About me: 2015 CNY Preparation

It's Chinese New Year soon and of course, pineapple tarts is a must have. So I thought, this year I would make some of my own instead of purchasing them from the bakery shops. I used to get pineapple tarts from Mirana Cake House. They sell super delicious pineapple tarts. I couldn't stop myself from eating it once I start; so usually I finish one whole bottle in a day or two. It's scary, I gained 5kg over the festive season that year. Two things I learnt: discipline and know when to stop. 

The saying goes 'the person who cooks wouldn't eat much of what he/she cooks'- not because it's not appetizing, in fact, it's just the opposite. Truth is, I also don't know why and I'm not even sure if I catch the phrase correctly- it's just what my grandma used to say. But it happens that I don't eat much of the tarts I make. It's really delicious though (not trying to brag). Here's a pic of my hard work: 

I had a hard time making them because the first few times I didn't get the heat right. Then my sister got the hang of it and it helped me with making this batch of soft and nicely cooked pineapple tarts. She is so patient, I would have given up long ago. 

Can't wait to let my family and friends taste them:D

I got the recipe from http://mimibakeryhouse.blogspot.sg/2014/01/this-is-one-melts-in-your-mouth.html. It's really nice! Try this if you are thinking of making pineapple tarts of your own! 

DIY Pillow For A Good Night Rest

One of the best cures for dark circles and dull skin is a good night's sleep. Rest is essential to our health and our skin, yet so many of us do not get enough! 

Here's a solution: make your own pillow with herb mixtures to let you rest better.

Ingredients needed: 

• 100 per cent cotton or silk fabric
• Dried lavender
• Dried mint
• Dried rosemary
• Dried rose petals
• Flaxseeds or rice

With the right sides of fabric together, stitch a small pillowcase leaving one end open for filling. Mix together enough rice or flaxseeds to loosely fill your pillow with one or two tablespoons of dried herbs. Add more herbs until it pleases you. Fill the pillowcase with the herb mixture and stitch the open end close.

To use: Shake the pillow gently to release the herbal scents. Place under your pillow or under your head and neck, and relax. 

Sun Sense

Sun damage is by far the most significant cause of wrinkling, skin aging, and skin cancers. You may not see the damage when you are in your teens or your twenties, but it would show in your forties as the damage is cumulative that occurs beneath the skin's surface and doesn't show itself until after many years of exposure. To only rescue your skin when it is too late by using the various cosmetic products might not help much as which of those marketed anti-wrinkle creams really showed any results? Using sunscreen and avoiding prolonged, direct sun exposure from young is the only way to reduce that inevitable fate for your skin.

Sunscreens for oily skin
Regardless of the claim on the label, there are always risks that the base formulation can clog pores or feel slippery or greasy on the skin. There's also the problem that the sunscreen ingredients themselves can cause an irritated breakout reaction, a response to the synthetically derived sunscreen agents. 

Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are inert minerals used as sunscreen ingredients. They have minimal to no risk of causing an allergic reaction, and are considered by most researchers to be benign and safe for skin. That said, they could still clog pores, being the thick and occlusive ingredients that they are. Given the wide variety in formulations, there is no way to quantify which ingredients are more problematic than others for causing problems. You could only experiment with them. 

For oily skin, wearing a foundation with a high SPF is an excellent idea, particularly for women with oily skin who don't want to wear layers of skincare products. The one negative about using a foundation with sunscreen is that you need to apply it generously; thin, sheer applications don't work.

If you wear a foundation with a good SPF you might forget to use a sunscreen on your hands, neck, throat, chest, or any other area of your body that is exposed to the sun on a daily basis. If so, those brown "age spots" might appear around those areas later part of your life.

3 Acne Myths

I read about these from a book I borrowed and thought they were pretty interesting. But I'm just taking those that concern acne sufferers.

1. Women outgrow acne

In fact, women in their 20s, 30s, 40s and even 50s can have acne just like teenagers. Not everyone who has acne as a teenager will grow out of it, and even if you had clear skin as a teenager, there's no guarantee that you won't get acne later in life. What is true is that men can outgrow acne, because after puberty men's hormone levels level out, while women's hormone levels fluctuate throughout their lifetime.  

 2. Acne is caused by eating the wrong food

This is both true and false. The traditional foods thought to cause acne, such as chocolate and greasy foods, have no effect on acne, and there is no research indicating otherwise. (I have been deceived for so long! But in retrospect, I still eat fast food once in while so this revelation won't affect my eating habits as much. Of course, I'm not trying to say we can eat greasy food as and when we like. Moderation, moderation. It's a known fact that fast food is BAD so avoid it.) 

However, a diet high in carbohydrates; a high glycemic load can increase breakouts, while a low glycemic load can reduce their occurrence. [Glycemic load is a ranking system for the amount of carbs in a food portion] I don't really know about the carbs diet part BUT I AM AN ASIAN! My meals revolve around rice which is considered as carbohydrate! Maybe rice does not have a high glycemic load...

So I googled about it and extracted this sentence from the link below: "Although they have found no conclusive evidence within the scientific literature on the matter to prove that diet causes acne, they have determined that diets containing high-glycemic index foods, and milk in particular, appear to aggravate the condition."
http://www.medicaldaily.com/acne-and-diet-milk-and-high-glycemic-foods-may-exacerbate-skin-condition-247967

Carbs are essential for a balanced diet as well. We can't avoid it entirely so I went on to look into low Gl food and this page gives some example:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/25843-list-low-glycemic-carbohydrate-foods/



3. If you clean your face better you can clear up your acne

Over-cleaning your face can actually make matters worse. Don't confuse scrubbing or "deep-cleaning" with helping acne, because it doesn't. Over-cleansing triggers inflammation that can make acne worse. What really helps breakouts is using a gentle cleanser so you don't damage your skin's outer barrier or create inflammation, both of which hinder your skin's ability to heal and fight bacteria, along with using gentle exfoliation.

Terms You Should Look Out For When Searching For Skin Products

It's essential to read the labels on the products to make sure your skin is suitable for them. For example, if you suffer from acne, some of the hydrating and oil-based lotions in a typical facial could cause your skin to break out. If you have ultra-sensitive and acne-prone skin like me, then this is even more crucial when it comes to trying out new products. As written in my first post, I would use products that cater to sensitive skin from NIKS Professional and then I would use Neo Medrol on those big pimples. Simple is usually the best when it comes to sensitive skin:)

Better choice for acne-prone skin:

• "oil-free"
• "non-comedogenic" - the ingredients have been tested and shown not to clog up pores.
• "clarifying"
• "purifying"

Terms you should be wary of:

• "dermatologically tested" - there is no standardization for this phrase and others like it, which could mean different things, and they are in no way a sign that the product does as it claims. "Dermatologist recommended" is another vague phrase, as it might only refer to one dermatologist! 

• There are no specific criteria a product must attain before it can be labelled "natural". Natural products may contain synthetic ingredients, and truly natural ingredients such as rosemary and lavender can cause reactions in some people too.

• "Occlusives" work by covering the skin with a thin film that prevents moisture from escaping, but they can cause acne and clog pores if used on the wrong skin. Varieties include "paraffin", "cetyl palmitate", "dimethicone" and "mineral oil".

• "Hypoallergenic" - It is patently untrue that products labelled "hypoallergenic" are better for sensitive skin. There are absolutely no accepted testing methods, ingredients restrictions, regulations or procedures of any kind to determine whether a product qualifies as being hypoallergenic. Given that there are no restrictions governing this supposed category that was made up by the cosmetics industry, there are plenty of products labelled "hypoallergenic" that contain problematic ingredients and that could indeed trigger allergic reactions, even for those with no previous history of skin sensitivity. 

• "Cosmeceutical" is a false advertising gimmick created by dermatologists to suggest their "cosmeceutical" products are somehow better than other products in the cosmetics industry. A quick comparison of ingredient lists reveals that there is nothing more unique about cosmeceuticals than any other cosmetics present. Plus, the FDA does not consider the term "cosmeceutical" to be a valid product class, so the term isn't regulated.

• "Noncomedogenic" is a meaningless word the cosmetics industry uses to indicate that a product is less likely to cause breakouts: the problem is no standards or regulations have been set up to describe this category. 

Homemade Oatmeal Face Mask

So I decided to create a soothing and moisturising face mask though I'm not the dry skin type. But since I'm going to Shanghai next week and it's experiencing winter, I thought I could pack some oatmeal there to moisturise my face.

Recipe I got from the book:

1. Mixing together an egg yolk with a tablespoon of honey (use the famously antiseptic manuka honey if skin is prone to spots)
2. Add enough smooth oatmeal to make a thick paste.
3. Leave on for 10 minutes, or 15 minutes if your skin is very dry and needs a calming boost.

Alternatively, check out this website which includes almond for exfoliation. 

http://michellephan.com/simple-easy-diy-oatmeal-face-mask-honey-almonds/

As for what I did with the oatmeal I bought:

1. Mixing milk and oatmeal to make a very thick paste
2. Add natural yogurt to make a thick paste 
3. Leave on for around 10 minutes (until it dries)

Yogurt is a great moisturiser for the skin and, because of its helpful bacteria, it also helps to reduce blemishes. Add to home made face creams and masks for immediate use, or use on its own for a 30-minute booster. Make sure that you rinse well afterwards.

This is how it turned out for me: 

I made a pretty large serving since my family wanted to try it too. Haha! I tried it on my hand and waited it out though I'm not sure if that's the way to test if your skin is suited for it but I was too lazy to figure out exactly where I am supposed to apply before applying on my face. 

A downside to using oatmeal is when removing the mask, it poses as a problem to me. It's a little difficult to remove and I'm already using a face sponge. Most importantly, I'm afraid it might clog my basin drainer- so disposing is a problem. BUT, what's left is a refreshed and temporary whitened skin! HAHAHHA, that I won't complain. I didn't take a before after photo so I couldn't prove it here:( 

To anybody who is trying to make their own oatmeal mask, I hope it will introduce more radiance to your skin! Till next time:D

Skincar3 in the natural way! [Health & Nutrition]

I'm not an avid reader of health or lifestyle guides, just very into YA fiction. But recently, I came across this book called 1001 little SKINCARE MIRACLES by Esme Floyd. I found it useful or maybe it's just that I haven't been reading enough so anything that's under the title 'skincare miracles' would have been particularly fascinating.

In this blog and maybe subsequent blogs, I would pick some facts or tips from the book that are useful for people with acne-prone or sensitive or oily skin. Oh, and by the way, they aren't about products, but about simple decisions and actions you can take to help your skin look and feel it's best. In other words, it's about doing it the natural way! 

Sensitive skin will benefit from a simple, uncomplicated routine with gentle, scent-free products. Also, avoid using water that is too hot or cold, which may cause further redness, and any products containing too many active ingredients like botanicals or cosmeceuticals. 

Every skin type needs a daily moisturizer, so know the one suitable for you. Lightweight gels and simple moisturizers are good for young and sensitive skins. 

It's all too tempting to accumulate a whole range of skincare products, but simple is usually the best. Try to stick to one brand at a time as the products are designed to work in harmony. Even though it's what most marketing campaigns imply, don't expect overnight changes when you alter your skincare regime. If you're using a new cream or product, allow at least two weeks, preferably a month before you make a decision about whether to continue using it. Your skin takes about 28 days to totally regenerate, so as long as new products don't cause adverse reactions keep on using them for a while before you judge them. 

If you find your skin is prone to blackheads, oiliness and breakouts it might be worth reducing your milk and dairy intake, as there is some anecdotal evidence that the hormones contained in dairy products can lead to breakouts. Although not scientifically sound, it's worth a try if you're suffering spotty skin.

Omega-3 oils have been shown to control the production of leukotriene B4, which can cause acne and skin inflammation. To up your levels of omega 3, take a supplement daily or add the usual omega suspects to your diet everyday- walnuts, avocados, flaxseed oil and oily fish are all great choices!

Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in red grapes and an antioxidant and anti-cancer agent, helps mop up the damage caused by sun and pollution exposure, helping skin to heal itself following damage. 

For detoxing, squeeze the juice of a grapefruit and a lemon into a glass and dilute with filtered water. Add the juice of one clove of garlic, a knob of fresh ginger and a touch of extra virgin olive oil. Stir and sip slowly for a liver cleansing detox drink. Often when people do a detox, the skin can get worse before it get better. Don't give up, though- your skin is the last organ to respond, so wait it out if you can. Pineapple contains a natural substance called bromelain that acts as natural anti-inflammatory in the joints and and skin. Try drinking a glass of fresh pineapple in the evening throughout your detox.

http://www.purefreshdaily.com/recipes/cleansing/dr-gary-nulls-liver-gallbladder-cleanse?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:%20PureFreshDaily%20(Pure%20Fresh%20Daily)

Did you know that for each hour of sleep you lose each night, your stress levels could increase by over 10 per cent? Stress worsens inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis, rosacea and acne and can cause other skin problems like breakouts, dullness, blushing and flushing, hives and perspiration, so it's important to get enough sleep. [Sprinkling a few drops of lavendar oil on your pillow can help you sleep as the herb is linked to restfulness and helps your body feel calm and sleepy]

The no. 1 tip for better skin is to ensure you drink enough water. Drinking at least 6 glasses of water a day helps to suppress appetite, metabolise fat (I DIDN'T KNOW THAT!), and keep your body and skin fully hydrated and younger looking. Fizzy drinks, herbal teas and fruit juice will not provide the same benefits as plain water. 

Many people who lead busy lives forget to drink enough water then gulp down two or three glasses at once when they finally remember. If this sounds like you, why not set an alarm to remind yourself to drink a small glass of water at each alarm? If it becomes a routine, you wouldn't need the alarm anymore.

That's it for health and nutrition! :D