Aloe Vera: The Amazing Healing Plant

Aloe Vera has been used as a medicinal plant for centuries around the entire world. Even Egyptian Queen Cleopatra used it in her everyday beauty regimen. Christopher Columbus even used it to heal soldiers' wounds. In the early 1800's, aloe in the U.S, was used as a laxative and by the 1930's it was successfully used to treat severe radiation dermatitis. 

This amazing plant is filled with vitamins vital to the health of our bodies and skin. It contains vitamins A (beta-carotene), B & C. These are all antioxidants that neutralize free radicals in and on our bodies. Aloe also contains vitamin B-12, folic acid, and bradykinase, which is an enzyme that helps reduce inflammation of the skin.  

Aloe Vera is widely known for its great benefits for our skin. It is a natural vulnerary, which means that it helps to heal wounds such as burns and scrapes. Aloe is a natural antiseptic and antipruritic, so it kills bacteria, some viruses and fungi, prevents and relieves itching of the skin. Every skin type can reap the benefits of this plant. It is filled with healing and soothing properties. It is also known to repair collagen and elastin in the skin making it more flexible. It is an excellent emollient that brings oxygen to skin cells making your skin brighter and more radiant. Aloe Vera gel can easily be incorporated into your everyday skin care routine. It will work great in combination with your moisturizers. I apply the gel after my toner and under my moisturizers. I find that I wake up with glowing skin! 

 Aloe Vera is a great choice for people who suffer from acne because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. While eliminating bacteria, it is also helping to sooth and reduce redness from inflamed breakouts. You can apply it however you want, I sometimes l put on a thick layer before the shower and let in seep into my skin with the steam. If you have an aloe plant, like I do, you can snip a piece of a leaf off and rub the gel directly onto your skin. The plant will kind of heal itself after you cut off a piece and keep on growing. It truly is an amazing versatile plant that I would recommend to anyone with skin!     

7 Essential Steps for Your Morning Skin Care Routine

Even when you are pressed for time in the morning, you shouldn't forget to care for your skin! Your skin is you body's largest and most visible organ so make sure you are taking care of it as best as you can. Use these 7 steps in the morning to get your skin glowing and healthy. 

1. Drink Water

Making sure that you are drinking enough water is crucial to the health of your skin. In my last post I went into detail about why water is so great for your body and skin. Drinking water first thing in the morning will give your body and immune system a boost. You get very dehydrated during the night so your body craves water in the morning. Staying hydrated will help decrease the appearance of dark under-eye circles, minimize fine lines and give you an all around glow!

2. Cleanse with a Gentle Cleanser

The morning is not the optimal time for exfoliating your skin, especially if you have a sensitive or an acne skin type. This is because exfoliation can cause slight redness in the skin which we don't want in the morning when going to work or school. Opt for a gentle cream cleanser. If you feel that you do need to exfoliate, skip the scrub and use esthetic sponges instead. They will exfoliate but will be more gentile than a scrub. 

3. Use a Toner

There are so many different types of toners, and 'cleansing lotions' on the market. It may be hard to find the right one for your skin type. Typically people with sensitive skin will want to stick with a soothing toner. Look for ingredients like cucumber and chamomile. Oily and  acne skin types should look for toners with chemical exfoliants such as glycolic acid. Glycolic with provide exfoliation without irritating the skin. Toner is important to ensure that your skin is completely clean, you don't want to put products on top of leftover dirt, oil, or makeup. Toners also aid in the hydration of the skin and help increase the effectiveness of your moisturizer. 

4. Treat Skin 

You can treat your skin with a number of different things, anything from serums to acids, depending on your skin type. For people with acne skin types that use benzoyl peroxide, skip it in the AM and just use it at night. Benzoyl peroxide can cause extreme photosensitivity and makes your skin more susceptible to burn in the sun. Instead, try a salicylic acid treatment which will fight breakouts without making your skin super sensitive. If you have normal to dry skin, go for a serum to boost the hydration of your skin. Serums are great because they have more concentrated ingredients than most moisturizers. 

5. Moisturize

If applying moisturizer is the only step in your current morning skin care routine then you are on the right path. Moisturizing the skin is the best thing you can do for it. In the summer, opt for a gel moisturizer. It is a more lightweight option but will still get the job done. In the winter months, it's good to layer your moisturizers, use a gel then a cream on top. Your skin is a lot dryer in the winter and it needs the extra moisture and protection. 

6. Sunscreen

In addition to applying a moisturizer, applying a sunscreen is just as important. Use a non-comedogenic sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Use it ev-er-y-day! Even when the sun is not shining, its rays are still penetrating into our skin. Especially in the winter because the sun reflects off of the snow making it stronger. Also, when applying, don't forget your neck and hands. They are the first to show signs of aging!

7. Moisturize your Body

Don't forget to apply a body lotion! We need to treat all of our skin the same and take care of it all. In the summer time, use a body lotion with an SPF of at least 15. 

Water Intake 

One of the most basic, yet most commonly over-looked, amazing things that we can do for our bodies is to drink plenty of water! Water is so important for humans, I mean, we are water based creatures so staying hydrated is key to keeping our bodies functioning at its best. Water is so simple but so incredible. It can flush out any toxin or impurity in our system. Most people probably think that they are drinking enough water. In fact, almost the entire population is suffering from chronic dehydration. In the book, Your Body's Many Cries for Water the author goes into detail and explains that obesity, pains, and premature physical degeneration are all related to being chronically dehydrated. 

Keeping your body hydrated is essential to healthy, radiant skin. It will also keep all of your organs functioning properly. Drinking the correct amount of water for your body can boost your immune system. The standard "rule" is 8-10 12 oz. glasses of water per day. This can be a bit excessive if you are consuming large amounts of raw plant foods (at least 80% of your diet). A good equation to find your perfect "dose" of water is

               Your total weight / 4  = # of oz. you should drink daily

If you find water boring, try adding some lemon or lime! They offer flavor and great cleansing properties. They are able to dissolve mucus in the body and allow the water you are drinking to move more freely in your body. The best time to drink an ample amount of water is first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach. Every morning you should drink at least 16 oz of water before you even get out of bed! It's not a good choice to drink water during or immediately after a meal. Water can dilute the digestive fluids in your body which can lead to poor vitamin absorption, and will make your body work harder to digest the food. Try drinking before your meals, you may even find that when you do, you're not as hungry as you thought you were. Sometimes we mistake thirst for hunger which lead us to overeat! 

Drinking plenty of water is a crucial part of our health and beauty. You will be surprised how good you feel and look when you start consuming the right amount for your body!

See what happened when this woman drank a gallon of water a day for a month!

http://www.dailyhiit.com

bareMinerals Original Foundation Review

I've been using bareMinerals foundation for almost three years and I have not used any other foundation since! It is definitely my go to product. You can purchase it online at www.bareescentuals.com or, at Sephora or Ulta. The price is $27, which I think is fair based on the quality and quantity of the product that you get. This is a perfect foundation for every skin type. What I love most about this product is that is is actually good for your skin! So it doesn't just cover up blemishes and imperfections but it actively works to correct them. It is completely mineral based and is made with creamy minerals to promote hydration of the skin. It is also made without parabens, binders, fillers or any other synthetic chemicals. Another great aspect of this foundation is that it contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to give you sun protection of SPF 15. 

This foundation comes in two finishes; original finish, which is natural and dewey, and a matte finish, for oily skin types. Even though it is technically a powder foundation it leaves more of a radiant finish on the skin. It is extremely natural looking and blends seamlessly into your skin. The coverage is completely build-able, you can create light coverage and  full. I would suggest different brushes depending on the amount of coverage you need. 

Flawless Face Brush

The Flawless Application Face brush is a perfect option for light to medium coverage. Its all natural bristles feel soft against the skin. bareMinerals suggests the swirl, tap, buff method when applying the foundation. You put some of the minerals in the lid, swirl the brush into the minerals, tap off the excess and buff into your skin in circular motions. The more you buff into the skin the more coverage you will get. The coverage of this foundation can be referred to as 'build-able' because, depending on how you apply it, you can add more layers to create your desired amount of coverage. This brush is also a good choice to use for a finishing powder, or a mineral veil. It will add a sheer layer to the skin to help make the foundation last longer. 

Full Flawless Face Brush

The Full Flawless Face brush may look very similar to the previous brush but, it is built a little differently. It's bristles are made out of the same all natural material but there are more of them. This is a dense brush used to create medium to full coverage. You would use this brush with the same swirl, tap, buff method. Both of these brushes come in the bareMinerals Get Started Kit which is great for people who are new to the brand.

The kit comes with:

• 2 shades of the original foundation
• original mineral veil
• all-over face color in warmth
• full flawless face brush
• flawless application face brush
• maximum coverage concealer brush

Exfoliators

Methods of Exfoliation

Exfoliation is essential to the health and youthful appearance of our skin. Everyday we shed millions of skin cells and they tend to build up on the surface of our skin. How do we remove these layers of dead skin? We exfoliate. Exfoliation is important because it aids in the effectiveness of the other products we use on our skin. How can our moisturizer work properly if it cannot penetrate through the dead skin? That's why we need to get rid of that layer. There are different methods of exfoliation; chemical and manual. Both are great ways to buff away the dull, dead skin and leave our skin glowing! 

Chemical Exfoliation 

Chemical exfoliants work by loosening up the dead skin to be easily removed. The two types of chemical exfoliants that I will be discussing are both acids; Salicylic Acid and Alpha Hydroxy Acids. 

Salicylic acid is derived from willow bark, sweet birch, and wintergreen. This is a great option for acne-prone and oily skin types. It is oil-soluble so it can break down and penetrate sebum, it could also be called an "oil fighting" acid. Salicylic also has anti-inflammatory properties which is another reason I would recommend it to someone with inflamed skin. However, salicylic can be extremely drying if it is overused, causing flakiness and dry patches. This acid always needs to be paired with a great moisturizer and sunscreen. Sunscreen is essential when chemically exfoliating your skin. The skin becomes sensitized and more likely to burn in the sun. 

Alpha hydroxy acid can be used on almost all skin types. These three types of aha's are most common and most available to purchase over-the-counter. Alpha hydroxy acids effectively remove hyperkeratosis (extreme build up of dead skin) and flaky skin. They need to have a lower pH than the skin to be effective, usually a 4.0 or 4.5 on the pH scale. 

Glycolic acid is derived from the sugar cane. It works to smooth and improve the skins texture. It can also even out the skin tone. This acid is an extreme photo-sensitizer and definitely needs to be paired with a sunscreen at least SPF 30. 

Lactic acid comes from sour milk. Its larger molecular size doesn't allow it to penetrate as deep as glycolic which makes it a better choice for sensitive skin types. Lactic acid is most commonly know for its great anti-aging benefits. It's also a humectant which aids in hydration of the skin. This acid is able to fade post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation (PIH, flat dark spots left on the skin after a break out has healed) and improve the appearance of fine lines by exfoliating and hydrating. 

Mandelic acid is made from almonds. It is most effective in improving pigmentation issues in the skin. It's a great choice for acne-prone, sensitive skin types because of its molecular structure. It is even bigger in size than lactic acid so it will not penetrate very deep, causing less irritation. Mandelic acid works very well in chemical peels paired with salicylic acid. Those two acids combined make an amazing treatment for acne and PIH. 

Manual Exfoliation

Manual, or physical exfoliation is more commonly know than chemical. Manual consists of scrubs and face brushes. Scrubs are the most common form of physical exfoliation. Even just using a wash cloth or esthetic sponge on your skin counts as exfoliation. 

Scrubs are usually suitable for most skin types, from dry-oily to acne prone. The only skin type I would not recommend a scrub to would be an extremely inflamed, cystic acne case. Those skin types generally benefit more from salicylic acid. Scrubs can be used almost daily depending of the consistency. Most skin care professionals recommend every other day use. Extremely gritty scrubs should be avoided (ex. St. Ives Apricot Scrub). Scrubs like this can cause micro-tearing in the skin. Micro-tears are tiny cuts made by a small sharp substance (apricot scrub) where bacteria and other harmful substances can enter the skin.  It can also cause inflamed skin to become more irritated. Look for scrubs with micro-beads instead. These are tiny round beads with no sharp edges so it cannot cause micro-tearing. Also, check the packaging for a "non-abrasive" scrub. 

Esthetic sponges are a great tool to use for gently exfoliating everyday. They also ensure that all of your makeup has come off at the end of the day. This style of exfoliation is perfect for all skin types. If you do have very sensitive skin you may want to pair the sponge with a cream cleanser. Used in combination with a scrub may be too harsh and cause redness and irritation. 

Skin brushes should be used in moderation and only with oily,normal,normal to dry, non-sensitive skin types. Anyone with acne, rosacea, cysts or any other inflamed skin condition should not use a skin brush. A skin brush I would recommend to everyone else would be the Clarisonic skin brush. It is extremely effective in removing make up and debris from the skin. A skin brush should never be used in combination with a scrub, and always with a gentle cream cleanser. 

Every skin care regimen should include exfoliation. It is necessary for keeping our skin glowing, hydrated, and healthy! 

Acidity Vs. Alkalinity

Acidity Vs. Alkalinity In Your Skin

Maintaining the skins pH is an important part of keeping well balanced skin. pH is an indication of liquids and a way to measure acidity and alkalinity in a fluid. Although our skin is not 100% fluid we do still have liquids in our cells. Our skins ultra-thin, moist outer layer, also known as the acid mantle is made made up of liquids. It's made up of sebum excreted from our sebaceous glands, mixed with lactic and amino acids from sweat to create the acid mantle. This mixture of sweat and oil creates a pH of roughly 5.5 in our skin. Yes, our skin is slightly acidic.

If you are not familiar with the pH scale, it goes from 0-14. Zero being completely acidic, fourteen being completely alkaline, and seven being neutral. 

Our skin regulates our pH but can be influenced by external, environmental factors. Our pH can change slightly depending on our diet, exercise habits, and cosmetics. 

Our diet plays in important role in maintaining a pH level of 5.5. Based on what we eat, our pH can fluctuate and become more acidic or more alkaline. If we are eating mostly animal based foods (which are extremely acidic in our bodies) we will excrete more acid through our sweat. You can't judge the acidity of a food on its own. Foods have much different pH levels in our bodies than they do by themselves. For instance, you may think a lemon is very acidic. However, lemons and other citrus fruits and very alkalizing in the body and offer many great benefits to our health. Another example would be dairy milk. On its own milk is a very alkaline substance. When put into the body, dairy becomes very acidic and does not offer many nutritional benefits. 

Exercise can have a mild affect on the skins pH level. Depending on how much you sweat determines the acidity of your skin. Also, if your sebaceous glands are working harder than your sudoriferous (sweat) glands then your skin will be slightly more alkaline. 

There are environmental factors that contribute to our skins pH level. Things that will make our skin more acidic are sun exposure, smoking cigarettes, air pollution and products that we use on our skin. 

Cosmetics can either make or break your skin (pH wise). It's really important to make sure that you are using the right products for your skin type. Otherwise you could be seriously disrupting your skin's natural pH level. 

Soap Vs. Cleanser

Soap may leave your skin feeling "squeaky clean" but it is very harsh and is harmful to your skin. Most soaps reach a nine or a ten on the pH scale which is way too alkaline for our skin to handle. It will completely strip the skin of the natural oils needed to protect us from harmful bacteria. Using soap on our skin can cause severe dryness and irritation, especially in sensitive skin types with disorders such as acne and rosacea. 

Cream cleansers are great for almost every skin type. Cleansers typically have a lower pH meaning that they are more acidic which can help keep your skin's acid mantle in tact. Many cleanser offer moisturizing and soothing benefits. However, most cleansers are great for most skin types some may be too acidic for some. Look out for ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids, retinoic acids, and amino fruit acids. When used incorrectly, they can cause extreme irritation and dryness. 

In contrary to popular belief, oil (in moderation) is actually great for your skin! Having a normal to oily skin type means that your skin will naturally be soft, lubricated and pretty hydrated. Some may even call sebum the "fountain of youth". Having oily skin, you may not experience as many fine lines as people with dryer skin types. If you have a normal to oily skin type look for a cleanser that includes emulsifiers. Emulsifiers cause oil and water to mix, creating emulsions (mmm.. sounds hydrating) allowing you to cleanse your skin without over drying and stripping your oil. 

People with dry skin and a lack  of oil, try a cream cleanser, they offer extra moisturizing properties and will help restore your skins natural moisture balance. 

Keeping skin properly moisturized and hydrated is extremely important to the health of your skin. If your skin is hydrated, there will be less of a need for it to produce oil, cutting your chances of a break-out significantly. 

-Kate

Hi, I'm Kate, I'm a 21 year old esthetician/make up artist based in Boston, Massachusetts. This is my first blog post ever. I'm not sure how these things are supposed to go but I think I have a slight idea. 

I have many interests and passions. I love skin care (obviously, I'm an esthetician). I love the skin and everything about it. I find it completely fascinating that this organ is built to protect our insides, and how well it stands up to the elements. Yes, the skin is naturally made to withstand harsh weather and environments. However, there are a number of things that we can do to protect our skin to keep it as healthy and strong as it can be. Sure, we want our skin to be healthy and strong to protect our bodies but, we also want it to look youthful and beautiful. In my opinion, the health of my skin is the most important, but how my skin looks and feels is right up there with it. 

I wanted to become an esthetician because I had always suffered from acne and just overall unhealthy, unbalanced skin. This made me so self-conscious and shy. I always thought that people were looking at my skin and not at me. I wanted to be able to help people that were just like me with their skin and hopefully help them gain confidence. On the topic of the skin, I am most interested in acne, how to control and manage it. Though there is no cure for this skin disorder, there are so many things that contribute and aggravate acne break- outs. But, with the correct use of a proper skin care regimen designed for your specific skin type you can successfully keep acne at bay and possibly never experience an inflamed break-out again! 

Being a make up artist I have a firm, educated understanding of the technical elements of make up artistry. I love make up! It's fun and gives you an opportunity to be creative, and also show your personal style. The thing that I hate about make up is that it too often replaces confidence in women. So many, many young girls and women use make up incorrectly. Not in the way that you'd think. But, they use it in a way to cover themselves up and use it to make themselves look like a different person. I have been  guilty of this beauty crime way too many times. Now, I only use make up to enhance what I naturally look like. I aspire to teach woman how to properly use make up, and show them how to glow from the inside out!

Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition. An extremely important part of the health of your skin. What we put into our mouths has an enormous impact on our skin, body, happiness, attitudes and everything in between. Having a plant-based, whole food diet gives your body the chance to thrive. In an upcoming post I will go into more detail about how a healthy diet can change you as a whole. 

I created BIObeauty for a million different reasons. Some reasons to inspire myself, but mostly to help and inspire others. The "BIO" in BIObeauty stands for; 1.) 'Belief In Oneself' which is my main definition of confidence. Self confidence is the key to your own success. If you don't believe in yourself how do you expect others to believe in you? And 2.) 'Vitality' bio, coming from the greek word bios which means 'life'. Vitality is the power that we have to live and grow. We should all be living our lives to the fullest and growing everyday.

I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share my thoughts and advice to millions of people. Even if I just help one person change their lives by thinking positively and becoming more confident I will be a success.