Category: EXTRAS

ARTICLE OF THE MONTHMUST READMUST READNEWESTTIPS & ADVICE

Forget Cardio Only Workouts – Target Your Body Shape Instead

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In body shaping, if you have been focusing on numbers on your bathroom scale, perhaps you have been doing it wrong. All of us come in various sizes and shapes. Some of us gain weight easily at the waist or belly, others around the buttocks and/or thighs. A smarter way of achieving your dream physique is to design exercises according to body shape. THE GIRLY STRAIGHT If you have a straight-ish figure, focus on building your shoulders, chest and hips. To target shoulders, do side raises with light dumbbells and raise your arms out to shoulder level. Pushups will help strengthen the neck and rotator cuff muscles. Squats are great for toning hips and buttocks, and this is also a great way to increase the heart rate and burn even more fat.   THE PEAR-SHAPED If your shoulders are narrower than your hips, you are probably pear-shaped. Apart from working on the chest with pushups, your can build muscles in the back by grabbing a set of moderately weighted dumbbells Continue Reading

INSIDER'S GUIDENEWESTTIPS & ADVICE

These Will Save Your Skin From Acne

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Acne is like the worst kind of house guest – it shows up completely uninvited, overstays its welcome, and leaves a mess after it’s gone. And you’ve probably heard this, rather than face its scarring aftermath, it is much easier to get rid of these nasty zits fast, rather than face the chaos and complications later. In fact, the best treatment for acne scars, as many have learnt, is not to have acne at all.   1. PROFESSIONAL ACNE FACIALS Don’t underestimate what a professional acne facial can do to chase away troubled spots. When combined with proper at-home skincare, they work together to get rid of and prevent acne. This is especially important for oily, acne-prone skin. So if you are having trouble fighting problem skin with only at-home care, it’s time to seek professional help, whether its just a deep cleansing ritual to help with congestions such as the Deep Deep Clean Facial, or a clinical facial such as the Clear Blue Facial.   2. ACNE CARE AT Continue Reading

ARTICLE OF THE MONTHEDITOR'S CHOICEMUST READTIPS & ADVICE

This Is Why Tranexamic Acid Will Make Your Skin Glow

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You have probably heard of vitamin c, glycolic acid and retinol – skincare ingredients that help fight pigmentation, improve dull and uneven skin texture, and even reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A rather new and still rare skincare ingredient has now surfaced, with a lot of research commending on its effectiveness for healing dark spots and reducing the appearance of unwelcome discoloration. Tranexamic acid is now slowly being infused into over-the-counter hyperpigmentation formulas such as serums, creams, and even whitening sheet masks.   But tranexamic acid is not new. It is actually a drug approved for use in women experiencing menorrhagia, to reduce blood loss. However, physicians noticed that patients who took tranexamic acid also noticed an improvement in skin discolouration. Tranexamic acid is now sometimes given orally by dermatologists for melasma short-term. Environmental elements such as sun exposure, hormonal therapy such as being on the oral contraceptive pill and some treatments can trigger melasma by activating inflammatory mediators within the skin. This results in an increase Continue Reading

EDITOR'S CHOICEINSIDER'S GUIDEMUST READTIPS & ADVICE

What Exactly Is So Good About Nicotinamide

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You may have heard of Vitamin B3, found in foods such as tuna, salmon and avocado, which is important for maintaining metabolism and nervous system health. Apparently, vitamin B3 can also be applied to the skin. Known as or nicotinamide or niacinamide, this skin vitamin boasts of a wide range of skincare benefits such as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Translated to layman terms, this means that nicotinamide can improve skin texture and strengthen the skin. It can also help to reduce hyperpigmentation, increase cellular turnover – healthier and younger-looking skin. So if you already eat Vitamin B3, why do you still need to apply it? It appears the oral Vitamin B3 goes straight to helping the body perform its more vital functions, while topically applying nicotinamide ensures that most of its benefits goes to the skin.   Unlike Vitamin C which can irritate sensitive skin, nicotinamide is pH-neutral and combines well with other skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. It is also great for oily or acne-prone skin, yet it Continue Reading

ARTICLE OF THE MONTHEDITOR'S CHOICEMUST READ

5 Beauty Blunders That Age You

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Delaying the skins of aging and acquiring a beautiful complexion requires more than just picking the best skincare products. Here are the top 5 beauty blunders to avoid falling victim to. UNDERESTIMATING YOUR SPF UVA rays from the sun age you before you realize it. These sneaky things penetrate the clouds and glass windows so the only way to prevent your skin from aging prematurely and forming wrinkles too early is to protect it with a broad spectrum, SPF 30 or higher sunscreen. Don’t forget the neck and there are lip balms with SPF too. Sunscreen can now be washed on (think wash-on sunscreens like Guardian Angel and Bodyguard), applied on the face (Umbrella SPF 70), or eaten (oral SPF). SLEEPING WITH MAKEUP ON Thought it’s no big deal falling asleep with makeup, oil and dirt on your face? Apparently this is a nasty habit the can create absolute havoc on your skin, clogging pores, transforming skin from divine to drab. If you put on makeup, at least clean it Continue Reading