Category: Blog Post

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How Stress Affects Skin and Hair

Posted on by Editorial Team

There’s no doubt that stress has been a part of our existence over the past few years. A global pandemic, among other things, have challenged everyone to cope in different ways. In this blog post, we’ll be addressing how stress affects skin and hair, and what you can do to deal with these challenges.

How Stress Affects Skin

How does stress affect your skin? When we are stressed, our bodies undergo many changes that impact our skin. Psychodermatology studies the effects of our emotional states on our skin. Hormones like cortisol and adrenaline activate our “flight or fight” response. This can cause an increase in oil production, leading to increased acne. Excessive sweating, and decreased blood flow to the skin can provide the ideal environment for fungal infections and other skin conditions. Stress has been shown to trigger outbreaks of eczema and psoriasis.

Rosacea is another common skin condition that causes facial flushing and occasional blemishes. Its etiology is not really known, but there are many triggers that can bring on a rosacea flare-up, like alcohol, excessive heat or cold, or stressful situations. It also tends to run in families.

How Stress Affects Hair

How does stress affect our hair? While the hair shaft itself is not alive, it is attached to hair follicles, which are impacted by environmental and psychological stressors. Ever notice how our U.S. Presidents appear to turn gray almost overnight? Many have attributed this to the responsibilities inherent in their office. One Columbia University study demonstrated that, when stress was reduced, gray hair reverted back to its original color. Lifestyle factors like extreme dieting, malnutrition and sleep deprivation can also impact hair production and quality. Dehydration can affect both skin and hair, leaving it brittle and dull.

Improving Skin and Hair by Reducing Stress

While some sources of stress are beyond our control, we can find ways to mitigate the negative effects of stress on our bodies. This can help to improve skin and hair, as well as our overall health and wellbeing. Here are a few ideas;

  • Practice mindfulness – whether it’s journaling, yoga, or TM, it’s important to connect with your inner superpower to get through the challenging periods of your life.
  • Connect with your “Tribe” – no one can get through life alone, so find time to connect with the people (and/or animals) that mean something to you. Purge negative people from your life if you need to; they will only sap your energy.
  • Eat clean and healthy – Our diets can serve to mitigate the negative effects of stress. Proper hydration helps our bodies remove toxic by-products. Too much sugar can decrease immunity and stresses the skin. Ample antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, resveratrol and anthocyanins can neutralize harmful free radicals. Extreme dieting can exacerbate hair loss and leads to nutritional deficiencies. Incorporate lots of whole foods into your diet.
  • Get a good night’s sleep – The quality of our sleep is truly important in terms of our body’s ability to recover from stress. Things like avoiding blue screens late at night, comfort, a cool environment, progressive relaxation, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol will help you achieve deep, restorative sleep.
  • Keep moving – Our sedentary lifestyles don’t serve us well when it comes to stress. When our bodies move, we release endorphins (the “feel good” hormone”). Exercise can reduce blood pressure, improve circulation, and improve sleep. Whether it’s walking, yoga, or skateboarding, find a routine that you love and can maintain over time. That can include hobbies like gardening, cooking, painting or sewing. Working with our hands can be very therapeutic.
  • Find the self-care rituals that work for you – It’s important to find out what your skin responds to; when we’re living our best life, it often shows. For some it might be a massage or mani/pedi; for others, it’s lymphatic drainage or micro-needling. Or how about a bubble bath? Whatever you choose to do, make sure that it doesn’t stress out your skin and hair. Too much sun, bleaching and dermabrasion can leave skin and hair feeling dry and irritated.
  • Know what’s in your skincare and haircare products – More consumers are reading labels and that’s a good thing. It’s important to know what you’re using, in the event that you develop an allergic reaction, or if you have dry, sensitive or problem skin. Keep things simple and use one product at a time, if necessary, until you know how your skin and hair respond. Use products that include soothing ingredients like aloe, Vitamin E, castor oil, glycerin, allantoin and gentle oils and cleansers. If retinols are too harsh, try pro-retinol. Use a barrier sunscreen if you’re spending considerable time in the sun. Along with the previous steps, you’ll see (and feel) the difference during stressful times. To see our line of restorative skincare products, visit Our WEBA Naturals line.

Reference: https://www.insider.com/how-stress-hurts-your-skin-2019-5

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What to Know About Sodium Lactate

Posted on by Editorial Team

You may have seen the ingredient “sodium lactate” listed in some of your skincare or haircare products. If so, here’s what you need to know about sodium lactate.

What Is Sodium Lactate?

Sodium lactate is an unsung hero in the beauty world. It is a naturally-derived salt of fermenting – and then neutralizing – lactic acid. Lactic acid does not come from dairy. It is derived by fermenting sugars found in corn and beets. It also occurs naturally in animal and human tissue. In fact, it is a natural component of the top layer of skin and forms part of the Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF).

Why Sodium Lactate?

Why is sodium lactate a beneficial ingredient in beauty products, from serums to peels and everything in between? For one thing, much like hyaluronic acid, it’s a great humectant that draws water into the skin. It also serves as a skin butter, helping formulas maintain the skin’s natural pH balance. It can enhance the properties of preservatives, and is mildly exfoliating.

We like to use sodium lactate in our cold process bar soaps. It makes them harder, smoother and more long lasting. We hope to include this beneficial, naturally-derived ingredient in future formulas.

Are There Downsides to Using Sodium Lactate?

Clearly, those who are sensitive to this ingredient should avoid it. It can also increase sun sensitivity, so wearing a sunscreen over it when outside is advised.

Should I Try Products Containing Sodium Lactate?

Why not? It’s an ingredient that may be particularly beneficial for aging skin, as sodium lactate in skin declines as we age. And given the large variety of products containing this ingredient, you should be able to find one that suits your needs. If you are dissatisfied with hyaluronic acid, if you’re looking for a naturally derived moisturizer, night cream, or peel, then give it a try. If you’d like to search for products containing sodium lactate, visit incidecoder.com and type the ingredient name into the search field.

References:

Embracing skinimalism pinterest graphic blog post

Embracing Skinimalism

Posted on by Editorial Team

What is Skinimalism?

Of all the trending buzzwords we’ve come up with, “skinimalism” is one that many are embracing. But what is skinimalism? Coined by editors at Pinterest, it emphasizes the “less is more” philosophy when it comes to skincare products and routines. Suddenly, customers are celebrating their natural skin with all of its quirks. The trend toward simpler skincare and minimalist makeup are here.

Why Skinimalism?

There’s no doubt that before the pandemic, ten-step routines and product layering were real things. When the pandemic hit, a combination of events changed the game for those of us who were sequestered at home for a period of time. Suddenly, using a plethora of products seemed excessive. Having to wear masks translated into a reduction in the use of lipsticks and foundation. Specific skincare issues like maskne and redness became the focus of attention. And who doesn’t want to same time and money on their skincare routine? The question now is whether skinimalism is here to stay. We may not know the answer until later this year. If you’d like to embrace skinimalism, keep reading.

How To Embrace Skinimalism

For those who are looking to simplify their skincare routine, we have a few ideas;

  • Re-assess your skincare needs – There is no one-size-fits-all approach. It depends upon your current lifestyle. Are you experiencing more stress or increased irritation? Are there too many confusing steps or ingredients that you don’t know anything about? Or is your skincare routine just too expensive or too complicated? It’s important to know what you really need and what you don’t.
  • Start with the basics – We know that we need to cleanse, moisturize and protect. Once you have the basics down, a spot treatment can address any skin issues. Keeping it simple will allow you to see if your products are causing irritation or allergic reactions.
  • Use multipurpose products – this is also trending, and it makes sense if you’re looking to simplify. Multipurpose moisturizers like our All Purpose Body Balms or our All Purpose Dry Oil soften and nurture head to toe. Our 3-in-1 bar soaps contain glycerin and castor oil, and are suitable for cleansing, shaving and shampooing. Other products can include shampoo/conditioner combos, tinted moisturizers and serum foundations. You are bound to find the product combination that works for you.
  • Embrace your natural skin – when Grammy winner Alicia Keys went make-up free, it was the beginning of a move towards a more natural look and heightened self-acceptance. Today, countless people choose not to hide their freckles, moles, wrinkles or gray hair. Cosmetics have also become lighter and more natural-looking. As a result, the emphasis is more on targeted skincare products that enhance and protect. If you need to, consult with a dermatologist in order to get troublesome skin conditions under control. They can also suggest products to use, particularly if you have infections or very sensitive skin.

Whether you choose to embrace skinimalism or not, it’s a trend that may have a long future as consumers move towards more natural looks.

Summer skincare tips Pinterest

Summer Skincare Tips

Posted on by Editorial Team

The hot, dry Summer months bring challenges when it comes to skin maintenance. Whether it’s skin problems or the need for protection, here are a few of our best Summer skincare tips.

Use Sunscreen

A sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is our best line of defense. A good sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB radiation and attendant skin damage. UV radiation exposure, like smoking, is a primary cause of premature skin aging. And let’s not forget the risk of skin cancer. Some estimates are that 1 in 5 Americans will develop one of the three forms of the skin cancer by the age of 70. So the best protection against these concerns is regular use of a good sunscreen. We wrote a previous article about Summer sun, Vitamin D and sunscreen that discussed the benefits of barrier sunscreens. We also feel that tanning beds, which carry the same risks as sunlight, should be used with caution.

Add A Toner Or Mister To Your Routine

If you don’t normally use a toner or a skin mister as part of your skincare regimen, you might want to try them now. Increased heat and humidity may contribute to increased sweat and sebum production, resulting in skin eruptions. A toner can help by soothing and refreshing skin, removing traces of cleanser, balancing pH, and helping remove excess oil. Those with oily or combination skin seem to benefit most from a using a toner. There are different formulas, however, that work with all skin types.

A skin mister is often used after a toner or even over makeup to help lock moisture (with ingredients like squalane and shea butter), to mattify (with ingredients like silica) or to prevent breakouts. The important thing to look for are ingredients that match your needs; plain water may be refreshing, but it can ultimately leave skin feeling dryer with repeated use.

Cleanse Gently And Often

It goes without saying that summer heat and humidity necessitate more frequent cleansing and bathing. So you may want to switch to a cleanser that does the job without stripping the skin. Products like micellar water, cleansing balms and oil cleansers (like our 2-in-1 Facial Cleanser and Makeup Remover) cleanse and nourish skin with natural humectants, oils and antioxidants. And if you’re shampooing often, be sure to use a sulfate-free shampoo and nourishing scalp oil to prevent over-drying. Ingredients like charcoal, kaolin clay, and essential oils like rosemary, tea tree and peppermint can refresh, rejuvenate and strengthen scalp and hair.

Don’t Forget to Moisturize

You might think that with all of the excess moisture in the air, you don’t need to moisturize. But it’s not necessarily true. Too much perspiration combined with low humidity can leave skin feeling dry and dehydrated. So choose a lighter formula that protects skin against environmental stressors and enhances and locks in moisture. (Try our Age-Defying Vitamin C Face Creme with Niacinamide, for example.)

By the same token, body moisturizers can soothe sunburned skin, clear pores with ingredients like salicylic acid and AHAs, and retain moisture with ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Maintaining proper hydration can go a long way towards keeping your body’s largest organ – and the entire body – functioning properly. Increased perspiration puts us at higher risk for becoming dehydrated, especially as we age. In addition to drinking water, foods with high water content like cucumber, watermelon, luttuce and oranges can add lots of hydration. Proper hydration also helps the skin rid itself of toxins. You’ll know that you’re properly hydrated if your urine is straw-colored.

We hope that these summer skincare tips will see you through the season with happy, healthy and stress-free skin.