Is Your Make-up Harming Your Skin And/or Body?

 The other day the Boyfriend was trying to bring to my attention that make up ruins skin and how so many women look terrible by the time they're in their 50's, due to so many cosmetics used during their lifetime. As you can guess, I brushed those remarks off as him being too worried, and continued carefully applying my blush and gloss.

Later, I couldn't help but wonder: was he right? Was I really preventing my skin from "breathing" by slopping on these chemicals?

I asked a few people about their experiences and opinions and even googled here and there. But at the end of the day, there's no predicting exactly how some one's skin will react after years of using beauty products.






Did you know that make up, fragrances and all cosmetics are not subject to any FDA approval in the US and no claims made by these companies are required to be true (as per laws and regulations)?
Did you know that over time you will ingest several ounces of lipsticks and glosses?


Some time back I began making a post about the topic, but never got around to finishing it. I was reminded about it when I found an interesting video about the topic on Youtube from SPNation where he talks about a few precautions you could take when using make up and skin care products (mineral make up, powders, glosses, fragrances, etc.) and some precautions to take - gathered from Dr. Oz's show.





My recommendations and precautions:

• Make sure to properly remove ALL your make up:

If you DO use make-up, your cleansing method is crucial. I used to use Olive oil as a make up remover, along with a gentle face wash. But if you're like me and use even a bit of foundation on a regular basis, you may not be aware that not all make up removers nor olive oil get your skin deep clean. I used Revlon Colorstay foundation which gives heavy coverage. So here's my make up removal routine:

1. Olive oil: natural and great for removing powder products and most eye make up. Plus it adds moisture to your skin. But it's NOT enough to remove foundation and dirt.
2. Pond's Cold Cream: If I could I'd shout it from the mountain tops: "this is my favorite, Holy Grail product for make up removal and I can't live without it!!" It's so gentle and moisturizing, yet it astounds me how deep clean it gets my skin. (P.s. if you have dry skin it can even double as a moisturizer).
3. A gentle facial cleaner: I can't wait to get the Philosophy facial cleanser, but in the meantime I'm using an extra gentle cleanser from Noxema, so as not to strip my skin of too much moisture, even though I have oily, acne prone skin.
4. Toner (optional)

• Use less make up, fragrances and skin products (duh!):

This goes without saying but you need to use this stuff less. Have make-up free days whenever possible and take it off as soon as you can. And whenever possible switch up your lipstick and gloss for a less chemical beeswax lip balm.

• Be careful when using Talc and other powder products:

You don't want to be inhaling the dust particles (which you may not even be able to see!) while applying your translucent powder, blush, shadows or mineral make up.



Wanna check to see if your make-up is "safe"?  Check out cosmeticsdatabase.com to see if it ranks as a "High", "Moderate" or "Low Hazard". I love this site and the only thing I didn't like was the fact that most of my products ranked as a "health hazard". Pretty scary facts.



What do YOU think about the subject: does make-up damage skin or is that just a myth? Have you seen cases where this has happened? If you're taking precautions, feel free to share them.

Get A Natural Face Lift

Need an instant face lift the non-surgical way?

You COULD spend a wad of cash at the beauty counter by purchasing firming creams to tighten your face up. But try this instead.

Step 1:
Crack one egg, remove the yolk and beat the egg white until frothy.

Step 2:

Apply the egg white froth generously to your face and neck and it allow to set for at least twenty minutes. Don't eat or move your face though.

Step 3:
After a few moments, you’ll immediately start to feel the ‘tightening’ effects. Lightly rinse with tepid water when finished.

Bedtime beauty tips/routine

Everyone wants to age well. Well I'm only 22 but I have already made it a point to try and (hopefully) fight the aging proces so I won't need to resort to drastic measures later on. Plus, I want to look good NOW too! :)

"Looking good makes you feel more vibrant. You can hold your head up. You feel more confident in your day-to-day goings-on," says Cochran, who is an international trainer and makeup artist for Chicago-based Fashion Pair Cosmetics.

Sure, make up helps cover flaws, but at the end of the day it comes off, and you want to still be content with what you see in the mirror.


Here are some tips to follow before going to bed so you wake up and maintain your healthy glow:


* FACE,HANDS,LEGS: Apply a suited moisturizer for your skin type before going to bed (oily,dry,combination or sensitive skin). Moisturizer help firm the skin and fight aging. Before applying moisturizer, cleanse your face and apply toner.You can massage your hands and legs with baby oil or use moisturizer. Exfoliate skin in the shower if possible (every other day) to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. This also reveals newer skin cells, reduces the appearance of wrinkles and promotes blood circulation.


* LIPS: Apply lip balm or petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Brush your teeth before going to bed. Use mouth wash/Salt water(should be warm) to gargle.This kills the bacteria in mouth. Mouth washes may also be used to help remove mucous and food particles deeper down in the throat. Also, check out my post on Lip exfoliation.







* EYES: You might be working for hours infront of the computer. Place a piece of cucumber on your eyes to reduce tension. This will reduce dark circle around eyes or may prevent dark circles from forming. (You don't need to do this EVERYDAY though). I apply an eye cream before bed though.


* SLEEP AT YOUR BACK: Smashing your face into a pillow creates fold lines that eventually become permanent if they're repeated every night. (I'm sooo guilty of doing this). Spending time on your back also helps counter the effects of gravity that accumulate during the day.
In a recent study of 38 women and men, Japanese researchers found there was greater wrinkling in the afternoon than in the morning; they concluded that the face literally falls with gravity as the day progresses. At night, you get a chance to reverse that.


*WATER WATER WATER! Drink it!

Shrink That Pimple By Tomorrow!

Yes folks.. that age old question "how do I get rid of this pimple in 1 day?"
I can finally say that I think I have the answer. I love trying out products - beauty and make-up, but especially those claiming to fight acne. You name it, I've probably tried it (mostly during my teen years). But even though I'm in my 20's and have it under control, I still get the occasional pimple.

Clean n Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment ($6.50) claims that "100% of people showed clearer skin in just 1 day!" Too good to be true? I put it to the test on this one zit which refused to shrivel up and die and... it worked! I'm never going back to any other acne-on-the-spot treatment until this one fails me of course (or unless an even better one comes out:p).

This miracle in a tube contains 2% Salylic Acid and won't over dry skin. Within 8 hours it reduces pimple redness, size and swelling. And what's even more baffling is that it's so cheap too. Definatly one of my new fave beauty products.

Side note: after trying this spot treatment I took a look online and saw Clean n Clear also has a whole 3 step kit available. (Check out my other post about 3 step kits "say bye bye to acne for good"). For those of you looking for an alternative to, let's say Proactive, this one seems perfect, and only costs $18.

Drink your way to clear skin. (No! I'm not talking H2o)

Here is a yummy treat which will also give wonderfull results. Multi tasking:)! A friend of mine told me she tried it and she ended up with such clean, glowing and clear skin. It's called a Creamy Mango Smoothie.

Ingredients:
1 mango
1 bannana
wedge of fresh coconut
1 orange (freshly squeezed)


Instructions:
Blend the mango, banana and coconut. Add the orange juice, mix well and serve. That and use a good acne face wash/regime.

Also: Drinking hot water and half of a freshly squeezed lemon first thing in the morning before eating is a really good way to boost the metabolism and clear your pallette.

Skin: Strange Beauty Tips (That Work Of Course!)

Here are a few beauty tips from which your skin will benefit:

1. Customize Body Lotion
Instead of sheling out alot for an expensive perfumed body product, you can make your own by pouring a few drops of fragrance into any scent-free lotion. Rub it on-the scent will last for hours.
If you don't have time to book a self-tanning session, mix a few pumps of body bronzer with regular hand lotion and pat it on your legs for a gradual dose of sexy, beachy color.

If you're craving shiny legs that aren't greasy, blend a drop of baby oil into your normal body lotion for extra luster.

2. Exfoliate Your PitsIf your underarms start to look dry and flaky, an easy trick is to exfoliate them with a gentle face scrub/loofah to keep that skin pretty when going sleeveless. Not only that but it will get rid of all the residue left behind by deodorant and helps skin re absorb it properly.

3. Shave with ...
Ran out of shaving cream? Do double duty by coating your stems with a thick hair conditioner or even body lotion. It softens the hair so it's easier to shave off and makes legs feel amazingly silky.

4. Press a Tea Bag on SplotchesIf your skin is sensitive or just looking irritated and puffy for some reason, steep a bag of green tea for a minute or two, let it cool down, and dab it over your face. The antioxidants in the tea take down inflammation.

5. Put Diaper-Rash Cream on Dry SpotsSlather on a thick layer of diaper-rash cream to heal cracked elbows and feet.

6. Scent your clothes
You know those fancy bars that are actually too pretty to use? Toss them in your underwear or tee-shirt drawers to make your skin smell delicious.

7. Soften Your Bod with AvocadoTake a ripe avocado, remove the pit and skin, and mash it up in a bowl. Slather it all over your body, let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse off. Your skin will be sooo soft — avocado is a natural moisturizer.

8. Cure Calluses with Vaseline
Slather on the petroleum jelly, and put on socks before bed to dissolve tough calluses overnight.

How To Get Bacne Free

If you suffer from occasional body acne break outs you're not the only one. I occasionally get em too and envy those who have perfect skin.

After searching for various products (Clean & Clear was one of them) which never really seem to work I think I found a better solution: NEW! St. Ives Clear Pore Body Wash.

You can get it for only...
/drum roll
a few bucks!! ($4.00).

On the front of the bottle, St. Ives claims that “this oil-free formula clarifies pores to keep skin fresh and clear ”... “pores all over your body can get clogged with dirt and oils. St. Ives Clear Pore Body Wash with tea tree is naturally effective and 100% oil-free, so it keeps skin fresh and clear from head to toe.”

Tea Tree is a pure oil that is primarily found in Australia. It's widely known to have antibacterial properties and is recognized as an antiseptic by the FDA. It also used as a topical agent for the skin for minor cuts, rashes, stings, & blemishes. Tea tree oil is very similar to benzoyl peroxide, but doesn’t leave the skin as dry.

I was am also so pleased with the nice refresing scent of it since so many other products which contain tee trea don't smell as nice. It also foams up so well to boot and my skin is left feeling soft. So far it's been keeping my acne in check and I use it on my face too if I'm in a hurry and in the shower.
Sooo.. I definatly will be buying this again and I recommend it to any of you who wanto to keep your skin clear.

If you have more severe acne look into Neutrogenas Rapid Clear treatment pads. I tried em and it worked really well too.