In a world where consumers are more aware of the foods they consume, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they are just as interested in the ingredients in their skincare products. Because not all skincare products are created equal, it is important that consumers be able to easily identify the culprits. One culprit that makes the top of the list and is found is many products, is parabens.
Parabens are synthetic chemicals founds in cosmetic and body care products and are used as a preservatives. These chemicals prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and bacteria in products, especially those that include water as an ingredient. Parabens also increase the shelf life of products which is why they are so widely used. While paragons lend so many benefits to synthetic products, they don’t offer any benefits for the human body.
A CDC experiment with more than 2500 participants proved that most people had parabens in their urine. This proves that humans are widely exposed to parabens. In FACT, the findings were as follows:
Parabéns cause the following problems and side effects:
Parabéns mimics estrogen in the body and cause hormonal imbalances. Hormonal imbalances, especially increased estrogen can lead to breast cell division, abnormal breast tissue, and even breast cancer. The hormonal disruption can harm the fertility and reproductive organs. This increases the risks for birth defects.
Common Parabens are:
There is no reason to state the obvious, but someone might need to hear it. Products that contain parabens should be avoided at all costs; They are unsafe. Natural skincare (cosmetic) and body care products are much better for overall health.
]]>Studies have uncovered a direct link between free radicals and many health conditions. Some of those conditions include but are not limited to autoimmune disorder, inflammatory disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, and aging (decrease in skin elasticity, wrinkles, gray hair, etc…). Antioxidants combat free radicals by reducing the energy of free radicals, preventing the formation of free radicals, or interrupting the oxidizing reaction to decrease the damage caused free radicals.
The human body produces different types of antioxidants including include superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and catalases. Supplements of these antioxidant enzymes can also available; However, the body does not absorb the supplement form of antioxidant as well. The best way to ensure that the body is getting the antioxidants it needs is to supplement with the building blocks that enable the body to manufacture its own antioxidants. The supplements/building blocks needed to make this possible include manganese, zinc, and copper.
Some plants, including fruits and vegetables, are considered natural antioxidants. The human body cannot produce its own supply of natural antioxidants; that is why we have to depend solely on our diet to get the amount of antioxidants our body needs.
Catechins, coumarins, indoles, and carotenoids are a group of well-known antioxidants. They are the complex compound found in just about every plant. The largest group of natural antioxidants are the carotenoids. The next largest group is the insoles. The antioxidants found in camellia sinuses plants, which is where we get green tea, oolong tea, and black tea, are the catechins.
Many vitamins and nutrients have antioxidant properties. Vitamins C, A (beta carotene), E, and B12 and nutrients coenzyme Q10, cysteine, lycopene, lutein and others are included in the list. Tumeric, ginkgo, pine bark, and a host of other herbs also provide powerful antioxidant protection for the body.
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To understand how to care for your skin, you first have to know your skin type. While it may be easy for some to identify their skin types, it may not be as easy for others. Fortunately, there are skin tests available to assist with identifying skin types.
Normal Skin:
Normal skin is skin that is neither oily or dy. It is free of acne, open pores, and cracking. Normal skin is known to be perfectly balanced. It produces just enough sebum to keep the skin from being dry, but not too much to cause the skin to be oily.
Dry Skin:
Dry skin is skin that is rough to touch, very dull, and not hydrated. Unlike normal skin, dry skin does not produce enough sebum. The lack of sebum production causes varying symptoms like cracks in the skin, inflammation, peeling or even itchy skin. Pores are very tiny, likely unnoticeable, lines are more visible, the skin lacks elasticity and feels tights.
Oily Skin:
Oily skin is usually visibly oily and oily to touch. Oily skin is oily because it over produces sebum. Too much sebum leads to other problems like enlarged pores, pimples, blemishes, and blackheads.
Combination Skin:
Combination skin is skin a mix of different skin types in the t-zone and the cheeks. The t-zone includes the forehead, chin, and nose. If the skin is oilier in the t-zone than the cheeks, it means the t-zone is over producing sebum. An oily t-zone is usually accompanied by enlarged pores and skinny skin.
Sensitive Skin:
Sensitive skin, while not one of the four basic skin types, is still a common skin type. Sensitive skin is skin that is easily irritated. The irritation can stem from internal and external factors like extreme temperatures and skin care ingredients. Symptoms of sensitive skin include, but is not limited to redness, dryness, itching, and burning.
]]>Here are 5 reasons to include water in your daily skincare journey:
It Promotes a Healthy Gut: Drinking water helps with digestion and maintaining a healthy gut. Water helps to maintain a healthy gut by regulating the bowels and flushing toxins out of the body. As long as there is adequate water intake and the gut is healthy, the skin will reap the benefits of remaining clear and free of problems.
It Promotes Tight Skin: Water is needed to keep the skin hydrated. If the skin is not hydrated, it can lead to sagging in more places than just the face. It can cause sagging all over the body. Drinking water helps with keeping the skin tight by reviving and maintaining the elasticity in the skin.
It Prevents Acne: Drinking adequate amounts of water helps to control the oil and sebum that are known for clogging pores and causing acne. Preventing excess oil and sebum secretion will result in acne free, healthy skin.
It Prevents Premature Aging: Keeping the skin hydrated results in healthier youthful looking skin. Adequate water increases the elasticity in the skin, thus helping to maintain plump, youthful skin by preventing fine lines and wrinkles away.
It Promotes Even Tone Skin: Water is needed for healthy skin. It is a blood purifier and helps to increase blood flow to the skin when there is adequate water intake. Increased blood flow to the skin gives the skin a brighter and more even skin tone.
]]>Blackheads
Blackheads are a form of comedones, skin lesions that form as a result of hair follicles being clogged with dead skin cell and oil. Blackheads get their name from the dark/black hue of the comedones shown at the opening of the skin surface. When blackheads are extracted from the skin, they are often solid, but soft to touch. It is highly recommended to use products to get rid of blackhead as oppose to picking at the skin which can lead to scarring. Exfoliating the skin (using a facial scrub or a good facial loofah), drawing the blackheads out with a good clay mask, and ensuring you are using a good 3 step system daily that includes a cleanser, toner or astringent, and a moisturizer are highly recommended in helping to keep the skin clear of blackheads.
Whiteheads
Whiteheads, like blackheads are comedones. Instead of being open at the surface of the skin, whiteheads are closed. Whiteheads are closed because the dead skin cells and oil prevent the hair follicle from opening. They often look white and pustule and are not as solid as blackheads. Picking and squeezing the whiteheads can also lead to scarring. It is highly recommended not to pick as the skin, but to use over-the-counter treatments to heal and improve them. Again, a great 3-step facial system that includes a great astringent will likely heal and rid the skin of whiteheads.
Papules
Papules are also comedones. They are small bumps, red or pink in color, on the skin that are often sensitive to touch. This is often an indication that the bumps are inflamed. Irritating the bumps further by squeezing or picking at them can lead to scarring and swelling. As with mild to moderate blackheads and whiteheads, papules can be easily treated with over-the-counter products.
Pustules
Pustules like papules are another form of inflamed comedones. They resemble a whitehead, but with a red ring surrounding the bump. The redness is caused from the inflammation. Picking at pustules can lead to scarring and dark spots. As long as there are only a few pustules visible, over-the-counter products should be able to heal and rid the skin of the pustules; however, more severe cases may require medical attention.
Nodules and Cysts
Nodules and cysts are similar in that they both form under the skin, are usually firm to touch, and are usually painful. Nodules are more firm that cysts which are filled with pus. This is one reason cysts are often mistaken for boils. Nodules and cysts should not be picked and will cause scarring and dark spots if they are picked at. Both nodules and cysts are considered a severe form of acne that often needs medical attention, but can be treated naturally with a clean diet, tons of water to flush the body, and clean skincare products, including clean masks that are known for detoxing the skin and drawing out impurities.
In Conclusion
The starting point for healing any skin issues should be to implement a daily skincare routine that consists of clean, skin-healthy ingredients that are free of chemicals and won't irritate the skin, making the problem worse. Most forms of acne can be treated with a great skincare regimen, healthy eating, and drinking lots of water. The moderate to more severe forms of acne may require attention from a dermatologist who can provide treatment to get to the root of the problem.
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Clay masks have been around for centuries and are still used today. In fact, clay masks are widely used in the beauty industry for more than just improving the health of the skin. They are also used to improve the health of hair. There are several types of clays that each provide different skin benefits. A few of the most popular clays used today include kaolin clay, bentonite clay, French green clay, and pink clay.
Note that not all clays are created equal. All clays have different mineral compositions which is why they each offer different benefits. The benefits that clay masks have in common include the following:
Additional Benefits of Kaolin Clay: Kaolin clay, also known as white clay, is made up of a mineral called kaolinite. Being mined in many places on earth including the United States and China, kaolinite is considered the most occurring clay in the world. Kaolin clay is very mild and gentle which makes it a great clay for sensitive and easily irritated skin.
Additional Benefits of Bentonite Clay: Bentonite clay is a clay that is formed after volcanic ashes age. It is typically grey or beige in color and is rich in many nutrients including calcium, magnesium, copper, potassium, silica, and iron. Bentonite clay is named after Fort Benton, Wyoming which is known for having the largest source of clay in the world.
Bentonite clay is known for being very absorbent. That property makes bentonite clay ideal for people with oily and acne prone skin. It has been known for drying up and healing acne with continued use. People with sensitive or dry skin, should avoid bentonite clay or use it minimally.
Additional Benefits of French Green Clay: French Green Clay originated in France which is where it gets part of its name. The clay gets its color from decomposed matter, algae or chlorophyll, and iron dioxide. French green clay is also known as montmorillonite or illite clay and is also (like bentonite clay) a great absorption clay.
French green clay is loaded with trace minerals and nutrients. These minerals and nutrients are what make French green clay the great healing clay that it is. Other benefits include healing blemishes and acne, firming and toning the skin, and stimulating circulation.
Additional Benefits of Pink Clay: Pink clay is usually a combination of red and white kaolin clays. Pink clay is very mild and gentle which makes it perfect for dry sensitive skin. Just like the other clays, pink clay is loaded with minerals and nutrients. It is especially rich in Silica, which is known for promoting younger looking skin and improving skin elasticity. Pink clay also leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth.
]]>Using facial scrubs to exfoliate is a very popular and easy way to exfoliate and can be very effective if done properly. By “done properly” we mean that you are not applying pressure when using a facial scrub and you are not doing it too often. Applying too much pressure or over use can cause damage to your skin.
Using facial scrubs to exfoliate benefits the skin in the same way using any other exfoliating process or tool would. It can improve the overall appearance of your skin. Removing the top layer of dead skin gives you a brighter appearance. It also enhances the absorption and benefits of the topical skincare products used.
Regular exfoliation can increase the production of collagen which improves skin elasticity, minimizes wrinkles, and helps to maintain a youthful glow. In addition, regular exfoliation minimizes breakouts by preventing clogged pores. So exfoliate as often as needed, but no more than once or twice a week.
Making sure you are properly using facial scrubs to exfoliate is very important, but making sure you are using facial scrubs with the right ingredients for your skin type is just as important. There are tons of facial scrubs on the market with varying ingredients. In our opinion, natural ingredients are always best. So find a natural facial scrub to give your skin an added boost from the vitamins and nutrients found in natural ingredients.
]]>Natural skincare is not a new fad. In fact, the first use of natural skincare dates back over 6,000 years to Ancient Egypt. The Egyptian women were so obsessed with beauty and their appearance that they discovered the wonderful benefits of using natural oils, plants and herbs on their skin. They used natural skincare to fight wrinkles, preserve their youth, and rejuvenate their skin. Egyptians were the first to document use of natural skincare, but the Chinese, Romans, and Greeks quickly followed.
Natural oils used in skincare products are often oils from plants called essential oils. Most essential oils in natural skincare products are medicinal grade oils that provide healing for a range of issues. Some of the oils are anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and even anti-fungal. Applying essential oils as well as vegetable oils like avocado, olive, and coconut oils to your skin offer the following benefits, which are also the benefits of natural skincare:
So, It should come as no surprise that natural skincare is very effective at combating skin issues and maintaining healthy skin. Natural ingredients are packed with skin healthy vitamins and nutrients that provide the same benefits when applied topically that they would provide if they were ingested. The difference being that applying natural skincare topically provides quick absorption and immediate benefits to the skin.
]]>It would be great if the foods we love so much were actually good for us. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to eat all the ice cream, pastries, hamburgers, fries, and pizza we wanted without any negative impact on our bodies what so ever. Truth is, those foods are our bodies’ enemies. Our bodies hate those foods. It shows us and often times, it shows us by causing serious skin issues/problems like acne, rosacea, eczema, etc…
The problems these foods cause usually cannot be cured with skincare, not even natural and organic skincare. Natural and organic skincare can heal the symptoms of the problems, the symptoms being the acne or the eczema, but is not a cure. The cure usually starts in the gut. It usually begins with the foods we eat.
Below is a list of skin healthy foods that I can attest have helped me heal my body and skin problems in conjunction with using Three Notes natural skincare products to heal the symptoms.
Skin Healthy Foods
These foods are loaded with the vitamins and nutrients your skin needs to be healthy and glowing. While you are considering adding these foods to your diet, also think about how you can add cleaner healthier skincare products to your daily skincare regiment. Clean eating and clean (natural and organic) skincare equals gorgeous skin. Start your journey today to become a cleaner, healthier you.
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All of us want clear, healthy, gorgeous skin. The problem with that is we are often confused about what it takes to get there. We've tried everything and still have not found a cure. That could be because we are looking in the wrong places for a cure. We are depending on topical skincare products to fix the problems we are facing with our skin.
One popular myth, skincare can cure skin ailments, has many believing that skincare alone is the cure for skin problems. Let me tell you from experience, that is so far from the truth. That is why I want to make it my business to let you know, SKINCARE is NOT the cure.
Below is a list of the five main causes for problematic skin. Notice that skincare is not a cause nor is it a cure for problematic skin. Skincare is vital in the journey to clear, healthy skin, but it only focuses on healing what appears on the surface. Topical skincare products can heal the symptoms (acne, eczema, rosacea,hyper-pigmentation, etc...), but do not remedy the problem.
Diet is placed at the top of the list for one reason; Diet plays a major role in all of the other causes listed. A poor diet triggers stress, causes inflammation, causes vitamin deficiencies, and causes hormonal imbalance. There you have it. Change your diet. It’s that simple. Really, it is.
On your journey to healthy clear skin it’s important to eat foods that eliminate inflammation, aid in balancing hormones, contains adequate vitamins and nutrients, and foods that make your gut happy. In doing so, there are foods that you will probably want to eliminate. The two at the top of my list are dairy and sugar.
Every person is different, so what works for one may not work for others. That’s why it’s important to know your body. Keep a journal of how certain foods make you feel. Eliminate foods and record how your skin is reacting to the foods you’ve eliminated. Remember, it’s important to be mindful of what you eat as well as what you put on your skin. Being mindful of these things can and will be life changing for you.
To sum it all up, great skincare is needed to help with healing skin ailments, but ultimately living a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, rest, exercise, and drinking plenty water is really the cure. When you have a stressful week or two that results in a bad breakout, great skincare is needed to help heal that break out. Skincare is also needed to maintain healthy, glowing skin.
]]>Skin problems come in many different packages and plague many people in this world. Acne, eczema, rosacea, sensitive skin, hives, and other skin conditions are the driving force behind the billions of dollars being spent on skincare products yearly. A huge portion of those billions is spent on products that are actually part of the underlying problem. That's right, the ingredients in some of the skincare products being purchased contain harmful chemicals that find their way into our bloodstream and wreak havoc on our bodies.
If you think about it, it all makes sense! While people are becoming more health conscious and beginning to understand the importance of watching what they put in their bodies, it is just as important to make better decisions about what we put on our bodies as well. Since what we put on our bodies can have as much of an impact on our health as what we put in our bodies, it is important, truth be told, to know what ingredients are included in the skincare products we're using.
A great rule of thumb to use when shopping for skincare products is, if you can't eat it, don't put it on your skin. Great skincare products are those that include natural and organic ingredients. The benefits that your skin will receive from these natural ingredients are the same as what your body would receive had you eaten them. Applying these ingredients topically allows the healing process to begin sooner.
With natural and organic skincare, your skin actually has a chance to heal acne, eczema, rosacea, and many other skin issues. In addition, you can rest easy knowing that you are not putting harmful toxic chemicals in your body. The end result of using great skincare is healthy, nourished, and refreshed skin. This is assuming that you are following a skin healthy diet, one that consists of healthy clean foods.
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