Showing posts with label natural moisturizing factor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label natural moisturizing factor. Show all posts

Sunday, July 31, 2011

IS CUCUMBER REALLY THAT WONDERFUL?

IS CUCUMBER REALLY THAT WONDERFUL?


(photo from ufseeds.com)
A friend forwarded me this mail.  I am sharing it because it's very interesting.  However, please be very discerning. I have not checked the veracity of any information here.  I do not even know where this article came from.  So, have fun reading it. Use wisdom and caution when trying the tips.  And own up.  Whatever the results, you were warned and you were the one who made the decision to try.

In short, don't blame me if you fall asleep after eating a cucumber. And don't blame the cucumber if people still shy away from you because of foul odor coming from your not-so-kissable mouth.  Even if you put 10 cucumbers at the roof of your mouth, the article didn't say you should stop brushing your teeth.  The cucumber is supposed to be a stop-gap measure. It was never meant to be a toothbrush, much less, a toothpaste.

Here goes:

"1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need.  Every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a
Cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that Quick pick-me-up that can last for Hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a
Cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, Spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give Off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the
Area.

5 Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6.. Want to avoid a hangover or Terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices
Before going to bed and wake up refreshed and Headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B Vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and
headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers
Have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a Quick and durable shine that not only looks
great but also repels Water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a Cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic Hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, Facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire Cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or Mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 Seconds to eliminate bad breath, the Phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your Mouth responsible for causing bad Breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel?
Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the Surface you want to clean, not only will it Remove years of tarnish and bring back the Shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm You fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a Pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen Writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!"

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Is Water Good or Bad for Dry Skin?

Is Water Good or Bad for Dry Skin?
From Heather Brannon, MD, former About.com Guide
Updated January 22, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Question: Is Water Good or Bad for Dry Skin?

You would think that putting water on the skin would moisturize it more, but the opposite is true. Plain water that comes in contact with skin evaporates and takes with it many of the skin's natural oils called natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The more frequently that skin comes into contact with water, the drier it gets -- unless those natural oils are replaced. Since you have to use water for bathing, how do you do so without drying out the skin?

Answer:
The following are some guidelines to follow when it comes to water and dry skin:

•Water temperature should be tepid -- hot water takes more oils away than cool water.
•The length of water contact should be short -- no long, hot showers if your skin is dry.
•Unless you have mud and grime on you, you really don't have to use soap everywhere on your body. It's OK to just use soap in "pits and parts" -- in areas where you sweat, like armpits and the genital area (private parts).
•If you need soap, use one of the recommended soaps for dry skin that contain emollients and actually replace the skin's natural oils.
•Using antibacterial gels for hand-washing does not cause the skin to dry out because the alcohol does not bind to the skin's oils.
•When drying off, pat the skin dry with a towel until the skin is not dripping - do not rub the skin vigorously.
•Use a good moisturizer on the skin immediately after any contact with water.
Sources:

Coderch L, et al. "Efficacy of stratum corneum lipid supplementation on human skin." Contact Dermatitis. 3(2002):139-46.

Johnson, Anthony. "Overview: fundamental skin care - protecting the barrier." Dermatologic Therapy. 17(2004):1-5.

MY THOUGHTS

dry skin is not so terrible. there are so many lotions out there. it's the combination skin that requires more care. but this is an interesting article about water. it makes sense though.