Looking After our Skin with Natural Skin Care

Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It is also pretty good at taking care of itself, with fresh and healthy skin cells continuously replacing older, worn-out ones. Unfortunately your skin is also the least protected from the harmful factors surrounding you, such as sunlight and pollution. Your lifestyle, diet, and daily routine also play a role in wearing down the natural glow and complexion.

When it comes to long-lasting natural skin care, a two-step approach works best: maintenance and protection. In the first, your goal is to maintain your skin’s natural health, while the second helps reduce the day-to-day damage caused by a busy lifestyle.

The good news is that you have a range of natural skin care products to tackle both these approaches. However, not all of these products are good for you or your skin.

• Many over-the-counter skin care products use the most inexpensive chemicals to reduce cost and increase profits.
• Preservative chemicals are often added since it takes time to package, transport, and store skin care products. Of course, they also help to increase shelf-life.
• Some products claim to offer almost instant results may rely on harsh chemicals. While these could show quick changes, you may end up causing long-term damage to your skin.

The presence of chemicals can be a worry, especially since your skin absorbs around 60 percent of products that we apply on it. As a result, these chemicals can build up over time, causing skin problems and even health complications.

Consider the case of the Roman ladies, nearly 2000 years ago, who used white face powders that contained lead. While they were thrilled with the skin whitening properties, no one realized that the lead caused mental issues after years of use.

So what can you do? Your best bet is to educate yourself about the ingredients in your favorite brands. As a general rule, natural works best, especially if certified by a responsible consumer group or the US Food and Drugs Administration.

As a starting point though try to minimize the use of petroleum jelly. It prevents the skin from breathing and traps toxins. Same goes with mineral oil as it is derived from petroleum. Watch out for sodium lauryl sulfate. This ingredient is in many skin care products. It is notorious for drying the skin and breaking down natural moisture barriers.  Talcum powder is considered by some to be a carcinogen and most color added to products is derived from coal tar.  Also check to see if your skin product contains paraben. It’s used as a preservative and is a known toxin.

Natural Skin Care Ideas at Home

At home, a few sensible lifestyle changes can also help take you closer to an effective natural skin care regime:

1. Sleep – You may have noticed temporary dark circles under your eyes after a late night out. Lack of quality sleep can dry out the skin, which increases skin ageing and causes wrinkles and skin spots. Dermatologists recommend getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.

2. Stress – Even low levels of stress causes your body to release cortisol, a natural hormone that has negative effects on the skin, causing dryness and inflammation.

3. Go natural -Today, you can choose to use completely natural skin care products that have no side effects. In fact, many common vegetables and fruits have excellent skin care properties, if used correctly. Research is now showing us the benefits of using natural oils for their moisturizing and nourishing effects.

4. Drink water – Keep the water intake up. Nothing dries the skin more than being dehydrated. To make your skin glow drink plenty of water, use a natural moisturizer, eat a nutrient dense diet to encourage collagen production and keep your skin clean.

Start today with some of these natural skin care ideas and bring out your inner glow.

Organic stores such as Sunflower Market and Whole Floods have become increasingly popular in recent years.  This is due to an increased awareness of the unhealthy nature of processed foods. Most processed and refined foods are bad for our health.

Some ingredients present in processed foods can lead to serious health problems when consumed in large quantities.

Trans Fats

Trans fats, also called hydrated fats, are the worst type of fats for human consumption.  This type of fat is artificially engineered in processed foods and is used to extend shelf life.  However, trans fats raise LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol.  HDL cholesterol is good for the body and works to prevent artery blockage by removing particles from the arteries.  LDL cholesterol, however, sticks to artery walls and causes blockage.  Eating too many processed foods can clog the arteries and eventually lead to heart complications. There is also some evidence pointing to the liver treating trans fats differently from saturated or monounsaturated fats by storing it rather than utilising it like it can with other fats.

Saturated Fats

Processed foods are usually high in saturated fats as well.  Unlike trans fats, saturated fats occur naturally and can be found in animal products such as meat and eggs.  While these fats are not as harmful as trans fats, they still raise LDL or bad cholesterol and lower HDL or good cholesterol and should not be consumed in massive quantities.

Sodium

Processed foods are also high in refined sodium.  Small amounts of naturally occurring salts like Himalayan crystal salt are actually good for the body and help to regulate the body’s fluids and blood pressure, aid in muscle contraction and help nerve function.  However, too much standard table salt (sodium chloride) can cause a hike in blood pressure, fluid retention and can place an increased strain on the heart.  Your daily intake of sodium should not exceed 1,500 mg which is less than ¾ of a teaspoon of salt.  Most Americans greatly exceed their daily intake of sodium which can lead to numerous health problems.

High-Fructose Corn Syrup

This artificial sweetener is a cost-effective means of sweetening food products and is found in many processed foods.  Recent studies suggest that this substance hurts liver function, slows the body’s metabolism and disrupts the body’s natural ability to regulate blood sugar, insulin and cholesterol.  The average American consumes approximately 63 lbs of this sweetener every year. This probably seems like an extremely high number, but high-fructose corn syrup is present in most processed foods, including whole-wheat breads, pasta sauces and ketchup.

So there you have it, eating less processed and refined foods can improve your health and help prevent life-threatening illnesses.

There is much debate in the medical field concerning the effectiveness of detox programs.  Some argue that since the benefits of a detox cannot be tangibly measured, they should be discarded altogether.  However, most people who undergo a detox report improved energy levels and overall health.  I performed a month-long full body detox and found that I had more energy, slept better and felt healthier after finishing the program.

You put numerous toxins into your body daily.  Even if your diet is not high in junk food, your body is constantly being exposed to toxins.  Soft drinks, sugars, artificial sweeteners, alcohol and caffeine are just a few toxins regularly consumed.  Perhaps you have a diet rich in fresh fruits, veggies and lean meats.  Have you considering buying organic?  If not you are still being exposed to toxins since these foods are often artificially enhanced and exposed to various pesticides and fertilizers.

The idea behind detox is that your body’s systems will run more efficiently if these toxins are removed, therefore improving your overall health.

How a Detox Works

A detox lasts for a specified amount of time and usually includes a strict diet along with a supplement which helps remove the toxins from the body.  Most detox programs gradually restrict foods that can be toxic, including sugar, meat, dairy, grains, alcohol and caffeine.  During a short time during the detox, the person is instructed to eat mainly organic fruits and vegetables.  Some sort of supplement is also taken to help remove wastes from the body.  A full body detox can last anywhere from a week to a month.

Benefits of Completing a Detox

When a detox is done properly, it has the potential to eliminate harmful wastes from the body which make a person sluggish and more prone to illness.  A detox can also assist weight loss since the removal of toxins from the body puts less stress on the liver, allowing this organ to aid more with digestion which speeds up your metabolism.  Proponents of detox suggest that a proper detox can boost the function of the lymphatic, renal, digestive and circulatory systems.  Many people who have completed a detox claim to feel more energetic and alert, to sleep more restfully and to have stronger immunity than before.

Potential Side Effects of a Detox

Just like medicines, the same detox may not work for everyone.  It is important to find a detox that works with your body and you feel comfortable with.  An improper detox can cause headaches, nausea, stomach pain and increased fatigue.  It is important to find an appropriate one and to consult a physician before and during the program.

In order to lose weight you need to do some form of exercise, and as you know it can sometimes be boring and tedious. Perhaps that is the reason why you have come across this article. You may have, like many people, previously exercised in one way or another and due to reasons beyond your control, have fallen off track. Perhaps you had a gym membership but stopped going after a couple of weeks. Or the weather has been a little too horrible to go for your regular walks.

Have you ever thought about Pilates and how it can significantly change your health and weight for the better?

What makes Pilates different from regular exercises? Well for starters Pilates is not as boring and repetitive as some other exercise options. Or as daunting as going to a commercial gym. All that ‘excessive’ testosterone. No wonder my somewhat overweight friend suddenly dropped out of our weekly exercise sessions at our local weights club. However, a couple of months later I saw her looking noticeably slimmer. Of course I had to ask her to let me in on her secret.

It was at that time that she began to open my eyes to the benefits of Pilates. Would you believe that Pilates is practised by people like Madonna? Madonna credits her gorgeous body solely to her Pilates training. Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates and focuses on balanced development through core training, flexibility training, movement and poses. It also has a cardio element.

Now how is that for something a bit different? Also your Pilates training continues outside of normal training and into your daily life as you constantly practice breathing and balance. Additionally unlike exercising you do not need to invest in expensive equipment nor an overpriced gym membership. In fact all you will need to commence your Pilates lesson is a Pilates mat. That’s it! If you don’t feel like going to the nearest Pilates class near you then try what I did and look around for a beginners DVD and try it in the privacy of your home. I purchased Pilates ‘Boot Camp Workout’ by Ann Crowther on-line and thought it was okay as a starting point for beginners.

Starting Pilates will most certainly lead to weight loss as it has that cardio element built into their sessions. These cardio movements will get your heart rate up and allow you to burn those extra calories. Weight loss won’t be the only benefit. You will also get more toned and defined muscles and improved posture through the core training. One word of advice to all who intend to start their Pilates lessons – don’t expect to see the pounds melt away instantly. Be prepared to give it time and the results will come.

Most of my adult life I have been a clean size eight. About 11 months ago, a little present from heaven made me gradually shoot up from my comfy size eight to an unshakeable size 12!  I now know how uncomfortable extra weight can be. It is even harder trying to lose it when you have a toddler to feed and take care of. You can’t seem to find the time to go on serious diets or do exercises routines mainly because of the amount of energy you need to devote to the new arrival. Even simple exercises like walking needs a bit of planning.

The day I heard that I could use green tea for weight loss piqued my interest.

I enthusiastically gathered as much information on this as I could. The one thing I found quite interesting was the actual means in which green tea helps to lose weight. We have heard that caffeine can work to help burn fat, right.  Well, green tea contains a substantial amount of caffeine which, together with a substance in green tea called epigallocatechin or EGCG for short, work to make the brain to release fat into the blood stream. The fat is then burnt for energy as opposed to it being deposited in the liver potentially causing weight gain. Sounded good to me.

For those of you whose weight gain is not because of bingeing or eating a lot of fatty foods and lack of exercise but maybe more of a metabolic reason, green tea has a solution for you. The EGCG in green tea works to speed up metabolism thus burning out fats faster and disposing off of what could end up accumulating and turning to bulky weight. This also works to block absorption of fats. The faster the metabolism rate, the more energy you have and the faster the fat in your body is burnt.

The beauty of using green tea for weight loss is you can just take it the way you take your coffee several times a day. Simply substitute your coffee and soft drinks with a few invigorating cups of green tea and you are well on your way to healthy weight loss. If you like using capsules more, or if you feel that you can remember these easier than actually taking the tea, there are green tea supplement capsules available.

I would love to lie and say that green tea can help you gain the perfect waistline in a month but reality is it takes quite a while for it to work that kind of magic on its own. Look at it as another utensil in your weight loss ‘toolbox’. You really need to incorporate the use of green tea with a sensible exercise program and most probably a calorie deficient diet in order to achieve high weight loss.

Clearly, there seems to be a correlation between green tea and weight loss. So the next time someone asks you how does green tea help you lose weight, you will be well equipped with the answer.