Tag: Tips

There’s A Skincare Super Ingredient Hiding In Your Kitchen

Published on by Lee5 Comments

There’s literally nothing I love more than discovering ingredients that will solve all your beauty problems, and it turns out, Apple Cider Vinegar is SO much more than an addition to your salad dressing. Yep, apple cider vinegar is one of nature’s most potent creations, full of active ingredients, vitamins, mineral salts and amino acids. Its magical properties as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal, have been used in medicine for thousands of years, and it’s now a staple skincare supplement in my beauty regime.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR:

Banish acne and fade age spots: The malic acid found in apple cider vinegar makes it a potent antibacterial and antifungal substance that kills bacteria and prevents pimples from popping up. It also removes excess oil from your skin, balances your pH levels, and over time works to draw out toxins from your skin for a glowing complexion. It also works wonders on age spots and acne scars, as the alpha hydroxy acids penetrate deep into the skin, removing dead skin cells. Try washing your skin a few times a week with one part apple cider vinegar and one part distilled water, or create a toner with the same solution. For age spots, apply the vinegar directly, rinsing with warm water after 30 minutes – repeat every day for results within six weeks.

Whiten teeth: Say adios to stains and rub apple cider vinegar directly on your teeth before rinsing with water. Or, try mixing one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water for a homemade mouthwash, which also kills bacteria that cause bad breath. Avoid doing it daily as it can break down tooth enamel.

Get glossy hair: Get the Pinterest mane of your dreams and use apple cider vinegar to cleanse your hair. It’s awesome clarifying properties remove excess buildup from products and seals the hair cuticle. Dry scalp? With natural antifungal properties, it will restore your skin’s natural pH balance and destroy dandruff by killing fungus and cleaning clogged pores and hair follicles. Try rubbing a solution of equal parts of cider vinegar with water, and a few drops of tea tree oil, onto your scalp for 5 minutes, and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing and shampooing as usual.

Say bye bye wrinkles: Apple cider vinegar also hydrates skin and will minimize the appearance of fine lines. Make a mask with equal parts of honey and apple cider vinegar and leave it on your skin for up to 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Or, soak a cotton pad in diluted apple cider vinegar and dab it on your skin. After ten minutes rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Soothe sunburn: When your glow is veering more towards a tomato tint, add two cups of apple cider vinegar to your bath and soak for ten minutes. It will restore your skin’s pH balance, soothe your skin, and get rid of the burning sensation.

Be careful always to dilute apple cider vinegar, as it’s a strong substance that can irritate or dry sensitive skin, and remember, you need to buy organic, raw, unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar – otherwise all the magical enzymes will be lost during the filtering process.

WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?

3 Super Easy Ways To Detox For Free

Published on by Lee14 Comments

With summer fast approaching, I’m well aware that bikini season is right around the corner. And in an effort to stay clear of FAD diets, I’ve started thinking of some quick and easy lifestyle changes that’ll seriously help me and you to detox. Even if weight loss isn’t your goal, it never hurts to go on a little health kick every now and then. I swear with these three easy hacks, you’ll feel tons better, have way more energy, and you’ll look better too – beauty does start from within after all!

Learn To Decode Your Cravings

When you’re craving a particular food, it’s often the source of nutrients that triggers the feeling. That also means there’s always a healthier option with a higher content of the nutrients that your body really needs. For example, when you want chocolate, which I been craving chocolate for a while now, the source of your craving is actually magnesium, which can be found in almonds, spinach or quinoa. Similarly, if you’re desperate for salty foods, you’re in need of chloride silicon; which is found in apples, grapes or bell peppers. And, if you feel like you’re in desperate need of carbs, you’re really after nitrogen, which is found in high protein foods like meat or fish. Even, when you’re tired and desperate for a coffee, you can trade it in for a green tea, as this also contains a high level of caffeine. So the moral of the story is, don’t trust your cravings, decode them and find the source! Even though you may think the only thing that’ll satisfy your cravings is a tub of Ben & Jerry’s, it’s not what your body really needs.

Cut Back On Animal Products

I know that veganism may seem like the latest Insta happy trend, but there are actually some major health benefits to a plant-based diet. I am not suggesting that you go vegan 24/7 – we’re not sure what life is without a grilled cheese sandwich now and again – but cutting back on meat and dairy can make a real difference to your health. So, I try to go meat-free three days a week, and limit dairy intake to one meal a day. Even though meat is a really good source of protein, it also has the highest amount of saturated fats in our diet, especially red meat. When you do eat meat, it’s worth looking for free-range and organic sources, otherwise, the animal may have been pumped with harmful chemicals and hormones, which we all then ingest – gross!

When it comes to our dairy intake, we couldn’t believe it when we found out that 65% of the population is lactose intolerant (lactose is the main carbohydrate found in dairy products). This is because it’s a complex compound that our body finds difficult to break down and digest, causing you to bloat and feel sluggish. Limiting your dairy intake to one serving a day is also enough to satisfy your daily requirement for calcium. The rest of your calcium intake can be found in other calcium-rich foods, like pineapple or leafy greens. Plus, dairy is normally high in fat and can be super calorific, so even if you aren’t intolerant, it’s always a good idea to cut back. There are so many alternatives to dairy products too, like almond or oat milk, there’s even vegan ice cream which is surprisingly good, so next time you’re at the store, try these instead!

Eat Within a 12 Hour Window

When I found out that celebrities like Miranda Kerr, Beyoncé, Terry Crews, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry and Kourtney Kardashian swear by eating within a 12 hour period, I had to check it out! And OMG it’s one of the easiest “diet” rules to follow! It can make a big difference to your daily metabolic cycle, helping you burn more fat, and it’ll also seriously decrease your daily food intake. Eating within a 12 hour period helps regulate and balance your insulin production (the hormone that’s released after each meal), which is what causes your body to produce glucose. The influx of glucose triggers a hormone called ghrelin, which makes you feel hungry. When you limit your food intake you also limit your production of ghrelin, which means you regulate and decrease your hunger.

Eating within a restricted time frame also means you don’t store fat, but instead you continue to burn it throughout the day and before you go to sleep. Even if you don’t want to regulate your hunger, restricting your eating time will help manage your blood sugar levels, lower levels of inflammation, improve your heart health, and your immune system. Just remember the golden rule, the clock starts ticking from the very first thing you put into your body (apart from water) and it stops exactly 12 hours later.

Are you guys gonna try any of these?

Stop Neglecting Your Tongue! It’s More Important Than You Think…

Published on by Lee1 Comment

Dental health is seriously trending right now; from Kendall’s whitening Moon pen to pretty much every influencer’s fave teeth whitening gadget. But as intrigued as we are with the latest advancements in oral health; it’s the ancient practice of tongue scraping that I am currently obsessing over. It’s super simple, it’s basically free, and it has tons of health benefits.

What is tongue scraping?

Ok, so I realize it sounds kinda gross but Dr. Ghalili explains “Tongue scraping is the method to remove the remainder of the food, possible bacteria, and dead cells from the surface of the tongue and therefore out of the body.” Dr. Garcia adds, “Tongue scraping is nothing new and has been a part of Ayurvedic practice since ancient times. A scraper is designed to fit the anatomy of the tongue and scrape off bacteria and flora on the tongue that can produce volatile sulfur compounds.”

Why you need to start scraping… like NOW

Dental benefits: Dr. Garcia outlines the benefits of tongue scraping; “Tongue scraping can clear up bad breath and help to prevent an incidence of periodontal disease [gum disease].” Dr. Ghalili agrees, saying tongue scraping helps “To remove bacteria and toxins and this prevents them from getting reabsorbed into the body. This improves problems with bad breath and improves overall health.”

Other health benefits: But the benefits don’t stop at helping with bad breath, it’ll help remove toxins from your body, increasing your bodies immunity, and improving your health in general. Plus, don’t forget fewer toxins in your body = better skin. Dr. Ghalili explains how it works, “When bacteria and other possible pathogens remain on the tongue and get reabsorbed by the bloodstream, it can cause serious health issues all throughout the body.” Plus, Dr. Garcia notes that it’s the perfect practice to get into whenever you’re feeling under the weather, “Since bacteria lingers on the tongue, it’s especially beneficial to do regular tongue scraping when you’re sick with a cold or infection.” Oh, and last but not least, it’ll enhance your taste buds as there’s less mucus on your tongue – err, yes, please!

How to use a tongue scraper

The tools: Dr. Garcia recommends, “The tongue scrapers made from copper, tin or brass [which you can buy on Amazon, $8, here]. Using an ergonomic one only designed for tongue scraping is much more effective than using a toothbrush.” Whereas Dr. Ghalili keeps it simple, suggesting “A toothbrush or a tongue scraper. Both are effective. If you use a toothbrush, it is easier to use without toothpaste.”

The technique: With firm yet gentle movements, scrape the surface of your tongue with singular, long strokes using your tongue scraping tool, then rinse your tool in water. Repeat this five to ten times. Follow with mouthwash, flossing, and then brush your teeth as usual.

Let me know if you guys use a tongue scraper in the comments below.

Everything You Need to Know Before Trying a Cannabis (CBD Oil)-Infused Beauty Product

Published on by Lee1 Comment

Hello Beauties,

I received another interesting email from a blogger who wanted to collaborate with me. I spoke to Kim, the Content Team of Sunday Scaries. They write articles that mainly focus on relieving anxiety and stress through various strategies including the use of CBD. Sunday Scaries also cover various applications of CBD in heart health, skin conditions, diabetes prevention, and among other exciting yet educational topics.

We are living in the marijuanaissance. Thanks to CBD, cannabis is getting its glow-up, trading in the stoner image for a new one as a luxury wellness and beauty ingredient. Loosening of cannabis laws and the enthusiasm around emerging science has legitimized the medicinal claims surrounding CBD, but it’s the boutiquification of cannabis that has made everyone want to be seen with it.

Ask any wellness or beauty aficionado, and they’ll all agree: CBD oil is having a moment. But, unlike other super beauty ingredients making a splash in skin and hair care, there is a lot of controversy surrounding the cannabis-derived ingredient. Nonetheless, its beauty benefits and promising future in beauty are hard to ignore.

I tapped three experts to find out the beauty benefits of CBD oil, plus everything you need to know before trying the popular beauty trend. See what they had to say, below.

What Is CBD Oil and How Does It Work

The cannabis plant boasts a variety of compounds—also known as cannabinoids—believed to contain medicinal benefits. Among these cannabinoids is cannabidiol, or CBD. “Oils that are pulled [from] the plant that contains a high concentration of CBD are known as CBD oils,” says Dr. Alissia Zenhausern, NMD.

In order to understand how CBD oils work, it’s important to know what cannabinoids are and what they do. Cannabinoids are chemical messengers that activate a class of cell membrane receptors located throughout the body. These body receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system, which is involved in a variety of physiological processes including appetite, pain-sensation, sleep, mood and memory. Cannabinoids are either naturally produced by the body (endogenous) or outside the body (exogenous). The cannabinoids found in marijuana and hemp, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CBD, are considered exogenous, which, when consumed, also interact with cannabinoid receptors in the body and can generate similar physical and psychological effects.

There are currently two known subtypes of cannabinoid receptors in the body, CB1 and CB2. The CB1 receptor is expressed mainly in the brain, lungs, liver and kidneys. The CB2receptor is expressed mainly in the immune system and in hematopoietic cells. Before the CBD beauty trend took off, Dr. Zenhausern says CBD-infused drugs were most commonly used for pain management and inflammatory conditions, as “CB2 receptors are most commonly found as part of the immune system [and they can] affect inflammation and pain.

Now, it is important to note that CBD will not produce the same euphoric sensations as THC, which means using CBD won’t make you feel “high.” “The way cannabinoids work is by attaching to CB1 and CB2 body receptors. However, new research has found that CBD doesn’t seem to attach to either receptor directly and [might] help your body use its own cannabinoids,” she adds.

The Beauty Benefits of CBD Oil

Although some CBD enthusiasts experiment with adding the oil into homemade beauty tinctures, the CBD beauty trend mostly refers to products formulated with the cannabinoid. Similar to other natural beauty–benefiting ingredients—such as spirulina, which can be ingested on its own or used topically in a beauty product—the oil is the ingredient, and the beauty product is the delivery system that helps provide the skin with the beauty benefits of CBD.

Speaking of beauty benefits, CBD is chock-full of them. So much so that some dermatologists—including board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Debra Jaliman—recommend the use of CBD oil for hair and skin. “It’s rich in vitamins A, C and E,” says Dr. Jaliman. “Vitamin A stimulates the cells responsible for producing the tissue that keeps skin firm and healthy; vitamin C stimulates collagen production, and it helps to reduce signs of aging; [and] vitamin E blocks free radicals from the body [which] helps slow down the aging process,” she continues.

On top of the benefits of CBD on aging skin, it can also benefit breakout-prone complexions. “Because acne is an inflammatory condition related to overworked sebaceous-gland production, promising new research states that CBD can help reduce the production of sebum, which means CBD could become a future treatment for acne, particularly acne vulgaris, the most common form of acne associated with overproduction of sebum,” says Dr. Zenhausern.

CBD beauty products might also help other inflammatory-related conditions such as skin allergies, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis. “The anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties of CBD naturally help improve irritating skin conditions including rosacea, eczema and psoriasis,” Julie Winter, COO and founding partner of CBD For Life, explains.

Skin isn’t the only thing that benefits from CBD—hair can, too! Because it’s rich in fatty and amino acids, it may be beneficial to your hair and nails, too. “CBD and hemp oil stimulate and enhance the growth of hair through the scalp’s absorption of the main fatty acids [found in CBD and hemp], omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9,” says Winter.

Potential Side Effects of CBD Oil

The good news? Unlike THC, initial studies around CBD pose little to no sign of side effects to those who ingest it. “Many small studies have looked at the safety of CBD in adults,” explains Dr. Zenhausern. “Of the studies done, researchers found that most adults well-tolerated CBD even at a wide range of doses. They found no significant side effects on the central nervous system. The most common side effects cited include fatigue, diarrhea and changes in appetite or weight.”

As for skin care, Dr. Jaliman says, “No studies have shown it to cause irritation or to aggravate sensitive skin. Research has shown CBD [beauty products are] safe to use with no unwanted side effects.”

Still, Dr. Zenhausern advises to be cautious when trying the CBD beauty trend—especially if using the straight oil versus a beauty product formulated with it. “Each CBD oil contains a different concentration of CBD, so it is very important to read the label and understand what it means,” she says.

Aside from minding the concentration, it’s also important to be aware of the legal issues surrounding the ingredient. “In the United States, each state has different laws when it comes to the use of CBD as well as medical marijuana,” says Dr. Zenhausern. “Anyone considering CBD oil should speak with their local healthcare provider for more information about the laws in their unique state as well as high-quality sources for safe CBD,” she concludes.

How to Use CBD Oil for Best Results

If the beauty benefits of CBD excite you, there are a few ways you can include the super beauty ingredient into your regimen. One of the first, most important tips for using CBD in beauty is to do your research. “Research the CBD products you are interested in purchasing and make sure the products do not contain THC,” says Winter. “CBD is not FDA-regulated so consumers should be on the lookout for companies that are transparent with their test results,” she adds.

Another important thing to consider is the results. As with all beauty products, the types of results you wish to see should dictate the way you apply or use CBD in your regimen. “Consumers can ingest CBD oil in products like tinctures for fast-acting results since it travels directly into the bloodstream. But, applying CBD topically is the most effective for targeting specific areas of the body like muscle aches and pains,” explains Winter.

As promising as CBD sounds, it’s no secret that this beauty ingredient is still pretty new and highly controversial, so my advice? As with any trendy, expert-approved beauty ingredient, it’s always wise to consult your dermatologist before adding CBD beauty products to your regimen.

Want more info?! Check out CBD Oil Benefits for Skin: What the Beauty Industry Says about It on SundayScaries.com !