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I love storytelling and always want my readers to have options. You can find my blogs on my YouTube channel and listen to them on the go.
The Benefits of Collagen Supplements and Why I Love Them
Have you ever discovered something new and asked yourself how it was that you never knew about it before? That is how I felt when I first found out about the benefits of boosting collagen levels and collagen supplements, The purpose of this blog is to share how I have personally benefited from increasing my collagen levels and why I am now recommending it to you.
Collagen is a protein in our body. The collagen in your body helps maintain your bones, muscles, tendons, skin, and ligaments. Many consider collagen to be the glue in our bodies. Unfortunately, as we age, our bodies produce less collagen and our natural collagen levels decrease.
If you are looking for ways to reduce joint pain, grow your hair longer, and smooth out those fine lines on your face, you may want to give collagen supplements a try.
The Benefits Of Collagen Supplements
Joint Pain
Collagen is bountiful in the body, but as levels decrease as you age you may start to notice more joint aches and pains. As someone who has had multiple knee injuries and suffers from chronic knee pain, I noticed a significant reduction in pain in my knees and back when exercising and going up and down the stairs,
Skin
Collagen is a beauty secret for many women. Collagen supplements definitely benefit the skin but the changes are subtle at first so you really have to be looking to notice. Over time you will notice more supple, plump skin which will reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Collagen has helped give me a more youthful appearance and glow.
Hair and Nails
If you are struggling with brittle nails or dull hair that doesn’t seem to grow very fast collagen supplements may help you. Just a short time after increasing your collagen levels by supplements or food you will start to see the faster hair growth and longer, stronger nails.
How To Increase Your Collagens Level
There are several ways to increase your collagen levels. The first method, which is the preferred method is to just eat collagen-rich foods. Obviously, this is easier said than done for many, but not impossible if you make collagen-rich foods a priority in your diet.
Collagen Rich Foods
Collagen-rich foods include proteins, fruits, and veggies. But my number one got collagen-rich food is bone broth. You can buy bone broth, or make your own. I make my own bone broth and keep it in freezer-safe containers until ready to use when I want soup or as a flavorful addition to a sauce.
Other foods that include high collagen levels include citrus, berries, eggs, tomatoes, chicken, beans, and of course leafy greens. Replace a meal with a nice green salad with some fruit or beans and tomatoes on top, and wash it down with some citrus-infused water and you are well on your way to increasing your collagen intake and levels.
Collagen Powder
Collagen powder is a great way to increase your collagen levels and see great results in a short period of time. You can get collagen powders that are completely tasteless and you can add to your water, smoothies, or even food. I usually add a scoop to my morning coffee because I find that the powder dissolves much better in hot drinks than cold.
One downside with the powder, besides it not dissolving well, is that you may miss out on some of the collagen if you do not completely finish your beverage. I am currently using Vital Protein collagen and have seen great results.
Collagen Capsules
Collagen capsules work just as great as the powder but it comes down to a matter of preference. With collagen captures you will usually need to take at least six horse-sized pills daily to get your appropriate collagen dose and see results. But the good thing is that you will see results. My preferred brand for collagen capsules is Youth Theory.
Besides having to deal with the large capsules, collagen supplements may cause some gastrointestinal distress as you get used to taking them.
As I have aged and done lots of research on beauty and aging gracefully, I have learned the collagen was the best thing I never knew I needed. I recommend collagen supplements to family and friends because they work, but you will have to decide which brand works best for you. Whichever brand you choose, I recommend you give it at least 90 days to see results.
What are your thoughts on collagen supplements? If you take collagen supplements, do you prefer powder or capsules? Please share your results!
5 Benefits Of Dead Sea Mud Masks...My New Favorite Beauty Product!
I am not really one for trying new things. Once I find a product I like, I tend to be brand loyal and stick with what I know. Historically, I usually only change things up when a product is discontinued, hard to come by, or they change the formula, to my dismay.
I have been working on being more open to trying new things, and I was in the market for a new exfoliator and face mask. I started my research a few weeks ago to find just the right face mask for my skin type. I Googled of course, and then starting searching on Amazon. After I narrowed my choice down to three face mask brands, I settled on New York Biology Dead Sea Mud Face Mask, which had great reviews.
I have been very fortunate most of my life when it comes to my skin. I never had acne as a teenager, but my skin does to run a bit more on the oily side, which helps when it comes to skin aging. I am in my forties, and while my skin is wrinkle free, I have started to notice larger pores and some loss of elasticity. Although I have no desire to go back to my twenties, and I am very proud of my age, I still want to look good.
There are many benefits to using dead sea mud and I plan to reap all of the them.
5 Benefits Of Dead Sea Mud Mask
- Brightens Skin
- Reduces Pores
- Removed Toxins From Skin
- Improved Skin Elasticity
- Treats And Prevents Acne
Once my Dead Sea Mud Mask arrived I was very eager to try it. I read the ingredients and was pleasantly surprised that I recognized all of the ingredients including Sunflower Oil, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, and Aloe Vera. The mask is charcoal colored, creamy and smooth in texture, and has a very light scent.
I followed the directions to apply a thin layer of mud to my clean face avoiding mouth and eye areas. After 10 minutes I used warm water to gently remove the mask, by using circular motions. I dried my face and moisturized with my favorite night cream, Resilience Lift Night by Estee Lauder.
It has been four weeks since I started using New York Biology Dead Sea Mud Mask, and I have noticed positive changes in my skin. After using the mask twice a week, my skin is brighter, softer, and my pores appear to be smaller. I highly recommend adding this mask to your beauty regimen. I am excited to see how my skin looks in another four weeks!
What are you using as part of beauty regimen? Do you have a favorite mask or exfoliator? Please share!
5 Beauty Tips For Fighting Dry Skin In the Winter
Winter months and cold weather tends to wreak havoc on our skin. The harsh weather can leave our skin feeling dry, rough, and itchy. To make matters worse, we get to add the unattractive, crackled, prematurely aged skin look that no one is super happy about.
The good news is that with a fews simple tricks you can minimize, or even completely avoid the pitfalls of cold, dry weather. Every women needs a beauty routine, and that routine needs to be adjusted based on weather, climate, and even age. Here are my tips for fighting that winter dry skin.
5 Beauty Tips To Fight Dry Skin
Add Some Humidity - Humidifiers are not just for when you have a cold or flu. Winter weather is very dry. I recommend running a humidifier in your room at night, or at least a few nights a week. It will add some much needed hydration, and help replenish your skin.
Take Warm, Not Hot Showers - Really hot water dries your skin out. Reduce the temp, and you will not dry your skin out as much. The steam from the shower will help lock in moisture from you skin's natural oils, so close that bathroom door for a nice steam.
Moisturize - It is important to adjust your beauty routine as the weather changes. In winter months, my face cream is thicker, and more moisturizing. For the body I recommend coconut oil. Specifically for hands and feet, I suggest adding a nice layer of coconut oil to your hands and feet, and wearing booties and mittens for at least an hour. Do this overnight if possible. Your hands and feet will be so soft. Also try using coconut oil for your hair and scalp. It is wonderful.
Hydrate - Drinking lots of water is important to your winter skin. Your skin is drying out due to lack of moisture in the air, so you need to hydrate it from within. You can also hydrate by eating water rich foods such as cucumbers, watermelon, grapefruits, and lettuce.
Avoid The Cold Wind - Winter is coming, or so they say. Seasons will change, and cooler weather will come no matter. The best thing you can do for your skin in colder months is to stay out of the cold weather, if possible. Just remember that if you must venture out, be sure to wear sunscreen (yes even in winter months), sunglasses, a hat, and a scarf too.
Like all other beauty tips and tricks, consistency is key. Moisturizing occasionally is not going to cut it. Dry skin can increase wrinkles, and nobody wants that. Take care of that skin, and get your winter beauty routine going.
What do you do to combat winter dry skin? Or do you keep same the same beauty routine all year long? Just please tell me that you at least have a routine... Please share!