The lucky new father is ready for his new adventure into fatherhood and is hoping to share his experiences with other soon-to-be daddies on how to look after loved ones since his wife’s pregnancy.
Q: How did you feel when you first knew you were becoming a dad?
A: My wife came home one day and told me she had a beautiful and meaningful gift for me, that I was becoming a father! I immediately felt butterflies but also had a feeling of excitement that I am about to complete my family.
Q: How did you feel the first time meeting your baby girl?
A: First time seeing my daughter my mind went blank. I looked at her little face and held her nervously, feeling the warmth from her tiny body. All I wanted to do was to thank my wife for bringing this beautiful new born to my life!
Q: You once worked in China, why did you eventually choose to stay in Hong Kong?
A: The most significant difference is the air quality. There are a lot of factories in China that contributes to air pollution. Its definitely better in Hong Kong.
Q: As a male, how do you see health?
A: Stepping into my next phase of life, I start to see the importance of health. I understand women work really hard to upkeep themselves, but they should first understand the product ingredients so as not to harm their health.
Q: Has your view on health changed since you have a family?
I’ve become more aware of the impact lifestyle has on health since my wife got pregnant. I started cooking every day with best ingredients bought from healthy groceries.
Q: What are the key components that helped you decide what groceries to buy since your wife got pregnant?
A: Personal care items caught most of my attention. The market is overwhelmed with products containing parabens, chemical components, petroleum by products etc. Not only it’s harmful to our health, they also damage the environment. I became determined to use only natural products so that my wife and the baby could benefit.
Q: What are your favorite natural products?
A: I don’t use a lot of personal care products, but Ginnie Bottle natural soaps have won my heart. Made from all-natural unscented plant-based oils, it not only cleanses well, but are also moistursing and feels good.
Q: What would you suggest Ginnie Bottle to create if you wish us to have a male product?
A: Hair spray – most guys need it every day and it is one of those products containing a lot of chemicals. I hope Ginnie Bottle can create a new hair spray that is healthier for my hair and my family.
The lucky new father is ready for his new adventure into fatherhood and is hoping to share his experiences with other soon-to-be daddies on how to look after loved ones since his wife’s pregnancy.
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The average price of 2018’s most popular and highly recommended eye creams is HK$315 (US$40) and they are usually no more than 15ml. Compared with facial moisturisers, they are at least 2.6 times more expensive per millilitre and applies to only approximately 24 mm of skin surrounding our eyes (where the average body surface area is 1.7 m2).Why do we invest so much into such a small surface area of our body? Our eyes are a powerful communicator of body language, how we feel, and even our confidence. When we feel tired and drained, chances are we look it too. The appearance of our eyes inevitably changes due to aging. Loss of skin elasticity, muscle, and changes in fat distribution are hallmarks of aging and can create dark circles, wrinkles, and saggy skin. Interestingly, the length of our eyelid increases with age from an average of 10.4mm to 18.6mm by the time we are 90 years old. These changes are due to a combination of genetic, biological, and lifestyle factors such as exposure to sunlight, nutrition, as well as alcohol and nicotine use.This means that if we want to improve and retain the appearance of our eyes, an understanding of what skincare works combined with a broader investment in our overall health and wellness is needed. And if we want to look the best version of ourselves, taking care of that 24mm of skin is a crucial element.
Know what Your Skin Needs
Skin Care Moisturisers
To minimise dry, sensitive, or wrinkled skin around the eyes, your moisturiser should contain the following components (Natural ingredients and fragrance-free is recommended):
Component |
Function |
Hydration – e.g. Algae extract, hyaluronic acid |
Improves suppleness and improves skin resilience |
Humectant – e.g. Glycerin, 1,3 Propanediol |
Draws water from the environment into skin surface |
Occlusives – Grape seed oil, Evening Primerose Oil |
Skin protector that limits water evaporation from the skin |
Cell Repair and New Cell Growth – e.g. Squalene, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B3 |
Antibacterial; Antioxidant; Minimises sun damage and age spots; Promotes cell growth |
Nutrient rich substance – e.g. plant extracts, essential oils, hydrosols |
Tip: Looking to reduce puffiness? Try an eye cream with cucumber extract.
Wellbeing Care
Adopting a healthier lifestyle supplemented with a few natural tricks can make the difference between good skin and great skin!
Tip 1: Put a reminder on top of your computer screen as a reminder to relax your gaze. Strained eyes are more likely to feel dry and fatigued.
Tip 2: Exercising 30 minutes a day helps bring nutrients and oxygen to your skin, giving it a natural glow.
Tip 3: Place chilled green tea bags on top of your eye bags for 15 minutes to reduce puffiness and promote tightness
Want to learn how your lifestyle can impact your skin? Read “Care for Yourself and Your Skin will Follow”
What is hydration? Its impact is the difference between a raisin and a grape. Our skin can also experience a “raisin look” without adequate hydration making it look dull, feel tight, and increase fine lines. If your skin is prone to dehydration, be on the lookout for some of these water loving ingredients.
A humectant (or water attracting ingredient that can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water. It is naturally found in your body surrounding your joints and eyes. Hyaluronic acid keeps your skin beautifully hydrated and supple.
Made from Hyaluronic Acid as well as other water-boosting ingredients, Ginnie Bottle HydraSouce Serum effectively infusing your skin with intense moisture.
Glycerin is an organic thick compound that completely dissolves in water. It is a common but effective ingredient that not only attracts but also seals water in the skin. Further, it is non-allergic and non-irritating to many skin types.
HydraSouce full series contains Glycerin, so does this unique Ginnie Bottle HydraSouce Essence. It can be applied daily as your mist or mask.
Algae is a superfood for the skin and the body. It has long been praised for its antioxidant, micronutrient, and hydrating qualities. Also a humectant, algae seals the skin of hydration while protecting it from environmental stressors and other signs of aging.
Infused with hyaluronic acid and algae extract, Ginnie Bottle HydraSouce Cleansing Milk can hydrate dry skin and strengthen skin barrier.
Hydrosols are byproducts of essential oils and have many positive qualities for the skin including hydration and toning. Rose hydrosol is a gentle but effective ingredient that is appropriate for all skin types, supports oil control, and is rich in vitamin C.
Enjoyed especially by sensitive skin types, neroli hydrosol has anti-aging qualities for the skin and is even widely used as a natural relaxant for a stressful day.
Ginnie Bottle HydraSource Moisturiser contains olive derived squalene, Hydrosols and ocean plankton that increases moisture retention and seals hydration in the skin for up to 72 hours.
Want to know more ingredients? Our ingredients under the HydraSource Series are all well known for their hydrating qualities!
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Understanding these factors or triggers becomes the first necessary step to caring for our skin. Thereafter, a holistic healthy lifestyle approach towards self-care creates long-lasting beautiful skin. We delve into 3 big influencers of our skin health!
Coined the second brain, our skin looks healthy when our gut is healthy. Crowding out C.S.S.P’s (or Caffeine, Sugar, Salt, and Processed foods) with delicious healthy fats (e.g. eggs and avocado), vegetables (e.g. bell peppers), fruits (e.g. oranges), and drinking lots of water rejuvenates the skin.
Tip: Want to boost absorption of collagen? Have vitamin C!
When we sleep, our body releases proteins such as cytokines and collagen that maintains immune function and supports skin strength respectively. Studies show inadequate sleep impacts immune function and influences collagen production making our skin dull and dry creating more fine lines.
Tip: Want to reduce fine lines and aging skin? Aim for 7 hours of sleep.
Stress is a trigger to many skin conditions such as acne and eczema. Unfortunately, we typically deal with stress superficially, doing enough to get by without dealing with the underlying cause. Without proactively managing stress, our skin suffers, taking about one month to recover before we see new skin.
Tip: Identify your cause of stress, proactively remember what you can and cannot control, and get moving!
]]>Shea butter is made from nuts of the shea tree that are crushed, roasted, kneaded, and then mixed with water. Naturally rich in essential fatty acids, vitamin A, and vitamin E, it is a superb moisturiser for the skin and reduces inflammation.
Natural Complement Suitable to All
The natural vitamins and fatty acids in shea butter makes it perfect for all skin types including sensitive skin. It is also effective for dry skin sealing its natural oils.
Reduces Inflammation
A recent study from the American Journal of Life Sciences cited lupeol cinnamate as a major ingredient that promotes anti-inflammatory properties. This healing quality has found to even help some with eczema.
Skin Smoothing
Shea butter contains natural collagen boosting ingredients that reduce wrinkles. These anti-aging qualities result in soft and vibrant skin.
Reference:
https://wellnessmama.com/27324/shea-butter-benefits/
https://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/shea-butter-benefits-hair-skin-health/
http://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajls.20140205.18.pdf
http://beauty-review.nl/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Anti-inflammatory-and-chemopreventive-effects-of-triterpene-cinnamates-and-acetates-from-shea-fat.pdf
Sodium Lauryl sulfate, carrageenan, propylene glycol, and fragrance. These are some common terms found on ingredient lists of well-loved products. When reading them, it feels trivial because we don’t understand them and our purchasing decisions very rarely come from product ingredients.
We clean, brush, and moisturise our body every day. Like food, it has become vital to learn what is in our products because these ingredients can have lasting effects on our health and wellbeing.
Ingredients |
Where They are Found |
Why is it Bad? |
What Alternatives Can I Use? |
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) |
Body wash, Soap, Shampoo, Toothpastes, Laundry detergent, Acne treatments | Irritates the skin and creates canker sores. When combined with other chemicals, it can become a carcinogen and cause organ damage. SLS is therefore linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, and endocrine disruption. | Choose natural products or those that say “SLS Free |
Parabens - A chemical that prevents bacteria growth |
Body wash, Soap, Shampoo, Toothpastes, Laundry detergent, Acne treatments | Mimics estrogen in the body that can influence the growth of breast tumour cells. | Choose natural products or those that are parabens-free |
Propylene glycol - A byproduct of fossil fuel made from the combination of propene and water |
Moisturisers, Lotions, Deodorant, Shampoo, Baby wipes | Skin problems include irritation, inhibition of growth, and cell damage. Because of its absorption in the blood, there is some evidence of kidney toxicity, neurological symptoms, and cardiovascular symptoms. | Choose natural products without Propylene glycol |
Fragrance - Chemical that scents products |
Body wash, Soap, Moisturiser, Shampoo, Sunscreen, Cleansers, Toothpaste, Laundry detergent | A single fragrance can have more than 150 chemicals and is linked with cancer, skin irritants, birth defects, and neurological issues. Commonly used chemicals to make a fragrance include petroleum (or crude oil), benzene derivatives (carcinogenic), and aldehydes. | Choose natural products without fragrance |
Triclosan - Antibacterial and antifungal agent |
Body wash, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash | Alters hormone regulation with some evidence that it contributes to antibiotic-resistant germs and harm to the immune system. | Choose natural products without triclosan |
Retinyl Palmitate - A form of vitamin A, it is used for its effectiveness against wrinkles and uneven skin tone. |
Anti-aging products, sunscreen | One large experiment found when applied to sunlight on the skin, retinyl palmitate accelerated tumour growth.Studies found retinyl palmitate induces oxidative stress in pregnant and baby rats. | If retinyl palmitate must be in products, ensure it is no more than 1%. When choosing a sunscreen, use titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. |
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/triclosan/faq-20057861
https://www.prevention.com/beauty/natural-beauty/10-controversial-ingredients-in-your-beauty-products/slide/6
https://www.ewg.org/
https://www.livestrong.com
https://www.huffingtonpost.com
www.FDA.gov
Material Safety Data Sheet
The organic personal care industry is now valued at US$11bn due to rising demand for natural alternatives to chemically harsh products. This is spelling out big dollars for corporations but how much do we understand the industry and what “organic” and “natural” actually mean?
The personal care industry enjoys relaxed regulations and does not enforce a standard in the production, handling, processing or labelling of “organic” and “natural” ingredients in products. In fact, scarily, a product need only contain 1% of an organic ingredient to be labelled as such.
Some governing bodies provide voluntary programs or certifications (such as the USDA National Organic Program) that enable organisations to label their products as “organic”. However, there are usually varying definitions and categories between governing bodies making it very confusing. In essence, there is no single source of truth.
Personal care products use chemicals and preservatives because they are cheap and allow products to last for a long time. These chemicals are synthetic and have been linked with health issues such as cancer, skin damage, or allergic reactions. Some ingredients to look out for are parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances and colouring.
Since no real regulation exists, it is essential for consumers to understand what ingredients to look out for (such as those above) and read ingredient labels to understand a product’s level of safety.
Shop your natural personal care now
Regular toothpaste is made of lots of chemicals but the three key ones are Sodium lauryl sulfate, fluoride, and glycerine.
]]>For a product we put into our mouths everyday, what do we really know about toothpaste? We investigate the most popular ingredients found in toothpaste to find out!
Regular toothpaste is made of lots of chemicals but the three key ones are Sodium lauryl sulfate, fluoride, and glycerine.
No disease, not even tooth decay, is caused by “fluoride deficiency.”(NRC 1993; Institute of Medicine 1997, NRC 2006).
Moderate intake of fluoride does not cause short-term problems to your health. However, studies have linked fluoridated water to lower brain function, Alzheimer’s disease, and even infertility.
Fluoride attaches to heavy metals including lead, mercury, and aluminum influencing its absorption not only in the blood but in the brain as well. If you think you don’t absorb heavy metals, you are wrong. They are all around you from your cell phone, to the air your breath, and even metal fillings in our mouth!
There are two types of glycerine, vegetable and synthetic. The former is made strictly from plant oils and are used for skin moisturisers. Synthetic glycerin is made from petroleum-based oils that is commonly used by conventional toothpaste to enhance texture.
Even though natural glycerine is natural and edible, it does not improve your gum health and coats your teeth like plastic wrap blocking its ability to re-mineralise and maintain proper balance of nutrients. In fact, toothpaste with glycerine “requires 20 rinses to get it off” (Judd, Good Teeth, Birth to Death).
Now that you've learned enough about the scary facts, are you ready to be introduced to the amazing facts of natural toothpaste?
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