Just like every other organ in the body, our skin is complex. It requires an intricate mix of natural acidity (pH), hydration, and oil in order to stay protected, supple, and clear. 

Problems arise when we mess with that natural balance. If you’ve ever put anything on your face, chances are high that you are messing with this natural balance.

What can this do?

If you scrub your skin, use alcohol-based cleansers, or allow it to dry out, you’re stripping your skin of necessary oils. Have you ever had your skin feel dry and tight? This is called skin stripping and it can cause wrinkles, acne breakouts, or inflammation. 

Where does this natural oil come from?

Save for the palms of your hands and feet, the skin all over your body contains specialized glands called sebaceous glands. These produce sebum, a natural oil made from cholesterol, fatty acids, triglycerides, and a mix of other substances.

In some circumstances, people’s sebaceous glands can be overactive, resulting in a shiny look. It’s not that you can’t wash some of this oil away or find ways to manage it, but it’s important to not wash all of these oils away.

Why does our skin need oil?

These natural oils aren’t there just to make you shiny. No, they serve a very important purpose! Natural oils on our skin act as a barrier against the outside world. Particles floating around out there can infiltrate your body through the skin and give your immune system grief. 

Skin needs a mixture of both oil and water moisture to keep acne, dryness, and signs of aging away. When sebum mixes with the secretion of your sweat glands, it creates what’s called the “hydrolipidic barrier”. This is a protective, film-like barrier that keeps your skin healthy and protected from unwanted invaders. 

If your skin didn’t need this oil, it wouldn’t make it…

When the skin is constantly stripped of its oils, not only can this cause acne, irritation, and wrinkles, but the skin works overtime to create more oil. 

Overwashing, using harmful cleansers and products, and not hydrating properly can all impact your skin’s natural oils.

How to avoid skin stripping

If you’re looking to not strip your skin, that’s a good idea! The most important part of this is to plan a skincare routine and stick to it. Make sure your skincare routine includes the following…

First, you want to wash your face. Though you don’t want to get rid of all the oils, you want to get rid of excess dirt and grime. If you need to use a stronger cleanser to get out any deep dirt or grime after high activity, that’s fine, but be sure to use a gentle, hydrating, alcohol-free cleanser as often as possible. 

Second, use a toner. This helps do one more deep clean of the pores – getting into the nooks and crannies – but it also hydrates and helps restore pH levels that may have been put off balance while washing.

Third, be sure to moisturize! This step is critical. Once your skin is nice and clean, restore the lost oils and hydration with a high-quality moisturizer. 

Your skincare routine doesn’t need to end here, but to maintain healthy skin and prevent aging, it’s best to include these three steps. 

Help your skin from the inside out…

Complete Collagen+ is one of the most absorbable forms of collagen on the market. This is due to its micelle liposomal formula. 

Unfortunately, conventional collagen breaks down during digestion and doesn’t provide desired results.

But EverBella’s collagen is designed to pass through the digestive system unharmed so that it can end up where it needs to go, fully intact.

That’s why Complete Collagen+ can actually make a difference.

>>> Click here to see REAL results from Complete Collagen+

In a previous article, I went over the top 5 vitamins for hair growth. While those are important for your hair and overall health, what about some of the other nutrients out there?

Like minerals.

Nutritional minerals are elements that the body requires in order to function properly. Similar to vitamins, if your body is low on some of them, your hair can suffer. 

Here are the top four minerals needed for hair growth, how much you should consume every day, and where to get them – along with one other nutrient you don’t want to forget about!

1. Iron

Iron is a crucial mineral for a few reasons, one being that it helps carry oxygen to your cells. This includes the cells needed for hair growth. 

Iron deficiency anemia is unfortunately all too common, especially in women, and is a major cause of hair loss. [1, 2, 3, 4]

The recommended daily iron intake is 19.3–20.5 mg for adult men and 17.0–18.9 mg for adult women.

The best food source for iron is meat, with almost all kinds of meat containing large amounts. Outside of meat, iron can be found in beans, legumes, tofu, pumpkin seeds, broccoli, and spinach.

2. Zinc

Zinc does two amazing things for your hair. It plays an important role in tissue growth and repair, and keeps the oil glands around your hair follicles working properly.

One of the most common symptoms of a zinc deficiency is hair loss. Studies show that those with low zinc levels see increased hair growth once they begin supplementing the mineral. [5, 6, 7, 8]

Though, some suggest that taking too much zinc may also lead to hair loss. Because of this, many nutritionists recommend getting zinc through food sources. 

The recommended daily intake is 11 mg for adult men and 8 mg for adult women. 

Common zinc food sources include beef, spinach, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds, and lentils.

3. Selenium

Researchers have found that selenium is involved in creating hair. New hair takes up selenium from the blood to support growth. [9]

However, similar to zinc, too much selenium appears to contribute to hair loss, along with a few other symptoms like skin rashes and nausea. 

Experts recommend no more than 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) of selenium per day.

Very high traces of selenium can be found in Brazil nuts. The mineral can also be found in meat, milk, eggs, bread, and cereal.

4. Iodine

Your body uses iodine to produce thyroid hormones. These hormones help control the growth of hair follicles. 

When your thyroid hormone levels are low, your hair follicles may stop regenerating, resulting in hair loss. [10] 

This is why those with an iodine deficiency have been found to experience hair loss. One study looked at 700 people with low thyroid hormones and found that 30% of them were experiencing hair loss. [11, 12]

The recommended daily intake for iodine is 150 micrograms (0.15 mg) for most adults.

You can get iodine from fish and other seafood, dairy products, grains, and iodized salt. 

5. Protein

Protein isn’t a mineral, but I wanted to give it a special shout out. Your hair is made entirely of protein. As such, getting enough of it is important for healthy hair growth.

One study found that a protein deficiency contributed to decreased hair growth and even hair loss. [13]

Though protein deficiencies are quite rare, the important role that it plays in your hair’s health is important to know.

Other things for hair health

As I discussed in our blog about the top vitamins for hair growth, a healthy diet of a wide range of nutrients is crucial for the health of your hair. 

But one thing that can be difficult to get from your diet is collagen. And collagen is very important for the health of your hair.

Click here to see how Complete Collagen+ helped my hair just when I was losing hope (before and after pictures included)

Of course, eating a healthy and well-balanced diet can help your hair be at its best. But which vitamins and foods should you be focusing on if you really want to give your hair growth a boost?

Below, I go over the five BEST vitamins you want to make sure you’re consuming for hair growth.

1. Vitamin A

Every cell needs vitamin A for growth, and this includes hair – the fastest growing tissue in the human body. 

Vitamin A contributes to the production of sebum, an oily substance that moisturizes the scalp and keeps hair healthy. [1]

Researchers have found that a vitamin A deficiency can often lead to hair loss. [2]

However, if you decide to supplement with vitamin A, don’t go overboard. Research also suggests that too much vitamin A can also cause hair loss. [3]

To get vitamin A in your diet, you can eat foods high in beta carotene – which your body turns into vitamin A – like carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, spinach, and kale.

Vitamin A itself can also be found in eggs, milk, yogurt, and cod liver oil. 

2. B vitamins

There are a total of 8 B vitamins, and they all benefit your health in different ways, but we’re going to look at two in particular.

One of the best known vitamins for hair growth is vitamin B7 – or biotin. Studies show that those with low levels of biotin tend to have hair loss and poor hair growth. [4]

Vitamin B12 – or cobalamin – helps in the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body, including to the scalp. Hair follicles need this oxygen for proper hair growth. [5, 6]

To maintain healthy hair growth, it’s important to keep healthy levels of both these nutrients.

You can get B vitamins from whole grains, almonds, meat, fish, seafood, and dark leafy greens.

Those on a vegetarian or vegan diet may have trouble getting enough vitamin B12, as it’s mostly found in animal products. In that case, it’s best to supplement.

But regardless of your diet, if you want to make sure you’re getting enough high-quality vitamin B12, I know just the product.

Check out EverBella’s sister company, Purality Health, and their Micelle Liposomal Vitamin B12.

It’s, in my opinion, the best vitamin B12 on the market today – both delicious and effective!

Click here to see ingredients, reviews, and more!

3. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants out there, neutralizing free radicals and the bodily damage they can cause. That’s good for us, because free radical damage can prevent hair growth and age your hair. [7]

On top of that, vitamin C helps with the absorption of iron, a mineral that also supports hair growth. [8]

You can get vitamin C from citrus fruits, guava, strawberries, and peppers.

Purality Health also carries a micelle liposomal vitamin C, so you can be confident you’re getting what you need.

Click here to see why else vitamin C is so important for your health.

4. Vitamin D

Since vitamin D is thought to play a role in hair production, low levels of it are linked to hair loss. [9]

Your skin can synthesize vitamin D from direct sunlight, plus it can be available in fish and some fortified foods.

Because it can be hard to come across, it’s estimated that over 40% of American adults are deficient in this crucial vitamin. [10]

Click here to see if you could be one of these people.

Trust me, you don’t want to be low on this essential nutrient. 

5. Vitamin E

Like vitamin C, vitamin E is an antioxidant that can help prevent the oxidative stress caused by free radicals. 

It’s also been shown to help with hair growth.

One study had people who were experiencing hair loss take vitamin E for eight months. One group received the vitamin E while the other group received a placebo. The vitamin E group saw a 34.5% increase in hair growth while the placebo group saw a 0.1% increase. [11]

Good sources of vitamin E include avocados, spinach, almonds, and sunflower seeds.

Keeping your hair healthy

A major part of keeping your hair – and the rest of your body – healthy involves eating a healthy diet consisting of many nutritious foods.

These vitamins support your hair’s health and growth, but they also contribute to your health in many other ways. That’s why I provided the above links – so that you can see the research on the importance of these nutrients.

Give them a read!

References and Resources:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21914489/ 
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/453058/ 
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12678294/ 
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19727438/ 
5. https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hw65706 
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6380979/ 
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2929555/ 
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2507689/ 
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3412244/ 
10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21310306/ 
11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24575202/ 

Being the most abundant protein in the body, collagen makes up 30% of the body’s protein and 70% of the skin’s protein. Because it’s so concentrated in the skin, its loss is detrimental to the skin’s health and a huge contributor to premature aging. 

Unfortunately, our collagen levels do decline for various reasons. This protein is crucial for not just your skin, but your bones, joints, muscle, cartilage, and more. As such, losing it is no joke. You want to avoid doing so as much as possible!

Today, I will go over the six main reasons we lose our collagen so that you can make mindful choices for your skin and overall health. 

1. UV Rays

We all love the sunshine, but the collagen in your skin? Not so much. 

UV rays from the sun can contribute to lower collagen levels in the skin. To demonstrate this, researchers placed collagen beneath a UV light and found that there was a significant drop in collagen structure afterwards. [1]

Additionally, harmful UV rays can cause free radicals, which in turn may destroy collagen, other structures of the skin, and cause inflammation. [2]

If you plan on spending a lot of time outside, be sure to wear sunscreen, cover up, or stick to the shade. Remember, if it’s daylight outside, the sun’s rays are out!

2. Smoking

Okay, we all know that smoking isn’t healthy, but some of us may still do it or be exposed to it through second-hand smoke. 

When it comes to ruining collagen, cigarettes are the big guns. Enemy number one. 

Smoking leads to premature aging in the skin. Tobacco triggers the production of a molecule called matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) which degrades collagen and other important dermal proteins. It also negatively impacts dermal connective tissue. [3]

One study which compared the skin and collagen levels of smokers and non-smokers found that collagen levels were 22% lower in those who smoked, and their MMP levels were 100% higher. [4]

Additionally, cigarettes cause a high level of free radicals to populate within the body, causing oxidative stress, which leads to damage in the skin and other organs. [5] 

If you smoke and you want to watch out for the health of your skin, quitting is probably the best thing you could do. If you don’t smoke, do your best to avoid second-hand smoke – especially regular or prolonged exposure.

3. Sugar

The more sugar in your diet, the worse off your skin is. 

Sugar causes elements of the skin to stiffen, reducing its elasticity. It cross links collagen fibers, damaging them. This damaging process is exacerbated if combined with UV ray exposure. [6]

When you’re already losing collagen in other ways, you don’t want to accelerate that by damaging the collagen you do have.

4. Stress

Stress affects the integrity of collagen, negatively impacting its production and contributing to degradation. [7] 

When we become stressed – regardless of why – our body releases stress hormones, namely cortisol. Cortisol on its own degrades collagen. On top of that, stress can cause inflammation to occur throughout the body and, like cortisol, inflammation damages our precious collagen. [8]

Similar to sugar, inflammation stiffens collagen, a process which can negatively impact the health of not just the skin, but several organs. [8]

5. Genetics

One thing that I did want to point out is that some of this may come down to genetics. 

If your parents and grandparents had great skin, then chances are that you will too. However, the opposite can be true as well.

It’s best, in my opinion, to be mindful of skin health and collagen levels regardless. But some of us may have to be more careful about it than others.

6. Aging

As we age, our body’s ability to synthesize collagen decreases. This decline begins in our 20s and, as a result, collagen levels decrease by 1% each year. [6]

Though the process of aging can’t be avoided, its effects can be mitigated. Depending on how many of the things in this article you’re exposed to, your collagen levels can decrease even faster. 

On the other hand, if you avoid them and take care of your skin, your collagen decline – and ergo skin aging – shouldn’t be nearly as drastic.

But there is another thing that you can do. 

If your body can’t make collagen, then why not give it collagen?

Supplementing can help you maintain collagen levels as you age, supporting the health of your skin, especially if you think you may be encountering any of the things on this list. 

But you need a form of collagen that your body can absorb.

>>> Click here to see why Complete Collagen Plus is superior to other collagens on the market

References and Resources

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3299808/ 
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1333311/ 
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17951030/ 
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11966688/ 
5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0891584917309814
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20620757/ 
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19523511/ 

If you’ve ever gone shopping for cosmetics, I’m guessing you’ve come across tons of products that are labelled as “paraben-free”. You’ve also likely encountered several products that still contain parabens. 

But why are some companies opting to leave out parabens? And what purpose do they serve in the first place?

To help you make a more informed decision about your cosmetics, I answer those questions and more in today’s article!

What are parabens?

Parabens are chemical compounds that have been used as a cosmetic preservative since the 1920s. Typically, you’ll find them in shampoos, body washes, and other water based products. The six most commonly used types of parabens are methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, isopropyl-, butyl- and isobutylparaben. These can be used alone or in tandem. 

They’re effective at reducing or preventing the growth of mold or harmful bacteria, which helps keep products shelf stable for much longer. Moisturizers, face and skin cleaners, sunscreens, deodorants, shaving gels, toothpastes, makeup, and many other products can contain parabens. 

How does the body react to parabens?

Your skin absorbs parabens and then the body metabolizes them. From there, your body should excrete them. However, researchers are finding that this is not the case. Those who use products containing parabens tend to have them in their body at all times.

One study compared adolescent girls who wore makeup daily with girls who rarely or never wore makeup. Those who wore makeup every day had 20 times more parabens in their sample than the other group. Other studies have found similar results – an increased use of sunscreens, hair products, lotions, and makeup having a correlation to huge paraben counts within the body. [1, 2, 3, 4] 

Now, this may seem harmless if parabens were harmless. But the research is saying otherwise…

What are the health effects of parabens?

Surely, the occasional encounter with parabens would be harmless, and that’s the stance of many scientists in the field. But these are products you want to be using every day and without any health concerns. And this buildup of parabens in the body is reportedly causing some issues…

Reproductive harm – Certain parabens can act like the hormone estrogen in the body which can affect reproductive system functioning, reproductive development, fertility, and birth outcomes. 

Institutions such as The U.N. Environment Programme and The Danish Centre on Endocrine Disruptors have identified certain types of parabens as endocrine disruptors. [5, 6]

Studies have demonstrated parabens’ effects on estrogen. In animal studies, parabens harmed female reproductive development, male reproduction, and fertility. In humans, an increased paraben count in the body has been linked with reproductive issues and birth issues. [7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12]  

Increase risk of cancer – Parabens have been found to alter the expression of genes and accelerate the growth of certain cancer cells. A 2016 study found that even small amounts of butylparaben may increase the growth of cancer cells. [13, 14, 15]

Skin irritation – On top of the internal issues, parabens have been found to irritate the skin over time. [16]

What can we do?

Parabens have been detected in infants, children, and adults. Parabens may also accumulate in fat tissue over time. [17, 18, 10, 19]

If you’ve been using products containing parabens, don’t stress. There are plenty of products out there without parabens that are ready to replace your paraben-filled cosmetics.

Remember the aforementioned study where the adolescent girls who used makeup every day had high amounts of parabens in their body? Well, after just three days of switching to paraben-free cosmetics, their paraben levels dropped by nearly 45%! [20]

Thankfully, parabens are easy to identify on product labels. Though there are many different types, they all end with “paraben”. When looking for cosmetics, do a check of the ingredient list. Make sure you’re getting products that are paraben-free and don’t contain any other harmful ingredients. 

After all, you’re going to be using these products routinely, and you don’t want them to be slowly harming you over time!

Complete Collagen+

Speaking of good ingredients, EverBella’s Micelle Liposomal Complete Collagen+ only includes all-natural ingredients. And every one of these natural ingredients has a job – meaning no filler!

If you want to add something to your daily regimen that will only benefit your health, Complete Collagen+ is a great choice.

Click here to see our ingredient list, reviews, and more.

And, as always, if you have any questions or concerns about EverBella, I want you to reach out!

Our team is available Mon-Fri between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST for a call at 1-855-961-3837 or through email at info@everbella.com. We’d love to hear from you! 

References and Resources

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29317738/ 
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29524920/ 
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28886595/ 
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24149971/ 
5. https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/25633/EDC_report1.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y 
6. https://cend.dk/files/DK_ED-list-final_2018.pdf 
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20132880/ 
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24607685/ 
9. https://academic.oup.com/toxsci/article/152/1/244/2579219 
10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3855500/ 
11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27189314/ 
12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27156397/ 
13. https://www.academia.edu/11169160/Actions_of_methyl-_propyl-and_butylparaben_on_estrogen_receptor-a_and_-b_and_the_progesterone_receptor_in_MCF-7_cancer_cells_and_non-cancerous_MCF-10A_cells 
14. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11696396/ 
15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4858398/ 
16. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25395006/ 
17. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20056562/ 
18. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19440505/ 
19. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25749637/ 
20. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26947464/ 

Do you find that you’re much more prone to cracked hands, chapped lips, and dry skin this time of year?

The thing is, we run the heater more frequently in the winter (duh!) and that can suck the moisture right out of the air. It’s why you may wake up with a dry throat, headache, or even a bloody nose!

This dryness can even negatively affect your houseplants and furniture.

Buying a humidifier can help, but that can be costly. That’s why I wanted to share 6 DIY (Do It Yourself) humidifiers that you can use in your home to help with the dryness.

1. The Stovetop

This one works well to get moisture into the kitchen, or even the living/dining room if you have an open-concept layout. 

Add water to a kettle or pot and bring it to a boil on your stovetop. As the water boils, it will evaporate into steam and mix with the air of the room. 

Just be sure to keep your eye on it. The heat produced can cause burns if touched. Additionally, once the water evaporates completely, you could ruin your empty pot or kettle by keeping it on the heat.

Once finished, turn off the burner and let everything cool before handling.

2. Plants!

Plants need water, and if your home is too dry – depending on the plant – it could suffer as a result. So, not only could your plant’s health come as a warning, they can help you in another way.

When you water your plants, the water is taken up through the roots. But only about 3% of that water is used for growth and metabolism. The other 97% or so is released through the leaves as vapor by a process known as transpiration.

Just be sure to purchase plants that act as natural humidifiers, as some may have the opposite effect. Types of plants to look for are Areca Palm, Peace Lily, English Ivy, Rubber Plant, and Spider Plant.

It’s incremental, but every little bit helps!

On top of that, plants help keep the air fresh through photosynthesis and other processes that remove toxins from the air. They also lighten up your living space which contributes to happiness.

3. The Shower!

This one is killing two birds with one stone. When you shower with warm to hot water, steam is released into the air. Keep the bathroom fan off and open the door for your next shower. All of that steam will float out of the bathroom and add moisture to your home.

If you don’t want to shower with the door open, just open it when you’re done to let the moisture out.

If you’re really desperate, run the shower for a few minutes with the door open even if you’re not showering. Clog the drain and catch the water to use for another purpose to reduce waste.

4. The Heater

I know, I know – isn’t the heater what got us into this mess? But you can use it to your advantage!

This will vary depending on what type of heater you have, but placing a container of warm water on or by your heater can cause the water to evaporate, adding moisture to the air. For floor or wall vents, place a metal or ceramic container on or beside the vent. For wood-stoves or hot water radiators, place them right on top. 

Just be careful, these containers can become quite hot!

5. Not The Dryer

This one is a double whammy. Your clothes dryer is certainly convenient, but running it is only adding to your home’s dryness. 

Instead, take your wet clothes and hang them somewhere central in your home. As they dry, their moisture will seep out into the air. 

This way, you’re reducing the dryness that your dryer causes and adding moisture to the air.

6. The Sun!

Last but not least, you can use those warm sun rays that come through your window to your advantage. 

Grab a glass vase (or another large glass container), fill it with water, and place it by a window that catches the most amount of sunlight. As the sun beats down on it, the natural process of evaporation will take place, and the water will gradually turn to vapor, mixing in with the air in your home.

Just be sure to keep your eye on it and add water as needed!

Working From The Inside Out

Of course, keeping an environment that your skin agrees with is important. But so is giving your body the nutrients needed to help your skin be healthy in the first place.

One of these nutrients is collagen.

If you’ve noticed that your skin has a tougher time with each passing winter, it’s likely because our collagen levels drop as we age, and your skin is having difficulty keeping up.

Supplementing with an absorbable form of collagen can help you get the skin of your youth back. 

Click here to learn how Complete Collagen+ helped me (and how it can help you too)!