Skin Care

Image: Kenneth Lu

For many women, makeup is probably one of the best things ever invented. Although its use is still controversial for some groups but makeup is undoubtedly one of women’s go-to product when it comes to prettifying themselves. They help in covering the blemishes or the flaws on the woman’s face and they help in accentuating one’s assets. Because a lot of women think that these products are so good, they barely think that they can go bad.
Cosmetic products are quite unique when it comes to expiration dates. Unlike food items that come with ‘best before dates,’ giving you a guide as to when you can consume them, makeup works differently. The shelf life of most skin care products depend on when it is opened, how it is stored, and the type of packaging it has.
If you look closely enough on the packaging of your cosmetic product, you will notice a PAO (Period After Opening) symbol.

What is PAO?

Most skin care products have the PAO symbol which serves as a guide as to when you should throw the product after you’ve opened it. This symbol usually comes with the letter ‘M’ which stands for months and a number before it. Hence, if you notice a PAO symbol which says 3M, that simply means you can use the product within 3 months after it is first opened.

Risks of Using Expired Cosmetic Products

Like most products, expiration dates (or the PAO symbol in makeup) serve a good purpose. In food, expiration dates guide you as until when you can consume the food or else you’ll end up with an upset stomach. It’s almost the same thing with cosmetic products.
Cosmetic items can trap bacteria. When you keep on using ‘expired’ makeup, you are at risk of ruining your skin. You can end up with breakouts, skin rashes, irritation, eye infection, and stye.
The consistency of the product also changes over time. This simply means that the makeup you love may not be as good as it was when you first used it. This is true for almost every cosmetic product – from your lipstick to your mascara.
The efficiency of certain ingredients in some products is also altered over time. So, you can’t expect to get the same amount of sun protection from your expired foundation with SPF.
These are the reasons why it’s very important especially if you’re using makeup regularly to know when your favorite items would expire.

When to Throw Your Makeup

Cosmetic products have varying expiration dates. You have to remember that the more moisture the product has and the closer it comes to the eyes, the shorter is its lifespan once it is opened. Here’s a guide as to when you should throw your makeup:
Foundation
Generally, foundation has a shelf life of 6 months to a year. A good way to tell if you need to throw it away is when you start noticing that it’s separating.
You can keep your foundation germ-free for long by dripping the formula at the back of your hand instead of using your fingers to get it.
Concealer
In order to give you that silky, smooth complexion, concealer uses hydrating agents. So, when your concealer starts drying out, throw it immediately. It’ll cause you breakouts if you continually use it.
Lipstick
Most lipstick has a shelf life of 1 year. However, when you start noticing a change in its texture like when it starts to dry out, throw it out. Using expired lipstick can cause swelling or inflammation on your lips.
Mascara
Since mascara is one of those items that have more moisture in it, this makeup usually has a shelf life of 6 months or shorter. If you notice your mascara smelling weird or when it starts to get clumpy, it’s time to throw it out. Continually using it can give you eye infections.
Powder and Blush
Powder and blush are perhaps the makeup items that can last quite long. They typically have a shelf life of 2 years. But like anything else, if you notice any changes in them, don’t hesitate to toss them in the bin.
Keep in mind these guidelines the next time you buy cosmetic products. After all, you don’t want to have breakouts while you’re trying to keep yourself pretty.

Image: Joe Shlabotnik

According to Skin Cancer Foundation, about 1 in every 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of his/her lifetime. It’s the most common type of cancer that usually affects areas exposed to the sun such as the head, neck, and arms. While the exact cause of cancer is still unknown, there are ways on how to reduce one’s risk. Wearing sunscreen is one of the simplest yet often neglected ways to prevent skin cancer.

What Sunscreen Can Do For You

Natural sunlight contains ultraviolet photons. These photons are not visible to the human eye but are high in energy and shorter in wavelength. But this unseen energy can hurt you.
When the high energy photons strike the skin, they can generate free radicals and in the long run, can cause direct damage to the DNA.
There are two different types of UV rays that we’re usually exposed to – the UVA and the UVB photons. The UVA rays have longer wavelength and can penetrate the deeper layers of the skin. The free radicals that they produce are what cause immunologic problems and premature skin aging.
The shorter wavelength UVB rays, on the other hand, do not penetrate the skin as deep as the UVA rays. However, these UV rays are equally damaging as they can cause significant damage to the DNA. This type of UV rays is the culprit of the painful sunburn and skin cancer.
Wearing sunscreen is one of the simplest ways to protect ourselves from these harmful UV rays. They act as bulletproof vest, protecting us from the UV photons even before they strike the skin and cause significant damage.
Sunscreen products contain particular molecules that aid in absorbing the UV photons. They also contain inorganic pigments that help in absorbing, scattering, and reflecting the UV rays. In order for sunscreen products to become effective against UV rays, they must contain sufficient amounts of these protective agents.

What You Need To Know About Sunscreen

There are basically two types of sunscreen – the physical and the chemical sunscreen.
Physical sunscreen can provide protection against UVA and UVB rays. It can start working the moment you apply it. This is best used when you’re spending a lot of time under the sun as it can last longer. This isn’t a good option for water-related activities as water can rub it off.
In contrast with the physical sunscreen, chemical sunscreen has thinner consistency. It often takes about 20 minutes before it starts working. The problem with some chemical sunscreens is that they can cause skin irritation especially those with higher SPF.

What is SPF?

The SPF that you find in sunscreen labels stand for Sun Protection Factor. It simply refers to how likely the product protects you from the harmful rays. The number pertains to how long you can stay in direct sunlight than if you weren’t wearing sunscreen. For example, a sunscreen product with SPF 15 means you can safely stay under the sun 15 times longer than what you could do if you weren’t wearing any sunscreen at all.
Many of us have this misconception that SPF 30 is twice better than SPF 15 and so on. But dermatologists disagree. SPF rating only measures how much time it would take to get a sunburn when you’re wearing that sunscreen  as opposed to not wearing one at all. You need to remember too that SPF only pertains to the ability of the sunscreen to block the UVB rays.
Each time you come across sunscreen products, remember that SPF 15 can block 94% of UVB rays; SPF 30 can block 97% of UVB rays; and SPF 45 can block 98% of the UVB rays. Beyond that, it’s just a play on numbers as no sunscreen product can provide 100% protection.

Choosing the Right Sunscreen

Applying sunscreen may not mean that you’ll be skin cancer-free or you’ll never suffer from any form of skin damage but using one is still one of the best ways to reduce your risk. If you’re still confused on how to choose one, then the following guidelines can help you out:

• Choose “broad spectrum” protection
  Sunscreen products that offer broad spectrum protection can protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. Both UVA and UVB rays can cause significant damage on the skin, either by causing sunburn or skin cancer.

• Opt for one with an SPF of at least 30
  No sunscreen product can provide you with 100% protection. Choosing one with an SPF of at least 30 can provide you protection from UVB rays to about 97%.

• Know that “water-resistant” sunscreen is not waterproof
  Just because sunscreen products claim that it’s “water-resistant,” it doesn’t mean that you should forego re-applying it while in the water. You have to read the label as some could last for only 20 minutes while some may last for 80 minutes.

There is no such thing as a perfect sunscreen product. You have to know your needs and pick one that suits you well.

Image: Matt MacGillivray

For many of us, washing our hair is no brainer. We’ve done it so many times that it’s already part of our routine – we rinse, lather up, and rinse again. We barely spend time thinking about it, even the products that we use during the process. But would you still think of shampoo the same way if you know that these commercial hair products are loaded with toxic chemicals?

What’s In Your Commercial Shampoo

Reading the label of a commercial shampoo is like reading a book in a foreign language. It often leaves us puzzled because most of the ingredients are things we’re not familiar with. This is scary especially that everything we put on our bodies could have an impact on our overall health.
Years ago, several shampoos including those for babies have been put in the spotlight due to the presence of toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane. Some studies have shown that these chemicals are linked to the development of cancer and damage to the vital organs like the kidneys and liver. Although protests from consumers have led many of these companies to remove some of these chemicals, there’s still a lot of questionable ingredients in the commercial shampoo these days.
This growing concern on the toxins found in commercial beauty products have led some people to live a shampoo-free life. While it works for some, there are still people who can’t live without shampoo. You don’t have to feel guilty if you’re one of these people as there is a perfect alternative for you – a homemade shampoo.

Benefits Of Homemade Shampoo

There are several benefits of making your own shampoo at home. Take a look at the list below and you may be surprised how homemade shampoo can benefit you in different ways.

• It saves you money.
  Commercially-bought shampoos are generally expensive especially if you’re looking for ones that really work well for you. Hence, by making your own shampoo, you can save a lot of money. This is especially true if you’re making it for the whole family.
  

• It’s way better for you.
  Unfortunately, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate what companies put in these commercial personal care products. You are basically at the mercy of these companies who decide what goes inside your shampoo.
  

• You can make it work for you.
  By making your own shampoo, you have the control of what goes inside it, making it easier for you to come up with one that suits your hair’s needs.
  

• It doesn’t ruin the environment.
  When you’re using commercial shampoos, you’re not just dumping chemicals on your hair and causing harm on your body; you’re also causing harm to the environment. The toxic chemicals found in these shampoos can get straight into the water system.
  
  By making your own shampoo at home, you know that what goes out of the drain are nothing but just natural ingredients.
  

• It’s generally better for your home.
  Some chemicals found in commercial shampoos can damage your home’s pipelines. In the long run, this damage can cost you big time.

An Easy-To-Follow Shampoo Recipe

If this is your first time in making your own shampoo, then it’s best to stick with a simple and easy recipe. Doing so allows you to adjust to it and make it easier for you to tweak the recipe in the future. Below is an example of an easy-to-follow shampoo recipe. This is originally posted by Katie in Wellness Mama.
For this homemade shampoo, you’ll be needing:

• A quarter cup of coconut milk
• A quarter cup of liquid castile soap (an example is Dr. Bronners)
• Drops of chosen essential oils
• (Optional) ½ tsp of olive or almond oil – this is recommended if you have dry hair

Simply mix all the ingredients in your old shampoo bottle. Shake well until the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.

This homemade shampoo can be kept in the shower for a month.
Other homemade shampoo recipes contain similar ingredients. What separates this recipe from the rest is the addition of coconut milk which is great for keeping your hair soft, smooth, and healthy.
Try this recipe and see how it goes. You may never want to go back to your old shampoo again once you’ve tried this.

Image: julien haler

In the recent years, there have been reports of celebrities using coconut oil for their hair and skin. Yes, this natural oil may have proven to have health benefits when ingested but many men and women can attest that the coconut oil is more than just a cooking staple. This oil can also be used in varied ways especially if you want to go au naturel with your beauty regimen.

What’s in a Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can provide the skin with so many benefits due to the following components it has:

• Vitamin E
  Coconut oil is known for containing vitamin E. This essential vitamin is well-known for its benefits on the skin. It is vital for skin growth and repair and plays an important role in protecting the skin from drying. Vitamin E is also an essential vitamin found in many anti-aging products as this is shown to have antioxidant properties which reduces wrinkles and other signs of skin aging.
• Saturated fats
  Coconut oil has saturated fats. These are predominantly medium chain fatty acids that make the coconut oil retain the moisture of the skin when it’s applied on. Whether ingested or applied regularly on the skin, coconut oil can eventually reduce the appearance of the pores and keep the skin healthy and smooth.
• Proteins
  The proteins found in coconut oil help in keeping the skin healthy both on the inside and out. They also play a vital role in tissue repair which help in promoting good wound healing.
• Capric, caprylic, and lauric acids
  Capric, caprylic, and lauric acids are other types of medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil. These fatty acids are known for their antimicrobial properties. Hence, when the oil is applied on the skin, it can protect the skin from microbial infections that could lead to further inflammation of the skin.
  

Different Uses of Coconut Oil

There are different ways to use coconut oil on the skin. Some of the best ways to use this natural oil include the following:

1. As a makeup remover
   “Never sleep with your makeup on” is still one of the most basic yet important tips when it comes to skincare. Removing the makeup doesn’t just allow the skin to breathe but it also reduces the chances of getting breakouts.
   
   Makeup, whether it’s one from the drugstore or specialty organic store, contain certain compounds that can dry the skin and block the pores. Making it a habit to remove the makeup before sleeping can do a lot of wonders for your skin especially if you’re worried about premature skin aging.
   
   Coconut oil is a better makeup remover than most makeup removing products you can find in the market. The oil has properties that make it powerful enough to get rid any type of makeup you put on your face but still being gentle on the skin.
2. For reducing the appearance of wrinkles
   When used regularly, coconut oil can help preserve the smoothness of your face. Studies have shown that coconut oil has the ability to penetrate into the skin. With its triglycerides, it ensures repair of the collagen, the structural inner layers of the skin responsible for keeping the skin elastic and smooth.
3. As protection from sunburn
   The ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause damage to the skin cells which could contribute to premature skin aging.
   
   Coconut oil may not offer a whole day protection from the sun but with its SPF 4, it can provide some protection from the harmful rays of the sun. Also, if you end up getting sunburn, applying coconut oil on the skin can help reduce inflammation and pain.

Coconut oil is the ideal beauty product especially if you’re looking for something that’s natural, budget-friendly, and doesn’t cause long-term harmful effects on the skin. If you haven’t tried this super oil, then you’ve got to try it and experience the skin benefits many people are vouching for.

Image: Nan Palmero

Results from the online survey done by the National Coffee Association in 2013 revealed that about 83 percent of adults in the U.S. consume coffee, averaging about three cups of coffee a day per person. While a cup of coffee, whether made at home or from a coffee shop, is often seen as symbol of the modern, busy time, it doesn’t always equate to better living especially when it comes to health. Drinking too much coffee can be causing more harm than good especially on the skin.

Effects of Coffee on the Skin

There are several ways on how too much coffee can ruin your skin. These include the following:

• Dehydrating effect of caffeine
  The caffeine in a regular cup of coffee may serve a good purpose for those who wake up tired, it may not be too good especially if you’re prone to breakouts and worried about premature signs of skin aging.
  
  Like alcohol, caffeine is dehydrating. Losing hydration can have a direct impact on the skin especially on older men and women. With dehydration, the skin is more prone to inflammation and visible signs of premature aging. Add that to the effect of caffeine in the liver, toxins can build up in the skin, making you more prone to blemishes.
  

• Clogging effect of tannin
  Tannin is a chemical typically found in coffee and tea. It is often used commercially in processing leather, to make them look shiny and soft.
  
  Drinking too much coffee can cause tannin buildup, preventing skin cells from receiving the nutrients they need for healthy functioning. Too much tannins in the body also disrupts the normal functioning of the liver which plays an important role in filtering toxins from the body. Toxin buildup contributes to the development of liver spots on the skin.
  

• Acne-triggering effect of sweeteners and dairy
  If you’re fond of drinking lattes or sugar-laden coffee drinks, then you’re increasing your risk of having breakouts.
  
  Health experts believed that certain skin issues may be triggered by the dairy that one consumes. There is a strong correlation between consumption of dairy and acne. It has something to do with hormones especially that pregnant cows are usually the ones commonly used in farming. Their hormones progesterone and insulin growth factors get into their milk which make one more prone to inflammation, breakouts, and aging.
  
  Refined sugar is another additive in coffee that’s bad for the skin. It causes sudden spike in the insulin level of the body, triggering a burst of inflammation. When there is inflammation, certain enzymes are produced, breaking down the elastin and collagen of the skin. This, in turn, can lead to the appearance of fine lines and skin sagging. 

How Quitting Coffee Affects the Skin: A Case Study

Deven Hopp, a blogger, narrates in a website called Byrdie how giving up her cup of Joe has led her to clearer, better skin. Although she admitted that it wasn’t easy especially on the first few days, she revealed that this experiment has made her skin better.
Hopp’s experience in quitting coffee didn’t give her instant results. In fact, there wasn’t any noticeable difference during the first week of quitting coffee. She still had breakouts but these had cleared up during week three.
The experiment may have not led her to have that kind of “flawlessness” in the skin but combining how her skin is during the entire duration of the experiment and how she feels, she vows to stick to her no-coffee bandwagon.

Conclusion

It’s all about moderation. It’s okay if you’re not yet ready to give up your morning cup of coffee. As long as you’re drinking in moderation and without too much creamer or sweetener, you still can enjoy the taste and benefits of coffee without compromising your skin’s health.

Image: kizzzbeth

Many people think that washing the face is as simple as taking the shower. They think that it only involves three simple steps – wetting the face, applying the facial cleanser, and rinsing it off. What many people don’t realize is that washing the face is more than just about these steps. There’s a proper way of doing it.

Why You Should Do It Right

It’s important to know how to wash the face properly. When done right, regular facial washing can help in keeping a radiant and clear skin. It helps in getting rid of dirt, oil, and other unwanted debris. Plus, with the right type of skin care products, this facial routine can also help in maintaining the skin’s hydration, keeping you look younger.

Proper Way of Washing the Face

If you’ve been washing your face regularly but still have unwanted blemishes and feel like you have dull, dry skin, then you may be doing it wrong. Take a look at the steps below; you may be missing a thing or two of the proper technique of facial washing.
1. Wash your hands properly
The hands are among the most used parts of the body. Since you’ll be using your hands for washing your face, then you must make sure that they are clean.
All throughout the day, your hands accumulate a lot of dirt and bacteria. Washing your face with unkempt hands will only do more harm than good. So start by washing your hands with antibacterial soap and lukewarm water.
2. Remove your makeup
Once you have cleaned your hands, the next step is to get rid of your makeup. Removing your makeup with a gentle but effective makeup remover makes it easier for the water and the cleanser to thoroughly cleanse your skin.
You can try a makeup remover or use those that can be found in your home. You can try using baby wipes, coconut oil, baby oil, steam, or milk. These things are perfect alternatives if you’re looking for a more natural way of removing your makeup.
3. Wet the face completely
With lukewarm water, wet your face completely. Anything extreme (too hot or too cold) will shock the skin causing redness around the nose and cheek areas. It can also exacerbate skin problems like rosacea. Washing your face in the shower especially with mild steam won’t hurt as it can soften hardened oil in the pores.
4. Use the correct technique
Some people wonder why they still have dull skin and blemishes despite washing their face regularly. What many of these people miss is that there’s a correct technique of washing the face.
The proper way of doing it is through  circular motion. This motion ensures proper circulation of the lymph and the blood which helps in keeping the skin well-supplied with nutrients and oxygen.
Using the circular motion, start cleansing your face from your forehead, working down on your nose, on the cheek areas, and then finally on the chin and neck.
5. Pick the right cleanser
Even if you wash your face regularly, you still won’t have a radiant skin if you use the wrong type of cleanser. Some cleansers can be too harsh for one’s skin type that using it can make one’s skin look dull.
So, it’s best to choose a cleanser that suits your skin well.
Generally, when you’re looking for a cleanser, look for those that don’t contain fragrance. Most of them can be irritating to the skin. You may also want to look into those products that are paraben-free. Parabens are potentially toxic chemicals often used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products as preservatives.
Washing your face is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your skin healthy. But just like anything else, it’s best that you know how to do it right.
If you think you’re washing your face the wrong way, then keep this list in mind; your skin will definitely thank you for it.