by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Dec 1, 2017 | Essential Oils
Your skin is your body’s biggest organ and is exposed to numerous damaging conditions every day. Dry skin can be a major problem and one that can bring about a lot of additional problems including itching, burning and flaking. Over time dry skin can lead to chronic wrinkling and inflammatory conditions like psoriasis and eczema. While the root cause of dry skin may be a variety of environmental and internal issues, choosing the right essential oils that help balance skin health can be a big help.
Some essential oils are both calming and gentle, helping to soothe irritated, inflamed skin. Some, like German Chamomile and lavender contain anti-inflammatory properties. The key to using essential oils successfully is to find the right one for your skin, in the right type of product. Maybe you’ll like the way oil feels on your body but not on your face, for example. Or maybe you don’t like the feeling of straight oil or serum, but you can find a lotion with extracts of essential oils. Experiment with different formulas until you find something that works for you.
In addition to relieving dry skin and the various symptoms associated with it, the aroma of essential oils helps to provide additional health benefits. Essential oils can help reduce anxiety, improve happiness, reduce stress, and more. Not only will you be giving yourself healthier skin, but could also be creating better overall health and well being. So what are the best essential oils to use to treat dry skin?
- Lavender – Lavender essential oil can soothe the body and mind and also provide nourishment to the skin to help replenish and hydrate it. Lavender oil is a traditional treatment for many skin conditions. It’s derived from lavender flowers and contains linalool and linalyl aldehyde, which are known for their anti-inflammatory agents and pain reducers. It provides plenty of aromatherapy benefits along with healthier skin.
- Sandalwood – Sandalwood oil is moisturizing and soothing, with anti-inflammatory and anti-itching properties. Many people also use sandalwood oil for stress relief, adding a few drops to a hot bath to promote relaxation. Sandalwood oil isn’t recommended for pregnant women.
- Rose – Rose essential oil is not only wonderful smelling, it provides calming effects on the mind, AND helps promote better skin health. This essential oil reduces irritation and burning, and helps to moisturize the skin as well.
- Manuka oil – This essential oil has regenerative properties to help heal broken skin, and reduce inflammation and swelling associated with various skin conditions. Manuka oil is very similar to tea tree oil, but while tea tree can be toxic when taken orally in large doses, Manuka is not.
Before using essential oils, test a small amount on your skin to ensure you aren’t allergic or susceptible to any adverse reactions. If you believe you have something more severe than just dry skin, talk to your doctor about your condition and treatment methods before attempting the use of essential oils.
by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Dec 1, 2017 | Facials
Winter can wreak havoc on your face, which is a bummer since it might be the only skin peeking out from all those cozy layers. The lower temperatures, cold wind, and dry indoor air cause the water in our skin to evaporate more, and as a result we get itchy, dry, painfully cracked skin. To protect your face from the elements, follow these tips and get ready to put your best face forward through anything the winter weather throws your way!
Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. Believe it or not, when winter hits, you still need sunscreen. Even though the weather is cold and gray, the sun can still damage your skin. The damage is even worse if you’re hitting the slopes. Snow reflects up to 80% of the sun’s UV light, so the rays hit you twice when you’re out on a ski slope, further increasing the risk of skin cancer and premature ageing. The lower lip is a particularly neglected area and a common site for squamous-cell skin cancers. Apply a generous layer of SPF15 lip balm before heading out.
Use the right skincare products. If the cold weather is leaving your face feeling extra parched, swap the matte foundation and powder for a moisturizing formula, which will help soothe your skin without feeling greasy. If you have really delicate or sensitive skin, watch out for products that contain sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), which has been found to irritate skin and make it more permeable. If you use a light, water-based lotion, switch to a more moisturizing cream or oil. WebMD suggests looking for “nonclogging” oil ingredients such as avocado, primrose, or almond oils. Or look for lotions with “humectants,” which attract moisture to your skin: glycerine, sorbital, and alpha-hydroxy acids.
Choose the right clothing. Knit hats and earmuffs are nice, but a hood—especially one that’s insulated—will block the wind from the sides of your face. And don’t forget your scarf! It can be used to cover not just your neck, but also your nose and bottom portion of your face when it gets stormy. Also, avoid scratchy clothing like wool, since it can disrupt the barrier on your skin that keeps in moisture.
Revise your indoor routines. Staying hydrated is always important, including the winter when you want to save your skin. In addition to drinking lots of water, take warm rather than steamy showers or baths. Those extra hot showers feel good in the winter, but intense heat can break down the skin’s lipid barrier and your body will lose more moisture. Turn on the humidifier, especially at night when your body is trying to repair itself. Eat more healthy fats, like nuts, avocados, and fatty fish. Eskimos eat a diet very rich in seafood and healthy fats, which plays a part in their incredible skin.
Get a facial. The winter is a great time to try out a facial treatment. A facial works to counteract these effects in a couple of ways. Improving circulation to our face to stimulate our own skin’s natural renewal is one of the best benefits to a facial in the winter. A facial includes cleansing which helps unblock your pores and promotes healing and restoration. Our daily cleansing regime might be adequate for makeup and grime removal but for skin that is truly clean, a facial gives an unsurpassed result. Finally, a facial helps us to relax and forget the winter blues.
by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Nov 1, 2017 | Skincare
Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. If you have acne and are an adult, you are not alone! Around 50 million Americans deal with acne every year. 50% of adult women and 25% of adult men suffer from acne. Sadly, acne cannot be cured, but it can be effectively treated.
There are several factors that can lead to people developing acne, including overactive oil glands, genetics, hormones, menstruation, stress, depression, medications, and foods with a high glycemic index. Stress is often the main culprit in adult acne. It turns on inflammatory pathways, which results in breakouts. When treating this issue, it is important to maintain regular cleansing habits. Here are a few other tips to assist in managing adult acne:
- Change your diet. Poor diet choices and food sensitivities may be the cause of adult acne rather than hormonal imbalances. The clue is in the type of spot you have: fine red pimples or whiteheads on the face, neck and chest are usually caused by food reactions; large pimples and cysts are generally hormonal.
- Steam your face. Steaming opens pores, removes blockages and promotes detoxification. Half-fill a bowl with boiled, filtered water, then add 2–3 drops of an essential oil (chamomile, lavender, tea-tree) mixed into a teaspoon of carrier oil. Place your face over the bowl and cover your head with a towel so the steam doesn’t escape. Steam for five minutes. Follow with gentle exfoliation and a cleansing clay mask. Repeat 2–3 times a week.
- Use anti-bacterial cleansers regularly. These can topically help to heal your acne.
- Don’t over-wash your skin. Acne is rarely caused by dirty skin. Alkaline soaps, foaming cleansers and hot water can dry out your skin, triggering your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Use a gentle, non-foaming pH-balanced cleanser morning and night.
- Consider a detox. Your skin is often the first place to show when the liver is congested, as wastes and toxins are pushed out through the skin. A detox can help spring-clean your liver and elimination organs and significantly improve your skin. While you may get breakouts during a cleanse, this usually subsides once toxins have been flushed out.
- Manage stress. Research has identified that stress can instigate acne flare-ups. Managing stress to lower and control cortisol (the stress hormone) can help treat acne. Massages have been proven to lower cortisol levels and as a result, lower stress. In addition to keeping your skin clean and properly moisturized, reducing stress through massage can help reduce acne breakouts.
Acne at any age is distressing, but adult acne can be particularly hard to treat—especially for women. While there is no cure for acne, it can be effectively treated. In addition to following the tips above, see your doctor who can help determine the cause of your breakouts and help you devise a treatment plan.
by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Nov 1, 2017 | Massage
Adrenal fatigue is a commonly experienced syndrome in today’s world of stress and high energy. The adrenal glands are located near your kidneys, and their job is to make the main hormones that control our response to stress: cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (adrenaline). If your cortisol level is either too low or too high, it sends messages throughout the body which affect your digestion, immune system, nervous system, and all your other hormones.
A little stress is completely normal, and good for us–this is something everyone has. The important thing is your body’s ability to recover from stress. If you’re not sleeping or eating well and continue in stress mode for years, you’re headed for overall burnout because your body doesn’t have the chance to recuperate from the damage caused by the stress. If we don’t give the adrenal glands a chance to rest and recover by giving them a break from the stressful situations that stimulate them, we are highly likely to start feeling not so well. Symptoms of over-worked adrenal glands include everything from fatigue and low energy, to insomnia, dizziness, blood sugar irregularities, muscle weakness, frequent infections, and mood changes.
So what can be done to restore the delicate balance provided by healthy adrenal glands? Be kind to yourself. This might seem simple, but is very hard for most people. Lighten the expectations that you have of yourself and take time out of each day for some “me time.” While we cannot live a life completely free of potentially stressful situations, we can certainly change our capacity to cope with those challenges we do face. Massage can be an extremely helpful part of maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle, and in lowering your stress levels. Here are just a few ways that massage can help your adrenal system:
- Massage therapy can reduce stress hormone levels and stress related symptoms.
- Massage increases circulation, helps to relax the nervous system, improves sleep patterns, and improves your overall sense of well being.
- Massage lowers cortisol levels, and increases serotonin and dopamine – perfect for defusing that adrenally fatigued brain on high alert so that your hormones can come back to a more normal balance.
- A single massage reduces temporary anxiety that results from a stressful situation. Multiple massage treatments reduce general feelings of anxiety and depression.
Of course, massage alone won’t fix all stress issues and restore adrenal health in a single session. It’s part of a bigger picture for a more mindful lifestyle that takes care of your needs and helps support your body in the healing process. Talk to your massage therapist about why you are seeking massage therapy — this will help your therapist choose the best style and approach to your massage. Use massage therapy for relaxation, not as an alternative to medical treatment.
by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Nov 1, 2017 | Skincare
For many people, the cold days of winter bring more than just a rosy glow to the cheeks. We’re constantly talking about how to keep your face radiant and hands moisturized, but what about your feet? Just because they’re hidden in thick socks and your favorite boots doesn’t mean you should ignore them. Think of the major disservice you are doing to yourself: months of neglect in winter will only mean more effort will be needed to get your feet sandal ready in the summer!
Believe it or not, your feet have a blood supply that is affected by climate. When your feet are cold, the blood supply to the top layers of the skin has been reduced to preserve heat. Your feet can become as dry as chapped lips without even being exposed to the elements. Think of winter pedicures as a way to care for and pamper your feet, keeping cracked heels at bay and ready for warmer weather shoes.
Here are some of our best tips for taking care of your feet in the cold winter months:
- Hook Up the Humidifier. Central heating systems (as well as space heaters) blast hot dry air. Humidifiers get more moisture in the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out. Place several small humidifiers throughout your home to help disperse the moisture more evenly.
- Moisturize More. You may have found a moisturizer that works just fine in spring and summer. But as weather conditions change, so, too, should your skin care routine. Find an “ointment” moisturizer that’s oil-based, rather than water-based for the winter months. The oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a cream or lotion.
- Exfoliate. Use an exfoliating cleanser to get the dead skin off and reduce calluses. This helps any moisturizers you use to sink in faster and deeper. You can even make your own exfoliator! Combine sea salt, an oil (peppermint and lavender are great options) and a touch of water, then massage all over your feet. You can use brown sugar and oats in the scrub as well.
- Use a Pumice Stone. After rinsing away your scrub, follow it by gently exfoliating your soles with a pumice stone for rough calluses. For extra stubborn calluses you can shave them off gently with a callus shaver. Be aware, though – over-filing your feet can lead to an overgrowth of hard skin, which will create callouses.
- Ban Superhot Baths. Soaking in a burning-hot bath feels great after frolicking out in the cold. But the intense heat of a hot shower or bath actually breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, which can lead to a loss of moisture. Restore heat in cold feet by applying foot cream in circular motions from the heel up to the toe. This will not only warm your feet, but also moisturize them at the same time.
Hiding your feet away in socks and boots during winter is not an excuse to neglect them. Follow the simple tips above to make sure your feet are well taken care of and ready for sandals when warmer weather returns.
