Latest Skin Care Craze from Asia

Dr. Jessica Wu: Hollywood Dermatologist 
Jw-week7-the-latest-skin-care-craze-from-asia
One of my patients, a Japanese pop star with clear, poreless skin, first told me about konjac sponges a few years ago. She’s very serious about her skin care, and told me that she uses these sponges to wash her face every day. I’ve recently seen them in the US, so I predict they’ll be the next Asian-inspired skin care fad. Want to be the first of your friends to be in the know? Here’s the scoop:
What is a konjac sponge? A konjac sponge is made of plant starch that’s extracted from a type of potato plant. The sponge absorb a lot of water, so it has a unique texture, kind of like a thick piece of squishy felt. It’s more nubby than a dish sponge, but softer than a loofah and has a finer texture than a washcloth so it’s safe to use on your face. Because of its bouncy, rubbery texture, it makes a rich lather and requires less cleanser that you would normally need. It dries quickly, so it’s more hygienic than a washcloth. Plus they are affordable (I get mine for less than $2 each), so you can change them frequently without having to worry about ruining your washcloths with makeup.
How do konjac sponges help your skin? They dislodge dirt, oil, makeup, and impurities to deep clean your skin, so they’re helpful for those with acne and large pores. They can help slough off dead, dry skin flakes that are a sign of sun damage. They can also help remove stubborn, water resistant sunscreen.
How do you use a konjac sponge? First, soak your sponge in warm water for at least five minutes to soften the fibers and avoid injuring your skin. Splash your face with warm water and squeee a few drops of cleanser onto the sponge. Massage in a circular motion, concentrating on trouble areas and avoiding areas with healing pimples, infections, or abrasions. Rinse face with warm water and pat dry. Thoroughly rinse the sponge with warm water, squeeze out excess, and let air dry.

BEAUTY BONUS from DR. JESSICA WU
Smart Snacking
The same plant starch that goes into konjac face sponges is also used to make a type of low calorie, zero carb noodle called konnyaku noodles (also called shirataki noodles). I get mine at my local Whole Foods market.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nothing But Sweat Workout by DailyHIIT

Image
Nothing But Sweat Workout Posted by Lisa-Marie   Warning : Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /var/www/sites/bodyrock.tv/htdocs/wp-content/plugins/bodyrock.tv/wo-breakdown.php  on line  528 . Hi BodyRockers, . Face it you are weird. In today’s world if you train like a warrior, flex your discipline when it comes to your diet, and pass on grazing on donuts in the break room at work chances are you are chided on some level by those around as being weird. Get used to it. Embrace the smell of your sweaty socks. Not many people make a daily practice out of pushing themselves beyond their comfort zones for one workout a day. Not many people step out of what is comfortable for themselves period. This is a niche movement. Not everyone will get why you train this way or why you train at all. Thankfully we don’t need anyones permission or approval, and if we are looking for support we have a place to go where people get it. Being weird requires a good measure of independ
Read more

4 Ways Your Pumpkin Can Make You Prettier

Image
Pumpkins are more than a delicious flavor for lattes and baked goods. They're packed with vitamins and antioxidants that nourish your skin, body, and hair—making the seasonally appropriate squash just the ingredient your fall beauty DIY needs. Get your pumpkin fix, minus the calories, with these recipes. Click through to see four pumpkin-inspired DIYs for your hair, skin, and body. 1  of  4 1. It Can Give You Shinier Hair PHOTO:  Hello Natural Pumpkin is rich in potassium and vitamin A, making it especially great for restoring damaged, dry hair (especially when it’s combined with ultra-moisturizing honey). You'll need: 2 cups cooked pumpkin 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon coconut oil 1 tablespoon unflavored yogurt  Puree the pumpkin and yogurt, then mix in the coconut oil and honey. Evenly cover your hair from roots to ends, and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Rinse out the mixture, and then shampoo to ensure no residue is left.  2  of  4 2. I
Read more

How Air Pollution Is Damaging Your Health

Image
Exposure to air pollution is associated with numerous effects on human health, including pulmonary, cardiac, vascular, and neurological impairments. The health effects vary greatly from person to person. High-risk groups such as the elderly, infants, pregnant women, and sufferers from chronic heart and lung diseases are more susceptible to air pollution. Children are at greater risk because they are generally more active outdoors and their lungs are still developing. Exposure to air pollution can cause both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) health effects. The health of our lungs and entire respiratory system is affected by the quality of the air we breathe. In addition to oxygen, this air contains other substances
Read more