Author: Capital Femme

Hi, this space is about faith-based self care including making healthy choices in skincare and encouragement along your self care journey

The power of self-care: How it makes you feel better

On By Capital FemmeIn Personal careLeave a comment

Editor’s Note: This post was written before our faith-centered refocus, but the insights still hold value. Capital Femme is now a space where faith meets wellness 💛

Self-care isn’t just a trend; it’s a crucial component of overall wellness that includes emotional, mental, social, and spiritual health. “In a national survey, Americans cited benefits of self-care as: enhanced self-confidence (64%), increased productivity (67%), happiness (71%).” Practicing self-care involves prioritizing your needs, validating your goals, beliefs, and relationships, and ultimately, honoring your existence. When you give yourself that time to pamper yourself, you’ll be glad you did it. This could look like applying your favourite moisturizer, taking a bath, going for a walk or reading the bible. Here’s how engaging in self-care can make you feel:

Emotional and Mental Well-being

  • Reduced Stress Levels: By taking the time to unwind and engage in activities that bring joy and relaxation, self-care can help lower stress levels and promote a sense of calm.
  • Increased Happiness: Nurturing relationships, spending time in nature, and engaging in activities that bring you joy can contribute to increased feelings of happiness and support.
  • Improved Self-esteem: Engaging in regular physical activity, practicing gratitude, and setting achievable goals can boost self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment.

Physical Health

  • Better Sleep Quality: Prioritizing sleep and creating a consistent sleep schedule can improve sleep hygiene, regulate mood, and increase energy levels. You can go from cranky and annoyed to relaxed and productive.
  • Healthy Habits: Prioritizing a balanced and nutritious diet, staying hydrated, and engaging in regular physical activity can contribute to overall well-being and increased energy.

Overall Well-being

  • Grounded and Calm: Spending time in nature, engaging in relaxation activities like applying your skincare products, and nurturing healthy relationships can foster a sense of grounding, calmness, and emotional balance.
  • Balanced Existence: Self-care validates your needs, allowing you to honor your goals, beliefs, and relationships, contributing to managing stress and increasing positive emotions. The less you stress, the less acne you’ll have.

Tips for including self-care in your routine

Incorporating self-care into your daily routine is essential for maintaining overall well-being. Here are some actionable tips to help you prioritize self-care in your everyday life:

  1. Identify What Makes You Feel Centered
    • Start by listing activities that bring you joy, whether it’s a specific color, certain scents, or activities like reading or going for a walk.
  2. Incorporate Joyful Activities into Your Daily Life
    • Brainstorm how you can infuse these activities into your routine, whether in the background or as a dedicated part of your day.
  3. Make Time for Yourself
    • Dedicate at least 15-30 minutes each day for activities that bring you joy and relaxation.

Self-care includes making time to care for your skin. This can look like applying a face mask, doing some gua sha, eating more fruits or just simply moisturizing every time you cleanse. Practice positive self-talk and block out negative influences. Forming positive habits will make so much of a difference in how you feel.

In conclusion, self-care is not just about pampering oneself; it’s a daily holistic wellness practice that accounts for emotional, physical, mental, social, and spiritual health. By engaging in self-care practices, you can experience reduced stress, improved sleep quality, increased happiness, and an overall sense of balance and well-being. Embracing self-care can lead to a profound positive impact on one’s emotional, mental, and physical state, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more fulfilling life.

References (click to view)

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health

Self-Care: Definition, Benefits, & Ideas to Try

https://www.vagaro.com/news/press-release/survey-finds-three-quarters-of-americans-believe-self-care-activities-provide-stress-relief

Sustainable products and why you should use them

On By Capital FemmeIn Skincare2 Comments

Editor’s Note: This post was written before our faith-centered refocus, but we still stand by the message. Capital Femme is now a space where skincare meets Scripture 💛

Sustainable beauty products have been gaining traction in the cosmetics industry, and for all the right reasons. According to this study, 9 out of 10 shoppers believe sustainability is an important factor to consider before buying a beauty product.

You might be wondering what are sustainable products?

Sustainable beauty products are those that are created with minimal impact on the environment, from sourcing raw materials to production and packaging. These products often utilize natural, organic, and responsibly sourced ingredients, and are free from harmful chemicals. 

The Benefits of Choosing Sustainable Beauty

  1. Environmentally Friendly: By opting for sustainable beauty products, consumers contribute to reducing the environmental impact of the beauty industry, such as deforestation, water pollution, and excessive waste.

  2. Healthier Formulations: Many sustainable beauty brands prioritize natural and organic ingredients, avoiding potentially harmful chemicals, making them gentler on the skin and body.

  3. Ethical Practices: Sustainable beauty brands often embrace fair trade and ethical sourcing practices, supporting local communities and small-scale producers. 

  4. Innovation and Quality: The focus on sustainability often drives innovation, resulting in high-quality, effective products that are not only good for the environment but also deliver excellent results.

A disadvantage of sustainable products is that they may have a shorter shelf life.

How to Identify Sustainable Beauty Products

When looking for sustainable beauty products, keep an eye out for the following characteristics:

  • Certified organic or natural ingredients
  • Cruelty-free and vegan certifications
  • Recyclable or biodegradable packaging
  • Minimal use of synthetic chemicals and preservatives

Embracing a Greener Beauty Routine

Making the switch to sustainable beauty products is a step towards a more environmentally conscious lifestyle. There are a plethora of sustainable options available to cater to every beauty need. In our previous posts, we looked at some popular synthetic chemicals and ingredients’ effect on your health, as well as animal testing in the skincare (cosmetic) industry.

By supporting sustainable beauty brands, you not only take care of your own well-being but also contribute to the preservation of the planet. It’s a small yet impactful way to make a difference, one beauty product at a time.

References (click to view)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jessibaker/2022/10/17/79-of-beauty-shoppers-have-doubts-about-sustainability-claims–how-can-brands-rebuild-trust/?sh=2fe50d00e8d6

https://info.provenance.org/skin-deep-beauty?utm_campaign=Research%20report&utm_source=Forbes

Let’s talk about animal testing in the skincare industry

On By Capital FemmeIn Clean skincare, SkincareLeave a comment

Editor’s Note: This post was written before our faith-centered refocus, but we still stand by the message. Capital Femme is now a space where skincare meets Scripture 💛

“Globally around 500,000 animals suffer and die just for cosmetics each year”- Humane Society International. In the beauty industry animal testing is when brands use their products on animals and observe their reactions. It sounds harmless right? It actually isn’t.

In this process they shave their fur, rub the product/ingredients into their exposed skin, inject them, put it in their eyes and force them to ingest it through their mouths. After which the animals are usually killed and dissected. Some of these animals include mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, baboons, cats, cows, dogs, ferrets, pigs, hamsters and more. This is where cruelty-free brands and products come in.

Cruelty-free on a product means that it was not tested on animals. Cruelty Free International offers Leaping Bunny certification for beauty companies which is internationally recognized.

This post is to spread awareness about animal cruelty.

Testing beauty products on animals is banned in the European Union (EU), United Kingdom, Colombia, Guatemala, South Korea amongst others. Twelve US states have banned the sale of products tested on animals. They are California, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Virginia and Washington.

On the other hand, they are better alternatives to animal testing like taking human cells, tissue or bacteria and testing it in a tube. Another is using advanced computer technology.

Normally most cruelty-free brands are also natural or vegan. This makes businesses of all sizes willing and able to test their products on themselves or others involved in their process. Some brands to try are Urban Hydration, Good Molecules and Bliss.

Join the movement and support cruelty-free brands 🐰 to help ban animal testing worldwide.

References (click to view)

https://crueltyfreeinternational.org/make-change/cosmetics

https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/cosmetics-animal-testing-faq#:~:text=When%20choosing%20to%20develop%20or,safety%20of%20these%20new%20ingredients.

5 Uses of sunscreen

On By Capital FemmeIn Oily skincare, SkincareLeave a comment

Editor’s Note: This post was written before our faith-centered refocus, but we still stand by the message. Capital Femme is now a space where skincare meets Scripture 💛

Sunscreen is an important part of any skincare routine. It’s for all skin. This month, May is skin cancer awareness month. It’s recommended by experts that you should be using a broad spectrum formula, which protects you from both UVA and UVB rays with at least SPF 30. Did you know that on cloudy days up to 80% or more of UV (Ultra Violet) rays penetrate clouds? “An estimated 80 percent of skin aging is caused by the sun” – Skin Cancer Foundation.

Here are 5 Uses of Sunscreen:

  1. It lowers your risk of skin cancer.
  2. Prevents premature aging.
  3. Enhances skin health.
  4. Prevents sunburn.
  5. Reduces dark spots (hyperpigmentation).

Tips for choosing a sunscreen

  • Choose a sunscreen that is reef- safe
  • Opt for a mineral sunscreen
  • Go for a sunscreen that won’t give you a white cast especially if you have darker skin. One you can try is Coppertone Every Tone.

These sunscreens usually avoid harmful ingredients such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and pthalates. Mineral-based sunscreens are normally based in the ingredients titanium oxide and mineral oxide.

References (click to view)

https://www.nps.gov/articles/concessions-sun-protection.htm#:~:text=Mineral-based%20sunscreens%20that%20use,and%20the%20biodiversity%20they%20support

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/sunscreen-and-your-morning-routine#:~:text=Wearing%20sunscreen%20is%20one%20of,Anna%20Chien%20addresses%20common%20concerns

Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics

Natural ingredients that help brighten skin

On By Capital FemmeIn SkincareLeave a comment

Editor’s Note: This post was written before our faith-centered refocus, but we still stand by the message. Capital Femme is now a space where skincare meets Scripture 💛

If you are tired of dull skin and are looking for a solution, here are some ingredients to look out 🕵️‍♀️ for in your skincare products.

The scientific names for each are included so it’s easier for you to spot in the ingredients list . Follow our social media page on Facebook @capitalfemme for more.

6 Benefits of using toner for your skin

On By Capital FemmeIn Oily skincare, SkincareLeave a comment

Editor’s Note: This post was written before our faith-centered refocus, but we still stand by the message. Capital Femme is now a space where skincare meets Scripture 💛

“The UK’s sales of skin toners have increased due to the increasing percentage of consumer use. For instance, British consumers spend 1.28 billion euros on women’s facial skin care products. Within this, 25% of women use a toner in 2019, but in the year 2020, 31% of women use toner.”

Some may think using a toner is a bit outdated. As someone who started out with this product in my skincare routine as a beginner, when it was all the rave. I can tell you from experience that it does make a difference in the appearance of your skin versus without it. This is especially true if you have oily skin. Toners have come a long way. Today’s toners focus on refreshing and hydrating the skin.

Demand for toners in Europe is high and this trend continues. Many toners on the market come in liquid, mist or gel form. Look at the UK, for example, which was mentioned above. Now let’s get into the benefits of toner, and they may vary depending on the kind of toner you use.

1. Cleansing

Personally this is the biggest benefit I’ve seen from using toner. It just gets that left over dirt or residue after cleansing and this is so important if you want to keep your pores clear. This is important to my oily skin readers.

2. Improvement of skin tone and texture

My second highest benefit from personal experience is that it helps ensure a uniform skin tone across your face. It also works on any texture and makes your skin so smooth, leaves you with some glow too ✨. Some toners may cause irritation due to overuse, depending on the ingredients in your routine and skin type. For example, using more than one acidic product daily.

3. Hydrating

Please please please use toners that are alcohol- free so you can avoid drying out your skin. I know that in times gone by that using certain popular brands have left the skin feeling tight. If you can, try to use a toner that will hydrate instead of drying out the skin.

4. Helps with absorption

Since using a toner generally gets rid of any dirt, makeup, dead skin cells or residue left after cleansing. This preps your skin making it easier to absorb the other products in your routine.

5. Minimize the appearance of pores

they do this by removing any excess oil, dirt or bacteria. It also helps seal pores to protect your skin from environmental stressors.

6. Helps balance your skin’s pH

It does this by having a neutral or slightly acidic pH, which balances out your skin’s alkaline nature after cleansing.

Takeaway

Normally you would want to use a toner as the second step after cleansing in your routine. Choose toners that are vegan or natural for healthy skin in the long run. Stick with products that make you look and feel good.

Also, don’t mistake a toner for an astringent, which is alcohol based and tends to be drying. Some toners have slightly acidic properties to help make your skin smooth and cleanse your pores. I would recommend you try it if you haven’t already or if you’ve stopped using it to add it back to your routine. Peace and love ♥

References (click to view)

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-does-toner-do

https://www.datamintelligence.com/research-report/skin-toner-market