Category: Healthy Lifestyle

Information, tips, stories, and relationships necessary to live the healthy skin lifestyle.

Radiant Skin for Fall

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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 ...

A Healthy Skin Summer BBQ

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August is speeding by and we are coming up on Labor Day, a new school year, and summer coming to a close. In a last effort to get in all the summer fun we can, we are helping you plan an end-of-summer barbecue that will have each course leaving you and your guests full of delicious, skin healthy nutrients.   Hummus & Veggies Ingredients 4 cloves garlic 1 teaspoon salt 2 cans (15 oz. each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed 2/3 cup tahini 2/3 cup water 1/4 cup olive oil 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons VitaD Fortified™ Whole Food Spice Powder Assorted chopped vegetables Instructions Mince and mash the garlic with salt to create a paste. Combine the garlic paste with chickpeas, tahini, water, oil, lemon juice, and VitaD powder in food processor. Cover and blend until smooth. Add salt to taste. Add water, if necessary, to thin hummus to desired consistency and transfer to a bowl. Serve with cut vegetables to munch on before dinner. Greek ...

Stress, Cortisol, and Your Skin

Let’s talk about stress. It can be difficult to get through a day without the feeling of being overwhelmed or anxious about some aspect of our very busy lives. Stress can affect you in many different ways, both mind and body, and particularly in the appearance of your skin. When you are stressed, your body releases a set of hormones, including cortisol. Chronically high cortisol levels have a number of known health effects (including lower immune function, increased weight gain, risk for depression, interfering with memory, etc.), but it also has additional effects on the skin, including dryness, aging, overactive oil production, and redness.  Dryness The release of cortisol causes skin dryness by diminishing the skin’s ability to retain water, so your skin can become dull and dehydrated when under constant stress. This lack of moisture is why your psoriasis and eczema may worsen during periods of heavy stress. Aging High levels of cortisol will ...

Sweat It Out: Exercise and Your Skin

Summer hikes, trips to the beach, morning and evening runs, days spent at the pool…summer is full of opportunities to stay active! As beneficial as it is to shake up your fitness routine year-round, it probably happens much more during the summer- there’s nothing like the idea of being in a bikini tomorrow to get you to the gym today! Many take advantage of the warmer months to head outdoors for more workouts, which can be a great way to get fresh air and switch it up, but can also lead to a multitude of skin problems. We’re addressing common fitness and skin concerns that are particularly important during the summer. Skin Hygiene and Fitness Before and immediately after participating in a sweaty activity, wash your face with a gentle, pH balancing cleanser. This goes for men and women! You skin may be feeling oilier or more hydrated than usual because exercise promotes the production ...

SUGAR: How You are Unknowingly Aging Your Skin

Have you ever noticed that people who eat a lot of sugar and processed foods tend to look older? Or how people with antioxidant depleting habits (like smoking and tanning) seem to age faster? Lifestyle habits have a huge effect on your skin and it goes much further than how consistently you wash your face or how often you do a mask. How does sugar make our skin older? If there is an excess of sugar in the body, protein molecules and sugar molecules cross-link and create aging by-products. Your body produces antibodies in reaction to the by-products, causing inflammation. Free radicals are produced, causing further damage to your cells. There are three types of collagen in your skin. When glucose cross-links with type 3 (strongest) collagen, it transforms it into type I (weakest) and becomes rigid and inflexible. This makes it more likely your skin will develop wrinkles at an accelerated pace. What ...

Say Goodbye to Summer Skin Issues

Everywhere you look, you see short shorts, swimwear, and sunshine, which must mean that summer is finally here! Summer should be a time of carefree spontaneity, so don’t let any skin issues get in your way. From sun damage to razor burn, we are going to combat common summer skin issues for your best summer yet. Sun There is something alluring about the summer sun: long days, warm nights, and the feeling of those hot rays on your skin. Unfortunately, the comfort of being out in the warm sun comes with a hefty price: UV damage. UVA and UVB rays damage your skin in multiple ways: immediate tanning and burning, long-term aging, and increasing your chances for skin cancer. Avoid short- and long-term damage by using a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher (remember, higher SPFs aren’t necessarily better!) to guard against both types of rays. Give your SPF a supercharged ...

5 Steps to Your Best Shave

As far as skin care goes, women are often jealous of men. Men’s skin is built differently than women’s: it is about 25% thicker and has a higher collagen density, so you look younger longer…lucky! But let’s not forget that men typically do not have the benefit of covering imperfections with makeup. You have to solely rely on skin care to have the best complexion possible, and when this involves shaving, you risk some serious harm to the skin. Since shaving is an extremely important part of male grooming, we’re here to help you get the best shave for healthy skin in five easy steps. 1: Prep Always shave in the shower or directly after. The shower heat will soften your facial hair, making it easier to get your closest shave. Whether you are shaving in the shower or at your sink, the first step is to cleanse your skin. Use a cleanser ...