Tag Archives: Spring

Let’s Talk Fine Mist Sprays

With July 4th approaching, I am sure you will be spending plenty of time outside this weekend.  And as the temperature begins to rise, you might be looking for a quick way to cool down and refresh.  Hydration is key to keep your skin looking its best and feeling refreshed, but I am not talking about just drinking a glass of water (or six, or seven glasses like you should be drinking daily).  I am talking about fine mist sprays.  I know what you are probably thinking…fine mist sprays are just water in an aerosol can, but fine mist sprays are a wonderful way to hydrate your skin.  Think of them as the adult version of running thru a sprinkler as a child.  To properly use a facial mist and prevent your skin from drying out, hold the can six-inches away from your face and spray.  Let the mist sit for one-minute on your skin and then blot off excess mist with a tissue or rag (blotting is key).  You can also apply your fine mist spray underneath your daily moisturizer, which allows moisture to stay locked in under the skin.  Just remember that not all fine mist sprays are created equal.  Some contain antioxidants and healing properties, others contain essential oils.  Some facial sprays are better for the winter months, others may be better for the Summer months.  They even contain different water types (distilled water versus thermal water).  Just exercise caution with how many times you apply your facial mist daily.  Just like licking your lips, applying a fine mist too many times a day can leave your skin dry and irritated.  Also, if buying an aerosol based facial spray it may contain alcohol or a VOC compound which can also dry out your skin.

Leave a reply

Sunburn Relief 101

So you did it…you burned yourself crispy.  You don’t need the guilt trip associated with three to four days of discomfort and several days of peeling ahead.  We have all heard that dreaded phrase “you should have used sunscreen” and hopefully you learned your lesson.  Now you need a course of action to prevent/minimize the pain and peeling associated with your sunburn.

Milk – Soak a small towel in cold milk and lightly pat the cloth on the effected areas.  This is probably the most cost effective and quickest methods to easing your sunburn pain, while simultaneously creating a layer of protein to protect your skin and help it heal.

Yogurt – Also milk based, yogurt holds large amounts of probiotics and enzymes that help heal a sunburn.  Be sure to use plain live cultured yogurt when applying to the burn.  Let the yogurt sit for five minutes on the skin before rinsing off with cool or luke-warm water.

Aloe Vera – This treatment has been around forever, but it still works as effectively as ever.  Aloe vera  cools and alleviates immediate pain, while also helping to remove the redness from your sunburn.

Cucumber Slices or Paste – Place cucumber slices on sunburned areas can help soothe burned skin.  This miracle vegetable not only helps to relieve the burn but is loaded with antioxidants to promote healing.  If you plan on making a cucumber paste in the blender you can also add some aloe vera to the mixture for additional soothing properties.

Hydrate – You literally just burnt your skin, so there is a good chance you are somewhat dehydrated as well.  Your sunburn has also dried your skin out.  Make sure you are drinking plenty of water during this time to heal your skin.

There are dozens of other ways to help limit pain and discomfort identified with your sunburn.  These are just a few of the treatments I have chosen today.  Potato, witch hazel, oatmeal, apple cider vinegar and mint are just a few of the others I did not have time to touch today.  Just keep in mind the true prevention to a sunburn is to apply sunscreen regularly.

 

Leave a reply