While the FDA has largely ignored the health concerns that shaving creams can cause, you should know that there have been studies done that have found that shaving cream can cause a larger number of tumors to grow in human breast tissue. This means that the endocrine system is being damaged by this carcinogen.

Shaving Cream

There are a lot of eco-unfriendly chemicals in shaving cream that are used to give you a soft, supple shave. When you use these chemicals, they are released into the environment. For instance, BHA has a negative impact upon the aquatic ecosystem. This chemical can actually be found in 55% of all streams that have been examined, which is high enough to cause a big disruption in many aquatic animals’ life cycle. For this reason, you really should make sure to carefully read the product’s labeling. You should also know that aerosol cans are recyclable and thus preferable.

Waxing

Waxes contain many of the same chemicals that are found within shaving creams. However, waxes generate more waste due to the applicators and strips that are used in the waxing process itself. Some of these products also contain carcinogenic chemicals that can easily be absorbed into your body.

Choosing Organic Products

The term organic has not yet been clearly defined by the USDA. However, it has been said that organic products are required to contain at least 95% of its ingredients that are organic. However, right now there is no clear cut standard. Nevertheless, it is still a good idea to try to purchase organic shaving products as it will help the environment in some way and regardless of how small a difference it may make, it is still a very important difference.

1. Drink plenty of water. You should drink 64 ounces in the form of a combination of water and natural, unprocessed juice each day. This will remove built up toxins in your skin and cleanse it from the inside out, making you look a lot healthier.

2. Eat organic, raw or steamed vegetables. It is important for them to be organic because then you will know you are not adding more toxins to your skin. By steaming them you are ensuring that you are getting all of the nutrients in the vegetables. Obviously, eating them raw is an even better idea though.

3. Get plenty of vitamin A in your diet. This is essential for great skin. You can get this from collard greens, spinach, kale, broccoli, sweet potatoes, turnip greens, winter squash and other dark green and dark orange vegetables.

4. Eat more oily fish. Omega 3 oils are great for your skin, making it softer and brighter.

5. Eat some almonds. If you dislike almonds, then eat walnuts, shrimp, cashews or brown rice. These have vitamin E in them, which your skin needs in order to maintain its elasticity.

6. Make sure that you have a balance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids in your diet. You can get these from flaxseed oil, walnut oil, fish oil, grape seed oil, grains, organ meats, pumpkin seeds, soy beans, fish eggs, green leafy vegetables and organic egg yolks.

If you eat in this manner, then your body and skin will be sure to thank you with better performance and appearance. Of course, you do not want to eat way too much of these things since this can make your skin look bad too. Remember! Everything in moderation and you will be fine.

Understanding The Differences In Skin Types

Skin types are classified according to their reaction to ultraviolet light. These various types of skin include:

Type 1. This is pale skin with red hair and freckles. It always burns but never tans.

Type 2. This is fair skin. It usually burns but sometimes it will tan.

Type 3. This is darker skin. It may burn but it usually tans.

Type 4. This is Mediterranean skin. It rarely burns but instead it will always tan.

Type 5. This is Latin American and Middle Eastern skin. It has moderate constitutional pigmentation.

Type 6. This is African-American skin. It has marked constitutional pigmentation.

African-American Skin

African-Americans’ skin type has more variation of color from one part of the body to the next than does any other racial group’s skin. This can especially be seen in the palms of their hands and in the souls of their feet where their skin is not as thick.

In other areas, where their skin is thicker, there are more layers of skin cells that have melanin in them. As such, their skin is darker in color. Of course, there are also parts of the body where there are no melanin-producing cells at all.

Selecting Sunscreen

It is important to understand that darker skin actually hinders UVA rays from penetrating. Since vitamin B foliates are degraded by UVA and vitamin D is synthesized differently by the various skin types, it is important to choose the right type of sunscreen.