How air pollution can damage your skin and hair and what to do about it
Pollution has become buzzword in the region in Delhi /NCR and is affecting normal functioning of life due to toxic air and a heavy blanket of smog leading to zero visibility throughout the day. While pollution takes a toll on the environment and your health, it also affects your skin adversely.
Toxic air containing smoke, soot, acid and other pollutants severely affect the skin by draining away moisture, which leads to allergies and pigmentation spots on the forehead and cheeks on dry and rough skin. The toxic haze hanging over Delhi /NCR also causes uneven skin tone, accelerated ageing, wrinkles and black spots on the face.
Among the other organs in the body, the skin is also one of the first to bear the brunt of air pollutants, which not only attack the skin surface, but also cause an accumulation of toxins. In fact, they are potent skin irritants. There are both long and short term effects of pollutants.
Firecrackers during weddings and festivals also add to chemicals in the air, which are potent skin irritants. Chemical pollutants cause oxidation damage and this can lead to the manifestation of premature ageing signs like wrinkles, loss of elasticity, dark patches and spots. Chemical pollutants also disrupt the normal balance of the skin and scalp, leading to problems like dryness, sensitivity, rashes, acne, irritation or allergic reactions, dandruff and related conditions. They also make the skin and hair dull.
Your job may involve travelling long distances to work. The skin is thus more exposed to the pollutants in the air. Cleansing of the skin assumes more importance in order to get rid of the impurities and pollutants that are deposited on the skin. If you have dry skin, use a cleansing cream or gel. For oily skins, cleansing milk or face wash may be used. You can also use a facial scrub after cleansing.
Opt for products with ingredients like sandalwood, eucalyptus, mint, neem, tulsi and aloe vera when you buy cleansers. Their anti-toxic and tonic properties help to clear skin congestion and eruptions that result from exposure to chemical pollutants.
Aloe vera, for example, is also a powerful moisturiser and an anti-oxidant. So, are ingredients like apricot kernel oil, carrot seed and wheatgerm oil. If your skin is prone to eruptive conditions like acne, pimples and rashes, it should be protected with specialised creams that reduce oiliness and deal with the problem.
After cleansing, wipe the skin with a rose-based skin tonic or rose water to complete the cleansing process and refresh the skin. Soak cotton wool in chilled rose water and tone the skin with it, patting briskly. It also improves blood circulation to the skin surface and adds a glow. Green tea also makes for a good skin toner. If there is a rash or eruptions, add a little rose water to sandalwood paste and apply on the face. Wash it off with plain water after 15 minutes.
10 science-proven ways that will keep stress out of your life
The purpose of life, for most, is the pursuit of happiness or doing what gives us a sense of satisfaction. But urban lifestyles and workplace pressures may make it hard to look at life with a bird's eye view or keep track of what you originally set out to achieve. If you're finding yourself more and more stressed, try these simple, inexpensive and science-supported ways of being happier:
Studies have pointed out how people who live in greener places are happier and live longer. A recent study by Canadian researchers found that when people just took out a few minutes a day to notice and mull on nature around them - whether a flower, a bird, a tree, the blue sky. it increased their happiness and sense of well-being.It is as simple as that.
Here's the science behind it. Singing releases happiness hormones such as endorphins (associated with feelings of pleasure) and oxytocin, which reduces anxiety and stress. Studies have shown that singing also helps alleviate feelings of loneliness and depression.
This cannot be emphasised enough. Study after study stresses how daily physical activity boosts your mental as well as physical well-being. It boosts your mood, is good for your heart, keeps away diabetes, depression, arthritis and obesity. Working out does not mean you must go pump iron at some fancy gym every day but pack in 30 minutes of some physical activity (be it running, brisk walking, dancing or yoga) into your daily routine. It is the cheapest and most effective way of staying fit and happy.
Sleep rejuvenates the mind and body and its deprivation can make one irritable, sloppy, cause high blood pressure and decrease immunity. Cultivate good sleeping habits: Get at least seven hours of sleep daily, try and go to bed and wake up at a fixed time every day, avoid caffeine, alcohol, foods high-sugar or fat foods before bedtime.
Water is 60% of your body weight and essential for human survival. Among other functions, it regulates body temperature, helps in absorption of nutrients, flushes out toxins, improves cognition, mood and sleep quality. It helps you lose weight and is good for your skin. That ought to make you happier.
Smartphones have become a significant way to engage with the world. But too much smartphone use can cause feelings of loneliness, concentration issues and poor sleep quality which in turn can lead to obesity, diabetes and depression. So, set some boundaries to ensure this relationship does not turn toxic. Switch off your phone when you sleep at night, do not reach out for it first thing in the morning. Wake up, do some stretches, read the morning paper before you start replying to messages and emails. Cut down on social media use and delete apps that waste your time.
Writing down what's going on in your mind helps clear your head and organise your thoughts. Just like talking or sharing something stressful with a friend. According to one Texas University study, regular journaling strengthens immune cells. Psychologists say writing about stressful events helps you deal with them better and reduces the harmful effect such stressors have on your health.
Colour psychologists say colours have a strong impact on our mental well-being with blue, green and purple being the most soothing. According to an NYT report, violent juvenile delinquents at the San Bernardino County Probation Department in California tended to calm down when sent to an 8-foot by 4-foot cell with bubble gum pink walls. So you know what colour to opt for if you've been having temper issues lately.
A Missouri University research shows that listening to cheery music helps you feel upbeat when you consciously trying to improve your mood. So all you have to do is create a playlist of your favourite happy songs and that'll make that commute home at the end of a crappy work day a lot better.
Pet owners have a higher level of physical activity hence better heart health. Pet therapy, use of animals along with conventional medicine, is widely used to treat mental health disorders. Research has shown that animals help reduce anxiety and feelings of loneliness. If you can't keep a pet, volunteer at your nearby animal shelter.
Pollution has become buzzword in the region in Delhi /NCR and is affecting normal functioning of life due to toxic air and a heavy blanket of smog leading to zero visibility throughout the day. While pollution takes a toll on the environment and your health, it also affects your skin adversely.
Toxic air containing smoke, soot, acid and other pollutants severely affect the skin by draining away moisture, which leads to allergies and pigmentation spots on the forehead and cheeks on dry and rough skin. The toxic haze hanging over Delhi /NCR also causes uneven skin tone, accelerated ageing, wrinkles and black spots on the face.
Among the other organs in the body, the skin is also one of the first to bear the brunt of air pollutants, which not only attack the skin surface, but also cause an accumulation of toxins. In fact, they are potent skin irritants. There are both long and short term effects of pollutants.
Firecrackers during weddings and festivals also add to chemicals in the air, which are potent skin irritants. Chemical pollutants cause oxidation damage and this can lead to the manifestation of premature ageing signs like wrinkles, loss of elasticity, dark patches and spots. Chemical pollutants also disrupt the normal balance of the skin and scalp, leading to problems like dryness, sensitivity, rashes, acne, irritation or allergic reactions, dandruff and related conditions. They also make the skin and hair dull.
Your job may involve travelling long distances to work. The skin is thus more exposed to the pollutants in the air. Cleansing of the skin assumes more importance in order to get rid of the impurities and pollutants that are deposited on the skin. If you have dry skin, use a cleansing cream or gel. For oily skins, cleansing milk or face wash may be used. You can also use a facial scrub after cleansing.
Opt for products with ingredients like sandalwood, eucalyptus, mint, neem, tulsi and aloe vera when you buy cleansers. Their anti-toxic and tonic properties help to clear skin congestion and eruptions that result from exposure to chemical pollutants.
Aloe vera, for example, is also a powerful moisturiser and an anti-oxidant. So, are ingredients like apricot kernel oil, carrot seed and wheatgerm oil. If your skin is prone to eruptive conditions like acne, pimples and rashes, it should be protected with specialised creams that reduce oiliness and deal with the problem.
After cleansing, wipe the skin with a rose-based skin tonic or rose water to complete the cleansing process and refresh the skin. Soak cotton wool in chilled rose water and tone the skin with it, patting briskly. It also improves blood circulation to the skin surface and adds a glow. Green tea also makes for a good skin toner. If there is a rash or eruptions, add a little rose water to sandalwood paste and apply on the face. Wash it off with plain water after 15 minutes.
10 science-proven ways that will keep stress out of your life
The purpose of life, for most, is the pursuit of happiness or doing what gives us a sense of satisfaction. But urban lifestyles and workplace pressures may make it hard to look at life with a bird's eye view or keep track of what you originally set out to achieve. If you're finding yourself more and more stressed, try these simple, inexpensive and science-supported ways of being happier:
Studies have pointed out how people who live in greener places are happier and live longer. A recent study by Canadian researchers found that when people just took out a few minutes a day to notice and mull on nature around them - whether a flower, a bird, a tree, the blue sky. it increased their happiness and sense of well-being.It is as simple as that.
Here's the science behind it. Singing releases happiness hormones such as endorphins (associated with feelings of pleasure) and oxytocin, which reduces anxiety and stress. Studies have shown that singing also helps alleviate feelings of loneliness and depression.
This cannot be emphasised enough. Study after study stresses how daily physical activity boosts your mental as well as physical well-being. It boosts your mood, is good for your heart, keeps away diabetes, depression, arthritis and obesity. Working out does not mean you must go pump iron at some fancy gym every day but pack in 30 minutes of some physical activity (be it running, brisk walking, dancing or yoga) into your daily routine. It is the cheapest and most effective way of staying fit and happy.
Sleep rejuvenates the mind and body and its deprivation can make one irritable, sloppy, cause high blood pressure and decrease immunity. Cultivate good sleeping habits: Get at least seven hours of sleep daily, try and go to bed and wake up at a fixed time every day, avoid caffeine, alcohol, foods high-sugar or fat foods before bedtime.
Water is 60% of your body weight and essential for human survival. Among other functions, it regulates body temperature, helps in absorption of nutrients, flushes out toxins, improves cognition, mood and sleep quality. It helps you lose weight and is good for your skin. That ought to make you happier.
Smartphones have become a significant way to engage with the world. But too much smartphone use can cause feelings of loneliness, concentration issues and poor sleep quality which in turn can lead to obesity, diabetes and depression. So, set some boundaries to ensure this relationship does not turn toxic. Switch off your phone when you sleep at night, do not reach out for it first thing in the morning. Wake up, do some stretches, read the morning paper before you start replying to messages and emails. Cut down on social media use and delete apps that waste your time.
Writing down what's going on in your mind helps clear your head and organise your thoughts. Just like talking or sharing something stressful with a friend. According to one Texas University study, regular journaling strengthens immune cells. Psychologists say writing about stressful events helps you deal with them better and reduces the harmful effect such stressors have on your health.
Colour psychologists say colours have a strong impact on our mental well-being with blue, green and purple being the most soothing. According to an NYT report, violent juvenile delinquents at the San Bernardino County Probation Department in California tended to calm down when sent to an 8-foot by 4-foot cell with bubble gum pink walls. So you know what colour to opt for if you've been having temper issues lately.
A Missouri University research shows that listening to cheery music helps you feel upbeat when you consciously trying to improve your mood. So all you have to do is create a playlist of your favourite happy songs and that'll make that commute home at the end of a crappy work day a lot better.
Pet owners have a higher level of physical activity hence better heart health. Pet therapy, use of animals along with conventional medicine, is widely used to treat mental health disorders. Research has shown that animals help reduce anxiety and feelings of loneliness. If you can't keep a pet, volunteer at your nearby animal shelter.
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