Skin Care – HackALife

6 Tips to Help Fix Dry Skin

Its winter and our skin reacts different to the weather. Skin seems to flake and crack all winter long, even when we use moisturizer. Moisturizer is not the only thing that gonna keep our skin on track. The weather has a lot to do with how our skin reacts.

Here are some dry skin tips:

1. Keep your water lukewarm, not hot. Hot water robs moisture causing dry skin, so its best to shower in lukewarm water. Another skin moisture killer is hot tubs, the hot temperature combined with drying chemicals, is torture on your dry skin.

2. Moisturize after showers or hand washing. Apply product when skin is slightly damp. You may find that oils work better for you than a lotion. Antibacterial soap in public places can also be harsh on your hands, so keep lotion in your purse for applying when away from home.

3. Exfoliate on a weekly basis. Moisturizer is so much more effective on properly exfoliated skin. Its best to scrub skin when its dry, massage into the skin before turning on the shower.

4. Baby your hands and feet. Hands and feet are the worst reactors to the cold weather. Put on moisturizer and gloves before heading outside and consider lathering up your feet in moisturizer and put on some therapy socks over them for sleeping in.

5. Stay Hydrated. Dehydration does affect the skin so keep your skin hydrated with at least eight 8 oz glasses a day.

6. Don’t forget to protect your face and lips too. Remember what your parents always told you about licking your lips? Well its true, licking your lips will only cause them to dry out and crack. A simple lip balm will do the job. For your face remember to use moisturizer everyday.

For more information on Dry Skin Fixes click here.

Anit-Aging Skin Care Help

Do you have age spots that seem to get darker by the day? Buffy or dark circles under your eyes that don’t seem to go away? Winkles that seem to be getting worse even though you use anti-aging creams? Do you have questions about what the best treatment for your aging face is? Each part of our body and each beauty concern we have needs different care, along with the fact that each persons skin ages differently. Below are some helpful tips to help you get a hold on your aging face and slow down the process.

Wear sunscreen! If you do only one thing for your skin this would be your best bet.

Bags under the eyes – This might be a clue that you are not getting enough sleep. If your eyes look different with different activities you may want to take note of what might be causing it. Drinking alcohol before bed may be a factor.

Dark circles under the eyes – If it is caused from a deficiency of vitamin K try using a cream with vitamin K and retinol, they significantly reduce the puffiness and discoloration in most patients.

Age Spots on your face and neck – Age spots and freckles don’t appear overnight so getting them to fade wont happen overnight either. Your best bet is to use Hydroquinone cream for lightening skin discolorations. Another more expensive option is an intense pulsed light laser, costs about $200 a visit.

Neck Wrinkles – The cheapest bet would be to use the same anti-aging treatment you use on your face, this will definitely slow down the aging process. To tighten and smooth sagginess on the neck, dermatologists often recommend a Thermage treatment, which uses radio frequency to heat the skin but costs about $2,500 a treatment.

The Truth About SunScreen-What You Need To Know

As the Summer’s heat continues to press on, more and more people are hitting the pools and the beach to soak up some rays. Others are traveling and taking advantage of the beautiful weather and everyone in general is outside more. So what are the risks of more exposure to the sun and how does one use sunscreen effectively.

Skin Cancer Connection has great information about sun tan lotion and proper skin care in the sun. They even have an online quiz you can take to find out how much you now about sunscreen and skin care.

Skin Care Connection recommends that on a daily basis, “one should apply sunscreen to the face, neck, ears, and the back of the hands as these areas are commonly exposed to the sun despite the clothing that we wear. If you wear short-sleeved shirts daily, then applying the sunscreen to the exposed areas of your arms is also wise.

The sunscreen you choose should protect you from a broad range of sunlight, and should contain at least one of the following three ingredients: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or parsol 1789 (avobenzone). SPF of 15 or greater is appropriate for daily use. Of course, if you expect to be out in the sun for an extended period of time, then a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater should be applied every 2 hours to all sun exposed areas.This may sound cumbersome, but just a few extra minutes of applying sunscreen will protect you from future cancers!”

Encourage your children and other (as well as yourself) not to go out into the sun for extended periods of time without sunscreen. Taking care of skin now can prevent issues like cancer and burns later. Sunscreen also prevents large amounts of energy from being zapped from your body while enjoying the sun and uncomfortable burns and peeling down the road.

Make Your Own Deodorant

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Yep its definitely summer, you can feel it in the warmth of the air and the see it in the constant sweat collecting on the armpits of many a shirt. What better way to help combat the sweat than to make your own deodorant.

Over at Instructables.com they have a step by step instructional guide to help you make your own deodorant, using just a few simple ingredients.

This is perfect for those with allergic reactions to the chemicals in the store bought deodorant or for those with sensitive skin. Whats nice about making your own is that the ingredients are almost all already in your cupboard.

You start by picking out your favorite scent in an essential oil, something that wont be too strong or cause sensitivity. Then after you mix the ingredients you use your old deodorant container and fill it up and let it sit for a day or two. It really seems like an easy project and well worth it.

They claim it takes only 5 minutes, I guess I have to try it out to see if it sincerely will only take 5.

4 Beauty Problems Solved on the Cheap

Women and even some men seem to always be looking for cheaper ways to take care of those beauty issues we face everyday. And especially these days with the hard economic times pushing in from every side. Here are some helpful ways to solve those beauty issues on the cheap.

1. How to shrink pores: You cant reduce them for good, but one inexpensive way to make yours less visible is a clay mask. You can buy a clay mask from the store for about $4 but using what you already have at home works just as well. Leave egg whites on your skin for 10 minutes, or swipe on witch hazel after you clean your skin.

2. How to fight the frizz: Dark beer poured on just-washed hair, rinsed after two minutes and followed by a conditioner works wonders. Weekly coconut-oil scalp massage keeps hair silky-smooth too. And for a midday touch up, dab on a drop of hand cream onto frizzy spots.

3. How to soften up all over: For elbows, rest your elbows in grapefruit halves for five minutes; the citric acid exfoliates. For your heels, dry and rub in extra-virgin olive oil.

4. How to stop breakouts: Dermatoligists recommend after washing your face to put on a 2% salicylic acid lotion from the drugstore. Or dissolve an asprin (salicylic acid in solid form) tablet in a bit of water to form a paste, apply to the breakout and rinse after 3 minutes. Another tip: always dry your face with a seperate towel than the one you bath with, which may have bacteria or oily hair conditioner residue on it.

Natural First Aid for Summer Fun

Summer may not officially be here by date but the warmer weather has already brought the sunburns, insect bites and everything else that comes along with the summer. Below are natural remedies to help relieve the pain associated with summer fun.

Sunburn –

Aloe Vera gel, it soothes and promotes healing.
Peppermint Oil, Calendula Oil, or St. Johns Wort extract helps reduce body heat and promote a healthy inflammatory response.
Witch Hazel contains tannins for promoting healing and a healthy inflammation response.
Cucumber Juice or Rosewater is soothing.
Vitamin E oil, Avocado oil or diluted Lavender essential oil promotes healing.

Insect Bites –

Colloidal oatmeal bath or lavender or peppermint essential oil soothes itching and promotes healing.
Garlic soothes pain; hold crushed clove on sting 20 minutes then rinse.
Topical Clay or Basil Leaf soothes itching and stinging pain.

Poison Ivy –

Colloidal oatmeal bath, calamine lotion or topical clay soothes, helps relieve itching and promotes healing.
Jewelweed, eucalyptus or witch hazel essential oils promote healing; use undiluted drops or a compress.

Minor cuts/Burns –

Tea tree oil or witch hazel in products or diluted cleans and soothes.
Comfrey, lavender or caledula ointment or compress promotes healing and a healthy inflammation response.

Muscle Soreness –

Anica gel or cream relieves swelling and pain.
Bromelain helps sooth sprains and bruises.

Motion Sickness –

Drinking raspberry tea or inhaling the aroma of peppermint essential oil promotes a calm stomach.

Best Sunscreen

342571_f260 The sun is coming out and staying out for longer periods in the day. Which means sunscreen should become a very important part of your daily routine. For adults and kids alike you should be putting sunscreen on daily.

If you are a woman, you probably have sunscreen in the makeup you use daily. But men and especially children, need sunscreen too.

Best Sunscreen Overall Sunscreen: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55 – It has avobenzone and oxybenzone for broad-spectrum protection against short- and long-wave UVA rays. $9 for 3 ounces.

Best Inexpensive Sunscreen: No-Ad Sunblock Lotion SPF 45 – No-Ad Sunblock is far less expensive then Neutrogena, yet still provides dependable broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. It contains avobenzone to protect against both short- and long-wave UVA rays. $10 for 16 ounces.

Best Sunscreen for Babies and Persons with Sensitive Skin: Blue Lizard Suncream Sensitive SPF 30 – Blue Lizard Suncream is chemical- and fragrance-free and contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which act as a barrier against broad-spectrum UVA and UVB rays. Blue Lizard sunscreen is also water-resistant. $12 for 5 ounces.

Best Sport-Formula Sunscreen: Banana Boat Sport Performance Dri-Blok Sunblock Lotion SPF 30 – Banana Boat sport performance goes on like a lotion but dries to a powdery finish that allows athletes to maintain a good grip. Users say that the lotion is lightweight and affordable.$9 for 6 ounces.

Best Sunscreen for your face: Eucerin Extra Protective MoistureSPF 30 – Eucerin combines sunscreen with moisturizer and contains the microfine zinc and titanium oxides. This will guard skin against aging UVA rays and skin-cancer causing UVB rays.

Summer Body Help

Summer is just around the corner, shorts and swimsuits will soon be making an appearance. Get your summer body ready for the hot weather with these helpful tools.

Get in Shape: Wear Shape Up Shoes for just 30 minutes a day and get results – fantastic legs, lifted buns and a stronger core. More affordable and more effective than other “rocker bottom fitness shoes”, Shape Up Shoes will put a dent in your fitness routine not your wallet!

In-Grown Hair Help: Private RX, a revolutionary two-step program that helps minimize bumps, irritation and in-grown hair caused by waxing or shaving. Cooling pads and soothing serum improve skins appearance while leaving a beautiful finish to your bikini line.

Smooth Hands & Feet: Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffer a new revolutionary patent-pending technology foam-release system with aromatherapy. Wash and Scrub, all in one, is a unique blend of glycerin, olive oil, shea butter, tea tree extract with lavender aromatherapy infused into a double sided sponge to exfoliate, smooth and relax your tired feet.

Hair Removal: Parissa Hair Removal’s gentle, natural products result in salon-smooth skin that lasts for weeks. Skin stays smoother longer since regrowth is sparser and finer. Parissa products also exfoliate the skin and removes impurities for healthy, radiant skin. pH Balanced and aloe enriched, this wax removes hair the natural way, and provides healing and moisturizing treatment for your skin afterwards.

Cocoa for Better Skin

img_sfeer001 I was reading an article about how cocoa is good for you. I knew that cocoa was full of antioxidants but w hat this article was saying is that cocoa with a high antioxidant concentration has been shown to smooth the skin when ingested regularly, but a new study is one of the first to prove that it has anti-aging effects when applied topically.

In the Journal of Nutrition they published an article on how Long-Term Ingestion of High Flavanol Cocoa Provides Photoprotection against UV-Induced Erythema and Improves Skin Condition in Women. In this study, 2 groups of women consumed either a high flavanol or low flavanol cocoa powder dissolved in water. The ingestionof high flavanol cocoa led to increases in blood flow of cutaneousand subcutaneous tissues, and to increases in skin density andskin hydration. Skin thickness was elevated and transepidermalwater loss was diminished within the same time frame. Dietary flavanols from cocoa contributeto endogenous photoprotection, improve dermal blood circulation,and affect cosmetically relevant skin surface and hydrationvariables.

They did find that the concentration of flavonols must be higher than what is normally in dark chocolate in order to be effective. In the study they used a cream containing Acticoa, a cocoa extract rich in antioxidants.

Products containing Acticoa are available in Europe. In general, the best skin products of this kind are those in which cocoa is listed among the first four ingredients.

So don’t let anyone tell you chocolate is bad for you! Indulge!