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.

Falafels with a healthy twist

Get ready for a party in your mouth, because we are headed to the Middle East seriously a party in the Middle East! Today I’m sharing with you my take on the traditional falafels, these are easy to make, perfect for lunch and dinner and a great way for those picky eaters in the family, to eat their vegetables.

Now first things first, what is a falafel?  Falafels have been a long Middle Eastern favourite dish made from fava beans, chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans), or a combination of both. The traditional falafels are seasoned with fresh herbs and spices formed into balls and are often stuffed in a pita or wrapped in a flat bread with lettuce, tomatoes and tahini sauce. The traditional way to cook them is to deep fry them, but in this recipe my falafels are baked plus I’m going to pair it with a dairy free yogurt sauce instead and I promise you they will taste amazing.

Here’s what you’ll need:

•     2 Cups of Canned chickpeas (make sure to rinse them well)
•     1 cup of red onion , finely chopped
•     5 cloves of garlic
•     ¼ fresh Coriander
•     ¼ fresh mint
•     ¼ fresh parsley
•     2 tablespoons of  fresh lemon juice
•     1 tablespoon of brown rice flour
•     1 teaspoon of cumin ground
•     1 teaspoon of coriander ground
•     1 teaspoon of Himalayan salt or to taste
•     1 teaspoon of Cayenne pepper
•     ½ teaspoon of turmeric
•     ½ of bell pepper (remove seeds)
•     ½  cup of raw unsalted pumpkin seeds
•     2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil

Directions

 1)    Firstly preheat the oven to 180 ° Celsius

 2)    In a food processor, add chickpeas and pulse for 20 seconds

 3)     Add in garlic, onions, bell pepper, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt, rice flour, turmeric, mint, cilantro, parsley, pumpkin seeds, lemon juice and pulse for 30 seconds. The mixture should be slightly course and well combined but not completely smooth or it will be sticky.

 4)    Transfer into a mixing bowl and add in 2 tablespoons of grape seed oil

 5)    Shape the mixture into balls or patties and place them into a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper or even tin foil would do.

 6)    Bake for about 20-30 minutes and turn each falafel halfway through the baking until the outside of the falafels have crisped up.

 7)    Serve the falafel with your favourite greens, chopped tomatoes, cucumber and Tzatziki sauce.

Dairy-Free Tzatziki with Fresh Mint

Here’s what you’ll need:

•     1 cup unsweetened dairy-free coconut yogurt
•     1 cucumber, diced small
•     3 tablespoon lemon juice
•     Dash salt and pepper
•     1 tablespoon fresh chopped mint leaves (I was low on my mint leaves so I also added a few dill bits)
•     ¼ teaspoon onion powder

Direction

1.     Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until thoroughly combined.
2.     Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve with salad, wrap it in a pita or as a dipping sauce with the Falafels yum!

But wait….

If you’re a beauty junkie like me you’d love to know what health benefits are in the foods that we eat, because there’s nothing we want more than a glowing complexion and clear skin. So before we get straight into making this delicious meal, let’s see what health benefits these falafels have to offer.

Chickpeas

Now the star of the show is chickpeas; chickpeas are high in vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Zinc, Calcium, Copper, Folate and Iron which means they are great acne fighters and they help balance out acne inducing hormones. They also contain a high amount of protein and fiber which have powerful anti-inflammatory effects that help improve the skins texture, elasticity and smoothness.

Onions

I love onions, they add such a great flavour to your food; onions have anti-biotic and antiseptic properties which help skin disorders such as acne that assist in reducing redness and swelling in the skin. More Please? Ok If you insist; onions hold many anti-ageing benefits inside of them such as antioxidant, (Antioxidants are like rescuers who protect you from the bad guys), Vitamins A, C and E help fight against the damage caused by the harmful UV rays plus prevents ‘’free radical damage’’, (a free radical basically are the bad guys, who destroy cells in your body continuously) which is responsible for causing premature aging. Therefore onions protect your skin, keeps your skin wrinkle free and keeps it looking soft like a baby’s bottom.

Garlic

By adding garlic to the recipe we have added another great health benefit to our diet for instance garlic promotes circulation of the skin thus giving you a healthy natural glow.  Garlic also contains high levels of Magnesium, Calcium, Vitamin B1, B6 and C, copper, and Potassium which improves the immune system which can help you fight the cold and flu (perfect for  when  the weather goes from mild to cold and back again).


Coriander

This aromatic and fresh smelling herb reduces anxiety levels and also helps the quality of your sleep as it is a calming herb. We all know that beauty sleep plays an important role in the way our skin looks and feels, but not enough sleep can also make you stress, causing your blood vessels to open, which triggers the look of dark circles. So don’t worry, all you need is some fresh coriander in your life to keep you looking healthy and worry- free.

Mint

Fresh mint gives you healthy-looking and acne free skin. How? Well mint has a distinctive property which helps calm itchy skin and cures infections, this is due to the strong anti- inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties mint carries which is also great for reducing pimples.

Parsley

Parsley works wonderfully to help remove dark circles beneath the eyes, since it contains high amounts of Vitamin C, which helps lighten under the eyes and decrease the puffiness. Also eating parsley regularly can help balance the extra sebum production in those with oily skins which can help clear pores that may lead to acne breakouts.

Cumin Ground

The warm and bitter flavour of this musky spice contain a good source of Iron and Magnesium which are a key in keeping your immune system healthy and keeping you full of energy. Cumin also contain fiber which has a reviving effect on the skin and keeps metabolism into shape.

Lemons

It’s probably no surprise that lemons are a great source of Vitamin C, minerals and antioxidants which enhances your appearance, by rejuvenating the skin from within, giving you a radiance fresh face. So when life gives you lemons… add a squeeze of lemon juice into your everyday food to get some added nutrition to help keep skin clear and healthy.

Himalayan Pink Salt

Himalayan Pink Salt is also is another essential to add to your pantry and here’s why? It can be used to remove toxins from the body which will make you feeling refreshed and energized and helps encourages circulation in the body, leaving you with a afterglow

Cayenne Pepper

This spicy pepper actually helps increase the blood flow to your skin taking along oxygen and other crucial nutrients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E and several anti-oxidants which increase the health of the skin. As a result helps repair damaged skin, balances hormones, helps relief’s headache and even balances cholesterol levels.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a great spice for cooking, I just love the bright yellow golden colour with a hint of an earthy scent to it, not to mention many great health benefits it has such as; reducing acne, pigmentation and blemishes. This pretty spice also has anti-aging properties , which helps slows down the aging process, which means preventing wrinkles so we can forever look young.  And this is why I make sure I use this spice regularly so I can enjoy the benefits from the inside out.

Bell peppers

Bell peppers also known as capsicums,  have a great crunch to them, they are packed with vitamins that have an antioxidant effect on the skin cells which help improve the skins surface and protects the skin from aging. Bell peppers also have anti-septic properties which make them effective in fighting food poisoning. Another reason to start popping bell peppers into your food is they help support healthy night vision because there high in Vitamin A, so seeing red, yellow and green is a good thing.

Pumpkin Seeds

I call these babies the beauty seeds; each kernel contains high amounts of Vitamin E and Zinc which we all know is an important part of our skin care routine.  These beauty seeds help generate new skin cells and collagen which help repair the existing skin problems. Also Vitamin E acts as a strong antioxidant thus improving the skin tone, so start reaping their rich health benefits today!

We all need vitamins and minerals to live a long and healthy life. If you’re someone whose diet lacks the nutrients needed for a good healthy skin or general overall health try SkinB5’s capsules, but you should consult your family doctor too.

I hope you all enjoyed reading the breakdown of my falafels. Having said that, have you ever tried a falafel before? Share below you’re take on falafels!

Lots of love

Farah and the SkinB5 family.

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.

Spring Clean Your Skincare Routine

With the wintry weather coming to an end, your skin has probably become drier than normal (this is due to the lack of humidity, which is completely normal by the way). And so as you start to prepare for spring it is important to adjust your routine to suit the warm weather coming along the way. Here are a few things you can start doing that will help your winter skin come back to life for the spring season.


Hydrate

As the weather starts to heat up in spring, it is important to increase your water consumption. Why? Well my beauties water will keep you hydrated from the inside out and will keep your skin looking luminous and healthy. And if you don’t like the taste of water don’t worry I’ve got you covered! Here are few ways to make water more enjoyable. You can infuse ice-cubes with water-rich fruits like watermelons, grapes, lemons, cucumbers and strawberries.  Or you could also eat vegetables that contain high water content such as lettuce, celery, tomatoes, capsicums zucchini, spinach and broccoli.  And If you still find it difficult to keep hydrated, try this amazing app that tracks your water consumption: Waterlogger. So remember to drink up this spring as water is the world’s best beauty elixir.

Cleanse

We all know how important it is to cleanse our skin twice a day no matter what the season. And with the weather heating up, it is very easy for your skin to be exposed to dust, dirt and grime. SkinB5’S gentle antioxidant rich cleansing mousse helps remove dead skin cells, tightens and unclogs pores and leaves your skin feeling fresh.

Moisturize

In hotter temperatures your skin may become oiler than normal and you will no longer need heavy winter creams, so try switching to a lighter moisturizer.  In this case, SkinB5’s light antioxidant rich   moisturizer is fantastic as it contains powerful and natural ingredients such as Vitamin B5, Green Tea, and Jojoba, which reduces the shiny look our skin can get during the warmer months and helps draws moisture back into the skin. Also don’t forget to apply sunscreen, buy one that protects your skin from UVB and UVA rays, especially if you’re spending any time outdoors this spring.

Pamper

As you switch up your skincare routine in preparation for spring, don’t forget to pamper yourself with a face mask. A good face mask can help hydrate the skin, improve the appearance of your pores and help pull out any impurities that you may have. It is also an excellent way to help remove excess oils you may get during the warmer days. If you’re looking to being pampered like you’re at a spa from the comfort of your own home, try SkinB5’s 5 minute skin purifying mask. It cleanses deep from within the skin layers helping your skin to heal and renew and leaves you with a smoother looking appearance .I use this at least once a week, I just love the feeling of a more radiant glow and tightened tone skin after a single use.

There you have it! I hope these tips help you ‘’Spring Clean your Skin’’ and remember to eat a healthy diet so you can keep you looking radiant. Do you have any questions about your springtime skin care regime? If so contact me on info@skinb5.com

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 skin toners reduce skin oil?

The history of a good skin care routine goes back thousands of years to when ancient cultures like the Egyptians and Greeks used things found naturally in the environment including herbs and oils (even animal fats!), honey and naturally occurring bicarb soda as part of their regular skin care maintenance.1,2 Our great grandmothers used to use vinegars, lemon juice and milks as toners to freshen the skin after cleansing! But now it is a different story.

Many of today’s commonly used toners contain astringents, such as witch hazel, alcohol and chemicals which are designed to remove the excess oil. The toning step is important to get rid of any excess dirt that the cleansing process didn’t remove, and close your pores to prepare your face for the moisturiser. But are astringents & harsh ingredients really necessary in a toner? My answer is no. Astringents strip the natural sebum of the face, which can cause excessive dryness and irritation, and can also cause the skin to produce more oil to make up for it being stripped away.

Our skin has a very delicate pH balance, which is a measure of the acidity of your skin. The skin’s pH should sit at about 5.5 or below, which is slightly acidic. This helps to fight off bacteria and fungi. Studies show that when it is more alkaline, it is more prone to infection.3 Harsh toners can affect this delicate balance, leaving it more prone to infection and oiliness. A skin with a perfectly balanced slightly acidic pH will likely be more radiant, bright, smooth and less prone to damage from the elements.

Don’t continue the vicious cycle of overproduction of oil – if you keep your skin care routine simple with the SkinB5 simple 4 step system, your sebum production will remain balanced and the oil production should normalise because it is not having to fight against being stripped off!

Simple natural toner remedies:

The most gentle and effective toners don’t contain astringents, alcohols or chemicals – keep it simple! I recommend using flower waters/hydrosols such as rose, lavender or chamomile water on a cotton bud, which will gently remove any left-over surface dirt, and the cooling nature will close the pores again after cleansing.

You can also use a dilute mix of raw organic apple cider vinegar (with the ‘mother’), which can assist to keep the face at a slightly acidic pH – use 1 part apple cider vinegar to 4 parts water for sensitive skin, and 1 part ACV to 2 parts water for normal skin.4 Patch test first to check sensitivity, and apply with a cotton ball.

References:

1. The history of skincare, a series of articles by J.K. Knowles. Ancient Greece: The Archaic Period, 750 BC-500 BC [Internet]. J.K.Knowles. 2013. Available from: http://thehistoryofskincare.com/AncientGreeceTheArchaicPeriod_750BC-500BC.php?cid=SkincareHistory
2. The history of skincare, a series of articles by J.K.Knowles. The Common People of Ancient Egypt, 3000 BC-1070 BC [Internet]. J.K.Knowles. 2013. Available from: http://thehistoryofskincare.com/TheCommonPeopleofAncientEgypt_3000BC-1070BC.php?cid=SkincareHistory
3. Coconuts & Kettlebells. DIY Apple Cider Vinegar Facial Toner [Internet]. 2015. Available from: http://coconutsandkettlebells.com/diy-apple-cider-vinegar-facial-toner/
4. Lambers H, Piessens S, Bloem A, Pronk H, Finkel P. Natural skin surface pH is on average below 5, which is beneficial for its resident flora. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2006 Oct:28(5):359-70.

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

Meal Prep Tips 101

Everyone’s heard of meal prep right (Meal Preparation)?  If you haven’t it is basically all about cooking  up large portions of food at the start of the week and freezing it. Now it’s obvious most of us are pretty busy in our day to day lives and it can be relatively hard to create every meal from scratch or to even maintain a healthy diet. And for that reason, it is entirely up to you what you would like to prepare ahead of time, for example you may choose to only prepare breakfasts and lunches or just dinners for the week. Luckily preparing your meals in advance will save you time, effort and money and you’ll be less likely to eat processed foods. So here are my tips for simple meal planning and a fuss-free healthy week.

How to get started

Before you start any meal prepping, you need to invest in some excellent quality glass or BPA- Free, plastic containers (BPA -Free will not fall apart in the microwave or oven). It is also a good idea to get the same sized containers as they can be easily stacked in the fridge which is an helpful approach to eating the right serving’s and staying on track.  Portable Jars and zip lock bags are also another great must, as they can help you against overeating by dividing your favourite snacks or meals in to the right proportions.

Plan Ahead 

If you are just starting out with meal prepping, I would recommend starting with breakfast or lunches 2-3 times a week, to help you get used to the process. It is also important to figure out what you’re going to eat that week and what ingredients you’ll need to prep your meals. There’s nothing worse than when you are in the middle of cooking and you realise that you’re missing an ingredient or not having enough servings of food. A great way to remember everything is to write down a list and categorize them into breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack items, that way you can figure out how much you’ll need for your meal prep session.

What foods to eat when Meal Prepping 

Every meal should consist of protein, carbs and veggies, this is the easiest way to have a well-balanced meal which can help you stay fuller longer throughout the day. (Note if you follow a diet that is vegan, raw or gluten free, feel free to make any replacements). A few examples of protein options are; chicken, ground beef, eggs, tuna and fish. Also you should cook foods you will eat, there’s no point of eating chicken and rice 7 days a week, so cook foods with different flavours (don’t bore yourself to death) and try to marinate two to three variations of your preferred meat with different spices then place them in the freezer and defrost them when you’re ready to use them. Note seafood dishes will go bad quickly so try to prep fish only twice a week. There are also many options for carbs such as rice, oats, quinoa, pasta and sweet potatoes.  Similarly if you like your veggies and fruits to stay fresh cut them ahead of time, they will stay moist in the fridge for 3-5 days when refrigerated properly in a sealed container or plastic bag, ready to be cooked. In a nutshell line up a few containers on the counter and add protein, carbs and veggies one by one.

Some Final tips 

·    Personally I like to save as much time as possible when meal prepping, so try to cook a few dishes at once. For example roasting chicken in the oven, cooking rice (in the rice cooker of course) and stir frying veggies.

·    Buy prewashed greens such as spinach, kale or lettuce (you save so much time by having not to wash and chop them up).

·   Cut up some fruits and veggies so you can have them as ‘’on the go snacks’’ or put them in to smoothies, salads or steaming them with your mains.

So if you struggle to get meals together because you work late or don’t get enough time, try to focus on preparing meals with these ideas.  I hope this helps make meal prepping easier and the cost of food down. Remember When it comes to eating healthy, preparation is the key to success Meal.

Why exfoliators are bad for sensitive, acne prone skin

Our skin is made of 3 layers – the epidermis, dermis and the subcutaneous layer. The epidermis is the outer most layer and can be very sensitive and often inflamed, especially for people with acne. There is a constant renewal process that occurs with our skin – on average, every 28 days new skin cells (keratinocytes) are made, and as they mature they move outwards to our skin’s surface. The cells eventually lose their organelles and nuclei (which are important parts to all cells in our body) - so basically when they reach the outer layer they die.¹ This dead skin falls off, or is cleansed off, and much of it becomes dust around our homes.

While it is important to remove the dead skill cells on the face, exfoliating acne-prone skin can be one of the worst things you can do. Firstly, it can add to the inflammation and redness by causing the already-sensitive skin to become increasingly inflamed. It can also spread any bacteria over the skin and push it into the pores to create more breakouts. Very importantly exfoliating can be too harsh for the skin’s sebum, which can then overcompensate for being stripped off during exfoliation by producing more, resulting in excess oil production.

Our poor skin needs a lot of love, because it only has a short life span before it becomes nothing but dust – but there’s no need to show it love by spending $100-$200+ on a harsh facial cleansing ‘brush’ (yes I was blown away at the cost of them too!). A better way to achieve supple skin is to use a clay mask to draw out impurities and wash away the dead skin cells. SkinB5’s 5 minute face mask is an extremely gentle way to draw out the toxins and dirt without leaving your skin sore or over-exfoliated. It contains a powerful, yet gentle combination of natural ingredients which is designed to help detoxify and purify acne-prone skin.

The clay mask can be used once a week as a deep-cleanse. I recommend using the SkinB5 Acne Control Foaming Cleanser for a gentle cleanse, followed by the non-greasy Acne Control Moisturiser in-between mask treatments as part of your daily routine. And don’t forget next time that you’re sweeping and dusting that a lot of what you’re cleaning up is actually a part of you!

References:

1. Science Lah. Live and let die! – story of skin renewal [Internet]. Yz. 2013 Feb 26. Available from: http://www.sciencelah.com/2013/02/live-and-let-die-story-of-skin-renewal/

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

Smoothie recipes that are good for your skin!

Your diet impacts upon your skin’s health, therefore what you eat will affect your acne. When treating acne it’s essential to ensure you're nourishing and filling your body with wholesome and balanced quality food.

I struggle with cooking; as much as I want to eat clean and nutritionally beneficial food, I’m simply dumbfounded each time I walk into the supermarket. I see lots of ingredients, and no way to combine them. Hence my café love affair.

I know I’m not alone. Not everyone likes cooking, but we all love blending!

I’ve detailed below a great dairy-free, vegan clear skin smoothie recipe that incorporates Skin B5 tablets. I love smoothies as they’re flexible; you can adjust the ingredients to your taste and what’s in your cupboard. Treat these as a guide- many of the ingredients (such as chia and spirulina) you can buy once and will have at-hand for months!

Clear Skin Smoothie

1 cup of coconut water 1 tablespoon of chia seeds 1 tablespoon of spirulina powder A cup of freshly cut fruit- bananas, kiwi fruit, strawberries, etc 1 piece of ginger  ½ cup of chopped fresh kale  Ground Skin B5 tablets or caplets A handful of ice

1 cup of almond milk 2 spoons of raw chocolate (cacao) 1 tablespoon of chia seeds 1 banana  ½ cup of chopped fresh kale  Ground Skin B5 tablets or caplets A handful of ice

Depending on your preference, you could use coconut water and fruits for a light taste, or almond milk and cacao if you’d rather a creamier chocolate smoothie. You can even add honey, or organic peanut butter to taste!

Why have we chosen these ingredients?

Coconut water: it’s naturally sweet, has less sugar than a fruit juice, is packed full of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, but most excitingly is a great hydrator! If you’re having this smoothie after a workout, the hydrating effect of the coconut water will be great!

Chia seeds: high in Omega 3, more so than salmon! They’re also a great source of protein, are low in calories, high in fibre and are full of nutrients.

Spirulina is, as tasty as it sounds, algae. Yep! It’s a protein filled (65%) wonder and is a great source of antioxidants, Vitamins B, and other nutrients. It is also high in Omega 3.

What’s so great about Omega 3? Omega 3 acids,  more specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are great for your skin as they help regulate oil production, while keeping your skin hydrated (avoiding dry skin!). They can also help protect from sun damage.

Raw chocolate (cacao) is a popular flavouring (who doesn’t love chocolate?), it is a great mixer in green smoothies such as this and it’s surprisingly full of beneficial qualities for you skin. Cacao has antioxidants to block free radicals, magnesium and vitamin C, Omega 6 fatty acids, raw enzymes for cell rejuvenation and cacao can improves skin hydration and blood flow.

Kale is the darling of the foodie world and is hard to miss at any popular café. It is a popular detoxifier and is home to Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, iron and fibre.

Does this recipe look like something you'd try?

I'm confident that if I'm able to make this, it's something you will be more than capable of! Let me know how you went, and please share alternative recipes you try at home!

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 http://nicholasbell.co/2015/07/26/when-skin-care-makes-the-problem-worse/where he is documenting his journey for clear skin with SkinB5, having previously given up after years of ineffective products and medications.