STOP PICKING AT YOUR FACE!

We are all guilty of picking at our faces at some point or another. Whether we’re popping blackheads or zits, or picking at acne scabs or flaky skin – we've all done it. It’s a dirty little habit and it needs to stop for the sake of our skin.

Generally popping zits is unnecessary and can cause more damage to the skin than we think. Most individuals pop pimples in an incorrect manner squeezing the zit only to further spread the bacteria deeper down into the epidermis. This results in larger, inflamed pimples, and prolonged healing time. Popping pimples can also result in unwanted scabs, scars, fingernail indention's, increased pore size, damaged collagen, and broken capillaries. When we do pop a pimple improperly, this triggers the emergence of blood, followed by a sanguineous crust, also known as a scab. Many of us are inclined to pick at our scabs and in doing so this can result in an even longer healing process, as well as deeper, darker scars.

Popping that pimple on your chin really isn't worth it after examining the skin damaging consequences, is it?! If we want to have beautiful, glowing skin we have to stop picking at our skin! Below are some valuable tips to stop picking at your face:

o   Stop touching your face! – Touching your face will only encourage you to pick at your skin when you discover a new blemish or flaw. Touching your face can also spread bacteria from your fingers and cause additional acne to emerge.

§  Every time you catch yourself touching your face tell yourself, “NO!”, and find something else to distract yourself. (For example: exercise, clean etc.)

o   Stop looking in the mirror every chance you get! – Looking at your face up-close in a mirror only makes matters worse. You’ll catch yourself popping tiny, insignificant zits that truthfully didn't need to be popped, and picking at scabs that were in the process of healing.  After you’re done damaging your skin, your former insignificant blemishes won’t look so insignificant afterwards. So stop looking in the magnifying mirror!

o   Use natural, skin healing products on your face to prevent acne, blackheads, flaky skin and scars. – You won’t be inclined to pick at your face if you have flawless skin, so nurture it with organic, skin healing products:

§  Use a plant-based skin care product, such as moringa oil, and apply daily to your face. Moringa seed oil has several beneficial, skin healing properties and is naturally capable of detoxifying and cleansing the skin. It is capable of improving acne and scars, is a great lightweight moisturizer, and is suitable for all skin types.

§  Aloe Vera gel is another terrific, natural skin topical. Aloe Vera applied directly to the skin can promote the healing of acne, skin abrasions, and scars.

o   If you feel like you must pop a zit, purchase a blemish extractor and learn how to use it properly to avoid damaging your skin.

 If we can follow these tips to stop picking at our skin, we will be on our way flawless, beautiful, glowing skin! 

Do We Really Need a Moisturizer?

No matter what your skin's condition is, you need a moisturizer,which serves more purposes than simply keeping your skin hydrated.

For oily, blemish-prone skin, moisturizers deliver antibacterial and soothing agents.For mature skin they add an extra dose of softening and antioxidant ingredients.

All of us benefit from sun shielding mineral components and antioxidants enzymes, vitamins and oils that protect our skin frrom a less-than-pure environment

How do moisturizers help? They form a film on your skin that reinforces he barrier ability of the epidermis, helping to prevent trans-epidermal water loss.They contain certain ingredients that attract moisture from the environment, and they contain healing substances that soothe irritations and neutralize free radicals .

Every day we lose up to one pint of water through the pores!The higher the water content in the epidermis, the more pliable and wrinkle free the skin will be.

Moisturizer is the most important anti-aging step and must have,no matter how old you are,"Take care of the skin you have; its meant to last you a lifetime.

HAIR POWER

Coloring hair can cause it to become dry, dull and brittle, but certain antioxidants may offer substantial protection.

 A study done at Dong-Eui university in South Korea, exposed hair samples to hydrogen peroxide or ammonia ingredients found in many permanent hair dyes.

By treating the hair with procyanidins-flavanoid reduced the surface damage and protien breakdown and increased hair strength.

Some of the most powerful  procyanidins are found in, moringa oil,grape seed oil, cocoa seeds,acai oil, elm green tea and blueberry extract.

Procyanidins have been found to promote hair growth in cases of balding, they may also protect hair against oxidative stress from straighting treatments,sunlight and aging
Antioxidants are extremely beneficial in the prevention of hair loss as well as stimulating new, healthy hair growth,” says Kosia of Kosia Naturals.

Always look for hair products that contain antioxidants like Growth & Repair Serum from Kosia Naturals which contains botanicals and  herbs, all rich in antioxidants to promote healthier scalp and hair.

Although the best option will be to skip coloring all together, that will leave a lot of us pulling the grey out, not recommended, or a bunch of women walking around feeling very unhappy and the world will not be able to handle that :).

So lets start by using products that help our stands!!. 

THE LOCKED REFRIGERATOR

Why is it so difficult to pass by this box without finding the urge to open it? In my opinion they all should come with a lock and key, or a constantly changing code. Because I feel if the refrigerator was more difficult to open, it will solve a lot of our yoyo diet issues.

But then again we should not blame it all on the fridge; it's us stocking it with all the contents we find in the supermarket, good and bad, but each time we pass by the items in the aisle it's like they hypnotize us into picking them up and bringing them home. We say things to ourselves like, this is the last time I will allow myself to have it, but we immediately forget the next time we're back in the aisle the following visit.

More research needs to go into the ingredients that are in these addicting products, as there are already scientific studies proving this formula exists, and should be stopped or at least brought to public awareness. Until further development on why we want to eat what we do comes to existence, we must take it into our hands and rely on our own will power. Global conglomerates will never fully be in our healthy favor if temptation convinces us to buy their product.

WILL POWER by definition means the ability to control one's own thoughts and behavior, especially in difficult situations. That includes the grocery aisle, where we face the attractive labels and yummy thought-provoking snacks. How best to assist this will power?

1. Make a list before you go grocery shopping; make sure you've researched and decided on healthier alternatives as to make the trip easier.

2. Look in your pantry and get rid of all those secret stashes - and fast! Don't make deals with yourself (I'll keep it for another time) - that won't help the OMG moment when you're back on the scale (whether you eat it now or "another time" won't make a difference).

3. If you happen to go out to eat, there is a lot of healthier alternatives on the menu; don't even look in the section of the no no's - don't even give your brain a second to contimplate.

4. Always carry water with you because sometimes when we are thirsty we equate that with hunger, if after the water you are still hungry eat some fruit. It's true that water can actually fill you up sometimes!

 .

5. Exercise! It doesn't mean sign up to the gym; take the stairs at work, go for a walk, ride a bicycle - get outside! Lets find daily things in our everyday life and use them as forms of exercise.

Take a moment to think about your life, and the people you love[ even though you are making these changes for yourself, in the long run it will be for them because you will be healthier, happy and be around to enjoy each other for a long time.  

Sample Grocery List
Cereal (healthy ones) 
Old Fashioned Quaker Oats oatmeal  
Brown rice Whole-wheat pastaTomato sauce (check the ingredients—you want a sauce made with only tomatoes, olive oil, and spices—no corn syrup or sugar added) Canned diced or whole peeled tomatoes Canned tuna and/or salmon packed in water Low-sodium canned soups (such as Campbell’s Healthy Request or Amy’s) Canned beans (chick peas, pinto, black, kidney, etc.) Basic seasonings: salt, pepper, brown sugar, Old Bay, taco seasoning, hot sauce like Tabasco, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, low-sodium soy sauce Healthy oils like extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, and nonfat cooking spray.Fruits and veggies galore (including staples of apples, oranges, lemons, lettuces, tomato, cucumber) Nonfat/low-fat milk Nonfat/low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese Calcium-fortified orange juice Eggs Nuts—almonds, walnuts, or cashews, roasted and unsalted (remember, nuts are fats and will go rancid if they are not stored in the refrigerator) Natural nut butters—almond or peanut Hummus Low-fat cheese: reduced-fat cheddar, part-skim mozzarella, or reduced-fat string cheese sticks A block of good Parmesan cheese  Firm tofu Extra-lean turkey bacon (approximately 20 calories per strip, 1 gram of fat or less, and 3+ grams of protein) Whole-wheat English muffins Butter alternative (non-hydrogenated and without trans fats) Mustard Salsa (try to buy fresh salsa whenever possible) For the FreezerWhole wheat sliced bread (with at least 2 grams of fiber per slice and less than 100 calories) Frozen veggies (broccoli, spinach, peas) Frozen fruit (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries) Ground turkey Skinless chicken breasts Frozen cooked shrimp 

SOFT HANDS

Nothing gives away your age like your hands. Our hands tend to age quicker and show their age more than most other parts of our bodies. Why do hands age so fast? The skin on the backs of your hands has few oil glands so it shrivels and chaps easily upon exposure especially around the joints. Add to this the overall fragile structure of your hands and you can understand why the skin on our hands is especially vulnerable to aging. Not only that, our hands are constantly exposed to the environment, the sun and sun damage, gravity, age, and daily abuse inflicted by us, not to mention neglect, again by us. So basically, our aging hands are self-inflicted to some degree. Our hands do so much for us during the day, yet we seem to just forget about them when it comes to skin and body care. Is it really possible to renew hands once they start the aging process? Yes, you can rejuvenate the skin somewhat, plump it up with product and prevent additional aging. The rule of thumb is to treat your hands like you do for your face.The hands are overworked and unappreciated.Give them the attention they deserve with these tips.

*A FLATTERING NAIL SHAPE MAKES HANDS LOOK MORE REFINED. Trim nails to a quarter of an inch past the fingertip .File them into a rounded or oval shape,which mimics of the finger and cuticle line.

*RAGGED CUTICLES make everything around them look neglected.Work cuticle oil like cuticles & nail repair by kosia naturals at least once a week.Push back cuticles with an orange stick,no cutting!!!.Trim hangnails with small nippers,as close to the finger as u can get.

*SMOOTH HANDS WITH A NICKEL-SIZE DOT of an exfoliating scrub once every two weeks.

*DURING THE DAY, always follow up with a light moisturizer and a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

*FOR EMERGENCY DRY HANDS RELIEF, use a rich moisturizer like All butter'd up by Kosia Naturals

put cotton gloves or socks after applying and go to bed, your hands will thank you in the morning.

About

After being in the hair and skin care industry for many years, and noticing the effects of chemicals in a variety of products and their effects on her clients,Kosia decided to come out with a healthy alternative. After a trip home to Ghana Kosia rediscovered something that had been used by her family for generations and has been around since the Egyptian times ," the Moringa Tree" also known as the "tree of life "and the" miracle tree". The leaves and seeds are filled with a powerhouse of antioxidants,and have anti-aging and anti inflammatory benefits.

• Organic/ Natural
• Free of Synthetics, Parabens & Sulfates
• 100% Natural and Vegan

History

For healthy, lustrous, gorgeous beauty, Kosia Naturals incorporates cold pressed Moringa Seed Oil in all her skin and hair products. Kosia Naturals provides the greatest cosmetic ingredient to date. Moringa Seed Oil contains 1,700 antioxidants and is considered by experts to be on the greatest cosmetic oils ever discovered.Using well-Known methods combined with the latest innovations, Kosia Naturals assures the highest level of quality and efficacy,we avoid using harsh chemicals, artificial colors,and artificial fragrances which makes it safe for our bodies and the environment, we believe in cruelty free practices, and refuse to test ingredients and products on animals.

Philosophy

Love yourself; delight in every particular and uncommon aspect of you! Among many, you are one. Never forget it. Let satisfaction and pleasure stem from the fact that thoughts, dreams, pains, gains, bad days and the best moments of your life are yours and yours alone; no one else walks in your shoes. Life is tough, interesting, exhilarating and something to be treasured. Love the excitement of it all. Believe in your worth, Breathe. Make it count! Treat yourself. Loving yourself means celebrating who you are. Being confident is beautiful.

Remember no two people age the same. While genetics serves as the fundamental formula for how you will age, and at what rate, when other factors are added to the mix, you can dramatically, and unknowingly speed up the process. The best way to prevent the signs of aging, which are inevitable to some degree is to keep you weight sturdy, stay out of the sun, use the most natural products, and practice a healthy lifestyle.

Say No Thank You To These Ingredients In Skin/Hair Care Products !!!

Some of the ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products are toxic chemicals that may

 be hazardous to your health. In the US over 10,000 hazardous industrial chemicals are used as cosmetic ingredients, many of
 which are carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, endocrine disruptors, plasticizers, degreasers, 
surfactants and these go directly onto your skin and into the environment. It has been estimated
 that only 20% of ingredients in cosmetics have been tested for their safety. It is suggested that
 each product only provides a small amount of these toxic chemicals but after daily use, multiple products, multiple times per day this certainly adds
 up and no studies have been done on the accumulative effect of all these chemicals.

When we put a fat soluble substance on the skin or scalp, it will absorb 10 times faster than 
when it is eaten.
 Eating protects you to some degree as the digestion provides detoxification pathways through
 the liver and digestive system which will reduce the chemical load while trans-dermal
 absorption bypasses these detoxification routes.
 Often people consider what they eat but do not consider what they put on their skin.

As our body’s biggest organ, your skin is your most important immune defense barrier as well
 as your largest organ for eliminating waste. Commercial products with harmful petroleum ingredients can plasticize and
 “constipate” your skin, making germs more likely to get in and toxins less likely to get out of your body. The result: Neither you nor your skin are as radiant or as healthy as you could be.

Every day we use products that we think are safe; but the truth is that products are NOT safe – 
and manufacturers don’t have to tell us so. Ever since 1938 – when the FDA granted 
self-regulation to the cosmetics industry – such products can be marketed without government approval of ingredients, regardless of what tests show. Most of the 25,000 chemicals used have not been tested for long-term toxic effects. In a typical day, you might be exposed to over 200
 different chemicals, many of which are suspected of causing cancer or  juggling hormones.
 EPA tests conclude that ingredients in shampoos, dyes, and other personal care products “may be playing havoc with hormones that control reproduction and development.”

Start checking all product labels.

 Here are only some of the known hazardous chemicals that are commonly found in many
 cosmetic products:

Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40): a very drying and irritating solvent and dehydrator that strips your 
skin’s moisture and natural immune barrier, making you more venerable to bacteria, molds and viruses. It is made from propylene, a petroleum derivative and is found in many skin and hair products, fragrance, antibacterial hand washes as well as shellac and antifreeze. It can act as a “carrier” accelerating the penetration of other harmful chemicals into
 your skin. It may promote brown spots and premature aging of skin. A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic
 Ingredients says it may cause headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, narcosis, anesthesia, and coma. Fatal ingested dose is one ounce or less.

3.) Paraben

Methylparaben, butylparaben and propylparaben are some of the most common parabens in cosmetics and
 anything else with ‘paraben’ in the name. A chemical found in underarm deodorants, 
moisturises and other cosmetics that has been shown to mimic the action of the female 
hormone estrogen and may drive the growth
 of breast tumors. A study publish in the Journal of Applied Toxicology has found that breast tumors commonly contain parabens and more research is needed. There is also some evidence that parabens may potentiate the damaging effects of UV radiation.

DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine) & TEA  (triethanolamine): hormone-disrupting chemicals that 
can form cancer-causing nitrates and nitrosamines. These chemicals are already restricted in Europe due to known carcinogenic effects. In the United States however, they are still used 
despite the fact that Americans may be exposed to them 10-20 times per day with products 
such as shampoos, shaving creams and bubble baths. Repeated skin applications…. of DEA-based detergents resulted in major increase in incidence of liver and kidney cancer.
 The FDA’s John Bailey says this is especially important since “the risk equation changes significantly for children”.

Triclosan

Triclosan is used mainly in commercial antibacterial liquid soaps, cleansers, deodorants, detergents, toothpastes, mouthwashes, antiperspirants, cleansers and hand sanitizers as a preservative and an anti-bacterial agent.
 The EPA investigated Triclosan and classified it as a pesticide and it is not considered a
 cosmetic ingredient and it has given high scores as a risk to both human health and the environment.. Triclosan can pass through skin and 
is suspected of interfering with hormone function in humans.

DMDM Hydantion & Urea (Imidazolidinyl): just two of many preservatives that often release formaldehyde which 
may cause joint pain, skin reactions, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, chronic
 fatigue, dizziness, and loss of sleep. Exposure may also irritate the respiratory system, trigger
 heart palpitations or asthma, and aggravate coughs and colds. Other possible side effects include weakening  the immune system
 and cancer.

Toluene

Made from petroleum or coal tar, and found in most synthetic fragrances, nail polish and hair
 dye, this is used to improve adhesion and add gloss. Chronic exposure linked to anemia,
 lowered blood cell count, liver or kidney
 damage, and may affect a developing fetus.

FD&C Color Pigments: synthetic colors made from coal tar, containing heavy metal salts that deposit toxins into
 the skin, causing skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and death. Animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic.

Fragrances: mostly synthetic ingredients can indicate the presence of up to four thousand 
separate ingredients, many toxic or carcinogenic. Symptoms reported to the FDA include headaches, dizziness, allergic rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and skin irritation. Clinical observation proves fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes.

Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives

These are called DMDM Hydantoin, Diaxolidinyl urea, Imidazolidinyl, methenamine or 
Quarternium-15. These are commonly found in hair products and skin moisturisers. 
Formaldehyde is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the EPA, which provides sufficient evidence that formaldehyde causes nasopharyngeal cancer in  humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. These act as a carcinogen, causes allergic  reactions and contact dermatitis; headaches; irritates mucous membranes; eye damage; linked to joint and
 chest pain; depression; headaches; fatigue; dizziness and immune dysfunction.

Mineral Oil: petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging the pores. 
Interferes with skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders. Slows down skin function and cell development, resulting in premature aging. Used in many products such as
 baby oil which is 100% mineral oil!

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG): potentially carcinogenic petroleum ingredient that can alter and 
reduce the skin’s natural moisture factor. This could increase the appearance of aging and
 leave you more vulnerable to bacteria. 
Used in cleansers to dissolve oil and grease. It adjusts the melting point and thickens products.
 Also used in caustic spray-on oven cleaners.

Propylene Glycol (PG) and Butylene Glycol: gaseous hydrocarbons which in a liquid state act as “surfactant” (wetting olagents and solvents). They easily penetrate the skin and can weaken
 protein and cellular structure. Commonly used to make extracts from herbs. PG is strong
 enough to remove barnacles from boats! The EPA considers PG so toxic that it requires 
workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles and to dispose of
 any PG solutions by burying them in the ground. Because PG penetrates the skin so quickly, the EPA warns against skin contact to prevent consequences such as brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities. But there isn’t even a warning label on products such as stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than in most industrial applications.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): detergents and surfactants that pose serious
 health threats. Used in car washes, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers – and in 90% of personal-care products that foam. Animals exposed to SLS experience eye damage,
 depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation, and even death. Young eyes
 may not develop properly if exposed to SLS because proteins are dissolved. SLS may also damage the skins immune system by causing layers to separate and inflame. 
When combined with other chemicals, SLS can be transformed into nitrosamines, a potent 
class of carcinogens.
 Your body may retain the SLS for up to five days, during which tie it may enter and maintain residual levels in the heart, liver, the lungs, and the brain.

There are so many wonderful natural skin care products that can be used in place of these 
chemical concoctions, if it is good for you to consume and is high in natural anti-oxidants and
 micro-nutrients then it certainly will be could for you to put on your skin such as moringa oil,
 avocado oil ,jojoba oil just to name a few . If you are familiar with the ingredients or can
 pronounce the name easily then this is certainly a good start to a good product.