05 Aug
Better Beauty

The Lowdown on Jade Rolling

If you’ve been paying attention, then you’ve probably seen an influencer (or a few) praise the jade roller as a game-changer for their skin. While we can agree that it’s beautiful, the real question is – does it work? And if so, is it effective enough to make it worth the time? Let’s discuss.

AN ORIGINS STORY

The practice of Jade Rolling finds its origins in Ancient China, where it was used among the elites of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1927 AD). Proponents associated Jade, a natural mineral found in various shades of green, with healing and soothing properties. Auspiciously, it is also believed to bestow health, wealth, luck, and prosperity to those who own it – hence, many Chinese homes are adorned with jade statues, artifacts, and the likes.

THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

Our body is comprised of a complex network of vessels, nodes, and organs that together make up the lymphatic system. This network is responsible for moving around a clear liquid called lymph. Found within lymph are forms of white blood cells (lymphocytes and macrophages specifically), which are responsible for collecting toxins, waste products, bacteria, and damaged cells and transporting them to lymph nodes where they can be cleaned or destroyed.

THE BENEFITS

The basis of jade rolling is that it helps ‘push’ lymph through the lymph vessels towards the lymph nodes where it can be cleaned, thus detoxifying the face. Users often boast of

  • improved skin tone,
  • a ‘lifted’ and brightened complexion,
  • and lessened inflammation and puffiness.

The act of rolling is also quite relaxing, very much like a facial massage, and those who swear by it also claim to be living with less stress as it gets incorporated into their daily ‘self-care’ routine.

JADE ROLL LIKE A PRO

If you really want to reap the benefits of jade rolling, then proper technique can really make a difference.

  • To prevent pulling of the skin (and possibly making skin even worse), lubricate the skin with a mineral spray or a light non-comedogenic facial oil.
  • In gentle strokes of 3 to 5 times, start by rolling outwards along the clavicle and downwards along the neck. This will help open up the lymph nodes that are concentrated throughout these areas.
  • Move onto the jawline and cheeks, rolling outwards towards the temples.
  • Most jade rollers come with two sides, a large one and a smaller one. Using the smaller side, focus on the sensitive under-eye area, rolling outwards to the outer edge of the eye. Be extra gentle to avoid the lash area and avoid pulling on the skin.
  • Finish off with the forehead, rolling outwards to the hairline.

Pro-tip: keep your jade-roller in the fridge. The cooling sensation aids in depuffing your skin – and also just feels extra nice!

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

While it is certainly not a miracle cure for anti-aging, jade-rolling is effective in its claims of detoxifying skin. However, this is more due to the rolling than it is to the jade. Jade-rolling is essentially giving a targeted massage to the face, and much of the same can be accomplished with a rolling hand massage using the knuckle-side of a fist.

However, admittedly the jade adds a certain level of luxury to your self-care routine, especially when cooled in the fridge, making you more likely to add it to your daily self-care routine. And if it makes you feel good – then well, that’s the point of self-care in the first place, right?

Jade-rolling has stood the test of time because it works, and it also feels good doing it. Add jade-rolling to your daily skincare routine and your skin will thank you for it. However, just be patient – like most skincare, the results are gradual and cumulative – but over time and with the right technique, you should start to see more vitality and less puffiness in your skin.

11 Jun
Better Beauty

Slugging: Worth The Hype?

While some beauty trends can border on outrageous, there is one trend that we can wholeheartedly get behind: it’s called Slugging. Aptly named after the slimy member of the animal kingdom, it is a beauty trend that originated in K-Beauty (the Korean beauty industry). Let’s break down what slugging is, and why you should (or should not) add this to your beauty regimen.

WHAT EXACTLY IS SLUGGING?

The outermost component of the epidermis (the thin top layer of your skin) is called the stratum corneum, more commonly known as the skin barrier. It is made of tightly bound cells that are held together by ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids – which can be found in our sebum (natural facial oil).

The skin barrier serves to protect the layers underneath from pollution, UV rays, toxins, and most importantly from moisture loss. However, we all too often damage our skin barrier through harsh cleansers or active ingredients that dry out our skin and deplete our sebum production.

This is where slugging comes in. By creating a temporary skin barrier, it provides a window of opportunity where our natural barrier can be replenished and renewed.

HOW DOES SLUGGING WORK?

As mentioned, slugging temporarily replaces the natural skin barrier. It does this through an occlusive (remember this term, it’s very important!) such as petroleum jelly (ie. vaseline). Simplified, an occlusive is a moisturizing agent which forms a protective layer, creating a protective barrier and thus sealing in moisture.

While vaseline is the most widely used occlusive, you may also opt for Aquaphor or heavier creams, such as those offered by Cerave. A very thin layer applied overnight can do wonders, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by your supple, glowing skin come morning.

WHAT ABOUT ACNE-PRONE SKIN?

As amazing as slugging is, it’s not for everyone. If you have extra-sensitive or skin prone to cystic acne, you may want to skip this step. While you probably won’t break out from slugging alone, if you are still producing excess sebum, the oil will get trapped under the occlusive – and with nowhere to escape, it may end up clogging your pores, leading to a breakout.

But all hope is not lost. While you will want to prevent slugging all over when your skin is extra oily, you can try spot-treatments on areas that need extra TLC. Another option is reducing the slugging duration to a few hours, rather than overnight, as this will still provide some benefits without trapping 8 hours worth of excess oil.

HOW TO SLUG

Although the process of slathering your face in occlusive might seem a bit overwhelming at first, the most important things to remember are that A) less is more and B) hide your nice white linens. Here is how to slug:

  1. Do this at night right before sleeping, and after your night routine.
  2. Ensure your skin is very clean. The last thing you want is trapping dirt on your skin overnight. We recommend doing a double-cleanse with an oil-based cleanser, followed by a water-based one.
  3. Apply your humectants while your skin is still damp. This will provide the overnight hydration that you will trap underneath the occlusive. Our favourite is Hyaluronic Acid, but you can also try glycerin or aloe.
  4. Now the fun part: Apply a very thin layer of the occlusive (ie. vaseline) to your face or treatment area. Be sparing with your application – you really don’t need much, and doing so will extend the lifetime of your linens.
  5. Come morning, wash it off once again using the double-cleanse method (oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser).
  6. Lastly, with regards to frequency, it’s important to listen to your skin. For some, daily slugging works wonders while for others, once a week or once a month will be the most their skin can tolerate.

Slugging might sound intimidating but after your first session, you will wonder how you had ever lived without it. After all, there really are very few things better than waking up with a glorious, hydrated complexion – and your skin barrier will thank you!

20 Apr
Better Beauty

4 Beauty Lies You Tell Yourself

Do you know that little voice in your head? That voice is one of the most powerful tools you have in your arsenal to achieve the life you want to live. Unfortunately, it can also be the one thing that holds you back and keep you down as well.

Here are four things we say to ourselves, and which know inside to not be true. So stop lying to yourself – it’s due time to get rid of self-limiting beliefs.

#1 | "I'LL START LATER IN LIFE"

Procrastination is simply human nature – but procrastinating a good skin-care strategy can have compounding effects later in life. This rings true at any age, but especially in one’s 20s and 30s, when the visible signs of ageing should still be in their infancy. Ask any seasoned beauty professional and they will tell you that prevention is far easier than correction, so don’t wait until a new wrinkle has formed to start treating that area for those signs. Getting a head start will keep you ahead of the curve for longer, and when they do set in, they will be far easier to correct and keep at bay.

#2 | "I DON'T NEED SUNSCREEN TODAY"

Little things add up, both the good and the bad. Over time and with repeated exposure, some of the most damaging UV exposure occurs when we least expect it – such as on days with seemingly protective cloud coverage, or during unassuming runs down the ski slopes.

While sunscreen is increasingly crucial as we approach the Summer months, UV protection is not seasonal – we really do need it year-round. Incorporate SPF into your winter skincare routine, and you’ll be surprised with your skin’s natural glow when it’s finally time to bare the layers and show it off.

#3 | "JUST ONE MORE CAN'T HURT"

We all have our vices – and while we can appreciate our human faults, it’s important to respect the limitations we place on ourselves. So if your vice is sugary sweets then, by all means, go enjoy it – but set a limit with the awareness that exceeding that limit will eventually lead to consequences.

Keeping your hand out of that cookie jar, and enjoying your vices with discipline and moderation, will pay dividends for your skin’s quality down the road.

#4 | "I CAN'T CHANGE MY GENETICS"

While you can’t technically trade-in your genetics (well not yet, at least), it does not mean that your genes are not capable of better. Oftentimes we too easily blame our genetics before we blame our lifestyle and habits. This comes at the expense of revealing to ourselves what our genetics are truly capable of achieving.

So fall love in yourself and what you’re made of, and also enjoy the journey of pursuing your genetic potential. With time, discipline and good habits, you really may just surprise yourself!

06 Apr
Better Beauty

6 EASY, AT-HOME ANTI-AGING PRACTICES YOU CAN START TODAY!

Beautiful, clear skin. We all want it, some of us have it, and for the rest of us – well… we just haven’t quite figured it out yet. So what’s the secret to the fountain of youth? The surprising truth is that, barring extreme plastic surgery, the best anti-aging strategies are accessible and can begin right after reading this article!

So let’s go over the 6 Anti-Aging Strategies You Can Start Today

#1 | EXFOLIATE, EXFOLIATE, EXFOLIATE

Let’s start off with a no-brainer. We all know that exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, dirt and debris. But perhaps less known, yet more important, is that exfoliation allows your anti-aging serums and creams to penetrate deeper into your skin. It also enhances cellular turnover, which is the rate at which your skin regenerates! Exfoliation is a must for anyone who is serious about anti-aging (but don’t go overboard – your skin can only handle so much!). Our favorite is the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.

#2 | STAY THIRSTY!

Did you know that Gabrielle Union was nearly 30 years old when starred in the teen blockbuster ‘Bring It On’? The kicker is she pretty much looks the same two decades later! Gabrielle, along with a host of A-List Celebrities, swear by H2O as the most important habit that has kept them looking young and refreshed well into their years. The reason why is because your body directs hydration to the vital organs first, and works its way outwards. This means that your skin is one of the last organs to be rehydrated – so if you’re not drinking enough, you are essentially putting your skin through a drought. Aim for a gallon a day, which might seem like a lot, but stretched out over a day is a very manageable goal.

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#3 | MICRONEEDLING IS A GAME CHANGER

Not getting enough shut-eye? Numerous studies have shown that poor sleep patterns not only seriously hinders short-term memory, focus and recall – it will also take a serious toll on your skin! It’s called beauty sleep for a good reason – because this is the only time during the day in which your body can recover and regenerate.

Your skin is exposed to external factors throughout the day, such as sun and pollution, in addition to internal variables such as stress and hormones. The cumulative rate of all these external factors less the regeneration and recovery achieved during sleep equals your rate of visible aging. To simplify, the less you sleep the larger the difference – and therefore, the faster you age!

The thought of it can sound scary at first, but microneedling is scientifically proven to be one of the most effective non-invasive procedures to dramatically improve your skin’s elastin and collagen production. It works by creating microscopic tears in the upper layer of the dermis, triggering a natural healing response which creates new collagen and elastin.

Over time and with continued use, at-home microneedling can be the most effective at-home method to achieve and maintain a youthful appearance. The earlier in age that you start regular treatment, the better equipped you will be to prevent those early signs of aging in the first place. We recommend SkinReneu’s product Collagen-Boosting Microneedle Pen.

#4 | IT'S CALLED BEAUTY SLEEP FOR GOOD REASON

Not getting enough shut-eye? Numerous studies have shown that poor sleep patterns not only seriously hinders short-term memory, focus and recall – it will also take a serious toll on your skin! It’s called beauty sleep for a good reason – because this is the only time during the day in which your body can recover and regenerate.

Your skin is exposed to external factors throughout the day, such as sun and pollution, in addition to internal variables such as stress and hormones. The cumulative rate of all these external factors less the regeneration and recovery achieved during sleep equals your rate of visible aging. To simplify, the less you sleep the larger the difference – and therefore, the faster you age!

#5 | SUGAR IS NOT YOUR FRIEND

Caught with your hand in the cookie jar? Your skin will be paying the price! When sugar enters your body, it binds to protein – and the most important proteins when it comes to staying young? Well, that recognition goes to our dear friends Collagen and Elastin! So in essence, excess sugar – especially the processed kind – degrades the quality of your collagen and elastin. It also diminishes your body’s natural production of HGH (Human Growth Hormone), which plays an integral role in regulating your body’s muscle and fat composition.

#6 | MINDFULNESS MATTERS

Repeat after us: “A meditation each day keeps wrinkles at bay”. The best part is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on a Goop retreat, because meditation and mindfulness is free and can be practiced anywhere and for however long you wish! Meditation is scientically proven to lower cortisol levels, the skin-damaging hormone that is released in moments of stress. Unfortunately, many of us are perpetually stressed – meaning those all-too-important cortisol levels are raised far-too-often. Meditation is like a reset button, and incorporating it into your daily routine can also turn back the beauty clock!