Author: Ola

Exfoliation is essential for smooth and glowing skin. What makes this possible, however, is using an exfoliation method that is compatible with our skin.

There are two simple methods to exfoliate the skin – the physical and chemical methods – the method to opt for depends on your skin type.

Physical Method

This method is simple and common but it’s not for everyone – especially acne-prone & sensitive skin. It is the use of coarse exfoliants like sugar scrubs to remove dead skin cells. This method’s disadvantage is that it causes skin tearing (small skin cuts) when scrubbed too hard.

Chemical Method

Gentler and works deeper in the skin. We always recommend chemical exfoliation because it lasts longer and can be used by any skin type. Exfoliants such as AHAs and BHAs are excellent as they aid quick cell turn over which reveals newer, glowing skin.

Depending on the instructions of the products, the product itself, and the quantity of AHA in your product, you can exfoliate every day or at intervals.

When you use an exfoliant (or any skincare product) for the first time, be sure to test on a small part of your skin before using it fully, we advise inside the elbow. This will help to notice skin reactions immediately.

Some Chemical Exfoliants To Consider

1. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): this one is a badass at slowing down the transfer of dark pigments (melanin) in the skin. Since there are already black pigments residing in your dark spot area, Niacinamide prevents the movement of new melanin to the affected area and at the same time lightens the existing dark spots and smoothens wrinkles along the way.
2. Vitamin C: we are massive Vitamin C fans. If Vitamin C was a person, it would be Beyonce, because of its high performance. Vitamin C blocks the action of tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for the production of melanin so brown spots can not form that effectively. In time, the already formed black spots begin to fade.
3. Mandelic Acid: although slow in action, mandelic acid is one of the best acids for dark spots as it begins exfoliating treatment from deep depths of your skin not to mention its gentleness on the skin. Whatever mandelic acid lacks is fast action, it makes up for it in in-depth treatment because no acid can match its slow and ultra-effective action.
4. Kojic Acid: you not only eliminate your dark spots with this acid, but you also enjoy the benefit of an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory in one acid.

The good news is all four can be used by all skin types.

When you introduce these acids in your skin regimen – face wash, body wash, or serums your skin will reward you with that spotless skin you deserve.

WHAT IS NIACINAMIDE?

Niacinamide also called nicotinamide or vitamin B3 is a form of vitamin with several proven benefits for the skin & internal health. It is not taken internally unless recommended by a healthcare professional. For the sake of this article, we’ll focus on its skincare properties and benefits only.

Niacinamide is a multi-functional skincare superstar. It’s a great anti-aging and anti-wrinkle ingredient that can be used on its own or mixed with other ingredients like acetyl glucosamine, amino sugar, etc. Clinical evaluations of topical formulations containing this vitamin have identified a wide range of skincare benefits. Dermatological effects of topical niacinamide have also been observed in human testing, such as improvements in acne and bullous pemphigoid.

WHAT DOES NIACINAMIDE DO?

Niacinamide’s best benefit according to dermatologists is the prevention of skin cancer, but is that all that is about niacinamide? We’ll find out below:

Barrier repair functions

The region between our skin cells consists mainly of free fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides. These three determine how healthy our skin barrier is. Studies have shown that 2% of niacinamide can increase the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides which gives us a healthier, well hydrated, and stronger skin barrier.

In another study, niacinamide demonstrated the ability to improve the top layer of the skin barrier function in patients with rosacea.

Improves wound healing

Because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, niacinamide induces an improvement in wound healing. Not only this, it also improves tissue regeneration through rapid production of fibroblast and collagen synthesis.

Anti-aging & anti-wrinkle benefits

In studies on cell cultures, it is found that niacinamide enabled NAD(P) contents to increase to a level of young cells in aging cells. It was also found that niacinamide boosts the production of collagen which in turn decreases aging and wrinkles.

Hyperpigmentation & skin brightening benefits

Niacinamide is often employed in fading brown spots and brightening the skin because it slows down the transfer of melanosomes (where melanin is stored) from melanocytes (where melanin is produced) to keratinocytes (the outer layer of the skin where melanin shows).

Anti-inflammatory properties

In a study purposely for the treatment of acne, it was found that 4% niacinamide was effective in reducing the inflammation of the papules. In total, 82% of those treated showed significant improvement after 8weeks. This same method was applied in the treatment of rosacea and it improved the layer moisture, there was also a reduction in the reddening of the skin as an indication of the anti-inflammatory effect.

SIDE EFFECTS

Niacinamide is generally safe to use for everyone including pregnant or breastfeeding women. You can only react to this if you have an existing allergy, to be on the safer side, do a patch test of any new product before introducing them into your routine completely.

WHEN TO USE NIACINAMIDE

Niacinamide is suitable for anyone who wants to address acne, pigmentation, hydration, and reducing dark spots and redness. You can also use it to prevent aging, wrinkles and brighten your skin.

SKINCARE INGREDIENTS YOU CAN MIX/USE WITH NIACINAMIDE

Niacinamide can be used alone or mixed with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, acetyl glucosamine, amino sugar, AHA & BHA. in treatments of acne, some have reported a more effective result when they mixed niacinamide with copper, folic acid, and zinc. Ensure to check with your dermatologist before combining topical products.

SKINCARE INGREDIENTS YOU CAN’T MIX/USE WITH NIACINAMIDE

Do not use vitamin C and niacinamide in the same routine if you have sensitive skin. Use vitamin C by day and niacinamide by night or vice-versa.

Recommended products

Dang Ageless Niacinamide serum

Since your space is where you see every day if you aren’t traveling, it’s perfectly normal to get tired of the setting. If you need a change and want to stay within your budget to make your space feel new again, here are 5 ways you can transform your space:

1
Add Extra Details 

Give your house a new look by adding extra details like throw pillows, rugs, plants & candles. Use an existing glass jar as a vase for your new plant. Shop around your house and find some picture frames or artwork to decorate your bookshelf. Try a new color for your rug and choose your throws accordingly. The rug can set the tone for your new setting. Be sure to get candles that can also double as a decorative piece when it burns out. This way, you can repurpose it as a planter or a makeup organizer.

2
Switch The Placement Of Your Furniture

Having the same furniture placement can feel monotonous over time. Consider rearranging them. If possible, switch your TV placement to fit your new furniture arrangement. This can also be extended to your dining area. You will be amazed at how new your room can feel plus, you get a free space that also helps the room feel fresher.

3
Add a New Scent To Your Space.

Adding a new scent to your space can take how you feel about it from 10-100. A new candle or home spray will have you looking forward to your space and sure, being welcomed by an aromatic scent will make you fall in love with it again. The best part? Home sprays are totally budget-friendly.

4
Consider Repainting.

Since the living room is the first place you see when you get home, and it sets the tone for how you feel about your space, consider adding a pop of color to one side of your living room to accentuate that area. Choose a color that complements the style of your space. If your budget can fit into repainting the whole house, go for it!
5
Become A Minimalist

Do more with less. Eliminate a cluttered space and sell what you don’t need (extra cash, anyone?). Keep the sofa, some artwork, some seats, and your table. Everything else can go. Welcome to the minimalist lifestyle!

If you’ve read our product pages, you’ll know that we’re huge fans of antioxidants here at Dang! Lifestyle. But what exactly are they, and why do they matter?

Antioxidants are a group of naturally occurring compounds that defends our cells against free radicals. To understand antioxidants, we have to slightly brush up on free radicals.

Free radicals are molecules missing one or more electrons. They go around snatching electrons from other molecules that trigger cell damage. Excess free radicals cause oxidative stress, and this happens when exposed to excess sun, pollution, smoking, radiation, etc.

Here’s where antioxidants show up for a rescue. They also go around donating electrons to prevent free radicals from destroying our cells and cancel their process.

Even though free radicals get all the bad rep, they are surprisingly useful for us. They help our immune system fight bacteria so, they aren’t all bad but they are responsible for inflammation and prematurely aging your skin which is why antioxidants are so good at preventing or reducing the signs of aging.

Where can you find antioxidants?
Antioxidants are used in various skin care products like body oils, skin treatments, face cream, moisturizers, face masks, serums, etc.

Almost all vitamins are antioxidants, and it’s not surprising to see them in this category considering how much they work for our health & skin. Here are some examples of antioxidants:

Vitamin C: apart from protecting skin cells from free radicals, it also blocks the action of tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for the production of melanin so, brown spots can not form on the skin thereby fading hyperpigmentation.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin with high antioxidant power. Because of this quality, it effectively safeguards cells from damage by free radicals. Additionally, it boosts collagen, helps fade dark spots, and reduces inflammation.

Ferulic acid: popularly used in anti-aging serums, ferulic acid is majorly used to boost the effectiveness of other vitamins like vitamins A, C & E.

Coenzyme Q10: CoQ10 helps prevent and repair damage caused by environmental pollution – the leading cause of aging before stress, diet, and exercise. Apart from these, it also supports the production of collagen and helps even out our skin tone.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): this vitamin offers a wide range of benefits to the skin. It hydrates the skin, lightens existing dark spots, smoothes wrinkles, and of course, fights free radicals.

Other antioxidants include phytoextracts (e.g white tea and green tea), retinol, flavonoids, omega-3 & omega-6 fatty acids, etc.

Top 5 reasons to add antioxidants to your skincare routine
To moisturize and calm inflammation
To brighten & even skin tone
To help firm the skin
To help improve scar appearance
To prevent & correct signs of aging

Apart from antioxidants, there are many anti-aging ingredients with amazing benefits. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, and mandelic acid. For added benefit, make sure your skincare products consist of some of these beneficial ingredients.

Carrier oils, also known as base oils, are oil derived from seeds, nuts, fruits, or plants. They are used to “carry” essential oils. Essential oils are primarily made from the distillation of aromatic leaves, flowers, barks, & roots of the plant and tend to be very powerful to be used alone. Carrier oils are used to dilute the essential oils to eliminate possible side effects, increase absorption, and ensure they stay longer because essential oils on their own are highly volatile.

TYPES OF CARRIER OILS & THEIR COMEDOGENIC RATING

The list is extensive but, we will highlight some in this post. Some of these oils are highly comedogenic (they clog pores), some are moderate, while some do not clog pores at all e.g hemp seed oil.

Comedogenic Scale

The scale uses a numbering system of 0 to 5. Here’s how the numbers rank on the scale:

• 0 – won’t clog pores at all
• 1 – very low likelihood of clogging pores
• 2 – moderately low likelihood
• 3 – moderate likelihood
• 4 – fairly high likelihood
• 5 – high likelihood of clogging pores

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a perfect choice for carrier oils. Although they are heavy, their fantastic benefits make them ideal for essential oils. Be sure to choose fractionated coconut oil which is liquid at room temperature, unlike regular coconut oil.

Best for dry skin.

Comedogenic rating: 4 – high likelihood of clogging pores.

Grapeseed Oil

The byproduct of the winemaking process. This lightweight oil is easily absorbed by the skin hence a good choice for a carrier oil.

Best for all skin types.

Comedogenic rating: 1 – very low likelihood of clogging pores.

Moringa Oil

Moringa oil helps to restore and defend the skin from pollutants and signs of aging. Due to the long shelf life of this non-greasy oil, it is often used as a carrier oil for massage oils & cosmetics.

Best for dry & combination skin.

Comedogenic rating: 3-4 – moderate/fairly high likelihood of clogging pores

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is a wax ester used in aromatherapy. It helps balance the skin and absorbs easily. This ability makes it a good choice as a carrier oil.

Best for all skin types including oily/acne-prone.

Comedogenic rating: 2 – moderately low likelihood of clogging pores.

Olive Oil

Though it can be heavy, oily, and strong-scented, Olive oil is a great carrier oil because it’s packed with fatty acids (used in moisturizers) & plant sterols (used in cleansers).

Best for dry & acne-prone skin.

Comedogenic rating: 2- moderately low likelihood of clogging pores.

Hemp Seed Oil

Derived from the hemp seed but contains no THC (the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis), the hemp seed oil is an excellent carrier oil with antiaging properties.

Hemp seed oil is equally great for hair care. It naturally reduces scalp inflammation and acts as leave-in hair conditioner.

Best for all skin types including oily/acne-prone.

Comedogenic rating: 0 – won’t clog pores at all

Sunflower Oil

Used in massage oils & general skin care, sunflower oil is a perfect carrier oil that is highly absorbent, hydrating & softens the skin.

Best for all skin types

Comedogenic rating: 0-2 – moderately low likelihood of clogging pores.

Rosehip Oil

Rosehip is rich in essential linoleic acid that has been shown to have anti-viral, antibacterial & antifungal properties making it a perfect carrier for oils.

Best for all skin types including oily/acne-prone.

Comedogenic rating: 1 – very low likelihood of clogging pores.

HOW TO CHOOSE CARRIER OILS

Buy cold-pressed, pure, and preservative-free oils from a brand you trust. Cold-pressed oils are extracted without chemicals and heat so, they retain their nutrients. Also, consider your skin type, the odor of the oil, and absorption rate before choosing a carrier oil. Carrier oils are also safe to use alone.

HOW TO MIX CARRIER OILS

Because skincare is about finding out what works for you, if you feel that mixing a variety of carrier oils suits your need, you are free to do so. When mixing oils, dilute 2.5% – 10% essential oil with 97.5% – 90% carrier oil. For children, use not more than 1% essential oil to 99% carrier oil.

SUMMARY

Carrier oils are the safest way to use essential oils and because of their amazing benefits, you get more nutrients!

Always do a patch test before using a new skincare product liberally. Also, store carrier oils in a cool, dark place and keep them in a dark glass bottle to prevent rancidity.

 

Wondering why your smooth skin goal seems farther than ever? You could be doing one of the DON’Ts of healthy-looking skin. Apart from using the right product, it is important to make sure you are taking care of everything else that can make or break your skin like the don’t listed below.

Don’t: Use abrasive exfoliants.

Using exfoliants like sugar scrubs to remove dead skin cells causes skin tearing when scrubbed too hard, and because your skin should be treated gently, abrasive exfoliants will do more damage in the long run.

Do

Opt for chemical exfoliants that are gentle and take their time to work on the skin. Exfoliants such as AHAs and BHAs are excellent for all skin types as they aid in quick cell turn over which reveals newer, glowing skin.

Don’t: Use facial wipes as the only way to remove makeup.

Apart from smearing makeup all over your face in the process of using facial wipes, using it as your only method of removing makeup is a no-no because they do not remove all the dirt and grime accumulated during the day. They are not designed that way.

Do

Wash your face after using facial wipes. Treat your skin to a gentle face wash to complete your facial cleansing process.

Don’t: Avoid sunscreen.

Sunscreen is key to your skincare game. Without it, likely, you will not see returns in your skincare investment.

Do

Get a sunscreen at least SPF 30 as recommended by the American Academy of Dermatologists. Ensure to apply it every day you go out in the sun and remember to reapply every 90minutes.

Don’t: Avoid oily skincare products.

Having oily skin does not make you less than someone with dry or combination skin. Every skin has its own process so, avoiding a facial moisturizer/oil in an attempt to ‘dry out’ your oily skin or to reduce greasiness will do more harm.

Do

Embrace oily skincare products. Use them as you would if you had dry skin. The key is to ensure it actually delivers on its promise. If not, try another product.

Don’t: Follow your favorite celebrity’s recommended product.

Do this with caution because your favorite is paid to advertise the product. Your skin and theirs are different, and you most likely do not have the same skin problem and goal.

Do

Research. Find out what ingredient is used in making the product and if you are likely to react to it. Also, before using any new product on your face or body, do a spot test. Apply the product you wish to use on your inner wrist and wait 24 hours to see if you have a reaction before using liberally.

Don’t: Use a single pillowcase all through.

Your pillow has the closest contact to your face after your hands, and the quickest way to break out or soil your cleansed skin is through a dirty pillowcase and bed sheet.

Do

Ensure to change your pillowcase & bed sheet frequently. A clean sheet equals clean skin.

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