Dry Skin Brushing - To a Healthier Skin.

One way to achieve a healthier skin is to brush your body regularly with a firm brush. Termed Dry Skin Brushing, it is a natural skin care technique for shedding dead layer of skin cells and encouraging skin regeneration, at the same time creating a detoxifying effect by improving circulation in your body.

All you need is a body brush (with a handle for brushing your back) with bristles made from natural fiber as synthetic ones will damage your skin, and about 10-15 minutes each morning.  Start by brushing on your dry skin, first from your feet, then followed by your torso, hands, arms and brush upwards, towards the direction of your heart.  (Experts had advised to brush towards the core of the body.) Finish off with a cool shower to wash away the dead cells.

Brushed lightly on areas of thin skin and avoid facial area and sensitive parts where there are cuts, wounds and infections. For the face, you may want to consider lymphatic drainage exercise mentioned in my earlier post.

According to experts, here is a long list of what dry skin brushing can do for you.

1) Removes toxins and eliminate waste:

Brushing removes dead skin, open up pores and improves skin tone and texture. It stimulates lymph flow and blood flow. Lymph contains white blood cells and transports waste to the lymph nodes which fights bacteria and infections. By increasing circulation in our body, skin is refreshed and invigorated.

2) Strengthens immunity:

Through brushing, the process of toxins removal is accelerated. With the skin operating efficiently, more impurities are eliminated from our body and this put less stress on our liver and kidneys.

3) Increased the skin quality and treatment for cellulite:

Another benefit of brushing is the stimulation oil glands beneath the skin, restoring moisture and suppleness, enhancing the quality of skin. The massaging effects of the bristle can break down stubborn fatty deposits and prevent build up of cellulite.

A simple and powerful way to revitalize and refresh your skin, it takes just a few days to see changes and experience the benefits. If you are disciplined enough to do every day, the results are worth the time and effort.

About Sunscreen

I was not taught to use sunscreen when I was younger. In fact if I remember correctly, I used it for the first time during an outing. My friend was slathering her limbs and urged me to do same.  For once, my skin did not get sunburn easily as it usually did. Many people I believe are like me. Either they don’t know the importance of sunscreen or they don’t bother.

Come to think of it, how many children, teenagers or school athletes use sunscreen anyway? Not to blame them because to healthy and lively youths, skin care is the last thing on their minds. They are in their prime years where skin condition is tiptop.

Looking around at others who are outdoors jogging, kayaking and cycling, how many of them use it? Even those who had, did it work according to their expectations and what amount sunscreen is deemed enough?

Sunscreens come with an SPF (sun protection factor) rating, giving an indication of how long you can stay under the sun without getting sunburn. For instance, if your skin turns red after 10 minutes in the sun, then SPF 15 allows you to remain in the sun for 15 times more or 150 minutes before your skin turns red. In general, the higher the SPF number, the better protection you have.

So, say you are making your way to a nearby grocery store or waiting at a road junction to cross the road on a hot day.  SPF 15 is adequate but if you are going for activities like swimming or surfing that require few hours under the sun, SPF 30+ is good. This is the time when you should be using generous amount of sunscreen on your body. As a guide, experts have recommended at least one ounce be used for the whole body.

When you apply sunscreen, get it done it at least 15 minutes prior to going out to ensure the organics are properly absorbed and activated. After that, reapply every two to three hours because many sunscreens are not photostable (they degrade when exposed to sunlight).

Since studies shown that more than 75% of sun exposure is inadvertent, caused while carrying out our daily chores, it seems logical to use it frequently. However, there are researchers claiming that chemicals in sunscreen could generate free radicals in the presence of sunlight, causing skin cells to mutate leading to skin cancer.

I supposed balance is the key. Even if you use correctly and religiously, remind yourself that sunscreen will reduce sun exposure but cannot eliminate it. Confine your exposure to sun to early mornings or late evenings. Using umbrellas, hats and staying indoors during the hottest time of the day are some of the best ways to protect your skin.

Men’s Skin Care

In this beauty conscious society, more and more men are taking pains to care for their appearance and improve their grooming habits. They pay more attention to their skin and want to feel better about themselves.

Good skin not only gives men the assurance that they are healthy but it also upped their confidence level as they can impressed upon others at workplace.

The demand for men’s skin care products is on the increasing trend and there is a lot more information on how men can take care of their skin as compared to twenty years ago.

Gone are the days when skin care was just a woman’s concern. Today, skin care is no longer considered a feminine thing and men are allowed to indulge their skin without any shame or guilt. If it is a natural thing for women to take good care of their skin, why not for men? Read more »

Why Natural Skin Care?

We chose natural skin care products for 3 reasons, to make ourselves healthy, beautiful and be friendly to the environment at the same time.

Our skin is a sensitive and porous organ that acts as a gateway to our internal bodily system and utmost care should be given to maintain it. In order to maintain smooth, young skin and protect it from dust and pollutants, it is important to use products that can keep it soft, moist, radiant and toned.

However, due to the vast amount of skin care products in the market, many people do not know how to choose the products that are suitable for their skin types.  Furthermore, some skin care products cause more harm than good because they contain harmful chemical ingredients that may cause long term negative effects.

Natural skin care products are recommended because Read more »

Introducing 5 easy tips to good skin care

Wouldn’t it be amazing if you can look years younger than your age?  Wouldn’t it feel good if people compliment you on your skin?

Good skin is an indication that you are healthy, both on the inside and the outside. Therefore, a good skincare regimen to keep your skin clean and moisturized should consist of the following:

Tip #1 - Cleansing

Cleansing is a must-do at least twice a day, both in the morning and at night because it removes dust, pollutants and dead cells from your face. Without cleansing, our faces will appear dirty, shiny and dull and not to mention bacterial infections like acne.

To cleanse your face well, massage the cleansers onto your face in a circular motion by using your fingers and then rinse it off after a few minutes. Gently pat your face dry with a towel and do not rub as your skin tissue may stretch and sag with time. Read more »