How to use your left overs the healthy way

I love the holidays, I love indulging in my favourite foods and I especially love having tons of leftovers, after the Christmas rush! It’s like having Christmas all over again but with a twist of new meals to come. I usually end up with having TONS of turkey, roast vegetables and seafood platters left behind! However don’t just throw them in the bin yet! Here are a few recipes to make the best use of your holiday left overs and a tip to prep your skin while cook at the same time. 

First up: Turkey Potato Soup, which I make anytime I have leftover turkey or chicken. (You can also easily make this vegetarian by using potatoes and vegetables). I love making soup because they are easy to whip up, light and flavourful and they work with just about anything you have still sitting in the fridge.

Turkey Potato Soup

Preparation time: 10 minutes     Cooking time: 25 minutes 

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 4 cloves Garlic, crushed
• 1 medium Onion, diced
• 1/2 Tablespoon Kosher or Sea Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked Black Pepper
• 2 medium potatoes, cut into small cubes
• 2 cups of cooked and cubed turkey breast
• 2 ½ cups of organic chicken stock ( if you are making this vegetarian, use water of vegetable stock)
• 1 medium carrot, cut into small cubes
• 3 tablespoons of fresh chives
• 4 sprigs of fresh thyme 

Method:

1. In a large pot over medium heat, add olive oil and garlic. Cook 1 minute, then add onion, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Add chicken stock, potatoes, carrots and thyme and then bring to a boil, stirring along the bottom of the pot to prevent sticking.
3. Reduce heat to a simmer for 10 minutes. You can use this wait time to your advantage with a beauty mask while you wait! Nothing beats a mask that only takes a few minutes to draw out impurities and keeps your skin hydrated and beautiful .This is why I love SkinB5’s 5 minute purifying mask! It actually does the job and takes no effort at all! Once you apply the mask evenly, let it dry for 5 minutes and wash with luke warm water! Don’t forget to moisturize! Don’t worry you still have a few minutes left before you’re needed for the next step.

1. After your skin is renewed you can now go back to the stove to remove the soup from heat and discard thyme. Blend until smooth. Return soup to pot.
2. Heat soup over low heat. Add diced turkey. Allow to heat for at least 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Serve in warm bowls and garnish with chopped chives, bread or gluten free crackers/bread for gluten free. Enjoy!

I love roasted vegetables they are nutritiously delicious on their own as a meal. However I did promise you some new meals and I think you’ll like what’s coming! Its super quick, packed with tons of protein, vitamins and minerals and there perfect for breakfast time! Can you guess what it is? It’s time for roasted vegetable omelette, please!

Roasted Vegetable Omelette 

Preparation time: 5 minutes        Cooking time: 5 minutes 

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of oil 
• A handful of leftover cooked roasted vegetables.
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons of milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method 

1. Break the eggs into a bowl and beat together with the milk, salt and pepper.
2. Heat the oil in a deep non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and roasted vegetables fry for a few minutes.
3. Pour the egg mixture into the hot skillet and allow them to cook until sides and center have firmed up, about 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully flip and cook an additional 1 minute.
4. Turn the omelet out onto a plate and if you like a cheese omelette, simply grate your raw cheese over the top of the hot omelette and it will melt right into it. Delicious! 

Note: You can serve with some slices of bread and place on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and toast at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.

Lastly if you have seafood platters left, they need be used quickly. What’s quicker than serving them with your favourite dipping sauces? Here are my two favourite sauces I use to serve with any type of seafood dish. 

Seafood sauce #1

Preparation time: 10 minutes        Cooking time: N/A

Ingredients

• 1 cup (300g) whole-egg mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp. tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp  Ground Paprika

Method

Combine the mayonnaise, tomato sauce, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and paprika in a small bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to chill for 15 minutes.

Seafood sauce #2

Ingredients 

• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 ripe avocado, halved, stone removed, peeled
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1/4 cup (60ml) lime juice
• 2 tbsp. olive oil

Method

To make the avocado & lime dressing, toast cumin in a saucepan over low heat for 1 min or until aromatic. Process in a food processor with avocado, garlic, lime juice and olive oil until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper

I hope these recipes help you get back into a healthy routine for January and help celebrate healthier habits. So what are your favorite recipes for leftovers?

Tips on staying healthy for the holidays

 

With the holiday season just around the corner, it can be tempting to over-indulge in your favourite foods, staying healthy and ditching your routine workouts for holiday parties can in fact take a toll on your skin health in ways we don’t even realise. With a little help from me, here’s how to treat yourself well on the run this holiday season 

Changing Up Your Morning Brew:  I know it almost impossible to stay guilt free over the Christmas holidays, however whilst you may be eating out a lot over the next few weeks, you’ll probably be home for breakfast every day then why not start your mornings by drinking a freshly made detox tea that helps support and energize your body for the day. The freshly squeezed lemon cleanses the liver, ginger helps to support digestion, turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties helps cleanse the full body and eliminates the formation of pimples and black pepper helps reap the full benefits of turmeric. To find out the full recipe on how to make your own detox tea, check out our Instagram page below:

Planning Meals Ahead Of Time For Clear Skin:  At this point in December, you may be starting to feel the stress of the season, and there’s a high chance of unhealthy meals sneaking into your everyday routines. However it’s all about preparing healthy dishes ahead of time and being well organised, which will certainly promise you a week of clean eating. Try to pick a day when you have a few hours free and remember to get everything you need for the week.  You don’t necessarily need to cook up all your meals at once, you can save time by chopping up vegetables, washing fruits or marinating meat. For your on the go to snacks, try adding ingredients that contain skin boosting Vitamins such almonds, sunflower seeds, dark chocolate, seaweed crackers or a bowl of coconut yoghurt.  If you’re still unsure on what or how to plan ahead check out this article on how to meal prep 101 below. 

http://skinb5.tumblr.com/post/128387063642/meal-prep-tips-101

Keep Up Your Skincare Routine: The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate happiness and togetherness, yet with so many obligations this time of year, it can bring out some challenges to your skin’s health.  Just remember no matter how busy you are, try not to let your skincare routine slide. Your routine doesn’t need to be complicated, just keep it simple and consistent with a regimen of gentle cleansing, moisturizing and applying a clay mask once in a while.  It only takes a few minutes to take care of your skin and trust me your skin will thank you for it in the morning!  

Exercise Whenever You Can: With the hot temperatures, crazy shopping schedules and family gatherings, squeezing in time for exercise can be tough. Staying active will help you deal with stress and make you feel healthier. So try to use every opportunity to move whenever you can, perhaps an extra power lap around the mall or choosing to take the stairs instead of the lift. Exercising regularly has positive effects on the skin, with the increase of blood flow, it can really give you a natural appearance and help benefit both the body and mind.  

Some final tips

• Drink more water. It helps flush out the toxins from your body, fights against flu, aids digestion and It’s the best anti-aging treatment around!
• Support your skin health and immune system by taking SkinB5’s Acne Maintenance Caplets. They contain vitamins A, which is known to help strengthen the immune system against infection, zinc which is great for healing blemishes plus helps control the inflammation in your body and much more! 
• Be happy. Eat your favourite desserts now and then, but in moderation of course! A little sugar won’t hurt your body, it’s only when you overload your body with sugar that can have an effect on your skin.

However you choose to deal with the holidays, I hope these tips help you stay healthy (while not depriving yourself of all the fun) and save you time during the blissful season. Happy Holidays!

Recipe for the detox tea 

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoons ground turmeric 
• ½  teaspoon minced ginger
• ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 1 ½ cups of water
• Juice of a whole lemon
• 3 teaspoons of honey to taste

Instructions

In a medium pot, combine the ginger, turmeric, black pepper lemon, and water. Bring to a simmer. Just before it reaches a boil, reduce the heat and gently simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let it cool down and enjoy!

Silly Season Survival Steps, Part 2

Now is the time to plan whats on the holiday menu. Not just for christmas day specifically, but also for the entire season. Failing to plan only plans us for failure. So let’s get set with good choices and make sure we maintain our skin health through this indulgent time of year!

Good foods for good skin

With all the decadent choices around us, what are the best foods we can include at this time of year? Here’s a great list of foods high in skin-loving nutrients that you can safely indulge in:

-          Zinc: oysters, seafood, eggs yolk, lamb, beef, capsicum

-          Selenium: brazil nuts, cashews, alfalfa, eggs, fish, oysters, butter

-          Vitamin E: almonds, pistachios, egg yolk, beef

-          Vitamin B5: sweet potato, avocado, mushrooms, egg yolk, lobster

-          Vitamin C: strawberries, citrus fruit, paw paw, sweet potato & parsley

To reduce your risk of breakouts, then ideally keep the consumption of the following low:

-          Refined carbohydrates and sugars. For sensitive individuals that can also mean excluding grains in general as well

-          Dairy products, especially low fat milk & yoghurt

-          Soft drinks

-          Chocolate (a double whammy of sugar & dairy!)

You can make ice-cream from frozen fruit or home-made chocolate with cacao, coconut oil & raw honey and consume in small portions. Instead of rice try cauliflower rice, and use sweet potatoes in place of white potatoes!

Healthy drinking

Alcohol is on the menu for most, and it’s important to remember that alcohol depletes us of our b-vitamins so it’s a good idea to supplement accordingly. SkinB5’s tablets contain vitamin B’s, so make sure you continue your SkinB5 supplement regime to control your breakouts. Here’s some extra tips to help minimise the impact on your skin & general health:

-          Take an extra B-vitamin complex if you’re planning a few drinks (in the morning, or at least 6 hours away from bed as it will keep you awake!)

-          Chose red wine over white wine or champagne as it tends to be lower in sugar

-          Avoid spirits with soft drink. You’re better having them straight, with mineral or soda water & a piece of lemon or lime

-          Drink lots of water as alcohol dehydrates the body & the skin. For every alcoholic beverage, follow it with a glass of spring water

-          Keep your drinking moderate and always consume alcohol with food

-          St Mary’s Thistle (aka Milk Thistle) is a herb that is great to support the liver

Some important things to keep on-hand:

-          Healthy snacks. Unsalted nuts are great! Make sure you have the right choices with you so you won’t chose the bad stuff

-          Frozen meals. Make big meals now with plenty of veggies and freeze them in portions

-          Peppermint or Chamomile Tea to settle the stomach

-          Apple Cider Vinegar or lemon juice in water before big meals helps digestion

-          Slippery Elm powder can soothe & settle an over-indulged tummy

Stay safe & eat safe this silly season. It’s important to have fun and enjoy this time of year, and if you keep the above tips in mind then you’ll lesson the impact on your skin & general health.

Until next year! Yours in health,
Haley.

Haley is a passionate Naturopath & nutrition expert, writer, and mum of 2 young children, with years of experience in the industry. She is a known as a real 'nutrition nerd' and follows the latest natural health research. As a Paleo and raw food enthusiast, she coaches people in healthy living, beauty and positive mindset. Haley has personally experienced the benefits of the SkinB5 natural acne treatment system and is happy to offer her guidance to help others regain clear skin. Follow her blog at www.aliveinwonderland.com & link with her on facebook at www.facebook.com/aliveinwonderlandhealth

Christmas Party Survival Kit

Christmas is meant to be a time of festivity and celebration, but in truth it’s really a week long abuse of your body, mental strength and wallet. Sounds harsh? Well, how many people really enjoy being herded into a room with people they only see once a year to make polite small talk, eat food you really shouldn’t (and worse still- in excessive quantities) and to top it all off, have the privilege of parting with some solid mullah to gift them all something. This is just the Christmas shin-dig with the family that I’m thinking of, it doesn’t have a patch on the work Christmas party. Nothing is as prolific. Nothing.

To prepare you for such trials, I have prepared a survival kit for you. I’m yet to set up my online store, so I can post out to you my kit of Band-Aids, 2016 motivational calendar, stress ball and whistle, but I can instead help you with a survival kit of strategies to maintain you clear skin lifestyle in the face of all the festive season’s tests and trials!

Be a picky eater

Christmas is a season of excess and all sense with food seems to go out the window. Maintain your clear skin lifestyle by moderating your consumption of white bread & pasta, chocolate, dairy and sugary foods. Yes, those are all things which are aplenty during Christmas- Eggnog is a great example! Treat them as… treats and ensure with each meal you’re still taking your Acne Control Caplets. Not only will you be thankful for maintaining your clear skin, but you’ll also not have to suffer the consequences of a greater waistline!



Enjoying a festive nap in Upper Beaconsfield, in Melbourne’s outer southeast

Sleep well!

Sleep can be taken for granted, particularly if you’re up late or travelling a lot between friends and family, you may even have some late nights to get everything done at work before the holidays begin. There is no shame in a cheeky nap either, as sleep is regenerative to your skin and bolsters your immune system. Just make sure your sleep isn’t alcohol induced, as this leads to a poor quality sleep!

Moderate your alcohol! 

I know that sounds as exciting as going on a shopping spree with spare change, but alcohol whilst seemingly an ally in the festive season, is not as friendly to your skin. Alcohol affects hormone levels, and an imbalance of testosterone or oestrogen levels can cause excessive production of sebum and the development of acne.

Alcohol is a hepatotoxic, which damages the cells that act as a detox for the body. Furthermore, it drains your body of nutrients- particularly B vitamins, and it dehydrates you, which is also bad for your skin!

A strategy to moderate your alcohol consumption whilst maintaining you clear skin could be to have an alcoholic drink with each meal where you take your SkinB5 Extra Strength Tablets. Another could be to match each alcoholic drink with an equal sized glass of water.

Keep moisturised 

Should you find yourself in the cold winter of the northern hemisphere, or sheltering in air-conditioning during the stifling heat in the southern hemisphere, you should watch out for dry skin. Use a non-greasy moisturiser such as Acne Control Moisturiser which is oil free.

Have fun, be safe and don’t forget that the temptations of Christmas are good and well, but a moment on the lips is a lifetime on your hips (and skin!).


Who is Nick Bell?

Nick joins SkinB5 as a writer, contributing monthly to the blog.

A mid-twenties Melburnian cliche, the bearded student suffers wanderlust, a soft spot of his city's cafe culture and a love of cycling. He writes from experience, having suffered acne himself throughout both high school and university,  and it's something he still battles today. Nick also writes a personal blog where he is documenting his journey for clear skin with SkinB5, having previously given up after years of ineffective products and medications. 

Pool vs Beach? Which is best for your skin?

Growing up, my dad always said that swimming at the beach was good for our skin. Pity we didn’t live near the beach and my parents didn’t take me there much.

That bitter note aside, I grew up a pale child who enjoyed swimming in indoor chlorinated pools. It wasn’t until I was in my early 20’s and with newfound ‘wealth’ from my part-time retail job, that I flew myself up to the Gold Coast to meet some friends who introduced me to the beach. What a marvel

 

January 2014, when I discovered what the beach was on the gorgeous Gold Coast!

As it turns out, chlorine pools and ocean water can have very different affects upon your skin.

Let’s start with a positive: The act of swimming itself has benefits for healthy skin, which you can enjoy in a pool or at the ocean. Exercise increases blood flow which delivers oxygen and nutrients to working skin cells, and additionally removes waste products. Exercise is also beneficial to relieving stress, which is important as stress can cause acne by fluctuating hormones and increasing production of sweat.

So whilst the exercise of swimming is great, where you choose to swim can have a negative impact upon your skin.

Chlorine pools can dry out your skin, which is problematic as you then have to navigate the minefield of keeping skin hydrated without blocking pores by using oily moisturisers. (Thankfully there’s Acne Control Moisturiser!). Furthermore, chlorine pools (think of all the wonderful people at your local public pool) are plentiful with disease causing bacteria and parasites. Unfortunately, this isn’t conducive to achieving clear skin. I wouldn’t say pools are the worst thing for your skin, but they certainly lack the vitamins for clear skin that can be found in the ocean. Yes- vitamins!

Beautiful Hung Shing Yeh Beach on Lamma Island, Hong Kong

Going to the beach isn’t just a good time because you typically find yourself there on a sunny day. It also helps that everyone around you is happy not to be at home staring at their bedroom wall, but irrespective of all this, studies have found there are both physical and mental health benefits to swimming in sea water! A number of mineral salts, trace elements, amino acids and other vital elements for healthy skin can be found in beautiful salty water at the beach. These have benefits for your immune system, clear skin, blood circulation and even relive stress as magnesium-rich water can relax muscles.

Mineral salt found in beach water has antibacterial and skin healing properties. Great Barrier Reef mineral salt was added to the Skin B5 Skin Purifying Face Mask for this very reason, as all selected ingredients are carefully considered in their usefulness in controlling acne.

Think of how amazingly thick and lush your hair feels after enjoying the beach- it’s the same for your skin! Well, save for the hairy part, unless of course you are naturally hairy- we are body positive at SkinB5! In fact, I recently wrote a blog about manscaping and acne!

Who is Nick Bell?

Nick contributes to SkinB5 as a writer through his bi-monthly to the blog.

A mid-twenties Melburnian cliche, the bearded student suffers wanderlust, a soft spot of his city's cafe culture and a love of cycling. He writes from experience, having suffered acne himself throughout both high school and university,  and it's something he still battles today. Nick also writes a personal blog where he is documenting his journey for clear skin with SkinB5, having previously given up after years of ineffective products and medications.

 

Silly Season Survival Steps, Part 1

How quickly has the year gone? We have worked hard all year to maintain good skin health, so the last thing we want is for it to all go out the window during the silly season. Straying from our usual routine can really upset the skin, and we can end up with blemishes, dry patchy skin, bags under our eyes and not the glowing skin & good health that we have fought to maintain.

Keep it simple

The most important thing is to maintain your good routine, but make it easy. Many people tend to not keep up with regular exercise, they have more late nights and flop on their bed after a big day with makeup still left on, or product still in the hair. You should make a promise to your skin not to do that - leaving product on and around the face just encourages bacteria to grow as it’s been there all day. Listen to it whispering “wash me, wash me!” Let it breathe!

If nothing else make sure you wash your face and/or rinse your hair if it’s full of styling products. I find the SkinB5 Cleansing Mousse perfect to use in the shower. We’re all busy and we can all appreciate killing two birds with one stone, so to speak.

Look after your little adrenals!

Late nights - combined with working hard, partying hard, drinking alcohol and lots of coffee and/or pre-workouts will also end up taking it’s toll on our body. Our adrenal glands secrete cortisol to keep us going. Cortisol is what helps us deal with stress, gives us energy and regulates some really important things like blood pressure, fat, protein & carbohydrate metabolism, blood glucose levels and nervous system responses. When we have an issue breaking down sugars & fats, that will upset the fine balance of sebum control and hormones in our body, which can lead to more breakouts. Our little adrenal glands are very important things. And when we don’t look after them we have all systems failure.

Coffee and alcohol? Sure - but take your supplements!

When it comes to the alcohol & coffee side of things - the more we consume, the more B vitamins we need, including Pantothenic Acid (aka B5, which is also important to improve the body’s resistance to stress!). Vitamin B5 may be taken therapeutically to assist with adrenal stress and can be very effective in the treatment of acne. SkinB5’s tablets and caplets both contain B vitamins - with a particularly good dose of B5 - which will be vital to improve our resistance to the bombardment of bad habits, bad foods & poor sleep that we might endure this season. All the vitamin B’s, as well as vitamin C and herbs like Rheumannia, Licorice root & Rhodiola are all very important for our adrenals. Just remember that they can not replace a good night’s sleep.

Get moving & get some sunshine!

When it comes to exercise, don’t forget the simplicity of relaxing walks in the sunshine - in Australia it is the most perfect time of year for that. The sun is nature’s anti-bacterial agent, and as long as you’re not out long enough to burn make sure you get some time outside without sunscreen. Get your exercise and sun in one. Again, kill two birds with one stone. Or three, if you count the de-stressing aspect!

You can do it!

The take home message here is to do your best to maintain good habits, no matter what the season throws at you. How does a busy person like me survive the madness? By maintaining a great routine and keeping it simple with the SkinB5 simple 4 step system every day – when it comes to the end of the season you will be thankful you did because you can’t go back in time and un-do a day where you didn’t! Get the party started, but take care of yourself at the same time.



Haley is a passionate Naturopath & nutrition expert, writer, and mum of 2 young children, with years of experience in the industry. She is a known as a real 'nutrition nerd' and follows the latest natural health research. As a Paleo and raw food enthusiast, she coaches people in healthy living, beauty and positive mindset. Haley has personally experienced the benefits of the SkinB5 natural acne treatment system and is happy to offer her guidance to help others regain clear skin. Follow her blog at www.aliveinwonderland.com & link with her on facebook at www.facebook.com/aliveinwonderlandhealth

How To Reduce Toxins From Your Body & Detox Your Skin

We hear so much about detox diets and how it can really help cleanse the toxins out of the body as well as improve digestion but is it possible to do the same with your skin? Can you actually cleanse out toxins and waste from your pores and start fresh for the season? Well, the answer is yes you can! Find out more on how to reduce toxins from your body with my top tips for your skin detox today!

Morning Lemon Juice & Tons and Tons of Water!

Now first things first, I am a big believer that healthy skin starts from within, so drinking water is an necessary way to achieve a clearer complexion.  And so to kick start the digestion and cleanse the system, try squeezing half a lemon in a cup of hot water (drink this before breakfast). I know keeping hydrated can be a real chore but trust me it helps eliminate the dirt that clogs your pores, giving you a more cleansed and moisturized face! Staying hydrated can also help combat the risk of pimples popping up and helps fight those tired eyes, which is actually a sign of dehydration (bet you didn’t know that did ya J )!  I’ve always thought of water as an essential beauty product that you need on a daily basis, so if you can, try to and aim for 8-9 glasses of water per day and I can promise you, that your skin will look healthier and vibrant for the coming seasons!

Eating Healthy and Organic 

Part of the skin detox process is limiting the number of toxins you’re taking in. This includes; conventionally grown fruits & vegetables that contain unpleasant chemicals, processed foods with artificial flavours and conventional meat and dairy, which contain the highest risk foods for contamination through antibiotics, added hormones and other drugs. I know buying organic is expensive but at the very least look for products that are certified free of hormones... Your body will thank you for it... trust me!  And be sure to include plenty of detoxifying foods such as beets, artichokes, cabbages and seaweed!


Exercise 

Did you know sweating from exercise helps get rid of toxins from your body? That’s right, so try some your favorite forms of exercising at least 3- 4 times a week or sweat it out yoga ! In addition, exercise will boost your energy, keep you fit and strong and keep the blood flowing so you can have a flawless rosy appearance! But just remember to stay hydrated and grab a bottle!

Natural Skincare

There are many commercial skin products out there that contain toxic ingredients like parabens, PEGS, fragrances, mineral oils and more. The scary reality is that these ingredients can congest your skin, making your acne worse and could affect your health and sense of wellbeing- either negatively or positively. I always recommend natural skincare products to all my friends and family because when you eliminate synthetic and toxic products from your skincare routine, you’ll notice that your skin will naturally improve overtime. And I’m not just saying this so you can buy more products, I’m saying this because I genuinely care, because I too have battled with acne and since acne can strike at anyone at any age, it is always important to start with what ‘’ingredients’ that enter your bloodstream! If you can try to look for products that contain Green Tea, Aloe Vera and French Green Clay, these nutrient-rich ingredients increase circulation which helps remove toxins from the skin. And in case if anyone is wondering, I always use SkinB5s product range, I just can’t get enough of their skin purifying mask! The Reef Sea Minerals, Aloe Vera and French green clay really helps to draw out impurities and bacteria from the skins surface, giving you a healthier and fresher look. Then if you want to give your skin an extra boost, add SkinB5’s light weight moisturizer for radiant and glowing skin and also because your definitely worth it! J

And Lastly Stay Positive 

Staying optimistic and smiling will naturally give you a healthy glow. I am a big supporter of positive words and affirmations! I really feel they have the ability to change our lives for the better. Just remember you are beautiful no matter what! Don’t give anyone the power to make you feel inferior and instead of worrying about a few small pimples or lines, learn how to love yourself for you because a positive outlook will make you look even more attractive. So before I go, I’d like to leave you with my favourite quote ‘’ Next time you think of beautiful things, don’t forget to count yourself in’’.


Farah has been using SkinB5 for two years now. She is an advocate for natural and organic beauty products, healthy living and a self-proclaimed whole foods enthusiast.  Her passion for health and beauty stems from her personal experiences dealing with problematic skin and now she wants to help others learn her secrets to flawless skin from the inside, out. 

To moisturise or not to moisturise - that is the question

Moisturising is a necessity of healthy skin maintenance, however it is often portrayed in popular culture as a habit of the vain. Moisturising would be considered by some to be a cosmetic act, however it is much more functional than this. Whilst some of the benefits of using a moisturiser would be considered cosmetic - such as soft and healthy skin - it is also practical - avoiding dry, dead skin particles and even itchiness and redness.

It’s become increasingly common for people to moisturise regardless of gender. Traditionally the domain of women’s routines, moisturising is just as much now a part of men’s skincare routines. Some would attribute this to increasingly savvy marketing of cosmetics and skin care products to men by using more masculine packaging, adding different scents to products and simply labelling them as ‘men’s’, however ultimately it’s the same product. I would argue that its more common for men to moisturise because they realise it’s necessary.

Our modern environment demands men’s skincare includes moisturising. Air Conditioning dehydrates skin greatly, and this issue is further compounded by a lack of water consumption, which is easy enough to do in a busy modern lifestyle. This can result in dry and dead skin cells, which you can see when you look the mirror. You may even occasionally enjoy them resting on the shoulders or front of your shirt - not unlike dandruff.

The hydration of our skin through moisturising is hugely important, as skin cells rely upon hydration to regenerate effectively. Why is this important? The regeneration of skin cells creates fresh cells, which has notable effects in slowing the effect of aging. Regular moisturising can result in the development of wrinkles at a slower rate than those who don’t moisturise at all.

Moisturising doesn’t have to be a time consuming or cumbersome task, as some would perceive it to be - presumably adding yet another lotion to your morning routine. You can incorporate moisturising into your clear skin routine, so you’re maintaining healthy looking hydrated blemish free skin. Moisutrising can be difficult for people suffering acne, I know I’ve struggled with it in the past, even going through periods of not moisturising at all to avoid the risk of blocking pores and inflaming my acne.

Avoid greasy poor quality moisturisers that can cause skin problems. I haven’t used moisturiser for a long while until I had started using SkinB5 Acne Control Moisturiser as a part of my clear skin routine. It is light, non-greasy and antioxidant rich, designed for oily and acne-prone skin. This can be applied after cleansing your face in the morning, and I love that it doesn’t feel like there’s anything on your face. Some products do feel like there’s a film on your face, which is less than pleasant.

Shaving can cause irritability and dryness to your skin, and so I avoid it in favour of my beard. However a recent accident with my trimmer has seen me return to life without said beard, and again the problem of how to shave without causing dryness, and in turn inflaming my acne by treating that. I recently was told I could use the SkinB5 Cleansing Mousse as a shaving cream. Aftershaves are designed to close skin pores, which is what the mousse does, but with the added benefit of cleansing your skin. After shaving, I then just have to apply the moisturiser, which takes a moment.

Moisturising is an important part of anyone’s skincare routine, but it doesn’t have to come at the cost of your time of your clear skin. I would suggest using moisturiser topically at first with problem spots if you’re concerned about breakouts, but by combining quality moisturisers with clear skin tablets such as SkinB5, you will soon find that you can maintain healthy and hydrated skin without compromising your clear skin.



Who is Nick Bell?

Nick joins SkinB5 as a writer, contributing monthly to the blog.

A mid-twenties Melburnian cliche, the bearded student suffers wanderlust, a soft spot of his city's cafe culture and a love of cycling. He writes from experience, having suffered acne himself throughout both high school and university,  and it's something he still battles today. Nick also writes a personal blog where he is documenting his journey for clear skin with SkinB5, having previously given up after years of ineffective products and medications.

Is the art of manscaping emasculating?

At University I took a keen interest in gender studies, and was thrilled to find a unit titled Men and Masculinity. I was able to academically research, discuss and debate questions that had surrounded me all my life, including questions such as what defines masculinity.
 
The very term manscaping is interesting as it reflects an oddity, presumably invented in ad-land, to masculinise activities traditionally perceived as feminine by prefixing the term ‘man’ before them. A man bag is probably both the best and worst example as it’s precisely what I defined, but no one has bought into the idea that they’re remotely masculine.

The act of waxing, shaving or trimming one’s body hair is traditionally a feminine activity, as women would be pressured to manipulate their bodies in such a way to conform to mainstream idealism of a beautiful female body. Therefore, it would traditionally be considered emasculating for a man to do that same.

I would argue that manscaping is not emasculating, and if anything male grooming is very masculine.

Potentially because manscaping is the marriage of the term ‘man’ with ‘landscaping’, an activity associated with intensive labour outdoors, the word is a much more masculine proposition than its cousin the man bag. It’s construction aside, there are behavioural and cultural reasons why male grooming is masculine.

Barber shops. To me, they ooze masculinity. You walk in, give the bearded and tattooed barber a nod and you then wait with a beer in hand palming through car magazines. You find your way into their chair and they can trim and style your hair, eyebrows and (should you be so masculine) beard to keep you sharp and fashionable. Sounds effeminate? That flat razor blade he fixes my beard with could open your neck in a blink. Don’t offend him.

Associating male grooming with femineity is foolish. Would you describe George Clooney as effeminate? David Beckham? Maintaining your appearance makes you more attractive to prospective partners. The maintenance of body hair is equally important as having clear skin, and as important (but often undervalued when compared to) maintain a toned body. Not only will grooming make you sharper and neater, but the maintenance of body hair is essential for basic hygiene.

Not unlike having a regular gym routine to maintain your fitness, it is important to regularly manscape and have a clear skin routine. It’s tempting to think that this means visits to day spas and purchasing expensive cosmetics, but this needn’t be the case.

Consider using the SkinB5 Acne Control Cleansing Mousse when shaving. It foams a lot and allows you to exfoliate and clear your skin, while also avoiding irritation when shaving. Saving time and looking smart! Other things include the occasional face mask to detox your skin, SkinB5 Skin Purifying Mask is made from a number of natural ingredients such as mineral salt and French Green Clay - so technically you can say you’re rubbing dirt in your face. This is masculine, no? What’s better is that it can be purchased online and delivered to your door, so there’s no time spent shopping either.

Give it a shot, and let me know how you find it!

Who is Nick Bell?

Nick joins SkinB5 as a writer, contributing monthly to the blog.

A mid-twenties Melburnian cliche, the bearded student suffers wanderlust, a soft spot of his city's cafe culture and a love of cycling. He writes from experience, having suffered acne himself throughout both high school and university,  and it's something he still battles today. Nick also writes a personal blog where he is documenting his journey for clear skin with SkinB5, having previously given up after years of ineffective products and medications. 

What foundation is suitable for acne?

‘Laying the foundation’ for a flawless look is one of the trickiest tasks with makeup, especially for acne-prone skin. Foundation creates the base of our canvas, and whether you use it daily or for special occasions, there are some helpful things to know when it comes to choosing the right one for your skin type.



Different types of foundation

• Oil-based liquid foundations are suitable for dry to normal skin, and can be useful as a heavy coverage for blemishes. Heavy oil-based liquids can sometimes cause blocked pores and may worsen acne, so it may not be an ideal choice for every-day wear.
• Water-based liquid foundations provide a lighter coverage for oily to normal skin, however the water-based liquids have a habit of evaporating and therefore have the potential to not provide an effective all-day coverage.
• Mineral foundations are a very effective for all skin types, and are the most suitable for sensitive and/or acne-prone skin. Mineral makeup contains micronized mineral particles. The liquid will give you a medium coverage, and the powder provides light to medium coverage depending on how many layers are applied. The powder can be used over the top of liquids or concealers for a more flawless blended look.

The benefits of a mineral makeup

Mineral makeup generally has less harmful ingredients & irritants, and is considered to be non-comedogenic. The natural mineral particles are less likely to block pores and are therefore a better option for people who are prone to breakouts. I consulted with some beauty therapists and makeup artists, and all agreed that mineral makeup is the foundation of choice for the most perfected skin-like natural look.

Mineral makeups don’t tend to contain the myriad of chemicals that are often seen in liquids. Non-mineral liquid makeup can contain mineral oil, parabens, thickeners, preservatives and other nasties. Besides being potentially irritating for the skin, these ingredients are also not ideal for your overall health. Remember your skin is the largest organ and absorbs what we put on it! Always make sure you check the ingredients in everything, including the mineral powder as well, because some powders contain talc and fragrances.

Using moisturisers with your makeup

Foundation should be applied to skin on top of a moisturiser, especially if you have dry skin. The moisturiser helps prevent makeup becoming patchy and gives the foundation a base to hold to. Using a primer over your moisturiser is a good consideration if you want more longevity out of your look, as it helps foundation adhere to the skin even further.

A few hints & tips

If you want to give yourself a ‘dewy’ look you can combine your mineral powder with a light moisturiser – Skinb5’s Acne Control Moisturiser is a perfect combination to use with powder for blemish-prone skin. You can mix the moisturiser with your mineral foundation in the lid from your powder, and apply with a liquid foundation brush.

Natural bristled brushes are better to prevent breakouts as they are more effective to clean and have less potential for bacteria to build up on them. Whether you use natural or synthetic brushes, make sure you are zealous about washing your makeup brushes to prevent the spread of bacteria. Dirty brushes are a common cause of pimples and should be washed very regularly!

Thick liquid foundation is not the best coverage for blemished skin as it tends to make the problem worse at the end of the day. You should chose a natural liquid mineral makeup instead and spot-conceal with a small dense brush for an extra layer over blemishes, and finish with a mineral powder. Remember to always ALWAYS use clean hands & brushes!



Haley is a passionate Naturopath & nutrition expert, writer, and mum of 2 young children, with years of experience in the industry. She is a known as a real 'nutrition nerd' and follows the latest natural health research. As a Paleo and raw food enthusiast, she coaches people in healthy living, beauty and positive mindset. Haley has personally experienced the benefits of the SkinB5 natural acne treatment system and is happy to offer her guidance to help others regain clear skin. Follow her blog at www.aliveinwonderland.com & link with her on facebook at www.facebook.com/aliveinwonderlandhealth 

How to treat acne scars

Scars are essentially the body’s back up plan to correct an open wound and protect itself. Scar tissue is formed by our body’s connective tissue, and those that suffer from cystic or recurrent acne lesions are at a higher risk of permanent scarring.

How do acne scars form?

Inflamed acne causes the body to mount an immune response and sends white blood cells (WBC’s) to help fight the inflammation. Our most abundant WBC’s are neutrophils, and these little soldiers get called to action at the site of inflammation. They then secrete anti-microbial agents and enzymes at the site to help neutralise an infection⁽¹⁾{, 2015 #1}{, 2015 #1}{, 2015 #1}. Unfortunately this results in the breakdown of the elastin & collagen matrix due to the damage caused by the enzymes to the tissue around the area and often leads to scars.

Treating & reducing acne scars

It is important to treat scars both from within and without. You need to provide your body with the building blocks to form healthy skin and heal scar tissue, including vitamins A & E, zinc, copper and silica.

The SkinB5 system is designed to aid with healing as well at reducing and eliminating acne lesions. The acne control tablets & caplets contain a therapeutic dose of zinc, as well as copper, vitamin A, pantothenic acid (B5), nicotinamide (B3), folic acid & biotin that are required by the body for healing, repairing and improving biochemical pathways. A 2006 study showed that the combination of zinc, copper, nicotinamide and folic acid can improve acne vulgaris by 79% after only 8 weeks!⁽²⁾

SkinB5’s Acne Control tablets & caplets also contain silica to maintain the integrity of our skin cells. Silica is the most abundant trace element after iron and zinc in our body, and is vital for bone and connective tissue health. Silica is very important to create and repair collagen, and as we age our silica levels tend to decline.

Topically, there are some really powerful natural ingredients that have been shown through scientific studies to improve skin health & aid in scar healing. Green tea, aloe vera and vitamin E have all been found to be effective at healing scars and wounds^(3,4). Natural vitamin E (aka tocopherol or alpha-tocopherol) helps protect tissue from oxidation and is a very important fat-soluble vitamin that has been shown to aid wound healing and increase collagen fibers⁽⁵⁾. SkinB5’s Acne Control Moisturiser contains all the above power-ingredients, which is specifically designed to protect & heal delicate sensitive skin.

Taking a one-two punch approach to reducing and treating acne scars is very important – provide the nutrients your skin needs within AND apply active ingredients externally for a more effective holistic treatment.

References:

1. Neutrophil granulocyte. Wikipedia; 2015; Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutrophil_granulocyte.
2. Niren NM, Torok HM. The Nicomide Improvement in Clinical Outcomes Study (NICOS): results of an 8-week trial. Cutis 2006;77(1 Suppl):17-28.
3. Eshghi F, Hosseinimehr SJ, Rahmani N, Khademloo M, Norozi MS, Hojati O. Effects of Aloe vera cream on posthemorrhoidectomy pain and wound healing: results of a randomized, blind, placebo-control study. J Altern Complement Med 2010;16(6):647-50.
4. Park G, Yoon BS, Moon JH, Kim B, Jun EK, Oh S, et al. Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate suppresses collagen production and proliferation in keloid fibroblasts via inhibition of the STAT3-signaling pathway. J Invest Dermatol 2008;128(10):2429-41.
5. Lin TS, Abd Latiff A, Abd Hamid NA, Wan Ngah WZ, Mazlan M. Evaluation of topical tocopherol cream on cutaneous wound healing in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2012;2012:491027.

Haley is a passionate Naturopath & nutrition expert, writer, and mum of 2 young children, with years of experience in the industry. She is a known as a real 'nutrition nerd' and follows the latest natural health research. As a Paleo and raw food enthusiast, she coaches people in healthy living, beauty and positive mindset. Haley has personally experienced the benefits of the SkinB5 natural acne treatment system and is happy to offer her guidance to help others regain clear skin. Follow her blog at www.aliveinwonderland.com & link with her on facebook at www.facebook.com/aliveinwonderlandhealth 

My top 3 favourite green tea beauty tips

For years you've heard about the benefits of drinking green tea but did you also know that green tea can be used for beauty benefits too?  That’s right! Green tea works great as a beauty ingredient, with amazing benefits ranging from busting hormonal acne to reducing signs of aging. But what is it exactly that makes green tea an essential part of your beauty regimen? Well studies have shown that green tea is naturally packed with high amounts of antioxidants and these antioxidants help to fight free radicals, when applied to the skin in the same way as when it is consumed. Read on to learn more on my top 3 favourite green tea beauty DIY tips.

GREEN TEA FACIAL MIST

This is great for soothing the skin and tackling any blemishes or rashes you may have. Green tea has an ample of anti-inflammatory properties which makes it an ideal beauty ingredient for people who have acne prone skin. I find this great for the warmer months as it really gives me a more refresh and glowing look.  Here’s what you’ll need: 1 cup of brewed Jasmine green tea cooled, (if you don’t have jasmine you can use normal green tea) and 1 clean spray bottle.

Add about two-three spoons of green tea leaves or bags in a cup of boiling water. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes and then strain it and allow it to cool off completely. Then pour into an empty spray bottle and mist over the face about 2-3 times a day.

GREEN TEA EYE MASK

This is ideal for people who suffer from puffy eyes and dark circles. Place two tea bags in a mug of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove them and let them cool down to room temperature.  Place the tea bags on your eyes for about 10 to 15 minutes, doing this at least twice a week.  These cooled tea bags help reduce the swelling around your eyes, helps tighten the skin and reduces dark circles.  But how exactly does this work? What is the science behind this?  Well green tea contains tannins. Tannins control the tea’s colour and taste and they help activate the healthy blood circulation which help sooth and tighten the skin.  Tip: Follow with Skinb5’s moisturizer to hydrate the skin underneath the eyes and also to reap extra skin benefits as the light weight moisturizer also contains green tea.

GREEN TEA FACIAL STEAM

I love doing this particular steam facial because it eliminates toxins, boosts circulation, cleans out my pores and makes me feel relaxed.  Here’s how to get started; place about 3-4 cups of water in a pot, add 3 to 4 teaspoons of green tea powder or tea bags and bring to a boil. 

Meanwhile, prepare your skin for the steam facial by using a gentle cleanser. I like to use skinb5’s cleansing mousse as it gets every bit of makeup off and keeps my skin feeling super clean and not dry.  Once the pot comes to a boil, place your face over it, covering your head with a towel. Remember to keep your eyes closed and don’t forget to breathe. Steam for about 5-10 minutes and follow with skinb5’s 5 minute purifying mask. This purifying mask is perfect after the steam facial because the pores are open and the mask will be able to penetrate deeply into the skin in just a few minutes. Once the mask is dry, rinse your face with cold water to close the pores and gently pat your face dry.

Green tea benefits health and beauty in so many ways, so next time you make a cup of green tea remember not to throw it away.

Farah's Bio

Farah has been using SkinB5 for two years now. She is an advocate for natural and organic beauty products, healthy living and a self-proclaimed whole foods enthusiast.  Her passion for health and beauty stems from her personal experiences dealing with problematic skin and now she wants to help others learn her secrets to flawless skin from the inside, out. 

Do men grow out of acne?

That’s what my dermatologist said… about five years ago, and I’m still waiting.

Whilst I’ve enjoyed fluctuations between periods of clear skin and just plain awful, I’ve always held onto the idea that it’ll end at some point. Magically I will wake up at the mystic age when it all goes away.

Maybe its yet to happen because I lie about my age? 

When I stop throwing 21st birthday parties and accept that I’m in my mid-twenties, my body will reward me by giving me clear, beautiful and datable skin. Good.

If the cynicism in my writing isn’t strong enough, I will state something quite obvious, although maybe not apparent enough for my former dermatologist- adult men have acne too.

A silver lining however is that the most masculine of men, bodybuilders, are often susceptible to acne. So we’re in strong company. Punny, I know.

Bodybuilders take large volumes of supplements and hormones, which can cause nutritional and hormonal imbalances, specifically excessive androgens such as testosterone, contributing to the emergence of acne. Their rigorous training doesn’t help either, as they sweat excessively, should they not be able to clean and clear their skin afterwards, it is possible to then develop breakouts as a result.

Compounding this, many men in their resistance to what they may perceive to be overly cosmetic treatments will simply pop, squeeze and pick pimples in an attempt to remove them. 

No. Refrain from that, as you can then enjoy the bacteria from these being pushed deeper into the skin. 

This can then spread to other pores, inflame other pimples and cause cysts. Then you’re facing a bigger problem.

A targeted approach which treats skin from within is necessary. Whilst people as disciplined as bodybuilders may have excellent diets that are tailored to their needs, they may still be lacking the essential vitamins and minerals for the health of their skin.

SkinB5 contains a potent dose of clear skin nutrients, namely Vitamin B, which address the nutritional imbalances in the body that cause the overproduction of sebum, and the painful condition of acne.

Men are really good at ignoring their problems, and few want their masculinity challenged by using what they might think of as beauty products. However if bodybuilders are taking these tablets, and using cleanser (not unlike soap, really) when they shower, I think the average man can too. Besides, this isn’t cosmetics, it’s treatment.



Who is Nick Bell?
Nick joins SkinB5 as a writer, contributing monthly to the blog.
A mid-twenties Melburnian cliche, the bearded student suffers wanderlust, a soft spot of his city's cafe culture and a love of cycling. He writes from experience, having suffered acne himself throughout both high school and university,  and it's something he still battles today. Nick also writes a personal blog where he is documenting his journey for clear skin with SkinB5, having previously given up after years of ineffective products and medications.

Does alcohol consumption cause acne? We debunk the myth

It is common for people to say that fast foods, sweet things and alcohol can cause acne. A close friend complained that she experienced an acne break-out after a boozy weekend in Brisbane, and I immediately believed that was the cause. I myself often find that after a big weekend, my skin will pay the price in the following week.

So does alcohol cause acne? Yes, but there’s more to it than you’d first consider.

Alcohol affects hormone levels, and an imbalance of testosterone or oestrogen levels can cause excessive production of sebum and the development of acne.

Alcohol is a hepatotoxin, which damages the cells that act as a detox for the body. Furthermore, it drains your body of nutrients- particularly b vitamins, and it dehydrates you, which is also bad for your skin!

However it is not just the consumption of alcohol that damages our skin, it is the behaviour associated with alcohol consumption that also contributes.

We often drink for a reason, some people turn to alcohol when they’re stressed. It calms you, and if you drink enough will remove you from a cognitive state that allows one to contemplate their problems. Stress is a cause of acne itself, as it also triggers fluctuations of hormones, as discussed in a previous blog.

Other behaviours resulting from the consumption of alcohol, or associated with it, can also contribute to poor quality skin. Should your drinking lead to a late night, the lack of sleep will impact upon the quality of your skin.

When drinking you could find yourself engaging in damaging behaviours that you usually wouldn’t . I am not unknown to become a social smoker after some drinks, and that is but one of a number of unusual behaviours which we might find ourselves engaged in, but otherwise condemn.  

A boozy night could also see you not adhere to your usual skin-care routines. If you are like me, you may occasionally over-indulge at a party and find yourself waking up in the morning not having cleansed or applied topical solutions as you usually would before bed. That combined with the negative impacts of poor sleep, dehydration and your off-put hormone levels can combine in an unfortunate way.

So it is indeed the truth that alcohol can contribute to acne, but there are in fact a number of factors which can contribute to poor quality skin. With this in mind, I’m going to give the liquor and late nights a rest!



Who is Nick Bell?
Nick joins SkinB5 as a writer, contributing monthly to the blog.
A mid-twenties Melburnian cliche, the bearded student suffers wanderlust, a soft spot of his city's cafe culture and a love of cycling. He writes from experience, having suffered acne himself throughout both high school and university,  and it's something he still battles today. Nick also writes a personal blog where he is documenting his journey for clear skin with SkinB5, having previously given up after years of ineffective products and medications.

Are Expensive Skincare Products the Best?

The truth about whether expensive skincare products are better is that it really depends. Some top-of-the-line skin care products can have a high price tag with a low quality formulation and lots of chemicals. Comparatively, some low cost skin care products can be really user-friendly with beautiful natural ingredients, but some can also be very cheap and nasty. The amount of money you spend really has nothing to do with how good the product will be - it all comes down to what’s in the mix.

Comparing ingredients

If you compare skincare products from both ends of the price scale that have the same ingredients how do you know which one is better? It’s often all about the amount of the active ingredient. Most products should tell you the percentage of an active ingredient. 2% will be much higher than 0.5% for example. When you look at an ingredient list on a label, it’s useful to note that the higher up on the list of ingredients something is, the more of it is in the formula. So if a product is boasting to contain a certain ingredient, if it’s the last thing on the list then it may only have tiny amounts!

Marketing & perception

Marketing is a very expensive exercise, as is packaging. The cost of advertising and fancy packaging all has to be absorbed into the cost of the product itself. If you are drawn to the prettier & fancier bottles and fabulously designed labels, just remember that you’re paying for that in the price tag. Skin care is big business, and some companies make outlandish claims and charge hundreds or thousands of dollars for a tiny pot of cream that claims to be ‘the best’. Sometimes however, an extremely expensive prestigious cream can be almost exactly the same as one that costs a fraction of the price – it’s all about perception, as many people believe the more it costs the better it should be.

Regulation of cosmetics

Industry regulation of cosmetics is a tricky business. In Australia, suppliers of cosmetics are legally required to adhere to strict labelling regulations, which is enforced under the Australian Consumer Law. All ingredients in skin care are considered ‘industrial chemicals’ whether they are natural or not, and should be approved by NICNAS⁽¹⁾. 20% of products that underwent a recent review did not live up to the requirements of the labelling standards. 30% of calls to the Australian Competitor and Consumer Commission (ACCC) were made because of injuries or adverse reactions to cosmetics⁽²⁾. This included both high-end and low-end products. So it really goes to show that all skincare products are scrutinised, and you can get the same problems no matter what the price tag.

What does this essentially mean?

My advice would be to always read the ingredients and do your own research. Compare products, check the percentage of active ingredients if they are listed, and look things up on databases and review sights online for products or specific ingredients. Spending more on your skin doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get better results – remember, it’s all in the mix.

1. Health AGDo. Chemical Information - Cosmetics; 2015 [cited 2015 Sept 21]; Available from: http://www.nicnas.gov.au/chemical-information/cosmetics.
2. Rickard D. Cosmetic compliance and safety and the Australian Consumer Law. Australian Competition & Consumer Commission; 2014 [cited 2015 Sept 21]; Available from: https://www.accc.gov.au/speech/cosmetic-compliance-and-safety-and-the-australian-consumer-law.

Haley is a passionate Naturopath & nutrition expert, writer, and mum of 2 young children, with years of experience in the industry. She is a known as a real 'nutrition nerd' and follows the latest natural health research. As a Paleo and raw food enthusiast, she coaches people in healthy living, beauty and positive mindset. Haley has personally experienced the benefits of the SkinB5 natural acne treatment system and is happy to offer her guidance to help others regain clear skin. Follow her blog at www.aliveinwonderland.com & link with her on facebook at www.facebook.com/aliveinwonderlandhealth 

Common Skincare Product Myths

Do you feel lost in the mass of information regarding skincare regimes and skincare products? There’s so much information out there, enough to make you throw your hands in the air with no idea what to take as truth or myth. I hear you. Let’s see if I can clear up some of these myths!

Expensive products are good
As I recently explored in an article, expensive products are not necessarily good. It’s all in the mix. Don’t forget that you’re also paying for a company’s packaging and marketing, and the perception their product has of being elite and ‘the best.’

Scrubbing the face is the best way to cleanse
No! Scrubbing the face can be way too harsh. Often it can remove the delicate layer of sebum which sets your oil production out of whack. Instead of scrubbing, I suggest using a gentle foaming cleanser like SkinB5’s beautiful gentle Acne Cleansing Mousse, and a mask that draws out the impurities, like their Skin Purifying Clay Mask.

Exfoliating can help get rid of acne
Acne prone skin can be made so much worse by exfoliating – acne is not a hygiene issue and you’ll generally end up worsening the inflammation! So be kind and gentle, there’s no need to exfoliate with harsh cleansers or brushes.

Your skin should feel tight after washing
Actually, if it feels really tight it is probably a sign that your cleanser is too harsh. Your skin should feel clean, yet soft.

Skincare products alone can treat acne
Acne requires a multifaceted approach. The skin cells are made from within, so it’s imperative to address internal causes with acne, as well as treating the skin on the outside. SkinB5 has a duel approach with their cleanser, moisturiser and mask that contain natural acne-controlling ingredients, and a unique formulation in their Acne Control Tablets & Caplets that address the causes where it starts – from within!

Vitamins & minerals have no effect on our skin health
My goodness, they most certainly do. We should be getting our nutrients from our diet, and that is what keeps every part of us healthy and in a state of repair, however many of us are deficient in key nutrients. Without these nutrients everything can be set off balance. Micronutrients like Zinc, Magnesium and B-vitamins are involved in almost every pathway in our body, including hormones, which is another reason why treating skin conditions from within is vital. The healthier our gut is the better our skin will be too, as digestive problems are linked to skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne.

Anti-aging comes in a bottle
Being as the skin cells are made from the inside, our aging process occurs by internal changes. Any anti-aging regime should ideally contain supplements containing antioxidants, minerals and vitamins to ensure the skin can fight off free-radical damage and be able to repair effectively. Nutrients such as zinc, silica, biotin and vitamin B5 are among the most important vitamins & minerals for healthy skin appearance.


Haley is a passionate Naturopath & nutrition expert, writer, and mum of 2 young children, with years of experience in the industry. She is a known as a real 'nutrition nerd' and follows the latest natural health research. As a Paleo and raw food enthusiast, she coaches people in healthy living, beauty and positive mindset. Haley has personally experienced the benefits of the SkinB5 natural acne treatment system and is happy to offer her guidance to help others regain clear skin. Follow her blog at www.aliveinwonderland.com & link with her on facebook at www.facebook.com/aliveinwonderlandhealth 

Does Chocolate Cause Acne?

I have to admit chocolate has always been my number one guilty pleasure all year round. There’s just nothing more satisfying that eating a piece of chocolate and letting it melt in your mouth and then chewing it!  For a long time it was common knowledge that eating chocolate would cause acne and it was advised never to eat It , if you want clearer skin. But can eating chocolate actually cause acne or is it simply just a myth?

Well the good news is that eating chocolate does ‘’NOT’’, I repeat does not cause acne breakouts. In fact majority of the research found no clear correlation between the two and all the studies were either too small or they were poorly conducted. Also the researchers knew very little about the patient’s lifestyle habits and diet. Thus it is difficult to determine the link between chocolate and acne. On top of that it was stated  in the Journal of the American Medical Association (Minkin W, et al., 1970) that “diet plays no role in acne treatment in most patients…even large amounts of chocolate have not clinically exacerbated acne.’’

But that doesn’t mean you should eat chocolate all the time. Why? Well new studies have found that foods high in GI (glycemic index) such as pasta, sugary foods (milk chocolate) and white bread can worsen acne but does not necessarily cause acne.  Majority of the chocolate in today’s supermarkets contain high content of milk and sugar which may increase the body’s sebum production and can trigger these oils to clog up and cause inflammation.  Having said that, it can be difficult to establish what foods cause acne as everyone reacts differently to certain foods. For some people dairy and sugary foods can cause acne spots and for others nothing seems to happen.

For those people who suffer from acne try to track your food, write down a list of which foods you may think that cause you outbreaks and even try to cut certain foods to see how your skin reacts. Personally I stopped drinking milk for 3 weeks and notice a huge difference in my skin. And for those chocoholics out there I would suggest opting for the good kind of dark chocolate (in moderation of course) instead of  milk or white as dark chocolate  holds high amounts antioxidants, magnesium, copper and iron which is beneficial for the skin and has less sugar and milk.

I’m also a big believer that beauty on the outside begins naturally on the inside. So try to incorporate a good balance diet (lots of dark greenly vegetables and colourful fruits) and life style which can give you glowing and smooth skin. And if you find yourself doing all these things and nothing seems to be working for you I recommend SkinB5’s skincare products they genuinely treat and manage all types of acne the natural way!

So there you have it, I hope this was helpful and you all enjoyed reading this, if you have any questions please contact us on info@skinb5.com and remember to drink plenty water. Your skin will love you for it!

References Used:

http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/cleansing/myths/chocolate-bad-for-skin.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/05/does-chocolate-cause-acne_n_1566076.html

Farah's Bio

Farah has been using SkinB5 for two years now. She is an advocate for natural and organic beauty products, healthy living and a self-proclaimed whole foods enthusiast.  Her passion for health and beauty stems from her personal experiences dealing with problematic skin and now she wants to help others learn her secrets to flawless skin from the inside, out. 

 

Vitamins for Good Skin

Treating acne requires a diversified approach. A solution can not be found simply in good personal hygiene, the taking or medication, or the application of topical remedies as isolated treatments. Diet is also a key influence in achieving clear skin naturally. 

While embarking upon my own Skin B5 Clear Skin Journey, I am choosing to make conscious decisions about my diet to ensure I’m getting the essential vitamins and minerals for the health of my skin.

Vitamins are the molecules in what we consume that benefit us at a cellular level, they act like connectors, cofactors, between our body’s enzymes. What are enzymes? Good question, I’m no scientist but I understand from my googling that they’re essentially the catalyst for the chemical reactions that occur within our bodies. Enzymes have grooves, or nooks, which neatly fit molecules such as vitamins and minerals, and as they connect the chemical reaction between the molecules facilitated by the enzyme. The production of collagen is a great example, as the enzymes combine vitamin C with other elements to form the protein which keeps our skin firm and helps us to heal wounds.

What are these vitamins? I’ve listed below the key vitamins found in SkinB5 and their benefits.

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)

Vitamin B5 is an essential vitamin that helps the body to metabolise proteins, carbohydrates and fats. In 1995 a small study conducted by Dr. Lit-Hung Leung, how found that high doses of vitamin B5 resolved acne. Pantothenic acid can also be found in foods such as avocado, yogurt, eggs, meat, legumes and whole grain cereals.

Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3)

At a glance it may read like nicotine, but this is vitamin is a friend, not a foe! Found naturally in meat, fish, mushrooms and nuts, studies have found Vitamin B3 to have anti-inflammatory qualities, which treats acne.

Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)

Identified as playing an important role in mental health, vitamin B9 provides relief of stress, tension and anxiety. It has also been found to be an affective treatment for acne when combined with zinc, copper, and nicotinamide, all of which are in SkinB5.

Vitamin A

An essential for the functioning of the immune system, Vitamin A is often referred to as the anti-infective vitamin. Vitamin A is found naturally in fruits such as cantaloupe, apricots, and mangos, vegetables including carrots, pumpkin and kale.

Biotin (Vitamin H)

Essential for hair and skin health, Vitamin H is also helpful in the absorption of B vitamins. A deficiency of Vitamin H can result in hair loss and has been related to mental health issues such as depression and hallucination.

Who is Nick Bell?

Nick joins SkinB5 as a writer, contributing monthly to the blog.

A mid-twenties Melburnian cliche, the bearded student suffers wanderlust, a soft spot of his city's cafe culture and a love of cycling. He writes from experience, having suffered acne himself throughout both high school and university,  and it's something he still battles today. Nick also writes a personal blog where he is documenting his journey for clear skin with SkinB5, having previously given up after years of ineffective products and medications.