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Beauty Glowing Skin Tips Health Lifestyle People

Post-Holiday Skin Care Tips

Who doesn’t love the endless festivities, food, and family time? Unfortunately, come January, your skin can start to feel (and look) a bit less than radiant. Below we share how you can get things back on track and get your skin back to its former glory!

Step 1: Gentle Deep Face Wash

After a holiday season, your skin needs a deep cleaning—and I am not talking about a quick wash with your go-to face cleanser. You need to upgrade your face wash to get an extra deep but gentle cleansing.

You can grab a face brush to have deep face wash.  However if you have sensitive skin, you would prefer to a gentler face brush, like Kathleen Natural’s advanced Facial Sonic Cleansing Device.  This Device has combined the sonic pulsations with an innovative gentle silicone brush design for a deeper and gentler cleansing. The sonic pulsation can channel through hundreds silicon touch-points to remove blemish-causing impurities and dirt, leaving the skin clearer and lighter without harsh abrasion.

Step 2: Face Mask

Applying a good face mask will leave you feeling pampered, like you are at a spa – a spa at home. At the same time, the face mask helps not only hydrate skin; choosing the right face mask can also tighten, tone and detoxify skin, and help to improve the appearance of your pore and skin texture.

Kathleen Natural brings you our new and exciting range of face masks – Bright Mask, Collagen Mask, Deep Pore Treatment Mask and Dead See Mud Clay Mask. They are all clay masks and help to rid your skin of dirt, dust, oil and pollution. If your skin is feeling dull and tired, try the Bright Mask which is formulated with White Willow Bark and Hibiscus Extracts to gently peel your skin.  If you want to stimulate collagen production, try the Collagen Mask which is infused with Retinol that can ‘tell’ your skin cell to behave like younger cells. If you have blackheads and breakouts, try Deep Pore Treatment Mask which is formulated with Cucumber and Tea Tree Oil to calm and reduce inflammation. If your skin needs to promote a healthy balance of oils, try the Dead Sea Mud Clay Mask to strengthen the skin cell membrane. All our face masks can also act as a therapeutic aromatherapy product to soothe and relax your mood and mind.

Step 3: Hydration, Hydration and Hydration

Staying hydrated and taking on water is a fundamental post-holiday skin care tip. You should look to intake two litres of water a day to maintain your healthy body.  Researchers told us that drinking a good amount of water could help to avoid heat exhaustion and also heatstroke. I can list here a lot of the benefits of drinking water, like helping to flush out toxins, maintaining optimum organ function, relieving symptoms of heat exposure.  I want you to remember that drinking water is not only good for your skin, and also are important for your health!

If you want to speed up you healing process of your skin, you can add one of the most treasured skin care products – Serum. They are easy to apply and deliver tremendous results. No quality skin care routine would ever be complete without a facial serum.

Kathleen Natural brings you three different Serum to care your every needs. If you want adding extra moisture for your skin, try Silk Miracle Essence which is infused with Aloe Vera, Marine Collagen to promote silky smooth skin.  If you want brightening the skin, try our Illuminating Serum which has got 12 potent, natural actives, like strawberry and papaya extracts.  If you are looking for a serum to keep you aging gracefully, try our Anti-Aging Serum which is formulated with natural “power house” coenzyme Q10.

Step 4: Soak

I really noticed that it is likely a soak in a warm bath is not going to make your skin look different. But it really can help to chill out after the stressful day. Everyone needs a pampering night!

Head to our website, grab our all natural aromatherapy body and bath products to enhance your bath and shower experience. Remember to apply a few drops of our Body and Massage oil into the palm of your hand after bathing, inhale the beautiful scents and massage into wet skin immediately after a bath, then gently pat dry your skin with a towel.  You will feel a renewal of your spirit and mind.

Citrus Cheer Duo – it enhances the feeling of intense citrus brightness.

Tranquil Fields Duo – it brings you a sense of calm and inner peace.

Sensual Rose Duo – it enhances the feeling of joy and positivity.

Step 5: Exercise

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, moderate exercise can improve our circulation which in turn can help to give your skin a more youthful appearance. If the gyms are obviously packed this time of year, why not break a sweat at home?

I found below from NHS website. 20-minute equipment-free workouts (including warm-up and cool-down) are just what you need. I think it is very cool.

There are 6 workouts, 1 for every day of the week if you include a rest day, each working on a different area of your fitness.

Try to do 1 of these routines daily to improve your general health and strengthen and tone different muscle groups. The workouts can also be bolted on to your regular workout sessions if you want to tone your abs, legs, triceps or buttocks.

6-minute pre-exercise warm-up

Warm up and stretch properly before exercising to prevent injury and make your workouts more effective. This warm-up and stretching routine should take about 6 minutes.

10-minute cardio workout

Exercise your heart and lungs with this 10-minute cardio workout routine for aerobic fitness. If you have a skipping rope, replace any of the exercises with a 60-second burst of skipping.

10-minute toning workout

Firm up your bum, abs, legs and arms with this 10-minute toning workout. You will need a resistance band for some of the exercises but if you don’t have one, you can use water bottles.

10-minute legs, bums and tums workout

Tone up, firm up and burn fat from your tummy, hips, thighs and bottom with this 10-minute workout for legs, bums and tums.

10-minute abs workout

Tone your tummy muscles and get a flat stomach with this 10-minute abs workout. These abdominal exercises strengthen the muscles around your trunk.

10-minute firm butt workout

Lose the droopy booty and get the perfectly toned posterior with this 10-minute firm butt workout. These exercises strengthen your buttocks, thighs and back.

10-minute upper arms blaster

Banish those flabby upper arms for good with this 10-minute upper arm workout. These arm-strengthening exercises tone your triceps, the muscle above your elbow.

5-minute cool-down routine

Stretch and cool down after exercising to relax, improve flexibility and slow your heart rate. This cool-down routine should take about 5 minutes.

Wish you all have growing and beautiful skin!

 

If you found this post interesting, you might also like our other posts:

 

– Kathleen Natural

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Beauty Glowing Skin Tips Health People Product

Blood Circulatory System and Healthy Glowing Skin

Blood circulatory system is very mechanical in nature. In many ways, it works just like a pump circulating blood through a network of unseen vessels.  In the same way that such a pump system would fail if there were wrong with the pump or the vessels became blocked. (Boehike J, 2017)

Most people aren’t aware of how important blood circulation is to your skin health. Your blood circulatory system brings nutrients (oxygen, minerals, vitamins, hormones and other micro-elements) to your skin cells and removes wastes (carbon dioxide, acid, protein by products).   Not only do skin cells require all of these substances, but the cells that comprise the blood vessels also require their own share of nutrients. (Chartie S, 2016)  So blood circulatory system can have a great impact on what you see in the mirror!

When the bloodflow to your dermis is restricted, your skin doesn’t look it best.  Poor blood circulation to your face causes your skin to look pale and pasty.  Also a lack of oxygen and nutrients may cause dark spots, a mottled complexion, slower healing acne wounds, slower cell regeneration, dry skin and leaving you looking aged and more fatigued.

While not all dark circles around the eyes are a result of poor blood circulation but because the skin in the area around our eyes is quite thin, poor circulation results in less oxygenated blood, showing in bluish/ purplish appearance around the eyes.

What remedies that can be used to increase blood flow?

1. Exercise

Exercise improves the oxygen carrying capacity and nourishes the body cells. Daily aerobic activity can improve the circulation of blood and is very essential for healthy body and mind. A rule of thumb is: Getting 20 minutes of aerobic activity at least three times a week helps you to maintain a strong heart. (Tabor, 2017)

2.Eat healthy food

A balanced and healthy diet keeps the good blood circulation. You can include these foods to your diet:- Nuts, Garlic, Ginger, Green tea, Green coffee, Ginseng root, omega-3 fatty acids rich food e.g. avocado & oily fish, Vitamin C-rich fruit and deep green vegetables.

Healthy food helps to maintain the tone of blood vessels and promotes good blood circulation.  In addition, it provides many nutrients and vitamins to leave your skin glowing naturally.

3. Stay hydrated

When you are dehydrated, blood volume and blood output suffer, taxing the heart as it moves blood through your system (Tabor, 2017)

4. Massage

Massage is the most commonly used means of improving bloodflow to your cells.  Massage increases blood circulation as a result of “the physical manipulation of soft tissue and also chemicals released in our face or bodies as part of relaxation response.”  (a) Take both hands and gently stroke your face.  You don’t need to pull on your skin or use a lot of force.  (b) Start at your neck and move up to your cheeks to your forehead.  (c) You can use the back of your hand, i.e. the knuckles, to roll across your face.

Why not take the easier and handy way to massage your face?  The newest Kathleen Facial Sonic Cleansing Device has combined the sonic pulsation with the innovative silicone touch points for a deeper and gentler cleansing.  This handy device also gives you facial massage easily when you bathe because of its waterproofing design.  Enjoy this mini pamper to stimulate the bloodflow and oxygen circulation every day.

5. Use of stimulating skin care products

Using skin care products with Ginseng Root, Green Coffee and Co-enzyme Q10 may help to improve blood circulation.

Scientists studies (Kang J, Lee N, Ahn Y, Lee H, 2013) show ginseng root improves blood circulation and the Chlorogenic acid present in the Green coffee is a metabolism booster which imposes a positive effect on the blood vessel and so improving the blood circulation (Nutrinelifepune, 2017).  Try Kathleen Caviar Enrich Eye Cream, which has infused with Ginseng root and Green coffee that helps to reduce dark circles and puffiness under the eyes.

Co-enzyme Q10 is a natural “powerhouse” for our cells to improve the blood circulation and improve our antioxidant defence system (Byron R, 2014).  Try Kathleen Glamour Ageless Anti-Aging Serum that specifically targets to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, protects against dryness and restores softness.

6. Practicing deep breathing

Deep breathing improves the circulation of oxygenated blood in one’s system. It also helps   decrease stress, lower blood pressure. Deep breathing involves: (a) breathing in slowly until your lungs fill up completely, (b) holding one’s breath for 10-15 seconds and (c) letting out ALL of the air slowly, as this removes carbon dioxide and cellular wastes from the body.

If you found this post interesting, you might also like 10 Benefits of Hyaluronic AcidShea Butter is the skin’s best friendAmazing White Illuminating Serum and the Beauty Shortlist Awards.

Reference

Boehlke, J. (2017). Benefits of Increased Blood Circulation. Retrieved from Livestrong.com

Chartie, S. (2016). Healthy and vibrant skin thanks to your blood flow! Retrieved from avogel.ca

Tabor, A (2017), In Circulation: Facts About Blood Flow and Healthy Skin. Retrived from Healthy Directions

Kang J, Lee N, Ahn Y, Lee H, (2013), Study on improving blood flow with Korean red ginseng substances using digital infrared thermal imaging and Doppler sonography: randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with parallel design. Retrieved from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutrinelifepune (2017). Top 9 Benefits of Green Coffee Beans You Should Not Miss

Byron, R (2017), Coenzyme Q10 Remarkably Improves Circulation

 

 

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Beauty Glowing Skin Tips Lifestyle

Sweets Accelerate Skin Aging

There is a direct relationship between high-sugar diet and skin aging!

Scientists found that once sugar enter our blood (in form of glucose) which attach themselves to the amino groups of tissue proteins such as collagen to form harmful molecules called advanced glycation end products (nickname AGES!). These process accelerate skin aging in two areas:

  1. Harmful AGES have taken up the precious collagen from our body in a domino-like reaction. Collagen is a natural type of protein which makes up over 80% of a person’s skin, working like a ‘glue’ and ‘scaffolding’. Therefore, AGES further reduce the level of collagen leading to dry, wrinkles and sagging looking skin.
  2. AGES also affect what type of collagen we have. Our skin contains 3 types of collagen (types I, II, and III) and type III are the most stable and longest lasting. AGES will transform type III collagen into type I, which is more fragile.

Nevertheless could we completely eliminate all types of sugar from our diets? We should not!  Sugar is an essential fuel for cells and energy metabolism, critical to survival.   However, here are the tips to reduce or slow AGES.

Tips #1: Limited your daily added, or ‘free’ sugars to 5% of your daily calorie intake, equals to five-six teaspoons (25g) for women and seven-eight teaspoons (35g) which is the recommendations from the World Health Organisation.

Tips #2: Avoid fizzy drink which contain around 9 teaspoons of sugar!

Tips #3: Avoid high-fructose corn syrup (a common additive sweetener in processed food) which is 10 times faster formation of AGES. Check labels for ingredients list!

Tips #4: Minimize intake of carbohydrates.

Tips #5: No more fast food.

Tips #6: Eat more antioxidant-rich foods; fruits e.g grapes, berries, especially dark-colored ones; nuts e.g. walnuts; dark green vegetables.

Tips #7: Replenish the skin with antioxidant-rich ingredients, coenzyme Q10,  green coffee extract, algae extract, sunflower seed oil, apricot kernel oil, sandalwood extract, Vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and cranberry extract.

Tips #8: Remember sun protection.

Thanks so much for reading my post.  If you like this post, you may also like Olive Oil: Taste & Health, Skin Care Routine and Unlock the Secret of Coenzyme Q10.

 

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Beauty Glowing Skin Tips People Product

Unlock the Secret of Coenzyme Q10

One of my readers who asked what is coenzyme Q10 which I highlighted in my newsletter on 2015-05-01? Then, I warn her,” You may better note the benefits rather than digging into those difficult scientific findings.” But my lovely dear reader refused! She is so smart and love to be more knowledgeable!

Coenzyme Q10 also known as ubiquinone (CoQ10), is a new comer in the skin care industry and was first discovered by ingredient giant, Beiersdorf, Germany in 2011 for skin-rejuvenating and wrinkle-reducing functions. Its chemical structure is:

Q10 3 status

Don’t panic, CoQ10 is a small molecule that we can produce ourselves naturally. CoQ10 can be found in all organs, including skin; be specific, can be found in cell membranes of mitochondria. Mitochondria are very important; they are the “powerhouse” of our cells and control the cell growth and cell death!

Why CoQ10 exists in the cell membrane of mitochondria and what is its function?

CoQ10 is a fat-soluble and tiny “mobile” molecule; it has an unique ability due to its three interchangeable states

– eQ10powerhouselectron donor and electron acceptor. Electron is transferred to and from these 3 states. Therefore little CoQ10 become an electron transfer chain for generating power, and this cellular power for human cell is called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). On the way of transforming food to ATP, we need trillions and trillions of CoQ10.  In our body, no other molecule like CoQ10 can perform similar function!

How CoQ10 can work as an antioxidant?

I need to explain what are free radicals? Our human cell is composed of many different cells. Cells are composed of many different molecules.  Each molecule consists of one or more atoms.  Each atom consists of nucleus, neutrons, protons and electrons.  A molecule will be in “stable” status if no. of nucleus, neutrons, protons and electrons are in balance.  However, human cells have many chemical reactions during respiration and metabolism leaving the molecules with an unpaired electron. Scientists called it is an oxidation reaction and unpaired electron molecules are free radicals.  Free radicals are very “unstable” and trying to capture electron to gain stability.  They attacks the nearest molecules, “stealing” electrons and damaging our cells.

Magically, CoQ10 naturally is the most generous donor and acceptor of electrons.  CoQ10 works naturally as an anti-oxidant; protects our cells from damages and neutralizes free radicals in the environment.

Aging Problem

Under perfect condition, our body can produce as much CoQ10 as we need.  However, scientists found the level of CoQ10 in the body declines with age.Q10 decline

Please give scientists a big hand! They discovered CoQ10. Commercial CoQ10 is manufactured in both natural and synthetic forms (a yeast fermentation extraction and partial synthesis from CoQ9).

Over thirty, our ability to produce CoQ10 is reduced.  Our skin will appear the effects of ages, fine line, wrinkles …. loose… tired…  Our skin needs CoQ10 little helpers! Unlock the secret of CoQ10 in GLAMOUR AGELESS.