Ethyl alcohols dry the skin, cause irritation, trigger Rosacea flare-ups and prevent the absorption of Vitamin A – the lack of which promotes premature ageing.

These drying alcohols are listed as ‘alcohol denat.’, ‘ethanol’ or ‘ethyl alcohol’.

Some companies market alcohol as a “skin balancer” – if you have oily skin, then it will dry it out. There are better ways to rebalance your skin!

This is a cynical marketing gloss for the true reasons for including alcohol – it is used as a “natural” preservative in organic products, as well as a fixing agent for fragrances.

But it only works in high concentrations – for alcohol to work as a preservative in skin creams, it must be used in concentrations of up to 20%, which is why you see it high up the ingredients list.

But…Pai uses a form of alcohol in its products – is it also drying and a skin irritant?

No. Not all alcohols are created equal. They can take various forms, serve different purposes and not all are bad for the skin.

There is a class of wax alcohols such as cetearyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol.

These are referred to as ‘fatty alcohols’ and are commonly used as an emulsifier or thickener in creams.  They actually have a non-drying moisturising effect on the skin.

These alcohols are usually naturally derived from vegetable sources such as coconut and are well tolerated by sensitive skin sufferers.

Drying alcohols carry a ‘moderate’ hazard rating of 5-6 on the Cosmetic Safety Database while fatty alcohols have a ‘low’ hazard rating of 0-1.

So, know your alcohols – we at Pai do use Ethly Alcohols but we use them to clean and disinfect our work surfaces. Which just about says it all.

I’m not a fan of electronic toys that require little interaction and even less imagination. So I’m always on the look out for something that will inspire a little creativity while also being eco-friendly. Right now my youngest son is completely digging (literally) Sprig Hallow toys. Available in three sets that can be mixed and matched with each other, the DuneBug’s Sand Truck, Bee and Butterfly’s Farm Playset, and Dragonfly’s Helisoopter Playset are perfect for boys or girls, and are recommended for ages three and up.

Each set comes with removal parts that can be snapped together to form trucks, barns, etc. and adorable little ‘bug’ characters that can ride on the vehicles when assembled. Plus, each set has parts that can be removed to be used separately as a funnel, rake, and scoop—perfect for a sand box or playing at the beach.

They’re made with an unusual material known as Sprigwood, which is a biocomposite of recycled wood and recycled plastic. So they’re waterproof, resilient, and able to withstand hours of not-so-gentle playtime while also being colorful enough to grab a child’s attention. They’re paint-free and kid-powered.  In truth, I think the fact that Jules can take them apart and reassemble them in multiple ways is what draws him to the Sprig Hallow toys in the first place. And that’s exactly the sort of imaginative play I love to see.

Planning to buy a new sunscreen that you’ve seen in the market? Better think twice before you do that. According to a study conducted by the Environmental Working Group, a non profit research organization based in Washington D.C., 4 out of 5 sunscreen lotions do not give adequate protection against the harmful rays of the sun or contain harmful chemicals.

Most of these sunscreens seem to be effective for sunburns, but their efficiency in fighting skin cancer is under question. They seem to be having little effect on the prevalence of melanoma which is the deadliest form of skin cancer. The rate of contracting skin cancer remains steady. According to the National Cancer Institute this trend is actually on a rise. According to Dr. Marianne Berwick, a melanoma specialist, who heads the Division of Epidemiology (University of New Mexico), there is no evidence that sunscreens work against melanoma.

However, the industry experts are ready with their own versions on the effectiveness and safety of sunscreens.

According to John Baily , chief scientist at the Personal Care Products Council (a trade association for the cosmetic and personal care product industry) the materials used in sunscreens are tested in a number of ways in animal studies and clinical studies before being approved for usage by the public. According to him, the EWG is taking the laboratory studies into considerations and not the ones conducted on human beings and drawing conclusions that the products are unsafe and hence to be avoided. However, when asked about the effectiveness of the sunscreens on skin cancer he agreed that scientifically it cannot be said that sunscreens protect against melanoma.

A number of scientists believe that people who apply sunscreens remain in the sun for longer periods of time thinking that the sunscreen is actually protecting them against the sun. It has been observed that FDA (Food and Drug Administration), when checking a new brand of sunscreen, asks for the verification of its effectiveness against sunburn but not against melanoma and other forms of skin cancer.

But are the sunscreen manufacturers actually at fault? Before contemplating on that we should examine how the sunscreens have been working till now. It has been found that sunscreens are effective against sunburn but not skin cancer. How? The sun emits two types of rays that are harmful to the human skin. They are UVB (ultra violet B rays) and UVA (ultra violet A rays) both of which cause sunburn. Repeated sunburn may lead to skin cancer. The sunscreens that have been developed till now protect against sunburn caused by UVB and not UVA. Now UVA is being looked upon as a causal factor for melanoma. The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) might be effective in protecting against sunburn caused by UVB and not UVA.

Now, FDA that regulates sunscreens as over-the –counter drugs is rolling out a labeling system in which the manufacturer of the sunscreen has to specify its effectiveness against UVA by May. Also the acronym SPF will be changed to mean Sunburn Protection Factor rather than Sun Protection Factor.

According to Margaret Tucker, Director of Human Genetics Program and Chief of the Genetic Epidemiology Branch (National Cancer Institute), the newer generations of sunscreens might prove to be more effective against skin cancer. She was critical of the view that there is an increased risk of skin cancer in people who stay out in the sun for longer durations after applying a sunscreen. She opines that people do not apply adequate quantities of the sunscreen while exposing themselves to the sun. They do not reapply it during the day. According to her if you sweat, you need to apply it once every twenty minutes or at least after every couple of hours.

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via: SFGate

• Make sure that you apply sunscreen lotion at least 30 minutes before you go out, as it would allow skin to absorb the lotion.

• Applying sunscreen lotion just once is not sufficient. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when outdoors, especially if you’re swimming or sweating.

• Skin around the tops of the ears, nose, and cheeks is quite susceptible to sunburn, so apply sunscreen on these areas, liberally.

• Use roughly a handful to cover your entire body.

These were some of the authentic ways of applying sunscreen lotion, however, it should not be forgot that clothes serve as the best shield against UV rays, therefore, try to dress up in such a manner that most of your body parts are covered. In addition, don’t forget to drink lots of water.

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Via: Health Central

Scientists from th RMIT university in Melbourne studied the effect of food on about forty three patients aged between 15 and 25 years. They were randomly assigned a normal diet and a low glycemic load diet for 12 weeks. The diet consisted of 25 percent energy from protein and 45 percent from low-glycemic-index carbohydrates.

It was found that people whose diet consisted of low-glycemic-index carbohydrates had a significant reduction in the total acne when compared to people on a normal diet.

What is Glycemic index?

The Glycemic Index (GI) relates to the way your body’s sugar levels respond to certain foods. Foods are given a rating from 0 -100 on the glycemic index with glucose in the highest position. High Glycemic Index foods (such as simple carbohydrates) will increase the body’s sugar levels rapidly whereas low glycemic index foods will increase the body’s sugar levels slowly according to HWF.

The new findings suggest that diets that contain low glycemic loads may not only improve insulin sensitivity and helps reduce weight but clears up acne as well.

So, if you want to get rid of acne and have a blemish free skin, foods that have high glycemic index like white bread, sugar, potatoes are a strict NO. However you can eat low-glycemic foods like whole grains, vegetables, fish and lean meat as these foods are kinder to your skin and say good bye to acne forever.

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Are you infected with Eczema? If you are, don’t even think about wasting your money away on your eczema bath emollients. They may not give you enough bank for the buck.

Experts predict that the bath emollients are just a waste of money!

Well, What is Eczema? This is basically a skin problem that can be persistent. Rashes are accompanied by dryness, with further problems like skin edema, flaking and even blistering.

That sounds painful. Here’s a brief look at the emollients that you should stay away from.

Although Emollient therapy has been a major therapy for ages, it’s not cost effective. Just imagine how many bath oils and related products you have to buy in order to put an end to the skin reaction problem. At least, I wouldn’t buy those oils.

These emollients normally trap moisture inside the skin. This was previously thought to be the easiest cure to Eczema.

According to calculations the NHS spends pound 16 million per year on emollients. It costs them about 70p per bath. Therefore, even though the treatment is somewhat less expensive, in the long run it doesn’t really save anything.

Image Credit: Wikipedia

1. Exfoliate your skin regularly so that your dry, flaky skin is no longer there. A good exfoliate will be the one which will contain Retin A, Renova or Retinols. Apart from using home remedies as defoliators, one should also go for professional peels once in a month.

2. Revitalize your skin with some good gels like Collagen and Elastin Gel by Clayton Shagal & Witch Hazel, which helps in replenishing and rejuvenating your skin. It also relieves your skin from sunburns. Other methods include a treatment with the Laser Genesis or a photo facial.

3. Make sure that you moisturize not only your face but your body to as it prevents wrinkles and helps in keeping your skin smooth which is an extra advantage. Also remember that creams replenish more deeply then lotions. Ponds cold cream is one of the best products.

4. De-Wrinkling your skin is another effective method that brings back life to your skin. Dermal fillers like Restylane and Juvederm helps adding volume, where Botox does the same too. Vaseline is one thing that can make you do away with Botox and likes.

5. Lips are an important part of our face and believe me, they can also look bad if not taken care of properly. Use good quality lip balms every now and then. A good lip balm will consist of Vitamin E and wax.

6. Hydration of your body is very important. Make sure you drink a lot of water, which actually accounts for half the weight you have.

7. Vitamins are important for a healthy skin. A glowing skin can only be assured with the intake of multivitamins.

Source: Fashiontribes

Image credit: Esteelauder

Sunscreen lotions are a must this summer. A good sunscreen serves two purposes namely, helping the skin maintain its natural oils and moisture, which can be lost through exposure to the sun’s radiation. Secondly, sunscreen also protects the skin against UVA and UVB rays, whose destructive effects have increased remarkably with the reduction in the atmosphere’s ozone layer. Global warming has its devastating effects for the environment as well as our skin. Rising temperatures and humidity leaves a bad impact on the skin, which might result in sunburns.

Sunlight causes skin pigment cells, called melanocytes, to synthesize increased amounts of melanin, giving the skin a protective pigment or tan. But, while increased melanin can perform as a natural filter to keep harmful UV radiation from penetrating further into the skin, using sunscreen with a high SPF is more important, especially if you are fair-skinned or have a family history of cancer.

There are four basic skin types, each with a different level of tolerance to sun exposure. People with light skin comprise Type I, and their natural protection time (amount of time skin can be exposed to the sun without burning) is 5-10 minutes. The natural protection time of people with skin Type II, who have a somewhat darker complexion, is up to 20 minutes. Those with skin Types III and IV, who are much darker can stay in the sun for 30-40 minutes. That means fairer types are more prone to skin diseases due to the sun.

And if you are a white complexioned person, don’t worry GourmetGlam has compiled About.com’s list of the Best Nine Sunscreens out there.

Shiseido is a well-known skincare and cosmetics line, and the sun protection cream can be added as the sun protection and moisturizing step combined.

For an all-around sunscreen that you should just carry with you wherever you go, take Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch. It can be used on the face and body without feeling or looking greasy. The beauty of the Neutrogena sun care products is that they now contain Heloiplex, which protects against UVA rays.

Tinted moisturizer is a three-in one product. It is lighter than regular foundation with an SPF in it. It serves as moisturizer, foundation, and sunscreen. According to About.com, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20 is “hands down the best…on the market.”

Olay with UV protection is a facial moisturizer that has sunscreen, which fights the aging process in skin.

L’Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Moisturizing Care is a facial moisturizer good for all skin types, but it does have shea butter, which can be greasy.

Eucerin is a drugstore brand particularly or dry skin.

Bull Frog is the best for the rest of the body because it’s lightweight and long lasting.

Iehl’s Ultra Protection Water-Based Sunscreen Lotion SPF 15 is something that can be regularly used for daily beauty routine -very similar to facial toner and moisturizer.

One must use common sense, and always avoid any overexposure to the sun.

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Via:Styledash

Though it is not always possible to change one’s job requirements to go out and travel in the sun, change in your ‘lifestyle’ can be an answer to the deadly disease.

If you are an exercise freak, just add to it a cup of that refreshing coffee – and you are at the least risk of developing skin cancer!

Yes, by building up this healthy but simple habit, you may actually reduce your risk from the painful and killer disease. This combination of exercise and caffeine may help bringing in a revolutionary remedy to the growing skin cancer cases across the world.

Dr. Allan H. Conney of the laboratory for cancer research at Rutgers said,

With an understanding of these mechanisms we can then take this to the next level, going beyond mice in the lab to human trials. With the stronger levels of UVB radiation evident today and an upward trend in the incidence of skin cancer among Americans, there is a premium on finding novel ways to protect our bodies from sun damage.

And if you are a ‘caffeine-drinking runner’ and the new finding proves true for humans, then you are just the ideal example of the lifestyle that can effectively reduce skin cancer risks.

But again, that does not mean, you can take the liberty of staying unprotected under the sun for hours!

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Various areas of the male face can be treated with Botox and injections need to keep in mind the greater muscle mass in men.

Normally men don’t seek Botox treatment for cosmetic procedures and it’s more popular in females. However, in the recent years it has gained popularity among males too, which has made this issue worth discussing. So, it would be interesting to see in future that what alternative expects come up with for males.

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