Tag: sunscreen

best skincare ingredients for healthy skin

The Best Skincare Ingredients for Healthy Skin

Posted on by Editorial Team

The best skincare ingredients to include in your routine are generally the ones that will address your specific skin concerns. We all have unique skincare needs and challenges, after all. However, there are a few skincare ingredients that are found to be beneficial for all skin types. Below is a list of some of the most popular ingredients used in skincare products today;

  • Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that helps to draw moisture to the skin, leaving it feeling plump and hydrated. Our Bakuchiol Serum contains skin-moisturizing hyaluronic acid, glycerin and other naturally-derived ingredients that work all day to smooth and moisturize.
  • Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) is an AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) and antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from free radical damage, which can lead to premature aging. If you’re looking for a natural, gentle Vitamin C face cream, try our Age Defying Face Cream.
  • Niacinamide (a form of Vitamin B3) is a multi-tasking ingredient that can help to improve the appearance of dark spots, uneven skin tone, and enlarged pores.
  • Retinol, a synthetic derivative of Vitamin A, is a retinoid that can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. It can, however, be irritating to sensitive skin.
  • Bakuchiol is a Retinol alternative that is gentler, but can also help stimulate collagen production. Our latest addition is the WEBA Naturals Bakuchiol Serum with Collagen Peptides
  • Ceramides are lipids that help to strengthen the skin’s barrier, which can help to protect the skin from environmental damage. Ceramides can be obtained from plant and animal sources.
  • Sunscreen is essential for protecting the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can cause premature aging, wrinkles, and skin cancer. The higher the SPF (sun protection factor), the more it protects against the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays. It should even be worn on cloudy days. There are two major types – chemical and physical sunscreens. We advocate for the use of physical or barrier sunscreens, as side effects of chemical sunscreens have not been thoroughly studied.

It is important to choose products that contain ingredients that are appropriate for your skin type and that address your concerns. You should also start with one or two skincare products and gradually add new products to see how your skin reacts. If you have any concerns about your skin, you should consult with a dermatologist.

Here are some additional tips for creating a skincare routine that works for you:

  • Cleanse your face twice a day. This will remove dirt, oil, and makeup from your skin, leaving it clean and refreshed.
  • Moisturize your face every day. This will help to keep your skin hydrated and prevent it from drying out.
  • Use sunscreen every day, even on cloudy days. This will protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Too much sun can causes intra-cellular breakdown and other damage that will age your skin prematurely.
  • Exfoliate your skin regularly. This will help to remove dead skin cells and reveal the fresh, new skin underneath.
  • Avoid harsh soaps and detergents. These can strip your skin of its natural oils and make it dry and irritated.
  • Get enough sleep. Sleep is essential for healthy skin.
  • Eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet can help to improve the overall health of your skin.
  • Manage stress. Stress can contribute to or worsen skin problems like as acne, rosacea and eczema.

We all want beautiful, healthy skin. By following these tips and consulting a professional when necessary, it’s possible to create a skincare routine that will help you achieve your goals.

Summer skincare tips Pinterest

Summer Skincare Tips

Posted on by Editorial Team

The hot, dry Summer months bring challenges when it comes to skin maintenance. Whether it’s skin problems or the need for protection, here are a few of our best Summer skincare tips.

Use Sunscreen

A sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is our best line of defense. A good sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB radiation and attendant skin damage. UV radiation exposure, like smoking, is a primary cause of premature skin aging. And let’s not forget the risk of skin cancer. Some estimates are that 1 in 5 Americans will develop one of the three forms of the skin cancer by the age of 70. So the best protection against these concerns is regular use of a good sunscreen. We wrote a previous article about Summer sun, Vitamin D and sunscreen that discussed the benefits of barrier sunscreens. We also feel that tanning beds, which carry the same risks as sunlight, should be used with caution.

Add A Toner Or Mister To Your Routine

If you don’t normally use a toner or a skin mister as part of your skincare regimen, you might want to try them now. Increased heat and humidity may contribute to increased sweat and sebum production, resulting in skin eruptions. A toner can help by soothing and refreshing skin, removing traces of cleanser, balancing pH, and helping remove excess oil. Those with oily or combination skin seem to benefit most from a using a toner. There are different formulas, however, that work with all skin types.

A skin mister is often used after a toner or even over makeup to help lock moisture (with ingredients like squalane and shea butter), to mattify (with ingredients like silica) or to prevent breakouts. The important thing to look for are ingredients that match your needs; plain water may be refreshing, but it can ultimately leave skin feeling dryer with repeated use.

Cleanse Gently And Often

It goes without saying that summer heat and humidity necessitate more frequent cleansing and bathing. So you may want to switch to a cleanser that does the job without stripping the skin. Products like micellar water, cleansing balms and oil cleansers (like our 2-in-1 Facial Cleanser and Makeup Remover) cleanse and nourish skin with natural humectants, oils and antioxidants. And if you’re shampooing often, be sure to use a sulfate-free shampoo and nourishing scalp oil to prevent over-drying. Ingredients like charcoal, kaolin clay, and essential oils like rosemary, tea tree and peppermint can refresh, rejuvenate and strengthen scalp and hair.

Don’t Forget to Moisturize

You might think that with all of the excess moisture in the air, you don’t need to moisturize. But it’s not necessarily true. Too much perspiration combined with low humidity can leave skin feeling dry and dehydrated. So choose a lighter formula that protects skin against environmental stressors and enhances and locks in moisture. (Try our Age-Defying Vitamin C Face Creme with Niacinamide, for example.)

By the same token, body moisturizers can soothe sunburned skin, clear pores with ingredients like salicylic acid and AHAs, and retain moisture with ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Maintaining proper hydration can go a long way towards keeping your body’s largest organ – and the entire body – functioning properly. Increased perspiration puts us at higher risk for becoming dehydrated, especially as we age. In addition to drinking water, foods with high water content like cucumber, watermelon, luttuce and oranges can add lots of hydration. Proper hydration also helps the skin rid itself of toxins. You’ll know that you’re properly hydrated if your urine is straw-colored.

We hope that these summer skincare tips will see you through the season with happy, healthy and stress-free skin.

Hand and nail care blog post

Hand And Nail Care

Posted on by Editorial Team

Now more than ever, you may find it necessary to practice a little hand and nail care. Constant hand washing, exposure to excess sunlight and other irritants, can leave hands dry, red and irritated. Learn what to do and what not to do when it comes to your hands and nails.

The skin on the hands

The skin is one of the largest organs in the body, with three layers – the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis. While the skin on the palm of the hands is thick, the skin on the back of the hands is the thinnest on the body. Because it is the most frequently exposed part of the body, it is a common area for photoaging and conditions like eczema and psoriasis from exposure to environmental stressors.

Preventing and treating dry hands

While dry, chapped hands are a very common condition, there are many ways to prevent and/or treat them. It is particularly important for those whose professions require them to have their hands in water all of the time – from dishwashers to nurses and surgeons. Many of the detergents and solvents used in washing and disinfecting the skin also tend to dry it out. Here are a few suggestions for maintaining healthy skin on the hands:

  • Wear gloves – There is a vast assortment of gloves designed to protect hands from the elements, from latex rubber to cotton. Rubber gloves are best whenever you are working with toxic solvents (turpentine, wood stains, pesticides, etc.). If your skin is sensitive, there are latex-free gloves available. Keep in mind that even though you are wearing glove, it’s important to know how to put them on and take them off. You should still wash your hands before and after wearing them in the event that the gloves have small leaks or tears. Cotton gloves are a good choice before going to bed if you are treating dry, chapped hands.
  • Use a moisturizer throughout the day – the best prevention is to use a soothing hand cream or balm (like our All-Purpose Body Balm) after working with water or irritating ingredients. You may have been washing your hands more frequently lately due to the CoVid19 virus pandemic, which may have left you with red, irritated hands or even contact dermatitis. Balms are recommended for more intense/nightly hand treatment once the skin has been stripped of its protective lipid layer. If not, hand creams can help prevent this from happening, but only if they are applied regularly.
  • Protect your hands from the sun – sunlight can create problems for your hands. Too much sunlight causes sunburn, dark spots, and a breakdown of collagen, not to mention the threat of skin cancer. Use a barrier sunscreen to prevent sun damage; wear driving gloves or use a UV filter on your car’s windows if possible.
  • If skin damage is severe, consult a physician. They are able to prescribe treatments like prescription creams to treat more serious conditions that don’t respond to home remedies. If you have an open sore or severe burn, you should seek professional attention, as these can lead to infection or worse. A physician can also diagnoses other skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
  • Use products with ingredients like shea, mango, and cocoa butter, glycerin (plant-based), Vitamin E and pure aloe. Oil-based products are great for restoring the skin’s lipid layer.

The Basics of Nail Anatomy

Like the skin on the hands, fingernails can suffer from too much exposure to environmental stressors. Frequent hand-washing, for example, can leave nails thin and prone to tearing. Exposure to solvents like acetone and gel manicures can also weaken the nail. Like hair and other parts of the body, nails are composed of keratin, a fibrous protein that grows out from the lunula, or the visible portion of the matrix. Caring for nails helps them serve their function of protecting the nail bed from foreign substances and pathogens. It also protects the fingertips. What many people don’t know is that the nail is even more permeable than skin. While our skin can absorb 50-70% of what we put on it, the nail can absorb substances, too. It’s important to know how to care for this important part of our anatomy. We’ve included a few suggestions below to get you started:

  • Eat a well-balanced diet – that’s right; the same diet that may leave your hair dry and brittle can do the same to your nails. Vitamin B12 deficiency can leave nails dry, dark and/or curved. A diet containing sufficient protein will promote keratin production. And hydration is important, too- our nails contain as much as 12% water.
  • Keep nails neatly trimmed/filed – This can prevent them from catching on objects, resulting in painful tears.
  • Use a nail/cuticle oil regularly – when nails are dry, they readily absorb oils, which work well to soften and condition dry nails and cuticles.
  • Don’t cut your cuticles – not only can this raise the risk for infection, but it can result in nail ridges. Instead, use a cuticle stick to gently push the cuticle back and keep cuticles conditioned.
  • Watch what nail products you use – solvents like acetone can wreak havoc on nails. Many nail polishes contain ingredients like formaldehyde, toluene and other organic solvents that can dry nails out. They are also being absorbed into the body, which is not so good. Try nail products that are 10-free (free of the 10 major harmful ingredients). We love Zoya nail polish. For a list of some good ones, click here.
  • Instead of nail polish, try buffing your nails – not only will it leave your nails naturally lustrous, but it helps to increase circulation to the nail bed, which is a good thing.
  • Seek professional help if you see anything that shouldn’t be there – fungal infections are common and sometimes require prescription medication. Even skin cancer can appear in the nail area, so don’t wait. Contact your doctor for a consultation.

By taking just a few steps to keep hands and nails healthy, you can avoid the discomfort of dealing with dry, cracked skin and nails. A little care can go a long way.

Haircare mistakes and curly hair

Haircare Mistakes And Curly Hair

Posted on by Editorial Team

Which haircare mistakes to we tend to engage in? A lot can depend on your hair type and lifestyle. For those with curly hair, a little TLC is often required due to the nature of the curl strands and their susceptibility to damage. Wavy and curly hair are created by the presence of an oval hair follicle. Curly hair is softer and more susceptible to breakage. It also tends to have less sebum present, making it drier. Hence, it’s important to know which practices can negatively impact on curly locks, and what to do instead. Below are some of the most common haircare mistakes.

Shampooing too often

As mentioned before, curly hair tends to be drier. This can also extend to the scalp. Therefore, it’s not necessary to hit the shampoo bottle every day, or even every other day. A lot depends upon how active you are and what condition your curls are in. According to the experts at Ouidad , it’s ok to wash or co-wash your hair between 1 and 3 times per week. As a general rule, the drier your hair and scalp, the less often you should wash it.

Using the wrong shampoo

There are a mind-boggling number of shampoo formulas out there, and it’s important to use one that is tailored to your hair type. If your hair is extra curly, it will benefit from an extra-moisturizing formula. Or opt for what is called co-washing (conditioner-only washing). Most conditioners contain a few cationic surfactants (cleansers) like benhetrimonium chloride, which remove dirt without stripping the hair. If your hair and scalp tend to be dry, this may be the best option for you. Also avoid shampoos containing a lot of foaming agents like sodium laureth sulfate and cocamide DEA, which can cause allergic reactions and tend to be drying. Believe it or not, you don’t need lather to get hair clean. If in doubt, read the ingredient labels before buying. For a list of common shampoo ingredients read this Newsweek article.

Using the wrong styling products

It’s important for people with curly hair in particular to use styling products. They help with frizziness, dryness, tangling and other issues. Even if you air-dry your hair, it’s a good idea to add protection and definition with styling products. However, the wrong styling products can wreak havoc on your hair. For example, styling gels containing alcohols can dry out your hair. Opt for alcohol-free cream formulas that add definition and shine. Another problematic ingredient is silicones. On the label, they usually end in -one or -oxane. They are synthetic polymers that create slip and providing some heat protection. While not all silicones are created equal, they all do have a tendency to build up on your hair, ultimately leaving it dry and dull. They are hydrophobic, which means they are hard to wash out. You’ll then need a clarifying shampoo to remove them, which causes more drying, and on and on. This is especially true for thick silicones like dimethicone. It’s a cycle that you just don’t want to get into.

If you still want to use silicones, opt for a water-soluble one like cyclomethicone.

Not protecting your hair from the elements

Whether or not you color your hair, this is a common mistake that can really cost you down the line. Things like heat, humidity, chlorine, and ultraviolet light have an especially strong impact on curly hair. Aside from avoiding pools and sunlight, there are few things that you can do before hitting the pool or the beach. Yes, you can apply your barrier sunscreen to hair. Usually the ingredients found in sunscreens for the skin are ok for the hair, too. (Yes, you should be using sunscreen on your skin, too.) You can also try products containing oils like jojoba, carrot seed oil, red raspberry oil, almond oil, and shea butter. These ingredients provide natural sunscreen protection. Look for brands like Alba Botanica, or take a look at our All Purpose Dry Oil. If you don’t have any products available, wear a hat.

Too much heat styling

Let’s face it, we all life hectic lifestyles that often necessitate quick hair drying. However, it’s important that we give our curly hair a break from heat styling whenever possible. Even with a diffuser, hair dryers can damage the hair cuticle and dry out curly hair. Sometimes we can avoid heat styling by getting the right haircut. Also buy the best blow dryer you can afford, usually an ionic or ceramic hair dryer, or a combination of both. They tend to cost more than regular hair dryers, but it’s worth it to get less frizz and a shorter drying time. However, air drying is best for curly hair. The right styling product can make your curly hair wash-and-go.

Over-manipulation of hair

Again, a good haircut makes over-manipulation of hair less likely to occur. One should also never comb out curly hair when it’s dry. Use a conditioner or cowash that detangles and use a wide-tooth comb to detangle gently. Separate tight curls with the fingers if possible. Don’t over-brush.

Not protecting your curls while you sleep

It’s so easy to protect your curly hair at night. Just buy a satin sleep cap or a silk pillow case. The fabric helps to reduce friction, reducing damage to your curls while you sleep. Also avoid wearing tight bands or other restraints in your hair while you sleep. Curlers are a no-no! A silk pillowcase is also kinder to your face.

References:
http://coveteur.com/2019/03/29/silicone-hair-products/