Tips for Maintaining Glowing and Youthful Skin

Regular maintenance and care of our skin is mandatory to maintain the perfect and youthful glow. Apart from using good quality products on skin, its also important to eat right and to be regularly involved in physical activities. What we apply and what we eat shows on our face. Dull and tired skin indicates unhealthy eating habits and unhealthy lifestyle. Therefore, here are 8 tips to maintain beautiful and healthy skin forever-

1. Drink loads of Water

Water is essential for our body and nothing can replace water. Do not ever substitute plain water with juices, cold drinks, tea, coffee or any other drink. Minimum of 8 glasses of water should be taken daily to maintain good health and subsequently good skin. When the body is dehydrated, it takes a toll on skin. Skin becomes dull and flaky. So, go ahead and gulp down a glass of water right now. 

2. Eat Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are loaded with Vitamins and antioxidants which are extremely good for the skin. Antioxidants helps to fight ageing by destroying free radicals produced in the body. 

3. Apply Sunscreen Lotion

Sun rays are highly damaging to skin. It speeds up ageing, causes skin burn and skin tanning. Sunscreen is a must when you step out of the house. Use sun protection cream with high SPF which protects against UVA and UVB both.

4. Exercise

Exercise increases blood flow and makes it reach skin surface. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to skin cells which boosts the skin's glow. Also,  sweat cleans the pores by expelling germs, dirt and oil. Hence, the skin becomes healthy and glowy.

5. Cleansing, Toning and Moisturising

This is extremely crucial and should be done twice a day. Clean your face with your favourite cleanser. Follow it with a toner and finally moisturise your skin. Cleaning removes all the dirt, oil and bacteria from face. Toning removes any left over dirt and oil and also tightens the pores. Lastly, moisturiser adds the lost moisture to skin making it soft and supple.

6. Exfoliation

Exfoliation is as important as cleansing, toning and moisturising. Exfoliation should be done 2-3 times a week. Its an important step to remove dead skin from surface so that whatever we apply to skin is absorbed better and faster.   

7. Beauty Sleep

A good night sleep is essential for youthful skin. Lack of sleep leads to dull, flaky and tired skin. So 8 hours sleep every night should be a routine.

8. Green Tea

Green tea is loaded with Anti-oxidants which helps to fight ageing and reduces wrinkles. It removes toxins from skin and reduces inflammation. So make it a habit of having a cup of green tea every day.

These are a few tips which will definitely improve your skin and make it youthful day by day. Just follow these tips regularly and your skin will thank you.

Take Care and Keep Blinging.

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Signs of Dehydration

Human body is composed of 2/3rd of water. Water is essential for body to function normally.

Water plays essential role-

• In cell life. 
• For regulating body temperature.
• For transporting nutrients to cells.
• For removing toxins from body.
• For maintaining youthful skin.
• Medium for biochemical reactions to take place. 

These are just a few of the important functions of water but the actual list is long. Therefore, deficiency of water can lead to adverse effects. Our body requires approximately 2 litres of water daily to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Dehydration occurs when too much water is lost from body which is not being replaced. Dehydration prevents normal functioning of body. 

Common symptoms of dehydration are -

• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Dry skin
• Dark yellow Urine
• Muscle cramps
• Lethargy
• Bad breath

If you notice any of these signs, then pay attention to the amount of water intake. These symptoms indicate mild to moderate dehydration.  Therefore, its important to increase water intake once such signs show up. 

Water is extremely important for maintaining healthy and glowing skin. It flushes toxins and moisturises skin from within. No matter how expensive or good quality moisturiser you use, if you are not well hydrated your skin will remain dry and itchy. So make sure to drink at least 2 Litres of water daily and you will notice an overall improvement in your skin.

Take Care and Keep Blinging.

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Magnesium for Acne

Magnesium is vital for proper functioning of body. It is needed for more than 300 enzymatic reactions. It is vital for protein synthesis, for maintaining blood sugar level, for nervous system to pass signals and for proper development of bones. These are just handful of important functions which Magnesium does but the actual list is quite long.

Magnesium is not a direct cure for acne but it dramatically improves the root causes of acne. Lets look at the various factors which causes acne and how Magnesium fights them-

1. Fights Stress by Regulating Cortisol Level

Acne can get worse due to stress and anxiety. When we are stressed, stress hormones (Adrenaline and Cortisol) are released. Excessive Cortisol produces more sebum which clogs pores and worsens acne.

Magnesium is known as 'Relaxation mineral'. Whenever body produces cortisol, kidneys release Magnesium to compensate. Increasing the intake of Magnesium helps in controlling stress thereby helps in controlling acne.

2. Enhances Sleep

People with low level of Magnesium have problem falling asleep. Magnesium is needed for the synthesis of Melatonin which is the sleep hormone. Also by controlling the Cortisol's level, Magnesium induces a relaxed and profound sleep. Lack of sleep has direct effect on skin. It can aggravate inflammation and induce insulin resistance.

3. Fights Insulin Resistance

Insulin is a hormone which controls blood sugar level. When too much Insulin is produced, our body becomes resistant. Acne gets worse due to insulin resistance because sebum production increases and pores get clogged with dead skin cells. Magnesium helps to fight Insulin resistance.

4. Acts as an Anti-Oxidant 

Deficiency of Magnesium leads to increase of harmful free radicals in body. Magnesium is responsible for the formation of an important antioxidant 'Glutathione' in body. Therefore, Magnesium deficiency leads to free radical formation which affects the skin.

It can be concluded, Magnesium does help in clearing the skin. So, the best way to overcome Magnesium deficiency is to take it from natural food. Foods rich in Magnesium are -

• Green Leafy Vegetables like Spinach
• Bananas
• Dried prunes, figs, raisins
• Fish such as Tuna, Sardines

Lastly, Magnesium oil is also recommended for Magnesium deficiency. Magnesium oil is a highly concentrated solution of Magnesium chloride. It is sprayed directly on skin (excluding face) from where it is efficiently absorbed into bloodstream.

Increase Magnesium intake, you never know this might turn out to be the Miracle Medicine for your acne.

Take care and keep Blinging.

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Lemon Toner

Lemons contains high amount of Vitamin C. Lemons not only benefits the overall health but it also benefits the skin in many ways. Vitamin C helps to lighten, tighten and brighten the skin.  Lemons also acts as natural astringent. It tightens pores and gives a soft and smooth skin. Lemons exfoliates the skin and deep cleanses it. No wonder lemons are included in a variety of skin  care products.

DIY Lemon toner works wonders on skin. This toner is natural and cost effective. With regular use, it fades away acne marks, sun tan and age spots. This toner can be used 1-2 times daily followed by a moisturiser. 

To prepare this toner, we need -

• Lemon juice
• Water
• Witch hazel
• Bottle (for storage)

Method 

Add 1/4 cup of lemon juice to 3/4 cup of water followed by 2 tsp of witch hazel. Store this toner in a clean bottle. Proportion of ingredients can be changed according to the sensitivity of your skin. This toner can be stored for 10 days.

Make this natural and effective toner yourself and enjoy its benefits. 

Take care and keep Blinging. 

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Coconut Oil as Make-up Remover

Coconut oil not only has amazing benefits for health but it is highly beneficial for skin and hair as well.

• It possess anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.
• Makes hair and roots stronger.
• Acts as a hair conditioner.
• It is an amazing moisturiser.
• Prevents wrinkles and dark circles around eyes.
• Makes nails stronger. 

Nature's best beauty secret - Coconut oil

Apart from these uses, coconut oil works as excellent makeup remover even for water proof makeup like mascara. It doesn't require to spend a fortune as in the case of expensive make-up removers and cleansing wipes available in fancy stores. Coconut oil might be cheap but it works far better than chemical based make-up removers. It not only removes make-up but also takes away dirt, grime and sebum from face.

Method

All you need to do is, take out half a spoon of coconut oil in your palm and rub till it melts completely. Now apply it on your face in circular motion. You will notice that the make-up starts breaking down right away. Gently rub your eyes and lips as well. Massage the coconut oil for about 30 seconds and then wipe it off using a tissue paper. You will notice all your make-up will come on the tissue paper. Now wash your face with warm water using your favourite face wash and you are done.

Try this natural yet efficient make-up remover as an alternative to chemical based make-up removers. You will also notice improvement in your skin.

Take care and keep blinging.

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Apple Cider Vinegar for Oily Scalp

If your hair gets oily the next day after shampooing, then you have oily scalp. Excessive oil production in scalp leads to oily hair. This occurs due to variety of factors such as hormonal changes, heredity, stress and poor habits. Oily scalp needs extra care and regular washing to keep the hair beautiful and manageable. But busy lifestyle doesn't always allows washing hair daily. So the best way to tackle this problem is to use a natural remedy to rid of the excess oil to keep the scalp and hair fresh for a longer time.

Apple Cider Vinegar is an effective natural remedy for oily scalp. Apple cider Vinegar has acetic acid in it which maintains ideal pH level of scalp thereby reducing excessive oil secretion. It also controls oil build-up on scalp and cleanses product build-up. Regular use of a variety of styling products such as serums, sprays, shampoos and conditioners leads to deposition of product residues on the scalp which causes itching, dandruff and oiliness. Apple Cider Vinegar effectively breaks down product build-up and clears the scalp for a fresh feeling.

Method for preparing Apple Cider Vinegar rinse:

Add 2-3 tsp of Raw unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar to a cup of water. After shampooing your hair, use  this mixture as a rinse. Wash it off after 2-3 minutes. 

Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar solution should be done once or twice a week.

This method will surely give you relief from frequent shampooing and other oily scalp related issues. Do try it out.

Take care and keep blinging.

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10 Things to Do Everyday

'Good habits are worth being fanatical about' - John Irving

We must continuously endeavour to improve our life style in order to make our everyday more productive. This does not require dramatic changes. Small changes in our habits can make a huge difference. As, we all know, its never too late to start. Nowadays, everyone is busy with their studies, assignments, office, targets, deadlines and what not. Hence, it becomes important to adopt good habits which are helpful in a long run and make us more efficient and productive. Good habits acts as a catalyst in achieving a good and healthy life. Therefore, here is a collection of 10 simple things to be done daily to improve the lifestyle.

1. Drink lots of Water
• This is nothing new, its a cliche. 'Drink lots and lots of water'- yes its crucial for our body. It boosts energy and flushes out toxins. It helps in weight loss and maintains youthful skin and healthy complexion. It relieves constipation and maintains healthy gut. Lack of water shows on face. You will feel tired and lethargic. Your skin lacks glow and become dry and itchy. Our body requires about 8 glasses of water daily to function properly. But the more water to take, the better for you. So just drink a glass of water right away.
2. Exercise 
• Exercise doesn't mean you have spend hours in the gym everyday. Its important to get involved in any physical activity. It could be a 15  minutes brisk walk in the park or 10 minutes jogging. You can also do stretching, yoga, cycling or simply play your favourite sports. Exercising relieves stress, energises the body, helps in weight loss and makes you active. It also controls blood sugar level and lowers the blood pressure. So, put your running shows on and get going.
3. Make a 'To Do List' in the Morning 
• Due to busy schedules, we often forget or don't find time for the important tasks we had to finish. So, everyday in the morning make a 'To do' list to have a more productive day. This might sound lame but once you get into the habit of writing it, your productivity will definitely increase. Work towards finishing all the points you have mentioned in the list. Also, this way, important tasks will not skip your mind and you will yourself feel efficient.
4. Eat Healthy
• Its quite easy to fall prey to mouth watering french fries, burgers, pizzas or donuts. But such treats are good once in a while. Its tough to eat healthy food all the time but once you get into the habit of eating it, it wont be tough at all. Include lots of green vegetables, fruits and salads in your diet. Get into the habit of eating fruits like an apple or a banana instead of eating chips or cookies as snacks. Try cooking healthy recipes. Pack a box full of fresh fruits and dry fruits as snacks for  office. This contributes to betterment of overall health.
5. Praying & Meditation
• As much as food is mandatory for a healthy body, prayer and meditation are needed for peaceful mind and soul. Devoting 15 minutes everyday to prayer or to reading Bible or any other religious book is important to have a peaceful mind. And when mind is peaceful, you start to enjoy life. It doesn't necessarily mean that you should be religious, you can even meditate for a few minutes everyday. Try to be better person than yesterday. Be thankful to God for all the blessings on you and your family.
6. Watch TV or Listen to Music 
• Entertainment is important for a happy life. Watching your favourite sitcom, news, movie, interview or simply listening to your favourite music for half an hour can totally change your mood and make you happy. If you feel you cannot find time dedicatedly for entertainment, then just listen to music while you are cooking or travelling.
7. Take out time to make your Home tidy 
• With busy schedules and office, its becomes tough to keep home upto date and tidy all the time. But it would be good if we can take out 15 minutes in the morning for making our house tidy. If not in the morning, do it when you return home after work. This small habit really helps in keeping you active and after all, your home says a lot about your personality.
8. Stay away from Phone & Internet
• This one habit is extremely tough for many of us. Nowadays, we are so dependent on internet and phones for everything. We cant leave our houses without phone. No matter how tough this might be but try not to touch your phone for at least an hour everyday. Instead read a book or  newspaper. Have a one-on-one conversation with your kids, parents, spouse or play with your pet. Do not let internet waste your time.
9. Observe & Appreciate Good things in Others 
• Always greet others with love and respect. Observe good things in others and appreciate them. Get rid of fault finding nature. If you do good to others, good thing will happen with you. 
10. Analyse your Expenses
• Analyse how much you are spending. Analyse if you are overspending or not spending at all even on the things you need. How much are you saving and are the savings enough for your plans which could be a holiday in a foreign destination or plan to buy a house or a new car. Such calculations tell you where you have to cut on your expenses.

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Zinc for Acne

Studies have shown people with acne have lower level of Zinc as compared to people with clear skin. So the connection between acne and zinc deficiency can be anticipated. Zinc is an essential mineral for human body. Zinc performs many important functions in body such as gene expression, cell replication and growth and regulation of hormones. Importance of Zinc is not just limited to these but it is important for clear skin as well.

A few symptoms indicating Zinc deficiency are:

• Hair fall
• Dry skin
• Depression
• White spots on nails
• Acne 

Several studies have revealed the benefits of this mineral for clearing skin. If you are suffering from acne, there is a good chance you aren't getting sufficient Zinc from food. Zinc is crucial for proper functioning of immune system. It is present in nearly 300 enzymes in our body. It contributes in proper functioning of insulin which is crucial for clear skin. Zinc contributes to healthy, glowing and clear skin by following mechanisms.

• It regulates hormonal balance which is linked with excess oil production on skin.
• Zinc acts as a powerful antioxidant. It controls the formation of damaging free radicals which contributes to acne.
• Zinc kills acne causing bacteria. Unlike antibiotics, Zinc doesn't develops resistance.
• Zinc improves the absorption of vitamin A and vitamin E by body. Both of these vitamins are essential for maintaining healthy and problem free skin.
• Zinc helps in preventing blocked pores.
• Zinc controls acne inflammation. 

So, we can safely assume that Zinc helps in clearing acne by several ways.

Therefore, people suffering from acne should consider taking more Zinc in their diet.

Food is the best way to overcome any mineral or vitamin deficiency. Vitamins and minerals are absorbed easily from real foods than supplements. Zinc rich foods includes:

• Non-Vegetarian food like Chicken, pork, beef, lamb and sea food like lobsters, crab and oysters.
• Vegetarian food like Green leafy vegetables, chickpea, mushrooms, pumpkin seeds, cashew nuts. 

Around 10mg of Zinc is required by our bodies daily.

Overall, we can safely say Zinc can help in clearing up skin and it is also important for many other vital functions in body. So just increase the intake of zinc rich food in your diet and see the results. It does take some time for the skin to clear up, so keep patience. Who knows, this might be the miracle medicine you were looking for. 

Keep blinging.

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