Nutrition in Skincare Products

With all the buzz around keeping our bodies clean and free of harmful chemicals that have become a standard way of life for many, nutritious skincare products were born.

All natural foods have nutritional value. Nutritional values found in these foods benefit the body tremendously; in fact, they are skin’s number one nourishment when eaten or even applied directly to the skin. Fruits are rich in antioxidants that effectively fight free radicals from damaging our skin. Aside from that, it is rich in vitamins and minerals needed by the skin to maintain its youthfulness and glow while encouraging cell renewal. When taken orally, fiber which is fruit’s main component acts as the digestive system’s cleaning lady—moves out all dirt and toxins trapped in nooks and crannies of the track. Fortunately, the power of nutritious foods is now harnessed by natural skincare advocates.

Organic beauty products flood the market today. Some of the popular nutritious foods for the skin are: grapefruit, acai berries, blueberry, pomegranate, and apple. Organic beauty products are those made without the use of chemicals, and other forms of growth interference. Popular skincare line includes body creams, exfoliating body scrubs, lip balm, lip scrub, and face and eye creams.

Producers swear that organic beauty products are selling well these days. Not only that, like stated earlier, major ingredients found in every jar of these natural products are rich in antioxidants which are absorbed well by the body. Take note that nutritious foods are natural to the body which means, upon application, your body will recognize it at once and process it faster that its very confusing, chemical-laden contemporaries. That alone will help you decide if nutritious skincare products are good for your skin.

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Olive Oil for Removing Eye Makeup And Shaving Your Legs!

Need a 100% organic, environment friendly and natural eye makeup remover?  Then your quest is over because we have one right here.  This recipe is easy to do and very quick to assemble.  Bear in mind that you will not need a chemistry degree to create our all natural, eco friendly and organic eye make up remover.  All you need is 5 minutes to gather the ingredients which can be found in any grocery store or at your cupboard!

You will need a tablespoon each of castor oil and light olive oil and two teaspoons of canola oil.  Simply mix all three ingredients together and store in a tightly closed jar, and voila! Your very own eye make up remover.  This mixture yields ¾ of an ounce which you can use for 6 month.   Use a tissue or cotton ball to apply and get rid of your eye make up including that hard to erase mascara.

Should you ever find yourself out of shaving cream then you can always look inside your cupboard and grab that bottle of olive oil.  Olive oil is actually a good substitute for shaving cream for when you want to shave your legs.  It has moisturizing benefits which will leave your legs smoother and healthier.  You can use most cooking oils too like canola, vegetable or peanut will do.  Your olive oil does not have to be the extra virgin kind since they both contain the same basic ingredients.  Keep in mind that oil is a very good moisturizer for very dry skin.  If you don’t want to smell like your kitchen though, you can try using some of your hair conditioner as your shaving cream.  Hair conditioners also contain moisturizers as opposed to shampoos which can sometimes lead to dry hair.

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What Is Organic?

What is organic?  Why should we buy organic?  How do we make sure that what we are buying really is organic?  What is the fuss all about?  With everything going on in the world today, do we really have to worry about what’s organic as well?  These questions are probably running through your brain every time you do the grocery what with the multitude of labels you see on various everyday products we use everyday.

To put it simply, organic are products which do not use pesticides, hormones or other chemicals during the manufacturing process.  You have to remember that not all natural foods are organic.  Natural foods may still have additives and preservatives added during the manufacturing process.  More and more people are looking into organic food nowadays especially since chemicals and pesticides used on our crops and foods are showing links to various diseases such as cancer, heart disease and other illnesses.

And this is what the fuss is all about.  Organic foods contain no chemicals, preservatives or other harmful ingredients which may cause these life threatening diseases.  People are exposed to pollution, stress and chemicals found for daily hygiene purposes.  Do we really need the additional exposure to the food we consume as well?  While it is true that a balanced diet and regular exercise are essential to a healthy body, the quality of the food we shove down our throats should count as well.

Organic foods have to be certified by the USDA as organic.  They have 4 classifications so make sure that you familiarize yourself with them and only USDA 100% certified will have a seal with them.  These come in handy when shopping at a grocery store but at the local butcher’s you can ask the man behind the counter about their livestock practices since most of them raise their own stock.

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Sunscreens, Cancer in a Bottle?

Most people use sunscreens to avoid the harmful effects of the sun on the skin.  Indeed prolonged sun exposure can actually induce the early appearance of freckles and wrinkles.  But a study published in the British Medical Journal reports that sunbathers who use sunscreens with higher SPF have a higher risk of developing skin cancers.  This is because a chemical called Oxybenzone which is a standard ingredient in high SPF sunscreens can cause more harm than good.

Oxybenzone’s job is to filter ultra violet light on the surface of the skin, converting it from light to heat.  Once heat is absorbed in the skin, it has the potential to damage cells.  Once light is converted into heat, it can cause basal damage to growing cells which causes malignancy in growth and cause cancer.  Scientists at the Memorial Sloan Cancer Center in New York say that sunscreens are very effective in preventing sunburns and cancers like Carcinoma but not against Melanoma.

PABA or para-benzoic amino acid which works in the same way as Oxybenzone also has similar effects.  For sunbathers and sun worshipers it would probably be better to use the old and tried tested method of applying tin oxide which reflects the sun’s rays rather than absorbing it.  It is also widely used in wound dressings and is safe.  Calamine lotion which has a Zinc oxide base is colored pink and washes off easily can also be used as a substitute for PABA or Oxybenzone based sunscreens.

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Collagen in Cosmetics, A Scam??

Collagen is one of this century’s cosmetic hits.  Most cosmetics with collagen as an ingredient tout their products for making the skin smoother, healthier and more supple.  But the sad fact is, collagen is an insoluble fibrous protein.  This means that no matter how it is applied, it is too big a molecule for the skin to absorb.  Which further means that the collagen in your lotion, toner, shampoo or conditioner is just for “advertising” purposes and has no effect on the body at all.

Collagen is a natural substance found in humans.  It is the “glue” which holds our muscles, tissues, organs and bones together.  Without collagen, our bodies would literally fall apart.  But another gross fact about collagen in cosmetics is that it is derived from animal skins our ground up chicken feet!!!  Collagen from these sources too cannot be “rebuilt” in order for our skin to absorb.

When applied to the skin, collagen forms a layer which may disrupt oxygen transport which can suffocate the skin.  It can also cause blocked pores which can result to bad acne breakouts and rashes.  When ingested collagen is poisonous and can cause serious health effects.

Collagen and another similar compound called Elastin is also a common ingredient in cosmetics.  It has a similar effect to collagen and is as damaging to the body.  The sad truth is that, cosmetic companies manufacture products with collagen and elastin and advertise these products as healthy, when in fact these ingredients only add on to the price with no positive physical effects on the skin and body whatsoever.

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Pomegranate for A Healthy You

Although pomegranate had not been too popular until these recent years when researchers are exploring all possibilities and properties that can cure the ever-baffling cancer, pomegranate has actually been around for quite some time now, maybe even older than you and I—even the researchers themselves! Pomegranate was mentioned in mythology books such as that of Persephone’s story along with others; it was even suspected that Eve was tempted with a pomegranate and not an apple. The fruit was also used as symbols by different cultures and religions back then.

This golden fruit is considered as a miracle fruit by some people who experienced improved health after incorporating pomegranates in their regular diet. The most popular form you can find is the pomegranate juice but you can find fresh ones in supermarkets. Healthy benefits of the fruits come from drinking its juice or eating the seeds from the fresh fruit. This fruit is packed with health benefits particularly antioxidants that can boost your immune system, delay aging and help your brain function at its peak. It is also rich in vitamin C—in fact, it contains 40% of an adult’s daily requirement for the said vitamin.

Pomegranate has many uses aside from its usual juice form. The beauty industry is now welcoming pomegranate with open arms as they launch quality, natural beauty products by its name. Culinary-wise, the seeds of this fruit are often used for Indian and Iranian cuisine. Your favorite Grenadine syrup used for cocktails is made from the fruit’s seeds as well.

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