“Your skin has a memory. In ten, twenty, thirty years from now, your skin will show the results of how it was treated today. So treat it kindly and with respect.” -Jana Elston
Hello Beautiful
You came across a good time! As the summer season creeps in and the weather gets warmer, most of us are on the verge of learning more about self-care to maintain our glowing skin.
There are many ways where you can maintain your skin health through the simplest routine. Although it may be tempting to achieve flawless skin, there is no such thing as perfect skin. You must learn to love the skin you were given and be proactive with your habits and daily routine. Everyone’s skin is different, and ultimately it depends on how you take care of it and nurture it with care. To get started, here are a few tips that will give you a headstart for happy and healthy skin.
Be Aware Of Toxins
There is an abundance of toxins that negatively affect our skin, and many of us are unaware of the hidden chemicals in the products we use every day. Such toxins include parabens, fragrance, oxybenzone, phthalates, formaldehyde, and so many more. Staying away from skincare brands that have these ingredients is recommended as they can harm your skin and health.
Parabens are chemicals that are categorized as preservatives among many skincare products and are used to extend the shelf-life of products. However, these products are very harmful to humans. They are known to promote infertility and cause cancer. Some other toxins that we should be aware of are mercury, methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben. (1)
These toxins harm our bodies in many ways and cause many detrimental health problems, including cancer, fertility issues, hormone fluctuations, reproductive development, and altering the reproductive system. It is so important to regulate what products you are using and what they contain. We highly recommend doing more research on the products you use most often because you never know; there could be a toxin you haven’t heard of in a product. (2)
Non-Toxic Cosmetics
In case you were wondering about non-toxic cosmetic brands, here’s a compiled list:
Non-toxic cosmetic brands are not limited to the ones mentioned, there is an abundance of skincare brands that focus on skin health and natural ingredients!
Chemicals To Avoid
A significant amount of research has been done on certain ingredients and chemicals we should avoid. Here’s a rundown of the most common ingredients found in skincare products that you should avoid:
- Mineral oil
- Aluminum, DEA (diethanolamine)
- MEA (monoethanolamine)
- TEA (triethanolamine)
- Parabens (methyl, butyl, ethyl, propyl)
- PEG (polyethylene glycol)
- Phthalates
- Propylene glycol
- Synthetic fragrances (3)
Be on the lookout for these ingredients in the products on your bathroom counter at home!
6 Tips For Better Skin
Be on the lookout for these ingredients in the products on your bathroom counter at home!
Most importantly, there is no such thing as the “best” makeup product. Many brands market their product to make you believe that this specific product will give you perfect skin. Remember that it does not matter how many products you use or how expensive they may be. As long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle habit and carefully monitor what you use, you will notice a change in your skin and a radiating smile on your face. Here are a few steps you can refer to to get started on this healthy lifestyle:
The first is protecting your skin. Make sure you put on sunblock every day and refrain from buying sunblock that is paraben free.
The second is prevention. Do your best to choose healthy foods, get quality sleep, and lessen your stress levels. Your skin is greatly impacted by your external environment and your daily decisions, so be careful!
Thirdly, make sure you are cleansing your skin. It is very important to keep your skin breathing and well kept, so it is refreshed and not building up oil and debris that can cause your pores to clog.
Fourth, don’t forget to moisturize! Your skin has its own agents to maintain itself; however, you can do your part by helping your skin moisturize and keep it hydrated. Moisturizer helps your skin retain water and keep itself from cracking and drying up! Remember, it is all suitable to your own measures and lifestyle, so don’t feel the pressure to only have a certain routine because of what others say. Listen to your body and research your skin type to discover what is best for you. (4)
Fifth, make sure you are moving your body daily. It does not have to be strenuous exercise or over an hour long. Moderate levels of physical activity are all you need. Exercising allows your skin to breathe and flush out the bacteria and toxins built up in your skin. Let your skin breathe!
Lastly, drink water! It is very important to be hydrated because if you are hydrated, your skin is hydrated. Your skin relies a lot on the water lever in your body. Your skin could be cracking or drying up because of the limited water that is supplied throughout the day. Make sure you continue to drink water and stay hydrated, or your skin will dry up. (5)
References
- Matwiejczuk N, Galicka A, Brzóska MM. Review of the safety of application of cosmetic products containing parabens. J Appl Toxicol. 2020;40(1):176-210. doi:10.1002/jat.3917
- Barrett JR. The ugly side of beauty products. Environ Health Perspect. 2005;113(1):A24. doi:10.1289/ehp.113-a24
- Panico A, Serio F, Bagordo F, et al. Skin safety and health prevention: an overview of chemicals in cosmetic products. J Prev Med Hyg. 2019;60(1):E50-E57. Published 2019 Mar 29. doi:10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2019.60.1.1080
- Rodan K, Fields K, Majewski G, Falla T. Skincare Bootcamp: The Evolving Role of Skincare. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2016;4(12 Suppl Anatomy and Safety in Cosmetic Medicine: Cosmetic Bootcamp):e1152. Published 2016 Dec 14. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001152
- Garatachea N, Santos-Lozano A, Hughes DC, Gómez-Cabello A, Ara I. Physical Exercise as an Effective Antiaging Intervention. Biomed Res Int. 2017;2017:7317609. doi:10.1155/2017/7317609