Skin Care
Using Essential Oils to Help Alleviate Anxiety
Essential Oils have been around for a long time. In recent years, they have become some-what of a trend. Some people and companies have propagated unsubstantiated claims about miraculous cures provided by essential oils. While there is no evidence backed research showing that essential oils can cure illness, many people do find that aromatherapy with essential oils can help alleviate stress and anxiety, and some studies seem to suggest this. This does make sense and is not as far fetched as some of the other claims. It should not be surprising that naturally derived essential oils could help with symptoms of some things, like stress and anxiety. Having stress and anxiety under control can be extremely beneficial for your health as a whole, as too much stress can take a toll on your body and even your physical health. So if you would like to try essential oils, don’t let some of the ridiculous claims on the internet deter you. Note that it’s best to make sure that you are using pure essential oils, that have not been diluted with additives. Without further ado, lets address some of the most recommended essential oils for anxiety. Lavender A common and popular essential oil, lavender is considered to have a calming and relaxing effect. It’s regarded as one of the best essential oils for anxiety. Considered a nervous system restorative, it may help with inner peace, sleep, restlessness, irritability, panic attacks, nervous tension and nervous stomach. “There have been a number of clinical trials involving the inhalation of lavender essential oil that indicate a reduction in stress and anxiety,” states The Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Applications, Second Edition. You can add lavender oil to a diffuser, bath water or a spray bottle filled with water, or you can use lavender topically on your wrists, temples and back of neck. Chamomile Producing a peaceful, calming scent, chamomile is thought to benefit inner harmony and decrease irritability, overthinking, anxiety and worry. An explorative study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine on the antidepressant activity in chamomile suggests that chamomile may have antidepressant properties, in addition to its previously observed anxiolytic activity. Chamomile may help reduce anxiety symptoms. It’s generally safe, except for a small risk of allergy, especially in someone who is allergic to ragweed. Frankincense Frankincense can be great for treating depression and anxiety because it is thought to provide a calming and tranquil energy as well as spiritual grounding. With aromatherapy, it can be used to deepen meditation and quiet the mind, which can help with some ailments like chronic stress. Mixed with bergamot and lavender oils, frankincense was found to have a positive effect on pain and depression in hospice patients with terminal cancer in a Keimyung University study in Korea. Bergamot Commonly found in Earl Grey tea, bergamot oil is calming and often used to treat depression by providing energy. It can also help with insomnia, induce relaxation, and reduce agitation. It’s been proven to reduce corticosterone response to stress in rats, and another study hypothesizes that applying blended essential oil that includes bergamot helps in treating depression or anxiety. It is generally safe, but it is photosensitizing, meaning it can increase the risk of sunburn and rash, so it’s best to avoid use within 12 hours of sun exposure. Ylang Ylang With calming and uplifting effects, ylang ylang induces cheerfulness, courage, optimism and soothes fearfulness. It may calm heart agitation and nervous palpitations. It is also a moderately strong sedative, which can help with insomnia. A 2006 study conducted by Geochang Provincial College in Korea suggested that ylang ylang oil reduced “psychological stress responses and serum cortisol levels, as well as the blood pressure of clients with essential hypertension.” It can be sensitizing or irritating to the skin. Avoid using in conditions of low blood pressure. You can start by diffusing it in your home. Ylang ylang blends well with jasmine oil and lavender oil. Rose Rose essential oil can be very settling to the emotions, and is perhaps the second most popular after lavender for relieving anxiety and depression, helping with panic attacks, grieving and shock. Vetiver Considered a nervous system tonic, it decreases jitteriness and hypersensitivity and is also useful in panic attacks. Often used in trauma helping with self-awareness, calmness and stabilization, vetiver oil has a tranquil, grounding and reassuring energy. Some essential oils can be used by aromatherapy, ingestion or topically. You can do aromatherapy by using it in a bath, as direct inhalations, hot water vapor, vaporizer or humidifier, fan, vent, perfume, cologne, or — one of my favorites — through aromatherapy diffusers. Molecules enter the nasal cavities and stimulate a firing of mental response in the limbic system of the brain, and these stimulants regulate stress or calming responses, such as breathing patterns, heart rate, production of hormones and blood pressure. Some essential oils can be ingested by the mouth; however, it is critical to make sure that the oils you use are safe and pure. A lot of oils on the market may be diluted or blended with synthetics that are unsafe for ingesting. The Food and Drug Administration has approved some essential oils generically for internal use. You can ingest them by adding a drop of oil in a glass of water or in a teaspoon with honey, or you can just put a drop or two underneath the tongue. You can use some essential oils topically. They are very potent, so it is important to dilute and blend with a carrier oil. An essential oils blend can be applied directly to an affected area, on the bottoms of the feet, rims of the ears, in baths or through massage, or with compresses. You should never ingest any essential oils or apply undiluted to the skin without proper training or medical supervision. It is very important to understand how essential oils are best used. Always consult a specialist and test the area, proceeding with caution. Different individuals may react differently to essential oils, especially children and pregnant women. Many of our Organic Skin Creams contain essential oils, check them out!
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What exactly is the gut-skin axis? The correlation is simple: once you take care of your gut health, your skin will thank you.
Have you ever heard that beauty comes from the inside out? Well, that’s true more than ever when it comes to our gut-skin axis. The correlation is simple: once you take care of your gut health, your skin will thank you. While everyone is different, in as little as four weeks your skin will radiate, glow, and you’ll notice a difference once you stop spending countless dollars at the beauty store trying different serum after serum, and instead focusing on what your skin needs, gut maintenance. Below we take a deeper dive into the gut-skin axis and share how you can take control of your gut health. What exactly is the gut-skin axis? Simply put, the gut-skin axis means that our gut health affects our skin. When we think of “gut health,” many of us only think of the gut as being a necessary component of our digestive systems. But it’s so much more than that. In each of our guts, you’ll find that it is where nutrients are made, hormones are metabolized, enzymes are detoxified, where 70% of our immune system lives, pathogens are neutralized, and neurotransmitters are made. Why our gut can serve so many functions is because it is incredibly complex. Home to trillions (yes trillions!) of strains of bacteria and microbes, if our gut ever becomes unbalanced the microbiome will be thrown off and our skin can be affected. And usually, our skin is the first symptom we can see regarding an imbalanced gut. What should you look out for if your gut is imbalanced? Our skin is a great clue-giver for what is going on internally. Why is that? Well, our skin not only rids toxins and waste from our body, but it also is the first line of defense against external harmful bacteria and pathogens that could enter our skin. When our skin doesn’t look or feel right, our mind will often go to anything but our gut health being the cause (for instance, when we have a patchy complexion, we may go straight to thinking that milk is the culprit). But scientists have found links between our gut health and skin conditions such as eczema, acne (or breakouts), rosacea, inflammation, rashes, redness, dryness, and even aging. So next time you notice a change in your skin, don’t overlook it. That change in your skin may be the result of an imbalanced gut and to return to your healthy-looking skin, you’ll need to treat it. How should you nourish your gut-skin axis? If you haven’t heard of probiotics, it’s a term you should know. Probiotics are live bacteria that support your gut and immune health and overall wellbeing. You can consume probiotics through foods like kefir (or other yogurts), sauerkraut, and kimchi, take it in a supplement form, or even use it topically (while topical probiotics are growing in popularity, scientists still recommend for best results, take it in food or supplement form). This isn’t just a health trend or myth though; studies have shown that usage of this prevents and treats not only gastrointestinal diseases but does also treat the skin problems you can experience from poor gut health. When you search for a probiotic, the number of options on the market can be overwhelming to sift through. There are some things you want to look out for though. Stick to a probiotic with multiple strains, because only taking one strain is the opposite of taking care of your gut! One other tip is to not get distracted by prebiotics and postbiotics. While both also have tremendous health benefits, they are slightly different than probiotics. These supplements are focused on being more fiber-rich (like what you would intake from foods like onions, garlic, leeks, etc.) or are focused more on our immune system. And finally, when you choose a probiotic, pay attention to the directions to ensure the probiotic is working to its full potential. Some require being taken first thing in the morning, others must be taken on an empty stomach, and others may need to be refrigerated. Beyond probiotics, you’ll want to make sure you are also maintaining a well-rounded, balanced diet of other probiotic-rich foods to ensure you are intaking a variety of strains and feeding your biome. This holistic approach to your health allows for your gut and skin to work in partnership together, while also supporting your mental and emotional wellness. The most powerful way to treat our skin is to give our internal system what it needs. And that starts with probiotics. At Hygieia we’ve done this research, so you don’t have to. You can purchase our probiotic supplement here, or browse our wide collection of creams, serums, and more. Whatever your skin needs, we have you covered
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The Amazing Benefits of Mango Butter - With DIY Recipe
You may have heard of shea butter or hemp seed butter before, but have you tried mango butter? Mango butter is made from a mango’s kernel or seed, which provides a dense supply of nutrients and antioxidants. This makes it a great ingredient base for skincare products to feed your body natural vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants. These components can be extracted from a mango seed to create high-quality and natural products to incorporate into your beauty regimen. Mango butter can even be used in hair care products too to moisturize and nourish dry hair! Here’s why mango butter is a great addition to your skin and hair care routine: All Natural Moisture- We hear this phrase in the beauty industry so often, as it is so important. Mango butter’s semi-solid consistency melts instantly when it touches the skin, making it a perfect non-greasy option for hydration. It soothes dry areas by providing a barrier from bacterial or environmental chemicals from entering your skin through the pores. This butter is great for people with dry or combination dry skin. The moisture comes from a natural source, which is important for people looking for natural ingredients in their skincare products. Non-Comedogenic- Non-comedogenic is just a fancy word to describe a product that won’t clog up your pores and can be used on all skin types. This means it doesn’t have harmful compounds that will irritate your skin, even if your skin is fairly sensitive. You may be thinking Mango butter might not be for you if you have oily-prone skin. However, even oily skin requires adequate hydration to combat excess oil production. Mango butter is a great option for all skin types because it is lightweight and will not make you extra greasy. Anti-Aging- Mango butter is a great, natural alternative for clients looking for an anti-aging skincare routine. Its amazing benefits can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The moisturizing properties leave your skin smooth and well-hydrated, which is an important factor in an anti-aging skincare routine. Antioxidants and UV Ray Protection- As mentioned above, the antioxidants found in mango butter can help nourish the skin and provide a barrier from UV rays or pollution exposure. The oil that is extracted from the mango kernels can help to protect against free radicals, which are damaging particles in the air. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that allows your skin to naturally renew and produce new and healthy skin cells. It can also help to improve skin elasticity while fighting against damage from UV radiation. No Strong Scents- You might be expecting a fruity mango scent, but actually, the scent is fairly mild, making it a great choice for people who do not like scented products.
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DIY Salt Water Flush For A Healthy Gut & Better Skin
A Salt Water Flush is a perfect natural way to encourage good digestion and cleanse out your digestive system. With a few simple steps and ingredients, this commonly used trick is perfect as a quick and easy constipation home remedy. How it Works A salt water flush is an effective remedy to manage constipation due to the salt content. When drinking the solution, the salt triggers your digestive system’s mechanisms to detoxify and eliminate waste. If possible, try performing the salt water flush first thing after waking in the morning, as this is when it is most effective. Drinking the saltwater flush later in the day can decrease effectiveness due to the fact that food is in your stomach. If you prefer doing it in the afternoon or evening, try to do it at least one to two hours after eating. Tip: When your cleanse is complete, and you’ve gone to the bathroom, taking a probiotic supplement is a great idea. It can help flourish your gut with good bacteria and promote good ongoing digestive health. The gut and skin enjoy a constant dialogue via what has become known as the gut-skin axis. While symptoms of gut health issues can be incredibly varied, the skin is often a great barometer for what’s going on inside the gut. It’s where we make nutrients, metabolize hormones and detoxifying enzymes, neutralize pathogens and make neurotransmitters—so it’s super important to get your digestive health in check in order to feel well and of course, experience clear, glowing skin. Make it Yourself: Salt Water Flush Recipe Here’s how to make an easy salt water flush solution to cleanse your colon and help relieve symptoms related to constipation. You will need only three simple ingredients, making this a perfect quick solution using commonly found kitchen ingredients. The recipe will require some sea salt, hot filtered water, fresh lemon juice, and a simple jar with a lid to make it in. Note: If possible, aim to use a sea salt that is pure. Typical table salt, known as iodized salt, will not be effective for this DIY flush. Celtic or “gray salt” is a great option. How To Make a DIY Salt Water Flush Heat one Liter of Water so it is hot, but not yet boiling. Add two teaspoons of sea salt, two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, and 1 liter of hot water to your jar. Shake very well until all the ingredients are fully dissolved, and there are no visible clumps or pieces. After making, you will want to drink the entire mixture quickly. Aim to drink the entire jar within five minutes. After drinking the saltwater flush, lay down on your side and gently massage your stomach on one side. Repeat on the other side. The goal is to try to hold the solution for about 30 minutes, so your body has a chance to fully absorb the salt. You may feel the urge to go to the bathroom quickly after drinking, which is normal. Once you feel you can no longer wait, proceed with going to the bathroom. Sometimes the cleanse will require multiple bathroom trips. For more skincare tips, tricks, and product recommendations, click here.
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The Big Deal About Retinol For Skincare
In the battle for healthy skin Retinol is a wonderful medicine and a great tool. It's been touted as a wonder drug by many of its users, one of them going so far as to call it an “anti-aging miracle worker”. Although that statement carries more than its own share of hyperbole, it obviously reflects the sentiment of someone who appreciates a product that comes as advertised. Because they deliver on many of their claims, Retinol-based remedies are plentiful and come in several varieties. There are over the counter (OTC) and prescription products. They're used to treat wrinkles, acne, aging and a host of other problems. Retinol has earned its place in the ranks of skincare treatments, and plays a crucial role in the daily routine of millions. What Is Retinol? Properly speaking, Retinol is a version of a retinoid, which are compounds derived from Vitamin A. Retinoids can be used effectively in anything from eye creams, night moisturizers, serums or skin creams. Retinol is one of the OTC versions of retinoids. Retinol is known to help skincare overall and is the most potent of the non-prescription retinoids. How Does Retinol Work? Retinol acts as an exfoliant on the skin's outer layer, the epidermis. This keeps the skin appearing undamaged and clear. The exfoliating action helps with hydration, as well as overall moisturizing. That gives the skin a sheen and a healthy coloring. The molecules of Retinol are small enough to effectively travel beneath the skin's top layer to the skin's middle layer, the dermis. At the dermal layer Retinol encourages collagen and elastin creation. This simultaneously strengthens the skin and makes it more supple. The healthy growth fills in areas that would appear as lines or cracks in the skin. Retinol helps to close open pores that let in dirt and disease. It prevents the creation of chemicals that cause skin mottling and discoloration. Retinol's combination of removing bad skin cells and helping to create new ones is the perfect formula for maintaining healthy skin. Why Should You Use Retinol? Retinol is excellent for treating a number of ailments and conditions. Some of the more commonly treated problems are: Wrinkles Acne Skin Pigment Issues Age Spots Lines Firming Retinol can dry the skin, and it makes skin sensitive to light. Using sun block is suggested to prevent burns or other sun-exposure problems. A large number of retinol users apply the compound overnight to avoid these difficulties. If you must use retinol during the day it's suggested that you avoid direct sunlight as much as possible. In nearly all cases it's suggested you use retinol everyday to achieve good results. Retinol isn't a magic potion; it's a vitamin-based treatment. Just like daily oral vitamin supplements, retinol performs best when you keep to a schedule. What Are The Differences Between OTC and Prescription Retinol? The difference between over the counter and prescription forms of retinol is mainly one of potency. As expected, a prescribed retinol treatment is very potent and should only be used with the guidance of a physician. OTC retinol is perfectly safe, but it must be used with caution. Just as you wouldn't be cavalier with over the counter eye drops, you shouldn't take retinol lightly either. Is It Necessary To Talk To A Doctor? It's always a good idea to talk to a doctor if you plan to take any medicine long-term. A physician may have suggestions you hadn't considered. It's also possible they may notice something that can help you or save you trouble later. If you have an acute problem, like terrible acne or eczema, you may start in the prescription world, then move to OTC as the doctor sees fit. If you don't see results after several months of retinol use, a doctor could prescribe a stronger dose, or guide you to a better retinol product. Use your best judgment and always consult a physician if you have any doubts that you can't answer on your own. What Are Retinol's Side Effects? Like any effective drug, retinol can be harmful if used improperly. It can produce dryness, redness and irritation in some people. Because it's strong medicine, sometimes these effects manifest themselves until your skin is used to the retinol. If the bad effects don't subside, then of course you should discontinue using retinol altogether. People are cautioned not to mix different skincare treatments if they can help it. Several products may contain retinol. Consumers should check their labeling to avoid over doing it. Pregnant women, or women who intend to get pregnant, should not take retinol. It can cause pregnancy complications and birth defects. Depending upon the use, some women choose to delay pregnancy until their retinol regimen is done. Simple Takeaway Whatever reason you have for using retinol, it's a proven remedy for many skincare issues. The substance is FDA approved. It's potent yet still very safe. Whether its properties are miraculous to you or simply effective, it’s a treatment that's worth looking into.
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Natural Scrubs, Oils & Tips For Glowing Skin
Beautiful skin is proof of a healthy body and mind. It is essential to maintain clean and flawless skin, as it is a reflection of the inner health of the body. A healthy, natural skincare routine is not difficult to maintain and is also quite budget-friendly, it can even be created at home! Do you know that lime juice mixed with milk and glycerin is a great treatment for pimples, and it keeps skin young and radiant? The same goes for lime juice mixed with ice water soothes tired and puffy eyes. There are so many ways you can take good care of your skin and make it glow at home. Everyone seeks flawless skin, but not everyone is lucky enough to enjoy naturally glowing skin. If you're concerned that your skin isn't looking its best and wondering which products to choose for flawless, glowing skin, below are five DIY guides to help you achieve that Hollywood glow. Sugar Face Scrub Sweeten your home beauty routine with a honey and sugar facial scrub. This homemade scrub can help to nourish the skin by eliminating dead cells. How to use it: Mix 1/2 cup brown sugar and three tablespoons of honey in a small bowl, stir both until it becomes a thick paste form. Add two tablespoons of an oil of your choice (olive, almond, or coconut) and blend until it is integrated with the paste to make it a little lighter. Apply the paste all over clean skin, face, and neck. Leave on for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water. Coconut Oil Cuticle Moisturizer Research has shown that coconut oil additionally nourishes dry cuticles. The heavy oil provides long-lasting hydration. How to use it: You can choose to extract the oil yourself or easily purchase the coconut oil from a store Just rub a small amount on each fingertip Use a band to wrap it over so it can absorb Facial Toner With Tea Leaves To Fight Acne Healthy skin begins inside, and drinking a simple lemon water mixture will activate the beauty effects and tone the skin. How to use it: Add 1 teaspoon of peppermint tea leaves, 4 teaspoons of white tea leaves, ½ cup of boiled distilled water, and 2 drops of lavender oil in a French press. Let steep for 10 minutes before pouring into a glass container to cool. Combine with enough aloe vera gel to fill a 4 oz spray bottle atomizer. Store in the refrigerator before spraying. Rice And Ginger Detox Body Scrub Ginger reduces inflammation and detoxifies the skin. "Rice grains are a great natural scrub as rice starch helps soothe damaged and irritated skin. How to use it: Mix ½ cup of ground rice (blend in a blender), ½ cup of coconut milk, ¼ cup of brown sugar, and 1 ½ tablespoon of ground ginger to form a paste. Use your hands to rub the mixture. After a few minutes, the scrub will polish your entire body. Remember, having a balanced diet combined with adequate rest and sleep and regular exercise helps rejuvenate the body. The secret to permanently healthy, glowing skin is simple but with a little dedication. If you are considering bringing your skin back to life. In that case, HYGIEIA is your best bet for amazing anti-aging creams with powerful antioxidants that provides skin protection and anti-aging benefits.
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Homemade Avocado Face Mask For Youthful Skin
You likely already know about the amazing health benefits of avocados — from heart health to their rich omega-3 content, but did you know avocados are also exceptional in skincare? Avocado is hydrating and helps restore youthful, glowing skin. It can also help kill acne-causing bacteria and provide essential nutrients. So, how can you start reaping the skin benefits of avocado. Keep reading for our homemade avocado face mask recipe. You will need: 2 tsp mashed avocado 1 tsp honey 1 tsp kefir 1 tsp olive oil 1 glass jar Directions: Mix all ingredients in a jar and apply gently to your face (avoiding the eyes). Leave the mask on for about 30 minutes. Wash with warm water And voilà, just like that, you have concocted a luxurious face mask. For more help restoring your skin and keeping it healthy year-round, check out some of our Hygieia face creams.
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More Benefits of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil For Skin & Beyond
Looking for a natural way to boost your immune system, improve your heart health, combat mood/anxiety symptoms, and repair and heal your skin? Ylang ylang essential oil has many uses and benefits that can help improve your body and mind. At Hygieia Skin, we carry a selection of skin and face creams that are certified organic and infused with ylang ylang oil and other nutrients. What is Ylang Ylang Oil? Found in the tropics of Indonesia, Philippines, and other parts of Asia, ylang ylang oil is collected from flower petals from the ylang ylang tree. Called the “flower of flowers,” ylang ylang produces a sweet, flowery smell. Benefits Studies have shown that ylang ylang oil can provide numerous health benefits such as improved circulation, reducing anxiety, regulating blood pressure, improving skin health, and more. Strengthening Your Heart Health: Compounds found in ylang ylang oil can help improve the body’s blood flow and circulation with daily usage. When applied to the skin or consumed internally, ylang ylang oil can serve as an antibacterial and antifungal agent. Reducing Anxiety: Ylang ylang oil can also be used to combat symptoms of anxiety and depression. When used as an inhalant, ylang ylang oil can help boost moods and possible help reduce certain negative emotions such as discontent or anger. Ylang ylang may also work as a sedative to help reduce stress levels in the body, and help to reduce certain symptoms like rapid heartbeat. Skin Care: A majority of people use ylang ylang essential oil to suit their skin care needs. Ylang ylang has been found to help prevent skin irritation and skin aging, and may even help treat certain skin problems like acne. Ylang ylang can be used with a variety of skin types like dry, oily, and dehydrated. At Hygieia Skin, we carry a selection of skin creams and face creams that are organic, plant-based, and infused with ylang ylang oil and other healthy ingredients. These creams can help provide users with the various skin care benefits that ylang ylang oil can offer. Ylang ylang essential oil can provide a natural and organic way to get some health benefits from essential oils. With a variety of uses such as improving skin care, strengthening heart health, reducing anxiety, and other benefits, by incorporating ylang ylang oil into your daily routine you can start to notice improvements fairly quickly. To learn more about the ylang ylang products that we offer at Hygieia Skin, browse our selection of skin care products or contact us so we can help you find the best way that you can use ylang ylang oil to benefit your skin, your body, and yourself.
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What Is Face Yoga? The Anti Aging Benefits Might Surprise You
Yoga provides relaxation for the entire body. While most have heard of traditional yoga, face yoga is an emerging trend that is gaining popularity. Face yoga can help reduce the look of aging and relieve tension in the facial muscles that cause tension headaches. So, What is Face Yoga? Face Yoga is all the facial exercises that tone and stretch facial muscles. Those affected by Bell’s Palsy or strokes have used the practice for some time to treat their conditions. Since muscle loss is partly what causes sagging in the face, doing face yoga can help to prevent this from happening. Face yoga can help to smooth wrinkles and lines, lift, and tone the skin around the eyes and on the cheeks, tighten the skin around the neck and jaw, and alleviate strain and pain from overworked muscles. Face yoga is great for those looking for a holistic approach to improving the skin using natural techniques. How Facial Yoga Works Some liken it to strength training for face and neck muscles. Repeating the same exercise targeting different areas can help to improve the muscles in that area. When you stimulate facial muscles, they tone and tighten. Blood circulation is improved, which clears the skin. It can also smooth the face in areas that are tensed throughout your day, think about the frown lines between your eyes. While there are face yoga instructors are out there, they are hard to locate. They are usually priced between $50 and $200. But you can perform the exercises on your own and anywhere you are. You can find tutorials online and we have compiled some of the most effective face yoga exercises here. Make sure you wash your face and hands before starting. You do not need to use creams or oils, but you can if you would like. Face Yoga Exercises There is not a particular order that you must perform these exercises. Simply try them out and monitor your results. Most of the exercises practiced focus on the cheeks, the eye area, jawline, neck, and forehead. The most popular are the cheek and eyebrow lifter, happy cheeks sculpting, jaw and neck scooping, temple developer, and the upper eyelid firmer. When performing these exercises, try to keep your face relaxed. If you squint or scrunch your face you may be working against the progress you are aiming for. You want to lift and expand your facial muscles. Start by warming up by blowing raspberries with your cheeks and lips. This helps you to relax the facial muscles before you begin. They mustn't be tense as they become shorter and harder. By blowing the raspberries, you force your muscles to relax. The Eye-Opener Make a binocular shape around your brows, cheeks, and across your face. Lift your brows, letting your forehead remained relaxed. Squint and then lift them once again. Perform this exercise 50 times. Forehead Lifter Clasp your fingers together over your forehead and lightly press while lifting your forehead. Hold for a minute and repeat this 50 times. You can also put your palms on your temples and push up and back to lift the face. Hold this pose for five seconds and release. The Forehead Smoother Make two fists and with your fingers facing you put the knuckles of your middle fingers in the middle of your forehead. Apply pressure, sliding fists to each side of your forehead to your temples. Repeat this six times. Cheek Lifter Hold your mouth open wide and make sure your lips are covering your teeth and lift the cheeks muscles. Hold this pose for 10 seconds and release. Repeat this 50 times. The Double V Make the peace sign with each hand. Place your middle fingers on the inside edge of your brows and place your pointer fingers on the outside edge of your brows. Apply pressure, look to the sky, and squint. Do this eight times. Neck and Jaw Stretch Tilt your chin up slightly and at a 45-degree angle. Turn it over one shoulder, hold for three seconds. Then take your face back to the center and repeat this move over the other shoulder. Do 20 reps of this on each side. Those without any neck problems can extend their head back and hold it, repeating this move for a minute. Lips Pucker Pucker up, buttercup. Then let them loose and repeat this for a few minutes. The Smiler Smile with your mouth only, do not wrinkle your eyes. Hold the smile for 50 seconds and release. Face Massage Use a gentle cleanser to clean your face, massage the entire face. Using your fingertips press gently into your muscles. Massage for about 30 minutes. After your facial massage, lay back with a warm towel on your face. Summing it All Up While research is still ongoing, there are some indications that face yoga can provide benefits to the muscles and skin in the face. A Northwestern Medicine study found that adult women who performed these exercises for half an hour a day for five months experienced an improvement in their facial muscles and skin. The areas most enhanced included the upper and lower cheeks. Results vary and begin to show at about week six. It is recommended that you practice face yoga six days a week for 30 minutes a day. Make sure you do not wrinkle your face as you perform the exercises. And do not yank your neck as this could cause issues in that area. While there are some benefits to the practice, remember to keep caring for your skin in other ways. Use sun protection, eat healthy foods, get your sleep, and drink water. If you have sagging skin, facial wrinkles and lines, eye strain, and headaches this no-cost solution could help. Give face yoga a try today and see if you see improvement in your appearance and relief of tension in your facial muscles.
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