Rooibos Tea - Nature's Powerhouse for the Skin

Rooibos tea is made from the leaves of the Aspalathus Linearis (or "red bush") plant, which grows only in the small Cederberg region of South Africa. Because it does not derive from the Camillia sinensis plant (like black, white, green or oolong teas), rooibos tea is considered more of an herbal drink or tisane than a "true" tea. Rooibos Tea contains 30 times the antioxidants found in Green Tea!

Because it's packed with many antioxidants and minerals, rooibos ("red bush") tea is an extremely healthy choice for all tea drinkers. Aside from its ability to fight cancer, depression and asthma, drinking rooibos tea also has a more cosmetic benefit: it promotes healthier skin. Not only will you feel good if you drink rooibos tea, your skin will also look good. A few of the reasons that rooibos gives you healthier skin are:

Help for eczema and acne - Studies have shown that rooibos tea helps to treat various skin disorders, including eczema and acne. People with acne have reported that both drinking the tea and applying it to their skin helped to decrease their amount of facial eruptions. Though studies are still underway to determine what exactly is in rooibos tea that helps the skin recover from these disorders, scientists believe that it may be the tea's high level of flavonoids, which encourage the body to destroy unwanted pathogens. Whatever the exact reason, rooibos tea clearly contributes to healthier skin for those suffering from common skin disorders.

Anti-aging - Rooibos tea is rich with the enzyme superoxide dismutase. Though the enzyme's name sounds complex, what it does is for skin is simple: it is an excellent anti-aging substance. Superoxide dismutase is necessary for the production of healthy skin-producing cells, and high levels of the enzyme guarantee healthier skin for rooibos drinkers. Superoxide dismutase also fights wrinkles by neutralizing the free radicals that cause them, which is wonderful for those who want to slow the aging process. Now that they have recognized the anti-aging ability of rooibos tea, scientists are beginning to develop more anti-aging products from rooibos tea leaves. Though the field is still young, rooibos tea skin care products are an exciting intervention in the anti-aging product line.

Hypoallergenic and Antibacterial - Another benefit of rooibos tea as it relates to healthier skin is that it is hypoallergenic. This is a promising characteristic in the skin care world because it allows scientists to develop a number of skin care and cosmetic products that are naturally suitable for all skin types. The tea's antibacterial nature is one more advantage, as it can treat and alleviate bacterial infections on the skin.

On top of all these skin care benefits, rooibos tea also has high levels of many minerals and vitamins that promote healthy skin, especially zinc and vitamin D. While there is much more to explore with rooibos tea and skin care, you can start reaping the benefits right now by becoming a regular rooibos tea drinker. There are some amazing blends of Rooibos Tea out there both in loose and bagged form. My personal favorite is Rooibos Chai.

With Sweet Goodness,

Shermaine

*info from rooibostea.com

Tips for Protecting Sensitive Skin

Hey Everyone!


It's no secret that my skin is extremely sensitive and any advice that I can get, I soak it up like a sponge. So when I read these tips on WebMD, I figured I would pass this useful information along to all of you!


First, you should know that the American Academy of Dermatology recommends protecting your skin with sunscreen year-round. Use a product with at least a sun protection factor (SPF)15 rating, and use it every day that you will be in the sun for longer than 20 minutes.
And remember, the sun’s skin-damaging UV rays are strongest between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Avoid going out in the sun during these hours whenever possible -- any time of the year.

In winter, to help prevent skin dryness, flaking, itching, and cracking:

• Don’t overheat your home.
• Take warm, not hot, baths and showers -- and fewer of them -- and use a soap-free cleanser.
• Minimize skin dryness after bathing: Pat your skin dry and apply moisturizer while your skin is still moist -- (I personally recommend using the Body Glace by The Body Patisserie)

In summer, keep in mind that tanning actually damages your skin --

• don’t lie out in the sun, even if you’ve applied sunscreen. See guidelines for choosing a sunscreen below.
• If you do go out, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and tight-woven clothing that covers your arms and legs, apply your sunscreen 15 minutes to 30 minutes before going out, and reapply it every two hours or after swimming or if you’ve been perspiring heavily.

I know to some of you these tips are common sense, but sometimes, it doesn't hurt to hear them again.

With Sweet Goodness

Shermaine

Skin Myth - All women over 35 need foundation

Hi Ladies,

I don't know about you, but I'm not a big makeup person... Never have been. But as I get older, I am constantly being told that I should be wearing foundation because it helps to protect the skin... This didn't sound right to me so I decided to check this out... And this is what I found...

The reality: "Foundation ages women!" says Dr. Rodan in an article in Ladies Home Journal. It settles into fine lines and large pores, and can give a mask-like finish unless the shade is perfectly matched to your skin. The doctors' advice (which they themselves follow): Skip foundation, and concentrate on getting your skin in fabulous shape so you won't need it.

I hope this helped you as much as it has helped me.

With Sweet Goodness,

Shermaine

Skin Myth -- It's Better to Pop Pimples

FALSE!

"The truth is even though it feels really good to release the "gunk" by popping that pimple on your face, a lot of it actually goes deeper", says Sandy Johnson, MD on WebMD. When it goes deeper, it can actually causes more inflammation that can lead to scarring and spread under the skin. That's why when you pop one, another one crops up -- usually close to the original one!

Dr. Johnson says it's absolutely crucial that people stop "picking" at their faces. But suggests that if you cannot resist, use a comedone extractor (you can find them in the beauty section of the drugstore) -- Apply pressure with the extractor, then roll over the pimple to remove it.

With Sweet Goodness,

Shermaine

Procrastination

Hey Everyone!

As you notice, it's been a few days since I've posted my last blog entry. I have been saying for days that I had to do this, but I have procrastinated. And since that is something all of us do, I figured it would be a great topic! So...

As I sit today and ponder this topic, I think of all of the things I could have accomplished in my life had I not said... I'll do it tomorrow and kept saying it. And 1000 tomorrows have come and gone and it's still not done. We encourage family members or friends to take care of their health and listen to them say, I'll start eating right tomorrow... or I'll stop smoking after this last pack... but tomorrow never comes and the worse sometimes occur. These are extreme instances I will admit, but think back on all of the things you said you would do many "tomorrows" ago. How would your life have changed had you just done it? Are you a person who wanted to finish college, but said you wanted to wait til your children are old enough... And now your children have finished college?? You get the point. It's NEVER too late to achieve your goals or to DECIDE on a goal and start working on it.. Don't let ANYONE tell you that! You may not be able to go back and get those old "tomorrows" back, but you can learn from them and work to create a fabulous and productive TODAY!

Today... Let's stop saying "I'll do it tomorrow". Let's live each day like there was no tomorrow. If you are an entrepreneur, make that contact call TODAY. If you wait till tomorrow, your competition may have beat you to the punch!

Tell someone you love them... TODAY! Start working on your dream... TODAY! Start living the best life you can... TODAY!

With Sweet Goodness,

S