All Posts Tagged With: "Skin Care"
How do I know if there’s bacteria in my makeup and makeup brushes and how do I prevent them from getting contaminated?
Although it’s possible for certain cosmetics to be contaminated with bacteria, this is unlikely to occur with any cosmetics manufactured by a large company and that are purchased and used within a year of their manufacture. These cosmetics usually contain preservatives that will not support bacterial growth. (Signs of bacterial growth include product separation and/or if it smells “off.”) For preservative-free cosmetics, loose powders are a good option. Because powders contain no water, they cannot support bacterial growth. Mineral makeup is an especially good option because of its indefinite shelf life and is widely available in powder foundations, blush, and eye shadow. Brushes can only harbor bacteria if it is wet. Nevertheless, it is recommended that you regularly wash your brushes with a mild shampoo and allow them to dry. Other types of make up that should pose no problem are those that are self-renewed, such as pencils and crayons that can be sharpened to reveal new cosmetic.
Leave a Comment | Posted on November 1, 2008 | Filed under: Skin CareIs it necessary to use vitamins on my skin for anti-aging? Don’t my vitamin supplements I take provide the skin benefits?
In order for vitamins to benefit the skin such as in decreasing the effects of photoaging, stimulating fibroblasts and new collagen, and providing antioxidant activity, they must be delivered to the site of action in sufficient doses. Oral supplements deliver nutrients through the bloodstream and gastrointestinal system, which limits its delivery to the skin. In fact, only about 1 percent of oral vitamin ingestion will actually reach the skin. Excess water-soluble vitamins are excreted while fat-soluble ones such as vitamin A get stored in the liver. With vitamin C for example, by the time enough is ingested to reach therapeutic levels for the skin, the body has excreted much of the vitamin. Since the skin is itself an organ capable of absorption, topically applied vitamins will deliver the molecules directly to where it’s expected to do its job while also protecting the other organs from hepatoxicity.
Leave a Comment | Posted on November 1, 2008 | Filed under: Skin CareWhat can I do about the hives that have popped up all over my face?
Hives are caused by the release of histamine from certain cells that lie along the blood vessels in the skin, which then causes blood plasma to leak out and form the pale red swellings that you experience. Histamine is a chemical that’s essentially triggered by an allergic reaction, so the best treatment is to find and remove the cause. (Antihistamines, applying cool compresses, and soaking in colloidal oatmeal baths may provide relief in the meantime.)
Sometimes it’s impossible to determine why you get hives, but some of the most common culprits are usually from stress, certain foods, drugs, or infections. Other causes can be insect bites, internal disease, pressure, vibration, cold, sunlight, and exercise.
The most common food that cause hives are nuts, chocolate, fish, tomatoes, eggs, fresh berries, and milk. Fresh, uncooked foods are also more likely than cooked, as well as food additives and preservatives, in causing hives.
Almost any prescription or non-prescription medication or over-the-counter item such as vitamins, eye and ear drops and vaginal douches, can be a potential cause for hives.
Leave a Comment | Posted on November 1, 2008 | Filed under: Skin CareWhat causes dark eye circles?
Dark eye circles are a concern as it can make a person look tired, sad or unhealthy. This common condition can come from one or more of the following factors:
- Hyperpigmentation (giving off a brown-tinged discoloration) due to increased melanin production. This one is the easiest to remedy and prevent with the use of a broad spectrum sunscreen and UV-blocking sunglasses.
- Pronounced superficial blood vessels (giving off a bluish or purplish discoloration) showing through the thin skin around the eyes.
- Undereye fat deposits that inflate the lower lid, causing dark shadows.
A wide variety of underlying issues often make this particular cosmetic concern resistant to treatment. They can be from medical problems such as kidney, liver, heart, thyroid, or hereditary blood disorders; vitamin K deficiency; Addison’s disease; or circulatory problems that cause excess fluid retention. Environmental culprits include allergies, asthma or eczema that could cause persistent itching and rubbing. Lifestyle factors such as lack of sleep, smoking, excessive alcohol, caffeine, or salt intake should also be taken into effect.
Leave a Comment | Posted on November 1, 2008 | Filed under: Skin CareHow much water should I be drinking?
Aim for half your weight in ounces. (E.g., If you weigh 130 pounds, you should be drinking 65 ounces of water.) But better still, sip water gradually throughout the day instead of all at once after feeling dehydrated (dry lips are a good indicator of the body’s dehydration), make sure that the water is filtered and at room temperature. Ice water is stressful on organs such as the kidneys and spleen and impairs digestion. Other good sources of water intake include herbal tea, broth, juice, and fresh fruit and vegetables. When considering water intake in regard to your skin’s appearance, keep in mind that this alone is unlikely to have any noticeable effect unless you’re also paying attention to key internal and topical nutrients that hydrate the skin and encourage healthy cell turnover, repair cell walls, and build connective tissue.
Leave a Comment | Posted on November 1, 2008 | Filed under: Skin Care
