We are under attack…from countless pollutants and free radicals in the environment. The outdoor air we breathe may not be trying to kill us or intentionally harm our skin, but it definitely can contribute to early signs of aging. With pollution levels increasing as the years go by, researchers estimate that our skin is in trouble. Not only does harmful air endanger the body and skin from the inside, but also from the outside.

If you live in a city, there’s no way to escape smog and soot from car emissions or pollutants in smoke from factories. These hazardous pollutants continue to thin the ozone layer, which allows harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays to penetrate the atmosphere. It’s important to note that beneficial ozone exists in the stratosphere, while ground-level ozone can increase the risk of respiratory problems. This threatens both the planet and your skin. One study linked air pollution to an increased presence of brown spots on the skin in test subjects in China and Germany. 

How Does Air Pollution Affect Your Skin?

The outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis, contains fats that bind skin cells together. According to scientific studies, ozone oxidizes these lipids (fats) and breaks down your skin’s barrier. This can lead to inflammatory responses and DNA-damaging situations. In addition to ozone, thousands of micro-particles enter the body through the mouth, nose, and pores in your skin. These particles can form free radicals and break down collagen, which is a necessary building block for healthy skin. As this happens, you can experience wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, and overall dryness. How can you keep your skin healthy and fight all of this pollution? Continue reading to find out. 

Daily Scrubs

Environmental toxins can reside in pores and and slowly build up on the skin. This is why you have to scrub daily, even if you only do it for ten seconds. It’s best to cleanse in the morning and at night, especially the face, but make sure that the cleanser is not too rough. You can use a homemade sugar scrub (click here for recipes) on your face and you can use a loofah in the shower on the rest of the body. Give your facial skin the most love, though.

Moisturize

The skin requires moisture for optimal health, but environmental toxins tend to dry it out. Applying moisturizers on the skin helps to create a protective barrier that works to regulate oil production and lock in moisture. When you are able to hydrate the skin, it is less prone to dryness and inflammation. Click here for a wonderful DIY moisturizer that helps to combat dryness. 

Use Antioxidants To Your Advantage

Certain moisturizes can help nourish and protect the skin, but one of the best ways to fight pollutants and free radicals is with antioxidants. Some skin care products contain potent antioxidants, but it’s also beneficial to include them in your diet. Nourishing the skin internally is just as important as external love. You have to keep the molecules that make up the skin as healthy as possible because pollutants can break down collagen fibers. Try to focus on three key antioxidants: vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Some products have these, but you can also get them by eating sunflower seeds, almonds, beets, beet greens, carrots, guavas, citrus fruits, pumpkins, bell peppers, leafy greens (spinach, collards, beet greens, kale, and arugula), cantaloupe, butternut squash, kiwis, sweet potatoes, and more. 

Apply Sunscreen

It’s easy for harmful UVB and UVA rays to damage the skin, causing dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles prematurely. Protect your skin by applying sunscreen, but please choose your sunscreen wisely. Many varieties have harmful chemicals that negatively affect the skin. Reef-safe sunscreens are the best because they contains ingredients that are environmentally friendly. They also don’t clog your pores like regular sunscreens do. Keep in mind that you want an SPF of at least 30-50 for optimal protection, with a 50 SPF for your face. 

Use Facial Steams

Facial steams are beneficial for emptying your pores of toxins that build up after exposure to environmental pollutants and chemical skin care products. The steam opens up the pores for optimal cleaning, and then you have to wash your face with cold water to close them up. To do a simple facial steam, boil some water and then pour it in a heat-safe bowl. Feel free to add some drops of essential oils or fresh/dried herbs to the water for added benefits. Hold your head about six inches above the water and tent your head and shoulders over the bowl by draping a towel over your head. Remain here for about five minutes before washing your face with a gentle cleanser. Be sure to moisturize after you cleanse and dry your face. 

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You can lather your skin with scrubs, masks, toners, oils, lotions, and more, but they don’t always make your skin look flawless. Sometimes, you need to take your beauty routine to the next level if you want to rejuvenate the skin. We’re not saying you have to dip your face in the fountain of youth; rather, a simple facial steam is the answer you seek. 

What Is Facial Steaming?

Facial steaming is a simple process that works to enhance skin cleansing, promote circulation, release trapped sebum, and increase hydration. Steam opens your pores to soften blackheads and aid the release of acne-causing bacteria that clog pores. By increasing circulation to the face, you can experience an increase in collagen and elastin production. This promotes smoother, firmer, younger-looking skin. It’s also beneficial for people who have sinus problems. There’s really no downside to this practice!

Benefits of Facial Steaming

Reduces Excess Sebum

Sebum is the natural oil that sebaceous glands produce, and it lubricates the skin and hair. When sebum gets trapped under the skin’s surface, it’s easy for bacteria to multiply and cause blemishes and blackheads. When you open your pores with a facial steam, this trapped sebum can release and you’ll be less prone to blackheads and blemishes. 

Promotes Relaxation

The warmth of a facial steam is relaxing for both your skin and your mind. Adding different herbs or essential oils to the steam can aid with relaxation. Additionally, many herbs and essential oils assist with skin cleansing and moisturizing. During your facial steam, try your best to focus on your breath. The goal is to take long, slow inhales and exhales, which promotes a stress-relieving benefit. 

Cleansing Impurities

When you remove impurities or built-up bacteria from your pores, it’s possible to experience much clearer skin. Facial steaming helps to remove bacteria or other grime that can clog pores, leading to blackheads or blemishes. If you find that you suffer from stubborn blackheads, a facial steam is the right treatment for you. The steam helps to soften blackheads, making it easier to remove them. It also aids with the removal of dead skin cells!

Affordable And Easy

There’s no need to break the bank to improve your facial skin. A facial steam is mostly boiled water, and the rest of the ingredients are up to you. You can open tea bags and empty the contents into the bowl, or you can purchase some trusty essential oils for the job (tea tree and eucalyptus are great). The bottom line is that this is a useful home remedy that can drastically improve the health of your skin. 

DIY Facial Steam

Ingredients:

• Boiled water
• 1 tablespoon dried elderflower
• 1 tablespoon dried calendula
• 1 tablespoon dried nettles
• 1 tablespoon dried rosehips
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves

Instructions:

• Wash your face with lukewarm water to remove any grime or build-up. 
• Pour boiling water into a large, heat-safe bowl and add in all of the herbs. 
• Grab a large towel, lean over the bowl, and drape the towel over your head and the bowl, creating a tent.
• Make sure you’re in a comfortable position because you should stay here for 10-15 minutes. 
• Once you finish this process, exit the tent and rinse your face with cold water to tighten your pores. 
• Pat your face dry and finish with a gentle, natural moisturizer. 

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People always want to get rid of blackheads. They are noticeable and you’ll do almost anything just shy of dumping gasoline on your face to get rid of them. Before you rip them out with patches or suck them out of your face with a face vacuum, try going the natural route because there are some great herbal remedies to attack blackheads.

What Are Blackheads?

These are small bumps that are caused by a build-up of oil and dead skin inside pores. While they typically appear on the face around the nose, they can also appear on the back, neck, arms, shoulders, and chest. Blackheads can make you feel self-conscious, which is why most people want to get rid of them as fast as possible. Look to the following remedies to see how to do it naturally.

Cinnamon

The antibacterial properties of cinnamon make it an excellent spice to help remove blackheads. It also works to moisturize and improve complexion. Mix one part organic cinnamon powder with two parts raw honey. Apply a very thin layer over your blackheads and let rest for 15 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water and then pat dry. Use daily for best results.

Facial Steaming

This is a simple and effective way to cleanse your pores. Boil about 3-4 cups of water and then pour it in a heat-safe bowl on your counter or table. Get a large towel and drape it over your head and the bowl, creating a makeshift steam room for your face. Rest here for as long as you can and then wash your face with cold water to close your pores.

Epsom Salt

Epsom salt has many uses. It has tons of beneficial minerals that make for a great cleansing scrub, either for your face or body. Mix about 1-2 teaspoons of Epsom salt with a few drops of iodine and warm water. Let the salt dissolve in the water and let it cool to room temperature. Using a cotton ball, dab it in the solution and apply it to the area of blackheads. Leave it for 10 minutes and then wash with warm water.

Baking Soda

Baking soda has many uses outside of the kitchen, one of them being a natural remedy to get rid of blackheads. It helps to get rid of impurities in your pores. Mix 2-3 teaspoons of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of sparkling water to form a thick paste. Gently apply this paste on the problem area for about 3-4 minutes. Let the paste dry and then rinse with warm water. Do this twice a week to prevent future blackheads.

Honey

Honey has antibacterial and antiseptic properties, making it great for getting rid of impurities that clog your pores. Using honey helps to pull dirt from the pores, but don’t use it if you are allergic to honey. Remember, using raw honey is best. Warm 1 tablespoon of organic raw honey. You can do this by putting the honey in a jar and putting the jar in hot water. Dab the warm honey on the problem area and let sit for 10 minutes. Remove with a warm, damp cloth.

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People around the world have been using steam in the form of steam baths for thousands of years to promote good health and well-being. Many people use steam therapy as a part of their normal health routine. Another term for steam is hyperthermia.

Hippocrates was the first strong advocate of the healing powers of steam. He said, “Give me the power to create a fever and I shall cure any disease.” This view on steam therapy has traveled from ancient time to today, where it is still widely used and accepted.

Benefits of Steam

Some of the known health benefits of steam include:

• Detoxification of the body
• Easier breathing
• Stress relief
• Muscle aches and pains
• Increased circulation
• Cleansing of the skin
• Boosted immune system

Steam is an excellent way to open the pores and release toxins built up in the body. Heat naturally speeds up the body’s processes. As the pores open and numerous sweat glands start to excrete, the body rids itself of toxic waste products that have built up over time. Western medical studies have shown that hyperthermia (steam) is an effective detoxification program for eliminating fat-stored toxins from the body.

Steam heat therapy can help such ailments as arthritis, gout, and Tendinitis. Steam even improves cardiovascular health. Steam treatments stimulate the body’s cardiovascular system. Within 15-20 minutes of steam exposure, the heart’s pulse rate can increase from 75 to between 100 and 150 beats per minute. This gives your heart and arteries a healthy workout.

Steam therapy is very beneficial to the skin on our faces as well. Steam helps to keep the skin from becoming dehydrated. The hyperthermia therapy is an easy way to reduce the existence of many common skin conditions. Some that are easily alleviated with the use of steam include:

• Dermatitis
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Herpes zoster (shingles)
• Acne

How to Perform Steam Therapy

Whether you sit in a steam room or perform facial steaming, either will ultimately be beneficial to your health and well being. Facial steaming should be performed for no longer than 10 minutes at a time.

This can be performed at home by boiling a pot of water, placing a large towel over your head and placing your head over the pot while using the towel to trap the steam in. Inhale the vapors of the steam. The benefits of aromatherapy can be combined with this process by adding a few drops of essential oil of Eucalyptus and Pine to the boiling water. This will enhance the healing effect of the steam.

This therapy will not only cleanse and refine the skin on the face. It will also act as a natural decongestant for the nose and lungs. This treatment is especially beneficial when suffering from any sort of sickness.

Steam rooms are a great way to steam the whole body at once. As with facial steaming, avoid any extended periods of time in the steam. More is not always better. Start steaming your body on a regular basis and you will notice the results. If you do not have access to a steam room, taking a hot bath will do the trick too.

Steaming is great way to keep the health and vitality of your entire body. Treat your body well and it will do wonderful things.

Thank you for reading!

This article is compliments of Dherbs.com

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