Veggie Blog

Choosing a facial skin care product

When it comes to skin care, facial skin care seems to top the chart. There are lots of facial skin care products available in the market. The most common facial skin care products are the ones used as part of a daily routine, such as cleansers and moisturizers. Toners and exfoliators are well known too, but fewer people use them.

The general classification of facial skin care products is based on the following:

* Gender (there are facial skin care products for men and facial skin care products for women)
* Skin type (facial skin care products for oily skin, for dry skin, for normal skin and for sensitive skin)
* Age (facial skin care products for older and for younger skin)
* Skin problems (i.e. facial skin care products for the treatment of different skin conditions like eczema, acne etc.)

So that is your first tip for picking a facial skin care product that suits you. A good way to start is by working out your skin type. Also note that skin type changes with age, so the facial skin care product that suits you today might not suit you forever, and you need to keep checking how well your product works.

Facial skin care products come in many forms, such as creams, lotions, gels and masks, and many people like to argue about which form is best. However, no form is really better than another. What suits you (and whatever you are comfortable with) is the best form of facial skin care product for you.

However, it is important to note that these products work differently for different people. So the best approach is to test the facial skin care product on a small patch of skin (e.g. behind the ear) before you start using it.

Another important factor is the condition of your skin. If you suffer from a skin problem of any kind, it is best to ask a dermatologist for advice before you choose and start using a facial skin care product.

Once you have chosen a facial skin care product, make sure you use it in the right way, i.e. follow the instructions for application, use the correct quantity and make the product a regular part of your skin care routine.

Body detox products: how to judge them before you buy

Are you clean inside?

Are you 100 percent sure about it?

All of us are exposed to a number of chemicals and other potentially harmful substances on a daily basis. Even if you lead a healthy lifestyle, you still meet substances that are found everywhere, even in your own home: in the water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breathe. We cannot avoid these completely, because they are the essentials we need to live.

Thanks to modern medicine, we have ways to treat many diseases and relieve painful symptoms. Medicines, like all substances, are broken down by the liver and removed by the kidneys; they do not build up as ‘toxins’ in a healthy body. We also eat more processed food and sugar than ever before, which is a real concern for health, though not because it fills the body with toxins.

Why all the fuss about toxins?

Detox product sellers claim that toxins that are not removed cause indigestion and create more toxins, and that as they build up, they eventually turn into parasites that cause disease. This is not true. Toxins do not turn into parasites; parasites are infections that come from outside the body and need proper medical treatment.

Your liver and kidneys are very good at clearing waste from your body. In healthy people there is no evidence that they fall behind and need outside help.

That is why the best support is a healthy lifestyle: a good diet, exercise, enough water, not smoking and limiting alcohol. Some people still choose to try a body detox product.

Many of these body detox products are herbal and are sold as gentler than chemical medicines. They come in different forms, such as teas, capsules, softgels, chewables and drinks. Herbal does not automatically mean safe: some detox teas contain laxatives, and some herbs interact with medicines.

Each product claims to target a particular part of the body. That is why it is important to talk to a doctor before choosing a body detox product.

Many of these products are sold on the internet. While most claim to be fully effective and free of side effects, scientists who have tested such claims have found little or no evidence to support them.

Many sellers go to great lengths to persuade you to buy their products. It is wise to get a second or even a third opinion. A little research does a lot of good. You do not want to waste your money on drinks that only quench your thirst, or on something that might harm you.

So if you feel tired and seem to have lost your energy, do not assume it is a build-up of toxins. Tiredness has many possible causes, such as poor sleep, stress, anaemia or thyroid problems. See a doctor to find out what is really going on.

Medicines and vitamins are often mentioned in the same breath when it comes to lowering cholesterol. They are very different. Prescription drugs have been tested in large trials, while many supplements have not. Here is what is known about each, so that you can ask better questions at your next appointment.

How do statins work?

Statins are the medicines most often used to treat high cholesterol. They reduce the amount of cholesterol made in the liver. The NHLBI says that studies have shown that statins lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with high LDL. The NHLBI adds that statins usually do not cause side effects, but they may raise the risk of diabetes, mainly in people who are already at high risk of it. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks for you. For more, see when lifestyle is enough and when medicine helps.

What are bile acid sequestrants?

These are another type of cholesterol medicine. They keep bile acids, which help digest fats and oils, from being absorbed into the body, and that lowers LDL cholesterol. They may be prescribed if you cannot take statins or if statins alone are not lowering your cholesterol enough. According to the NHLBI, they may cause diarrhea, make some other medicines less effective or raise triglyceride levels.

Does niacin lower cholesterol?

Niacin, also called vitamin B3, can do so, but only in very large doses. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements says that doses more than 100 times the recommended daily amount, taken for months or years, can raise HDL by 10 to 30 percent and lower LDL by 10 to 25 percent. But in the largest trial to date, which included 25,673 adults with cardiovascular disease, adding extended-release niacin to statin treatment did not significantly reduce major vascular events, and the niacin group had more diabetes, digestive problems and skin rashes. Large doses can also cause flushing, itching, nausea, low blood pressure, raised blood sugar, blurred vision and, over months or years, liver damage. Experts do not agree on its value, and it is not something to start on your own. If a doctor prescribes it, the dose is supervised. For everyday amounts of vitamins, see getting the right amount of vitamins.

What about lecithin, vitamin C and vitamin E?

Lecithin is sold as a supplement that is said to help disperse fat and cholesterol in the body. The studies I could find on lecithin and cholesterol are small and mixed, and it is not a standard treatment, so it is not something to rely on. Vitamins C and E are antioxidants, and it was once hoped that they would protect LDL from damage and prevent heart disease. In practice, large trials have been disappointing. The Office of Dietary Supplements says that the HOPE and HOPE-TOO trials provide compelling evidence that moderately high doses of vitamin E do not reduce serious cardiovascular events, and that most trials have not found conclusive evidence that vitamin C supplements protect against heart disease. Fruits and vegetables, which contain these vitamins together with fiber and other nutrients, are associated with a lower risk of heart disease, and that is the reason to eat more of them.

What is the safest approach?

Start with food: more fiber, fewer saturated fats, regular activity and a healthy weight. Have your cholesterol measured and ask your doctor whether you need medicine, and if so, which type. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every vitamin and supplement you take, because some can interact with medicines. Our guides to what you can do to lower your cholesterol and vitamin C are a good place to begin.

The Atkins diet is one of the best-known low-carbohydrate plans, and the old version of this post listed its benefits and its few downsides. It also said that low-carb eating has been “scientifically proven” to improve insulin sensitivity, blood pressure and blood insulin, and that dieters lose less muscle than on low-fat plans. I could not support those claims, so this rewrite goes back to the studies.

What are the possible benefits?

A 2013 meta-analysis in the British Journal of Nutrition looked at 13 trials with 1,415 people who followed a very-low-carbohydrate diet or a low-fat diet for at least a year. The low-carb group lost about 0.9 kg (2 pounds) more on average, had lower triglycerides, a slightly lower diastolic blood pressure and higher HDL (“good”) cholesterol, but also higher LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. The authors described the differences as statistically significant but small in practical terms. A larger 12-month trial of 609 adults found no significant difference between a healthy low-carb and a healthy low-fat diet (6.0 kg lost compared with 5.3 kg), which fits the common advice that the best plan is usually the one you can keep following. See the meta-analysis abstract for the details.

Is it really “eat what you like”?

The old post argued that steak, butter and cream are a regular part of the plan, and that former dieters would enjoy the “forbidden” foods. That freedom is part of the appeal, but it is also the part doctors worry about. Harvard Health notes that these diets often look like plates piled with bacon, meat, eggs and cheese, and that the American Heart Association recommends about 13 grams of saturated fat a day (6 percent of a 2,000-calorie diet). A 20-week trial that fed people high-saturated-fat low-carb diets did not show worse heart-risk markers, but it was short, and how such diets affect heart attacks or strokes in the long run is unknown. Vegetables, nuts, fish and olive oil make a safer base than processed meat.

What are the downsides?

The first two weeks are the hardest. Cleveland Clinic says that “keto flu” symptoms (headache, fatigue, irritability, nausea, constipation or diarrhea) can appear two to seven days after you reach ketosis and last between two days and a month, usually somewhere in between. The old post said these effects are “transient” but that some people quit because of them, which is fair. Harvard Health adds that a strict ketogenic diet can raise LDL cholesterol, and that using it for a long time is linked to a higher risk of kidney stones, osteoporosis and gout. Low-fiber eating can also cause constipation, so keep non-starchy vegetables on the plate.

What about carb counting and your personal carb level?

The old post said some people can maintain weight on 90 grams of carbohydrate a day and others on 120. Atkins now says that most people’s personal carb tolerance is 40 to 120 grams of net carbs a day, and that you find yours in the later phases. Atkins has also renamed its plans, so the names of the phases may differ from the old ones. Our post on Atkins Diet basics explains the structure, and Atkins induction rules walks through the first two weeks.

Who should talk to a doctor first?

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have kidney disease or a history of disordered eating, or take medicine for diabetes, speak with your doctor before you start. The American Diabetes Association’s standards say that low-carb plans are not recommended for pregnant or lactating women, people with or at risk of disordered eating, or people with kidney disease, and that they should be used with caution with some diabetes medicines called SGLT2 inhibitors. Our guide to common mistakes Atkins dieters make helps you avoid the usual traps. Finally, the old post said “it works” for thousands of dieters, which is true for short-term weight loss, but the research shows that the long-term difference is small.

Hours at a desk are hard on the back. If you work at a computer and often feel an ache in your lower back, you are in good company. The older version of this article made big promises about yoga postures and even told readers to practice “to the point where mild pain is felt.” That is not advice to follow. This updated guide explains what we know about yoga and back pain, how to look after your back at home, and when to see a doctor.

How common is low-back pain?

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, about 80 percent of adults have low-back pain at some point in their lives. It is the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading reason for missed work. Most episodes last only a short time. Causes range from a strained muscle to problems with the discs and joints of the spine, and sometimes no specific cause is found.

Can yoga help?

It may help a little. NCCIH reports that a 2022 review of 21 studies, with 2,223 participants, found that yoga is slightly better than no exercise for low-back pain, although the small difference may not matter much to patients. An earlier 2017 review of 12 studies found small to moderate improvements in back-related function after three and six months compared with no exercise, and it was unclear whether yoga does better than other exercise. The American College of Physicians’ 2017 guideline recommends nondrug treatments first for chronic low-back pain, and yoga is one of several options it suggests. So yoga is a reasonable choice, but it does not cure back pain, and no posture “fixes” the spine.

What should you do when your back hurts?

MedlinePlus says a common myth is that you need to rest and avoid activity for a long time, and that health care providers do not recommend bed rest. If you have no warning signs, stay as active as you can. Stop normal activity for only the first few days, use ice for the first 48 to 72 hours and then heat, and avoid heavy lifting and twisting for the first six weeks. It also says not to exercise in the days right after the pain starts and to begin again slowly after two to three weeks, preferably with a physical therapist’s help. If you lie on your back, a pillow or rolled towel under your knees can ease pressure, and if you lie on your side, a pillow between your legs does the same. Read the full advice in MedlinePlus’s guide to taking care of your back at home.

How should you sit at the computer?

The same MedlinePlus guide gives practical rules. Use a chair with a straight back and an adjustable seat and back, armrests and a swivel seat. Put a stool under your feet so your knees are higher than your hips, and place a small pillow or rolled towel behind your lower back. Avoid high heels, and on long drives stop and walk around every hour. The same idea works at a desk: get up and move regularly. Our posts on the triangle pose for computer users and everyday activities that count as exercise show easy ways to break up the day.

When is back pain a warning sign?

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases says to see a doctor if your pain does not improve after a few weeks, or if it comes with numbness or tingling, severe pain that does not improve with medication, pain after a fall or injury, trouble urinating, weakness, pain or numbness in the legs, fever, or weight loss that you did not intend. Do not start any new exercise program, including yoga, until you know the cause.

What about the video below?

At the end of this post is a video titled “Sandy Blaine: Yoga for Computer Users.” I have not reviewed its movements, so follow it only if you feel comfortable, move slowly, and stop at any pain. NCCIH says people with lumbar spine disease and other conditions may need to change or avoid some poses, so ask your health care provider or a qualified instructor first. If you are new to the practice, start with what yoga is and the basic yoga postures.