Zeno

Beauty through the science of heat

Posts Tagged ‘acne treatment’

  
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    Stress and Beauty

    Friday, August 19th, 2011

    We all know stress can take its toll on our health; chronic stress can contribute to heart disease, high blood pressure, hives, headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, anxiety disorders and depression, among other health problems. But what about your appearance? Did you know that stress can also take its toll on how you look?

    It’s true. A stressful lifestyle can magnify fine lines and wrinkles – “worry lines” – and trigger skin rashes and breakouts. In some cases, stress can even lead to hair loss. Stress can cause insomnia, making you look tired and generally worn out. And many of us become susceptible to catching colds and flus when we’re under stress, which gives us an overall unwell appearance. Then there’s the fact that stress often sends people to their favorite (unhealthy) coping mechanisms, such as overeating (or undereating), smoking, and drinking – all of which can affect your appearance for the worse.

    So what’s a busy, stressed-out girl to do? I mean, whatever is causing your stress probably isn’t going anywhere soon. So the key is to learn how to manage it better, so your natural beauty doesn’t end up suffering.

    When stress is getting the better of you, try physical activity like your favorite workout, a scenic bicycle ride, a stroll in the park, or a yoga class. While working up a sweat is great, it’s not required; sometimes just being out in nature or with other people, moving your body, is enough to calm stress.

    Another good strategy is to engage in a specific relaxation-focused activity. Yoga, again, is great for this. But so are tai chi, meditation, deep breathing, visualization, even prayer or visiting a church or temple if you’re religious. Anything that quiets your thoughts and soothes your soul will lower your stress level.

    Eat well, take your vitamins, and get enough sleep. A strong immune system is better able to handle stress, and these things are all integral to good immunity. If you have serious sleep problems and just can’t conk out at night, see your doctor for help.

    Identify your support system – and use them. Connection with others may be the most powerful stress reliever there is. No one likes to feel alone, and there’s something about talking through your problems with an empathic friend, family member, co-worker, counselor, or neighbor that can often cut through stress like nothing else.

    In the end, your health and how you feel are way more important than how you look, but the fact is, chronic stress will get you from all sides eventually. Learn to manage stress better now, and you’ll be happier, healthier, and more beautiful for years to come.

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    Keep Your Beauty Cool!

    Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

    It’s been a record-breaking hot summer for much of the country, with triple-digit temps everywhere from Oklahoma to the East Coast and humidity levels to rival the Amazon jungle. And if you live anywhere this hot, you know how hard it is to look lovely when just stepping outside makes you sweat – let alone doing anything while you’re out there.

    Well, fall is fast approaching, but for many of us, it’s still plenty hot in August – and often, even September. So it’s worth considering how to look your best even during a heat wave. Here are a few tips.

    • Give up the flatiron. Listen, heat and humidity and sleek, straight hair do not mix. If you can bear it, give in to the high dew point and let your inner waves come out. A drop of shine serum will keep the frizz at bay and polish up your ends, and haphazard, beachy waves are in right now anyway.
    • Wear your hair back (or up). Whatever your hair’s texture, if you’ve got any length at all, this would be a good time to try one of those cute up-do styles you’ve been seeing everywhere this summer. Try a messy bun, low side pony, or a fishtail braid – anything to get that hair off your hot neck and shoulders.
    • Carry blotting papers with you wherever you go. Blotting papers are easier and less messy than compact powder, and they soak up oil and shine like you would not believe. Keep a little packet in your bag, and your face will always look cool as a cucumber.
    • Adjust your moisturizer. Especially if you have oily skin, the dog days of August are the time to invest in a super-light facial moisturizer and use that instead of your usual type. And no matter your skin type, use a light hand with moisturizer when the temperature is high and the air is damp.
    • Switch to waterproof eyeliner and mascara. Because even if you’re not going to the beach or the pool, you need run-proof eye make-up during a heat wave.
    • Keep a bottle of ice water close at hand. Nothing cools you down as well as an icy drink, so sip cold water throughout the day to stay hydrated and beautiful.
    • Dress mainly in lightweight, breathable, natural fibers like cotton and linen. Trust me – they’ll keep you a lot cooler than manmade fabrics.

    Do you have any tricks for keeping cool in extreme heat? Let us in on your secrets.
    If you’re not nuts about the heat (like me!), remember: fall will be here before you know it.

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    Acai Berry for Better Health?

    Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

    Every now and then a new food product becomes the next big thing in health and nutrition. You start hearing about it everywhere, and pretty soon celebrities are raving about it and then even people you know are trying it out. Such is the case with the acai (pronounced “ah-sigh-EE”) berry.

    Have you heard of this exotic “new” fruit? Actually, there’s nothing new about it – acai berries have been harvested and eaten in South American countries for centuries. But recently acai berries have become buzzworthy in the United States, imported from Brazil and touted as the next big “superfood.” So what are they, exactly?

    Acai berries are a small, purplish, grape-like fruit harvested from the acai palm tree, which is native to the Amazonian rainforest. A few years ago, acai berry began showing up in the U.S., first as a beauty product botanical and then in health-food juices and supplements. These days, acai berry capsules, powder, extract, energy drinks, and juice blends are readily available for purchase.

    Why is acai berry so popular? Well, it’s super-high in antioxidants – those valuable vitamins that fight cellular aging, damage, and disease, and help protect against cancer and other degenerative diseases. Acai berry devotees claim that the super-fruit is able to cleanse and detox your body, strengthen your immune system, regulate your digestion, lower your “bad” cholesterol, and even help you drop excess pounds. But some experts say these claims are overstated or even unsupported.

    The buzz around acai berries is pretty hard to resist, but so far I haven’t tried any acai berry products. I’d love to know if they really deliver on their health promises. Anyone out there an acai berry fan? If so, tell us about your experiences with this hot new health food!

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    Acne Treatments on a Budget? We’ve Got That!

    Saturday, March 5th, 2011

    I seem to have found an acne-killing winner with my “drink lemons every day” plan, but I realize that not everyone likes lemons quite as much as I do, nor does everyone have the patience to actually cut up and squeeze a lemon every single day. If lemons aren’t your thing, let’s talk about some other acne-fighters that work.

    We get a lot of questions on the site about acne, acne scars, and medical treatments to treat both of these things. However, it goes without saying that not everyone has money for expensive laser treatments and dermabrasion, so what are your best options for acne treatments on a budget?

    There are actually a number of cheaper methods to treat your acne. Since I literally tried everything before I found the “lemon cure,” I will give you some over-the-counter solutions that can help. Of course we are assuming that you’ve got your Hot Spot and are using it to treat occasional breakouts!

    Anything with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid works well to treat acne. There are several lotions and gels that contain these products, including a line from Neutrogena. While these are still more costly than the average facial cleanser, they are much cheaper than other acne treatments. If you’re trying everything to get your acne under control BEFORE you see a dermatologist, then products with benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are your best bets before you go in search of something stronger.

    Another way to go is to use natural ingredients like mangosteen peel, tea tree oil and cucumber. Clay masks may also be useful in drawing out infections from the more inflamed areas. All of these are quite cheap and tend to be used in a number of products, ranging from bar and liquid soaps to gels and sprays. Because not everyone has the same skin, what works for one person doesn’t necessarily guarantee that it will work for you. Test the product yourself and see how it goes. For instance, I had a friend in high school who had great skin and swore it was due to her nightly routine of cleaning her face with witch hazel. Of course I had to try this, after which I discovered that for some reason, witch hazel makes my skin itch like crazy.

    There are a number of cheaper products available for those who need acne treatments on a budget. Don’t give up—eventually you will find something that works!