Month: October 2014

Radiant Skin for Fall

Photo Jun 03, 7 10 17 PM

Most of the country is well into fall by now (southern California seems to be stuck in an endless summer!). Fall can be a tricky time of year for your skin because it is transitioning between the warm, humid summer air and crisp, dry winter air. The best thing you can do for your skin is keep a consistent skin care routine to allow your skin to seamlessly transition between summer and winter. Wear sunscreen! It doesn't matter that you are not outside in the sun or that it is cloudy; you always need to wear sunscreen. When you are not in direct sunlight (whether it is cloudy or you are indoors by a window), the UVB rays are blocked, so you may not see a sunburn, however the UVA rays still penetrate your skin. UVA rays are very long and penetrate deep into the dermis layer of the skin, where new ...

Is Your Workplace Making You Unhealthy?

Many of us spend at least one-third of our day and half of our waking hours in the workplace. For something that consistently consumes so much of our time, it is important to make sure it is as healthy as possible. We're looking into 5 potential health traps at work and how you can correct them. Unhealthy: Sitting for extended periods of time. Sitting too much is linked to many diseases including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and depression. Between driving to work, sitting for the vast majority of the work day, driving home, and watching a few hours of television per night, the majority of the American population is sitting for up to 15 hours of their day. Working out improves overall health, however it does not negate any excessive sitting time. Make it healthy: Aside from taking time each day to exercise, become more active in your non-workout time. When you are on ...

The Benefits of Facial Massage

We all love spa treatments. Facials, massages, and body treatments have been touted in the past as "luxuries," but more research is backing these special treatments as vital to achieving optimal health, and not just another superfluous expense. Each treatment has a long list of health benefits, but today we are going to focus on one of the favorite parts of a facial: the facial massage and lymphatic drainage. Although there are many different techniques (just one quick search on YouTube yields hundreds of thousands of results), there are some common techniques that can help improve your skin, facial tone, and overall health. What is facial massage? Facial massage is not only a relaxing ritual, but it is an everyday part of a skin care routine in many places around the world, particularly in Asia. It is used by makeup artists to help prep skin for everything from red carpet events and photoshoots ...

What are Parabens?

When shopping for cosmetic and body products, have you come across the label “paraben free”? Or have you made an effort to choose products that say “paraben free” without really knowing what parabens are? Today, we’re explaining what parabens are and why you should be looking for paraben-free products. What are they? Parabens are anti-microbials that are used as preservatives in cosmetic products. These preservatives allow products to survive for months or years with minimal contamination, however they also can enter your body through your skin when you use them. Parabens come in a variety of chain lengths and the effects of all parabens are not the same. Where are they? You will find parabens in about 85% of cosmetics and personal care products, including shampoos, mascaras, foundations, and body lotions. Typically, there are multiple parabens in a product to allow for using a lower amount of each ingredient while increasing preservative activity. How do I ...