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Vitamin C Serum: Benefits, Side Effects & Dosage
Vitamin C is an essential vitamin needed for the body to develop and function properly. It strengthens our immunity to protect ourselves against cold and other infections. It is widely-used for its preventive and maintenance benefits, including keeping the skin healthy. You’ve probably heard nutrition experts talk about how important it is that you should be getting enough Vitamin C in your diet. Good sources include fresh fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits. But eating fresh oranges and freshly-squeezed lemon juice won’t deliver the vitamin C straight to your skin. Using Vitamin C Serums and other topical products is the most direct way to reap its skincare benefits. The skin-obsessed uses this powerful serum to get smooth, glowing complexion. Here, let’s get you into the details about Vitamin C serum, including its benefits, how to apply it, and what precautions you need to consider. What is a Vitamin C Serum, and What’s in It? A Vitamin C Serum is a skincare product packed with vitamin C. It has the texture or consistency of a thick liquid or gel, applied topically to the skin. Different types of vitamin C serums are widely available in beauty stores, skincare shops and even drugstores. Various brands would refer it as “brightening”, “firming”, or “anti-aging” serum. The most effective types of vitamin C serums also contain other antioxidants like Vitamin E and nourishing extracts like Green Tea Extract and Aloe Vera Extract for added anti-aging benefits. For a more advanced formula, you may see Salicylic Acid for deep cleansing and Glycerin for moisturizing effects. Benefits of Vitamin C Serum for Skin Vitamin C is touted as one of the best anti-aging ingredients on the market. It is considered to be a key in maintaining a flawless, even-toned, and glowing complexion as it provides a number of benefits for the skin. Brightens and Balances Skin Tone Vitamin C acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, which soothes your skin and reduces redness. It evens out the skin tone as it helps brighten up your complexion. It is also found to improve dark circles of the under eyes. The combined reduction of dark spots, irritation, and discoloration results to a clear, glowing skin tone that get you noticed. Fades Hyperpigmentation Since it inhibits melanin production, Vitamin C can actually fade hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation occurs when melanin is overproduced in certain areas of the skin commonly caused by sun exposure and skin inflammation. It is also referred to as sun spots or age spots because it usually appears as a person gets older. Vitamin C regulates this process as well as lightens existing dark spots on the skin to give it a more youthful appearance. Supports Collagen Production Collagen is naturally present on our skin but it depletes as we get older. Lower levels of collagen in the skin results to fine lines and wrinkles. It can further progress, leading to sagging old skin. Vitamin C cannot reverse the appearance of wrinkles that developed naturally over time. But it can help slow down the aging process. It prevents premature wrinkling by stimulating the growth of collagen. That’s why it’s better to use it earlier before these signs of aging start to appear. With Vitamin C incorporated in your routine, the natural synthesis of collagen as well as elastin is boosted. Collagen and elastin are two of the basic structural supports of our skin found in the dermis (middle layer of the skin). It acts as the skin’s cushion which gives it strength, firmness, and elasticity. No to sagging skin, hello to youthful plumpness! Promotes Wound Healing Vitamin C is believed to accelerate cell turnover, the natural process of replacing damaged cells with healthy new ones. Application of Vitamin C helps speed up wound healing. Healthy wound healing reduces the possibility of inflammation, infection and scarring. This is the reason why Vitamin C is effective for soothing sunburns. So, after getting spending a day at the beach, it won’t hurt to smear some drops of Vitamin C Serum on your skin. Protects Against Sun Damage Sun damage is triggered by molecules called free radicals and excessive sun exposure. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps fight off these free radicals. Antioxidants protect healthy skin cells to keep it from getting damaged. With the added power to regenerate new cells and reduce the appearance of skin blemishes, Vitamin C makes the skin look more flawless and healthier with constant use. How Vitamin C Serums Work Topical application of Vitamin C can be a bit of a challenge since it can break down in the presence of factors such as air, heat, and light. Skincare manufacturers like us, Shiny Leaf, prefer to package Vitamin C into serums because it allows higher vitamin C concentrations that the skin can absorb quickly. Apply the serum after cleansing the skin and before putting on other products like moisturizers. This allows the skin better absorption. Vitamin C Serums are often combined with other known antioxidants like Vitamin E for added benefits. This enhances its effectiveness in reducing the signs of aging. What are the Different Types of Vitamin C? The 7 main types of vitamin C are Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbate, Calcium Ascorbate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, and Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate. The main differences are as follows: Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate – more stable and less irritating so it’s suitable even for sensitive skin Ascorbic Acid – very unstable and sensitive to light Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate – very stable, hydrating, and effective in soothing skin irritation Sodium Ascorbate – a mineral salt of ascorbic acid, but less irritating and more stable Calcium Ascorbate – also a mineral salt of ascorbic acid, important in collagen synthesis Ascorbyl Palmitate – fat-soluble derivative if vitamin C, non-irritating and more stable Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate – stable oil-soluble form of vitamin C that penetrates the skin deeper than ascorbic acid. Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate vs. Ascorbic Acid Generally, vitamin C derivatives are sensitive to light, that’s why you need to give it time to absorb in your skin before going into the light. If you often go out under the sun, avoid using Vitamin C Serum that contain Ascorbic Acid because it’s very unstable and exposure to light will make it useless. Choose vitamin C derivatives like Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate found in the Shiny Leaf Vitamin C Serum because it is less sensitive to light compared to other types of vitamin C. It absorbs to the skin better and therefore gives you better results. Potential Side Effects and Precautions Vitamin C is generally safe for any skin type. The only exception is those with highly sensitive skin. Since Vitamin C is an active ingredient, people with sensitive skin should consult with a dermatologist before use since some types of vitamin C can sometimes irritate the skin. Common noticeable side effects are: Itching Redness Skin irritation Tingling sensation You should always do a patch test before full application. This is the best way to determine how your skin will react to the serum. Vitamin C Serum may result in stinging, yellowing of the clothes, or dryness of skin, though these effects are rare. You should also take extra care when applying around the eyes. Lastly, make sure that you are not using Retinol or any other products that contain Retinol. Combining Vitamin C and Retinol has the potential to irritate the skin. If you are using Retinol, you may use the Vitamin C Serum in the morning and the Retinol at night. This technique takes advantage of the sun-protective benefits if Vitamin C while minimizing the risk of sun sensitivity caused by Retinol. Dosage Vitamin C can also be very acidic and cause skin irritation in some people when used in high concentrations. When using Vitamin C serum for the first time, apply a thin layer every other day before moving on to daily applications. This will allow your skin to adjust to the product and prevent skin irritation. How to Use Vitamin C Serum for Your Skincare Routine Although Vitamin C Serum is generally safe for all skin types, you should always do a patch test to assess your risk of allergic reaction. Here’s how: Take a small amount of product (1 drop is okay). Apply it to a small area of your skin that’s easy to conceal like your forearm. Cover with an adhesive bandage and wait for hours. If no side effects occur, you may proceed with facial application. Discontinue use if you develop signs of sensitivity. Moving on to full application, always follow the instructions on the product label. Typically, Vitamin C Serum is applied once or twice daily – one in the morning and another at night. Depending on your personal skincare routine, as long as you don’t use it in combination with products that may cause unwanted reactions such as Retinol. The best skincare routine using Vitamin C Serum would include these steps: Cleanse – Wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser. Tone – Remove remaining impurities with a regular toner. Apply Vitamin C Serum – Take 2-3 drops of the serum and spread gently on your face, neck and upper chest. Use an upward motion. Moisturize – Allow the serum to absorb before putting on sun screen, makeup or moisturizer. FINAL THOUGHT: As with any skincare product, consistency is key to seeing great results. Use the Vitamin C Serum religiously as your everyday skincare essential.
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Hyaluronic Acid Supplement: Benefits, Side Effects & Dosage
In the world of skincare, one of the most prized ingredients for anti-aging is hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is naturally produced in the body. Most of it is found in the skin, joints, and eyes. What it does is hold so much water within tissue cells, keeping the skin young-looking, the joints lubricated, and the eyes moist. Hyaluronic acid has many medical and commercial uses. It is also available in a variety of forms including creams, serums, eye drops, injectables, and food supplements. For this blog, we will be focusing on what’s considered the best and most effective way of using hyaluronic acid, which is by taking it as a food supplement. Read further to learn more about the benefits of hyaluronic acid, as well as the possible side effects and precautions. What are Hyaluronic Acid Supplements? Hyaluronic acid supplements are made using artificial forms of the substance to help replenish the lost hyaluronic acid in the body. Hyaluronic acid, also known as hyaluronan, is a clear gooey substance. It is chemically considered as a polysaccharide, a type of carbohydrate that is essential in providing lubrication and hydration to body tissues and organs. The levels of hyaluronic acid in the body decreases as you get older. Therefore, as you age, taking hyaluronic acid supplements continuously may help treat or prevent health conditions that are related to aging. Sodium Hyaluronate vs. Hyaluronic Acid Sodium hyaluronate is actually an ingredient extracted from hyaluronic acid. It’s the sodium salt form of HA. The other form is potassium hyaluronate. As the name suggests, sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt version of HA. Extracting and using it separately is important because it changes how the substance behaves when used. Like pure hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate can help your skin look youthful and supple. It also improves your joints and eye health. The difference comes down to molecular weight. Hyaluronic acid has a higher molecular weight, which means it has larger molecules that’s better in coating the skin and preventing water loss, leading to better hydration. Sodium hyaluronate on the other hand has a lower molecular weight than hyaluronic acid, which is an advantage. It is small enough to penetrate well into the skin, especially the top layer of the skin. Overall, it can improve hydration in the body better. Since sodium hyaluronate is a part of hyaluronic acid, it is sometimes called “hyaluronic acid”. It may be listed as “hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate)” on the labels. Other names include: Hyaluronate sodium Hyaluronic acid sodium Hyaluronic acid sodium salt Hyalurone sodium Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid Supplement The largest concentration of hyaluronic acid in the body are found in your skin, joints and eyes. Its main function is to retain water for lubrication and proper hydration. Regularly taking hyaluronic acid supplements are found to give you these benefits. Anti-aging for Healthy Skin Taking hyaluronic acid supplements for a long period of time are found to help with skin issues like wrinkles, fine lines, and dry skin. It is said to reverse aging because hyaluronic acid helps fill in gaps in wrinkles to improve the texture of the skin. It also increases skin moisture and soothes redness and irritation. The anti-aging effects of hyaluronic acid supplement may vary from person to person based on certain factors that influence the skin, including genetics, nutrition, sun exposure, smoking and alcohol consumption, and pollution. We recommend to use hyaluronic acid supplements along with proper skincare habits including application of natural oil moisturizers such as coconut oil, castor oil, and sweet almond oil. Faster Wound Healing As it makes the skin look younger, hyaluronic acid supplement can also speed up wound healing. It is essential in damage repair. By regulating inflammation and telling the body to build more blood vessels in the damaged area, hyaluronic acid works as an agent for wounds to heal faster. Applying hyaluronic acid directly to open wound in serum or cream form is most effective for wound healing. Oral supplements also boost the levels of hyaluronic acid in the skin and is also considered to provide some wound healing benefits. Joint Pain Relief When the joints are well-lubricated, the bones are less likely to grind against each other and cause pain and discomfort. Hyaluronic acid supplements are very helpful for runners, sportspersons, and especially those suffering from osteoarthritis. Constant use of hyaluronic acid supplement maintains the lubrication in between bones. Hyaluronic acid serves as the cushion that minimizes wear and tear in the joints. This prevents conditions like joint pains and knee injuries. It also fosters better recovery, healing and pain relief. Strong and Healthy Bones Studies in animals have shown that high amounts of hyaluronic acid can increase the activity involved in building new bone tissues. This suggests that constantly taking hyaluronic acid supplements may promote strong and healthy bones while it helps prevent bone loss. Remedy to Acid Reflux Symptoms When acid reflux occurs, the contents of the stomach are being brought up into the throat, causing pain and damage to the lining of the esophagus. Because of the anti-inflammatory properties of hyaluronic acid, taking supplements that contain hyaluronic acid helps provide relief. Hyaluronic acid may help soothe the damaged lining of the esophagus while aiding the healing process. Dry Eye and Discomfort Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects, hyaluronic acid can soothe dry eyes and discomfort. It may reduce symptoms like dryness, burning and itching. Since hyaluronic acid is great in maintaining moisture, your eyes stay feeling fresh. Hyaluronic acid is often used as an ingredient in eye drops to reduce dry eye symptoms and improve overall eye health. Possible Side Effects and Precautions Hyaluronic acid is generally safe to use. Since the body naturally produces it anyway, allergic reactions are very rare. However, pregnant or breastfeeding women and children below the age of 18 are advised to be cautious and avoid supplementing with it. For people with specific health issues such as cancer or have a history of cancer, we advise to consult a healthcare professional first before taking any dietary supplement. Dosage Oral hyaluronic acid supplements can be found online and in drugstores, health food stores and shops specializing in nutritional supplements. It is available in tablet, capsule or soft gel form. The Shiny Leaf Hyaluronic Acid Supplement comes in vegetarian capsules, which are easy to swallow and digest. You only need to take 2 capsules with food daily. It needs to be taken consistently for a long period of time to have the best effects. The capsule is 100% vegetarian and gluten-free, so it’s safe for daily consumption. Each capsule contains a powerful combination of hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate) and vitamin C. Vitamin C supports collagen production and helps clear blemishes on the skin. The result is a younger-looking complexion that’s flawlessly healthy! A Word from Shiny Leaf If you want to make your skin more supple and hydrated especially during the cold months, consider using the Shiny Leaf Hyaluronic Acid Supplement with Vitamin C. We can say that the benefits of this hyaluronic acid supplement go skin deep as it provides numerous benefits for the joints, bones and eyes too. Generally, hyaluronic acid is an important substance you need to take to support your body in coping up with skin aging such as the appearance of wrinkles and other age-related conditions like osteoarthritis and joint pains. For more of your health supplement needs, check out our Wellness Products. Because we care for you!
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A Trip Down Memory Lane: Looking Back to Previous Products and Their Great Alternatives
As a brand that cares, Shiny Leaf always strives to find the best we can offer. Part of our mission is to constantly search for high-quality ingredients and come up with great products that our customers need—and eventually fall in love with. Making things better is an inevitable thing for us. That’s why over the years, our collection has gone through a series of metamorphosis. In terms of packaging, ingredients, labels, and to the very product we offer. We have made conscious decisions to change things up for a better and stronger Shiny Leaf that you can trust. In our 5-year existence in the industry of natural haircare and skincare, we’ve had a series of goodbyes and hellos. We welcomed new products to our collection. And there were also a few others we had to let go and replace with better ones. Join us in this blog as we take a trip down memory lane, to look back on the previous products that were once part of our collection and the items we replaced them with. Bye Pomegranate Oil, Hello Coconut Oil When Shiny Leaf was launched in August 2016, one of our pioneer products was the Pomegranate Seed Oil. Touted as a superfood, pomegranate is a popular fruit believed to carry antioxidant-rich nutrients that account for its many benefits. It is known to help lower inflammation and improve overall health. The oil is often cold-pressed from the fruit’s seeds. It is used in cosmetic products like serums and creams. Pomegranate seed oil is best for DIY skincare recipes. It contains vitamin C, which offers regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. The good news is we found a better alternative that provides the same benefits, plus more! The Fractionated Coconut Oil is a new item in our natural oils collection. It is a lightweight oil that cares gently for your hair and skin. It has incredible hydrating and moisturizing benefits that helps in reducing fine lines and wrinkles just like the anti-aging benefits that pomegranate seed oil offers. Coconut oil is also an excellent hair treatment that stimulates hair follicles. And it also works perfectly as a carrier oil in massage aromatherapy. Bye Rose Absolute Oil, Hello Sweet Almond Oil Another pioneer product, the Rose Absolute Oil was replaced by our Sweet Almond Oil. The Rose Absolute Oil was an absolute favorite when it comes to skincare. It provides the skin moisturizing benefits with the passionate aroma of roses. The smell has a calming effect. That’s why rose absolute oil is also a staple for aromatherapy. With just a few drops, this oil can make your room smell like a thousand roses. The rose absolute oil is also super lightweight and evaporates easily. For this reason, skincare junkies wanted something richer in texture when applied to the skin. That’s why we searched an alternative. It took us a while but the wait is worth it when we finally introduced the Sweet Almond Oil in November 2020. Our Sweet Almond Oil is as heavenly as the Rose Absolute Oil. It has a sweet nutty aroma and a medium to light consistency, which feels luxurious on the skin but does not leave a greasy feeling. It absorbs fast and can also be used for a relaxing body massage. It blends well with other types of oils, so you can use it for various DIY hair and skin recipes at home. Bye Argan Oil Products, Hello DHT Blocker Set We can’t deny that our argan oil product line was a surefire hit among our customers. The line consisted of an argan oil-infused shampoo, conditioner, and argan oil in its pure form. We introduced this line as our anti-hair loss solution but it didn’t take long when we finally decided to replace it with a stronger hair loss treatment line – the DHT Blocker Set. The DHT Blocker Set includes a shampoo and conditioner, both infused with DHT-blocking ingredients such as rosemary leaf oil and asparagus cochinchinensis extract. These ingredients are far more potent than argan oil when it comes to preventing hair loss. They work by targeting hair loss at the roots—literally—because DHT blockers work on the hair follicles. DHT or Dihydrotestosterone is a male hormone that can accumulate in the hair follicles. This blocks blood flow to the hair follicles, preventing nutrients from coming in. As a result, the hair follicles starve, shrink, and fall out without growing back. The purpose of DHT blockers is to prevent this from happening. With the DHT Blocker Shampoo and Conditioner, you get the benefits of anti-hair loss in combination with the benefits of other nourishing ingredients. Our DHT Blocker set also contains biotin and castor oil, which are known ingredients to help with hair growth. So, your hair stays shiny and strong as it grows thicker and fuller. But wait, there’s more! We know you really miss the argan oil product collection. That’s why they are returning soon as a new and improved set, to be launched early next year. Bye Tea Tree Oil Set, Hello Castor Oil Super Set Our Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner Set was referred to as the anti-dandruff set of our collection. But it was in September of the year 2020 that we decided to discontinue this set to focus on improving our Castor Oil Super Set. The Shiny Leaf Castor Oil Super Set is composed of three amazing products: Castor Oil Shampoo, Castor Oil Conditioner, and the Organic Castor Oil. We made the shampoo and conditioner an even better pair together. The new formula of the shampoo contains higher amounts of castor oil for better hair growth and shine. For the conditioner, we worked on making its Hair Rescue Formula stronger by adding more hair-caring ingredients like honey extract and coconut oil. All these hydrating ingredients help with dry scalp to reduce flaking. The keratin amino acids in the conditioner also help strengthen the strands to manage hair fall. Bye ActivHair, Hello enHAIRgy Remember our ActivHair Supplement? Now, it’s called the enHAIRgy Supplement. They provide the same benefits for anti-hair loss and hair growth boost, but with significant difference in the ingredients. The enHAIRgy Supplement contains higher amounts of active ingredients known to block DHT. These are natural ingredients like saw palmetto, horsetail, stinging nettle, fo-ti root, pygeum bark, and green tea leaf. It also contains higher amounts of vitamins A and B7 (also known as Biotin). This supplement has no fillers inside and is made with a veggie capsule. It is 100% vegetarian formula, gluten-free, and digests fast in the stomach. EnHAIRgy became available for everyone on September 2020 as part of the Shiny Leaf Wellness line. Keeps Getting Better, Stronger, Shinier! The Shiny Leaf story began with a mission to provide effective and high-quality natural products that fit your lifestyle and your budget. At the same time, we didn’t want to diminish your confidence in the products that we provide. So, we always try to find a happy medium between effectivity and price, to offer you the best products that will satisfy both conditions. With every product we develop, our customers, and how it will benefit them, is at the core of our efforts. We keep improving because we want to give you the best care that you deserve. With your trust at stake, we continue to strive for what is stronger, what works better, and what helps you achieve your goals when it comes caring and loving yourself. We promise that the Shiny Leaf collection will continue it’s top of the line product offers in the years ahead.
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The Hurtful Evils of Hexane to Beauty, Brain, and Body
Hexane is a chemical that many people may not be aware of but is present in some day-to-day products we use. It has been recognized for years to cause long-lasting, even permanent, nerve damage. A large quantity of hexane is produced in the United States each year in the form of solvents. It is commonly used in different industries such as printing, shoe making, textiles, automotive, and furniture. Many consumers purchase and use products containing hexane without being aware of the health risks. It is easily inhaled and absorbed through the skin. To avoid the negative effects of hexane, it is important to understand its properties, dangers, and available alternatives. What is Hexane? The chemical formula for hexane is C6H14. It is a colorless liquid that is highly flammable and does not mix with water. It gives off a subtle, gasoline-like odor but it is odorless when pure. This industrial chemical is used to extract edible oils from seeds and vegetables. It is also used as a solvent and cleaning agent. Hexane is a significant component of gasoline. How is Hexane Produced Hexane is a common industrial chemical derived from petroleum and are commonly obtained by refining crude oil. It can be taken from many sources like gasoline, camping fuel, and many hydrocarbon-based solvents. Common Uses of Hexane Even though most consumers are unfamiliar with hexane and its adverse effects to human health, it serves a number of industrial, commercial, and household purposes. Food Industry - The main use of hexane as a solvent is to extract edible oils from seeds and vegetable crops such as soybeans, nuts, and corn. Beauty Industry – Just like in the food industry, hexane is used as a solvent for oil seed extraction used as key ingredients in natural beauty products. There are brands that use hexane to extract oils such as castor oil, almond oil, and argan oil. These oils are used for hair and skin. They can also be added to haircare and skincare products like lotions, shampoos, and conditioners. Craft Supplies – Commercial grade hexane is used as solvent for varnishes, paints, glues, rubber cement, and adhesives. It is also present in stain removers, spray paints, and craft paints. It is used as a special glue in roofing, shoemaking, and leather goods. Printing Industry – Hexane is used as a cleansing agent in printers. Textile Manufacturing – Hexane is used as a cleaning agent. Laboratory – Hexane is typically used in laboratories for extracting oil and grease contaminants from water and soil for analysis. Hazards of Hexane Now that we have identified the different applications of hexane, it is also important to understand the negative effects of hexane for you – that includes your appearance and your overall health. Beauty Hexane is not actually used as an ingredient, but as a solvent to extract natural oils used in haircare and skincare products. When contaminated with hexane, your beauty products can be harmful in the long run. Aside from inhalation, hexane can also affect you by passing through the skin. Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis. It may also cause eye and skin irritation with direct contact. Brain The effect of hexane is mostly on the brain. If exposures are high and occur frequently over months or years, effects on the brain can be long-lasting and possibly permanent. The most likely route of human exposure to hexane is by inhalation. Short-term exposure through inhalation of high levels of hexane causes mild effect to the central nervous system. This may involve feelings of dizziness, slight nausea, and headache. Long-term exposure to hexane in air may cause numbness on the extremities, muscle weakness, blurred vision, headache, and tiredness. Body High levels of exposure have been linked to a medical condition called peripheral neuropathy. It is characterized by numbness and tingling in the feet, legs, and hands. The muscles feel weak and there is also a lesser sensitivity to touch, pain, vibration, and temperature. In severe cases, muscles may shrink and lead to paralysis. Hexane vapors may cause dermatitis and irritation of the eyes and throat in humans. If swallowed, hexane can cause severe abdominal pain and cause difficulty in breathing, cough, and burning of the mouth, throat or chest. Exposure to Hexane and First Aid Getting exposed to hexane and having potential health risks are common to people who are dealing with hexane in the workplace on a regular basis. Constant use of products that contain hexane can also be a point of exposure. Shoe makers, refinery workers, lab technicians, printers, construction workers, auto mechanics, and some consumers may be at risk of exposure. Because of the negative effects of hexane, it is important to know what to do in case of accidental exposure. Inhalation Hexane evaporates easily, so breathing contaminated air during manufacture and use of the chemical is the most common form of exposure. In case of inhalation of hexane, move the patient to area with fresh air. Losen tight clothing such as belt or collar. If breathing becomes difficult, oxygen should be administered. A trained person may begin a rescue breathing if breathing stops or CPR if the patient becomes unconscious. Call for medical assistance immediately. Eye Contact In case of eye contact, remove contact lenses if necessary and immediately flush eyes with running water for 15 to 20 minutes. Consult a physician before applying any ointment or taking medications. Skin Contact In case of skin contact, quickly remove contaminated clothing. Wash the affected area immediately with soap and water. Treat the area with anti-bacterial cream to avoid infections. Ingestion If swallowed, do not induce vomiting. If the patient is conscious, drink one to two glasses of water to dilute the chemical. Never give anything by mouth to a person who is unconscious or convulsing. Seek medical attention immediately. Other Safety Precautions Wear protective clothing such as cloves, safety goggles, and nose and mouth cover when working with hexane. Do not smoke, drink, or eat when within the area where hexane is present. Seek medical attention after direct exposure to hexane, especially if you experience severe symptoms. How Hexane is Regulated Now The Congress specifically identified hexane as a hazardous air pollutant under the Clean Air Act. It is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Certain steps had been taken to address exposures to hexane especially when released to outdoor air. Workplaces were required to take action in order to minimize exposure of workers. Companies need some disclosure requirements for environmental releases. Safer, Effective Substitutes to Hexane are Available Water-based cleaners are good alternatives to hexane in the industries where meticulous cleaning is required. Unfortunately, despite the well-known severe negative effects of hexane, this toxic substance is still present in many consumer products we use every single day. The reason behind is mostly because hexane is cheaper when it comes to operational costs. When extracting oils from seeds, the cold-pressing method is a safer alternative. Cold-pressing means manually pressing the seeds using a mechanical press machine to extract the oils. This does not involve heat or chemicals to preserve the purity and properties of the oil. Then the oil is filtered to remove impurities. A great example is the Cold-Pressed Castor Oil offered by Shiny Leaf. It is organic, natural, and hexane-free! Stay Healthy with Hexane-Free Products Anyone can be exposed to hexane when using household products that contain hexane. It can be present in some personal care products that contain natural seed oils. Some common types of these oils are argan oil, castor oil, and almond oil. Some manufacturers of these beauty products use hexane as solvent for extraction because of economic reasons. We, at Shiny Leaf, want to ensure the quality of our products. That’s why we are confident that the natural oils we offer are 100% pure and hexane-free. We use the process called cold-pressing in order to take the natural oils from their raw materials. Cold-pressed oils are found to be more effective. They contain the highest amounts of nutrients that are beneficial for your hair and skin. The castor oil, sweet almond oil, and argan oil used in our products are very nourishing. They are certified organic and safe for all. You will enjoy using them for your daily beauty routines without worrying about the negative effects of hexane for your body and health.
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4 Hottest Eyebrow Trends You Need to Try Now
Eyebrows have magic – they can change the way you look with a little touch. The color, shape, and texture of your brows can either enhance or downplay the way your eyes look. The year of 2017 was full of surprising twists and weird tastes when it comes to eyebrow shapes. This year, we’re looking more into natural shapes and shades that suit your on-the-go makeup look. Less time doing makeup means more time for beauty sleep. Step up your brow game and look naturally gorgeous with these eyebrow trends. Know some tips on how to achieve these looks. Here are the top trends that will shape up 2018! Natural Arched Brows Makeup should be easy and fast while giving you full coverage. Shaping your eyes take too much time. One of the trends this 2018 is the naturally arched brows. To get this look, you just need to let your brows to grow until they become full-bodied. Natural growth of eyebrows including stray strands is in nowadays. Naturally arched brows follow the shape of hair growth. To achieve this eyebrow shape, avoid plucking or threading eyebrows every week. This may look messy but it’s important to trim your brows every two weeks or once a month. The natural shape of the brows often has soft arches that lose shape as you pluck or thread it. How to Get Natural Arched Brows: Here are simple steps to get naturally arched brows: Let eyebrows grow without trimming for at least 6 weeks. Trim the ends of strays to keep eyebrows in shape. Do not trim the edges of your brows. Use a mascara wand to comb eyebrows upwards. Do not brush the hair down. Brows that are brushed up give you a fresh look. Use a brow gel or a lip balm to hold the hair in place. Pro Tip: Use serums to thicken eyebrows. It’s important to visit professional salons as well and trim brows every two weeks. Avoid using fillers on eyebrows to maintain the natural look. Textured Brows Textured brows defy the norm of having smooth and full-bodied eyebrows. The texture of the eyebrows can be achieved by focusing on giving the strands depth without filling it up. Shading eyebrows can make it lose texture to give focus on its shape. What makes this trend unique is that you focus on giving your brows depth and dimension instead of shape. The trick is to stick to soft arches that you can trim easily. It prevents eyebrows from looking too heavy. How to Get Natural Textured Brows Here are the steps to get textured brows: Trim the ends of strands to keep eyebrows looking neat. Use an oil or serum before shower. Brush eyebrows with mascara wand following the direction of hair growth. Brush hair in sections with upward motions, enough to lift up the strands. Use a little amount of gel liner and brush over brows. Pro Tip: Not everyone is lucky enough to keep their eyebrows looking thick and healthy. To achieve a full-bodied shape without applying liners, use essential oils or eyebrow serums that promote the growth of thick and healthy hair on brows. Do this every night. It helps prevent thinning as well. Bold Eyebrows Bold and full eyebrows do not look as natural as the first two. However, instead of altering the shape of your eyebrows, what you need here is to make it attention-grabbing. Do this by making your eyebrows look thick instead of shaping it. Bold eyebrows make you look fierce. It frames the eyes well and makes good use of your forehead. You might notice that when you go by this style, people are more inclined to look you in the eyes! How to Get Bold Eyebrows Try this eyebrow style for an easy day-to-day makeup look! Pluck stray strands around the eyebrow area. Do not trim the edges of hair. Use a serum or oil to thicken the eyebrows. Let dry. Use a brow liner or an eyebrow pencil and fill up the area covered by eyebrows. Choose a shade darker than your hair type to give it emphasis. Make your eyebrows bolder by using a concealer or highlighter. Apply at the edges of your eyebrows. Pro Tip: Always choose a shade darker than the color of your hair. This gives you bolder brows that frame the eyes. Darker shade helps emphasize your forehead too. This eyebrow style is the best choice if you’re going for a fresh and glowing look. Avoid using this style together with dark eyeshadows. Fishtail Brows Here’s a more revolutionary eyebrow look that you need to try as well. Compared to barbed eyebrows, this is a downgrade but it has that fierce yet elegant look to it. This eyebrow trend puts a twist to slit eyebrows. The tail of the slit eyebrow lifts up instead of following the shape of the eyebrows. It is one of the first eyebrow trends in 2018 that is still going strong. It is easy to do without actually shaving a slit on your eyebrows. How to Get Fishtail Brows Learn how to do fishtail brows easily with these steps! Apply concealer to clean eyebrows and surrounding area of the face. Make sure not to use too much to make it feel cakey. Apply brow liner and brush eyebrows to make it look even. Reapply concealer on surrounding area of the brows and in the area that you want to split your eyebrows. Draw the lifting tail of the inner eyebrows. Use highlighter to even out the color of the skin. Pro Tip: Use a thin brush when applying the concealer to the area of the split in the eyebrows. It’s important to only use dabbing motions. Putting pressure on the brush can mix the concealer and the brow liner, which gives you a greyish color. Shape your eyebrows using a liner to avoid a mess. Eyebrow styles are easy to do yet they give you the power to change how you look and feel about yourself. These trends just show that we have a growing appreciation for natural beauty and progressive fashion styles at the same time. Just make sure that to draw even brows that frame your eyes well!
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A Guide to An Essential Oils Face Care
A woman’s life is all about beauty and aesthetics. There’s nothing better than waking up and seeing a glowing face smiling right back at you in the mirror. And what’s better than a radiant skin? Of course, a flawless face that betrays the age is every woman’s dream. And with essential oils now in the market, we’re now one step closer to finally finding the fountain of youth. Whether you have dry skin that gives you that rough unappealing texture, an oily face that gets really shiny, or a combination of both, don’t worry, you won’t feel left out! After all, there’s an essential oil just for you. Learn a face care regimen with beauty oils! Here are some pointers you should remember. Why Take Care of Your Skin? Some people think that taking care of your skin is just vanity. But it’s not. In fact, it is more of a healthy option than being a beauty regimen. Though we can’t really deny that we all want to look young and beautiful, right? It’s just a perk of taking care of the skin. But what is the importance of paying attention to your skin’s health? Skin care is more of a protection or defense against conditions that might be short-term or long term. Either way, these skin care concerns range from your everyday issues to worst ones like diseases and even cancer. Skin, as the outermost organ of the body, is responsible for protecting other systems and organs. But it is also highly sensitive. Its health is vital for the overall wellness of the body. Some diseases and conditions of the body develop on the skin. Its state is also an evidence of the health of a person. For example, having dry and dull skin might mean that you’re dehydrated. A plus point of taking care of the skin is that you get to look young and beautiful! It’s definitely worth the investment. Basics of Face Care Using Beauty Oils A routine that revolves around the powers of essential oils takes face care to another level. Whether it’s for cleansing or moisturizing, these oils definitely have the power to give just what your skin needs. Learn about how they work and what oils we recommend! Deep-Cleansing the Face Some cleansing formulas can be too harmful. With products that are too potent or methods that prove to be harsh, the skin gets damaged. Of course, there are also cleansing routines that do more than its fair share in making sure that the skin is free from impurities. What makes essential oils really effective for natural skin care is that when mixed right and with proper application, they are really gentle on the skin compared to normal cleansers. Plus, they can purify the skin and not just cleanse it. This means that it draws out toxins and other impurities from the skin. What truly makes face care with cleansing oils the better choice is that they also have the ability to prevent acne and breakouts. Some oils you can use for cleansing are castor oil, rose oil, and tea tree oil. These are the ones that have high antibacterial properties. They kill germs and bacteria that might cause conditions and damage to the skin. Oils to Hydrate the Skin Compared to normal moisturizers, what skin needs are hydrating products that supply the water content to the deeper layers of the skin. It is one of the vital components of skin health. While moisture only tends to the surface of the skin, the hydration that it needs affects it from the outermost layer to its deepest layer. The difference on how moisturizing products and hydrating formulas work is this – the first only traps the water on the surface of the skin to prevent it from going dry and rough. The latter seeps through the surface of the skin and helps improve its volume and prevents the processes that keep it healthy from slowing down. Of course, organic essential oils like lavender, jojoba, coconut, and Argan are the best choices. They are highly absorbent and do not clog the pores. Plus, they have a lot of vitamins and minerals that are also suitable for skin health. Actually, a lot of oils that you’re probably familiar with are just perfect for your hydrating needs. They also do not leave a greasy feeling which is just another perk of using these oils. Who wants a soft skin but one that feels sticky to the touch? Skin Treatments for All Issues Having acne and pimples is not just an ugly sight, it also affects your social life and how you see yourself. It destroys the confidence of people. But for this reason alone, essential oils are really your saviors when it comes to skin care. Instead of introducing unknown chemicals to your body, you can instead go with these oils that work just as well in treating and healing some of your skin care issues. For acne, you can turn to oils like castor oil, tea tree oil, lavender, and rose oil. They have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the size of swelling and soothe irritation. For dry and flaking skin, you can try heavier oils that are both moisturizing and hydrating. Avocado oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, and safflower oil are great choices. For sensitive skin, try oils that moisturize the skin but are also highly gentle. Coconut is a great choice since it is not too potent and won’t trigger any negative skin reactions. If you’re having trouble with hyperpigmentation, you can try using lemon essential oil, carrot oil, sandalwood oil, and even chamomile. They can reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
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