How to Tighten Saggy Neck Skin Without Getting Surgery

“Turkey neck,” “neck wattle,” “double chin”... How can we love the skin below the chin with nicknames like that? Well, most of us don’t—but the reality is that saggy neck skin is a pretty inevitable result of aging and genetics, two things we have little control over.

The skin on our necks is drier, thinner, and muscularly weaker than the skin on our faces—so, it’s especially prone to the effects of time. And although you might be super committed to caring for the skin on your face, the odds are you haven’t been as devoted to that little region below. Sunscreen, for example, is a biggie. Are you protecting your neck daily from UV damage? If you’re like most women, the answer is no.

But it’s not a lost cause. Lucky for us, surgery is far from the only option to tighten the neck.

Treatment Options for Loose or Saggy Neck Skin

There’s a wide range of remedies for loose neck skin that can easily slip into your routine as an extension of your skincare regimen—and a few that are more involved (or more expensive) if you’re willing to go deep. So, let’s dive in.

Neck-Specific Cream

You probably know all about day cream and night cream, but how well-versed are you on the subject of neck cream? Yup, it exists! And it’s legit. In fact, a 2015 study showed that using a neck cream twice a day improved the neck’s appearance in 94 percent of the participants.

Neck creams are generally heavier than face creams, which makes sense when you consider that the neck has significantly fewer oil glands than the face. Neck creams also tend to offer key ingredients in higher volumes than your face cream, which helps to lift and tone.

Sold and ready to take the leap? Look for a few of these top-performing ingredients in your neck cream formula:

• Retinoids, proven to reverse signs of skin aging by improving elasticity and speeding up cell turnover
• Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), such as glycolic acid, which have been shown to help resurface any unevenness and encourage the skin’s ability to bounce back
• Amino Acids, useful for stimulating collagen synthesis
• N-acetyl Glucosamine, a powerful ingredient, backed by science, that effectively firms and smooths the skin while reducing the effects of photoaging

And last but not least, don’t forget the most important ingredient of all: SPF. Make sure you’re extending that protective daytime moisturizer to all areas exposed to sunshine; the neck is no exception! Nothing ages the skin faster than UV rays, and the professionals recommend a minimum of SPF 30.

Silicone Patches

Sure, the sheet mask trend is great, but if you’re not yet familiar with silicone patches, you’re in for a next-level experience—and mess-free, at that! Medical-grade silicone has long been used in the healthcare industry for wound healing, scar prevention, and a number of other heavy-duty, skin-related cases. But these days, you don’t have to pay a visit to the hospital to get the benefits of this miracle material. SiO Beauty makes a handy product called NeckLift that’s a highly effective patch made of 100% medical-grade silicone and adheres to the neck in order to hydrate, tone, and tighten the delicate skin. While even a three-hour session will prove productive, the comfy, easy-wearing patch really works its magic overnight for 6-8 hours straight. What’s even dreamier? One patch will last up to two weeks—and the more consistently you wear it, the longer your results will last (due to the hydration levels of the skin).

How does it work, you ask? For one, it compresses existing wrinkles for smooth skin in a snap. For another, it hydrates deeply—from the inner layers to the outermost layer of the dermis. In fact, in clinical studies, 90% of participants said their skin felt smoother and softer upon removal.

Beta Carotene

Feel free to gorge on that crudité; your skin will thank you! A 2010 study conducted by the National Institute of Health found that eating foods high in beta carotene can actually repair aging skin. As an added bonus, beta carotene has also been proven to help your skin ward off UV damage and reverse signs of photoaging from the inside out. When you consider that sun exposure is the number one lifestyle factor that causes saggy necks, this is major.

What is beta carotene, though, anyway? Beta carotene is a reddish-orange pigment found in plants that the body converts into Vitamin A, which you may recognize as none other than the skin’s holy grail, retinol: one of the most highly studied and validated ingredients in anti-aging skincare. Vitamin A can be toxic in large amounts and harsh on sensitive skin when used topically—but when eaten, your body only converts as much as it needs.

Foods high in beta carotene include carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, onions, apricots, and leafy greens like spinach and kale. But you can always pick up a beta carotene supplement to make things simple.

Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C is a powerhouse ingredient when it comes to skincare. In addition to praise for its antioxidant properties, Vitamin C has also been revered for its positive effects on the body’s natural ability to produce collagen when taken internally. Vitamin C is nothing new—but it has become a popular topical ingredient for facial care in recent years. You may have just never considered that it’s just as effective below the chin, where the thin skin especially needs a boost of volume and elasticity in order to keep trim and taut.

An important thing to know about Vitamin C, though, is that it oxidizes quickly. So shoot for the highest percentage your skin will tolerate to ensure potency over time, and if the formula changes color or starts to smell rancid, snag a fresh bottle.

Ultrasound Therapy

Ultherapy (also known as high-intensity focused ultrasound) is a relatively new, non-invasive treatment that’s been getting a lot of buzz for its ability to reverse loose skin on the neck, though it delivers the best results in mild to moderate cases. The way it works is actually by injuring the tissue surrounding the neck muscles, which triggers a healing response in the body that results in lifted, regenerated new skin. As you can probably imagine, it comes with a little discomfort… and it definitely comes with a price tag higher than most non-surgical options. But the before and afters are pretty impressive!

Microneedling

Still on the professional side of the equation but less expensive than some of the other options is microneedling, a dermatological treatment involving tiny needles that are repeatedly rolled over the skin. Similar to ultherapy, it inflicts little injuries all over the neck’s surface, which stimulates healing and encourages cell turnover. Again, in this case, beauty is pain. But people rave about the results! 

4 Exercises to Naturally Tighten Neck Skin

Let’s make things easy; the best home remedies don’t require so much as a trip to the store. Got a few minutes before an appointment? Have a few emails to answer? Okay, so a few of these might be better performed in private, but hey—no shame in the toning game. If you’ve got a minute or two, you’ve got just enough time to sneak in a few simple exercises that will zap that turkey neck before you can even say, “Gobble, gobble.” Sorry, bad joke! 

1. Twist and Turn

To tone the sides of the neck, twist your head to one side and then tilt it back so the crown of your head faces the back of the room. Hold for three long, deep breaths, and repeat on the other side.

2. Kiss the Sky

To address the dreaded double-chin region, tilt your head upwards towards the sky and make a kissing face. You should start to feel the muscles in this area contracting and tightening. Repeat about 20 times each session, and you’ll find yourself bouncing back in no time. 

3. Cow Face

It doesn’t sound so glamorous, but just wait until you’ve done it a few times! Marie-Veronique Nadeau, author of “The Yoga Facelift” teaches this exercise in her workshops, and it’s a fantastic way to define both the neck and the jawline.

To start, relax your face and neck completely—to the point that your lips just barely come apart. Stick out your jaw to give yourself a sort of underbite, with your bottom front teeth jutting out past your top front teeth. Then, rotate your head to the left and look upwards. Lift your right arm, and hold the position for five seconds before relaxing again. Then start over—this time for ten seconds. Repeat three times on each side.

4. Tongue-Twister

Tip your head back so you’re looking at the ceiling, then stick out your tongue and point the tip of your tongue upward, too. Hold this for about five seconds, and then relax. Repeat for three or more sequences if time allows! You’ll notice a sensation of tension straight down the front of the neck and at the chin line. That’s progress you’re feeling!

The Last Word


Well, there you have it. No need to go under the knife to “go from turkey to swan,” as they say at SiO Beauty. Spoil that underserved part of the body for a change by giving it the luxurious creams and hydrating treatments it deserves! And in your spare time, do a few quick exercises to tighten up on the go. As with any anti-aging remedy, the earlier you start, the better your results. So, what are you waiting for? Now that you’re neck-deep in solutions, time to put these power moves to work.

How To Thread Your Own Eyebrows at Home

Eyebrows together with legs and bikini areas are one of the most important concerns of women. Women already know the two common techniques of waxing or the simple well-known tweezers to remove the excess of hair in eyebrow. But what if a “new” method arrived from the far land of India? This new technique is so called threading and it is actually a very ancient eyebrow removal method. It might sound new to you, but this new (at least in our country) eyebrow technique is gaining more and more popularity in western countries. In fact, the origin of the threading goes back over 6000 years. From India, it spread thru Asia, Middle East and in modern times in Europe. In each of these continents has different names, but the technique is still the same!

The success of this new method is explained because it gives a perfect hair removal and it also provides perfect eyebrows shapes.

The threading technique involves only a simple material: a thin cotton or polyester thread, as the name of the technique suggests. The cotton will be doubled and then twisted. Then, the expert hands of a cosmetician will roll over the areas of hairs that the person desires to remove. Thank to this technique the hair will be plucked out directly from the follicle and not cut out like in other eyebrow techniques. Although it seems a very simple way to remove hairs, the threading has several advantages compared to the two above-mentioned “old” techniques.

Tweezers are the most common and widely used technique to remove eyebrows’ hairs. It is simple and, thus, all women can do it at home! However, compared the evergreen tweezers, the threading can eliminate more hairs at the same time. In fact, with tweezers it is possible to pull only one hair at the time, while the threading can eliminate lines of hairs!! In addition, the threading offers more precision compared and less pain to the client.

If you believe that wax is the right solution since it can pull out more hairs at the same time, you might need to take into consideration other key factors. In fact, threading is much more delicate to the skin. As a consequence, the client experiment less irritation and discomfort. This is especially important for those people who have very sensitive or dry skin and, therefore, eyebrow might cause serious damages to their skins. In addition, threading offers more control and therefore the shape of the eyebrow can be bettered defined and outlined. Thanks to the precision of this techniques, makeup artists prefer this eyebrow method since it gives a better look to the entire eye.

In addition, the threading is completely natural and therefore there are no chemicals or artificial ingredients that you might find in the wax.

6 Amazing Benefits And Uses Of Honey

For centuries now, hair and skin care experts have been singing honey’s praises. It is a powerful cleaning and moisturizing agent, containing several important vitamins and nutrients to bolster the health of skin and hair. It is one of the best natural treatments available to you, so let’s take a look at some of the benefits of honey.

 
Honey For Hair

Dry Hair

When hair is regularly exposed to the elements, it can become dry and start to lack its usual luster. Creating a solution with two tablespoons of honey and some warm water can help to restore your hair’s moisture and shine. Simply rinse your hair with the solution after your daily shampooing and you will notice the difference. Using honey also lessens the chances of dandruff and keeps the scalp from becoming too itchy.

Hair Loss Prevention

Those who are worried about the onset of hair loss may be surprised to learn that honey can help you retain the hair you have. When the hair fails to retain moisture, there is a far greater chance that hair will begin to fall out. Honey contains high amounts of sugar, an ingredient proven to help maintain hair’s natural moisture. Regular application of honey also helps to strengthen the hair follicles.

Overall Hair Health

One of the biggest benefits of honey for hair is that it can be used as a conditioner. Using honey as a conditioner makes the hair softer and smoother. If your hair is rough and unruly, treating it with honey can provide the help you need. Honey also has powerful antibacterial properties and can work to prevent psoriasis.
 
Honey For Skin

Skin Protection

Repeated exposure to UV rays is bad for your skin. Rich in antioxidants, application of honey to the skin is able to shield your face from these harmful rays and prevent premature skin damage and keep your face looking youthful. You also significantly decrease your risk of developing skin cancer by using honey to protect yourself from the sun’s rays.

Moisturizing

Lots of skin care products currently on the market utilize honey as an active ingredient to moisturize the skin, so why not go straight to the source? The skin’s natural water supplies can become depleted, leading to dry, coarse skin. However, honey is able to retain the water and attract additional moisture. Keeping your skin moist can also help to ward off wrinkles.

Replacing Dead Skin

Your body sheds skin often and honey is a superb treatment for skin cells that have become damaged and are in need of regeneration. Many of the ointments and topical creams sold in stores contain healthy amounts of honey and are used to treat skin conditions such as eczema. The skin’s abilities to create new, healthy skin cells are strengthened with the use of honey.

5 Home Treatments for Excessive Underarm Sweating

Although underarm sweating is something natural, the reality is that such a thing can easily hamper our looks and just make us feel uncomfortable in front of others. This is why the best possible thing we can do in this regard is to find out some great treatments that we can perform at home so that we can lose this excessive underarm sweating at all times.

 
Using bathing salts
Bathing salts are useful for coping with underarm sweating because they manage to unclog the pores and eliminate all the impurities we have in our body. Simply put, our body won’t have anything to remove via sweat, so we can reduce the sweat amount at all times. What we need to do in this regard is to just add half a cup, or maybe even one cup that contain a mixture of ingredients. This should include essential oil, baking soda, ½ cup of borax and a cup of sea salt. This will help you create a mixture that needs to be inserted into our bathing water, where you need to stay for at least 20 minutes. It doesn’t matter the water temperature!
 
Steam baths

Pretty much like salt, steam also brings a great way to remove the toxins from your body, and the best thing about it is surely that it’s very relaxing and it doesn’t require as much reparation. Aside from these benefits, steam baths also brings a great way to prevent skin dryness, so you are bound to like it for sure!

Rubbing alum

Believe it or not, but alum actually helps you remove these impurities from the skin, so it’s basically a natural antiperspirant. By rubbing alum on your skin, all the cells will swell in size and this will prevent them from seating, as the water ducts will close. It’s a simple and efficient home treatment for this problem, one that’s actually very useful and which comes in handy!
 
Tomato juice
It might surprise you, but tomato juice brings you a similar effect. Simply put, it includes lots of antioxidants that allows you to fight impurities and instead it keeps your body clean at all times. It’s also good to cleanse your body as well, so you basically get the best out of two worlds!
 
Lime treatment

Rubbing a lime to your armpits might not sound like much, but rest assured that this is one of the best treatments that you can use for excessive underarm sweating. Sure, it won’t sure it immediately, you will need to repeat it for at least a week, but it helps. Just remember to do this before you go to bed, as your armpits will have time to swell and react to this during the night. Remember to wash them in the morning with some water!

These are great home treatments if you have underarm swelling, and the best part about these treatments is surely the fact that you can easily perform them without a problem, without too much hassle. In the end, it’s all about maintaining a great personal hygiene, and these treatments surely provide you with such a thing!

13 Tips To Lose Belly Fat Fast

If you’re looking for some effective tips to lose belly fat fast, you’re in the right place!

Belly fat is probably one of the most annoying things when it comes to weight loss. Most people have at least a bit of belly fat and are constantly annoyed by it. Sometimes, it seems that whatever you do and however hard you try, you just can’t lose those few pounds from your tummy! Well, let me assure you that certainly nothing is impossible!

Although it is true that losing belly fat is a pretty difficult task, you just have to put some thought and care into it and you’ll definitely achieve some amazing results! In this article, I will show you precisely what you should do and what you should change to do it. So let’s get into the 13 effective tips to lose belly fat fast!

1. Reduce carbs

You’ve probably heard this a lot before when talking about weight loss. The truth is, if you want to effectively lose belly fat, you need to cut down on your carb intake.
This does not mean completely quitting carbs altogether! Just try to consume a bit less and aim for the good carbs, such as whole wheat products, veggies, oats, rice, etc.
Avoid carbs with a high glycemic index such as white bread, sweets, potatoes, fruits, etc. the reason for this is that those carb products with high glycemic indexes are absorbed by your body much faster and stored as fat.

2. Cut out sugar

Sugar is another no-no when it comes to losing belly fat.
The reason for this is the same as it was for carb products with high glycemic indexes. Since sugar has a very high glycemic index, it is absorbed by your body and stored as fat so fast that your body doesn’t have enough time to use the carbs for energy. However, I know that cutting sugar from your diet may be a difficult task as so many people are very used to consuming it on a daily basis.

3. Drinks lots of water 

Unfortunately, most people these days don’t drink enough water. They assume it’s just nonsense and that drinking plenty of water is not completely necessary. However, when it comes to weight loss, drinking enough water becomes even more important.
This is because water helps to keep you energized, it makes sure that your body is functioning properly and helps maintain a healthy metabolism. Also, drinking plenty of water will keep you full and will help you avoid cravings!

4. Do cardio on an empty stomach

This may sound silly but it’s true that if you do cardio on an empty stomach, you will burn more calories than you would on a full stomach.
This is because you have lower energy stores in the form of food, meaning that your body uses your own fat for energy.
However, it’s important to only do a low-intensity workout on an empty stomach, such as walking or any other easy type of cardio. 

5. Drink green tea (without sugar!)

This is probably one of the most shocking tips to lose belly fat fast. What can green tea possibly have to do with weight loss?
Well, as a matter of fact, it has been scientifically proven that green tea boosts your metabolism, helps you lose belly fat, is rich in antioxidants, and even improves your workouts! What is there possibly not to love?

6. Eat plenty of fiber-rich foods (vegetables)

Fiber is great at reducing your appetite, making it perfect to have during weight loss. Not only this, fiber is great for your digestive system and also helps control your blood sugar levels.
The best sources of fiber while losing belly fat are from vegetables. Green vegetables, such as cucumbers, celery, spinach, are very low in calories but high in fiber, meaning that you can snack on them in between meals without exceeding your calorie limit.

7. Don’t drink alcohol

I know what you may be thinking: but I can’t just never drink alcohol again! Well, relax, it’s just for a short while for when you’re losing belly fat.
The reason for this is that when you drink alcohol, your body focuses more on breaking down the alcohol, leaving little energy for burning fat. Also, alcohol very often has many calories and sugar, which, as I mentioned earlier, are a complete killer of weight loss!

8. Up your protein

Another one of the important tips to lose belly fat fast is to increase your protein intake. Protein is actually one of the best calorie sources during weight loss. This is because protein not only has lots of nutrients, it also boosts your metabolism and reduces your hunger, meaning that you will be fuller for a long time.

9. Get plenty of sleep

A healthy sleeping pattern is a MAJOR factor in successful weight loss.
This is because when you get enough sleep, your energy levels are much more balanced, meaning that your workouts will be more efficient and your body will more successfully burn fat. Also, you will naturally be more motivated and in a better mood towards weight loss and your metabolism will be much more stable.

10. Do an ab-focused workout 

An ab-focused workout will help make your abs visible and maybe even get a six pack! However, this is not a tactic to lose belly fat. These yoga moves will leave you relaxed, fresh, happy, and looking amazing! 

11. Reduce stress

This is one of the most important tips to lose belly fat fast as stress is pretty much the main cause of weight gain in the first place.
Stress causes overeating, it messes up your metabolism and many other bodily functions, which ultimately lead to weight gain.
It may be difficult to lead a completely stress-free lifestyle but something that really helps is yoga! 

12. Eat fatty fish

I know that most people assume that fats are a complete no-no during weight loss. Well, this couldn’t be further away from the truth!
Omega-3, which is found in many fish, is not only great for your skin, hair, and nails. It is also a crucial part of weight loss! These fats increase your metabolic rate, lower blood sugar levels and increase your energy levels!

13. Get a plan that will tell you exactly what to eat, when to eat, and what workouts to do so you don’t have to look for it all online. get a science-based plan that offers fast results

This is one of the most important tips to lose belly fat fast. The truth is, if you really want to efficiently lose weight, you need to have a precise plan and know what exactly to eat and how much. For this, we recommend The 2 Week Diet.

Your Metabolism Will Be Faster Than Ever And Lose Weight!!

All of us people love our hot cup of coffee, most especially at the beginning of the new day and yet not all of you are aware that its consumption also brings various health benefits and possible to lose weight.

It is able to boost your metabolism to lose weight and give you more energy for the day.
What is more, only a few of the people know that you can transform your favorite morning brew into a metabolism booster and a potential to lose weight! All that you will need to do is to add several ingredients to your coffee, and it will definitely help you burn extra pounds without changing your diet or lifestyle!

There follow the three mighty ingredients include to boost metabolism and lose weight:

1. Coconut oil – this one is a real natural miracle which has a wide range of uses and in itself it contains medium-chain fatty acids, that are immediately sent to the liver by the digestive system, and then, are either converted to energy or ketone bodies, and certainly not in fat. It also sets the metabolism to burn fat faster and more efficiently

5 Safe Core Exercises for Back Pain

If you want to work on your abs but need to be extra careful with your bad back, try these safe core exercises for back pain!

Some core exercises are just not good for your back. You probably learned this first hand if you ever felt your back pain worsen after exercise. However, you can’t just not exercise – and you especially can’t neglect your core. You need core strength to support your muscular and skeletal structure and to prevent injuries.

To avoid doing further harm to your back, stay away from any exercises that apply too much stress to the core and muscles surrounding your spine. Instead, stick to gentler exercises that can help strengthen your abs without hurting your back.

Suffering from a sore neck, back and shoulders? Get our mobility guide to ease pain and soreness.

This five-exercise gentle core routine is approved for all levels to ease and prevent future back pain. All you need is a yoga mat or a soft carpeted area to practice.

To do this routine, complete each of the core exercises for back pain in succession. If you feel up to it, repeat the circuit again. Do this three times per week, giving yourself one to two days of recovery between workouts, to gently train your core muscles without exacerbating back pain.

Note: If you have existing or chronic back pain that worsens with even gentle exercise, stop this routine and seek help from a specialist.

Cat-Cow | 5 breaths

This easy flow gently flexes and contracts the muscles of your abs, lower back, and core. If you feel any pain here, try shortening the movements and focus on flexing and stretching in a range of motion that feels good.

1. Start on all-fours position with hips over knees and shoulders over hands.
2. On an exhale, tighten your abs and round your back to come into cat.
3. Inhale to tilt your pelvis, lift your chest and gaze forward, coming into cow.
4. Continue to flow with your breath.

Low Modified Plank | 5 breaths

Planks are incredible at strengthening the core, yet the full version can be too much for someone dealing with back pain. To gain the benefit from this exercise while minimizing the lower-back pressure, lower your knees down to a modified plank. This way you’ll be able to focus on core strength without the overload of tension on your lower back.

1. Place your forearms on the ground and step your feet back to come into plank. Lower your knees to the ground.
2. Cross your ankles and keep your gaze down toward your hands. Engage your core. You should have a straight line from shoulders to knees.
3. Focus on maintaining your form as you take 5 deep breaths.

Modified Side Plank | 5 breaths per side

We often forget our sides when exercising. This move will ensure you’re training your core from all angles, and the easy modification helps you focus on strengthening your core without struggling through any pain.

1. Lie on your right side with your right elbow on the ground, right under your shoulder.
2. Bend your knees to a 90-degree angle and stack them on top of each other.
3. Lift your hips off the ground to form a straight line from knees to shoulders. Rest your left hand on your hip.
4. Take 5 deep breaths here, then switch sides.

Braced Heel Drops | 5 reps per side

Learning to brace your abs when moving your arms and legs can help prevent back pain. Take it slow with this exercise and only lower your heel as far as you can without losing your core contraction. Place your fingers on your belly to confirm that your abs are engaged as you move one leg at a time.

1. Lie on your back and lift your legs up in the air. Flex your feet.
2. Place one hand under your head and the other hand on your abs.
3. Contract your abs to “brace” your core by flexing your belly in towards your spine. Your abs should feel engaged under your fingertips.
4. On an inhale, very slowly lower one heel towards the ground. If your abs lose tension, try a smaller range of motion. Exhale to bring your leg back up to the top.
5. Continue alternating legs for 5 reps per side.

Important: Do not allow your lower back to lift off the ground. If you find your back arching or your abs losing tension, shorten your range of motion.

Seated Corset Breathing | 10 breaths

Breathing exercises are an effective way to train your core muscles without any risky stress to the back. Focus on belly breathing rather than chest breathing, while tightening your waist from all sides, including front, sides, and back.

1. Sit in a comfortable position on the floor or in a chair. Place one hand on your lower back and the other hand on your belly.
2. Take a deep inhale through your nose and expand your abdominal muscles.
3. Exhale all the air through your mouth and contract your waist as small and tight as possible.
4. Continue breathing this way for 10 breaths. Take it slow and keep your focus on core expansion and contraction.

7 Best Supplements for Weight Loss

Throughout my weight loss journey there were a few times that I hit a plateau.

Despite my efforts I just wasn’t seeing results. It was very frustrating.

As I started reading and researching more, I found that most people seriously into fitness were taking some supplement. I’ve tried a ton, but these are the ones that I always come back to and really feel helped push me past my plateau and continue seeing progress.

I’ll start by saying you don’t NEED to take any supplements. You can 100% get results without them, but if you’re eating healthy and working out regularly they can help enhance and expedite your results.

That being said, if you’re not eating correctly or barely working out, they’re not going to do much for you. There’s hundreds of different supplements, these are just my favorite.

1. Protein, duh.

The most common supplement that everyone knows is protein.

Best Used For:

Protein is typically used when you are trying to gain muscle.
This sometimes scares women off because they don’t want to become ‘bulky’. Unless you start taking steroids (please don’t) I can 99.9999% promise you will not get bulky.
“Uhm, but I’m trying LOSE WEIGHT….”
The great thing about having more muscle, besides looking more toned and awesome, is that the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn just living.
You will literally burn more calories sitting on the couch if you trade in your fat pounds for muscle pounds!

Protein from food – chicken, turkey, beans, etc  – should be your primary source.
Protein powder is used only as a supplement.
Your protein intake will change based on your goals, but as a general rule of thumb you want to get at least your body weight in grams of protein (i.e. if you weight 120lbs, you’ll want to take in at least 120g of protein per day).

Protein powder is commonly taken immediately following a workout because the protein helps repair and build your muscles.
Solid food takes longer to break down and get the protein to your muscles as opposed to only about 30 minutes for a protein powder supplement.
Whey protein is by far the most common type that people take. Whey is a protein found in milk that contains all 9 essential amino acids.
If you are a vegan, there are also plant based proteins that come from peas, rice, hemp, etc. or some combination of those.
Another thing to look for in your protein is if it is a concentrate or an isolate.
Concentrates are less processed, but that actually means they contain more lactose and fat and are only about 80% protein.
Isolates have additional filtering done and are about 90% protein. Isolates are better if you’re trying to gain muscle and not just mass. It’s also the better option for you if you’re drinking whey and are lactose intolerant. Isolates also typically cost more.
Hydro whey is a further refining, but for simplicity, we’ll stick to concentrates and isolates.

What I drink:

Dymatize ISO-100 & Isopure
If you’re vegan, I’ve had this one recommended quit a bit: Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Powder

Best time to take it:

Directly after working out

2. CLA

Best used for:

Cutting weight
Conjugated linoleic acid is the fancy name for CLA.
It’s actually a type of fatty acid found naturally in some meat and dairy products. So essentially, it’s a fat, that helps you burn.. Fat.
CLA is touted as a weight loss supplement.
It’s at times also credited with other immune boosting benefits.
If you read studies and reviews on it, like many supplements, you’ll probably see mixed results. You’ll definitely need to be working out and eating healthy, but I feel this is one that really helped me start burning fat and getting me over my plateaus.

What I take:

Sports Research Max Potency CLA 1250.

Best time to take it:

~30 mins before eating 2-3 a day

3. BCAAs

BCAA stands for branch chain amino acids – the building blocks of protein.

Best Used For:

BCAAs are great for muscle growth, recovery, and fatigue. More muscle = more calories burned. Less fatigue = better workout.
BCAAs are the 3 essential amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine. Your body does not create them on it’s on, which means it needs to come from your food or supplements. BCAAs help with muscle growth, recovery, and fatigue.
You can drink them before, during, or after your workout. I like to drink them during when possible because it helps me keep going longer.
There are a few BCAA pills, but if given the choice, go for the liquid form. Your body will absorb a much higher percentage of a liquid than a pill form.

What I Take:

MusclePharm Combat BCAA + Recovery.

Best time to take it: 

Taking my BCAAs during my workout has been a game changer for me and definitely my preference, but you can take them before or after as well!

4. Pre-workout

Pre-workout supplements are not necessary, but it’s what I use the most next to protein.
People always ask me where I find the “motivation” to workout after going to work all day. I don’t. I take pre-workout.
I wish I drank it less, but finding energy for a good workout after 10-12 hours at work can be tough.
It’s  helpful when you’re feeling tired, you can take it before your workout to give you an extra bump of energy. They usually have a relatively high dose of caffeine sometimes with other ingredients added to help you absorb the caffeine. Some of them will also boast other added benefits as well.
If you’ve never taken it, you might want to ease yourself in, or you’ll be jumping off walls like I was my first time.
I find that I do a significant amount more and work a lot harder when I do take it before my workout, therefore leading to better results!

My main thing to look for in a pre-workout is the ingredients list and make sure there are no ‘proprietary blends’.
This often times means there’s crap in it or something that the manufacturer is trying to hide.
I’ve honestly probably tried no less than 30 different brands. This is the one I’m taking now and I like it a lot. I usually only take a half a scoop or so. I’m also a big fan of Bang Energy but I only drink those on occasion.
Ingredients to look for that are effective (there a lot out there that use crap ingredients):

• Caffeine
• Creatine Monohydrate
• Beta-Alanine
• Vitamin D
• Magnesium
• Beetroot

What I Take:

MusclePharm Assault Black

Best time to take it:

Pre-workout…. duh.

5. L-Carnitine

Best used for:

Fat burning, energy
L-Carnitine is an amino-like-acid produced by the body. You can also get it from food sources – primarily meat as well as in liquid supplement form. L-carnitine transports fats to the mitochondria of your cells, which is then used as energy. That’s a long way of saying it helps your body to burn more fat as your fuel!
Benefits of L-caritine include:

• Burning your fat to generate energy
• Less fatigue
• Improved recovery
• Better blood flow

What I Take:

ProSupps L-Carnitine 3000 Liquid Fat Burner.

Best time to take it:

With your most carb heavy meal

6. Glutamine

Best used for:

Cutting weight
Glutamine is another amino acid that is needed by your body in large amount.
It is a key player in metabolizing protein.
It boasts burning fat and building muscle.
It is also at times credited with brain and brain and digestive health. It’s found in animal and plant proteins – and of course supplements or I wouldn’t be mentioning it here.

What I Take:

Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs L-Glutamine.

Best time to take it:

2 to 5 grams twice daily. Taking it after working out has been shown to increase the natural production of HGH

7. MCT Oil

Best used for:

Weight loss, muscle recovery, brain function
MCT stands for medium-chain triglyceride oil. It is commonly extracted from coconut oil. There is a lengthy list of benefits of MCT oil that goes far beyond just helping you to burn fat.
Here are some of the touted benefits of MCT Oil:

• Suppresses appetite by making you feel fuller longer.
• It has been shown to significantly reduce body weight and waist circumference.
• Increase fat burn during exercise
• The way MCT oil is broken down by your body, it can be used as an immediate fuel source for your body.
• May help reduce lactic buildup during exercise
• May help Epilepsy and Alzheimer’s Disease
• Fights Yeast and Bacterial Growth
• May Reduce Risk Factors for Heart Disease, Such as Weight and Cholesterol
• May help Control Blood Sugar Levels
• Support Diabetes Management

What I Take:

Sports Research MCT Oil

Best time to take it:

Can be taken at any time, I take mine with my coffee in the morning or in a smoothie.
Like I mentioned, there are tons and tons of supplements on the market. These are just some of the ones that you’re more likely to hear about as well as the ones that I’ve tried. Fat burning pills are also extremely common, but I do not personally recommend those; there have been numerous documented negative side effects with stimulant based fat burners. 

Workout of the Week

Memorial Day is right around the corner you guys! It’s one of the greatest holidays because it gives us a chance to pay our respects to those who have served our country in defense of the freedom we enjoy.

Here at IdealFit, we’re going to be honoring this Memorial Day with a special workout.

How exactly? By participating in the Murph Challenge!

If you’ve never heard of the Murph Challenge, or about the amazing individual whom this workout is named after, we’ve got you covered.
 
The Murph Challenge

Named after the man who invented it, The Murph Challenge is a Navy SEAL workout adopted by fitness lovers as a way to honor servicemen and women both past and current.

For those who may not be familiar with the story of Lt. Murphy and his men, read on.

In the summer of 2005, Lt. Michael P. Murphy led his 4 man team of Navy SEALs into the mountains of Afghanistan on a secret mission to capture a Taliban leader. The mission took a turn for the worst when Lt. Murphy and his team found themselves surrounded and impossibly outnumbered by enemy troops deep in the backcountry, miles from help.

Unable to establish communication from their covered position, Lt. Murphy risked his life by heading to an open area where a distress call could be placed. This risk would prove to be the ultimate sacrifice, as he was fatally wounded while calling for help.

Two other members of his team were killed in the fight, while the fourth man, Marcus Luttrell, was seriously injured but survived. For his service and sacrifice, Lt. Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, Silver Star, and Purple Heart, among other honors.

The Murph Challenge was created by Lt. Murphy himself, who called it “Body of Armor” because he would do the workout while wearing a 20 lb armored vest. After his death, the story of Lt. Murphy spread. His workout, which was already well-known among fellow soldiers, became famous.

In memory of his heroic service, and as a salute to America and those who serve and have served, the Murph Challenge has become the unofficial workout of Memorial Day. Every year thousands of people around the country gather to accept this strenuous challenge as a fun way to honor America and to raise money for a scholarship foundation created in his honor (to donate, visit the official Murph Challenge home page).

Participants in the Murph Challenge complete the following:

• 1-mile run
• 100 pull-ups
• 200 push-ups
• 300 body squats
• 1-mile run

The Pull-ups, push-ups and squats can be done in any combination you want, but all has to be completed between the runs. For example 20 rounds of 5 Pull-ups, 10 push-ups and 15 squats.

Scaling options would be to do jumping pull-ups. For the push-ups you can go to your knees or agains a box or counter. Squats can be done to a box. The Runs can be walked. There is even a scale where you do half of everything.

I hope you all enjoy this and it is definitely a longer workout than I usually prescribe. But it is a great workout to honor those who have served.

7 Unbelievable Exercises That Will Help Keep Your Nose In Shape

Most women who are considered beautiful, such as models and film stars, have shiny, long tresses, big eyes, rosy lips, and the best of all, a sharp nose. The nose, being the focal point of our face, seems so important. It immediately catches people’s attention.

There are so many ways to make that nose look perfect. You can use makeup, or take the more complicated route of plastic surgery. You can also do these easy exercises regularly to attain the perfectly shaped nose.

Here are seven unbelievably simple exercises that will help you keep your nose in shape.

Exercises To Keep Your Nose In Shape

1. Nose Shaping

Women who are always complaining about the shape of their nose, this one’s for you. If you do this work out regularly, chances are that in time, the shape of your nose will change, and you will be able to sculpt your nose just the way you want it. This exercise also helps prevent and reduce the sagging of your nose.
How To Do It

• Use your index fingers to press the sides of your nose, and breathe out with force.
• Apply pressure on the bottom of the sides of your nostrils for best results. Make sure you do not breathe out with too much force.
• Repeat this exercise 10 times.

2. Nose Shortening

Age causes many changes, and along with the other deterioration that ensues, the bones, cartilages, and muscles also face its brunt. This simple exercise will not only help shape your nose, such that it seems shorter, but it will also prevent deterioration of the cartilage.
How To Do It

• Place the index finger on the tip of your nose, pressing it gently.
• Now, using your nose, exert downward pressure on the finger.
• You can do this exercise every day, as many times as you can.

3. Nose Straightening

It’s amazing how nature offers simple remedies. This is truly the best of them all. A simple smile can help you straighten out your nose.
How To Do It

• All you need to do is smile, and then use your fingers to push your nose upwards.
• This will help to build the muscles on the sides of your nose.
• Do this exercise 20 to 30 times every day for best results.

4. Breathing

Yoga and workouts give breathing exercises great importance. Deep inhaling and exhaling have numerous benefits, and one among them is shaping your nose.
How To Do It

• Sit comfortably. Blocking one nostril, inhale through the other nostril, and hold for about four seconds.
• Then, block the other nostril, and exhale as you free the nostril you initially blocked.
• Repeat the exercise by blocking the other nostril.
• You could do three sets with 10 repetitions each.

5. Nose Wiggling

This is more of a muscle building than a reshaping exercise. But it will definitely help in strengthening the nasal muscles, and make the nose sharper.
How To Do It

• All you need to do is wiggle your nose, while making sure that your face is absolutely still.
• Do this a few times at least once a day for best results.

6. Nose Massaging

Like breathing, this method has many benefits. It can cure headaches of any kind, apart from narrowing and shaping your nose.
How To Do It

• Massage each part of your nose, starting from the bridge, to the tip, and then finally the sides.
• Make sure your fingers move in a circular motion.
• Massage your nose for about five minutes every day, and do it regularly for best results.

7. Eliminating The Smile Line

With age, the smile lines get deeper and tend to look bad. This simple exercise will help eliminate these fine lines.
How To Do It

• All you need to do is fill your mouth with air and swish the air in all directions while holding for about five seconds in each area.
• Once each area is touched upon, release the air.
• Do this exercise once every day.

The nose is the most challenging area to reshape or exercise. These simple workouts will help you work on your nasal muscles quite easily, and at no extra cost. Just make sure you practice diligently and have lots of patience. When you are working with something as challenging as the nose, it will surely take time for the results to show.

Korean Skin Care Routine – Explanation For All 10 Steps

Korean skin care and beauty products have gained worldwide fame for their marvellous skin care regimen and incredible formulas.

Korean beauty products also known as K-beauty are dominating the cosmetic industry with their innovative products and quality formulas.

Indeed, Korea ranks among the top ten cosmetic producers in the world, with their products popping up in seemingly every beauty store.

Why is Korean Skin Care so popular?

Korean women are known for their glowing skin and look way younger than their actual age. But, why?

Because they focus on creating healthy skin rather than covering up their skin problems under makeup.

They strongly believe that beauty comes naturally with good skin.

Isn’t it true?

Korean women take care of even the minute details when it comes to their appearance.

For them, skin care is like tradition and they usually start taking care of their skin from a very young age.

They follow an intensive skin care regimen that is packed with all the essentials to enhance, improve and ultimately, sustain their skin beauty.

So if you are wondering what the heck Korean skin care routine is and why there is so much fuss about it?

Don't look any further, we have got you covered with this post in all details.

The 10-Step Korean Skin Care Routine

The 10-step Korean skin care routine is the heart of K-beauty.

This magical skin care regimen involves multiple steps and products for day and night time routine.

It consists of steps that are more than just cleansing, moisturizing and dabbing some makeup on your skin.

The steps basically include cleanser, toner, scrubs or exfoliators, essence, serums or ampoules, sheet masks, moisturizer, eye cream and finally sunscreen.

While the first half of steps focus on cleansing the skin from deep within, the second half focus on moisturizing and sealing the product in.

But, 10 steps sounds too much, Isn’t it?

You might be thinking how does anyone have time for that in this busy life?

Well, don’t panic!

We promise you the you can complete all the above steps in a matter of 15 to 20 minutes.

Here’s the full breakdown of 10-step Korean skin care routine practiced by Korean women to own a glowing and flawless skin.

Are you ready? Let’s get going!

1. Oil Cleanser

 

The first step to Korean skin care routine is Oil Cleansing.

Oil-based cleansers penetrate deep into your skin and help in removing dirt, makeup, and debris from the surface of your skin.

Oil cleanser not only removes makeup but also melts oil-based products like moisturizer, sunscreen and pollution debris leaving it cleansed.

How to apply an Oil Cleanser:

• Firstly, remove all the makeup from your skin.
• Then, pick the oil cleanser that suits your skin type.
• Take some quantity on your fingertips and gently massage onto your entire face including eyelids, mouth area and neck for a couple of minutes.
• Splash some lukewarm water to emulsify the oil cleanser.
• Massage again and rinse off.

AVOID WETTING YOUR FACE OR HANDS BEFORE APPLYING CLEANSER!

This is because oil and water won’t get along.

Therefore, always make sure both your face and hands are dry before applying.

2. Water-based Cleanser

The second step of Korean skin care regimen is to wash your face with a water-based cleanser.
Yes! You read it right - We are cleansing again!
This process is called Double Cleansing.
K-beauty routine believes in double cleansing for a reason.
While first cleansing removes makeup and grime accumulated on the skin, second cleansing removes impurities, oil or any residue left behind by oil cleanser.
The water-based cleanser will be basically in the form of foam, gel or cream.
They penetrate deep down the layers of skin thereby washing off all the dirt and sweat from your pores.
Plus, it also prevents clogging of pores that result in acne and leaves your skin squeaky clean.
After double cleansing, your skin is perfectly clean and is ready to absorb the goodness of products you apply in the following steps.

How to apply a Water-based Cleanser:

• Wet your skin.
• Take a small quantity of water-based cleanser and lather up using both the hands.
• Gently massage the cleanser onto your face and neck in a circular motion.
• Rinse it off with lukewarm water.

3. Exfoliator

FREQUENCY: ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK

The next step of Korean skin care routine is Exfoliating.
This process removes all the dead skin cells from the surface of your skin leaving it bright and polished.
Exfoliation clears pores and makes way for your skin care products to sink in deeper and do their job perfectly.
In addition to that, it improves your skin texture by making it smooth and radiant.
However, do this step for just one to twice a week.
On other days, you can skip this exfoliation step.

FREQUENCY OF EXFOLIATION!

• There is absolutely no need to exfoliate always, especially if you have sensitive skin. People with Sensitive Skin can perform this step weekly once or bi-weekly.
• If you have Hyper-Sensitive Skin, please stay out of exfoliation completely.
• If you have Normal to Oily/Combination Skin, exfoliating twice a week is ideal. 
• Dry Skin beauties can do this step once a week or even bi-weekly.

NOTE:
Stay away from harsh or chemical Exfoliators as it damages your skin barrier.
Hence, try to choose natural and gentle Exfoliator.
Before choosing the product make sure to do a patch test on your hand.
Go for the product which you feel gentler on your skin.

How to apply an Exfoliator:

• Wet your skin and apply the Exfoliant.
• Gently massage the product onto your skin in circular motions and rinse it off.

4. Toner

After cleansing and exfoliating, your skin will be fragile and dehydrated.

Hence, the next step of Korean skin care regime focuses on hydration.
Therefore, it’s now time to quench your skin by patting on a Toner.
Toner refreshes, hydrates and balances your skin’s pH level.
This is why toners are also known as Refreshers and Skin Softeners.
Further, it preps your skin to absorb the nutrients of the products you apply in the forthcoming steps to full potential.
Apart from hydrating your skin, Toners also get rid of any impurities missed by cleansers.

How to apply a Toner:

Toners can be applied either using cotton swabs, cotton pads or with your fingertips.
Just pour 1 to 2 drops of the Toner onto your palms and dab it using your finger tips on your cleansed skin.

5. Essence

Essence is the heart of the Korean skin care routine.
This is one of the unique and most important steps followed by K-beauties to treat their skin concerns.
Essence is a lightweight water-based product similar to toner or serum.
To be clear, the concentration of the Essence is more than toner and less than serum.
In other words, you can also say, Essence is like a toner cum serum.
Essence is basically highly watery in nature and hence, works as a hydrating booster.
It is formulated with active ingredients that hydrates, protects and repairs the damaged skin.
Essence works great in treating various skin issues like ageing, acne, pigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles etc.
Additionally, they rejuvenate your skin cells and add wonderful radiance to your skin.

How to apply an Essence:

Pat a few drops of Essence on to your toned face using your fingertips.
Remember to simply pat the essence on to your skin. Don’t massage or spread it around.
For best results, choose the one that suits your skin type and issues.

6. Serum

Hurray! You have finished halfway to Korean skin care routine.Step six is all about delivering much-needed treatment to your specific skin problems such as acne, fine lines, hyper-pigmentation, dull skin etc.
You can combat your skin issues in this step by adding the products that target your problem areas.
However, you can also skip this step if you don’t have any skin problems or if your skin is extremely oily.
The products in this step come in the form of Serums, Ampoules and Boosters.
Serums/Ampoules are basically a thicker version of the essence with skin-boosting antioxidants.
They are packed with high concentration active ingredients that have potent formulae to target specific skin concerns.
Whether you’re trying to keep your acne at bay or to get rid of fine lines, uneven skin tone or hyper-pigmentation - Nothing works great like serum or ampoule​!
If you are thinking as to what is the difference between serums and ampoules?
Here is the answer:
Serums and Ampoules are almost the same with only difference being the concentration of active ingredients present in them.
Ampoules are a bit more concentrated than serum.
Also, while serum should be applied to the entire face, ampoule should be applied only to specific spot that needs it.
For effective results, choose the Serums/Ampoules that target your problem areas.

How to apply a Serum:

Take some amount of the treatment product on your fingertips and gently dab it onto your problem areas.

7. Sheet Mask

 

FREQUENCY: TWICE OR THRICE A WEEK

Sheet Masks are another great product in the K-beauty market.
While Essence is the heart of Korean skin care routine, Sheet Masks are the soul.
There is absolutely no need to do this step daily, just once or twice a week is enough.​
However, you can follow the step every day if you like and have ample time for it.
Sheet Masks are super-hydrating paper like thin microfiber sheets soaked in skincare essence or serum.
They nourish and pamper your skin with hydrating nutrients.
They are packed with vitamins, minerals and plumping ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid which gives you a calming and soothing experience.
Sheets Masks work better than cream as it sticks very close to your skin and the ingredients can't evaporate.
As there is no way to escape, all the ingredients go straight into your skin. Voila!
Moreover, they are super easy to use and carry as well.
There are different types of masks available to address different skin concerns like hydrating, brightening, anti-aging, vitamin-c and what not.
Find the mask that possess ingredients that suit your skin concerns and skin type.

How to use a Sheet Mask:

All you have to do is place the mask on your face and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
After removing the mask, gently dab the remaining essence into your skin.

DON'T FORGET TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS

Different masks are applied in different ways.

Kindly, read the instructions on the package.

Also, don’t leave the mask on your skin for longer than the prescribed time as it will suck all the moisture from your skin.

8. Eye Cream

 

The next step of the Korean skin care routine is eye care.
The area around the eyes has the most delicate and thinnest skin compared to the rest of your face.
This also means that they get damaged and dehydrated easily which further leads to wrinkles and fine lines.
Hence, it demands extra care and attention.
If you want to avoid dark circles, puffiness, crow’s feet, fine lines – You SHOULD NOT skip this step.
Eye creams are specially formulated to address these eye care concerns.
They protect and hydrate the gentle skin under your eye area.
Using eye cream daily helps in achieving youthful and wrinkle-free eyes.

How to apply an Eye Cream:

Take a small amount of eye cream with your fingertips and lightly pat around eye area.
Gently pat and never rub!
You should not rub or press too hard on the skin as it results in premature wrinkles.
Use the ring or the little finger to apply the eye cream as it is proven to have less muscle compared to others fingers.
So, using it will create less pressure on the delicate skin underneath the eye and therefore, less damage.
For the best results, apply every day, once in the morning and once at night.

9. Moisturizer

This step is to finish the moisturizing process and lock in all the products you applied till now.
Korean skin care routine is all about layering your products from thinnest to the thickest.
As moisturizer has the thickest formula, it comes at last.
And, this will be the last step of your night-time Korean skin care routine.
Moisturizing is a crucial part of any skin care routine.
Moisturizers are key for healthy and glowing skin.
They hydrate and nourish your skin leaving it soft and radiant.
Moisturizer comes in many forms such as cream, lotions, gel, and emulsions.
Select the moisturizer based on your skin type.
For Oily Skin types, gel-based moisturizers work great as they have light and oil-free formula.
On the other hand, Dry or Dehydrated Skin types need moisturizers that are heavy or creamy in texture.
Moisturize every morning and evening regularly to keep your skin supple and soft.

How to apply a Moisturizer:

Take some moisturizer in your hands and massage onto your face and neck generously.

 

10. Sunscreen

 

DAY-TIME ONLY

The last and the most important step of Korean skin care routine is Sun protection.
Korean women give high priority to sun protection to keep their skin young and healthy as long as possible.
We all know that preventing the problem is better than curing it.
This holds good for sun damage as well.
We can’t stop aging, but we can postpone it by taking good care of our skin.
And sun damage plays a prominent role in premature aging and more serious issues like skin cancer.
Therefore, it is very important to apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun.
Apart from aging, sun rays can seriously damage your skin leading to dark spots, sunburns and uneven skin tone.
Hence, Sunscreen is a must even if you step out just for few minutes or whether it’s sunny or cloudy.
Always make sure to choose a sunscreen that has SPF factor 30 ++.
You can also replace sunscreen with BB cream as they have high SPF as well.

How to apply a Sunscreen:

Take a small quantity of sunscreen with your fingertips and gently apply to face and neck evenly.
End your routine every morning by applying a sunscreen or BB cream that includes SPF.
This is to avoid the dilution of the sunscreen with other skincare products.
Doing so will prevent lowering the effects of SPF.

The Bottom Line

The Korean skin care regimen should be done twice daily, once in the morning and at night.

Over time, you’ll notice positive changes on your skin.

For few, changes may happen soon while for others, it may be slow as everyone’s skin is different.

Consistency and being patient is the key here.

Korean skin care routine will nourish and transform your skin to turn softer, brighter and healthier.

It might take you a few extra minutes, but trust us it’s worth it and your skin will thank you.

Besides, beautiful skin does not come only by caring from outside.

You have to take care from inside as well by eating the right food and practising healthy habits.

Eat well, sleep well and exercise enough to stay fit.

Plus, keep your mind calm and stress-free by doing yoga and meditation.

Lastly, stay positive and keep smiling.

Clear skin days ahead!

30 Daily Skin Care Tips That Will Make You Look 10 Years Younger!!

Taking care of your skin is a daily duty. But if you manage to do all the little, natural things right, it’s easy to keep your skin looking far younger than your chronological age might suggest. Simple things like wiping off your phone and changing your pillowcase more often can mean all the difference over the course of your life.

1. Take your makeup off every single night.
2. Massage your face to de-puff.

Facial massage can release tension, increase circulation, stimulate muscles, firm tissue in the face, get your lymph flowing, and let serums penetrate more deeply into your skin.
 
3. Don’t squeeze a pimple. Seriously.
4. Keep your hands off your face.
5. Eat for your skin.
6. Harness the power of your refrigerator.

If you suffer from dark under-eye circles of puffiness, keeping your eye cream and hydrating masks in the fridge can boost their power since cooler temps will temporarily treat inflammation.
 
7. Ice cubes are bad news for pimples.

Speaking of cooler temperatures, an ice cube can be your best friend if you’re dealing with an angry, red blemish.

8. When in doubt, raid your pantry.

Whether it’s a coconut oil moisturizer, oatmeal soak, sugar scrub, or tea treatment, chances are you already own a lot of all-natural, skin-friendly, anti-aging powerhouse ingredients; just check your kitchen.

9. Clean your cellphone.
10. Change your pillowcases.
11. Don’t use the same towel on your face and hair.
12. Your hair products are probably affecting your skin.

Many conventional hair care products can cause breakouts on your face, shoulders, and back because the chemicals and oils in the products will build up over time and clog pores.
 
13. Understand what your breakouts are trying to tell you.
Acne is your body’s way of communicating that there’s something wrong internally. That pimple on your forehead? You might be having liver issues. A breakout near your chin? A hormone imbalance is probably to blame.
 
14. Water, water, and more water.
Probably the easiest thing you can do for your skin is to drink water.
 
15. Plant a garden.
The best skin care ingredients are home grown.
 
16. Exfoliation is your friend.
We lose millions of skin cells every day and if you’re not exfoliating them away, they’ll hang around on your face and cause your skin to look gray and sullen, clog pores, and let oil build up.
 
17. Know that a strong smell doesn’t mean something is working.

A smell not found in nature is a good indicator that your product contains fragrance, the number one allergen in conventional cosmetics.

8 Things Your Lips Are Trying to Tell You About Your Health

Our lips have more than a million nerve endings and are much more sensitive than our fingertips. They need special care. Sometimes they can signal to us that we have some real problems with our health and that we need to pay proper attention to these conditions.

We at Bright Side believe that it’s not just the eyes, but also the lips that can be a mirror of your health and found 8 signs that could indicate that you may have a problem.

1. Cracks at the corners of your mouth

When saliva gets trapped in the corners of your mouth, it dries out skin that can crack. You might lick your lips often and warmth and moisture in the corners create the perfect conditions for infections.
Infection is the most common cause of these cracks. If it happens too often, please don’t hesitate to go to a doctor.

2. Dry and chapped lips

The dryness of your lips can indicate a lack of moisture in the rest of the body. It can also happen because of the climate or stress. In this case, drink more water and use moisturizing creams.
Also, the reason for chapped lips can be an allergy. Please, pay attention if you have some other symptoms like itching, for example.

3. Bumps on the lips

Lip bumps can be painful or uncomfortable, but most of the time they are harmless and can disappear without any treatment.
It can be an injury, for example, after an injection of hyaluronic acid. Reactions to food may also cause these conditions.
It is very often the case that the cause is a viral infection, like herpes, and it needs proper medical treatment.

4. Red ring around lips

One of the most common reasons for a red ring around the mouth is lip licker’s dermatitis. Repetitive licking of lips dries out the natural oils from the skin around the lips and makes them red and itchy.
Simple moisturizers and getting rid of this habit can solve this problem.

5. Wrinkles on the upper lip

If you started noticing lots of wrinkles on the upper lip, there can be both physical and emotional reasons.
Pay attention to your bad habits, like using a straw to drink a lot or smoking too much because of being stressed.

6. Discoloration of lips

Blue lips can indicate poor oxygen circulation in the blood. You can have the same symptoms in your fingers and toes.
White or pale lips can indicate anemia, which actually requires medical attention. It is also possible that you have low blood sugar, circulatory problems, or vitamin deficiencies.

Continue Reading On Next Page Below 

7. Swollen lips

Swelling can be a sign of an allergic reaction. If you noticed that your lips get bigger every time you use certain cosmetics, get rid of them.
If your lips are getting bigger and bigger over a short period of time, call the paramedics.

8. Black spots on lips

There can be various reasons for black spots on the lips and you shouldn’t ignore them. The best option is to diagnose them by going to a doctor.
Hyperpigmentation is a common condition that can cause brownish patches. You may notice it not just on your lips, but also your cheeks, nose, and forehead.
Sunspots can also be a reason. In this case, you feel them more than you see them. As soon as it is considered a pre-cancer, it’s important to make an appointment with your doctor.
Your body may absorb too much iron from the food you eat.

source.brightside