Tips & Tricks By Ginger: Vitamins, Supplements, and Foods Good for Your Skin and Hair

A few of my tips and tricks to getting great skin, hair and nails by enriching your diet with vitamins, supplements, and foods.

Hyaluronic Acid- Hyaluronic acid is present in every tissue of the body, and it performs many important functions. It helps deliver nutrients to and carry toxins from cells that do not have a blood supply, Not only does it keep joints lubricated, but hyaluronic acid also encourages water retention in other bodily tissues. It is found in large concentrations in the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is the fluid-filled space between cells. HA locks moisture into the ECM, keeping collagen and elastin moist and promoting a youthful appearance.

Green Tea--Recent research shows that green tea extract is naturally rich in antioxidants, which help protect the body from free radicals - naturally occurring particles in the body associated with accelerated ageing and an increased risk of major diseases. Exposure to pollution, smoking and excess sunlight increases the number of free radicals in the blood, but the potent antioxidants found in green tea add strong weight to the belief that green tea not only promotes good health but also makes you look younger.

Alpha-lipoic acid -- is an antioxidant that is made by the body and is found in every cell, where it helps turn glucose into energy. Unlike other antioxidants, which work only in water, such as vitamin C or fatty tissues (such as vitamin E), alpha-lipoic acid is both fat- and water-soluble. That means it can work throughout the body. In addition, antioxidants are depleted as they attack free radicals, but evidence suggests alpha-lipoic acid may help regenerate these other antioxidants and make them active again.

Olives--Olives and their oil are one of the highest natural sources of vitamin E, keeping your skin looking young. Olives are loaded with minerals that give the body more energy and strength.

Olive oil gives the body "beneficial" fatty acids to use, which helps the skin become suppler.

Fish--The primary nutrients that make fish so good for your complexion are zinc and, especially, omega-3 fatty acids. Increasing omega-3 intake can reduce dryness and inflammation. Inflammation can cause skin to age faster, and research shows that getting too little omega-3 may contribute to inflammatory disorders like eczema and psoriasis.

Vitamin C--Consuming extra vitamin C in foods like oranges, grapefruits, Acerola cherries (a single Acerola has 100 percent of your vitamin C for the day) and tomatoes can help tighten the skin and prevent wrinkles.

Vitamin C also may fight inflammation, and its antioxidant properties can neutralize the free radicals (highly reactive oxygen molecules) that damage cells and can prematurely age your face.

Red and Green Vegetables---Skin is the body's largest organ. It makes sense, then, that what's good for your whole body is also good for your skin -- and as far as food goes, it doesn't get much better than vegetables. You'll especially want to look for red-orange and green vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes and spinach.

Orange-red vegetables are full of beta-carotene. Our bodies convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, which acts as an antioxidant, preventing cell damage and premature aging. In the case of vitamin A, you also get anti-acne benefits -- vitamin A has been used in acne medications (think Retin-A) for many years.

Spinach and other green, leafy foods provide tons of vitamin A, too, which helps your skin produce more fresh new cells and get rid of the old ones, reducing dryness and keeping your face looking bright and young.

Nuts--As with many of the skin-healthy foods on our list, the good stuff in nuts -- especially almonds -- has to do with antioxidant activity. Vitamin E combats skin-aging free radicals, especially protecting skin from sun damage due to UV-sunlight-generated free radicals [source: Self]. Vitamin E also tends to help skin hold in moisture, relieving dryness and making skin look younger.

Whole Grains--The "whole food" movement has whole-body advantages, not the least of which is great-looking skin.

Whole foods are basically unprocessed -- whole wheat bread instead of white bread, for instance. The whole grain buckwheat is a good source for the antioxidant rutin, which helps combat inflammation-related skin damage. Wheat germ provides the B-vitamin biotin, which assists cells in processing fats. If you don't have enough biotin in your body, your skin can become dry and scaly.

In general, whole grains instead of processed carbohydrates can improve your complexion. Processed (or refined) flours can cause an insulin spike, which in turn can encourage acne. Replacing your refined-flour pancakes with buckwheat pancakes is a good acne-reducing move. Incidentally, this would also help reduce your risk of developing diabetes [source: MedicineNet].

Not into buckwheat? Avocadoes and mushrooms can provide similar benefits.

Try incorporating these items into your diet and daily routine and your hair, skin, and nails will be their best.

MythBuster Mondays: In case you missed these..

Over the past couple of months we have talked about a few skin care myths and whether they were true or false. Just in case you missed these here's an overview of our Monday Mythbusters!

Myth: Does a Day at the Beach Help Your Skin?:

Overall, the combination of sunshine and ocean water (or just salt water) is a great idea to try several times a month when the weather is warm. So the next time you wonder if you should spend a day at the beach, go, just remember moderation and good judgment is key! Find out the pros and cons of a day at the beach...  

Read Full Article

Myth: Do the beverages you drink really affect your skin? 

Bad:

Soda: Clogs Pores and dehydrates skin

Alcohol: Dilates Blood Vessels, and dehydrates skin

Good: 

Water: Hydrates skin, and flushes out toxins

Green Tea: Reduces the risk of cancer, and rejuvenates skin cells

Read Full Article

Myth: Does Your Hair Cause Acne?

When you have long hair, especially bangs, it leaves the oils on your face, clogging your pores. This is in addition to the oils that your face normally produces. Some tips to avoid having your hair cause acne on your face:                                                               Read Full Article

Myth: Does Toothpaste REALLY Help Clear Up Acne?

The answer is Yes, well technically....  When toothpaste is applied to the pimple, it dehydrates it and absorbs oil. The alcohol which aids the drying of the spot and fluoride which produces burning, can be a deadly combination for sensitive skin. BEWARE, it can result in burns, extremely dry and flaky skin, and irritation.Instead of using toothpaste, a good substitute would be...

Read Full Article

Any Myths you want us to bust? Let us know!

Sunburn Tips & Tricks by Ginger

In the midst of a hot summer we thought it appropriate to share some tips and tricks on how to deal with those nasty sunburns:

Start by taking a cool shower.  This should give you some immediate relief. Then apply a healing, hydrating, soothing serum like 100% aloe Vera gel or a Green Tea Antioxidant Moisturizer serum.

Of course, drink lots of water and take anti-inflammatory oral pain relievers or acetaminophen.

Tip: If your sunburn is bad enough to result in blistering, avoid opening blistered skin. If the blisters do open, apply a barrier cream or ointment to prevent infection and irritation.

Trick: Wear loose, nonabrasive, breathable fabrics like cotton. This is a great trick to avoid a long and painful day with a sunburn at the office.

Tip: Sunburn relief products are okay as long as they are in a cream or gel formula.  Most sprays contain butane which is counter productive for the healing skin.

Tip: DO NOT use loofahs, scrubs, retin a, retinol, or any other exfoliating agents until the skin has completely healed.

Trick: Gently pat skin dry after cleansing, do not rub the irritated or peeling skin.

Tip: DO NOT apply self tanner to the uneven peeling skin. Self tanner will stick to peeling skin and make it look worse.

Trick: If you must go outside while you have a sunburn wear a high broad spectrum SPF.

Tip: If you have a fever, excessive swelling, headache, nausea, or the skin becomes deep red or purplish then you should see your doctor.

Tip: Do NOT apply and mentholated or alcohol products to the skin it may make it feel better at first but it will further dehydrate the skin and cause more peeling.

We hope these tips and tricks help keep your skin feeling and looking healthy!  Remember we are still hosting the Skincare Blogger Wars so CLICK HERE to find out how you can win lots of skincare products!

Skin Care Giveaway Winners

One of our newest Mystery Prize winners is Aledol. Click here to read her post! She will be receiving a Brightening Activator kit. This kit includes Glycolic Acid 20% Peel, 100% Pure Hyaluronic Moisturizer, and Skin Lighten Activator.     

Our other Mystery Prize Winner is Jettychan. Read her post here! She will be receiving a Pure and Simple  kit. This kit includes Green Tea Anti-Oxidant Toner, Glycolic Acid 20% Peel, and 100% Pure Hyaluronic Moisturizer. 

Yesterday we also announced that we would be awarding one new subscriber to our blog with a skin care kit. The winner is Ice Fairy (sorry we don't know your real name). She will be receiving a Radiant Glow kit. This kit includes Alpha Beta Microdermabrasion Cleanser, Maximum Strength Alpha Arubutin Skin Lightener, and the Skin Lighten Activator.

All winners please email contests@naturalskinshop.com with your e-mail, name, full home address, and phone number. If you have any questions about using these products, please let one of our esthesticians know. Check back tomorrow for Friday's Mystery Prize Giveaway!!! Keep Blogging for SkinCare Blogger Wars!!

Mythbuster Monday: Do the beverages you drink really affect your skin?

Does soda really cause breakouts? Does alcohol affect your skin? Is water good for preventing breakouts? What else can I drink besides water to help my skin? These are all questions you have probably asked at one time or another, so let's put some truth to these rumors.

SODA:

So you go to the fridge and you see that nice cold soda you might want to think before you grab it.

Is soda really bad for your skin or do people just say that?

Clogs Pores

Due to the high quantity of sugar found in soda, it can pollute your system with toxins. As a result your body will try and cleanse by ridding the toxins through your pores, which can cause breakouts.

Dehydrates

While that caffeine may be that extra boost of energy you need it is a diuretic which causes the body to excrete water. This can cause dehydration not only for your body but your skin too!

ALCOHOL:

It's been a long day and you want to unwind after work, on the beach with a beer, a glass of wine, or you're having a night out knocking back a few margaritas no harm right! You work hard, you deserve it! But while it may feel great that night, your skin won't be thanking you tomorrow.

Dilates Blood Vessels

Alcohol can be detrimental to your skin, especially when done excessively. Alcohol dilates blood vessels in the skin. Therefore every time you take a drink the vessels remain dilated causing your skin to appear red and blotchy.

Dehydrates

Alcohol also dehydrates your body and your skin which leaves you feeling dry, and in some cases your face looking flushed.

Alright so you shouldn't drink soda or alcohol, so what should you drink?

WATER:

While water may not be full of flavor, it has tons of benefits especially for your skin.

Hydration

Drinking 8 glasses of water a day is recommended to keep your skin properly hydrated. This will maintain your skin looking healthy, fresh and young.

Flushes Out Toxins

When your body is built up with toxins, it tries to find a way to excrete them, which can be through the pores. Drinking water can help reduce this by flushing out those harmful toxins.

GREEN TEA:

If you can't drink water all the time and want to add some flavor to your drink try green tea.

Reduces Risk of Skin Cancer

Due to its high content of anti-oxidants, green tea has many benefits for your skin. These benefits include protecting your skin from harmful ultraviolet lights, which causes up to 90% of skin aging. Since it is protecting your skin from the UV rays, it is reducing your risk of skin cancer as well.

Rejuvenates Skin Cells

At the end of the skin cell's life cycle, green tea has been proven to help regenerate new skin cells. Green Tea helps fight signs of aging with the help of Vitamins E & C (antioxidants).

So put down the soda and limit your alcohol intake.Not only will your skin thank you, your waist line will to.

A Thank You from Natural Skin Shop

Thank you for wishing Ginger from Tips & Tricks By Ginger a Happy Birthday! To show our appreciation Natural Skin Shop will be sending each person who wished Ginger a Happy Birthday, on her Facebook, one of her favorite products.

These products include:
Green Tea Spf 30+
MIZU Hydrate Cream
Glycolic 10% Daily Exfoliator
Vitamin C Serum 27%
Glycolic Cleanser
Glycolic Toner
Squalane Moisturizer
Hilton Becker MD


Congratulations to the following:

Tammy Ricken

Chris Gillotte

Sheryl Edwards

Beckett Graham

Claudia Robbins

Melissa Lawrence

Lisa Pera-Kojouri

Michelle Mackenzie

Congratulations and we hope you enjoy product!

Please note: If you have won more than 2 giveaways/discounts you may not be eligible to win.

Skin Cancer, learn how to protect yourself

(Not) Another Lecture on Skin Cancer....

I know what happens every Spring.  Skin Cancer Awareness Month begins. You read the articles and cringe at the pictures and pledge that you’ll never go without sunscreen again.  Then June comes along with its bright blue skies, lazy days by the pool, and weekend barbecues and all of your sun-smart intentions are forgotten like a bad dream.....

I’m not trying to spoil your anticipation of the glorious summer months ahead, but I’ve seen the deep scars left behind from when Melanoma has crept its way into an unsuspecting life (every 8 minutes in the U.S.). And after many years of helping my clients (and myself) reverse their bad sun behavior I’ve come up with a list of what I think are some of the most important facts about skin cancer and the sun.

1.) Skin Cancer kills more people every year than any other type of cancer.

2.) It takes less than 10 minutes in the sun to cause DNA damage.

3.) UVA rays (the ones that go deep into the skin, accelerate aging ,and are 2-3X stronger in a tanning bed) are basically the same strength all year.  This is why you need to use a daily moisturizer with sunscreen even in the winter months.

4.) Just one severe sunburn during childhood increases the risk of developing melanoma later in life (and the risk doubles after 5 burns).

5.) It can take up to 10 years for sun damage to show up on your skin.  This is why a lot of us “just woke up one morning and were covered in sunspots.”

Okay, now that we’ve all reviewed May’s lessons on skin cancer, what can we do about it?  Use a daily moisturizer with a broad spectrum sunscreen like the Green Tea Antioxidant SPF 30 Moisturizer.  It’s very lightweight and I promise you won’t know you’re wearing sunscreen.  AHA Kojic Peels and daily exfoliators target sunspots and sweep away dull damaged skin and Max Strength Alpha Arbutin Serum will give your new healthy skin a smooth even tone.  Finally my favorite, Vitamin C.  Whether in a cream or serum, it’s one of the best weapons to give dull sun damaged skin a beautiful healthy glow.

Now this holiday weekend, lets all welcome June with open arms (covered in sunscreen).

Kristen is a licensed esthetician and has been working in the beauty industry for over 9 years. Through many years of experience and continuous training she has acquired extensive knowledge in the skin care field. She loves educating her clients and helping people look and feel their best!

How to Care For Sensitive Skin

           Every Wednesday is ask your question day on Facebook. We pick one question and answer it with a video,and the winner receives a $25 gift certificate to Natural Skin Shop. Last week Kimberly Flickinger asked:   
What is the best skincare regimen for sensitive skin and what is a good product to use? 

This video is about caring for sensitive skin. Natural Skin Shop has great Green Tea regime that will defend, repair and sooth sensitive skin.

This regime includes: 1) Green Tea Cleanser 2) Green Tea Antioxidant Toner 3) Green Tea Serum 4) Green Tea Moisturizer with SPF 30 .

 Visit www.naturalskinshop.com to find all these great products and more!