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October 15th, 2010

Healthy Skin from the Inside Out

Tons of skin products today have vitamins and minerals in them, but the most effective way to get those vitamins and minerals at work in your skin is to eat them. Your skin is built with the nutrients you give it to work with. If you have a terrible diet, you’re also likely to have terrible skin, including, possibly, acne, dry skin, dull skin, or overly oily skin. Of course, these problems need a two-prong attack, adding good products to your diet, but it all starts with what you eat.

Here are some of the nutrients that your skin needs on a daily basis to be as healthy and resilient as possible:

Vitamin C: This antioxidant can fight aging in the skin. Get it mainly through citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits. Most fruits and lots of veggies are also high in Vitamin C, though, so make sure that you’re getting your five servings of fruits and veggies in a day, and you’ll be fine.

B Vitamins: There are lots of different types of B Vitamins, and they’re all excellent for your skin for a variety of reasons. You can find B Vitamins in eggs and bananas, and they’re also easy to get from red meat, which should be eaten in moderation for other health reasons.

Vitamin D: This is another antioxidant vitamin, and it’s one of the few that your body actually manufactures. You can only get it from exposure to sunlight, though, so even if you wear sunscreen most of the time, it’s important to spend ten or fifteen minutes in the sun without protection each day that you can.

Vitamin A: This essential vitamin makes skin more elastic. You shouldn’t supplement it on its own, since an overdose can cause major problems. A good multivitamin will have just a bit of Vitamin A in it.

Check out Beautysak’s large selection of skin care products. Please call 866-828-2300 to speak to a skin care specialist about your specific skin care needs.

Vitamins and Minerals for a Healthy Body (brighthub.com)
Carolyn Scott: Why Fall Fruits & Veggies Are So Dang Good for You (huffingtonpost.com)
Top 5 Foods for Improving Your Skin Naturally (feelgoodstyle.com)

September 14th, 2010

What Do Your Hands Say About You?

You may not think about it, but one of the first things people notice about you is often your hands. Why do you think so many women spend tons of money every year making their fingernails look beautiful? Most people talk with their hands on some level or another, so they’re a very noticeable part of your anatomy. If people notice your hands when they first meet you, you want your hands to say good things about you. Here’s how to make this happen.

First of all, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! No one likes to shake hands with someone whose hands are dry and scaly. You don’t have to constantly slap lotion on your hands, though, if you use a high-quality oil-based lotion that will last through several hand washings. If you struggle with really dry skin, you can moisturize them really heavily and then wear gloves all night. The heat from your skin will help your hands soak up all that moisturizer overnight. There are some wonderful products available. Favorites inlclude Locittane Shea Butter Hand Cream and Ahava Dermud Hand Nourishing Cream.

Secondly, keep your nails in good condition. It’s a good idea to sit down once a week to give yourself a mini manicure. You can moisturize your cuticles with a special lotion, and file your nails into a shape that you like. Filing is better than cutting because it ensures that your nails are in a pretty shape, even if you like to keep them short.

Finally, you can keep your hands and nails nice by paying attention to your diet. It’s particularly important that you get calcium in your diet, which can come from leafy greens as well as milk, surprisingly. This nutrient keeps your nails strong. Also, it’s important to get good fats in your diet so that the skin of your hands stays soft and supple from the inside out.

Fingernail Health â Nutrition for Dry, Brittle Nails (lifescript.com)

August 26th, 2010

Olive Oil Will Keep You Beautiful

Image via Wikipedia

Olive oil is truly one of nature’s miracle foods. It tastes great on a salad, and it’s fantastic for your body. The fatty acids in olive oil are actually good for you. They can help fight certain diseases, keep your arteries clear, and keep you in all-around good health. Plus, these fatty acids can help you have more beautiful skin and hair. Here’s how it works.

One of the ways that olive oil works is from the inside out. If you incorporate it into your daily diet, it has been shown to keep your skin more resilient and elastic. This means more youthful looking skin. The fatty acids in olive oil may also work to keep your hair shiny and strong by providing it with the right kind of nutrition to grow in healthy and beautiful.

Olive oil can also work from the outside in. It’s a fantastic moisturizer for skin and hair alike. For your skin, you probably want to avoid using this oil on your face, since it might clog pores. You can, though, rub it lightly into skin as a massage oil or even a daily moisturizer. If you don’t care for the smell, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to cover it up nicely.

If you’re struggling with dry hair, you can also use olive oil for this. Rub a few teaspoons together between your hands, and then rub into your hair, focusing on the ends of all your strands. Make sure you and cover all your hair, and if you can’t just add some more oil in. Wrap your head in plastic wrap and then a warm towel. Leave the whole thing in for at least fifteen minutes. When you rinse it out and shampoo your hair, it will be shiny and moisturized once again.

Here are some great products which contain olive oil:

Phyto Protective Spray with Olive Oil Extract
Frederic Fekkai Glossing Conditioner with Olive Oil
Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream with Olive Oil

Olive Oil, A Golden Elixir When It Comes to Beauty (spa-treatments.suite101.com)
Olive Oil: Nature’s Moisturizer (healthmad.com)
12 alternative uses for olive oil (walletpop.com)

August 13th, 2010

Essential Oils for Essential Beauty

: Image via Wikipedia

One of nature’s most powerful items is the essential oil. This is basically an oil that is crushed, steamed, or distilled out of various parts of plants. It has long been known that certain plants can help with certain health and beauty problems. With an essential oil, the parts of the plants that are helpful are compressed into a tiny bottle, and every drop is incredibly powerful. These oils can be used for lots of different things, and they can help enhance beauty in many ways. Here are just a few ideas.

Lavender essential oil has long been one of the most popular out there. This herb grows in warm climates and has a flowery, calming scent. The oil from lavender has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, and it is also very soothing. When used on the skin, this oil can help heal acne, cuts and bruises, and other irritations. Plus, it smells wonderful. You can actually use lavender right on your skin without any dilution. Check out these great lavender beauty products.

Another excellent oil for the skin is tea tree oil. This has even stronger antiseptic properties than lavender. It can be used to fight acne, and often works well in conjunction with pink grapefruit oil, another acne-fighting essential oil. It has a strong, medicinal smell, and it has to be diluted with a base oil before it can be put on the skin.

For the hair, rosemary is a great oil. It can help calm an itchy scalp, and it can also promote circulation in the skin of the scalp. This bring vital nutrients to the hair roots and can help promote faster, healthier hair growth. Rosemary should also be diluted with a base oil, and it can be massaged into the scalp daily for healthier, more lustrous hair growth.

Try these popular beauty products that contain some of nature’s essential oils:

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Common Essential Oils and Their Uses (brighthub.com)
Three Must-Have Essential Oils (herbalmedicine.suite101.com)
Lavender: A Natural Soother! (merrymicrofiberblog.com)

July 15th, 2010

A Ridiculously Easy Way to Get Softer Skin

dr brandt flaws no more

You know how sometimes when you put on moisturizer, your skin just ends up feeling dry again within afew minutes? There are many reasons for this. You might not be using the right moisturizer. You might also be applying it incorrectly. Didn’t you know there’s a particular way you should apply moisturizer for the best results? Here are some secrets to help you choose the right moisturizer and apply it for softer skin.

First, you need to pick a moisturizer that works for you. This means choosing one that works well with your skin type during the particular stage you’re in. What works in one month might not work in the next because of the effects of weather, hormones, etc. You need a moisturizer that isn’t too heavy, especially if you have acne-prone skin, or too light if your skin ever gets dry.

You might need to play around with different options for a while. You may also need to keep three or four options on hand. One could work during the day, and another may work at night. You could use one in the summer and one in the winter, as well.

Once you have the moisturizer that is going to work for you, there is a trick to putting it on. For one thing, you want to get enough on. One pump out of a tub isn’t going to be enough. Your whole skin – forehead to décolletage – should be covered with the stuff. Also, before you put your moisturizer on, make sure your skin is somewhere between damp and dripping wet. Seriously, this helps your skin absorb the moisturizer as it’s absorbing the water. This is one simple, quick step that can really help your moisturizer work better for your skin.

Check out these greatmoisturizers and creams:

Dr. Brandt Flaws No More R3P Cream
Dr. Brandt Lineless Cream
Dr. Hauschka Moisturizing Day Cream

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Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize (stacyknows.blogspot.com)

Natural Skin Moisturizers (beyondjane.com)

Summer Beauty: Shine-Control Products (beautygirlmusings.blogspot.com)

July 7th, 2010

Creating a Preventative Skin Care Routine

Many times when people think about taking care of their skin, they think about taking steps to fix problems that are already there. They use microderm abrasion to get rid of fine lines, and they use medicated moisturizers to get rid of acne. Many people end up with these problems, though, because they fail to take proper precautions with their skin in the first place. Here are some things you need to know about setting up a preventative skin care routine that will keep you from dealing with issues like these in the first place.

First, you need to find the skin care products that are right for your needs. There are so many options out there right now that it would be ridiculous if you couldn’t find something that would be perfect. Normally, it’s best to go with products from a single line, as they are meant to work together.

You may find from experimentation that your needs change over time or with the seasons. Don’t be afraid to switch things out during these times. You may also find that nothing mainstream works well for your skin. If this is the case, you could just be sensitive to the additives in the average bottle of cleanser. Try working with something natural.

Next, make sure you make your skin care a part of your daily and weekly routines. Each day, you should wash and moisturize twice a day, using a toner and other products as necessary. Once a week, get a facial or give yourself a mini facial at home.

For an at-home facial, steam your face over a bowl of boiling water, adding in some herbs or essential oils if you like. Then, exfoliate gently with a scrubbing cleanser. Use a mask after that, one that will work with the needs of your skin at that particular time. Pat your skin dry, and use a heavy moisturizer before bed on this day.

Try these great brands of skin care products:

Moisturizer For Oily Skin (skin-creams-cleansers.suite101.com)
Skin care and chemical peel for healthier & more youthful skin (realself.com)
Redness and flaking from my Chemical Peel (realself.com)

June 16th, 2010

Three Summertime Tips for Long Hair

Hair fashion goes in phases, from short to long. Right now, long hair is definitely in style, and many women are choosing to leave their tresses flowing and natural-looking. If you’re among these women, you probably already know that taking care of long hair is a bit different from taking care of medium-length or short hair. This is even truer in the summer, when you’re exposing your hair to all kinds of extra environmental stressors.

Here are a few tips to keep your long locks looking healthy all summer long.

1. Protect your hair from sun and wind. Sun can damage your hair just like it can your skin, and wind can cause a couple of problems. It can dry your hair out, and it can also cause it to get super tangled, which could result in breakage and frizz. When you go out in the sun, use a leave-in conditioner with special hair sunscreen in it. Also, put your hair up under a scarf or loose-fitting hat to protect it from the wind.

2. Don’t wash your hair every day. Dryness can be a huge problem for summertime hair. If you wash your hair every day, this will get even worse. If your scalp gets oily, simply rub some shampoo into your roots before rinsing it. Do this instead of a full shampoo at least every other day for the healthiest possible long hair.

3. Keep that chlorine out of your hair if possible. Chlorine in pools is incredibly damaging to long hair, and if you’re a blonde, it might even turn your hair green! Protect your hair from chlorine in the first place by using a swimming cap if you’re going to be in the water for a while. If you don’t use a cap, get your hair saturated with fresh water before getting in the pool, as it will absorb less chlorinated water, and then wash it with a special chlorine-kicking shampoo after you swim.

Favorite summer hair care products include: Alterna, Phyto and Goldwell.

Haircare for Summer (haircare.suite101.com)
A Guide to Healthy Hair Care (haircare.suite101.com)
Tips for Taking Care of Hair (haircare.suite101.com)

June 4th, 2010

Quick At-Home Fixes for Dry Hair

If you’re getting ready for a date tonight and notice that your hair is dry, brittle, and lifeless, what are you going to do? You could run to the drugstore to pick up your favorite deep conditioner, but if you don’t have time for that, there are probably some items in your kitchen you can use to moisturize your hair quickly and simply. These all-natural, food-based hair conditioners might seem a little gross at first, but they’ll definitely do the trick.

1. One conditioning mask is based on honey. Honey is a humectant that attracts moisture, and egg yolks, which have cholesterol, a highly moisturizing compound, in them. Simply mix a tablespoon of honey, two tablespoons of olive or avocado oil, and one egg yolk in a bowl. If you want, you can warm it up for a few seconds in the microwave.

Gently massage the mixture into your hair, focusing on the roots. If you have a dry or itchy scalp, though, this could also be soothing for that. Wrap your hair up in a shower cap or plastic wrap, and let the mixture sit for half an hour. When you get in the shower, rinse it out and wash thoroughly.

2. The second mask uses avocado. Avocado which has lots of fat and nutrients for your hair, and mayonnaise, which is made with egg yolks. Simply blend equal amounts of each, smashing up the ripe avocado, and then rub the mixture onto your hair. Again, let it sit in plastic for half an hour before rinsing and shampooing.

If you want to make your hair extra soft and shiny after your deep conditioning treatment, try a special rinse. Blondes can mix a bit of fresh lemon juice with water, and darker-headed women can use apple cider vinegar and water. Just make sure you use the rinse before you shave, or it will sting your legs!

For dry hair, check out Alterna and Phyto hair care products for dry hair.

How to Make an Avocado Hair Treatment for Black Hair (beauty-treatments.suite101.com)
Natural Home Hair Treatments (naturalmedicine.suite101.com)

May 27th, 2010

Taking Care of Your Skin in the Summer

The needs of your skin change with every passing season, so it’s silly to let one type of skin care routine become your norm for the whole year. As we get to the summertime season, it’s important that you follow some new skin-care rules.

Here are just a few ideas to help you out:

1. Wear sunscreen! This is absolutely the most important thing you can do for your skin in the summer. You should be wearing at least SPF 15 on your face and all your exposed skin, especially easily-burn places like your décolletage. Find a spray-on sunscreen for your body if you’re in a rush, and use something light for your face that won’t clog your pores.

2. Don’t wear sunscreen all the time. This isn’t a contradiction! Your body needs about fifteen minutes a day of sun exposure without sunscreen to make enough Vitamin D, an important nutrient for your skin and your bones. Get out in the morning before you put on sunscreen or in the evening after you shower it off and garden, read, or play with your kids in the yard. Just make sure that you aren’t out for more than fifteen to thirty minutes, and don’t go out when the sun is strongest in the early afternoon.

3. Find the right moisturizer. Finding the right summertime moisturizer can be tricky, and you might actually need to keep more than one on hand for different occasions. You’re like to deal with dry skin if you’re out in the sun and wind, but if it gets hot and humid, sweat might also make your skin feel oily. The key here is to find balance. Use something with sunscreen in it during the day, and then choose a heavier moisturizer at night to replenish what you lost in the wind and sun.

And, remember to shop Beautysak for your summertime skin care needs!

Save Your Skin in the Sun! (health.yahoo.com)
Avoid Sun Damage: Summer Skin Care Tips (womenshealth.suite101.com)
Is Sunscreen Dangerous? 4 Sun Protection Do’s and Don’ts (health.usnews.com)

May 17th, 2010

Brittle Nails and Lifeless Hair? Fix Your Diet!

Lots of times when women are dealing with brittle nails, lifeless hair, and dull skin, they start throwing treatments at them. Soaks and special polishes for the nails. New shampoo, special masks, and styling products for the hair. Scrubs, rubs, and tonics for the skin. There’s nothing wrong with these things if you’re using them correctly, but sometimes, they might not actually fix the problem because sometimes, the problem is deeper.

What and how you eat can seriously affect the health and beauty of your nails, hair, and skin. Before you buy a new shampoo every other day to find one that works, why not try giving your body what it needs from the inside out?

Because your nails and hair are made up of protein cells, they can’t be built unless you’re getting enough healthy proteins. Your skin is the largest organ of your body, so of course it’s going to look dull and lifeless if your body isn’t getting the nutrition it needs! Here are just a few nutrition tips to help you make sure you get the food you need to have strong nails, shiny hair, and radiant skin.

1. Take a multivitamin every day. Even if you eat really well, you’ll still miss out on some vitamins you need, so make sure you’re getting a good multi with breakfast.

2. Eat at least five servings of fruits and veggies each day. These are packed with things like Vitamin C and Vitamin E, antioxidants that make hair shinier and skin healthier.

3. Get one or two servings of lean protein a day. This can come from meat, fish, eggs, dairy, or soy, and it will become the building blocks for your healthy nails, hair, and skin.

3. Enjoy two or three servings of low-fat dairy a day. If you have brittle nails, the calcium in dairy could help fight the problem.

Check out these great nail care products at Beautysak.com.