HEALTHY LIVING
Dos and Don’ts for Naturally Beautiful Skin in Winter
As the temperature begins to fall so does the radiance and moisture of our skin. The freezing cold temperatures of winter leave our skin dull, dry, flaky and itchy. That means not only do you have to change your wardrobe when winter comes, you need to change your beauty routine too. To help you combat the wrath of winter, here are the top 10 dos and don’ts of winter skincare.
Dos
- Always moisturize
The dry winter air can be damaging to your skin, causing it to become dry and flaky. It’s important that you moisturize everyday, at least once a day, to combat the dryness. Your choice in moisturizer should also reflect the change in weather. Look for a moisturizer that is thick and cream based, like Pure Fiji’s body butter. This super moisturizing cream is made with a blend of coconut, macadamia, dilo and sikeci oils to rapidly hydrate your parched skin. - Keep those hands covered!
Make sure you are wearing gloves every time you go outside, especially when the air is cold and frosty. The skin on your hands is thinner than most parts of your body and the cold air can quickly dry out your hands. The easiest way to protect your hands is to wear gloves and always use a hand crème, both at night and during the day. Pure Fiji’s nourishing hand creme contains cold pressed coconut oil to keep your hands nourished, hydrated and soft. - Use a humidifier
Instead of cranking up the heat on a cold day, try using a humidifier instead. Central heating systems (as well as small room heaters) blast hot dry air, which can dry out your skin. Humidifiers help to add moisture to the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out. If you can, use more than one humidifier throughout your house to disperse the moisture more evenly. - Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate
Because your skin tends to be drier and flakier in winter, it’s important that you exfoliate to get rid of dead, dull skin. Exfoliating will also help your thirsty skin absorb more hydration from your moisturizer. Try to exfoliate at least a few times a week. A great choice in body exfoliator would be Pure Fiji’s coconut creme body scrub. This scrub contains natural cleansers derived from sugar cane and coconut, as well as pineapple enzymes that gently exfoliate and brighten your skin. - Try a DIY Mask
Often times the best ingredients for your skin can be found in your home – in your fridge or pantry. Pure Fii’s Nourishing Exotic Oil contains cold pressed virgin coconut oil, macadamia, dilo and sikeci oil which is amazing for your dry, winter skin as it’s chock full of beneficial vitamins and nutrients to nourish, moisturize and protect.Super Hydrating Coconut Moisture Mask
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon Nourishing Exotic Oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ of a mashed avocado or egg (well whisked)
Directions:
Blend all ingredients together well and apply to skin. Leave on for 15 minutes then wash off thoroughly with water.
Don’ts
- Soak in a hot bath or shower
Having a piping hot bath after being out in the cold might seem like a great idea but in reality it’s wreaking havoc on your skin. The hot water breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, which can lead to a loss of moisture. Instead, try having a lukewarm bath or shower lasting no longer than 10 minutes. Finish with a body butter to rehydrate your skin. - Use products full of sulphates
Sulphates are chemicals found in many cleansers on the market that are used to cut oil from the skin. While this might be fine for your skin in the warmer summer months, it can trigger redness, irritation and dry skin in harsh, winter conditions. Always choose natural beauty products that don’t contain sulphates so you can be sure they won’t irritate your skin. Pure Fiji’s coconut milk shower gel is naturally sulphate free and contains ingredients like pineapple enzymes to gently exfoliate and brighten your skin. - Wear PJ’s made with cotton and synthetic fibers
Choosing the right PJ’s can make a difference when trying to combat dry, itchy winter skin. Avoid wearing pyjamas with a blend of cotton and synthetic fibers, as they can be irritating to your skin. Instead choose soft fabrics like cotton or cotton flannel to soothe your skin while you sleep. - Mask your dry skin with makeup
Applying foundation directly to your dry skin will only make it more flaky and dull. Before applying foundation, make sure you exfoliate your skin to slough away any dead skin cells. Use an exfoliator that is gentle on your skin like Pure Fiji’s exfoliating scrub. Also important to remember, when your skin is dry and flaky, avoid rubbing on your foundation as it can get caught under the dry skin. This will undoubtedly draw more attention to it. Instead, pat it on gently or use a beauty blender sponge. - Consume too many caffeinated beverages
Even though drinking a warm cup of coffee might seem like a necessity on a cold, winter morning, it may in fact be wrecking your skin in the process. Consuming too many caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, soda) can be dehydrating to your skin. Caffeine acts like a diuretic and prevents the skin from retaining moisture, thus drying it out. If caffeine is a must, try cutting back on the amount you drink or choose decaffeinated beverages instead. And as always, make sure you are drinking plenty of water to counteract the effects of caffeinated beverages.
Winter may wreak havoc on your skin, but you don’t have to let it happen. Simply follow these 10 dos and don’ts and you’ll be sure to keep dry winter skin at bay.
(Family Features) The holidays are coming up, and many people will be celebrating with family and friends. The start of colder months also means flu, COVID-19 and RSV can surge. That can be dangerous for older adults.
“Holidays are a time to gather with family and friends,” said Charlene Wong, MD, MSHP, senior advisor for health strategy at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “but for older people, this can come with risk of serious respiratory illness. Get your updated flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines to reduce your risk and do more together.”
Before heading to holiday gatherings, check out these tips from the Risk Less. Do More. vaccine education campaign. They can help you and your older loved ones enjoy a happy holiday season while lowering the risk of serious illness from flu, COVID-19 and RSV.
Get Vaccinated Against Respiratory Illnesses
Older adults are at higher risk of getting seriously ill, ending up in the hospital or dying from flu, COVID-19 or RSV. Vaccines are the best protection against severe disease from these common respiratory illnesses. The CDC recommends that all adults ages 65 and older get the updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines. An RSV vaccine is also available to help protect older people from severe RSV. It is recommended for all people 75 and older, and for those ages 60-74 with certain health conditions, like heart or lung disease or diabetes, or who live in a nursing home. If you are a caregiver or help an older adult with their medical decisions, encourage them to talk to their doctor about the vaccines that are right for them.
Gather Safely
Respiratory illnesses often thrive in indoor spaces where people are in close contact. If the weather permits, try hosting holiday gatherings outside. When gatherings are inside, think about keeping windows open or using fans for ventilation. If you are going to a large indoor gathering, consider wearing a mask. Washing your hands frequently, or using hand sanitizer, also helps reduce the spread of germs. Encourage your older loved ones to take these precautions as well.
Stay Home If You’re Sick
No one wants to miss out on festivities, but it’s important to stay home if you are not feeling well. Encourage your family and friends to do the same. Remind them about the impact flu, COVID-19 and RSV can have, especially on older adults. If you’re a caregiver of an older adult, monitor any respiratory symptoms that may develop. Testing for flu and COVID-19 can also help inform your plans. All U.S. households can now receive four free COVID tests. Order them for your family and your loved ones at COVIDTests.gov.
For many older people, the fall and winter holidays are an important time to connect with others. Be sure to include vaccinations in your holiday planning. Go to vaccines.gov to get started today.
You can also learn more about flu, COVID-19 and RSV at cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore or by talking to your doctor about which vaccines are right for you this season.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
United States Department of Health and Human Services
(Family Features) Respiratory viruses are common in the fall and winter months. Flu, COVID-19 and RSV can surge during the cooler weather and keep people from gathering with family and friends. They cause many people to get very sick or even to be hospitalized.
“We know that getting vaccinated is the best defense against severe illness and death caused by flu, COVID-19 and RSV,” said Nirav D. Shah, MD, JD, principal deputy director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Respiratory virus season is here and now is the time to get your updated vaccines so you can focus on what matters most: spending quality time with friends and family.”
Vaccines help people risk less serious illness, so they can do more of what they enjoy. Everyone 6 months old and older should get this season’s flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Adults ages 75 and older, adults 60-74 years old who have certain health conditions and adults age 60 and older who live in nursing homes should get an RSV vaccine if they have never been vaccinated against RSV. Pregnant people should also get an RSV vaccine to protect their babies from severe RSV disease in their first six months.
Getting vaccinated can be easy, and in many cases, it’s free. Here’s what you need to know.
Where Can You Get Vaccinated?
There are many places to get vaccines against flu and COVID-19, as well as RSV if you’re eligible. It’s OK to get all of these vaccines in one visit.
You can get vaccinated at some doctor’s offices, local health centers or most pharmacies. To find pharmacies near you, visit vaccines.gov. Your state or local health department may also be able to tell you where you can get vaccinated in your area.
Are the Vaccines Free?
If you have insurance: If you’re covered by Medicaid, or if you qualify for it, you can get the vaccines at no cost. People with Medicare (Parts B and D) or Medicare Advantage can also get the vaccines for free.
If you have private insurance through your job or your state’s marketplace, most plans fully cover the flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines through in-network doctors.
If you are uninsured: If you don’t have health coverage, your state or local health department or a local community health center may offer the flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines at no cost. Companies that make these vaccines may also offer them for free or at a lower cost through their patient assistance programs. Look for information on their websites.
To explore insurance options and affordable health plans, visit HealthCare.gov or see if you can get covered through Medicare or your state’s Medicaid program.
Get Vaccinated Now
Vaccines give you the best protection against getting very sick from flu, COVID-19 and RSV. Getting vaccinated soon means you’ll be ready for upcoming winter gatherings.
Visit cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore to learn more about the flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines. Also, you can order free COVID-19 test kits (four per household) at COVIDTests.gov. Talk to your doctor about which vaccines are right for you or visit vaccines.gov to get started today.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
United States Department of Health and Human Services
(Family Features) Four and a half years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are once again enjoying time with friends and family and doing their favorite things. However, the virus that causes COVID-19 keeps changing, so it’s still important to stay up to date on your vaccinations. Respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, are common during the fall and winter months. That’s why now is a good time to take care of yourself and your loved ones by getting the facts on the updated COVID-19 vaccines.
“As the virus changes, we are learning more and more about how to protect people from COVID-19,” said Namandjé N. Bumpus, Ph.D., principal deputy commissioner at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine means your protection is as up to date as possible.”
Here is information about this season’s COVID-19 vaccines from the Risk Less. Do More. public education campaign:
Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 lowers your chances of getting very sick or being hospitalized. Some people who get the vaccines still get sick, but vaccination can make symptoms milder. This is important if you are over age 65 or have certain health conditions. Both can put you at a higher risk for serious or long-lasting health problems, such as Long COVID or even death from COVID-19. If you do get COVID-19, ask your doctor about treatment options to reduce your risk of severe illness.
COVID-19 vaccines are regularly updated to keep up with the changing virus. The COVID-19 vaccines are updated based on the latest variants of the virus. The updated vaccines offer the best protection against the changing virus that causes COVID-19. Getting the latest vaccine boosts your immunity and lowers your risk of severe sickness.
Side effects for COVID-19 vaccines are usually mild and go away on their own in a few days. The most common side effects are soreness or redness at the injection site, headache or body aches, or fever. Severe side effects like anaphylaxis are rare, with about five adverse events per 1 million doses given.
Staying informed and getting this season’s COVID-19 vaccine – and encouraging loved ones to do the same – is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself and others this fall and winter. Knowing the facts about COVID-19 vaccinations can give you peace of mind and support a safer, healthier future for all. For more information, visit cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore or talk to your doctor.
If you think you have COVID-19, testing can help. All U.S. households are now eligible to receive four free COVID-19 test kits. Order them today at COVIDTests.gov.
The Impact of COVID-19 In Black and Hispanic Communities
For the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, people in Black and Hispanic communities were consistently more likely to get COVID-19, need medical or hospital care, and die from COVID-19 than people in other communities. That gap has narrowed over time, but this past summer, Black people were still more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to the average across all races and ethnicities combined. Hispanic people had lower than average rates of hospitalization. For everyone, getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine offers the best protection against severe disease and hospitalization.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
United States Department of Health and Human Services
-
NEWS2 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS1 year agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS2 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS2 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS1 year agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
NEWS2 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
NEWS2 years agoBowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
-
NEWS2 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint