside and out.
Niacin (vitamin B3) is especially important for healthy skin, and avocados contain lots of it. Niacin, an anti-inflammatory, soothes irritated skin and red, blotchy skin. One avocado has 3.8 mg niacin – 27% of your daily need.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
THE TRUTH ABOUT WATER AND YOUR SKIN REVEALED
Most people have heard that drinking eight glasses of water a day will help improve their complexions and keep skin hydrated. And many of us -- by toting bottled water around everywhere we go -- make a solid effort to hit that target. But experts say there's not enough hard data to prove that drinking large quantities of water has any significant effect on your skin [source: Bellenir]. This may be difficult to believe, but it's true. Drinking eight glasses of water a day may do nothing more but make you urinate excessively.
A study done in 2002 at Dartmouth Medical School didn't find any evidence to support the idea that we should all drink eight glasses of water a day [source: Bellenir]. That doesn't mean people shouldn't drink water -- it just means that we don't necessarily need to force ourselves to drink water in excess. As far as hydrating your skin is concerned, you'd probably be better off applying moisturizer to your skin while you're still damp from the shower. This helps lock in the moisture your skin soaked up while you were bathing [source: Mayo Clinic].
When it comes to drinking water, people who are generally healthy can follow a simple rule: Drink when you're thirsty. Drinking extra water won't help you get rid of toxins -- that's what your kidneys are for, and they're going to keep doing the job whether you drink eight glasses of water a day or not [source: Potter]. No one knows exactly where the theory that people need to drink eight glasses of water a day came from. What we do know is that it isn't necessarily accurate and may not do much to keep your skin hydrated. So if you're thirsty, go ahead and drink a glass of water. If you're not, don't worry about it.
A study done in 2002 at Dartmouth Medical School didn't find any evidence to support the idea that we should all drink eight glasses of water a day [source: Bellenir]. That doesn't mean people shouldn't drink water -- it just means that we don't necessarily need to force ourselves to drink water in excess. As far as hydrating your skin is concerned, you'd probably be better off applying moisturizer to your skin while you're still damp from the shower. This helps lock in the moisture your skin soaked up while you were bathing [source: Mayo Clinic].
When it comes to drinking water, people who are generally healthy can follow a simple rule: Drink when you're thirsty. Drinking extra water won't help you get rid of toxins -- that's what your kidneys are for, and they're going to keep doing the job whether you drink eight glasses of water a day or not [source: Potter]. No one knows exactly where the theory that people need to drink eight glasses of water a day came from. What we do know is that it isn't necessarily accurate and may not do much to keep your skin hydrated. So if you're thirsty, go ahead and drink a glass of water. If you're not, don't worry about it.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
6 REASONS WHY TO USE TONER
It shrinks pores.
Applying a small amount of toner to a soft cotton ball or pad and gently blotting and wiping your face with it will remove oil and make your pores appear smaller.
It gives your skin pH balance.
Our skin is naturally acidic, normally with a pH balance of between five and six. After cleansing, due to the alkaline nature of soap, the pH balance of skin gets disturbed. When this happens your skin needs to work overtime to restore the balance (and that may result in oil), but using a toner helps to restore this balance quickly.
It adds a layer of protection.
Toners can help close pores and tighten cell gaps after cleansing, thus reducing the penetration of impurities and environmental contaminants into the skin. It can even protect and remove chlorines and minerals present in tap water.
It moisturizes.
Some toners are humectants, which means that they help to bind moisture to the skin.
It refreshes skin.
Toner can also be used in lieu of washing your skin when it's oily or dirt. It will leave your skin revitalized, even when you're on-the-go.
It can prevent ingrown hairs.
Toners containing glycolic or other alpha hydroxy acids can help to prevent ingrown hairs, so it also aids in grooming.
Applying a small amount of toner to a soft cotton ball or pad and gently blotting and wiping your face with it will remove oil and make your pores appear smaller.
It gives your skin pH balance.
Our skin is naturally acidic, normally with a pH balance of between five and six. After cleansing, due to the alkaline nature of soap, the pH balance of skin gets disturbed. When this happens your skin needs to work overtime to restore the balance (and that may result in oil), but using a toner helps to restore this balance quickly.
It adds a layer of protection.
Toners can help close pores and tighten cell gaps after cleansing, thus reducing the penetration of impurities and environmental contaminants into the skin. It can even protect and remove chlorines and minerals present in tap water.
It moisturizes.
Some toners are humectants, which means that they help to bind moisture to the skin.
It refreshes skin.
Toner can also be used in lieu of washing your skin when it's oily or dirt. It will leave your skin revitalized, even when you're on-the-go.
It can prevent ingrown hairs.
Toners containing glycolic or other alpha hydroxy acids can help to prevent ingrown hairs, so it also aids in grooming.
Friday, October 22, 2010
3 MUST HAVES IN YOUR GROCERY CART 2 KEEP YOU LOOKING YOUNG
Fill your shopping cart with foods that will fight for your right to look and feel amazing for years to come. Start munching on these goodies now to save face later...
HEMP
The omega-3 fatty acids in hemp help your skin retain moisture so you don't look like a cast member from Dawn of the Dead. Toss a tablespoon each of lemon juice, pine nuts, and shelled hemp seeds ($9 for 8 oz, manitobaharvest.com) into a blender with cup of hemp-seed oil ($10 for 8 oz, manitobaharvest.com), a chopped garlic clove, a pinch of salt, and 1/2 cup fresh basil. Whirl to create a delicious and healthy pesto. Worried about tripping the light fantastic after your snack? Don't be. Hemp is a different variety of cannabis, and it doesn't trigger positive drug tests.
PUMPKIN SEEDS
Score your dose of vitamin E, another powerful skin protector, by snacking on almonds or pumpkin or sunflower seeds. A lack of vitamin E can influence the quality and texture of your skin. Without it, your skin is at greater risk of damage from free radicals. If there is plenty of vitamin E in the membranes of cells exposed to free radicals, vitamin E will take the brunt of the attack and protect the fatty acid that surrounds all the intricate workings inside each cell.
CUCUMBER
The peel of this super-low-calorie fruit is made of silica, a building block of skin--plumping, wrinkle-preventing collagen. There's no recommended minimum intake for silica, but experts suggest at least five milligrams a day--the amount you'll get in the peel of one cucumber. Tip: Go organic. Regular cukes usually are treated with a coat of gack--inducing wax to preserve their shelf life, whereas organically grown ones often are left naked.
HEMP
The omega-3 fatty acids in hemp help your skin retain moisture so you don't look like a cast member from Dawn of the Dead. Toss a tablespoon each of lemon juice, pine nuts, and shelled hemp seeds ($9 for 8 oz, manitobaharvest.com) into a blender with cup of hemp-seed oil ($10 for 8 oz, manitobaharvest.com), a chopped garlic clove, a pinch of salt, and 1/2 cup fresh basil. Whirl to create a delicious and healthy pesto. Worried about tripping the light fantastic after your snack? Don't be. Hemp is a different variety of cannabis, and it doesn't trigger positive drug tests.
PUMPKIN SEEDS
Score your dose of vitamin E, another powerful skin protector, by snacking on almonds or pumpkin or sunflower seeds. A lack of vitamin E can influence the quality and texture of your skin. Without it, your skin is at greater risk of damage from free radicals. If there is plenty of vitamin E in the membranes of cells exposed to free radicals, vitamin E will take the brunt of the attack and protect the fatty acid that surrounds all the intricate workings inside each cell.
CUCUMBER
The peel of this super-low-calorie fruit is made of silica, a building block of skin--plumping, wrinkle-preventing collagen. There's no recommended minimum intake for silica, but experts suggest at least five milligrams a day--the amount you'll get in the peel of one cucumber. Tip: Go organic. Regular cukes usually are treated with a coat of gack--inducing wax to preserve their shelf life, whereas organically grown ones often are left naked.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
THE NAKED TRUTH, FAST FACT OF THE DAY!
Your skin is the largest and one of the most important organs in the body. It provides protection against infection, the environment and allows the body to heal from wounds. The average adult has some 22 square feet of dermis, which weighs approximately 8 pounds. Without skin, we would literally evaporate.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
CONSEQUENCES
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUxIXQza-dM
PCRM's provocative new fast-food commercial draws attention to the link between heart disease deaths and fast food. Join the conversation: http://Facebook.com/Doctors.Care http://Twitter.com/PCRM http://PCRM.org/
After watching this You Tube video, I felt a little uneasy. Then I watched this video to lighten up the situation. This is just a friendly reminder that education is key! The more you know, the more you grow (in the good way!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EyVmhCgD-Y
PCRM's provocative new fast-food commercial draws attention to the link between heart disease deaths and fast food. Join the conversation: http://Facebook.com/Doctors.Care http://Twitter.com/PCRM http://PCRM.org/
After watching this You Tube video, I felt a little uneasy. Then I watched this video to lighten up the situation. This is just a friendly reminder that education is key! The more you know, the more you grow (in the good way!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EyVmhCgD-Y
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
THE TOP 10 BEST CITIES FOR YOUR SKIN!
Best Cities for Your Skin
TotalBeauty.com ranked the top 10 best cities for skin in America. The rankings looked at factors such as pollution and sun levels, tanning beds per capita, humidity, the number of smokers, stress and diet to find the best places suited for your skin. Is yours on the list?
1. Anchorage, Alaska
2. Bismarck, North Dakota
3. Honolulu, Hawaii
4. Flagstaff, Arizona
5. Billings, Montana
6. New York City, New York
7. San Antonio, Texas
8. Washington, D.C.
9. San Francisco, California
10. Cheyenne, Wyoming
TotalBeauty.com ranked the top 10 best cities for skin in America. The rankings looked at factors such as pollution and sun levels, tanning beds per capita, humidity, the number of smokers, stress and diet to find the best places suited for your skin. Is yours on the list?
1. Anchorage, Alaska
2. Bismarck, North Dakota
3. Honolulu, Hawaii
4. Flagstaff, Arizona
5. Billings, Montana
6. New York City, New York
7. San Antonio, Texas
8. Washington, D.C.
9. San Francisco, California
10. Cheyenne, Wyoming
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
HEALTHY AGING IS POSSIBLE!
Retaining true physical in youth is absolutely impossible, and happens nowhere in nature. Unless you own a time machine, anti-aging is a misconception and aging cannot be prevented. However, and thanks to science, remaining as youthful as possible with the fringe benefits of living a few more decades is an achievable goal. So, if you want to have a healthier life, while looking good, follow these 4N21 healthy aging tips:
1.) First and foremost, SLOW DOWN! Relax a little, and try not to stress out so much
2.) Really think about the small incremental changes you can make on your path to health and wellness.
3.) While focusing on the areas where you may be deficient, give some thought on how you can dedicate focused time to healthier principals.
4.) Discover a healthier and more therapeutic nutritional regimen. Once your dietary foundation is formed, build on your personal needs and fundamentals according to your age and current state of health.
5.) Establish a routine or regimen of physical activity
6.) Embrace your life as it is
7.) Become inspired about what truly makes you happy
8.) Turn toward meaningful people in your life
9.) Don’t forget to laugh
10.) Maintain balance in all things
1.) First and foremost, SLOW DOWN! Relax a little, and try not to stress out so much
2.) Really think about the small incremental changes you can make on your path to health and wellness.
3.) While focusing on the areas where you may be deficient, give some thought on how you can dedicate focused time to healthier principals.
4.) Discover a healthier and more therapeutic nutritional regimen. Once your dietary foundation is formed, build on your personal needs and fundamentals according to your age and current state of health.
5.) Establish a routine or regimen of physical activity
6.) Embrace your life as it is
7.) Become inspired about what truly makes you happy
8.) Turn toward meaningful people in your life
9.) Don’t forget to laugh
10.) Maintain balance in all things
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