Skin Care

The Powerful Anti-Aging Benefits Of Meditation

December 30, 2020 by Sarah Gray

This article reports that meditation originated in India around 1500 BCE. Some researchers think that it is possible that meditation could have started even earlier, possibly back in 3000 BCE.

Meditation is a way to not only relax the mind, but it soothes the body as well. This is one of the many reasons that it has become so popular in recent years.

Incorporating Meditation In Your Life

The first thing you really need to do, is to make a commitment to yourself to find time to meditate on a regular basis. Sometimes, you may only be able to do it twice a week and other times you may be able to fit it in daily.

Let’s Begin

You should wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing, if possible. Some people prefer to sit upright and others find it easier to meditate while laying down. Do what you find the most relaxing.

Start out with a few minutes a day. Breathe in and out slowly. Be mindful of the way your breath feels when it enters and exits your body. Let you mind release any negative or intrusive thoughts.

The more often you practice sitting in silence, the more natural it will become and the better you will feel. Some basic guidelines for meditating are recommended in this article.

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of anti-aging meditation:

Anti-Aging Meditation Reduces Stress

As revealed in this study, regular practice of mindful meditation significantly reduced the symptoms of PTSD. It is also known to reduce stress levels of an average day.

Meditation calms the body, which reduces the production of the stress hormone, cortisol.

Anti-Aging Meditation Enhances Quality Of Sleep

When the body is in a more relaxed state and there is a decrease in cortisol and adrenaline, it is easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Anxiety is reduced, so the mind is more at ease, allowing you to to get a good night’s rest.

Lack of sleep can become detrimental to your health, contributing to other disorders and diseases. Practicing mindful meditation on a regular basis will help your body to heal and will give your mind a rest, as well.

Anti-Aging Meditation Lowers Blood Pressure

If you are one of the many people who suffer from hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure, meditation would be beneficial to you. Since this practice calms the body and reduces stress, it in turn lowers blood pressure.

High blood pressure is linked to heart attacks and strokes, as well as dementia. It is worth taking a few minutes of your day to meditate and alleviate the possible risks involved with hypertension.

Anti-Aging Meditation Reduces The Risk Of Alzheimer’s Disease

This study revealed that participants who were experiencing memory loss, listened to music and/or meditated for twelve minutes each day for twelve weeks. The results showed an improvement in their memory.

Anti-Aging Meditation Benefits Mental Health

Due to the stress reducing elements of meditation, it is also extremely beneficial in reducing anxiety and helping overall mental health.

The act of being still and quiet, will calm the mind and worries seem to lessen when we focus on our breathing. Anxiety can create many other health issues, so using meditation as a coping tool is highly recommended.

Conclusion

The benefits of incorporating anti-aging meditation into your schedule, are essential in leading a longer and healthier life. You will feel better on the inside and it will show on the outside. You will be happier and your body will feel good too.

For further reading, check out: The Top 4 Foods That Age Your Skin and Aromatherapy For Your Face – Everything You Need To Know.

Image: Flickr

Aromatherapy For Your Face – Everything You Need To Know

December 1, 2020 by Sarah Gray

Aromatherapy for your face may be something you aren’t familiar with. When most of us hear the term “aromatherapy”, we think of putting essential oils in a diffuser and enjoying their scent.

Actually, there is much more to the science of aromatherapy than just using the oils in an olfactory sense. Essential oils can be extremely beneficial to the skin and can help support many different issues, such as dryness, inflammation and aging.

Always keep in mind that when putting any essential oil on the skin, you should always add it to a carrier oil first. A carrier oil will dilute the essential oil to prevent any irritation. An example of a carrier oil would be: grapeseed oil, rosehip seed oil, sunflower seed oil and jojoba oil.

Let’s take a closer look at the essential oils for aromatherapy for your face:

Lavender Essential Oil

If you suffer from blemishes or acne prone skin, then lavender essential oil would be helpful for you. Lavender is known to help unclog pores, heal sores and reduce inflammation. It is also known to reduce fine lines on the skin.

This article recommends using lavender for acne in toner form. Simply put one teaspoon of witch hazel in a small bowl and add two drops of lavender essential oil to it. Mix it up and put on a cotton ball. Apply over your face, avoiding the eye area.

Clary Sage Essential Oil

If you are noticing aging and puffiness on your face, then clary sage essential oil may be a good choice for you.

According to this article, it is also known to regulate oil production in the skin, as well as help with acne prone skin.

Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense is one of the best oils you can find, because it has so many benefits. It isn’t just aromatherapy for your face, it is also beneficial for the body and the mind.

When Frankincense is applied to the skin, it regenerates the collagen and skin cells, as well as improves elasticity. The skin will appear smoother and more youthful.

If there are any blemishes or sores on the face, you can use it to speed up the healing process.

Sandalwood Essential Oil

As we age, we will often see dark patches on our skin, otherwise known as hyperpigmentation. By using sandalwood oil on the skin, you can even out the skin tone and help lighten the dark spots.

Sandalwood also works very well to reduce the appearance of scars from acne or other skin injury.

If you suffer from inflammation from dryness of the skin, sandalwood is a great choice. Just add a couple of drops to your moisturizer before you apply it to your face.

Conclusion

Adding aromatherapy for your face is just one aspect of obtaining healthy skin. Be consistent in your skin care regimen and always use products that are designed for your skin type, whether it be dry, oily or combination.

One of the most important things you can do for your skin, is to always wear sunscreen when going outdoors. The ultra violet rays from the sun are extremely damaging to the skin. It will cause the elastin and collagen to decrease more rapidly, than if your skin was protected. There is also a much higher risk of skin cancer if it is not protected from the sun.

Always eat a healthy diet that is rich in green, leafy vegetables. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid processed foods and sugars as well. If you follow those simple guidelines, you should see an improvement in your skin and you will appear more youthful.

For further reading, check out: How Rubbing Your Face Helps Reduce Acne and The Top 4 Foods That Age Your Skin.

Image: Flickr

The Top 4 Foods That Age Your Skin

November 17, 2020 by Sarah Gray

Foods that age your skin, are usually the foods that you enjoy the most. Many of us feel that our complexion doesn’t look its best after indulging in sweets or alcohol. You may find that after consuming those things, you will notice increased blemishes, dryness and inflammation.

Eating an unhealthy diet on a regular basis will most definitely affect the appearance and health of your skin. Over a period of time, an increase in the aging process will be quite noticeable.

Replacing or limiting the unhealthy foods from your lifestyle, will help you continue looking youthful.

Let’s take a closer look at the top foods that age your skin:

Sugar

Eating an abundance of sugar can cause a chemical reaction in the body called “glycation”.

This article reveals that this process happens when the cells in the body have an overload of sugar. The sugar is combined with proteins and damages the collagen in the skin.

Collagen is what keeps the skin looking firm and plump. When it is destroyed by diet, sun and other factors, it appears looser and has more fine lines and wrinkles.

Alcohol

There are several important reasons why alcohol is bad for your skin. First of all, it dehydrates the body, which contributes to dry and wrinkling skin.

Secondly, alcohol is a toxin to the body, which can strongly affect the function of the liver. If the liver has difficulty filtering out the toxins left behind by the alcohol, the skin can experience acne breakouts and rosacea.

Another adverse of alcohol on the skin, is the fact that it disrupts quality sleep. When we have lack of sleep, it takes a toll on the appearance of our skin, making us look older.

Deep Fried Foods

Ingesting deep fried foods and trans fats on a regular basis, will add extra weight to the body.

When we are overweight, it puts extra strain on the rest of our organs, such as the heart and liver. This makes our skin look less vibrant and also adds to the formation of wrinkles.

Salt

We need to be mindful not to consume more salt than our bodies need. Doing so, will cause us to retain excess water.

When we hold onto fluids in the body, we will have a puffy appearance, such as under eye bags. Once the skin under the eye is stretched out, it will become more wrinkled, giving an aged appearance.

Conclusion

We all want to enjoy a dessert or treat once in a while, so don’t completely eliminate all of your favorites forever. Save your favorite cookie or cocktail for a special occasion or use it as an incentive if you accomplish a goal for the week.

If you are too restrictive, you may get frustrated and overindulge. Just pace yourself and you will eventually get accustomed to not ingesting an abundance of processed sugars and other unhealthy ingredients. Your face will appear more radiant and you will feel better as well!

In addition to the tips mentioned above, you should always drink plenty of water to keep your body and skin hydrated. It is recommended to drink half of your weight in ounces on a daily basis, to be sufficiently hydrated.

Always wear sunscreen when going outdoors. Covering your eyes with sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat will protect the skin on your face. This is a simple way to avoid sun damage that causes fine lines and crow’s feet around the eye area.

For further reading, check out: Astringent vs Toner – Which Is Better For Your Skin and Simple Under Eye Massages To Reduce Bags.

How Rubbing Your Face Helps Reduce Acne

October 20, 2020 by Sarah Gray

To reduce acne, you may not have considered facial massage as an option. Actually, rubbing your face is an excellent means to combat acne flare ups.

According to the American Academy Of Dermatology Association, it is revealed that acne is the most common skin condition in America and it affects up to fifty million people a year. Acne can develop at any age, but is primarily targeted toward people between the ages of 12 and 24.

What Causes Acne?

Before we get into ways to reduce acne, lets’ talk about what causes it in the first place.

Below are several key factors that can cause acne prone skin:

Hormones – One of the main reasons we may experience acne, is the increase or fluctuation in hormones. This is why teenagers and women who are going through menopause often experience breakouts.

Birth control pills can also have an effect on the skin. It also goes hand in hand with the menstrual cycle and why acne is more prominent around the time when females have their period.

Stress – When our body experiences stress, a natural hormone called cortisol is released. When this happens, the sebaceous glands in the skin start to produce more oil.

The dead skin cells that are on the surface of the skin will combine with the oil and clog the pores. When this happens, acne will develop.

Diet – This study shows that ingesting an abundance of sugar can wreak havoc on the skin, causing acne. To reduce the risk of developing acne, avoid eating high glycemic foods and stick to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Dairy has also been shown to influence the presence of acne.

Reduce Acne With Massage

Regular facial massages can be extremely beneficial to reduce acne. The process of stimulating the skin can loosen up the debris and cell buildup that is clogging the pores.

Professional acne facials are available at most spas. Regular treatments will provide healthier and glowing skin. Not only will you see an improvement in your inflammation, but the experience is relaxing as well.

You may find that you don’t have the time or the budget to see an esthetician on a regular basis. Don’t worry, you can still receive the same benefits when you take care of it yourself.

Cleanse Skin

First, wash your hands before touching your face.
Wet face and choose cleansing products geared toward acne prone skin.
Apply cleanser with fingertips and rub in circular motions over face, paying attention to the chin, cheeks, forehead and nasal area.
Rinse thoroughly.

Massage Skin

Apply hempseed or jojoba oil to hands.
Starting at center of chin, use the fingertips on the first three fingers of each hand and firmly massage along the jawbone to the bottom of the ear. Repeat three times
Using the same motion, continue to the middle of the chin, to the middle of the ear. Repeat three times.
Perform the same motion over the cheekbones and across the forehead. Repeat three times.
When massage is complete, lay a hot towel over the face for three minutes to open pores.

Conclusion

To reduce acne, a healthy diet should be a part of your daily lifestyle. The best food choices would be healthy green vegetables, plenty of water, along with low sugar and low carbohydrate foods.

You should always use facial skin care products that are specifically made for acne prone skin. Your skin should also be cleansed daily to remove makeup, dirt and cell buildup from the surface.

Visit your favorite esthetician on a regular basis for facials and further skin analysis as your skin improves. Once you reduce acne on your skin, you will need to change up your skin care routine. Your dermatologist and/or esthetician will be able to assist you on the plan of action.

For further reading, check out: The Best Oils For Facial Massage and Simple Under Eye Massages To Reduce Bags.

Image: Flickr

Simple Under Eye Massages To Reduce Bags

September 22, 2020 by Sarah Gray

If you want to reduce bags under your eyes, drastic measures such as surgery, don’t have to be your only option.

When there is an excess amount of fluid in the face, it will tend to look puffy. Non-invasive techniques, such as as lymphatic massage can greatly reduce the buildup of fluid under the skin.

So, what exactly causes the lymphatic fluid to increase? This article reveals that a sluggish lymphatic system, skin issues, sinus problems, such as allergies, can cause unwanted puffiness. This fluid is made up of cellular waste that surrounds the cells, which creates swelling.

When the thin skin under the eye is stretched, it will become looser and eventually cause wrinkles and bags.

Let’s take a closer look on how to reduce bags under the eyes, by using simple massage techniques:

A light moisturizer or oil should be applied to the skin prior to massage, to prevent unnecessary pulling of the skin. Repeat this routine daily.

Movement 1

Gently place your middle fingers near the inner corner of each eye. Slowly and simultaneously, slide fingers towards the outside of each eye to the temples. Repeat this movement three times.

Movement 2

Gently place your middle fingers near the inner corner of each eye. Slowly and simultaneously, slide fingers over the top of each eye on the brow area, to the temples. Repeat this movement three times.

Movement 3

Gently place your middle fingers in between each eye. Slowly and simultaneously, slide fingers over the brow bone to the temples.

An option to this movement, is to also lightly pinch the brow area with the thumb and middle finger, while sliding. Repeat this movement three times.

Movement 4

Gently place your hands together in a prayer position on the forehead. Slowly and simultaneously, slide the heels of your hands apart, until fingers reach the temples. Repeat this movement three times.

In addition to lymphatic massage, there are several other things to keep in mind to reduce bags under the eye area:

Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water. It is recommended to consume half of your body weight in ounces to be completely hydrated. This will help flush out the lymphatic system along with any toxins that have built up.

Avoid Excess Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol will dehydrate the body. When that happens, we will naturally retain water, which results in further swelling and puffiness in the face and other parts of the body.

If you are going to drink alcohol, this article recommends limiting your consumption to only two drinks. You will benefit from drinking plenty of water before you go to bed, after drinking alcohol. It will help replenish lost fluids and flush out the toxins from the alcohol.

It is also a good idea to apply a skin tightening eye cream or moisturizer around the eye area after drinking, as well.

Always Sleep On Your Back

Sleeping on your back with an extra pillow under your head, will also help reduce bags under the eyes. When we sleep on our side or on our stomach, the fluid tends to pool under the skin and we wake up looking puffy.

Get Enough Sleep

Not getting the required amount of sleep will also cause dark circles around the eyes, as well as eye bags.

The Center For Disease Control recommends that adults aged 18 and over should get a minimum of seven hours of sleep per night.

Conclusion

By following the advice mentioned above, you should see a decrease in dark circles and will reduce bags, creating a more youthful appearance.

For further reading, check out: Astringent Vs Toner – Which Is Better For Your Skin or These 5 Habits Will Make Your Face Age Faster.

Astringent Vs Toner – Which Is Better For Your Skin

September 8, 2020 by Sarah Gray

Astringent vs Toner, choosing which is the better for you is more complicated than it might initially seem. Toners and astringents are very similar, with nearly the same ingredients in their makeup and help remove leftover makeup, but crucially, they are not substitutes. Astringents and toners are perfect for a particular skin type, and you must know your skin type before you add either to your skin care routine.

While beauty brands might advertise them the same, they have different effects on acne-prone skin, oily skin, combination skin, and dry or sensitive skin. It, therefore, becomes essential to understand how they compare, the ingredients in their makeup, and how they can be applied in your journey towards a glowing complexion.

Find out all that and more below.

What is Astringent?

Astringents are made from water-based formulas with some alcohol in the composition and are used to remove excess oil and ensure clean skin. Some astringents can be alcohol-free but mild compared to products that feature alcohol in makeup. Astringents tend to be overdrying and can irritate the skin due to the alcohol content, and it is for this reason that several professionals advise against the use of astringents.

Astringents are the go-to for people with oily skin as it helps remove excess oil and are perfect for acne-prone skin type due to the presence of salicylic acid in their composition. It also helps tighten pores and balance the skin’s ph levels, making the skin feel smooth and better.

What is a Toner?

Toners generally have gentle properties compared to astringents and are more preferred by professionals. They used to be alcohol-based, but more water-based (or hydrating toner) has hit the market that helps ensure healthy skin, particularly for dry skin types, while removing excess oil.

Toners are known to feature glycolic acid, salicylic acid and other natural ingredients that hydrate the skin’s surface, leaving it smoother and softer. Some toners also contain anti-oxidants that possess anti-aging properties that would even skin tone, brighten the complexion and improve the skin’s texture.

Are toners and astringents necessary in a skincare routine?

Toners and astringents have been a part of a regular skincare routine for so long that it has become normal and rarely questioned. But this does not make it necessary, and it would interest you to know that there is no concrete proof to support the ‘cleanse, tone, moisturize’ theory.

Astringents and toners became a staple because cleansing agents used to be limited to cold creams and the essential bar soaps, which used to leave a film on your skin and required toners to remove excess dirt to keep your skin feeling smooth.

Nowadays, you don’t need to add toners and astringents to your skincare routine. Most cleansers already do an excellent job cleaning residue, except for some skin types that are incredibly oily and need toners or astringents to remove excess oil from the skin.

How does astringent vs. toner compare?

Astringent and toners have similar functions but can not be regarded as direct substitutes. This is because the ingredients in their makeup make them better suited for different skin types and serve unique purposes.

Astringents are generally harsher on the skin than toners, partly because most of them are alcohol-based. This comes in handy when treating very oily skin or acne-prone skin as the alcohol removes excess dirt and oil.

On the other hand, Toners are more water-based with ingredients like witch hazel. Although there are some alcohol-based options, they have a lower concentration than astringents. You can choose a hydrating toner to ease absorption of the products in your routine and infuse your skin with moisture, with other toners being able to balance your skin pH after cleansing.

Common astringent and toner ingredients

You should expect to find the following common ingredients in your toner or astringent.

Astringent Ingredients

Salicylic acid: When applied topically, it frees up your skin pores allowing pimples to shrink and also reduces acne by treating swelling.
Isopropyl alcohol: Helps tighten your skin spores and leave you feeling refreshed.
Glycerin: An humectant that keeps your skin hydrated by retaining moisture and an emollient that softens the surface of your skin.
Chamomile: Contains phytochemicals and polyphenols. These are potent antioxidants with anti-aging properties that protect your skin from damage by free radicals.
Lavender: The presence of lavender helps tackle wrinkles, even your skin tone and reduce acne.
Menthol: Acts as a counterirritant that helps the skin to feel cool before feeling warm.
Water: Hydrates your skin
Witch hazel: This helps ease inflammation, injury, and irritation to the skin.

Toner Ingredients

Aloe vera: Aloe vera applied topically hydrates the skin and can treat acne, sunburn and eczema.
Vitamin E: This is a powerful antioxidant with anti-aging properties that protects your skin from sun damage.
Natural ingredients
Herbal extracts
Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It also hydrates your skin.

How to apply astringent and toner

How to use Astringents

The first step is to wash your face with a facial cleanser.
Pat your face dry with a towel
Use your fingertips or drops of astringent on a cotton ball or cotton pad to apply to your face.
Follow with optional serum, then moisturizer and sunscreen.

How to use Toners

You should wash your face with your facial cleanser
There is no need to pat your face dry, as having the cleanser on your skin could better absorb the other products.
You can apply the toner on a cotton ball or cotton pad and gently brush your face or on your rubbed palm before gently touching your face with the toner.
Follow with optional serum, then moisturizer and sunscreen.

What are the effects of toners and astringents?

You might experience the following effects when using either astringents or toners.

Effects of Toners

You should not experience any adverse effects from toners because they are generally mild. The only exception will be if you have very sensitive skin, an allergy, or overuse of the product. Expect to experience one or more of the following if you use a toner on your skin at least twice daily:

Patches of dry skin
Redness of skin

Effects of Astringents

You might experience temporary tightness or a tingling sensation because the ingredients used in astringents are harsh compared to toners. If it devolves into irritated, red skin or very hot sensations, you should stop using the product as it could be too strong for you. It is crucial to avoid using astringents if you have open sores/wounds, sunburn, or eczema.

Effect of astringents/toners on skin pH

This would have been important many years back when soaps and products were predominantly alkaline. Now we know the skin is mainly acidic, and we have begun to create products that do not mess with the skin’s ph. If the product does change the skin’s pH, there should be no cause for alarm as the skin does a good job at balancing its pH.

Effect of astringents/toners on your pores

Astringents and toners do not do anything to your pores. They can not make pores bigger or smaller; it only looks that way. Both feature ingredients that can cause tightening and trap dirt and oil, making the pores more prominent and looking more significant than usual. And when they finally rid your skin of the excess dirt and oil, it gives the impression that your pores are smaller when it’s only an illusion.

Which is the right one for you?

Now you can tell them apart, but which one is right for you. Find out below as we consider each skin type and help you with an answer.

Oily skin

Oily skin types would benefit more from using astringents as the more robust composition is perfect for removing excess oil from the skin. This means making do with the occasional tingling and dryness of your skin. The alternative is alcohol-free astringent, which uses acids instead of alcohol to remove oil.

Acne-prone skin

While you need to get astringents because it clears the oil on your skin, it is not enough to be considered acne treatment medication. This is because acne is caused by oils much deeper in your pores and needs you to pick our astringents with anti-blemish properties. Astringents in this category would feature one of the following acids in their composition.

Lactic acid
Salicyclic acid
Glycolic acid

Sensitive skin

People with sensitive skin need to avoid the following ingredients toner or astringent alike.

Sodium laurel sulfate
Fragrance
Menthol
Colorants
Alcohol

You should only consider an astringent if you have oily skin. If you have non-oily sensitive skin, opting for toners instead is a no-brainer.

Dry skin

For dry skin, you need a toner with a humectant ingredient to help you lock in moisture on your skin. Your bottle should have one or more of the following:

Sodium lactate
Glycerin
Aloe vera
Hyaluronic acid

Combination skin

Combination or natural skin is neither here nor there and might benefit from a blend of astringent and toner. You can use the former in oily parts of your body and the toner everywhere else.

Summary

Astringents and toners are both great products, very similar but with their differences. The potential to overdry your skin might make you reconsider astringents, but the water-based versions more than make up for it. On the other hand, Toners do an excellent job of reducing oil on your skin while still leaving your skin refreshed, hydrated, and locking in the moisture. In the end, it boils down to your skin type and what you expect from the product. So take your time and happy shopping!