BEAUTY

Our bodies need sunlight, but you have to be careful.
We seem to be bombarded with conflicting advice on whether we should sunbathe or not. Cancer Research UK recommends that you stay out of the sun altogether to prevent skin cancer, and I saw the same advice echoed in a Healthspan magazine in 2008. However, this advice has been criticised by some leading scientists and nutritionists.
• Vitamin D
The psychological benefits of exposure to sunlight are invigorating and uplifting. Sunlight stimulates production of serotonin, which makes us feel good and, at the same time, suppresses melatonin so we feel less tired.
Vitamin D from the sun helps us absorb calcium and prevent osteoporosis (porous bones) - simply eating calcium-rich foods without the vitamin is not enough, as the calcium may end up depositing itself in areas other than the bones, which is not good news.
And there's more. Vitamin D helps to fight infections and stop the spread of cancer cells. Professor William Grant, former NASA scientist, estimates that in the UK, where we get 1,600 deaths a year from melanoma due to excessive sun exposure, we probably get around 25,000 deaths due to insufficient sun exposure.
More evidence from researchers is showing an increased link between vitamin D from sunlight and the reduction in cancer risk. People who live in areas where there is more sun have reduced risk of breast and prostate cancer (IIAA Issue Autumn 2005).
In addition, researchers at Aberdeen University have revealed that lack of vitamin D from sunlight contributes to obesity. Vitamin D controls the hormone leptin which signals to the brain when you are full. They found that those who were obese had lower levels of vitamin D; in fact they produced a tenth less vitamin D than those of average weight.
• Regular sun exposure
Dr Des Fernandes recommends a sun exposure of 20 minutes per day, with shorter bursts in strong sunlight. 20 minutes is considered the time it takes to convert vitamin D from sunlight into active vitamin D in our bodies - any further exposure requires protection or the vitamin will be destroyed.
Of course, during the colder months where there is less sun this is more difficult, so it is important during the warmer seasons to 'top up' our vitamin D stores. It is said that our bodies can store vitamin D for up to 6 months after moderate exposure to sunlight.
• Avoid sunbeds
Topping up on a sunbed is not a good way to supplement your exposure. Sunbeds mostly block out the UVB rays but not the UVA rays, and it is the UVB that makes the vitamin D in your skin. All you'll get from a sunbed is a tan and wrinkles as a result of the accelerated ageing from UVA.
• Suncreams
Suncreams also concentrate on blocking out UVB rays so that you can stay out for longer without burning, but not all creams offer protection from UVA. The jury is still out on how high you should go with the SPF protection on a suncream. with some skin experts saying to go no higher than SPF15. The reason is the amount of chemicals you are piling onto your skin is heavily increased the higher the SPF in the cream. The difference between a cream of SPF15 and one of SPF30 is that you are applying double the amount of chemicals, but only 1% extra protection!
Patrick Holford recommends Environ's RAD16 because it not only protects from UVA and UVB, it also contains beta-carotene (plant source of vitamin A), plus vitamins C and E, which actually double the effectiveness of the SPF to a factor 30.
• Supplements
Protect yourself well on the inside as well as the outside. Lindungi diri dengan baik di dalam maupun di luar. Build up your store of vitamins A and C by eating foods that are rich in these vitamins and other anti-oxidants, and apply skin products that have potent quantities of vitamins A, C and E, as these get destroyed by the sun so need replacing.
If you feel the need to supplement, you can take between 200 and 400 ius of vitamin D per day, but oral supplementation should not be your first port of call. In the presence of sunlight, your body controls the levels of vitamin D it produces but with a supplement it can't do this, so take too much and you may reach toxic levels.
• Enjoy the sun, but in moderation!
So don't be afraid to go out in the sun. You can still don a hat and good sunglasses to protect your eyes and call it fashion, or insurance against premature ageing!

Although it contains no nutrients, water is essential to life and for the growth and maintenance of our bodies. Many people are dehydrated without even knowing it; this is typically caused by a variety of factors:
• not drinking enough pure water
• consuming excessive amounts of caffeine-containing drinks such as coffee and alcohol. Caffeine is a diuretic ie it causes fluid loss from the body
• spending long hours in dry environments such as offices, with exposure to central heating, air conditioning and electrical equipment.
Many natural health practitioners believe that dehydration is the root of some degenerative diseases and health complaints, and studies show that dehydration can contribute to many common ailments such as migraines, allergies, asthma, constipation, kidney stones and even arthritis. This should perhaps be unsurprising, given that our bodies are made up of 70% water, which of course needs to be constantly topped up.
Lack of hydration in the body has also been shown to cause backache: major muscles in the body do not perform properly unless the body has sufficient water intake. One of these, the psoas muscle, which runs from the thigh to the lower back, is the muscle that causes stiff hips and lower back pain.
How much is enough?
The best way to tell if you're drinking enough water is from your urine – it should be a light straw colour. The darker your urine, the more water you need to drink.
The recommended amount of pure water (excluding the water contained in soft drinks, tea and coffee) is 8 glasses or 2.5 litres per day. You should drink more if your caffeine intake is high, when exercising and on hot days, or if you've been sweating excessively.
How and when should you drink
Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning and another last thing at night ,as the body loses water during sleeping.
If you're out and about, take a couple of small bottles of water with you to ensure you drink enough.
Avoid drinking water with meals as it interferes with digestion. Instead, drink a glass half an hour prior to each meal.
Try not to drink ice-cold water; room temperature is best, as it is kinder to the body. Ice-cold food and drink can interfere with your metabolism.
There is some controversy regarding which type of water to drink: mineral, bottled or filtered tap water. Some argue that even mineral water contains some undesirable chemicals. To be safe, drink a combination of mineral, bottled and filtered water. Invest in a good filter, such as the Aquathin range.

A diet rich in "phyto-compounds" can stimulate DNA repair, increased collagen production, reduce inflammation, and improve blood flow. This not only keeps you healthy but it keeps you looking younger longer.
Creams and lotions can do wonders for your skin, but your diet is by far the most crucial when it comes to having healthy skin.
Beauty is dependent on the overall health of your body. In order for your skin to look attractive and vibrant you need to make healthy lifestyle choices, and a great place to start is with the foods you eat.
So if you want your skin to feel soft and look firm here are a few foods that you can eat starting today.
• Blueberries: These blue little balls are one of natures most potent anti-aging foods.They help keep the skins elasticity, strengthen the gums, and contribute to the health of our eyes.
• Brazil nuts: Help protect our skin from UV rays and they help reduce dryness.
• Honey: A nutrient rich alternative to refined sugar. Refined sugar is believed to contribute to aging.
• Strawberries: Help protect our skins collagen structures. Collagen is what keeps our skin firm. Wrinkles form when our collagen levels start depleting.
• Avocados: These contain folate which helps blood formation. This is essential for cell regeneration.
• Myrtle: Is known to slow down our skin aging process. Has been used in folk remedies for centuries.
• Acai: This is the king of all berries. It has 50% more antioxidants than pomegranates, and twice as much as blueberries. They also contain omega 6,9 fatty acids, fiber, calcium, and vitamins.
• Apricots: Very rich in fiber and phytochemicals like beta-carotene and lycopene. They also have vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, folate, iron and potassium, making them very beneficial to our skin.
• Broccoli: Also very high in fiber, vitamin C, and folate. There's a compound in broccoli called sulforaphane that protects our bodies cells from injury.
• Beans: Jammed packed with phytochemicals, fiber, folic acid, protein, calcium, and magnesium. These guys can stabilize blood sugar as well as lower cholesterol.
• Black currant: Has a high source of vitamin C and antioxidants. Also contains a high amount of calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
• Carotenoids: This isn't a food, but it's found in fruits and vegetables. It's a fat soluble pigment which helps fight against cancer and cardiovascular disorders.
• Carrots: Have lots of beta-carotene which is a powerful antioxidant.
• Cruciferous vegetables: AKA- cabbage, broccoli, kale, collard greens, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts. These guys release a compound called glucosinolates and an enzyme called myrosinase when chewed, which are known for their anti-cancer properties.
• Cucumber: A great source of essential vitamins and minerals necessary for increasing collagen production.
• Camu-Camu: Very rich in vitamin C.
• Dark leafy greens: AKA - Spinach, kale, and dark lettuce are loaded with vitamins and minerals like beta-carotene, vitamin C, folate, iron, magnesium, phytochemicals, and antioxidants.
• Fish: Has lots of vitamin A, B1, B12, and B6. It also has omega 3 fatty acids which are very beneficial to the skin, as well as the heart and brain.
• Salmon: Promotes soft smooth skin, free from dry itchy patches.
• Flax, grapeseed, walnut, seaweed, spirulina, watercress: These are very high in zinc which is vital for the health of our skin. Plus they have been known to help clear up acne, and help keep us regular.
• Grape seed oil: Has trace elements of selenium, zinc, copper, and iron. It's also a unique source for oligomeric procyanidine, which is known to improve our skins elasticity.
• Millet: A nutritious seed, high in silica, which is good for our skin, hair, and nails.
• Cranberries: High in vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin E, fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, and citric acid.
• Oats: Very high in soluble fiber, and complex carbohydrates. High in iron, manganese, phosphorous, calcium, vitamins B and E, and silicon. Silicon is crucial for healthy skin by maintaining collagen levels.
• Papaya: When applied as a paste on the skin, it's enzymes help breakdown dead skin cells.
• Pomegranate: Very good source of polyphenol antioxidants. These antioxidants help neutralize free radicals that can damage the skin.
• Water: Hydrated skin naturally looks younger.
If you are one of the millions of people worldwide that spend money on lotions and creams in an attempt to look better, then it only makes sense to incorporate these beauty foods into your diet.
It wont take very long to start seeing the major benefits these beauty foods will have on the health of your skin and the way it looks and feels.

We all have bad hair days. But there are easy ways to make sure yours are few and far between - just follow these simple hair styling ideas!
• A healthy you means healthy hair
The top secret to healthy hair is to be healthy yourself. Drinking lots of water each day will make your hair shiny and prevent split ends - making hair styling far easier. Green vegetables and 'good' oils such as fish will also improve the quality of your hair, as will having plenty of sleep. Just like your skin, hair responds to changes in your lifestyle and even climate, so your hair style could need a bit of a health kick!

• Find the perfect hair style for you
Starting with the right cut is the most important part of hair styling. It is your canvas for the Great Hair Day. Visiting a salon may not be cheap, but they will be able to style your hair to suit your facial structure, skin tone and lifestyle - and that's priceless. Your hair style should make you feel great, and making sure you feel confident in your cut is your first point of call.

• Be careful with wet hair
If you wash your hair in the evening, make sure it is completely dry before you go to bed. Sleeping on wet hair will cause frizz and tangles. Make sure you only use a comb in wet hair and not a bristled hair brush - bristles will break hair and cause split ends and flyaways.

• Heat not always hair styling's enemy!
There are heaps of new products being released especially for protection against sun and heat damage. This is great news for having straight, luscious hair or that sun kissed look. Your hair style - and whole look - can be dramatically altered using hair straighteners or curling irons without damaging your hair's quality. It's not recommended every day, but can be awesome every so often when you need a bit of a change.

• Long hair styles don't need to be boring
Long hair may get a bit of a bad rap in the hair style world, but eclectic fashion trends mean you can do more with it now than ever before. Give your long hair a new lease on life by trying creative up dos, knots, quirky pigtails and sleek quaffs.

• Try different hair styling products
Hair styles get bored of using the same things, just as we do. Your hair can become a bit "tolerant" of the products you use and need a change, so shake things up a bit with a new hair styling balm or gloss, or try a new shampoo and conditioner every couple of months.

• Accessorize your hair style!
Barrettes, flowers and headbands are all back in, so take advantage of them! Simple hair clips can completely change your look - tie your hair style in with the rest of your look by using complementary colors and jewels. In summer, be fresh and funky with bright flowers. In the colder months, try headscarves and ribbons in warm colors. For the office, spice up your corporate hair style with subtle crystals or a classy hair comb.

• Try a new color
If you're bored with your hair style, a new color can bring a subtle difference or a dramatic change. Treat yourself to this season's latest colors at your salon, and consider streaks, foils or even large portions of color to dramatize the look. Alternatively, try doing it yourself - most hair color formula's can actually improve the look of your hair style and improve shine health!

• The dramatic hair style change
Having the same cut can make you feel weighed down pretty quickly. A striking change in your cut doesn't mean you should shave it all off - try some dramatic layers or a serious change in length to really stand out from the crowd. Your hair will feel lighter and sexier, and you'll feel more vibrant!

• Spoil your hair
Give your hair style the chance to revitalize with a deep conditioning treatment or salon treatment. Lifeless hair is difficult to style, so choose an intensive moisturizing product and see the difference it makes to your look. Most hair stylists recommend a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week, and even a 3-minute treatment can be enough to give new life to your hair style!

T o give your skin maximum chance of rejuvenating overnight, there are some very special ingredients in night creams that some of the specialist companies are using that can have quite dramatic effects. Here is a guide to them and what they can do for you.
• Honey has been used for centuries for healing and a special type called active Manuka honey can help to restore your skin while you sleep and contains powerful antioxidants that stimulate your immune system too.
• Shea Butter is also a fantastic natural moisturizer and emollient which softens and soothes the skin. It also helps to reduce scars, blemishes and brown spots, smoothing out any wrinkles.
• This wonderful substance is rich in vitamin A and E and moisturizes deep down without being greasy, making it one of the best natural ingredients in a night cream.
• Of all the natural oils, Avocado is the king when it comes to stimulating your collagen production and healing and moisturizing and has been used since ancient times for this purpose. It is rich in vitamin A, D and E and also helps to soften the skin, being compatible with your skins own oils.
These are just some of the great ones to use for night time as their long lasting effects help to provide you with round the clock skin care and fade the signs of aging like wrinkles and bags to give you healthier and younger looking skin.
They will also promote your general health and well-being too, being rich in antioxidants and nutrients to boost your body's immune system and circulation.
Only the best night creams with these ingredients can give you a truly new skin care experience and within weeks you will notice the differences in your skin texture and tone.
To fully revitalize and rejuvenate your skin, look for these ingredients in a night cream to give you the skin you want.

Our hair is an important feature. And taking the proper care of your hair can be a sobering experience for many people. But today, more and more of us are becoming aware of the amazing benefits found in natural hair care. Using ingredients found in or derived from nature has proven time and time again to outperform anything that has come out of a laboratory, with a lot fewer side effects, if any at all.
However, Many so called "natural hair care" products can still contain harmful chemicals (ingredients) that in the long run, will not only hurt your hair but can lead to other ailments as well like sensitive scalp damage and skin rashes etc...So it is highly recommended that you always read the labels of every product you intend on using for your hair first and then test in small doses to see if you are allergic to anything in particular.
Some Ingredients You Need To Stay Away From :
• Parabens: Some manufacturers use this ingredient to try and get as much shelf life as they can out of their products, and it works but on the downside, parabens have been scientifically proven to induce cancer.
• Fragrances: Most fragrances used in natural hair care products are made from harmful chemicals and may cause a wide variety of allergic reactions, anywhere from migraines, skin soreness to undermining the healthy function of your central nervous system. You would do better sticking with products that contain natural scents, essential oils plant and fruit extracts.
• Mineral Oils: These are commonly used as moisturizers, but they are really just very greasy and easily blocks up your pores. This can lead to inflammation, sores or even hair breakage.
Some Ingredients you do want to see:
Shea butter (Butyrospermum Parkii ) Mango butter (Mangifera Indica) Cocoa butter (Theobroma Cacao) Black seed oil (nigella sativa) Argan oil (Argania spinosa) Oat oil (Avena sativa) Brazil nut oil (Emblica Officinalis) Tamanu oil (Calophyllum Inophyllum) Red palm oil (Elaesis guineensis) Cayenne pepper (Elaesis guineensis) Black pepper (Piper nigrum) Tumeric root (Curcuma longa) Ginger root ( Zingiber Officinale) Mustard (Brassica juncea) Pro-vitamin B5 (panthenol).
This list is even more endless and growing as we learn more about how to use nature to help us heal, repair, protect and beautify our hair with gentle results that will last us a lifetime.

Normal and healthy skin can be washed simply by water as modest grease can help to retain water in your skin.
You can emphasize the T-tract if you have the mixed skin. Just rub the facial washing milk with some water and then rub your nose wing and your cheeks with it, with clean water washing at last.
The newly popular therapeutics in Japan which is called “Skin Abrosia” is not bad for the sensitive and extra-thin skin. You can just wash your face by clean water without using any cosmetics. Repeating this way one day in a week is enough. The Japanese believe that our skin has its original immunocompetence which will be destroyed if using too many excessive services. Periodic “Skin Abrosia” can active the skin recovering its normal metamolizability and relieve your skin from “live on cosmetics”.
The effect of skin cleaning in beauty salon can be achieved easily at home. Lay a hot towel on your face for 10 seconds which will benefits your lymph circulation and then wash your face with the cleanser. Don't forget to give a total wash by clean water at last.
The frequency of exfoliating in autumn and winter is no more than once a week. Sensitive skin can be washed with the mixture of washing milk and facial scrub, or just use them on the nose wing, chin and some other parts where cutin will pile up easily, so that the stimulus is reduced.
Facial cleansers that have good emulsification can help you to omit the step of washing and avoid the excessive cleaning of the skin at second time.