Tips for Good Skin and Losing Belly fat

Hello ladies!

I picked up a couple of tips from looking through old magazines, and immediately wrote them down to share with you guys. The two things I am most concerned with in my health and body are 1) facial skincare and 2) belly fat. There used to be a third one, but miraculously, after I went to college and lost weight due to the less-than-satisfactory dorm food, my thighs shrank! Thank you, dorm food. You have one good use.

Without further ado:

For Better Skin

1. Feed your skin a better diet

Some foods can trigger acne, which can be difficult to clear completely. Foods like rice, tofu, soy milk, and green tea will help keep your skin clear and bright.

2. Keep the sun off your face

Sun is the number one cause for aging quickly and wrinkles. Don't be afraid of looking dumb and carry an umbrella with you on those sunny summer days (after all, everybody does it in Asia, and it's known that Asians age better due to their skin habits and different diets). Avoid tanning (again, it cause premature wrinkles), and use a day moisturizer that has at least SPF 15. Women who are wrinkle-less well into their 50s credit using SPF daily. But, don't use the same moisturizer with SPF for the night because SPF is a known comedogen, which can block your pores and cause breakouts.

On a side note, please, for the love of God, do NOT pull your eyelid when applying eyeliner! It will, definitely, absolutely, FOR SURE, create premature wrinkles. I knew this girl who wore this fantastic black eyeliner every day, but she had these huge crinkly crow's eye wrinkles. I asked her how she did her eyeliner, and sure enough, she told me she pulled her eyelid to get the eyeliner in a straight line. She was only 21. Use a liquid liner or a gel liner with an angled brush so you can avoid pulling your eyelid!

3. Even out your tone

Scientists say that the perception of facial beauty is not actually based on how clear one's skin is, but how even the skin tone is. Great, right? Except that unlike Asia's emphasis on white skin and the ensuing whitening products, we have very little whitening products (Shiseido's is ridiculously expensive!). However, it is actually just a marketing trick! The abundance of brightening products are also whitening products, which help even the skin tone. Fade your dark spots and acne scars with products that "brighten" or "whiten."

Suggestions are:

Neutrogena's Visibly Even line (I love their moisturizer with SPF 15)

Aveeno's Positively Radiant line (I use the moisturizer and face wash...I can't say that the face wash visibly works though)

Shisedo's Whitening line

4. Keep skin hydrated

This is an incredibly important biggie. Some Japanese women credit keeping their skin well moisturized as a reason why their skin is so good. Use hydrating products in all parts of your skin regime. For example, use a moisturizing toner, moisturizing cleanser (for me, foam cleansers tend to strip my skin very dry), moisturizing serum, and of course, a moisturizer. Keeping your skin nicely moisturized can help deter wrinkles and of course, makes it feel nice!

Also, notice how much time we spend in AC-controlled and heater-controlled rooms? Well, I live in Michigan, where the weather is constantly PMS-ing, so I have a reason why in the summer, I'm constantly in the AC and in the winter AND FALL (the weather is that crappy), I'm always using the heater. However, both the AC and heater are bad for keeping moisture in the skin. AC dries out your skin because cold air contains less moisture.

Suggestions are:

Nivea Visage Alcohol-free toner

Fresh Soy Cleanser (I currently use this one and it is incredible! It does not leave my face dry like some cleansers and after using it, I don't even feel like I need a moisturizer. Of course, I still moisturize.)

Clean & Clear Night Moisturizer (I love this, it never fails me)

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief (I also absolutely adore this! Never fails to moisturize a dry patch. Except once, but everything failed me then)

5. Massage your face and neck daily

Daily massage after finishing you daily regimen around the temples and between brows keeps the blood flowing well and will lead to healthier skin that of course will look better as well!

------------------

Six Ways to Beat Belly Fat

1. Eat avocados

They contain monosaturated fats, or MUFAs that are shown to reduce belly fat.

2. Eat egg whites

Nix the egg yolk and eat only the egg whites! Egg whites contain protein with almost no added fat. Other foods similar are fish, soy, and whey protein.

3. Drink green tea

Also a good skin food, drinking green tea can help lose belly fat. It's also very healthy.

4. Eat sour cherries

Sour cherries, also known to help the heart, can help reduce stomach fat. This research was conducted by the University of Michigan (GO BLUE!!!!! There. That's as much school spirit I can muster in one day.). Crushed blueberries will also work.

5. Eat whole grains

Whole grains are also good for this, like oatmeal, brown rice, whole grain pasta, and whole wheat tortillas.

6. SLEEP

Get at least 7.5 hrs/night. Sleep is not only helpful for your skin and general well-being, it can also help lower belly fat. Lack of sleep negatively affect the hormones that control your appetite!

Other foods for thought (and for belly fat loss): yogurt (because it's packed with calcium), fiber, water (raises the metabolism, nuts like almonds, avocados and olives (filled with MUFAs) -> pesta and guacamole, and whole grains

Looks like I was right for being obsessed with avocados! :)