Are you prepared to protect and support your  skin for the cooler months ahead?

As the seasons change, so does our wardrobe. But what do you do for your skin? As the largest organ of the body, the skin has many jobs. It protects against the elements, transports oxygen and nutrients, removes toxins and is a key sensory organ. At the same time, our endless expectations make us want a flawless look at all times. How easily we forget that our skin is alive, with its own unique needs!

How can we become more aware of our skin’s needs, especially for water? If your skin feels tight and begins to peel, this is one way our skin is sending us a message. If the skin becomes even drier, spot rashes or contact dermatitis may result –  these are warning signs that your daily routine needs updating.

When exposed to harsh weather conditions, unprotected skin literally suffers and needs special care.  Here are some suggestions to make your skin happier.

Reduce or completely avoid the use of harsh products, such as scrubs. They disturb your skin’s ability to protect the body properly. Exfoliation should be used sparingly – only as needed, as newly uncovered skin will have a harder time protecting itself from pollution, wind, sun, and cold.  Salon treatments such as micro-dermabrasion should be performed with caution and followed by proper support and daily protection.

Just as we begin to layer our clothing, our skin also needs extra layers of protection. Choose products that will nourish your skin, and not just cover up.

Here are a few steps to help you re-evaluate your own daily skin care routine.

Cleanser – if your cleanser leaves the skin feeling tight and dry, chances are that it is too strong for your skin.  Change to a milder one in the form of milk cleanser or cream cleaner.

Toner – must not be drying.  Even if you need an oil-controlling toner, consider using it only once a day instead of morning and night.  To rebalance the skin, consider using a lactic acid-based toner.  That helps keep the skin soft.

Serums – are the best way to deliver nourishment to the skin.  Keep in mind, not all serums contain the same amount of active ingredients!  Depending on the weight of the serums, they will penetrate to different depths of the skin.

Moisturizer – is essential to reduce loss of moisture.  Choose the right weight for your skin type and the season.  Best when applied after a serum. Make sure to take the time to spread heavier moisturizer evenly over the entire face to avoid whiteheads from appearing.

Sun Protection – always a must, if we care about skin cancer, pigmentation and all forms of sun damage.  My favorite is in the form of mineral powder. Colorescience, which we carry at my clinic, provides physical protection that blockthe UV rays (like an umbrella over your head). It can be used in place of make-up foundation.  It has anti-inflammatory properties (zinc oxyde), keeps the skin cool and is very water-resistant as well. When using mineral powder as sun protection, be sure you are covering your skin completely.  If your skin looks the same after applying the powder, you probably have not used enough.

Around the Eyes – an eye serum followed by a light eye cream will help ease the signs of time.  It can also be used around the lips.

If you feel that you need more personal guidance, please consult a skin care specialist. Especially in times of transition, like seasonal changes, a visit to a professional can be very helpful.

We are thankful for the many choices available today.  At the same time, there is so much to learn and to experience.  The challenge is to avoid feeling overwhelmed.  We need to learn how to balance the power of modern technology with ancient wisdom and common sense.

To honor ourselves, to appreciate who we really are, we must learn to choose wisely.

photos link back to respective sources

Tempeh originated in Indonesia. Made of fermented soybeans, it is a probiotic food that is a great source of protein, calcium, and fiber. It is also considered an outstanding source of probiotics. As the fermentation agent, the fungus Rhizopus oligosporus produces a type of antibiotic that is effective against certain bacteria, including staphylococcus aureus, which can cause pneumonia and sepsis.  The amazing thing about this natural antibiotic is that it is heat resistant and can tolerate a wide range of pH, unlike many other probiotics.

Since the culturing process breaks down as much as half of the soybean protein into amino acids, tempeh is highly digestible. That makes it an excellent food for anyone with digestive tract issues. Another benefit of the fermentation process is that the body is better able to absorb essential minerals than when eating soybeans. Fermentation neutralizes the acid present in soybeans that limits the body’s absorption of minerals.

How best to eat tempeh?

Tempeh is a very friendly, mild-flavored food that easily adapts to all kinds of taste preferences.  It can be marinated, grilled, grated, pan-fried, toasted, baked or steamed. Tempeh is especially good for vegetarian diets.

Formed into patties, it can be cooked just like a meat burger.

Tempeh is delicious when cut in small pieces and stir-fried with vegetables.

Some people prefer to boil it briefly, then add slices to salads.

Personally, I love chunks of it cooked in green curry with vegetables.

Very quickly, you will easily find or create your own favorite recipes!

Where can you buy tempeh?

The best places are Asian supermarkets, but I have seen it in Whole Foods, Trader Joe, and even Lunardi Markets in the San Francisco Bay Area.

photo from peacefulmind.com

The skin is an excellent barometer for fitness. Some common signs that show a lack of fitness include:

• Dehydrated and sallow skin resulting from poor circulation and lack of oxygen
• Break-outs, reflecting an imbalance in the body – possible hormonal or in toxic waste elimination
• Tense muscles, often from prolonged stress
• Temporary hair loss, possible due to an imbalance or hormones or deficiency of minerals and vitamins in the diet

Fitness is also how well the body follows commands.

• Learn to breathe deeply and exhale slowly. Consciously direct more oxygen throughout the body.
• Exercise regularly and sensibly to maintain flexibility as well as build strength and endurance.
• Detoxify regularly, through the skin and/or through natural elimination processes. The skin is the largest organ of the body. You can help eliminate free radicals by taking baths containing baking soda and sea salt mixed together. Herbal teas and many specific cleansing diets are not available to help with elimination.
• Seek professional medical guidance regarding possible hormonal imbalance; consider using bio-identical hormone replacement rather than synthetic ones.
• Stress related tension carried on the face, if not address promptly, will contribute to our looking older. Micro-current treatments can be extremely useful to normalize any unbalanced tension. Doctors are also using this technology as a “healing current” to relieve pain.

With the enormous changes in the beauty industry in the recent years, consumer expectations have risen dramatically. While we are excited and grateful for powerful innovations, we often ignore the risks that come with them. We need to remind ourselves to care for our vital organs, too – the ones we can’t see in the mirror. While attending to our outward appearance, it’s important to strive for balance between our outer and inner selves.

At the same time, worrying about everything definitely takes the fun out of life. A better strategy is to choose and pick our battles. Let’s explore how to focus on what’s really important. After all, life is too short for us to scatter our valuable energy.

Please join the conversation! Contribute your feedback. Along this journey, I hope we will all benefit from shared insights that are inspiring and entertaining.

]]> http://beautywithintegrity.com/2011/09/17/welcome-to-beauty-with-integrity-2/feed/ 0