Do you sweat for a living or rigorously exercise regularly? Whether you’re a professional athlete or someone who loves to sweat, it’s important to develop a skin care routine that works as hard as you do. When you do, you’ll maintain your post-workout glow all day long.
As an active woman, you may need to take a few extra steps to protect your skin during and after workouts. So how can you get all the benefits of sweating and take care of your skin at the same time? The tips below will help you whether you’re breaking a sweat outdoors or in the gym.
natural skin care
Sun Exposure: Finding a Healthy Balance
Summer Bliss
If you are like most people, the bliss of summer comes from enjoying your favorite outdoor activities, absorbing some golden rays, and taking time to relax on those lazy lingering days. The warm summer sun is a much-needed elixir for our soul. It can enhance our mood and boost our vitamin D levels, protecting us against various diseases.
The sun can also cause oxidative damage, predisposing us to accelerated aging and skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and its main cause is from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun.
Even with the health risks associated with UV rays, we don’t want to let that overshadow the tremendous health benefits we receive from the sun. Finding a healthy balance to maximize the reward of the sun’s golden rays while minimizing the risks associated with overexposure is the key.
So, let’s dive into the factors that determine what the “right” amount of exposure is, the benefits we receive from the sun, and some tips to help find a healthy balance between the risks and benefits:
Safe Sun Exposure
The amount of sun that is safe for each person is very individual. As a good rule, direct sun exposure should be kept at a minimum—about 5 to 30 minutes’ exposure to arms and legs twice per week. But, multiple factors influence your Goldilocks zone…just the “right” amount of time in the sun.
Factors that can increase or decrease the amount of time you can safely be in direct sunlight include:
Pigment
Melanin is the protective pigment in the skin that helps block UV ray absorption. More melanin means more protection from UV radiation, but it doesn’t mean people with dark skin tones can’t get skin cancer, so protecting your skin is still important.
Age
As we age, our skin changes and our defenses weaken. Skin loses collagen, fat, and water content to become thinner and more penetrable by UV radiation. Additionally, the body’s ability to repair DNA damage diminishes, leaving us more vulnerable.
Geographic Location
November to February, anything North of the 37th parallel (In the US, draw a line between San Francisco, Ca and Richmond, Va) will have an average UV index between 0-1. A low UV index means lower exposure, and the average time it takes to cause skin damage can be up to 60 minutes.
Smog
Living in a city with high smog levels will reduce your UV exposure. The reaction between heat, UV light waves, and smog minimizes the amount of UV radiation that can reach the surface.
Medications
Certain medications such as Retin-A, antibiotics, antihistamines, pain relievers, and medications to manage cholesterol or diabetes can cause photosensitivity. This sensitivity can be due to phototoxic medicines, which will react and damage the skin when exposed to UV light.
Health Conditions
Some diseases (such as Lupus) can increase your skin’s sensitivity to light. UV-Sensitive syndrome can result from DNA mutations, and Solar Urticaria or sun allergies occur when the immune system is activated and reacts when exposed to UV rays.
Benefits of Sun Exposure
The sun sometimes gets a bad rap – but it is not all bad! There are tremendously beneficial effects to enjoying a sunny day. Just make sure to enjoy it safely. Here are some of the excellent health benefits the sun offers us:
VITAMIN D
Sun exposure is a great way to get your fix of vitamin D—a nutrient and hormone in which most Americans are low. Research shows very little exposure is needed to get the right amount of absorption. In fact, simply standing outside for 30 minutes, twice a week, with your arms and legs exposed in the sun can usually provide your body with the recommended intake of Vitamin D. The simplest way to know if your levels are low is to ask your doctor to run a 25-OH Vitamin D test.
Mental Health
The light and warmth generated by the sun release endorphins and enhance our overall feeling of well-being. Low levels of Vitamin D can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder, resulting in depression during different seasons when access to sunlight is reduced. Sun exposure has been shown to decrease these effects and lift the mood. Sunlight increases the brain’s release of serotonin, which can boost our mood and bring a feeling of calmness and focus.
Immune Support
A healthy immune system can help reduce your risk of infections, some cancers, and diseases. Vitamin D is critical in immune health, so getting a good dose of sunlight may be just what the doctor orders to help keep your system strong and healthy. The field of photoimmunology has also studied the energizing effect of the sun to help during infection by activating T-cells, which play a central role in human immunity.
Improves Sleep
The body starts producing melatonin when it’s dark, so you will typically begin to feel its effects about two hours after sunset. Regular exposure to sunlight helps regulate our circadian rhythm, which is the signaling pathway that lets your body know when to decrease or increase the level of melatonin. According to research, giving your body signals about when the day begins with exposure to morning light has been shown to help people sleep better.
Reduces Stress
Besides helping you sleep better, melatonin has a relaxing effect that can be a great stress reliever. The sun’s rays can increase your endorphins and help regulate your circadian rhythm to get enough melatonin. Add in a morning walk outside, and the moderate activity will provide the bonus of helping to amplify the stress-relieving benefits you’ll receive.
Strong Bones
In children, Vitamin D deficiency can lead to soft and weak bones, stunted growth, and possibly lead to skeletal deformities. In older adults, the kidneys cannot convert vitamin D to the active form, increasing the risk of deficiencies—causing brittle, weak bones or possibly leading to osteoporosis. Vitamin D produced by sun exposure and supplementation plays a vital role in forming and maintaining strong, healthy bones.
Cancer Prevention
Excessive sun exposure and damage contribute to skin cancers, but a healthy dose of the sun’s rays can help prevent specific cancers. Research has shown that those who live in places with shorter daylight hours are at higher risk for certain cancers. In contrast, getting a healthy dose of sunlight has the opposite effect, by having a protective quality against cancers, such as colon cancer.
Finding a Healthy Balance
Being in the sun makes us feel good—and can be good for our health in small doses. Finding a healthy balance will help minimize our risks while maximizing our benefits from the sun.
It’s easier than you might think to enjoy the sun safely. These tips will help ensure you get some summer bliss without fear of significant consequences:
Don’t Be Fooled By Clouds
There can be a false sense of security on a cloudy day. While the clouds may reduce some of the sun’s UV rays, they don’t eliminate them. Remember, it’s the UV rays that cause skin damage—not the temperature.
Dress To Protect
Wear long sleeves and pants when possible. There are many excellent UPF tech clothing options made with cooling and lightweight fabrics. Also, rash guards are a great way to minimize exposure while enjoying the beach.
Cover Up
A wide-brimmed hat gives your head and face some added protection. The most common places for skin cancer are on the face and scalp. And don’t forget about your eyes! Wear UV-blocking sunglasses to protect your eyesight. Ocular melanoma is the most common eye cancer.
Travel Safe
Protect yourself against the UVA exposure that comes through airplane windows. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and cause wrinkles and age spots (photoaging). Also, not all back seat windows in vehicles have UV protection, so be mindful and take necessary precautions when traveling.
Avoid The Danger Zone
Stay out of the sun between 10 am – 4 pm. The UV rays are most intense at noontime when the sun is directly above us. This is when the rays have the least distance to travel. The UV index in noonday can reach extreme levels at 11+ and cause skin damage within minutes, so take extra precautions if you plan to be outside during these hours.
Use Safe Sunscreen
The last thing you want is to choose a sunscreen that puts you at more health risks with carcinogenic chemicals and endocrine-disrupting. Choose a good mineral sunscreen that will provide safe and natural sun protection. Also, don’t forget to reapply! Sunscreen can protect your skin for up to 2 hours, but if you are sweating or going swimming, plan to reapply every 30 minutes.
Find Shade
An indispensable defense is a shade. There’s no better way to enjoy the warmth of the sun in your backyard than with an umbrella or sail shielding most of the UV rays. But, no shade can completely shield you from indirect exposure. The sun’s rays can reflect off light-colored surfaces and bounce under the shade. Reflected UV radiation is still dangerous, so take precautions.
Share With Others
Okay, this isn’t a direct precaution to protect your health, but it is vital to protecting our loved ones and society. After all, skin cancer IS the most common cancer in the United States. So, share your sun-safe knowledge and habits with others, especially children! It only takes a single blistering sunburn to increase a person’s risk of skin cancer.
Vitamin D Sources
Vitamin D is fat-soluble that has several essential functions in the body, including immune health. But its most vital role is probably the regulation of calcium and phosphorus absorption to maintain healthy bones.
This “sunshine vitamin” is produced naturally in the skin in response to exposure to sunlight. 5 to 30 minutes’ exposure to arms and legs twice per week (without sunscreen) will help produce vitamin D3. I recommend wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a mineral-based sunblock on your face any time you’re in the sun.
The best way to ensure you get your recommended intake of Vitamin D is through foods and supplements like these:
Cod liver oil: 1 tsp has 400-1,000 international units (IU)
Egg yolk: 1 egg has 30 IU
Shiitake mushrooms (sun-dried): 3.5 oz has 1,600 IU
Wild, fresh salmon: 3.5 ounces has 600 to 1,000 IU
Tuna: Canned light tuna has 268 IU
Supplements: The Spa Dr.® Skin, Hair & Nails Support has 2000 IU
Fortified Foods: Many food items like cereals, milk, orange juice, and oatmeal are fortified with Vitamin D to help improve nutrition.
Yes, the sun’s rays are potent, and overexposure can bring some high risks to our health. But, don’t let those risks scare you away from reaping the benefits. Take precautions to protect your skin and health. Then go—enjoy those warm golden rays and find your summer bliss in nature.
The Spa Dr.® Approach
At The Spa Dr.®, our approach is to help shine the light on skin care information and offer our guidance to nurture your skin care journey. We believe we provide information that will help support your self-care and healing, and we want you to feel safe and cared for within our community!
The Spa Dr.® offers natural skin care products safe and free from chemicals and toxins that can harm your skin and health. Our products are formulated to contain key nutrients in their pure and active form to provide optimal results. In addition, our products are pH balanced towards mild acidity to promote and protect a healthy skin microbiome.
If you are not already part of The Spa Dr. community, please join us at TheSpaDr.com and on social media.
Share this article with your friends and spread the word to promote natural beauty!
10 Natural Remedies For Acne
10 Natural Remedies For Acne
For some women, unwelcome breakouts don’t magically cease to exist once they reach a certain age. And according to a recent study, adult-onset acne is becoming more prevalent among a growing number of women. If you happen to be one of these women, natural remedies for acne may help you eliminate those breakouts for good.
While there are plenty of effective OTC creams available, if you prefer a natural approach or have already tried OTC and prescription treatments with limited results, then maybe it’s time to take a new direction. Sometimes the best thing you can do is go back to the basics. Using natural remedies for acne may be the key to achieve healthy glowing skin.
Use these natural care approaches to help reduce acne inflammation and breakouts:
Natural Topical Remedies
1. Tea tree oil is an essential oil that can help to reduce breakouts by killing bad bacteria. It’s antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-fungal properties, making it an easy and effective spot treatment. Be sure to dilute essential oils with a carrier oil, like fractionated coconut oil, or a moisturizer before applying them to your skin to avoid skin sensitivities like burning or dryness.
2. Nicotinamide gel can help decrease skin inflammation, excess sebum and improve your skin’s barrier function associated with acne. An over-the-counter 2% to 5% concentration can be applied twice daily for two months to help reduce acne.
3. Licorice root extract contains a compound known as glycyrrhizin, which has both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The root also produces licochalcone, which helps regulate the production of oils in the skin. Licorice root is an ideal natural remedy for those with oily or acne-prone skin.
4. French green clay, also known as bentonite clay, has an adsorbent power that may be helpful as a remedy for acne breakouts and oily skin. The clay will help remove sebum from the skin’s surface and has a calming effect on inflamed skin associated with breakouts.
5. Yogurt can be applied topically to help rebalance the skin’s microbiome. A healthy, balanced microbiome can better ward off the harmful bacteria that trigger outbreaks. Also, the lactic acid in yogurt has a balancing effect on sebum production.
Natural Supplemental Remedies
6. Zinc has anti-inflammatory properties to help relieve skin irritation. Some research shows zinc supplements can help reduce acne scars. There is also a correlation between low zinc and acne levels. This essential nutrient can reduce inflammation and calms androgens, the hormones that often trigger acne. You can take 30 to 60 mg of zinc daily or eat foods high in zinc like beef, shellfish, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, beans, nuts, and whole grains.
7. Green tea can decrease sebum production. Plus, this delicious beverage is high in antioxidants! Very simply, green tea has polyphenols, which are compounds in plants that have health benefits for people, like antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. The polyphenol in green tea is called catechins and effectively reduces skin inflammation associated with acne.
8. Omega-3 Fats are rich in antioxidants to soothe inflamed skin. They also play a crucial role in the production and regulation of hormones. A supplement that contains a healthy dose of Omega-3’s will provide you with excellent acne-fighting nutrients. You can also get Omega-3’s from flaxseed, nuts, hemp seeds, avocado, and fish.
9. Gamma-linolenic acid can be found in evening primrose, black current, and borage oils. GLA can help keep breakouts at bay by reducing prostaglandin and leukotriene levels to decrease skin inflammation. Additionally. they can help balance the hormones responsible for activating sebum production.
10. Probiotics can help keep our gut healthy—which is particularly important if you’ve taken antibiotics for acne. Research indicates that a healthy gut microbiome is essential in addressing acne; you can get probiotics by eating yogurt, or you can choose a probiotic supplement to help restore and maintain healthy gut flora.
Additional Supplements To Consider:
The Spa Dr.® Skinflam-Ease, contains highly bioavailable curcuminoids that support vibrant health. Curcuminoids have antioxidant properties. A proprietary manufacturing process optimizes the absorption rate with natural, skin-friendly ingredients, including herbal ingredients like sunflower lecithin and turmeric oil.**
The Spa Dr.® Microbiome Builder 60 Capsules supports healthy gut microorganisms in balancing the GI microflora and supporting healthy GI, skin, and immune function.**
Natural Quick-Fix Remedies
For Breakouts: Try a purifying mud mask or this DIY turmeric and honey paste:
- Mix: 1 Tbsp plain yogurt with 1 Tbsp raw honey, and 1 tsp turmeric powder into a paste.
- Apply the paste to your face and neck, then leave for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Rinse paste with cool water. Pat your skin dry, and then apply your favorite serum and moisturizer.
For Excess Oil: Over-cleansing your face is a big mistake. Instead, try these tips:
- Use a gentle cleanser twice a day, and afterward, softly pat your skin dry.
- Use a plant-based oil blend to provide antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The oil will also provide your skin with healthy hydration that won’t increase breakouts.
- Use blotting papers. The papers won’t treat the sebum production, but they’ll lift excess oils from your skin and reduce shininess.
4 Healthy Habits For Clearer Skin
Resist touching your face. This won’t cure your acne, but it will reduce the dirt, oil, and bacteria on your hands from coming into contact with your face and adding to clogged pores and breakouts.
Stop picking and popping acne. It may seem like success when you rid yourself of a pimple, but you may inadvertently be pushing infected material deeper into the skin, leading to an acne cyst. Popping can also spread bacteria and cause an infection. And finally, picking acne damages the skin and can lead to scarring and dark spots.
Wash your hats, pillowcases, sheets, masks, and anything else that will be touching your skin often. Also, choose pillowcases and sheets made from antimicrobial materials like silk or infused with silver. These materials help prevent bacterial growth on surfaces that will regularly come into contact with your skin.
Clean up your skin care products and cosmetics. Choose natural, safe, and effective skin care products that are formulated to help address skin issues like skin sensitivity, acne, eczema, and signs of early aging. Also, do a regular spring cleaning to rid your cabinets of old beauty products that harbor bacteria.
SKIN QUIZ
Are you not really sure what your skin needs? Take my Skin Quiz to find out your skin type. You can also find out more about each of the skin types here. Becoming aware of your skin type is key to understanding your skin’s common issues so you can streamline your skin care routine. It will also help you identify new healthy habits to support your journey to achieving the beautiful, glowing skin you deserve.
The Spa Dr.® Approach
At The Spa Dr.®, our approach is to help shine the light on skin care information and offer guidance to nurture your skin care journey. We believe the information we provide will help support your self-care and healing, and we want you to feel safe and cared for within our community!
The Spa Dr.® offers natural skin care products that are safe and free from chemicals and toxins, which disrupt hormones. Our products are formulated to contain key nutrients in their pure and active form to provide optimal results. In addition, our products are pH balanced towards mild acidity to promote a healthy skin microbiome.
If you are not already part of The Spa Dr. community, please join us at TheSpaDr.com and on social media.
Feel free to share this article with your friends and spread the word to promote natural beauty.
5 Less Common Root Causes Of Acne
Got Stubborn Acne? Here Are 5 Less Obvious Root Causes
Acne is a skin issue that plagues millions of people, from adolescence to post-menopause, to the point that many feel it is inevitable. Sometimes acne is easily managed with simple changes to one’s skin care routine, or by cutting down on common triggers such as dairy, gluten, and sugar. However, many people struggle with stubborn acne that, despite healthy topical skin care, diet, and lifestyle choices, just won’t clear.
Here are 5 things to consider if you have stubborn acne:
1. Genetics
People with stubborn acne often blame genetics. We now know that “bad genetics” can be overwritten by epigenetic factors–a nutrient-dense diet and healthy lifestyle factors such as rest and regular movement. However, it is true that some people are genetically predisposed to acne itself–but others have genetic reasons that explain why that is.
Fortunately, genetic testing–namely nutrigenomic testing–is now widely available and can provide very helpful guidance. Nutrigenomic testing looks at your genetics–often specifically single nucleopeptides (SNPs)–to uncover reasons that explain WHY someone is predisposed to acne. Some examples are nutrient deficiencies or the inability to metabolize specific lipids or substances like caffeine and alcohol. Research also shows how certain foods can actually turn genes “on” or “off” in our bodies. For example, certain compounds found in broccoli have the ability to “switch on” a specific gene that helps some people detoxify some of the harmful chemicals we’re exposed to.
With that information, more targeted choices can be made for foods, supplements, and even topical skincare ingredients for maximum bioavailability.
2. pH Balance
“pH” stands for “potential of hydrogen,” and is a measurement of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. 0 is the most acidic, and 14 is the most alkaline. Distilled water is considered “neutral” at 7. Did you know that most mass-produced skin care products on the market that claim to be pH balanced are not balanced to the natural pH range of the skin? They would more accurately be labeled as “pH neutral,” since most have a pH of 7.
Our skin’s pH is slightly acidic, typically ranging from 4.5 to 5.5. This slightly acidic environment is a necessary part of the skin’s immune function, as the beneficial microbes that live in and on the skin’s surface require it. The skin’s lipid matrix (also commonly referred to as “lipid barrier,” “acid mantle,” and “natural moisturizing factor”) also requires this slightly acidic pH to stay intact. Repeatedly applying leave-on skin care products that are too alkaline (even though 7 is neutral on the scale, it is too alkaline for the skin) can adversely affect the skin’s lipid matrix by neutralizing its naturally occurring fatty acids, and thus creating an uninhabitable environment for the skin’s microbiome, leading to dysbiosis. It can also negatively affect sebum production and cause dryness and irritation. Look for topical skin care products that are pH balanced to the skin’s pH–not the pH of water, such as the products in The Spa Dr.® Daily Essentials 4-Step System.
3. Toxic mold
Sometimes stubborn acne is stubborn because it has a less obvious root cause. One common, overlooked potential cause is fluoride in water. Another that is equally as problematic and may be even more hidden is toxic mold.
Mold exists everywhere–in our homes and offices, in our outdoor environments, in the foods we eat, and even inside our bodies. If we maintain a healthy and diverse microbiome and take measures to make our home and work environments less habitable to toxic mold, it doesn’t have to be problematic. However, for many people–especially people who struggle with high stress, chronic illness, or autoimmune disease–that is not the case.
Mold produces mycotoxins, which are secondary metabolites capable of causing disease and death in humans and other animals. Some mycotoxins or mycotoxin derivatives have been found to have useful properties, but others are highly toxic to humans and can trigger local and systemic infections. Mycotoxins can also trigger rosacea, hyperpigmentation, and eczema flares, as well as certain types of acne. If your acne hasn’t cleared after making other positive changes, check to see if you’ve been exposed to a water-damaged, damp, or musty-smelling building. If you have, mold could be the culprit, and mold treatment could eradicate the problem for good.
4. Unbalanced Skin Care Routine
A long-held myth about oily and acne-prone skin (AKA the Olivia skin type, as described in Clean Skin from Within) is that it can’t handle oils. This is why so many acne products are oil-free. Let’s bust that myth today because the truth is that all skin types need both water (hydrating and humectant ingredients) and oil (emollient ingredients) to support healthy sebum production and barrier function.
The skin’s microbiome also requires both water and oil to maintain biodiversity, since some bacteria and microflora are hydrophilic, and others are lipophilic. Too much or not enough water or oil in one’s topical skin care regimen can disrupt the skin’s microbiome, killing off beneficial microbes and allowing others to become opportunistic.
The Spa Dr.® Daily Essentials 4-Step System is a well-balanced system, providing both hydration and emollient protection with humectant ingredients like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid and protective oils such as cranberry seed, raspberry seed, and apricot kernel oil.
5. Stress
Unmanaged stress adversely affects every organ and system in the body. The effects are so significant that stress can undo the benefits of eating clean, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, using high-quality natural skin care products, etc. Unmanaged stress is one of the greatest reasons why some people’s acne just doesn’t clear, even when it seems like they are doing everything else right.
As Dr. Cates writes in Clean Skin from Within, “Stress is not the only cause of acne, but it is a big culprit. When we’re stressed, the adrenal glands release the hormone cortisol. A surge in cortisol causes increased sebum production, which triggers acne. Chronically high cortisol levels can lead to sugar cravings, and eating sugar also triggers acne breakouts.”
We all have stress, and not all stress can be eliminated. It is essential to learn to manage it using mindfulness, journaling, listening to guided meditations, taking dance breaks, going to therapy, and spending time in nature. Other stress management practices may seem obvious, but most people don’t do enough rest and say no. Overworking is an epidemic here in the United States. It has not been good for our collective health or happiness. We also don’t say no often enough. Most people (women especially) aim to please and want to avoid conflict. They sacrifice their own time and needs in order to say yes to please or appease others. This is inherently stressful, and that stress accumulates.
Even the most stubborn acne can be managed holistically. Doing “everything right” doesn’t necessarily mean that that particular “right” is right for you, or right for right now. Sometimes we need to re-evaluate, take a deeper look into root causes and lifestyle factors, and make adjustments to achieve lasting results.
Common Skincare Beauty Myths Busted—PART 2
Common Skincare Beauty Myths – PART 2
Achieving a beautiful, youthful glow can be accomplished naturally. But first, we need to stop believing the most common skincare beauty myths.
In part 2 of this 2-part series, I’ll bust another 8 prolific beauty myths I’ve collected from the beauty industry, beauty experts, The Spa Dr.® followers, and my patients. Let’s rid ourselves of these beauty myths to focus on natural and safe beauty rituals that help us achieve true natural beauty from the inside out.
If you haven’t already, you can read Common Skincare Beauty Myths Busted – Part 1 Here
MYTH #9. Dry Brushes Your Face Make You Look Younger
Dry Brushing is a great way to exfoliate the skin, which will leave it feeling softer and help improve blood and lymphatic circulation throughout the body– but DO NOT use it on your face! It’s too harsh and abrasive for the delicate skin of your face. Dry Brushing isn’t safe for every skin type, especially the delicate skin of your face. It can cause small micro-cuts and lead to irritation and dryness.
Also, if you have skin conditions like rosacea, psoriasis, or eczema, then dry brushing your face can aggravate these conditions and do more harm than good. This can leave your skin looking dry and damaged — the opposite of the youthful glow.
I recommend using a gentle facial exfoliant that will gently remove dead skin without causing irritation, inflammation, or damage to your skin.
MYTH #10. Men Need To Use Men-Specific Skincare Products
There are many widespread myths about men and skincare. For example, a common myth is that men need to use skincare designed specifically for men. Men indeed have thicker skin than women, and because they don’t generally wear makeup, their skincare routine is usually simpler. But men need the same basic steps that women do to protect and maintain healthy skin.
However, when it comes to sun protection, the difference between men’s and women’s skin does become more apparent. These differences mean men are more likely to get certain types of skin cancer. So, men should be just as vigilant about wearing sunscreen.
MYTH #11. DIY Skincare Is Always Healthier And Safer
Just because you are using natural ingredients at home doesn’t mean DIY is healthier or safe for the skin. The skin has a specific pH that is slightly acidic. If you choose to use straight lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda, or even water, you can disrupt your skin’s natural pH and protective barrier functions.
Be careful in choosing a DIY skincare formula. Not every recipe you find on the internet is going to be effective or safe for the skin. You’ll want to find recipes that remain stable and safe during the application process and don’t interact with each other. And since DIY skincare can grow harmful bacteria and mold within a few days, it’s important to always make fresh batches. Also, always do a test patch to make sure your skin doesn’t have an adverse reaction. You can find more DIY skin care tips and recipes in my book.
MYTH #12. If You Have Oily Skin – Avoid Oil Based Skincare
If your skin tends to be oily, the idea of putting more oil on your face may sound counterintuitive, but this just isn’t true. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Oily skin is caused partly by the skin attempting to restore balance, hydration and protect itself. So, applying natural plant-based oils can be beneficial in restoring balance to the skin’s microbiome, which will effectively reduce oily skin.
One oil to avoid would be petroleum-derived mineral oils. Not only can these mineral oils have trace amounts of carcinogens left from the refining process, but they are not recommended for any skin type. Mainly because the oil will sit on the surface, clogs pores, and suffocates the skin—leading to more breakouts and more oil production.
MYTH #13. Using A Sharpie Instead Of Eyeliner Is Safe
NO – it is not safe to use a sharpie as an eyeliner! Sharpies have harsh chemicals and can cause irritation, allergic reactions, and lead to infections. The chemicals in a Sharpie include propanal, butanol, dyes, and diacetone alcohol. These chemicals should never come into contact with your eyes and can lead to permanent damage.
Butanol specifically is used as a paint thinner. Ask yourself – would you apply paint thinner near your eyes? Then using a Sharpie near the eye should be out of the question as well.
MYTH #14. Preparation H Gets Rid Of Puffiness Under The Eyes
In theory, the active ingredients could get rid of puffiness. Phenylephrine constricts blood vessels, and hydrocortisone is an anti-inflammatory. But if your finger slips and you get some of these ingredients in your eye, you may end up with some serious damage—then puffy eyes will be the least of your concerns.
Is it worth the risk?! Besides, there is no conclusive evidence that it works. It may bring on the feeling of tightness but doesn’t make any noticeable reduction to puffy eyes.
A safe alternative would be to try arnica gel—a plant extract used for bruises, pain relief, and swelling. Or dab an antioxidant serum under your eyes to reduce swelling.
MYTH #15. Using Hairspray Can Help Set Your Makeup
It is understandable that you might accidentally overspray and get hairspray on your face. But the beauty practice of purposefully using hairspray to set your makeup is quite detrimental to your skin.
Even if you ‘only’ spray it ahead of your face and then ‘walking through it,’ aerosols contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to your skin or when ingested or inhaled. At a minimum, they can cause redness, irritation, rashes, and allergic reactions. However, ingredients in hairspray like propylene glycol have been linked to poisoning as well as liver and kidney toxicity.
Aerosol lacquers and alcohols can cause blurred vision, breathing difficulty, and be very dehydrating for your skin — ultimately putting your health at risk and making your skin look older.
MYTH #16. Coffee Is A Great Exfoliant For The Skin
Coffee grounds that come straight from a coffee grinding machine aren’t ground fine enough for cosmetic use. The coffee ground will damage the skin by causing micro-tears across your skin as you exfoliate. Damaging your skin’s protective barrier puts it at risk of infections and experiencing skin issues.
Additionally, coffee grounds and body oils are the worst combination for your drains that even draino can’t cut through. Do your skin and your pipes a favor and steer clear of this beauty myth. Instead, adopt an exfoliation routine that is gentle with the goal to only slough the dead skin cells and help prevent clogged pores. Once a week is typically enough for an effective exfoliation routine. Also, choose a gentle exfoliant formulated to be effective while preserving your skin’s protective barrier qualities.
Achieve Natural Beauty
Becoming aware of your skin’s specific needs is important in your journey to achieving natural beauty from the inside out. You can learn your skin type by taking our skin quiz HERE. Once you know your skin type, you can choose a safe, effective, and natural skin care that will simplify and clean up your skin care to help you achieve naturally beautiful skin.
The Spa Dr.® Approach
At The Spa Dr.®, our approach is to help shine the light on skin care information and offer our guidance to nurture your skin care journey. We believe we provide information that will help support your self-care and healing, and we want you to feel safe and cared for within our community!
The Spa Dr.® offers natural skin care products that are safe and free from chemicals and toxins that can harm your skin and health. Our products are formulated to contain key nutrients in their pure and active form in order to provide optimal results. In addition, our products are pH balanced towards mild acidity to promote and protect a healthy skin microbiome.
If you are not already part of The Spa Dr. community, please join us at TheSpaDr.com and on social media.
Share this article with your friends and spread the word to promote natural beauty!
Common Skincare Beauty Myths Busted—PART I
Common Skincare Beauty Myths – PART 1
Beauty myths have existed throughout time—from the beliefs that arsenic could lighten skin and belladonna could dilate pupils, to the bizarre notion that the warm urine of young boys could smooth wrinkles. Today, it’s clear how ludicrous and potentially dangerous these ideas were. But comparatively, many of the beauty practices used today are just as unscientific and irresponsible. Which of our current beauty practices will we look back on in a few decades and cringe about?
In part 1 of this 2 part series, I’ll cover 8 of the most popular beauty myths I’ve collected from beauty experts, The Spa Dr.® followers, and my patients. Let’s burst the beauty myth bubble once and for all!!
Beauty Secrets That Are Really Beauty Killers
Over the years, I have encountered several myths and misconceptions about skin care that are detrimental to beautiful skin. It’s time to clear the air and put these beauty myths and urban legends to rest.
In part 1 of this 2 part series I’ll cover 8 of the most popular beauty myths I’ve collected from beauty experts, The Spa Dr.® followers, and my patients. Let’s burst the beauty myth bubble once and for all!
Here Are The First 8 Skincare Beauty Myths To Bust:
MYTH #1. Skin Gets “Used To” Products – So You Need To Switch Them Up
The simple answer is NO — over time, your skin doesn’t build up an immunity to skin care products. What does change is your skin needs. For example, the weather, your bathing habits, dehydration, poor diet, hormone imbalance, and using harsh endocrine-disrupting soaps and detergents can all play a role in triggering skin issues. It may be tempting to blame your skin care. But this would be a mistake if you already use a high-quality natural, safe, and effective skin care system. In fact, switching up your skin care may even have the opposite effect and slow your progress to achieving glowing skin.
Whether your skin easily breaks out, is uneven, sensitive, inflamed, showing signs of aging, dull or dry — start paying attention to the messages your skin is sending. Beautiful skin starts from the inside out, so instead, make sure you are well hydrated; focus on nutrition and incorporate more Omega-3 fatty acids into your diet; use a gentle cleanser that is pH balanced and won’t harm the skin’s microbiome; slather on a nutrient-rich antioxidant serum to protect against free radical damage.
MYTH #2. Washing Your Face More Can Help Reduce Breakouts
Trying to get that ‘squeaky clean’ feeling is terrible for your skin. It means you’ve washed away not only all the dirt but also all of the natural protection too. In fact, washing your face more often may produce the opposite results — like more breakouts and skin issues.
Instead, be consistent with washing your face twice a day and use a gentle and soothing pH-balanced cleanser free of toxins. One that can remove sweat, dirt, debris, and pollution from your skin without disrupting your skin’s barrier protection—like The Spa Dr® CLEAN Body Wash. Your goal should be to cleanse the skin and decrease harmful bacteria on its surface without stripping all the good bacteria and protective natural oils in the process.
MYTH #3. Lip Balm Dries Out Your Lips
Lip balms or lip hydrators contain waxes or emollients that create a barrier to seal in hydration to the lips. This barrier helps protect against weather, sun, and pollutants that can cause chapped lips. It is practically impossible for lip balm to be the cause of dry lips. And there is no good evidence that lip balms are chemically addictive to the lips.
So, it turns out lip balm addiction isn’t a thing. Unless, of course, you are using a lip balm or chapstick that contains harmful ingredients that can dry out your skin. For help finding safe skin care, Download a FREE Skin Care Ingredient Shopping Guide Now! It includes the top best ingredients to look for and the top worst ingredients to avoid.
MYTH #4. Putting Vaseline On Your Face Gets Rid Of Wrinkles
Vaseline or petroleum jelly contains mineral oil. Mineral oil is derived from crude oil, and there are some concerns about its safety. Because the refining process may not remove all the harmful impurities such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are carcinogenic.
Additionally, petroleum jelly can create the illusion of moisturized, hydrated skin — all the while suffocating, clogging, and hindering your skin, and causing skin issues. The result of using petroleum products that potentially exposes your skin needlessly to carcinogens could be the cause of fine lines and wrinkles, not the cure. To be safe, avoid mineral oils and petroleum products altogether.
MYTH #5. You Don’t Need To Use Anti-Aging Products Until You’re Older
It’s never too early to start taking care of your skin and counteracting the visible signs of aging. Properly caring for your skin is analogous to caring for your health. You wouldn’t wait to start eating healthy or exercising until you turn 50 to maintain and enjoy good health.
Your skin will benefit at any age from skin care products that contain natural and organic ingredients that promote ageless beauty and a youthful glow.
It’s also never too early to protect your skin (and health) from the sun’s damaging UVB, UVA, and IR rays. Use a mineral-based sunscreen to protect against oxidative damage directly to the skin caused by UVB and UVA rays, and take antioxidant-rich supplements to protect against internal free radical cell damage caused by IR rays. Both oxidative and free radical damage will cause inflammation, collagen breakdown, DNA damage, and pigmentation changes that contribute to premature aging of the skin.
MYTH #6. Steam And Hot Water Open Your Pores
Most people believe using steam, and hot water to wash your face will help because it ‘opens your pores.’ Your pores aren’t muscle – they can’t open and contract regardless of water temperature. And there is nothing that can physically ‘make’ the pores smaller or bigger.
However, warm water can make the skin structure more pliable and help loosen residue, debris, oil, and dirt in the pores. Not too hot, though — hot water can break down proteins and damage the skin’s barrier protection, leading to breakouts, eczema, and dry, irritated skin. Using warm water combined with a gentle cleanser and exfoliating sponge will safely clear pores for clean, silky smooth skin.
MYTH #7. “Natural” Means It’s Good For You
The lack of regulation in the skincare industry combines with an increase in customer demand for natural skincare has left the door open for many mainstream companies to misrepresent their products as “natural” or “clean.”
Many consumers rely on advertising and labels to help them choose products they believe to be safe and healthy. Unfortunately, many companies exploit this and knowing mislead consumers with terms like “natural.” When in fact, their products contain fragrances and ingredients linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, and reproductive harm.
Choose pure and natural skin care, like The Spa Dr. ®’s Daily Essential system, which is EWG VERIFIED™. This indicates the products meet the Environmental Working Group’s strict standards for transparency and health.
MYTH #8. You Should Exfoliate Your Skin Daily
Over-exfoliating daily may strip the skin of its barrier protection and physically damage skin cells—leaving it chronically irritated, inflamed, and hypersensitive. This damage can lead to more breakouts, skin issues, and accelerated aging.
While we all enjoy the radiant look that younger skin cells provide— once or twice a week is typically enough to help slough off dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores. Your exfoliation schedule will depend on your skin type.
When exfoliating, use very little pressure. Also, minimize friction by applying water or a cleanser as a light lubricant. It should feel good both during and after the treatment. Also, use a gentle exfoliant, like The Spa Dr.® Pearl and Rose Exfoliant, to do the job while preserving your skin’s protective barrier qualities.
The Spa Dr.® Approach
Morals and fears won’t keep women from wanting to look younger. And why should they settle for a less-than-ideal look? The good news is this goal can be accomplished naturally and without exposure to possible health harms lurking in many foundation bottles, eyeshadow palettes, and the like. We need to stop looking for hope in a jar and turn our focus to address the issues from the inside-out.
At The Spa Dr.®, our approach is to help shine the light on skin care information and offer our guidance to nurture your skin care journey. We believe we provide information that will help support your self-care and healing, and we want you to feel safe and cared for within our community!
The Spa Dr.® offers natural skin care products that are safe and free from chemicals and toxins that can harm your skin and health. Our products are formulated to contain key nutrients in their pure and active form in order to provide optimal results. In addition, our products are pH balanced towards mild acidity to promote and protect a healthy skin microbiome.
If you are not already part of The Spa Dr. community, please join us at TheSpaDr.com and on social media.
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