Beauty Treatments to Prevent Skin Irritation

Skin irritation is a common problem and can be caused for a wide variety of reasons. If you have sensitive, irritated skin, it can be difficult to get the kind of look you want. Thankfully, there are plenty of natural beauty treatments that can soothe irritated skin and even prevent it from recurring.

1. Eyebrow Threading

One of the best beauty treatments for skin irritation is eyebrow threading. Eyebrow threading gives you that “Hollywood Beauty” look without the bumps and redness that come with waxing, tweezing or sugaring. When you get your eyebrows (or other unwanted facial hair) threaded, you won’t be exposed to harsh chemicals or irritants. It uses only 100% pure cotton threads to quickly and efficiently pull the hair out by the root. The temporary discomfort is similar to tweezing only with threading you’re not pulling out skin!

2. Shaving with Coconut Oil

Unsightly razor bumps are an embarrassment on the beach. To prevent skin irritation, shave with coconut oil instead of shaving cream. Not only will you completely eliminate harmful chemicals, you’ll experience a smoother, more even shave. Coconut oil is filled with lauric acid, a natural antiviral and anti-inflammatory that stops razor bumps and skin irritation before it gets started.

3. Oatmeal and Yogurt Face Mask

Oatmeal and yogurt are two very soothing ingredients ideal for sensitive skin. To make it you’ll need 1 tablespoon of finely-ground oatmeal, 1 tablespoon of organic yogurt, and a couple drops of honey. Mix the yogurt and oatmeal together. Run a spoon under hot water for a few minutes and add the honey to warm it. Mix into the yogurt and oatmeal. Apply the mask to clean skin and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water followed by cold to tighten pores.

4. Brown Sugar Body Scrub

You don’t have to spend a fortune to have healthy, glowing skin. A do-it-yourself brown sugar body scrub works just as well without the unnecessary chemicals. You’ll need 1 cup dark brown sugar, ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon of vitamin E, 1 teaspoon of citrus essential oil (or vanilla extract), and 1 tablespoon of honey. Mix the liquid ingredients together first, then add the dark brown sugar. Step into the shower, apply the body scrub, and rinse.

Note: Use rubbing alcohol in your tub afterward to cut the oil and slippage in the tub.

5. Epsom Salt Baths

Epsom salt is a powerful natural detoxifying agent that can help prevent skin irritation. Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate; a healing essential mineral millions of people are deficient in. When you soak in Epsom salt, you’re absorbing this essential nutrient into your pores, healing the inflammation that causes skin irritation. Add 1-2 cups of Epsom salt and a few drops of lavender to a hot bath and soak for twenty minutes. (If you are pregnant, diabetic or allergic sulfur, do not use Epsom salts.)

Beauty treatments don’t have to cost a fortune or risk your health to be effective. In addition to these beauty treatments, you may want to consider adding a good-quality probiotic to your diet. Probiotics improve your gut health, fight inflammation, and balance your immune system. They help heal your skin irritation from the inside out.

What is Healthy Food?

What is healthy food? That’s a good question. It’s not what you think it is. Too many food-like-product manufacturers try to convince you that what you’re picking up in the supermarket is good for you. They have fancy words like “fat free”, “diet”, and “natural” but they’re actually some of the worst things you can put into your body.

Discover Healthy Food by Reading Food Labels

One of the easiest and best things you can do to find healthy food is to read food labels. Not just the front of the box but the ingredient list on the back. If the food you selected has more than 5 ingredients or if you can’t pronounce the ingredients, it’s not healthy food. Even if it’s granola, whole-wheat bread or yogurt!

Here are just 10 food additives you should avoid at all costs:

1.     Aspartame – A potent neurotoxin that can lead to MS

2.     High Fructose Corn Syrup – Caused the obesity epidemic

3.     MSG – An excitotoxin that over-stimulates brain cells to death

4.     Food Dyes – Causes hyperactivity and learning disorders

5.     Trans Fat – Leads to high cholesterol and heart attacks

6.     Nitrates/Nitrites – Responsible for colon cancer

7.     Potassium Bromate – Banned bread additive causes cancer

8.     Magnesium Stearate – Destroys your immune system

9.     BHT/BHA – Has been linked to cancer development

10.    Propylene Glycol – Causes heart and kidney problems

What is Healthy Food?

There’s a saying going around on health websites, “Don’t eat anything you’re great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.” Healthy food is food that is filled with vital nutrients to keep your body running smoothly and stave off disease.

Here are some examples of healthy food:

• Organic produce
• Organic meat, poultry, and fish
• Nuts, seeds, and legumes
• Whole grains
• Dairy (hard cheese, yogurt)
• Healthy fat (coconut oil, olive oil)

This isn’t to say you can’t have any tasty snack foods when you’re trying to eat a healthy diet. It just means you have to read labels so you’re really know what you’re putting into your system. Your favorite band of potato chips or candy bar may be absolutely loaded with toxic chemicals you can easily avoid.

The next time you go to the grocery store, spend time reading the label on all the foods you commonly buy. If it contains more than 5 ingredients or if it contains any of the above-mentioned ingredients, put it back. The health food section of the store should have something similar to replace it with.  

Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to spend the rest of your life eating “rabbit food”. It’s more about being aware of what’s going into your body. Reading food labels, understanding ingredients, and knowing how to use food as fuel instead of a distraction, are your keys to lasting health and wellness.

When you decide to make healthy food a part of your life, don’t quit junk food cold turkey. Junk food is a drug you’re addicted to and suddenly stopping can cause serious side effects. Instead, get familiar with food labels and replace your junk food products one at a time over the course of a month or two.

You’ll be amazed at the difference in your health.

Treat Skin Inflammation with Natural Remedies

Skin inflammation is a common problem for many people. If you’re one of millions of people living with breakouts and itchy skin, there are natural remedies to help ease your pain.

Common Types of Skin Inflammation

1. Acne

Acne isn’t just a teenage problem. Plenty of people over 30 are still struggling with embarrassing breakouts. Types of acne include whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, papules, and nodules.

2. Eczema

Eczema is a chronic condition characterized by skin inflammation, itching, redness, swelling, and flakey outbreaks on the surface of the skin. Eczema is an autoimmune response to food and chemical sensitivities. Nearly 80% of atopic eczema begins before the age of 5 but eczema can also start in adulthood as well.

3. Sun Allergy

Believe it or not, you can be allergic to the sun. Sun allergy affects millions of people and is characterized by itching, swelling, and hives on exposed skin after just a few minutes in the sunlight.

4. Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis occurs when sensitive skin is exposed to certain soaps, dyes, perfumes, and clothing.

5. Hives

15 to 20 percent of people are affected with hives at some point in their lives. It’s a type of skin inflammation that is often triggered by stress, food allergies, and chemical sensitivities.

Natural Remedies for Skin Inflammation

1. Dietary Changes

Dietary changes can do a great deal to stop chronic skin inflammation. Cut back on the junk food and introduce some organic fruits, vegetables, beans, meat, poultry, and wild-caught fish to your diet. It will do wonders for your skin.

2. Supplements

Oftentimes, chronic skin inflammation is a sign of poor digestion and a weakened immune system. Strengthen your immune system by adding a vitamin D3 supplement and a high-quality, preservative-free probiotic to your diet. Omega 3 krill oil can also help cut down on skin inflammation naturally by reducing inflammation from the inside out.

3. Natural Topicals

Commercial anti-itch creams often contain unnecessary chemicals that can cause unwanted side effects. Instead, try using natural astringents like rubbing alcohol and witch hazel to sooth the itch and tone your skin. Coconut oil is a natural antibacterial and antioxidant that eases the discomfort of irritated skin and locks in moisture to provide a soothing, protective barrier.

Don’t just live with chronic skin inflammation. Treat it from the inside out with dietary changes and supplements while soothing your irritated skin with natural products. You’ll feel better in no time.