Monday, 28 November 2016
Friday, 18 November 2016
The Best Oils For Your Skin
In a society where you are provided with too many skin care products, it's difficult to choose the best out of the lot. Today, I'll be speaking about the best natural skin moisturisers. While this includes body butters as well, I'd be tackling oils today, specifically coconut oil.
Coconut oil is one of the most popular oils out there. It is naturally antibacterial and anti fungal due to the lauric acid found in it. It's also effective in increasing hydration, since it easily seeps into the skin pores, making it great for atopic dermatitis. Coconut oil is also known for its remarkable therapeutic properties.
This amazing oil, also with SPF 4, offers some protection against solar radiation. Pain and inflammation from sunburn can also be reduced by the use of coconut oil.
And for those with facial wrinkles, here's some great news. Triglycerides in this oil attract protein molecules when applied on the skin, ensuring timely repair of the collagen layer. This is responsible for keeping the skin elastic and smooth.
Coconut oil can be used just as any store bought moisturiser. It also works as an effective makeup remover.
I hope you enjoyed this post. See you on my next post.
Saturday, 5 November 2016
The Dangers Of Chemically Laden Soap
Welcome back to my blog. I promised to post on Friday but I wasn't in the right headspace to. Today, I'll be discussing the dangers associated with chemically laden soaps. Many of the products we use to get clean—soaps, facial cleansers and body washes—might actually be doing us more harm than good.
Your skin is your largest organ—22 square feet on average—and 60 percent of the substances you put on it are eventually absorbed into the bloodstream. This semipermeable membrane allows us to absorb vitamins and minerals, but, unfortunately, it absorbs harmful chemicals we put on it, too.
The dangers associated with harmful chemicals found in soaps are no joke. They can disrupt our hormones, promote allergies, lead to reproductive issues and increase risk of some cancers. This is why we need to be very particular about what we put on our skin.
Here are four chemicals I watch out for when buying soap (and you should, too):
Fragrance. Bottom line: If the ingredient is vague, it’s probably hiding something. “Fragrance” could actually be a cocktail of chemicals and you’d never know it. The FDA doesn’t require companies to disclose the breakdown of a fragrance’s ingredients to consumers because the chemicals that produce fragrance are considered “trade secrets.” Most of the time, synthetic chemicals and cancer-causing toxins (like phthalates, used to make fragrances last longer) are hiding under that one sneaky term. Constant exposure to these have been shown to negatively impact the central nervous system and can trigger allergies, migraines and asthmasymptoms.
Parabens. These ingredients are estrogenmimickers—meaning that once applied to the skin, they enter the bloodstream, and the body mistakes them for estrogen. When the body thinks there is an abnormally high amount of estrogen present in the bloodstream due to the presence of these hormonedisrupters, it reacts in various ways: decreasing muscle mass, increasing fat deposits, causing early onset of puberty and spurring reproductive difficulties in both men and women.
Sulfates. These chemicals are used to produce lather and bubbles in soap. Some common sulfates are SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate). Sulfates strip the skin of its natural oils and increase penetration of the skin’s surface. They are also irritants for people with sensitive skin or eczema.
Triclosan. This chemical is most often found in antibacterial soap. Recent studies have found that triclosan actually promotes the emergence and growth of bacteria resistant to antibiotic cleansers. It also creates dioxin, a carcinogen that has been found in high levels in human breast milk. Dioxins have disruptive effects on the endocrine system and negatively affect thyroid functions. And here’s a fun fact: dioxin is the primary toxic component of Agent Orange!
Think about it. If we are washing our bodies with soap that contains harmful ingredients every single day, this adds up over a lifetime to wreak havoc on our health.
With minimal government testing on these chemicals, it becomes up to us, as smart consumers, to make informed decisions as to what does and doesn’t go on our skin.
Improve your overall health by choosing high-quality soap and body wash free of these four hormone-disrupting toxic additives. Make the switch and both your skin and your body will be thanking you.
You can purchase 100% pure African Black Soap here.
Sunday, 30 October 2016
Skin Care: Should you go natural or not?
Can be used on the skin to
1) fade scars and discolourations
2) protect skin from free radical damage which causes premature aging, wrinkles and fine lines
3) improve skin tone by firming and toning skin for a more supple and glowing tone
4) reduces discomfort for psoriasis and eczema
5) help relieve skin rashes and razor bumps
6) remove makeup and as an effective exfoliant
Can be used on the hair as an effective shampoo that doesn't dry out your hair.
Directions for use
Take a small amount and knead it into a ball. Work it into a lather by rubbing it between your fingers with a little amount of water.
If you have sensitive or reactive skin, don't leave soap on your face for too long.
DIY body wash
Dissolve the soap in purified water and use it as a body wash.
Hope you enjoyed this article. You can share it to help enlighten others. You can purchase African Black Soap here. Stay safe.
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