Skin Care Products That Reduce Acne

Acne is one of the most common skin problems people face. Contrary to popular belief, acne is not something that only affects teenagers or young adults. Many adults well past their 20’s may suffer from breakouts of varying intensity. Acne is caused by various factors and in some cases, it may not disappear on its own. Treatments that target the root cause, coupled with a good skin care routine, are helpful in dealing with acne.

One of the most common causes of acne is hormonal imbalance, followed closely by poor diet and stress. It may also be a combination of more than one of these factors. Acne is bad for the skin and often leaves behind unsightly marks that take months or years to fade away. This can also affect an individual’s self-confidence.

It is essential to deal with acne and take care of the skin properly. Here a few skin care products that you can use to reduce acne.

Cleanser: A good quality face cleanser removes excess oil, dirt and grime from the skin while being gentle at the same time. It does not strip away moisture from the skin. A gentle alcohol-free cleanser is great for acne prone skin. Some of the ingredients popular for their acne-fighting properties are salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and sodium sulfacetamide.

Toner: An alcohol-free toner works well to remove any germs, excess sebum and oil from the pores of the skin. Skin care products containing alcohol can dry the skin which in turn promotes the production of more oil, flaring up acne. An alcohol-free skin care toner is gentle and helps cool down the skin. It leaves you feeling refreshed as well.

Scrub: It is important to remove dead skin cells from the skin to avoid the pores from clogging. An acne prone skin needs to be looked after with even more care. A good scrub, with a light consistency and non-abrasive scrub granules can do wonders for such skin. Be gentle on the skin and do not rub the skin too fast or with too much pressure while using the scrub.

Moisturizer: Oily skin is prone to acne. However, dry skin can also develop acne under the right conditions. Keeping the skin well-hydrated with an oil-free moisturizer helps avoid the dryness that can make your skin produce more oil. This in turn clogs the pores and flares up acne. Stay away from heavy moisturizers and use non-comedogenic moisturizers to deal with acne.

Picking on the pimples or frequently touching the face can worsen acne flare ups. Make sure that your hands are clean when you touch your skin. Using a clean towel to dry your face and applying a sunscreen regularly during the day can help you deal with acne.

Use Herbal Supplements for Good Health

Supplements have been widely accepted as the norm since people have realized that they are not receiving adequate nutrition through their diet. Busy lifestyle of the people these days is also responsible for this outlook. Fruit smoothies, overnight oats, protein shakes, and nutrition bars have become a regular part of their diet.

With a restricted diet and limited time at hand, the best solution for people is to opt for nutritional and dietary supplements. They can help them meet the nutritional requirements of their body. People can choose from herbal supplements, also known as natural supplements, or supplements containing artificial ingredients. However, herbal supplements are on the rage these days because they do not have any side-effects and most of them work fine even if the person is on regular medication.

There are plenty of benefits of using herbal supplements for health. A few of them are discussed here.

•    Herbal supplements contain fewer ingredients and are far healthier than supplements with artificial ingredients. There are also fewer chances of reactions because of the good quality natural ingredients in the supplement

•    Most herbal supplements do not contain any artificial flavor, color or preservatives. These things can cause a reaction in people having different types of allergies making herbal supplements ideal for everyone. It is sensible to consult your physician before taking any medication even if it is a supplement

•    Since the herbal supplements contain natural extracts, the human body is able to assimilate it better and faster than artificial supplements. Many multivitamins and supplements, containing synthesized ingredients, may not be easy for everyone to digest

•    Natural supplements have fewer side effects than other nutritional supplements. People from all age groups can take natural supplements to improve their health without worrying about adverse reactions of the supplement

Organic vitamins and other supplements are also available in the market. They are usually costlier than their counterparts but are of higher quality too. These are better for the body since they are derived from natural food sources.

Herbal supplements are free from artificial chemicals, fillers, binders, and preservatives. By incorporating them as a part of your daily routine to meet your nutritional needs, you can be sure to improve your health and well-being.

How to Choose the Best among Different Types of Fish Oil Supplements

Fish oil is a type of fatty acid that comes from oily fish, which have oil in their belly cavity and tissues. Salmon, albacore, and yellowfin tuna are some examples of oily fish that can provide omega-3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA, which are essential nutrients for the proper management of health. In fact, fish oil is a known factor in the prevention and management of heart disease and high cholesterol levels. Fish oil supplements can be handy if you cannot eat oily fish daily or you simply do not like to eat fish. Just be sure to pick the best product. Remember that not all fish oil supplements are the same, and they will differ in the types and amounts of fatty acids they contain. Here are a few tips on how you can choose the best fish oil supplements:

Always read the label – The label of the supplement can reveal a lot of necessary information about the product. Determine the amount of omega-3 per serving. Nutritionists and health experts recommend 2000mg to 4000mg per day. If you are an athlete, you may need five to seven grams of omega-3 to boost performance, enhance your recovery, and prevent inflammation.

Take note of the percentage of DHA and EPA – These are the most important forms of omega-3 fatty acids compared to less potent types like ALA, DPA, and ETA. Hence, make sure that the fish oil supplement has a higher percentage of DHA and EPA. The concentration per serving is typically higher in high-quality supplements.

Determine the type of EPA and DHA in the fish oil supplements – They can be phospholipid, ethyl ester, or triglyceride, and these describe omega-3 fatty acid’s molecular form. Each will have different bioavailability, which pertains to the proportion of the substance entering your system and can have an active effect. These may not be disclosed all the time on the label, so be sure to do your homework.

Look for certifications – The International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) is the sole third party testing and certification program for fish oil supplements. They have set the highest standards for freshness, potency, and purity.

Avoid fish oil supplements with nuts, gluten, and soy – These ingredients typically indicate manufacturing that is not aimed at purity.

A Complete Guide to Whey Proteins

Whey protein pertains to a certain types of milk proteins that were derived from whey, a by-product of milk during cheese manufacturing. Whey proteins contain a lot of molecules other than amino acids. In fact, they contain some of the most essential proteins for strength and muscle and body building.  Whey protein supplementation is popular with athletes since it helps them boost muscle strength and enhance their body composition. It is known to help minimize oxidative stress while boosting immune function, too.

There are no strict rules on how or when to take whey proteins, since they are essentially considered food products, like yogurt and cheese. However, nutritional and body building experts typically recommend taking them after working out, since they are digested quickly and can change muscle protein synthesis while minimizing muscle protein breakdown post training. It is recommended that you take about 20 to 40 grams of whey protein after training.

When shopping for whey proteins online, you are likely to come across them in different types. Here is a guide that can help you differentiate them from one another:

Whey protein isolate – This is the purest type, containing 90 to 90 percent of whey protein with minimal lactose (0.5 to one percent) and minimal fat (0.5 to one percent). Hence, it is a good source of protein if you are lactose intolerant or any other condition that makes it difficult for your body to digest and process lactose. However, take note that it may lack other important components of whey, like immunoglobulins.

Whey protein hydrolysates – These whey proteins have been enzymatically treated to break down the long proteins into shorter ones. Also known as ‘hydrolyzed whey’, whey protein hydrolysates are easily absorbed by your body while minimizing potential digestive issues and allergic responses. Hence, they are typically included in medical and sports nutrition products and infant formulas.

Whey protein concentrate – The protein content is typically lower in whey concentrate, usually ranging only from 25 to 89 percent, with most commercially sold products containing around 80 percent. Concentrates typically have four to eight percent of fat, lactose, and other minerals.