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The Best Foods for Dry Skin Relief

The Best Foods for Dry Skin Relief

 

The best foods for dry skin relief are those that add “moisture” from the inside out for greater health and beauty. These foods offer nutrition and healthy fats that pack a powerful punch to your skin.

Oily fish – Oily varieties of fish – sardines, mackerel and fresh tuna (not canned)  – are brimming with healthy fats known as essential fatty acids (EFAs), which can calm inflammation and keep your skin moisturized. So they’re especially great for dry skin. Try to eat fish three times a week to see the benefits. If you don’t care for fish, try high quality fish oil supplements. If you’re vegetarian, go for flaxseed or its oil (see below).

Nuts and seeds — In addition to Omega-3 fatty acids, sprinkling walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds on your dishes adds vitamins A and E and Bs, monounsaturated (healthy) fat and minerals. These antioxidants protect your body and your skin against pollutants in the atmosphere and promote supple skin.

Avocado — A powerhouse of monounsaturated fats and moisture-locking, and antioxidant vitamins E and C, this ugly fruit makes for beautiful skin. It is a must-have on the grocery list if you have dry skin. Drizzle a half an avocado with olive oil and a touch of sea salt and eat with a spoon, add chunks to a sandwich or salad, or make into guacamole.

Extra virgin olive oil — Packed with “good” fats and the antioxidant vitamin E, olive oil is considered akin to medicine in the Mediterranean and it has long been used both internally and externally to moisturize skin.  Plus it has the added benefit of looking after your heart. Use as a butter substitute in salads, pasta dishes and in cooking (just be careful; it has a very low heating point).

Spinach — The Vitamin A and iron in this leafy green improve your immune system and protect skin. According to some research, the phytochemicals in spinach, kale and other dark leafies help to keep new skin cells skin healthy and hydrated.

Don’t forget to drink plenty of water, juices and herbal teas to also help keep skin hydrated. A good anti ageing moisturiser is essential, too, to keep that nutrient-rich moisture in the skin itself.

 

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Beware: Sugar Causes Wrinkles

Beware: Sugar Causes Wrinkles

Sugar causes wrinkles – that’s the newest in the war against eating too many sweet, starchy foods. Researchers studying diabetes have incidentally learned that consuming too much sugar is as bad for your appearance as it is for the rest of your body. Furthermore,  renowned researchers like Nicholas Perricone M.D., say the effects of sugar on skin is up there with smoking and sun as a leading cause of wrinkles

How? Simple sugars — the kind you find in biscuits, cakes and many other foods, are molecules that attach to protein fibers in our cells in a damaging process called glycation. The end products of glycation is known as Advanced Glycation End products (AGE).

Simply put, sugar causes inflammation and reduces the power of collagen to rebuild the skin’s structure and increase the rate at which collagen breaks down naturally. Glycation also robs the skin of its natural moisturizer – hyaluronic acid – resulting in greater dryness and sagging.

Avoiding sugar involves more than staying away from the bakery section of the supermarket. Many processed foods you buy also contain sugar or high fructose syrup. Become a dedicated label reader! If sugar is in the first five ingredients, you would be wise to avoid the product.

Instead, opt for the healthy diet options based on a good variety of foods with low glycemic index (GI) –  that is, low in refined sugars and carbs: fresh fruits, vegetables, lean non-processed meat and whole grains. A GI of 55 or lower is best.

Because high-temperature cooking also breaks down collagen and exacerbates AGE, go for slow cooking methods like soups and stews and eat as many uncooked foods like salads and dips as possible.

Sugar causes wrinkles, and the detrimental effects of sugar on skin are becoming more apparent as research continues. For healthy skin, and a healthy body, steer clear!

 

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Tips For Helping Your Skin Look Younger

There are a so many tips out there about how to help keep your skin looking younger. We all know that just living increases our signs of aging. Crows feet, wrinkles and those lines around your mouth all add to how young you look.

However, with the right information and a good anti-aging skin care plan, it is possible to slow down the process and even minimize the appearance of those wrinkles that have already formed.
Consume A Healthy Well-Balanced Diet
Far too many people attempt to slow down the aging process from the outside in. They faithfully rub on anti-aging creams and lotions. However, even the best products won’t work as effectively as they could, if the person using them is not healthy internally. Consuming a diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, grains and lean proteins is one of the best ways to ensure that ones body is working at it’s best. Healthy people have more beautiful, younger looking skin.
Minimize Sun Exposure
Spending too much time in the sun really ages the skin. One of the simplest and most effective skin care tips is to minimize the amount of time spent in the sun. Sun screen and big hats are two powerful weapons in the fight against premature aging. It is easy to forget to apply suncreen for short trips, make sure to wear it all day, every day.
Quit Smoking or Don’t Start
Smoking can be just as damaging to the skin as too much sun. Individuals that smoke should stop. Those who haven’t started should avoid doing so. If you are not concerned about the detrimental health aspects of smoking, maybe wanting a younger appearance will the boost you need to stop!Drink Plenty of Water

Hydration plays a major role in plumping up wrinkles and making skin look younger. Most of the over-the-counter products which target wrinkles work by infusing them with hydrating ingredients. Drinking plenty of water is one way to achieve this naturally.

Get At Least 8 Hours of Sleep Every Night
Mums and wives all tend to focus on others with little time for themselves. Make sure to make time for you, starting with a good night’s sleep EVERY night!

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Looking after you skin in this cold weather

Looking after you skin in this cold weather

The weather outside may be unsightly, but your skin doesn’t have to be. How to banish dry skin and give your winter skin care regimen a boost.

For many people, the cold clear days of winter bring more than just a rosy glow to the cheeks. They also bring uncomfortable dryness to the skin of the face, hands, and feet. For some people, the problem is worse than just a general tight, dry feeling: They get skin so dry it results in flaking, cracking, even eczema (in which the skin becomes inflamed).

As soon as you turn the heat on indoors, the skin starts to dry out. It doesn’t matter if you heat your home using oil, wood, or electricity. The skin gets dry.

Sound familiar?

Moisturise More

You may have found a moisturiser that works just fine in spring and summer.  But as weather conditions change, so, too, should your skin care routine.  Find an “ointment” moisturizer that’s oil-based, rather than water-based, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a cream or lotion. (Hint: Many lotions labeled as “night creams” are oil-based.)

But choose your oils with care because not all oils are appropriate for the face. Instead, look for nonclogging oils, like avocado oil, mineral oil, primrose oil, or almond oil. Shea oil — or butter — is controversial, because it can clog facial pores.

You can also look for lotions containing “humectants,” a class of substances (including glycerine, sorbitol, and alpha-hydroxy acids) that attract moisture to your skin.

Slap on the Sunscreen

No, sunscreen isn’t just for summertime. Winter sun — combined with snow glare — can still damage your skin. Try applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and your hands (if they’re exposed) about 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply frequently if you stay outside a long time.

Give Your Hands a Hand

The skin on your hands is thinner than on most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands. That means it’s harder to keep your hands moist, especially in cold, dry weather. This can lead to itchiness and cracking. Wear gloves when you go outside; if you need to wear wool to keep your hands warm, slip on a thin cotton glove first, to avoid any irritation the wool might cause.

Grease Up Your Feet

Yes, those minty foot lotions are lovely in the hot summer months, but during the winter, your feet need stronger stuff. Try finding lotions that contain petroleum jelly or glycerine instead. And use exfoliants to get the dead skin off periodically; that helps any moisturizers you use to sink in faster and deeper.

Ban Superhot Baths

Sure, soaking in a burning-hot bath feels great after frolicking out in the cold. But the intense heat of a hot shower or bath actually breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, which can lead to a loss of moisture. You’re better off with just warm water and staying in the water a shorter amount of time.

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Strange Skin Care Tips

Many people spend hundreds of pounds per year on products to help them achieve a more youthful appearance, when there are products just sitting in their bathrooms or kitchens that produce the same effects for a much lower price. Some of the following information may seem bizarre, but these products really do work. There are household products that work for everything from acne, aging, and hair issues.

Hemorrhoid creams are great remedies for puffiness under the eye and also for fine lines. When using for eye puffiness, carefully smooth in to the puffy area, let it absorb into the skin, and then apply make-up as normal.

White toothpaste, not gel, is a great remedy for pimples. Applying at bedtime will dry the pimple out overnight. Believe it or not, but regular toothpaste is also a great remedy for mosquito and other itchy bug bites. For pimples, if one does not have the time to wait for an overnight treatment, over the counter eye drops can also be used. Applied with a cotton swab, eye drops will erase the redness after a few minutes, and then make-up can be applied as normal.

Facial masques are getting ever expensive, but a good home remedy is Pepto-Bismol. The ingredients in this tummy relief aid work well as a facial tightening masque. Remove the application with warm water. This also works great for aiding in the removal of cold sores.

If one has problematic oily skin, Milk of Magnesia is a great remedy for ceasing oil production. Just apply this to the problem area, let it dry, and then rinse with warm water before the application of make-up.

Follow these tips and you can have bright, clean skin for a fraction of the cost.

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10 Ways To Feel Better About Yourself.

1. Do not compare yourself to others – One of the worst things we can do from a confidence standpoint is compare ourselves to others, especially when looking at what they have that we do not have. Think of yourself as someone who is unique with talents and gifts that you can share with your friends and family. Some of the biggest confidence killers are jealousy and envy. Instead of comparing yourself, look deep inside and see what you need to improve. Don’t improve upon these things to please others, but to grow as a person.

2. Wear clothes that make you feel good – When you look good, you have confidence. Wear clothes that makes you feel good. Find the time to study your body type and wear clothes that will complement it. Don’t force yourself to wear tight fitting clothes if you know it will only make you feel uncomfortable. There are so many books, magazines and online articles about finding the best fit for your body type.

3. Sit down and make a list of your assets – Get a pen and paper, sit down, and list your assets. List not only your physical assets, but everything you know about yourself that makes you special and unique. This might include your talents, your achievements and even your goals and dreams. Then analyze which ones you want to improve on or develop and make an effort to do that.

4. Create your own style – In addition to number 2 on this list, it is also important to create your own style. What is so wonderful about the 21st century is that we do not need to conform to trends. We can now wear anything that makes us happy and comfortable, yet still remain stylish. We just need to take the time to figure out what suits us best. I am so lucky that I have a brother who is a stylist. He is always willing to lend me his styling tips, and he loves me enough to tell me when something does not look good on me.

5. Take care of your body and mind – This is a must! Remember to eat your veggies, take your vitamins and exercise (even if for just 15 minutes a day). Also, read a book, visit a museum or do anything that will help stimulate your mind and your senses. Believe me, you will love yourself even more for it.

6. Take care of skin – Our skin covers our entire body, so it’s important to take care of that too. Pamper yourself every once in awhile. Get a massage. Make sure that you wash your face. Use a toner and moisturize. Most importantly, drink plenty of water and get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. This simple regimen will help you to keep looking good.

7. Learn how to accept compliments – When someone says you look good, say thank you and just accept the compliment. If you aren’t used to doing this, it can feel awkward at first. However, learning to accept compliments instead of brushing them off will definitely help you feel good about yourself.

8. Respect your body – Even if you don’t feel 100% good about yourself, there are simple things you can do that will really perk you up. For example, get a fun haircut that you can maintain. Brush your teeth and clip your nails. Take a bath. If you are clean and well groomed, even if you are just wearing a plain shirt and jeans, you will still look great.

9. Cheer yourself up – Laughter is still the best medicine. Laugh whenever you can. Cheer yourself up when you feel low. Watch a good movie, or curl up on the couch and read a good book. Take a long walk and enjoy nature and your surroundings.

10. Accept yourself for who you are – The best way to feel great about who we are is to accept ourselves and try to grow and harness the strengths we posses within. Don’t let what other people think or say about you affect or make you feel otherwise. There are a lot of people out there who might insult you or try to bring you down. Just remember, people who sometimes say awful things to discourage you are many times insecure themselves. They may just be on a power trip. Just ignore what they say and move on.

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February Offer… Valentine treat…

February Offer…

Starting to feel the Winter blues…
The Christmas parties are just a distant memory…
Why not cheer yourself up and get pampered?

I am offering a 10% discount on any treatment during February.
If two treatments are booked and carried out at the same
appointment, then I will double the discount to 20%.

This means that you can look Beautiful and keep the other half happy at the same time!

Go on, you know you want too, you deserve it!

xx

 

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New Shellac Colours

Okay. I am a massive Shellac fan and couldn’t wait to get my hands on the new colours.  I’ve been rocking Purple Purple for the last few weeks and still loving it, may have found my new favorite! 🙂

What do you think of the new colours???

 

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Sunless spray tanning provides us with a healthy alternative to skin-damaging UV rays.

I read this on a website and thought I’d share it…

Sunless spray tanning provides us with a healthy alternative to skin-damaging UV rays.

But what else causes skin aging?

The third major cause of premature skin aging, behind UV exposure and smoking, is to be found in what we eat and drink. Most of us are aware of what foods and drinks are deemed unhealthy – but do you really know how and why?

1. Sugar

It is well known that too much sugar will make you overweight, but did you also know that it will give you wrinkles?

Sugar in your bloodstream attaches to and alters the proteins collagen and elastin – the fibres which keep your skin looking silky and smooth. The proteins then become aged and saggy, as does your skin.

2. Salt

Salt causes tissues to swell, which can harm the elastin in your skin and lead to the premature development of wrinkles.

3. Fizzy drinks

Most people are well aware of the high acidity, sugar content / nasty sugar substitutes, and tendancy for fizzy drinks to increase the amount of bacteria in your mouth (leading to bad breath).

However, soft drinks have also been found to cause serious cell damage.

Researchers at Sheffield University found that sodium benzonate – a common presevative found in most leading brands of fizzy drink – switches off vital parts of our DNA, leading to accelerated aging.

4. Additives

Additives such as tartrazine (found in buscuits and sweets) and carmoisine (ready meals) have been linked with asthma, gastic problems and skin rashes.

5. Alcohol

Alcohol can burst the blood vessels close to your skin, leaving broken veins visible on your face. It also severely dehydrates the skin, causing wrinkles.

6. Caffeine

Present in coffee, tea, hot chocolate and colas, caffeine depletes the skin of its natural moisture, damaging its ability to maintain healthy cell growth.

Caffeine is also a contributing factor to oily skin and spots.

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On Trend

What are the big nail trends to look out for this summer?

Over the last year nails have become very much an accessory, as much as a piece of jewellery or a pair of shoes.  The hot new trends coming through this season were seen on the Spring/summer catwalks.   There were lots of feminine peachy pink/nude shades, nails were very neutral and natural looking.  In contrast bright bold colours, zesty tangerine, sparkly yellows and intense blues, were also prominent.  Nail art is on the return but with just an accent nail or two adding your personal little something.

 

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