For those of your whose missed out on our wellbeing web chat with the lovely Imelda Burke from Content, here’s a round up of everything we discussed.
Scroll down the page for answers.
1: What advice would you give to keep your skin looking it’s best when you’re lacking sleep? Thanks!
2: I am a religious user of SPF for face everyday but I find zinc oxide-based sunscreen clings to my dry patches (I have acne prone skin and acne treatment makes my skin peel). What do you recommend I should use and also, can you suggest a product to treat acne which won’t peel my skin? Many thanks!
3: My dad has had a very stressful time the few past months and he has now begun to suffer from shortness of breath. He’s had a medical check up and it’s all clear. We know it’s stress – but we just don’t know how to help him. Please help.
4: Do you have any tips to start the day alert and with a positive attitude and then, any advice to erase all the tensions accumulated during the day by bedtime? I literally wear my stress on my skin!
5: This year has been extremely hectic and stressful so far. Unfortunately, I have noticed that the stress has been affecting my hair, skin (more breakouts) and weight (especially around the stomach area!) Do you have any advice and tips that could help? Thanks for your help.
6: I have had blemish prone skin for years! I know that hormone imbalance is a big factor, unfortunately I cannot afford going to an endocrinologist just yet and I am afraid they will pump me with man made hormones, are there any natural supplements, tea, herbs that will help?
7: I’m 28 and still suffering with combination skin and occasional breakouts but I can also see first signs of ageing, especially on my forehead. I find anti-aging products too rich but products that target spot treatments too drying. Could you please recommend anything to help me with skincare routine or maybe dietary issues that can cause the breakouts. Thank you!
8: I would like to know if creams or serums are better for 40+ skin. Thank you.
9: I have heard raving reviews about ingredients such as AHA in cleanser/toner, L-ascorbic-acid, hyaluronic acid, peptide such as acetyl octapeptide, and MSM. Wondering what your opinions are on them? I have acne-prone skin and have bought the rosehip oil hoping to diminish my pigmentation and scars due to pimples. Do you think this will help? Thanks!
10: I know wrinkles are inevitable to some degree but I’d love to try and maintain a healthy glow at least. Any tips?
11: I have really dry and sensitive skin. I drink lots of water and eat loads of avocadoes (I heard they help with dry skin) but alas, it does seem to be becoming dryer and more reactive as I get older. Do you have any recommendations?
12: How do you recommend dealing with stress and negativity? 2013 so far hasn’t been great for me and it has affected my skin and attitude. Things are improving now (fingers crossed) and I’d love some tips for how to get back on track.
13: Is it true that dirty pillowcases can cause breakouts? If so how often should we change our pillowcases? Thanks
14: I am 32, working at nights and I am on a search for some healthy supplements to enhance my health and wellbeing. As a man I would like to keep it simple, so could you advise me some supplements and vitamins I should take? Thanks!
15: I’m 42, with very fussy skin, dry in the T zone, roseaca on my cheeks and occasional breakouts on my jaw line, chin and hair line, what skin care would you recommend?
16: As a new Mum I get hardly any sleep – I know it affects my hair, skin and general wellbeing! Have you got any tips to help?
18: I’ve just turned 40 and want to improve my skin health. Do you have any advice on lifestyle things I can do?
Q 1: What advice would you give to keep your skin looking it’s best when you’re lacking sleep? Thanks!
A 1: There are 3 things that if I do consistently I notice a visible difference in the tone, hydration and overall appearance of my skin – even when I’m not getting enough sleep.
– Green juice or smoothie – Daily! Use skin loving vegetables like cucumber and spinach with a little apple and ginger – even some turmeric.- Facial Massage – just a few minutes is hugely beneficial for the skin. It draws oxygen to the outer layers of the skin, increasing circulation – it gives you that fresh look that your skin has when you’ve been for a brisk walk in the cold. You can try it at home – in fact the new Pai Age Confidence Oil comes with a handy guide included.
– Reduce your sugar and caffeine intake – both affect your hormones, which not only have an effect on you whole body but also on your skin. Caffeine is dehydrating to the skin while sugar reduces the quality of the collagen in the skin. Hope that helps!
Q 2. I am a religious user of SPF for face everyday but I find zinc oxide-based sunscreen clings to my dry patches (I have acne prone skin and acne treatment makes my skin peel). What do you recommend I should use and also, can you suggest a product to treat acne which won’t peel my skin? Many thanks!
A 2: Natural sunscreens can be a tricky one! Unless you have an actual allergy to zinc-oxide it may be the base ingredients that are affecting your skin rather than the zinc. There are a few we find work well for our customers. The Vive Sana is worth a look – it is a thick consistency but the ingredients used in it have great skin benefits and should help with the dry patches. For acne – if it has been an on-going problem I would recommend seeing a practitioner. There are great topical products but you really need to get to the cause. In the meantime try our Content Skin Tea it has been formulated for exactly your skin type.
Q 3. My dad has had a very stressful time the few past months and he has now begun to suffer from shortness of breath. He’s had a medical check up and it’s all clear. We know it’s stress – but we just don’t know how to help him. Please help.
A 2: Thanks for writing in. It can be difficult to coax people into doing new things but I would really recommend trying to find a form of meditation that works for him. To do this provide him with all the medical research you can find – it is compelling reading and often getting people to read scientific research is better than talking about the emotional benefits. There is a great book call ‘Hurry Up and Meditate’ – it’s short, sights lots of research and is accessible. Failing that we do have wives that slip flower remedies into their husbands drinks!
Q 4. Do you have any tips to start the day alert and with a positive attitude and then, any advice to erase all the tensions accumulated during the day by bedtime? I literally wear my stress on my skin!
A 4: Great question! A friend of mine always recommends starting the day by getting outside even for 10 minutes. It’s amazing what a difference it makes to your mood. I myself try to always start the day with a green juice, it really wakes you up and kick starts your day better than coffee every will. This year is all about instilling rituals in our day and a bedtime one is really important. Even if you only have 10 minute creating a ritual will helps your mind unwind and body relax. Some of my favourites include meditation, herbal teas, flower remedies, and massaging your shoulders with a therapeutic oil. Hope that helps!
Q 5. This year has been extremely hectic and stressful so far. Unfortunately, I have noticed that the stress has been affecting my hair, skin (more breakouts) and weight (especially around the stomach area!) Do you have any advice and tips that could help? Thanks for your help.
A 5: Weight around the middle is a definite sign of stress! People gather more fat around their middle specifically because of the action of the stress hormone cortisol. Do everything you can to reduce that stress. I would recommend seeing a complementary medicine practitioner like a Naturopath or Acupuncturist. Herbs may be really beneficial for you but it would be best to work with a medical herbalist to formulate a tincture for you. There is lots you can do though – start today!
Q 6. I have had blemish prone skin for years! I know that hormone imbalance is a big factor, unfortunately I cannot afford going to an endocrinologist just yet and I am afraid they will pump me with man made hormones, are there any natural supplements, tea, herbs that will help?
A 6: Unfortunately this can be a problem for many people. There are many herbs, changes in diet, supplements and acupuncture that have helped many of our customers regulate hormones and improve skin and general wellbeing. It does depend on the underlying cause though. Our Herbalist has formulated a Skin Tea which helps with this in a gentle way. Until you can visit a practitioner you could start with the tea and work on making your diet more alkaline.
Q 7. I’m 28 and still suffering with combination skin and occasional breakouts but I can also see first signs of ageing, especially on my forehead. I find anti-aging products too rich but products that target spot treatments too drying. Could you please recommend anything to help me with skincare routine or maybe dietary issues that can cause the breakouts. Thank you!
A 7: It can be difficult to manage skin that has differing concerns. We are really excited about new targeted products coming out that can be used in just the areas you need. So a targeted wrinkle treatment would be great for your forehead and trying a balancing and purifying product on spots may help. With breakouts it really helps to pin the location to your internal health – have a read here and see if it makes sense for you http://bit.ly/12Txikr. Do you double cleanse? This can be really beneficial for skin prone to breakouts. Try and eat lots of anti-inflammatory foods and try some Omega 3 which help with both dryness and spots too.
Q 8. I would like to know if creams or serums are better for 40+ skin. Thank you
A 8: They both serve quite different purposes – a serum is where you will get a higher concentration of key ingredients in a form that the skin can easily absorb. Often if skin is on the drier side, rather than using a heavier cream, adding a serum will give it the boost it needs. I always layer a serum under my day cream or night oil. Hope that helps!
Q 9. I have heard raving reviews about ingredients such as AHA in cleanser/toner, L-ascorbic-acid, hyaluronic acid, peptide such as acetyl octapeptide, and MSM. Wondering what your opinions are on them? I have acne-prone skin and have bought the rosehip oil hoping to diminish my pigmentation and scars due to pimples. Do you think this will help? Thanks!
A 9: There are some very exciting developments in the field of ‘green chemistry’. Many brands now use plant derived Natural Hyaluronic Acid (sometimes derived from wheat and beetroot) and peptides – it’s great to see that natural brands can compete at the same performance levels expected from non-natural brands. We often find that when oily to acne skin types start using a product such as Rosehip oil their skin starts to balance itself and regulate its own oil production. Many of our customers find it really helps. I would suggest trying to get to the cause of the breakouts though – hormonal, stress etc.
Q 10. I know wrinkles are inevitable to some degree but I’d love to try and maintain a healthy glow at least. Any tips?
A 10: Feed the skin from within. Take a look at the foods you are eating and switch to more alkaline foods. An easy way to start is by filling half your plate with greens – kale, spinach, and broccoli are great for getting a glow. Do this for a month, on 2 meals a day and you’ll soon see the difference. If you find it difficult try adding a green super food drink. Pure Synergy or Synergy Super Greens are our most popular in store. Check you are also getting enough Omega 3’s. The larger organs of the body utilise these first so you do need to take a good quality supplement for up to 3 months before you see the true benefits for your skin. Don’t give up!
Q 11. I have really dry and sensitive skin. I drink lots of water and eat loads of avocadoes (I heard they help with dry skin) but alas, it does seem to be becoming dryer and more reactive as I get older. Do you have any recommendations?
A 11: I’ve suffered with this myself actually. Check you are getting enough Omega 3’s – the avocados may not be enough. The larger organs of the body utilise these first so you do need to take a good quality supplement for up to 3 months before you see the true benefits for your skin. Don’t give up! The other thing that really benefits my dry skin is feeding the skin from within. Take a look at the foods you are eating and switch to more alkaline foods. An easy way to start is by filling half your plate with greens – kale, spinach, and broccoli are great for getting a glow. Do this for a month, on 2 meals a day and you’ll soon see the difference. If you find it difficult try adding a green super food drink. Pure Synergy or Synergy Super Greens are our most popular instore.
Q 12. How do you recommend dealing with stress and negativity? 2013 so far hasn’t been great for me and it has affected my skin and attitude. Things are improving now (fingers crossed) and I’d love some tips for how to get back on track.
A 12: Meditation would be number one on my list – it helps on so many levels. Instore we all use the Lotus Wei Flower Essences which really help support the body mind and emotions no matter what is going on in life. Hope that helps and remember to try and think positive!
Q 13. Is it true that dirty pillowcases can cause breakouts? If so how often should we change our pillowcases? Thanks
A 13: Our Facialist Laura Jones would definitely recommend keeping a check on your linen. Most of us sleep on the same side each evening so it is a good idea if you are struggling with breakouts to change it regularly. It may not be the cause but it makes sense that if you have spent some time cleansing before bed you don’t want to be putting you face on not so clean linen!
Q 14. I am 32, working at nights and I am on a search for some healthy supplements to enhance my health and wellbeing. As a man I would like to keep it simple, so could you advise me some supplements and vitamins I should take? Thanks!
A 14: If you want to take just one – take a look at the Pure Synergy http://bit.ly/GGEaEX. It has everything you need – is organic and in a food state so it’s goodness is readily available to the body. Start with that and people will think you’ve been on holiday!
Q 15. I’m 42, with very fussy skin, dry in the T zone, roseaca on my cheeks and occasional breakouts on my jaw line, chin and hair line, what skin care would you recommend?
A 15: Lots of our customers have exactly your skin type, many have great success topically with the Pai range and getting back to basics – don’t overload the skin. You need to help it rebalance. Our Herbalist has done a great post on breakouts and how they relate to imbalances in the body. Have a read here http://bit.ly/12Txikr.
Q 16. As a new Mum I get hardly any sleep – I know it affects my hair, skin and general wellbeing! Have you got any tips to help?
A 16: It’s hard to replace all the good work sleep does for our bodies but you can help support it when you are lacking a few hours. Make sure you are starting your day right. Our practitioners would always recommend having a hearty breakfast to boost you energy levels for the day ahead. When I’m lacking sleep I start with a green smoothie with spinach, a good protein powder and avocado. Avoid caffeine, sugar and all stimulants throughout the day as they are a false economy – you feel great for a few hours and then crash.
I mentioned Tulsi tea before and it’s an easy one to add to your day. It helps to promote a sense of general wellbeing, relieves stress, supports immunity, strength and stamina. Everything you need as a busy Mum! If you don’t like the taste we sell it in a capsule form from New Chapter.
Q 18. I’ve just turned 40 and want to improve my skin health. Do you have any advice on lifestyle things I can do?
A 18: Definitely! If I start feeling a bit run down or just want to look and feel my absolute best there are 3 things that if I do consistently. First, green juice or smoothies! I have these daily – use super skin vegetables like cucumber and spinach with a little apple and ginger, even some turmeric if you’re feeling brave. Secondly, look at how much you sleep. It is important to work out how much sleep you actually need, some people only get by on enough sleep to function but not enough for their body to rest and repair. Finally, reduce your caffeine and sugar intake – both affect your hormones, which will not only have an effect on your whole body, but also on your skin. Caffeine is very dehydrating to the skin whilst sugar reduces the quality of the collagen in the skin. Hope that helps!
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