Skin Care tips for Natural
Tip 1: Dry
Brush Exfoliation:
A dry brush exfoliation may be done before showering.
According to alternative medicine practitioners, it eliminates dead skin cells
and allows the skin to detoxify (skin is the largest organ of elimination). Dry
brush exfoliation is also said to improve circulation and reduce puffiness.
Some people may find the gentle pressure calming. A soft natural bristle brush
is needed
Tip 2:
Improve Your Digestion:
In alternative medicine, good skin is a reflection of a
properly functioning digestive system. People with skin disorders such as acne,
rosacea, and psoriasis who also experience constipation and other digestive
conditions may benefit, according to alternative medicine practitioners. Two
common cuprits are a lack of fiber and fluids.
Fluid Intake. Find
out 5 Ways to Boost Your Water Intake
Not Enough Fiber.
Many people lack fiber in their diets - the average person eats only 12 g of
fiber a day. In 2002, the National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition Board
established recommended fiber intakes. For men aged 19-50 years, 38 g fiber is
recommended, and for men over 50, 31 g fiber is recommended. For women aged 19
to 50 years, 25 g fiber is recommended, and for women over 50, 21 g fiber is
recommended.
Additional
suggestions:
Add Whole Grains -
Choose whole grain products over refined. Have brown rice instead of white or
make your own 50:50 combination.
An Apple a Day - Have
an apple, skin on, as a snack.
Eat Cauliflower - Try
this delicious Roasted Cauliflower recipe!
High-fiber snacks -
Snack on nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, such as dates, figs, and prunes.
Eat Beans and Legumes
- Open a can of your favorite beans or legumes. Rinse them well and add them to
your meal.
Ground Flaxseeds -
For any easy fiber boost, sprinkle ground flaxseeds (available at health food
stores) on rice, salads, oatmeal, or any other meal. Store flaxseeds in the
fridge.
Tip 3: Get Moving:
Do you sit at your desk for hours, only getting up to go to the bathroom? One of the best things you can do for your skin, stress level, and overall health is to get moving! According to some alternative medicine practitioners, inactivity may affect skin and promote bloating and puffiness, acne, cellulite, and loss of muscle tone. You'll learn more about exercise in Step 9 of the Wellness Makeover. Here are some quick suggestions:
Take a quick break
to go outside and walk around the block.
Book a massage
therapy appointment.
Close your door and
stretch.
Go to the gym.
Start each morning by
stretching.
Get a skipping rope.
Tip 4:
Avoid Excess Sugar:
In alternative medicine, sugar is linked to inflammation
through a process called glycation, in which a glucose (sugar) molecule damages
a protein molecule by adhering to it. The new molecules formed are called
advanced glycation end-products, or AGEs.
While it is difficult to reduce sugar, it can be done! A
gradual approach works best. In the next week, choose one thing you're going to
do to
decrease the amount of sugar you consume. For example, start by cutting the amount of sugar in your daily coffee or tea by half. Every week, find another way you can decrease your sugar intake.
decrease the amount of sugar you consume. For example, start by cutting the amount of sugar in your daily coffee or tea by half. Every week, find another way you can decrease your sugar intake.
Tip # 5: Eat
Good Fats :
Essential fatty acids are fats that must be obtained through
diet. Here are some suggestions on getting more EFAs in your diet.
Flaxseed and walnut
oil - Use flaxseed oil or walnut oil with balsamic vinegar as a salad dressing.
Be sure to keep these oils refrigerated. They should not be heated or used for
cooking.
Cold water fish -
Sardines and wild Alaskan salmon.
Go to the Wellness Makeover.
Disclaimer: The
information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only
and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed
physician. It is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug
interactions, circumstances or adverse effects. You should seek prompt medical
care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative
medicine or making a change to your regimen
Natural skin care uses topical creams and lotions made of
ingredients available in nature. Much of the recent literature reviews
plant-derived ingredients, which may include herbs, roots, flowers and
essential oils ,but natural substances in skin care products include
animal-derived products such as beeswax, and minerals. These substances may be
combined with various carrier agents, preservatives, surfactants, humectants
and emulsifiers.
There are no legal definitions in the U.S. for the
unregulated advertising terms “natural” or “organic” when applied to personal
care products. Consumers often express a preference for skin products with organic
and natural ingredients. The personal skin care market based on natural products
has shown strong growth.Clinical and laboratory studies have identified
activities in many natural ingredients that have potential beneficial activities
for personal skin care but there is a shortage of convincing evidence for
natural product efficacy in medical problems.
Some natural products and therapies may be harmful, either
to the skin or systemically. People prone to allergies should pay careful
attention to what they use on their skin. Dermatologists may feel that there is
enough scientific evidence to assist in the selection or avoidance of particular
natural ingredients.
Background
Main article: Skin care
Jojoba oil is easily refined to be odorless, colorless and
oxidatively stable, and is often used in cosmetics as a moisturizer and as a
carrier oil for specialty fragrances
Many countries require that the ingredient composition of
skin care products is listed on the product, using the International
Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) conventions. Ingredients are
listed in the order of their percentage within the product; natural ingredients
are listed in Latin and synthetic ingredients are listed by technical
name. "The U.S. government has documented more than 10,500
ingredients in cosmetic products, but only a small percentage of those
chemicals have been tested for safety. Of those that have been tested, some
have been identified as carcinogens (causes cancer), teratogens (causes birth
defects), and reproductive toxicants (damages the ability to
reproduce)."add from
The FDA surveyed 1,687 consumers ages 14 and older in 1994 about
their use of cosmetics. Nearly half of these consumers felt that a product
claiming to be "natural" should contain all natural ingredients.
However, although the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has
designated within its certain requirements within its specific area of regulation
for organic products,the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not
recognize a definition for natural products. Accordingly, there are no legal
definitions in the U.S. for the advertising terms “natural” or “organic” in
personal care products. The FDA prohibits certain ingredients in cosmetics.
Some organic products which are designated organic may be
intensely modified, sometimes considerably more so than conventional products.