The B Life

Yes! You read that correctly. That zesty spice we put in chili or quinoa salad? It is remarkably soothing and calming for one's skin. Turmeric’ s benefits go beyond spicing up curry. This orange-colored root, a member of the ginger family, has significant beauty benefits too! It exfoliates and brightens skin, slows wrinkle formation, fights acne, fades scars and blemishes, and controls inflammation.

The active ingredient in turmeric is Curcumin and is a natural antiseptic with antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti microbial properties. It sounds downright miraculous. But you may be wondering, how exactly does Curcumin accomplish all of this? One of the most powerful benefits of Curcumin is its ability to control inflammation. It's known to have antibacterial properties, for starters, which means it's helpful at keeping blemishes at bay and healing small wounds. It also can reduce certain enzymes in the body that are responsible for inflammation. This makes it a great skin care ingredient to soothe irritation. And since the spice is also an antioxidant, it can fight free radicals and reduce some of the damage they might do.

Because turmeric has a mild abrasive texture, its an ideal skin exfoliation. Skincare companies are using it in cleansers and scrubs that promise cell regeneration and smooth soft skin. Brands are also using turmeric as a key ingredient in brightening masks due to its ability to illuminate and rejuvenate dull-looking skin. Having age-related pigmentation? Then turmeric is something to try because its protective properties. It protects the deeper layers of the skin from wrinkles and premature aging, making it an ideal ingredient in moisturizing serums, creams, and lotions.

Turmeric-infused toners, serums, and balms attack acne-causing bacteria and germs, while reducing redness. It fades blemishes and scars by speeding up the healing process of wounds. Plus turmeric is rich in Vitamin C, which boosts collagen and encourages healing.

With very low chances of side effects, incorporating turmeric into your beauty routine seems like a no-brainer.

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The early tradition of dry brushing has reemerged as one of the simplest and most therapeutic forms of detoxification and skin exfoliation.

The skin is our body’s largest organ. It’s also our first line of defense to potential invaders and one of the primary ways we eliminate toxins from the body. Taking care of our skin is essential to our health. While dry brushing can be a great way to take care of our skin, the benefits are more than just skin deep.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DRY BRUSHING?

Stimulates our lymphatic system

The lymphatic system is a network of vessels that work to drain, cleanse and filter body fluid, then return it to the bloodstream. The lymphatic system is often considered synonymous with our immune system. Think of the lymphatic system as an overflow mechanism that takes “lymph” (fluid filled with white blood cells) from the blood and into lymphatic circulation. This lymph is then circulated through our lymph nodes whose role is to filter pathogens or other cellular waste found throughout the body. This is why, when you’re sick, your lymph nodes are enlarged. They are working extra hard and are potentially backlogged doing their best to filter out whatever harmful substances are in your body.

The ritual of dry brushing can stimulate our lymphatic system, promoting elimination of pathogens and excess cellular waste. While our body does a great job of this on its own, it doesn’t hurt to give it a boost!

Stimulates circulation

Dry brushing also stimulates our circulation, increasing blood flow currents throughout the body and up towards the surface of the skin. Increased circulation is associated with improved digestion, cardiovascular and muscular system function. Dry brushing has an invigorating feeling. You may experience a gentle tingling sensation that simultaneously energizes yet relaxes. This is why many people incorporate dry brushing into their self-care routine as its benefits can be both physiological and therapeutic.

Exfoliates the skin and unclogs pores

Most people associate clogged pores with just their face. However, clogged pores and dry skin can happen all over the body as a result of our normal day-to-day. This can lead to ingrown hairs, random bumps or blemishes, dull looking skin and make it harder for our bodies to excrete toxins. Dry brushing gently sloughs off dead skin, unclogging pores and leaving our skin feeling softer and smoother than before.

May reduce the appearance of cellulite

While there aren’t studies or research to support this, many dry brushing advocates swear by the ritual’s ability to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Some say it’s a temporary side effect due to the boost in circulation and lymph currents, others believe it’s more permanent, and some question this claim completely. Of all the reasons why you should incorporate dry brushing into your routine, I don’t believe this should be number one. However, consider this an added bonus if it works for you!

SO HOW DO YOU DRY BRUSH?

Dry brushing can be easily incorporated into your daily beauty routine or your more intentional self-care rituals. Choose a brush with natural bristles. Dry brushing is most effective just before you shower, priming your skin to receive and soak in moisture. Due to its invigorating effects, many people prefer to dry brush in the morning, but the best time will be what works for you.

To get the most out of your ritual, consider incorporating body oil. Add a quarter size amount to your palm, then using your hand, coat the end of the bristles in the oil. Essential oils are another great option. Apply similarly using just 1-2 drops.

Begin brushing from the bottom of your feet, working your way up the body in a long, smooth motion. A good rule of thumb is to always brush towards the heart. Use moderate yet gentle pressure. Your skin should tingle, but not feel irritated. Spend more time on areas that need extra stimulation or that may harbor dry skin. A few upward motions per area is enough, adjusting for more sensitive regions like the stomach and chest. When dry brushing your belly and lower abdomen, use a clockwise motion when looking down, mimicking the direction of your natural digestion. After dry brushing, be sure to moisturize well. 

If you have any history of skin conditions, it’s best to avoid dry brushing. For people with sensitive skin, use very gentle pressure and avoid dry brushing every day. Pay attention to how your skin responds and adjust frequency and pressure as needed.

Dry brushing is a simple, affordable and effective way to maintain healthy skin and boost our body’s natural detoxification process. Try it out and see what you think!

Hyperpigmentation, which is an overproduction of melanin on certain areas of the skin, is a common issue for African Americans. And if you factor in scarring that can occur as a result of sun damage, acne, or any other trauma to the skin, we’re especially at risk for uneven skin tone which leaves many feeling insecure about their complexion.

You may have noticed an influx of Vitamin C-based skincare products flooding the market. It's no coincidence! 

Clinical studies in the last 5 years have shown that Vitamin C in its many forms is "one of the most powerful and abundant antioxidants in the skin" and that topical Vitamin C has been "shown to protect against photoaging, ultraviolet-induced immunosuppression, and photocarcinogenesis." This means that (when applied to the skin) Vitamin C can protect against and reduce the effects of sun damage and skin cancer.

Vitamin C also:

That is a lot of benefits from just one vitamin! It's a no-brainer to want to use Vitamin C to protect and enhance your skin, but the trick to using it correctly (and effectively) is knowing what kind, how much, and when to use it.

Here are our top 3 tips for reaping the benefits of Vitamin C:

THE RIGHT TYPE OF VITAMIN C

Look for the following ingredients when searching for the right Vitamin C product for you: 

L-ascorbic acid (the most studied, often paired with ferulic acid for stability and effectiveness), ascorbyl-6-palmitate, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (the most stable and easily absorbed). These are all common forms of Vitamin C used in topical applications and are the most effective. Bonus: the addition of vitamin E and ferulic acid to a formula increases the effectiveness of Vitamin C eight-fold!

HOW MUCH

When seeking the right concentration of Vitamin C in a formula, look for about 10-20%. Less than 8% means there's not enough to be effective, and more than 20% does not increase biological significance and can actually cause irritation.

 WHEN TO APPLY

The body does not make its own Vitamin C, so we need to supplement it on a daily basis. To ensure there is enough Vitamin C on your skin to adequately protect you from photodamage, be sure to reapply every 8 hours–that's an easy morning and evening regimen. Apply 4-6 drops after cleansing or toning, smooth over face and neck, let dry, and then apply your moisturizer. Allow a two-hour buffer before sun exposure to minimize irritation for sensitive skin, and to allow the cream or serum to be fully absorbed. Be careful to only apply to skin as the brightening effect can bleach hair as well. 

With summer now in full swing, we’ve got one thing on our mind: watermelons. OK and glowing, fresh summer skin. And what happens when you combine the most delicious fruit (it’s a fact) and the desire for a healthy complexion? Watermelon seed oil, obviously!

If you want to get all scientific about how you get this type of oil— and we kinda love this stuff —watermelon seeds are extracted from the seed casing and left to dry out in the hot sun. Then, these seeds are pressed, and voila! That’s when the actual oil is extracted and formed. From that process, you’re left with an ingredient that is majorly helpful to the skin for a bunch of reasons:

Contains unsaturated fatty acids: Similar to when it’s in chocolate, these fatty acids help the skin stay hydrated, firm, toned, and can even fend off skin issues like acne.

Balances sebum: Sebum is an oily substance created by your body to protect your skin. When your skin is out of whack and over produces sebum it can cause a greasy appearance and clog your pores. Watermelon seed oil can help break down daily grime that’s sitting on your face and work to balance your natural sebum protection. 

Vitamin E: It can help your immune system, even when only placed on your skin. Watermelon seed oil also contains Vitamins A and B, which can detox and heal the your complexion.

Loads of antioxidants: The holy grail of skincare! The antioxidants in watermelon seed slow the aging process, protect against free radicals, promote elasticity (aka the opposite of wrinkles) and repair skin via healthy nutrition for the skin.

Anti-inflammatory: It’s even been shown to reduce bloat or general inflammation around the face and eyes.

The oil is also high in Omega fats, minerals, and healthy acids, so it’s a true superstar when it comes to nutritional value for your skin. And for this reason, it’s a major part of our beauty routine, especially when it comes to the cleansing process. Ahhh, even more reason to love the cute pink and green summer fruit (and those once-annoying seeds!).