With ongoing climate changes (hello, heat wave!) and the ever-present penetrating rays from the sun, how do you take care of your skin? With so many seasonal variances, is it possible to maintain a healthy year-round glow?
Sure, everyone wants to look great with healthy glowing radiant skin, especially in the summer. But did you know the majority of all premature aging is due to sun damage?
Here are six simple summer skin tips that will get you help you achieve that glow and look your best:
1. The best way to protect yourself this summer and keep your skin looking great is to use sunscreen everyday. Use a sunscreen that is a combination sunscreen and moisturizer (your skin surface needs extra lubrication in the summer months). You need to nourish your skin with healthy vitamins and anti-oxidants, so that while you are protecting your skin from the sun, you also receive long-term benefits.
2. Make sure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Eat plenty of fruits and salads to keep your skin looking firmer, and your digestive track healthy.
3. For any skin type, make sure to cleanse your skin daily! In your morning and evening routine, you want to make sure you wash off the toxins on your skin. Look for a cleanser that is gentle to your skin. Look for cleansers with AH and BH acids or papaya-based products. The papain enzyme within papaya helps to remove dead skin cells and encourage new skin growth.
4. Wear lip balms that are moisturized to your skin for the summer, with a minimum of 15 SPF. Lip balms without sun protection should be avoided because the “gloss” may attract the harmful UV rays.
5. Make sure you exfoliate your skin two to three times a week to remove unwanted dead skin that may be clogging your pores.
6. Use a toner right after cleansing your skin. Toners help restore the pH balance to your skin, which makes your skin surface less susceptible to unwanted bacteria growth.
If You Have Oily Skin
Carry around a blotter to remove the oil from your skin throughout the day. Look for products with BHA to keep the pores clean. Once a week, follow up with a clay mask. At night, after cleansing, use an oil-free moisturizer to help soothe the skin, and keep the skin moisturized while you are sleeping! Look for products that are alcohol-free, in order to avoid overdrying your skin.
If You Have Dry Skin
Make sure you moisturize daily, especially right after the shower. Your moisturizer should be left on to allow penetration and absorption into deeper layers of your skin. Follow this routine twice a day. Make sure you avoid artificial moisturizers since they are not adding value to your skin care routine! Look for a scrub or cleanser with AHA, that breaks down the dead skin and doesn’t allow the moisture to get in. Look for a toner that is gentle to your skin, like rose water. Once the dead skin is removed, the moisturizer is easier to penetrate. Use a hydration mask, at least once a week.
If You Have Normal Skin
If you have normal skin, then you are lucky! You want to keep your skin protected and moisturized throughout the day. Look for a scrub or cleanser with AHA or BHA and cleanse twice a day. Use a lighter moisturizer for the summer months — something that will not clog up your pores.
Follow these skin care tips and may you achieve that healthy summer glow.
Showing posts with label heat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heat. Show all posts
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
13 Simple Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill
Beating the heat this summer is an expensive proposition as temperatures soar into the triple digits in some parts of the U.S.
Cities along the East Coast endured record-setting highs Tuesday, with more than half a dozen topping temperatures not seen since 1999, according to Accuweather.com. (Baltimore topped 105 degrees, compared with 101 in 1999; and Warwick, R.I., hit 103, up from 97 in 1999.) Power demand during the heat wave is also expected to hit record highs, with many utilities warning of brownouts and blackouts.
Here's how to stay cool and keep electricity bills reasonable:
Fine-Tune Your Equipment
Arrange an HVAC inspection. Anyone can hire a certified technician for an annual check that their home's heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system is operating at peak efficiency. Leaking ducts, for example, could reduce energy efficiency by up to 20%, says Ronnie Kweller, a spokeswoman for the Alliance to Save Energy. Inspections usually cost $50 to $100, but that could be offset by the energy savings over time.
Shop for size. Consumers in the market for a new room or window air conditioner should use Energy Star guidelines to determine how powerful a unit they need. A too-powerful unit not only wastes energy, it's also less effective at reducing humidity.
Keep it clean. Clean air filters monthly for central air and individual window or wall units. Dirt and dust hinder air flow, reducing efficiency.
Program the thermostat. Give the air conditioner a break during the work day. Shifting the settings to allow higher daytime temperatures could cut the average household's electric bill by $180 a year, according to Energy Star.
Seek out incentives on appliances. Investing in a new energy-efficient unit can cut long-term bills -- and be cheaper upfront, too. Through the end of 2010, qualifying central air conditioners are eligible for a federal tax credit of 30% of the cost, including installation, up to a total of $1,500 for all projects. Plenty of states also still have rebates available under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. A Maine resident, for example, can get $100 back on a qualifying central air conditioner, while Georgia offers $30 for room units and $99 on central units. Check for other government and utility deals in the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.
Hunt Down Heat Sources
Seal up the house. Cooled air can leak through cracks along window and door frames. Invest in some caulk and weather-stripping to plug up these drafts. A home that's properly insulated and sealed improves energy efficiency by up to 20% year-round, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. (Insulation materials are also eligible for the 30% energy efficiency federal tax credit, up to $1,500 for all improvements combined.)
Avoid chores. The hotter the space, the harder an air conditioner must work to keep things cool. Limit the use of heat-generating appliances such as the oven, dishwasher and clothes dryer during the daytime hours when temperatures are hottest, says Steve Rosenstock, manager of energy solutions for the Edison Electric Institute, an industry group. "That just makes more of a load for your air conditioner," he says.
Change light bulbs. Swapping incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescent ones can cut a home electric bill, Kweller says. Switching one incandescent for a CFL saves $35 in energy costs over the projected 10-year life of the bulb. Not only do CFLs use less energy than conventional bulbs, but they also generate less heat.
Close the blinds. Rooms get hotter without shades or curtains to block the sunlight, especially with south- and west-facing windows. Put this idea to work more effectively with insulated window treatments.
Use fans. A breeze makes the room feel a few degrees cooler. Just be sure to turn it off when leaving. "Fans cool people, not rooms," Kweller says.
Unplug. Gadgets like a cellphone charger or microwave suck energy -- and generate heat -- as long as they're attached to a power source. Standby power for appliances not in use typically accounts for 5% to 10% of residential electricity use, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Plug those devices into a power strip that can be turned off when not in use.
Assess Utility Suppliers
Check alternate suppliers. Residents of states where the electric industry is deregulated can shop around for their energy provider, says Rosenstock. Depending on the options, some residents could save 5% to 15% a month. Many alternative companies use renewable energy, so they're much less dependent on volatile oil, coal and natural gas prices. Most will also fix billing rates for a year or more -- a bonus if energy prices creep up. The state's public service commission should keep a list of options. Just be aware that most providers require a commitment of at least a year and charge a hefty fee for ducking out early, Rosenstock says.
Consider time-of-use plans. A growing number of electric companies are offering so-called time-of-use plans, which offer lower rates for energy consumption during off-peak hours (usually from mid-evening to early morning). The catch is that users often pay more for peak-hours use, so consider the daily schedule before signing up. Arizona-based SRP, for example, regularly charges 10.64 to 12.12 cents per kilowatt hour during July and August, based on the amount used in a billing period. On the time-of-use plan, it charges a flat 21.30 cents for on-peak hours (1 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays) and 6.65 cents during the rest of the day, on weekends and holidays.
Fix the bill. Ask the utility company about fixed-bill plans, which charge the same amount every month for a set period, regardless of electricity use. Users pay a premium rate per kilowatt hour to hedge against price increases and seasonal spikes, so make sure to crunch the numbers to confirm the savings, Kweller says. Also, keep in mind that these plans periodically reconcile, which can leave users with a big bill if they've used more than the supplier anticipated. Check with the utility to see if it alerts customers using more power than they anticipated and whether users can pay extra as they go.
Cities along the East Coast endured record-setting highs Tuesday, with more than half a dozen topping temperatures not seen since 1999, according to Accuweather.com. (Baltimore topped 105 degrees, compared with 101 in 1999; and Warwick, R.I., hit 103, up from 97 in 1999.) Power demand during the heat wave is also expected to hit record highs, with many utilities warning of brownouts and blackouts.
Here's how to stay cool and keep electricity bills reasonable:
Fine-Tune Your Equipment
Arrange an HVAC inspection. Anyone can hire a certified technician for an annual check that their home's heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system is operating at peak efficiency. Leaking ducts, for example, could reduce energy efficiency by up to 20%, says Ronnie Kweller, a spokeswoman for the Alliance to Save Energy. Inspections usually cost $50 to $100, but that could be offset by the energy savings over time.
Shop for size. Consumers in the market for a new room or window air conditioner should use Energy Star guidelines to determine how powerful a unit they need. A too-powerful unit not only wastes energy, it's also less effective at reducing humidity.
Keep it clean. Clean air filters monthly for central air and individual window or wall units. Dirt and dust hinder air flow, reducing efficiency.
Program the thermostat. Give the air conditioner a break during the work day. Shifting the settings to allow higher daytime temperatures could cut the average household's electric bill by $180 a year, according to Energy Star.
Seek out incentives on appliances. Investing in a new energy-efficient unit can cut long-term bills -- and be cheaper upfront, too. Through the end of 2010, qualifying central air conditioners are eligible for a federal tax credit of 30% of the cost, including installation, up to a total of $1,500 for all projects. Plenty of states also still have rebates available under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. A Maine resident, for example, can get $100 back on a qualifying central air conditioner, while Georgia offers $30 for room units and $99 on central units. Check for other government and utility deals in the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.
Hunt Down Heat Sources
Seal up the house. Cooled air can leak through cracks along window and door frames. Invest in some caulk and weather-stripping to plug up these drafts. A home that's properly insulated and sealed improves energy efficiency by up to 20% year-round, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. (Insulation materials are also eligible for the 30% energy efficiency federal tax credit, up to $1,500 for all improvements combined.)
Avoid chores. The hotter the space, the harder an air conditioner must work to keep things cool. Limit the use of heat-generating appliances such as the oven, dishwasher and clothes dryer during the daytime hours when temperatures are hottest, says Steve Rosenstock, manager of energy solutions for the Edison Electric Institute, an industry group. "That just makes more of a load for your air conditioner," he says.
Change light bulbs. Swapping incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescent ones can cut a home electric bill, Kweller says. Switching one incandescent for a CFL saves $35 in energy costs over the projected 10-year life of the bulb. Not only do CFLs use less energy than conventional bulbs, but they also generate less heat.
Close the blinds. Rooms get hotter without shades or curtains to block the sunlight, especially with south- and west-facing windows. Put this idea to work more effectively with insulated window treatments.
Use fans. A breeze makes the room feel a few degrees cooler. Just be sure to turn it off when leaving. "Fans cool people, not rooms," Kweller says.
Unplug. Gadgets like a cellphone charger or microwave suck energy -- and generate heat -- as long as they're attached to a power source. Standby power for appliances not in use typically accounts for 5% to 10% of residential electricity use, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Plug those devices into a power strip that can be turned off when not in use.
Assess Utility Suppliers
Check alternate suppliers. Residents of states where the electric industry is deregulated can shop around for their energy provider, says Rosenstock. Depending on the options, some residents could save 5% to 15% a month. Many alternative companies use renewable energy, so they're much less dependent on volatile oil, coal and natural gas prices. Most will also fix billing rates for a year or more -- a bonus if energy prices creep up. The state's public service commission should keep a list of options. Just be aware that most providers require a commitment of at least a year and charge a hefty fee for ducking out early, Rosenstock says.
Consider time-of-use plans. A growing number of electric companies are offering so-called time-of-use plans, which offer lower rates for energy consumption during off-peak hours (usually from mid-evening to early morning). The catch is that users often pay more for peak-hours use, so consider the daily schedule before signing up. Arizona-based SRP, for example, regularly charges 10.64 to 12.12 cents per kilowatt hour during July and August, based on the amount used in a billing period. On the time-of-use plan, it charges a flat 21.30 cents for on-peak hours (1 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays) and 6.65 cents during the rest of the day, on weekends and holidays.
Fix the bill. Ask the utility company about fixed-bill plans, which charge the same amount every month for a set period, regardless of electricity use. Users pay a premium rate per kilowatt hour to hedge against price increases and seasonal spikes, so make sure to crunch the numbers to confirm the savings, Kweller says. Also, keep in mind that these plans periodically reconcile, which can leave users with a big bill if they've used more than the supplier anticipated. Check with the utility to see if it alerts customers using more power than they anticipated and whether users can pay extra as they go.
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