Clinically called xerosis, dry skin occurs when the outer layers lack natural moisture and oils, leaving your gorgeous epidermis looking dulled, chipped, uneven and itchy AF! ' If left untreated, dry skin can crack and become painfully infected. Some store-bought treatments to remedy dry skin can be expensive AF, ineffective or cause unwanted reactions due to the chemicals within them. No one wants sore, blotchy skin.
You may possess some of these symptoms.
Dry skin includes -
- Tight, uncomfortable feeling
- Looks and feels rough
- Itching,
- Fine lines or cracks on the skin surface
- Ashy, dulled finish
- Unevenness
- Deep cracks that can lead to bleeding
All is not lost girl! There are plenty of effective and soothing at-home remedies that are easy to prep and can temporarily relieve dry skin until you get your next batch of moisturisers. Most of the treatments below are all-natural and often essential ingredients in moisturisers today.
With the cold weather around the corner, it's time to up the ante on your skincare routine. Combat the cold by making an exfoliating scrub of olive oil and sugar from your kitchen cabinet. Simply combine 1/2 cup of sugar with two tbsp of olive oil. Feel free to add essential oils like soothing lavender oil to promote relaxation and add fragrance. Exfoliate your face and problem areas for two minutes then wash off. Use a non-fragrant moisturiser afterward to lock in the benefits of freshly moisturised and exfoliated skin.
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This rule is pretty much the same with skincare. Ground oats can soften, soothe and exfoliate dry skin without irritating or causing further damage to problem areas. Milk, meanwhile, is a mild natural anti-inflammatory as it contains lactic acid. Adding a cup of oats and another cup of milk is a great way to rehydrate the skin and encourage the outer layers to retain the warm moisture from the milky bathwater.
A popular natural remedy for sunburn, aloe vera gel is also helpful for the winter months when dry skin is common. Massaging aloe vera gel alleviates redness and irritation related to excessive dryness and can clinically decrease signs of aging and acne breakouts. If you suffer from mainly dry hands, you can try leaving the aloe vera gel on overnight with the help of disposable gloves
Coconut oil is a fantastic, safe and effective replacement of petroleum jelly for treating dry skin. Similar to petroleum jelly, coconut oil can boost and lock in skin hydration by increasing the number of lost lipids (fatty acids) on the skin surface, as well as have emollient properties. This occurs when fat or natural oils act as a moisturiser by filling in cracks or gaps within dry skin, making it supple and smooth.
If you're not fond of the oily texture, coconut oil solidifies at room temperature which can apply as a moisturising cream at night.
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Regularly apply moisturisers and emollients after bathing to lock hydration back into the skin surface. You can also prevent dry skin by avoiding things triggering dryness, including:
- Scratching the skin
- Being in excessive air conditioning
- Shaving using a blunt razor or without shaving gel
- Bathing too often
- Rubbing the skin too hard when towel drying
- Using lotions that contain alcohol
- Wearing too-tight clothes and synthetic fabrics that rub the skin
- Avoid contact with washing detergents
- Sitting under direct heat from a heater or fire
Alright babe, no more wasting time with your workouts! From improving your mental health to a solid 'reducing your risk of dying' from anything, there are many non-weight/running related reasons to get your body moving. It's A-okay if your main motivation for working out is to lose weight in the name of health. However working out is also beneficial for building metabolism, gaining muscle, and reduce those pesky calories we keep on piling up.
Would we say these tips are easy? No. Nothing is easy when it comes to working out and getting to your goals... but they are helpful and super beneficial to you! Here's how you can maximise your workout if you're still working from home/just getting back into the workforce!
This sounds obvious but you have to do a workout that you'll actually enjoy. A workout that will help you lose fat and not hate literally every second of will be the one you will more likely work harder, and stick to more consistently. If you hate long-distance running like this copywriter, I can guarantee you can still lose weight without running.
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Surprisingly, lifting weights burns as many calories as doing cardio. Hitting the weights builds muscles. The more muscles you have, the more calories you burn after you leave the gym!
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Can't swing a gym membership or can't afford a spin cycle class, just do cardio! No matter how in shape you are, go for a brisk power walk, hop on your bike or jog up and down the stairs several times - every little bit counts (and burns calories!)
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This seems like the opposite of what you want to do, but overworking leads to burnout and injury. Healthy weight loss takes time so you need to train smart and have adequate recovery days to ultimately get you to your goals. Set aside at least two to three rest days per week and swap out the high-intensity workouts for a relaxing yoga session, a nice walk, or a day of binge-watching You again.
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If you're not a runner or big on cardio training (like this copywriter!), try HIIIT which involves alternating between intervals of all-out effort and recovery. When you switch things up, the systems in your body have to adapt and the more work you give your body, the harder it has to work to get the job done!
Warning: Do not attempt to do HIIT every day. Three, maybe four times a week should be more than enough. Your muscles should have ample time to recover. HIIT is also a great option for full-time workers who want to get their heart-rate and strength up, but don't have time to hit the gym after.
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The longer you can keep your heart-rate elevated, the harder your body has to work. Try a limit your rest time as much as possible. Try to take 30 to 50-second breaks, alternatively inhale five deep breaths and start your reps again.
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This copywriter is more partial to podcasts, but listening to music that pumps you up can help push you harder - and burn all the calories! Relive your inner tween and bust out some Cascada!
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The more muscles you can get into action, the more calories you will burn. Do a variety of reps from bicep curls, core stretchy to lunges. This will also make your workout feel less repetitive.
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It's easy. If you're not truly hungry, then don't eat When you do chow down, ensure your snacks contain protein and carbs (0.14g of protein per pound of body weight is a good benchmark). Sweet potato, whole grains, a lean chicken sandwich, or tofu salad are good snacks.
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Babe, stay hydrated! PLEASE! Proper hydration ensures you can work out at the intensity you need to maximise your calorie burn!
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I'm here to tell you that this 'issue' is totally normal. The whole idea that you need to de-bloat for summer? Total B.S. because you can't really 'fix' what your digestion process goes through. These are all signs that you could have an underlying condition like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or lactose intolerance that's causing bloating.
Whether if you do or don't have an underlying health condition, you can still manage it with these yummy low FODMAP superfoods!
(FODMAP means fermentable, oglio-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols. These are a special group of carbs that take longer/aren't well absorbed into the intestines. Therefore, they sit in your small intestine and pull in the horrible gas and liquids causing abdominal pain and bloating!)
Cucumber
Loaded with water, refreshing and gentle on the stomach, Cucumbers are a lifesaver. Water is a go-to if you want to reduce bloating. This superfood is packed with the antioxidant quercetin which, not only reduces puffiness and swelling on your skin's surface but mimics the same strategy in your gut.
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Carrots
I love munching on carrot sticks dipped in peanut butter. It's a guilty pleasure. Packed with beta-carotene, fibre, vitamin K1, as well as potassium, raw carrots lower cholesterol and bloating efficiently. If you're worried about the dreaded gassy stomach after a heavy veggie meal, soften the fibre by cooking the carrots. Don't add salt.
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Chicken Breast
Get your protein intake by adding some freshly cooked chicken breast in your caesar salad. Chicken is a great meat option that won't cause uncomfortable bloating. Stay clear of the nuggets and the breaded chicken, which are typically breaded in flower and contain gluten.
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Eggs
Another way to get your protein without the bloating is to slice a hard-boiled egg onto of your salad or work in scrambled eggs or an omelette into your brunch.
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Oatmeal
Switch out your avocado on toast with a filling bowl of unsugared Oatmeal if you're trying to avoid the feeling of a bloaty belly in the morning. Oats are packed with antioxidants called "avenanthramides" which can lower cholesterol, scrape the gut away from all the bad stuff, and give the feeling of feeling fuller as it takes longer to digest and break down.
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Kimchi
Yes, you can go ahead and schedule that Korean Barbeque with the besties! Have all the Kimchi you want. This Korean side staple is actually filled with probiotics and good bacteria due to the way it's fermented. Add this side dish to your bowl of brown rice or vegetable broth to maintain a healthy gut! (Plus, it's an easy dinner to cook)
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Green Tea
Experts have found out that Green Tea, whether it be matcha, houjicha or loose tea leaves, the antioxidising qualities in Green Tea have a slight diuretic effect in the body. Basically, it washes all the bad toxins out of the body while rehydrating it. Just keep an eye on the caffeine intake.
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Salmon
Yes, go ahead and have all the salmon and oily fish you want! Fish is full of protein and essential omega 3 oils, not carbohydrates, so it's a great superfood option! Furthermore, you can't get a more versatile fish than salmon. Cook it in puff pastry, have it as sashimi, salmon steaks, you name it!
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Quinoa
If you're looking for a healthier rice alternative that fills you up but doesn't give you that heavy bloated feeling after, go for Quinoa. Quinoa doesn't contain gluten, so it's an ideal grain to add to your bloat-free diet. It also possesses high levels of two flavonoids, which possess anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-depressant effects. Pretty awesome.
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Banana
Potassium in bananas is a useful electrolyte to counterpart sodium intake, playing a role in helping the kidneys excrete excess salt and water in the body. Bananas are one of the best quick and portable sources of potassium. This copywriter enjoys a freshly squeezed banana smoothie to up her potassium intake. Did you know that a medium-sized banana can give you up to 12% of your daily needs?