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!

Ginger's Tips & Tricks: Squalane Oil

One of my favorite products is Natural Skin Shop’s Squalane Moisturizer. Since I began using this product my face has never felt better. Now what exactly is Squalane you ask?

Squalane Oil is 100% plant based, and is derived from olives. (Bet you didn’t know the fruit you put in your martini, helps your skin). This moisturizer has almost the same molecular structure found in the natural oils in babies’ skin, which is why this hydrating product, Squalane, is nature’s perfect moisturizer.


What Squalane does:


-Helps retain moisture and boosts cell regeneration.
-It can rapidly and completely permeate the skin, and reduce signs of aging.
-Deactivates free radicals that are produced from UV exposure.


Benefits of Squalane:

-It is odorless and colorless. Won’t leave behind any smell, or any color stains.
-Ideal for sensitive or allergy prone skin due to it’s pure qualities.
-It has antibacterial qualities.
-Similar to products such as Vitamin A and Retinol.
-Squalane aids the healing process, soothing and calming irritated and inflamed skin. (Skin conditions such as eczema and allergy rashes.)
-Safe for children because it is chemical and preservative free (it is self preserving).


Tips on How To Use Squalane:

-Used to stimulate the healing process after microdermabrasion, laser, peels, and exfoliation.
- Facial Moisturizer.
- Body Moisturizer.
-To relieve chapped lips
-As cuticle oil
-As a moisturizing booster mixed in with your daily moisturizer during the winter months.
-People with dry skin can apply a couple drops to their skin to help their makeup glide on smoother.
-Can put it on dry hair for hydration and shine or mixed with your conditioner for added moisture.
-Can use it to moisturize dry skin and calluses on your feet.
-Mix with Hyaluronic Serum for a pure, natural moisturizer.

Overall Squalane is such a versatile hydrating prodct that aids a lot of different skin conditions. Try it today!

Basic Skincare: Simple as Breakfast

When it comes to basic skin care there are three things to remember: Grapes, Raisins, and Corn Flakes. What do fruit and cereal have to do with skin you may ask, well let us go through it together shall we? 

Think of your skin in layers. Three layers.The top layer being the crunchy cornflakes, the middle full of wrinkly raisins, and the bottom, most precious layer filled with moist, juicy grapes. 

Now that you’ve got that scrumptious image in your mind, let’s shift our thinking from eating those cornflakes to exfoliating them away. 
 
Layers of Skin
The grapes, raisins, and cornflakes represent the cells in the layers of your skin. The skin cells in their original form are plump and juicy just like fresh picked grapes. 

As time goes by those grape-like cells are exposed to the sun, wind, pollutants, stress and other unavoidable hazards and slowly begin to take the form of wrinkly, dry raisins. Sadly, some of those wrinkly raisin cells dry up completely to form that top layer of skin cells we will refer to as cornflakes. With this imagery in mind basic skin care couldn’t be more simple. 
 
Steps to Basic Skin Care
The first step is to exfoliate those dry cornflake cells away as they appear. This will be approximately 3 times a week with gentle daily cleanses in between. Once the flakies are gone, the wrinkly raisins are fully exposed with the plump grapes right underneath them. 

The next goal is to plump up the wrinkly raisins with a good facial moisturizer and slow down the aging of the grapes by applying a skin protectant loaded with sunscreen. That’s it. That is the grape, raisin, and cornflake method to having soft, moist skin no matter what stage of life your in.

Everyone, young and old, have these different layers of skin and the trick to basic skin care is to just care for each layer. Scrub off the cornflakes, moisturize the raisins, and protect the grapes.

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.

Skin Care Magazine Recommendations

Skin care education is imperative to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Everyone should know how to properly care for their skin, keep an eye out for new trends, and find out about ingredients in products they use.

Locating legitimate sources, that you can rely on, can prove to be difficult. However, there are great skin care  magazines available online. 

Here are some of our top picks:

Skin Inc. provides timely information about skin science, spa business solutions, treatment trends, and much more. Skin Science offers useful articles on skincare ingredients. These articles include topics such as pros and cons of certain ingredients, what ingredients have to offer for different skin types and ingredients to avoid.

If you are looking for broad skincare articles they can be found in the Skin Science section under Physiology. Skin Inc. also provides information on treatments, products, and skin care events Other useful tabs include: treatments, products, buyer's guide, events, and education.

Some articles that Natural Skin Shop found interesting in Skin Inc: 

• Pomegranate: Nature's Oldest Ultraviolet Protection
• Fry Now, Pay Later

Dermatology Times gets the latest news from your skin care professionals: Dermatologists. Their editorial content covers new procedures, advances in therapy, new products and drugs, the latest information presented at meetings, and in-depth interviews with leaders in practice, academics and research. This magazine will be sure to keep you up to date in the world of dermatology.

Some articles we thought you would find interesting from Dermatology Times:

• Staying Sharp: Proper care, maintenance help prolongs razor blade life
• FDA panel urges tanning bed restrictions

Global Cosmetic Industry magazine is the business information resource for marketing and business executives of beauty and personal care, fine fragrance and candle and home fragrance manufacturers and marketers. Follow GCI magazine for the cosmetic industry trends, new product ideas, and data analysis.

Some great articles we found in GCI magazine:

• To Derm or Not to Derm?
• Smelling the Forest for the Trees 

We hope you find these magazines helpful. If you have any magazines that you like, leave a comment and let us know.