Tag: benefits

5 Easy Food Swaps Your Skin Will Thank You For

Published on by Lee3 Comments

The bottom line is, you could have the most amazing beauty regime consisting of dozens of miracle products, but if you’re not eating well and drinking plenty of water, it’s going to negatively affect your skin. You have to remember, your skin is the largest organ in your body, so if you’re not providing it with the right nutrients, minerals, and vitamins, you’re more likely to experience dull skin and breakouts. But don’t worry, I am not suggesting you drastically change your diet and only eat steamed broccoli, instead, try just a few healthy food swaps; cut out the bad stuff and replace it with something more nutritional. I promise, it won’t even feel like your making a sacrifice, and you’ll be trading in skin aggravating ingredients for beauty-boosting foods – it really is a no-brainer.

Swap lattes for Americanos and green tea

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from countless dermatologists and celebrity nutritionists, it’s that we should avoid dairy (more specifically milk) as much as possible. The reason being, dairy is full of hormones and when you consume it, it’ll cause your other hormone levels to rise; including testosterone and progesterone. These hormones are the main cause of excess oil and sebum, which can block your pores and trigger breakouts. So try and stay away from milky lattes, and trade it in for either a black coffee or an almond milk latte. Almond milk is full of skin-loving vitamins like vitamin E, which helps strengthen your skin’s epidermis layer while giving it a healthy glow. But, possibly the healthiest trade, would be to ditch your latte and have a Green Tea instead, which can lower oil production, fight against acne, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and sun damage while removing toxins from your body. Plus, it’s practically calorie-free.

Trade milk chocolate for dark chocolate or cacao

Ok, so I have to admit, this trade may take a little bit of time to get used to, but once you’ve committed to this health swap, you’ll be thanking me. Chocolate doesn’t just contain dairy; it’s also really high in refined sugars and white sugars, which are bad news for your skin. Sugar can dehydrate your skin, cause inflammation, and it can even cause premature aging (digested sugar attaches to the collagen in your skin, breaking it down rapidly). Obviously, I’m not suggesting that you give up chocolate entirely (I’m not crazy!), just opt for dark chocolate cacao-based sweet treats instead. Dark chocolate and cacao are the rawest form of chocolate bean and aren’t sweetened, and they actually have a ton of health benefits! I know they may taste slightly bitter, but they both contain beauty-boosting anti-oxidants and will improve blood circulation so that more oxygen is delivered to your skin, leaving it looking radiant AF. Just make sure your dark chocolate is 75% or more, or find some delicious cacao recipes here.

Swap butter or oil for grapeseed oil

Even though it may taste great, cooking with butter or sunflower oil isn’t good for your health or your skin. Both are super high in cholesterol, which triggers your body to produce more hormones, thereby increasing your oil production, making breakouts more common. Cold-pressed grapeseed oil, however, reduces harmful cholesterol. It also has a very high ‘smoke point;’ the temperature at which oil begins to smoke – the higher the smoke point, the better. So next time you’re cooking, reach for the grapeseed oil to improve your health and your skin.

Switch sugar for Manuka honey

As mentioned, white refined sugars aren’t good for your skin, so you should try and avoid them wherever possible. Instead, try using honey to sweeten your food, more specifically Manuka honey – whether that’s in your morning coffee, your oatmeal, or in your cooking.  Not only will it help you curb your sugar cravings, but since honey is a natural humectant, it will make your skin super soft, whether applied topically or ingested. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, so it will help remove toxins from your body while improving digestion. Manuka honey is especially beneficial as it’s the rawest form of honey, which is free from preservatives and has a higher concentration of nutrients.

Swap soda or fruit drinks for detox water

The truth is, no matter if your fav soda or fruit juice is ‘calorie-free’ or ‘not from concentrate,’ a soda or fruit juice is never going to do good things for your skin. Not only are these soft drinks high in refined sugars (the average can of soda contains 8g of sugar), but sodas also contain nasty chemicals such as aspartame, which make you crave more sugar. And when it comes to fruit-based drinks, like orange juice, although that may seem like a healthier alternative to a can of Coke, chances are it’s full of sweeteners and additives that’ll dehydrate your skin and steal that glow your favorite face oil promises to deliver. Instead, make your own detox water that will hydrate your skin and rid it of toxins that cause inflammation. Check out BLB Readers fav detox water recipes here.

For more beauty-boosting miracle foods, check out this post. Let me know if you have any other healthy food swaps in the comments below.

I Started Drinking Collagen And I’m Obsessed With How It’s Changed My Skin

Published on by Lee3 Comments

Hey my loves, so I wanted to tell you about something that I think is completely amazing… Collagen! I’ve been drinking collagen for about 2 months so far, and I’ve noticed a huge impact on my skin and my body; it’s pretty incredible. Collagen (or gelatin) is a naturally occurring protein in your body, but as you age your body produces less, which leads to wrinkles, sagging skin, and joint pain – not ideal!

What is collagen:

Collagen is one of the building blocks of skin, so not only does it keep you looking young but it can heal your skin as well – seriously, it’s true! It helps to heal acne scars and scarring, as collagen mends and rebuilds the damage done to connective tissue, while it’ll also improve your bone strength and ligaments in the same way. The most noticeable difference I’ve seen from drinking collagen is the effect it has on wrinkles; because collagen strengthens blood vessels, it makes your skin softer, more elastic and prevents and fixes fine lines, (even pimples). Because collagen improves skin tissue strength and helps the body to replace dead skin cells, it promotes glossier hair, stronger fingernails, and firmer skin. And finally, and I have noticed this myself, it reduces the appearance of cellulite because it rebuilds the fibers that make cellulite more visible – insane!

Where collagen comes from:

So, if you’re wondering where collagen comes from, it’s basically derived from the bones and tissue of animals like cows, fish, chicken, and pigs. But not all collagen is created equal; you need to look into the source of collagen (which animal), as this can determine the effect it will have on your body and its potency – beef and fish are the best. The most effective type of collagen is marine collagen because it’s absorbed up to 1.5 times more efficiently into the body than any other type of collagen.

How to take collagen:

When I first heard about collagen, I started taking it in a pill form, and I noticed a small difference: my skin looked lifted, and my skin felt smoother. But when I started taking it as a powder, about 2 months ago, that’s when I noticed a significant difference in the texture of my skin. Even my scars have faded, and I swear my double chin has got tighter!

I’ll admit, in its powder form, collagen doesn’t taste great – it’s meant to be flavorless, but I feel like it has a kind of meaty taste to it. You can mix it with tea, smoothies, coffee or even add it to meals you’re prepping. I like to mix it with soup or hot chicken broth, which is a healthy way of having it and you don’t notice it at all. Depending on the formula you’re taking, different amounts are recommended. I use the Vital Proteins Pasture-Raised, Grass-Fed Collagen Peptides, and it recommends one to two times per day. I usually only have it once a day.

Just adding a scoop of Collagen Peptides to food or beverages gives you the vitamin boost you need to support healthy hair, skin, nails, bone, joint health, digestion, muscle recovery, and more.

  • Stir into water, fruit juice, or other beverages
  • Add to smoothies as protein booster
  • Mix with oatmeal, soups, or sauces
  • Add into recipes for entrees or desserts
  • Easy to use! The Collagen Peptides mix well in hot or cold liquids, making them an easy addition to whatever your diet might be

KEY FEATURES & ATTRIBUTES

Collagen is one of the most nutrient-rich proteins in the human body. Supplementing with Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides offers:

  • 20 g collagen per serving – supports overall health and wellness
  • 3,719 mg natural glycine – promotes healthy immune and digestive systems**
  • 100% pure collagen protein – clean, tasteless, and dissolves & absorbs quickly
  • Sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine to ensure a natural, high quality, and sustainable source of this nutrient 
  • Digested and absorbed by the body quickly for maximum benefits
  • Whole30 Approved & paleo friendly 
  • Gluten free
  • Dairy free
  • Preservative free
  • Non GMO
  • Hormone free

I’ve also tried more VITAL PROTEINS products that helps with collagen, which comes in different flavors and types that include some of the best-for-your-body vitamins and minerals. You can try collagen from aged 25 onwards when your body’s natural collagen supply begins to decrease. For me, I am only 22 and just wanted to give it a try but it might become a essential in my beauty daily routine – I’m obsessed!

Would you guys try collagen? Let me know in the comments below. X

How To Kick Your Chocolate Cravings With Something Better!

Published on by Lee1 Comment

Chocolate is everyone ultimate bae, but lets not deny that it’s not great for our health, and definitely not our skin. So, in my continual efforts to be healthier and control my cravings, I switched to cacao, and I’m not mad at it. It tastes like dark chocolate which isn’t my favorite kinda chocolate but still feels like I’m getting a hit of sweetness, but it’s actually a superfood that’s bursting with antioxidants. And no – it’s not a typo, and it’s definitely not the same as cocoa…

Cacao VS Cocoa

Cacao (pronounced CU-Cow) is a raw powder, derived from the unroasted cocoa beans found most commonly in areas of South America and Ghana. What makes it different to cocoa, is cocoa has been roasted at a high temperature, which reduces the enzyme content and decreases its nutritional content as much as 90%. Cocoa powder is then often processed with sugar and other chemicals, which is what dehydrates your body and can trigger breakouts. Cacao retains all these beauty-boosting enzymes and is free of any refined sugar, here’s how it works:

For your skin: When applied onto your skin, cacao will give you an even complexion and a stunning glow as it increases blood flow and hydrates your skin. It’s ideal for any acne sufferers as its full of fatty acids and raw enzymes that boost skin cell renewal helping you get rid of any acne scars. As its high in antioxidants and vitamin C, it fights sign of premature aging while keeping your skin looking firm and youthful.

For your hair: If you incorporate cacao into your weekly diet, your mane will seriously thank you – we’re talking major volume and extra glossy locks. This is because cacao increases blood circulation, boosting growth while strengthening each strand of hair, helping to keep split ends at bay.

For your body: Love to sprinkle cacao nibs (think of them like chocolate chips, but instead they’re cacao) into our yogurt, smoothie, and porridge, as it lowers your blood pressure and reduces your risk of heart disease, not to mention it helps detoxify your body. It’s a serious mood booster too and actually releases the same gooey brain chemicals as when you’re falling in love. It’s packed with other minerals as well, like iron, magnesium, and calcium.

Favorite Cacao Recipes:

You can buy cacao as a powder or as nibs, either online or at your local health food store. We like this Raw Organic Cacao Powder from Amazon, $14.

Vegan Cacao smoothie
For the perfect post-gym or afternoon refuel, blend together 1 1/2 cups of almond milk, one banana, 1 tablespoon of oats, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of raw cacao. Serve over ice and enjoy.

Cacao Fudge
This sweet treat is actually super nourishing for both your skin and your hair. In a food processor, blend together 4 tablespoons of almond butter with 4 tablespoons of coconut oil. Then add 2 tablespoons of raw cacao, 4 tablespoons of raw honey, and a pinch of sea salt. Place on a tray lined with baking paper and pop it into the freezer for an hour, then break it into pieces and enjoy!

Cacao mask
This mask is amazing for acne-prone sufferers or anyone who wants a quick glow, as the cucumber will instantly brighten the skin and the cacao is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Start by mashing 1 avocado in a bowl until smooth, then stir in 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of cacao until well combined. Squeeze the juice of 3 to 4 slices of cucumber, ensuring the seeds make it into the mixture. Apply to your face, leaving it for 20 minutes before you rinse it off with warm water.

Let me know if you’ve already tried cacao in the comments below.

And also, what do you guys want to be officially called? Comment down below and head over to @BeautyLeeBar Instagram for more fun and cute posts!

I Doubled My Water Intake For 7 Days And You Won’t Believe What It Did To My Pores

Published on by Lee5 Comments

We all know models drink a lot of water and that’s their trick for flawless skin. I’ve heard it from every supermodel or beauty icon I’ve ever chatted with, but you know, you always think, how realistic is that?! As if I’m going to carry around a gallon of water and actually drink it all. But honestly, I see a lot of similarities in people who drink a lot of water; literally no pores, their skin heals better, and it looks more youthful. It’s everything I want my skin to be.

I could see the reverse on people I knew didn’t drink a lot of water; the lack of hydration showed in their skin. Their skin was like mine, a little porous, thicker, a little wrinklier, and it didn’t have that same healthy-looking, even complexion water guzzlers had. I did a little research, and there’s a reason drinking a ton of water can work wonders for your skin, not to mention it’s crucial for replenishing new skin cells, so I was convinced to at least try drinking more water.

The Challenge:

I’ll be honest, I’ve never been a huge water drinker, so I set out to double what I usually would, and drink anywhere between 2.5 liters and 3 liters of water a day. Truly, I didn’t expect miracles, but I really couldn’t believe what happened to my skin.

Day 1: At the end of the day I tried to examine everything about my face to see a result, but I didn’t notice anything, my skin was the same. My pores didn’t look smaller, and makeup application was the same, I just peed more!

Day 2: Again, I didn’t notice a difference. I wanted my pores to look smaller, but I couldn’t tell if they did. I was determined to persist!

Day 3: This is when I really started to see a difference in my skin. My pores were the first thing I noticed, they just looked smooth, not gone, but smoother, and that even showed in my makeup as well.

Day 4: Okay, so this is the day I realized water is my thing, water is going to become my habit – this is the new me! My skin looked SO much smoother. My pores were definitely tighter, and my makeup looked better.

Day 5/6: As the days went on, my skin continued to look smoother and more youthful. My skin was looking less dull and less tired.

Day 7: By day 7, my skin looked flawless with foundation. Obviously, I wear the right moisturizers, primers, and foundation specifically for my skin but the pore problem had definitely diminished by 60-70%, which for me was pretty shocking.

Now, it’s been more than two weeks, and although I still don’t have that glass-like skin I would love, I’m officially hooked on drinking water. I actually believe models now when they tell me the secret is lots of water and it’s no surprise their skin looks ahhhhmazing! I mean, think about it, our bodies are made up of 60% water (I know, pretty crazy), so when you’re dehydrated or don’t drink as much as you should (less than 1.5 liters a day) your body doesn’t function the same way. I now realize that I never drank anywhere near the amount that we all should, and just by increasing my water intake to 2.5 liters has made a huge difference to my skin, so imagine if I drank more!

The Bonus:

It’s not just your skin that will thank you for the extra moisture, drinking lots of water is a natural detox for your body. Not only does extra water help the kidneys to flush out toxins in your body, but it’s massively beneficial for weight loss – not just because it’s a natural appetite suppressor. Water helps your body to metabolize fat (turn it into energy) but when you don’t get enough, it can’t. That’s because your liver turns fat into energy for your body (yaaaas liver!), but when the kidney doesn’t get enough water, it can’t function properly, so the liver helps the kidney flush out toxins instead of doing its usual job. The lesson? Lots of water = happy kidney = working liver = fat burning.

The Result:

I really couldn’t believe what a difference drinking so much more water would have. Not only does my skin look better, but I’ve started to sweat more too, which is a good thing! Sweating helps your body remove dirt and pollutants from your skin and unclog your pores; it’s your skin’s natural way of detoxing – hence the reason for steam rooms and saunas at the spa! I also started to drink warm lemon water in the morning, which is also a brilliant way to cleanse your body and flush through your digestive system. Even having mint leaves with my water helped encourage me to drink more water, to the extent I’m now completely obsessed with drinking water. It’s what everyone talks about, but nobody ever does – a bit like sunscreen – but it’s made a huge impact, and I promise if you try it, you’ll see a big difference, both before and after your makeup.

WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?