Health + Beauty Roundup: Top 10 Posts from around the Web This Week

We have to take the good with the bad, right? With weekend family camping trips, lazy days at the beach, exotic vacations and the heat of summer comes the perils of scorched skin, chlorine-stiff tresses, bare muffin tops, and saddle bags usually concealed behind “clothe’s doors.”

What is the web saying about summer health and beauty?

First, in-house writer Ana Johnson discusses the benefits of working health and beauty from the inside out. Ana outlines the role that vitamin C plays in neutralizing free radicals, and the importance of vitamins A, C, E and B complex and omega 3s in good skin health. Vitamins C and E work to reduce sun damage and improve skin’s elasticity and moisture, and vitamin A repairs damaged skin. Vitamin B complex reduces stress-related changes in health that affect the skin, and omega 3s reduce unsightly swelling effects on skin. In-house writer Diane Dean also discusses the role of Vitamin D in weight gain and obesity, in teens and adults. But let’s see what others on the web are saying about health and beauty this summer.

Vitamins for Young Skin

Cynthia Wilson notes that our skin reflects our general health, and discusses the benefits of many vitamins including K, C, A and E to keep skin youthful. Cynthia also says that antioxidants, beta carotene and omega 3s help to protect our skin and repair damage done to it. Marie Sanchez agrees in her article, and adds the stress-reducing benefit of vitamin B to the mix.

Cucumbers: More Than Spa Eye Wear

This green goddess food makes its debut not only due to the beauty benefits of its vitamin blend for skin, but because of its silica-rich properties that help strengthen nails and hairs. Add other health benefits for diseases like diabetes, gout and blood pressure, and you’ve got yourself one powerhouse food!

Be All Smiles

Who doesn’t want that gleaming George Clooney smile against that sun-kissed face? Nix the costly professional job, and instead DIY for natural beauty that’s also lighter on the wallet. In addition to whitening strips and trays, this health and natural beauty blog vows that strawberries, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda will do the trick.

Get Your Summer Glow On

Kimberly Snyder offers safe, non-toxic summer beauty tips. Her blog highlights the problems with many standard cosmetics, namely chemicals and additives that can cause disease and illness: cancer, DNA mutation and more. Try these tips and products for safe, natural beauty.

Help for Stressed Tresses

Summer brings many harsh elements, like the sun, heat, chlorine and salt water. ”Beauty Care” offers several tips for summer hair, such as rinsing in cool water, shampooing less, and drinking more water to keep your strands soft and supple.

Sunscreen Myths and Truths

The “Medical Daily” blog outlines the truths about sunscreen. As with any product, manufacturers attempt to be front and center in the consumer’s eyes. At times, this leads to deceptive marketing ploys in order to make a sale. This blog outlines sunscreen myths and addresses: how often and when to apply it, how it works in water, from which rays it protects you, and use for those with dark skin.

“F”, “F” and “F” Again! (No, not profanity!)

Last, but certainly not least, the web addresses body size. Unless we choose style over comfort all summer long, we’re bound to sport shorts and a tank shirt at the very least–and we want to look good in them! What’s the web saying about body fat (“F” #1) and health? James Simmons discusses the “Original Fast Foods (F’s #2 and #3).” Simmons discusses the ten vitamins and minerals that ease fat burning. That’s right: put the hamburger down and step away from the french fries. Instead, choose vitamin-rich fruits and veggies. With his tips, maybe we’ll even model that dream swimsuit with pride. (OK, maybe that’s a stretch, but at least we can button our shorts…!)

Diane Dean, RN-BC, LPC, CEG is a licensed registered nurse, professional counselor, professionally-trained coach and medical writer. She owns Epiphany! Counseling and Wellness Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

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