How to Effectively Detox Your Beauty Routine

Posted on by Editor0 Posted in Beauty and MakeupLeave a Comment on How to Effectively Detox Your Beauty Routine

When we talk about “detoxing,” we often refer to alcohol and food. We see it as something we need to do when our body needs to rest from overindulgence. However, there are other things that need detox just as much as your stomach – our hair, nails and skin. Practising natural beauty isn’t just a fad that people started taking notice in 2016. It’s an industry-wide move and is something you can greatly benefit from. With that in mind, we listed down some of the chemicals you should look out for so you could easily and effectively detoxify your beauty routine.

1. Parabens
Paraben-free products has been one of the buzz-worthy phrases when it comes to promoting natural skincare movement. Parabens are preservatives used to delay bacterial growth in products – which sounds like a good thing – but are also believe to mimic oestrogen hormones and are related with an increased risk in breast cancer.

2. Formaldehyde
You might recognize this chemical as something that’s used to preserve dead bodies – not exactly something that you’d want to put on your skin. It’s a common disinfectant, fungicide, germicide and preservative that can be found in various cosmetics, such as nail varnish and body and face moisturizers. The same with paraben, it’s also linked to an increased risk of breast cancer so it’s better to ditch it as early as you can.

3. Phthalates
This common solvent is often found perfumes, hair sprays and nail polishes, as it helps in preventing these products from getting too stiff. According to health experts, however, phthalates is a hormone-disrupting chemical associated with breast cancer, interference with reproductive development in male foetuses, and even premature breast development among young girls.

4. Coal Tar
Charcoal may work wonders on your skin, but actual coal will not. Some studies found that coal tar is associated with bladder, kidney and lung cancer, as well as skin tumours. So watch out for this chemical, especially on hair dye labels and get rid of products containing chemicals like carbo-cort, coal, tar, coal tar solution, naptha, estar and petroleum benzin.

5. Anything Synthetic
Whether its colours, flavours or fragrances, opt for products that tout all-natural versions instead of anything synthetic. According to health experts, synthetic colours often come from coal tar and petroleum sources, and are suspected to be a skin irritant, human carcinogen and are even linked to ADHD in children.

Detoxing your beauty routine isn’t that challenging to do if you just know what chemicals to avoid using. So keep these chemicals in mind and ensure that your beauty arsenal is clear of any of these harmful substances.

Easy Ways to Keep Your Kitchen Germ-Free

Posted on by Editor0 Posted in Housekeeping TipsLeave a Comment on Easy Ways to Keep Your Kitchen Germ-Free

Having a germ-free kitchen is essential for healthy living. Since we prepare and eat our food in the kitchen, it’s only natural that we should keep it clean at all times. Preparing food in an unsanitary kitchen will only lead to spread of an infectious disease, food poisoning, and even death. To keep that from happening, we listed down some simple tips on how you could possibly keep your kitchen completely germ-free.

1. Clean Your Kitchen Regularly
Regular cleaning is the first step towards achieving a germ-free kitchen, and one of way of doing it is through using commercial products to disinfect and clean kitchen surfaces. Ensure that you thoroughly wiped up the disinfectant, and don’t immediately place food on a newly cleaned surface as it could absorb any remnants of the liquid cleaner. Apart from the countertops, also clean the cabinets, dining table and the floor of your kitchen.

2. Set Separate Cutting Boards
To prevent cross-contamination with your fruits and veggies, be sure to use a different cutting board for your meat products. Also, ensure that you wash them immediately after using; for glass and plastic cutting boards, simply run them through your dishwasher once you’re done washing your plates.

3. Keep Your Dish Towels and Sponges Clean
Set different sponges for your plates and for your counters, and make sure that you replace these sponges every two weeks. While in use, limit the bacterial growth by letting the sponges dry out in between uses. If you want, you can occasionally microwave your wet sponge for a few minutes. Other than sponges, your dish towels should also be replaced and washed once a week.


4. Avoid Leaving Out Your Dishes Overnight
As much as possible, avoid letting your appliances or dirty dishes sit out for long hours or overnight. While washing your dishes and cleaning your kitchen isn’t as appealing as relaxing on the couch, leaving your kitchen messy will only serve as an open invitation to ants, bacteria, fruit flies and other creepy crawlies.

5. Disinfect Your Appliances As well
Apart from your dishes and countertops, it’s also crucial that you clean your kitchen appliances like your microwave, refrigerator and even your portable grill. These appliances often come into direct contact with your food, so it’s only natural that you also maintain its cleanliness.

Regular cleaning and disinfecting is crucial for achieving a germ-free kitchen. So keep your scullery as clean as possible by following the aforementioned tips.