The dangers of smoking tobacco are widely known. Grisly warnings about smoking are sprinkled everywhere from cigarette packs to the FDA’s award-winning youth tobacco prevention campaign, “The Real Cost”. In recent years a growing perception has emerged that e-cigarettes i.e. Vaping products and hookah are less harmful than traditional cigarettes. E-cigarettes have become a replacement for more traditional and successful cessation programs and hookah lounges are a form of recreation. The truth is these products come with risks and while the research is still on-going there is enough evidence suggesting the potential harms of them on the skin. Our YELLE Beauty Team wants to keep your skin looking good and we feel hookah and vaping should be avoided. Here’s what you need to know about how e-cigarettes and hookah harm the skin:

E-Cigarettes and Hookah DO Contain Nicotine

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hookah cafes are gaining popularity in the US. Hookah also called narghile, shisha, and goza has many of the same health risks as cigarette smoking. Hookah is not a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes its water pipes delivers nicotine and deprive the skin of oxygen. E-cigarettes also contain nicotine, the same drug found in cigarettes.

Impedes Collagen and Elastin Production

Any form of smoking will prematurely age the skin hookah and vaping are no different. Both hookah and vaping starve the skin of oxygen and limit blood flow to the skin which in turn impedes collagen and elastin production. It ages the skin by creating a dull and dehydrated environment, promoting premature aging, and deep wrinkles.

Impedes Wound Healing

While e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco or tar they DO contain nicotine. Nicotine is harmful to the skin and has been shown to delay wound healing by reducing anti inflammatory responses and reparative cell functions in the skin. This leads to delayed healing and complications. Think about acne scars for example, by smoking you slow down the healing process and impair the skins ability to properly repair itself.

Accelerates Skin Aging and Other Harms

Smoking shisha seriously affects the skin and will likely increase wrinkle production just like smoking an actual cigarette would. In fact because of the way the hookah is used, smokers may absorb more of the toxic substances also found in cigarette smoke than cigarette smokers do and the sweetened and flavored variations don’t make any difference on its effects. In fact the FDA does not regulate flavoring substances, so we really don’t know what is in e-cigarettes ingredients can vary between brands. Dull skin due to the lack of oxygen, decreased response to collagen stimulation, and accelerated aging are all a reality with e-cigarettes and hookah. The lack of nutrients and oxygen destroy the skin.

Reversing the Effects

We all have our vices, if you have been able to put down the e-cigarettes and steer clear of the hookah lounge scene CONGRATULATIONS! While it is difficult to reverse the long term effects of smoking a peptide rich antioxidant serum like our YELLE Awakening Peptide Boosting Serum can help counteract free radical damage caused from smoking. A touch of our A Dream Brightening Eye Cream with hyaluronic acid applied around the mouth can help soothe smoker’s lines.

Want more awesome skin care tips and news like this? YELLE Skincare is obsessed with sharing easy and healthy ways to keep your skin looking great. Sign up for our newsletter, follow us on Instagram and start on one of our YELLE Skincare routines.

Written by Regina Tucker

Want healthier, radiant, glowing skin? While it usually takes a few months for a new skin care routine to start working. With a few lifestyle and product changes it is possible to experience some instant skin gratification. Take a look at some of our YELLE Beauty Teams top complexion boosting tips to change your skin in 30 days. Try them out, and watch for immediate changes over the next four weeks.

Hydrate with H20

One of the easiest things you can do to change your skin is drink more water. Water aids in digestion, flushes out toxins, and gets blood and circulation going. Drink more water on a daily basis and improve your skin. Need ideas on ways to enjoy more water? Try drinking it with fresh fruit, mint, or flavored sparkling water.

Sun Protection

Many melanin rich women are still not wearing sun protection. Many are avoiding it for reasons ranging from the white residue some brands leave on the skin after application, or uncomfortable skin allergies and sensitivities. Whatever the case your skin still NEEDS sunscreen and the benefits from using it every day are almost immediate on a cellular level. Look for sunscreen specifically formulated for melanin rich skin that moisturizes, leaves out the white residue and is all natural.

Get a Facial

A licensed esthetician knows how to properly remove blackheads and decongest the pores. They can also analyze your skin and evaluate the products you are using as well as recommend the types of products you should be using. When facials are included on a monthly basis as part of your regular skin care routine the benefits are immediate.

Apply Your Skin Skin-Care Products Correctly

There is, actually, a right way to apply skin care products. The directions listed on the back of skin care products detail how to get the best results and it is important to follow the directions if you want to see results. Each of the products in our YELLE Awakening Skin Care System is carefully formulated to work together to nourish and care for the skin please use as directed.

Use Toner

Toner is nourishing for all skin types. It restores the pH balance and provides additional cleansing benefits. Make sure to apply our YELLE Awakening Toner with a wipe, to remove leftover residue from cleansers as well as other chemicals found in tap water that could potentially dehydrate the skin.

Go Make-Up Free

Your make could be responsible for some of the breakouts you are seeing on your skin? Try putting the make-up down for the next 30 days and give your skin a little bit of a breather.

Add Moisture

Products with hyaluronic acid like our YELLE skin specific serums moisturize the skin from the inside out, smoothing out wrinkles and adding valuable support to the skins elasticity and structure. The most ideal time to moisturize is when the skin is still wet for most people that is probably after they take a shower. This allows the moisture to help pull the lotion in.

Try Peptides

As you age and collagen depletes certain peptides are produced. Once these specific peptides are released it sends the skin the “red flag” to produce more. When skincare products with peptides are applied topically the same message is signaled. That’s why it is beneficial to use products with peptides. These little proteins are the building block for beautiful skin and help with firmness, wrinkles and texture changes. YELLE Skincare's Awakening Peptide Boosting Serum is formulated with peptides and other skin staples to replenish the skin.

More Fruits and Veggies

We will never get tired of fruits and vegetables at YELLE. A balanced diet filled with antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables will definitely promote changes in the skin in four weeks or less. It is recommended to strive for five portions of fruits and vegetables every day, to eat foods with vitamin C and E and incorporate foods with healthy fat such as avocados into your lifestyle for optimal skin health.

Add a Serum

Serums deliver a potent shot of skin specific ingredients to the skin and have a higher concentration of active ingredients to influence and change the skin for the better. Serums do a lot of the heavy lifting in skin care because they are formulated with smaller molecules and penetrate deeper. Try one of our three YELLE Beauty serums formulated for your specific skin type.

Could you commit to these ideas for the next 30 days? Try the skin fit challenge and watch for visible changes in your skin in four weeks or less.

This article is intended as general information only. You should seek advice from a professional before altering your diet, or starting any new course of conduct.

Written By Regina Tucker 

Have you ever thought that maybe there were certain foods you should eat on a daily basis to support your specific skin type and overall skin health? Some people already eat according to their blood types, so eating foods with essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients with complexion boosting abilities for your skin type really isn’t that far-fetched of an idea. New research has revealed a positive relationship between certain foods and certain skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea. Our YELLE Beauty team firmly believes that a healthy diet and lifestyle influence the overall health and wellness of the skin. Keep reading below to learn which foods your skin will LOVE and which ones to avoid for beautiful, healthy skin.

Dry Skin

Dry skin needs food packed with moisture, antioxidants, vitamins, and water to plump it up. Foods rich in Vitamin A and C are also encouraged. One study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that diets rich in Vitamin C had fewer wrinkles and less skin dryness. Certain nuts which contain alpha-linoleic acid which strengthen skin membranes by locking in moisture and protecting skin cells are also encouraged. Cabbage, brussel sprouts, and spinach are also good choices because they contain ingredients that protect the skin from environmental factors that dry out the skin and cause premature aging.

Dry Skin Foods: Pomegranate seeds, sweet potato, kale, whole eggs, citrus, walnuts, oysters, sunflower seeds, salmon, wheat germ oil, tomatoes, round steak, avocados, cucumbers.

Oily/Acne

Foods that manage inflammation are very beneficial to oily skin. Foods rich in omega-3 fats for example help with healing the skin and regulating skin health. Some foods when consumed in the right amounts also help in controlling the production of oil. Dark chocolate in the right proportions for example does a great job of preventing acne inflammation by controlling the oil production in the skin. With regard to acne Rajani Katta, M.D and Mary Jo Kramer B.S. in Skin Therapy Letter highlighted an association between high-glycemic load diets and acne. One clinical trial showed that after 12 weeks on a low glycemic load diet, patients experienced significant improvement after 12 weeks.

Oily/Acne Foods: bananas, lentils and pulses, oranges, dark chocolate, coconut water, barley, oat bran, carrots, lima beans, sweet potato, strawberries, apricots, plums, whole grain, multigrain.

Sensitive Skin

If you have sensitive skin you might not be a stranger to redness, inflammation, and itchiness that seems to come out of nowhere. The barrier function in sensitive skin can be easily triggered causing all kinds of havoc. If you have sensitive skin some doctors warn against consuming too much salt, sugar, and spicy food. An allergy test is recommended to discuss causes and appropriate treatment for sensitive skin.

Sensitive Skin Foods: omega 3 fatty acid rich foods i.e. fish, walnuts, flaxseed oil, lamb, sardines, whole wheat pasta, brazil nuts, beetroot, squash, tomatoes, peppers, tuna, oranges, carrots, melon, kiwis, greens, brown rice.

Eating right and engaging in a daily skincare regimen are important keys to having healthy bright and radiant skin. Start your day with one of our YELLE Skincare regimens and enjoy a nutrient rich diet throughout the day.

This article is intended as general information only. You should seek advice from a professional before altering your diet, or starting any new course of conduct.

Katta R, Kramer MJ. “Skin and Diet: An Update on the Role of Dietary Change as a Treatment Strategy for Skin Disease.” Skin Therapy Letter 2018 Jan; 23 (1) 1-5

Written By Regina Tucker 

Skincare is self care and developing healthy routines around your skin care regimen can enhance your physical, emotional and mental well-being. In our never ending quest to maintain healthy relationships, create work-life balance, manage stress, live in the present and have overall better physical health taking care of your skin creates a valuable self care experience that offers many rewarding benefits. Our YELLE Beauty Team is firmly committed to the idea of taking a few guiltless moments to engage in a wonderful skin routine especially with one of our YELLE Beauty regimens. Here are a few pointers on how to turn your skincare routine into valuable me-time.

Tip 1: Take Your Time

Instead of rushing through your skin care routine, slow down, and move mindfully through each step of your skincare regimen. Slowly apply products, and don't rush to remove them. Take a few deep breaths in and out as you apply our Awakening Milk & Honey Cleanser onto your skin. Gently massage our A-Dream Brightening Eye Cream and Awakening Daily Moisturizer onto the skin moving slowly and intentionally along your facial contours. Your facial self care session doesn't have to last long in the morning, 3-5 minutes of simply slowing down and being intentional in your movements can make a difference. The idea is to allow yourself to become present with your routine and enjoy it. It can really become an opportunity to take a break and step away from stress.

Tip 2: Be Consistent

Just like daily exercise, you should strive to make your skincare ritual a daily habit so that it becomes a feel good practice you engage in each day. Experience has taught our team of experts that when we commit to a daily regimen and practice it, the easier it becomes. Even if you have skin challenges you can still embrace consistency and the skin that you are in. Take a few moments everyday and find 3-5 things that you like about your skin and say it out loud. Your skincare routine should make you happy from within. It is important to form habits that you can keep up with so that you can stay consistent. The time you spend with yourself during your skin routine can turn into a time of self reflection, awareness, and change.

Tip 3: Set YOUR own Rules

Never forget that YOU get to decide what your self care routine looks like. Whether your skin care routine is three steps or ten steps, performed to spa music or your favorite R&B compilation. You get to set the rules. The most important thing is to relax, and create a feel good experience. The time you spend with your skin is yours and you get to set the rules as to what that time looks like. Make it an experience and look and feel better about yourself.

Are you ready to enhance your skincare ritual? Make sure to have your favorite YELLE Beauty regimen in your medicine cabinet for easy self care morning and night.

Product Links: The Essential System, The Brightening System, The Hydration System, or  The Age Defying System

Written By Regina Tucker

At YELLE Beauty we believe healthy skin is not just about what you put on your skin it's about the daily habits you engage in each day to take care of it as well. As we age and collagen begins to decline we have to do our part to maintain a bright, beautiful glow. Below, are our top picks for daily habits, that will keep your skin hydrated, glowing, and healthy every day.

Have Sex
Sex provides great health benefits to the skin. Sex increases blood flow and reduces hormone levels both of which contribute to a brighter complexion. Sex also leads to improved collagen. Cortisol levels typically decrease when you have sex, the dip in cortisol improves collagen and keeps the skin soft and smooth. Estrogen also increases with the more sex an individual has. Increases in estrogen improve blood circulation and feed the body moisture. Increased moisture helps improve the skins elasticity by getting the blood and oxygen flowing.

Get More Sleep
There is such a thing as "beauty sleep" and we all need it. The consequences of not getting enough sleep include bags and puffiness underneath the eyes and skin that is dull and lack luster in appearance. Consistent inadequate rest takes a serious toll on the skin as well. The skin's hydration, texture and collagen growth are all impacted by lack of sleep. Research indicates that skin inflammations such as acne and eczema are also higher in individuals that do not get adequate rest. A full 8 hrs of sleep is recommended as part of a healthy lifestyle. If you are getting fewer than 6 hours of sleep each day just by adding 1 to 3 more hours , you could see improvement in as little as a day.

*Need a little help with puffiness and discoloration underneath the eye area? In addition to beauty sleep apply our A-DREAM brightening eye cream to stressed eyes for deep hydration and to restore and smooth the skin around the eyes.

Exercise
Exercise increases blood flow and helps nourish skin cells and keep them energized. Whenever you exercise oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the skin cells -which helps promote glowing skin. Exercise helps tone and lift facial muscles. According to dermatologist Leslie Baumann weight lifting specifically has been shown to produce collagen, elastin, and natural hyaluronic acid in ways that running and aerobics do not. The key is to start moving and keep moving on a regular basis. *Make sure to keep our YELLE Awakening Milk & Honey Cleanser and Toner in your gym bag at all times and use immediately following your workout or training sessions.

The key to healthy skin is engaging in healthy habits early on that you can sustain over time. Get into the routine of incorporating these habits on a regular basis and experience wonderful skin for a life time.

Written By Regina Tucker