Lose the VOC: Choosing Eco-friendly Paint for Your Home

Painting isn’t as easy as slathering a coat of paint on your walls. There are a lot of things that you have to consider if you’re planning to repaint the walls in your house. You have to be aware that your choice of paint affects your home’s indoor air quality, and your family’s health as well.

Read on to learn about VOC, and why it’s an essential factor that you must consider when you’re buying paint. You will also know about several paint brands which are certified eco-friendly

Learning about VOC

Organic compounds are chemicals that can be found in all living things. VOC means the volatile organic compound, and these are organic compounds which can easily be altered to gas. Aside from carbon, VOCs also contain sulfur, hydrogen, and chlorine.

VOCs are dangerous air pollutants because they can turn into smog if combined with ground-level nitrogen oxide. Paint, solvents, and fresheners emit VOC. The products that you use in your home can expose you to high levels of VOCs.

VOC can affect your health. Short-term exposure to VOCs can result in minor discomforts like a headache, nausea, dizziness, and epistaxis. Long-term exposure can cause liver and kidney damage. These are the reasons why VOCs should be avoided as much as possible by choosing eco-friendly paint brands which contain low or no VOCs.

Choosing Eco-Friendly Paint Brands

● Farrow & Ball

The paint from this company is free from formaldehyde and ammonia, and it also uses natural pigment and other natural ingredients. The paint is also water-based, efficiently reducing the use of solvents.

● Konig Paints by Vanessa Galloway

The products under this line are water based, but it’s still durable. It’s easy to apply, and it also dries quickly, speeding up the process of your painting job. The 101 colors offered will provide good options for you.

● Benjamin Moore Aura

This paint is odor-free, and it doesn’t contain VOC. It’s also durable, and the colors don’t fade quickly.

● Mythic Paint

This non-toxic paint is odor-free and VOC-free. The absence of chemicals doesn’t affect the quality of the paint because it’s still durable and it gives excellent and lasting coverage for your walls.

● Sherwin Williams GreenSure

This specific line of products was created to produce Painting products which help the environment. The paints under this line are free from toxins and contain low VOC level.

● C2 LoVo Paint

This paint brand is unique because it uses European colorants, and it offers a vast collection of colors. C2 LoVo is also toxin-free, and it contains low VOC levels.

● Dunn Edwards Paints

Dunn Edwards colorants are free from VOC. It also puts a Reactivity-Adjusted VOC Content rating label on their products.

● Ecos Organic Paints

The water-based paints are free of toxins and VOCs. It doesn’t emit a strong odor, and it’s also ideal for people with allergies.

● AFM Safecoat

AFM Safecoat aims to eliminate harmful toxins from their products. It also seeks to eradicate bad indoor air quality for the home caused by products containing VOCs and similar toxins.

● Ecotrend Collagen Paint

With 120 colors to choose from, you’ll have a lot of options for your wall colors. It resists mold and bacteria. It’s also odorless, relieving you from the usual strong fumes of paint. These paints are also free from VOC.

Takeaway

It’s essential to make your house more beautiful by repainting your walls once in a while. Aside from beauty, you also have to consider if the paint you’ll choose is beneficial for your family’s health.

There are a lot of eco-friendly paint choices in the market. You won’t have difficulty in choosing the shade that you want. So be health-conscious with your paint choices and help your family stay healthy inside the home.

A Parent’s Guide: Learn the Basics About Proper Dental Care for Your Kids

Dental health is one of the most important aspects that you should consider when it comes to the health of your child. Your child’s dental health also need optimal care, and it is one of the first crucial steps that you will encounter.

Unfortunately, some parents still lack appropriate knowledge and understanding about the importance of dental health for kids. As a parent, you also need to know the kind of care that is proper to ensure your children’s teeth.

For most children, their first primary tooth will sometimes appear between the ages of four to six months. As such, regular visits to the dentist and daily oral hygiene will play significant roles in your child’s dental health.

To give you more knowledge, below are considerations to take heed when it comes to your child’s dental health.

The Perfect Time to Start Proper Oral Hygiene

Many parents want to know when is the right age and time should their children brush their teeth. A good rule is to start flossing it as soon as your child’s teeth are already in contact with each other. Usually, you can start it at around the age of 2 to 3 years.

Once their teeth already reach this point, germs and bacteria from food intake start to inhabit spots in their teeth which eventually cause plaque, tooth decay, and other dental problems. You should also remember that not all children can have their teeth flossed at this specific age. Hence, regular dental check-ups are a must.

Dental Care Tips for Your Child

One of the best ways that you can do to prevent a child from having tooth decay is to help them become enthusiastic about their daily dental hygiene. Tooth brushing probably is not your child’s favorite routine to do every day. But you can make it more acceptable and fun by choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste that your child will like and will love to use.

Look for fluoride toothpaste with playful colors and candy-like flavors. Knowing how to brush your child’s teeth is important, the same goes for choosing the right toothpaste. Teach them the proper technique as early as possible to help them encourage and develop good oral habits.

The Best Age for a Child To Get Braces

A lot of parents would always ask the same things when it comes to fixing their child’s teeth. Is there a right age or time an orthodontist should start fixing my child’s teeth? What is the best age for my child to have their dental visit? These are some of the common questions that you will hear coming from the parents.

Braces for kids are very important especially if they have teeth problems. To answer these questions, here are the things that you should know for you to have the right knowledge about braces.

If your young child has crooked teeth or misalignment issues, he or she can already benefit from braces (teen clear braces, Invisalign, metal braces, etc.) Consult with an orthodontist as they will be the one who can determine which type of braces are proper for your child’s needs.
There’s no definitive answer when it comes to the proper age to get braces. However, orthodontists recommend bringing your child to an orthodontic appointment as early as seven years old if there are already signs of orthodontic problems.
Keep an eye on your child’s teeth for some bite alignment issues, crooked teeth, crowding issues, underbite, protruding teeth or overbite. If there is, you must schedule an initial orthodontic evaluation immediately.

Takeaway

Parents play a vital role in their children’s health, especially in their dental health. Activities such as brushing teeth together is a good starting point for introducing the importance of good oral hygiene. However, one of the most effective ways that parents can do is to project good habits that children can follow.

Always lead by demonstration and example on how important your child’s teeth and to their overall health.

5 Natural Beauty Ingredients to Welcome Into Your Skin Care Regime

Image source: Unsplash

When it comes to caring for your skin, there are a huge range of products available, but many of these will contain harsh chemicals and artificial ingredients that can be harmful to your skin and the environment. However, our beautiful planet is awash with wonderful, natural ingredients that are primed for use in beauty products – bringing you a natural and healthy glow inside and out.

Packed full of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants, in today’s post, we’re exploring five truly underrated natural beauty ingredients you definitely need to know more about.

Marshmallow root

Despite being used for centuries as an ancient herbal remedy for respiratory and digestive ailments, the benefits of marshmallow root extract when used in natural skin care products are still not as widely known as they should be. But this underrated oil is bursting with vitamins, antioxidants and minerals that offer a myriad of benefits to the skin.

Extracted from the root of the marshmallow plant, the liquid substance appears more like a gel than an oil, containing polysaccharides and flavonoids which are associated with tissue repair. When applied to the skin, these properties provide a protective and soothing layer to reduce inflammation and seal in moisture, while also rejuvenating skin from deep within.

With exceptional moisturising properties, mallow oil soaks gently into the skin without leaving a greasy residue, and is ideal for both oily and sensitive skin types. With the added presence of mullein, delicate areas of skin around the eyes and mouth are beautifully replenished with moisture, and naturally plumped up – making visible lines less pronounced.

Jojoba oil

Pronounced, ho-ho-ba, you may have seen jojoba featured in a number of beauty products like body milk, face creams and hair conditioners – but to truly benefit from this natural wonder, it’s best to find organic skin care products which use this ingredient in its purest form.

Extracted from the seeds of the Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) plant, native to south Arizona, California and Mexico, jojoba oil is in fact a liquid wax rather than an oil. Boasting outstanding moisturising capabilities, this waxy liquid works very similarly to our skin’s natural oils, absorbing quickly into the skin – giving almost instant hydration, while helping to balance your skin’s oil production.

Suitable for all skin types, jojoba oil brings a generous helping of vitamins E and B, as well as copper, zinc and chromium and plenty of antioxidants, all of which work together to nourish and protect skin – making this a nutritious and gentle alternative to synthetic oils.

Apricot kernel oil

Apricot kernel oil is packed full of essential fatty acids and vitamins, which are key to keeping your skin healthy, supple and radiant. Cold pressed from the dried kernels of apricot fruit, this oil has a pleasant, nutty scent and is found in range of balms, lotions and creams – but organic options that contain its purest form will be most beneficial.

Brimming with high levels of vitamins E, C and A, along with fatty acids like oleic and linoleic, these properties work to soften, moisturise and rejuvenate from within. As a light oil, often used for massage and in face creams, it’s easily absorbed and is particularly powerful when used on mature, dry or sensitive skin, where extra oils and moisture are needed.

This natural ingredient is also highly compatible with other ingredients, like lavender oil and tea tree, to bolster its use as an anti-inflammatory treatment.

Rosehip oil

Cold-pressed from the seeds of the Rosa rubiginosa plant, rosehip oil is fast overtaking coconut oil as a miracle ingredient for moisturising, as well as treating the signs of aging. Like most natural ingredients, rosehip oil is gentle and kind on the skin, providing much-needed moisture without the use of chemicals or synthetic ingredients.

Filled with natural anti-inflammatory fatty acids (including oleic, palmitic and linoleic) and a multitude of vitamins (E, D, C and A), this wonder ingredient effectively hydrates skin, while also repairing damaged tissue – creating a more youthful and radiant complexion. The high levels of vitamin C and vitamin A work to rejuvenate skin cells and reduce pigmentation, like age spots and sun damage, making it a worthwhile addition to beauty regimes for mature skin or anyone keen to stay looking youthful for longer.

Echinacea

Harvested from the leaves and flowers of the Echinacea plant, this powerful ingredient can be put to many uses when it comes to skin care products, as well as supplements and tinctures. Featuring a distinctive flower with a bright, spiky centre, you can find Echinacea flowers in varying colours and can even grow them in your garden.

When ingested as a supplement or a herbal tea, Echinacea is thought to help the body’s immune system to recover after illnesses, such as the common cold, as it’s known to boost the production of white blood cells – while the antioxidants and antimicrobial substances help to ward off negative microorganisms, helping you feel better faster.

As a skin care ingredient, Echinacea is ideal for those who suffer from acne or have an oily complexion. Its mild astringent properties help to minimise pores, while its healing properties work to soothe redness and tissue swelling – making it a gentler alternative to strong acne treatments. These skin-tightening qualities also work to reduce the appearance of fine lines, firming the skin’s surface. But the use of Echinacea isn’t limited to the face and body – applying it the hair and scalp can also alleviate dandruff and even improve hair growth.

Image source: Herbfarmacy

Whether you’re looking for the next miracle anti-aging ingredient or you simply want to swap out chemical-filled products for more natural alternatives, all of these ingredients have unique properties that can greatly benefit your skin. From herbs with anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties to vitamin-rich oils, inviting natural ingredients into your skin care regime can be a fantastic way to find kinder treatments, while also helping the environment.

Best Ways To Deal With Wrinkles And Acne At The Same Time

Introduction

Are you aging and experiencing changes in your skin texture? Worry no more! This is because research has shown that, with age come many unwanted changes, especially to the skin. Most of the common change that accompanies aging is wrinkles on the face, neck, chest, and even acne.

This is a very unpleasant state of affairs especially for females who like to maintain their young look and tenderness. There are several powerful remedies that are outlined in this article that may help aging men and women to overcome wrinkles and acne in the skin. These methods have been scientifically proven and have been practically used over the years with tremendous success.

Although artificial methods such as chemical peels and lasers are used by some people as a way of reducing wrinkles, there are other natural ways of treating wrinkles and acne in the body.

These methods are relatively inexpensive, and as well pose a lesser risk of developing health complications. When the skin loses its collagen especially in the skin of an aging person, it would be prudent to seek help on the treatment of wrinkles and acne. Such treatment would include coconut and olive oil. By applying these oils to your skin on a daily basis, the skin will with time develop as a soft and moisturized texture.

Wrinkles and acne have been found to affect almost every adult worldwide.

According to research conducted by several beauty companies, many people are looking for a solution to sort out these problems to no avail. However, it has been discovered that these two problems can be solved all at once! Isn’t that an interesting discovery? I have compiled several anti-aging tips for you below:

Best anti-aging tips

According to research by various beauty experts, there are many ways in which a person can keep his/her skin from developing wrinkles and acne. One of the main anti-aging tips is to quit smoking. Generally, cigarette smoking has been associated with faster aging as well as the skin looking older than it looks. Almost 60% of people who are habitual smokers cannot treat wrinkles and acne successfully.

The next anti-aging tip is using antioxidants which keep the body healthy and in perfect shape. These antioxidants include fruits, vegetables, and other meals that contain a high degree of vitamins.

Another great example of these vital elements may be obtained from fish products, poultry, and even sunflower. Their main function to the body is that they prevent free radicals in the body from breaking down the elasticity of the skin and also maintain collagen within the skin structure thus keeping the skin healthy and in perfect condition. If you correctly follow these anti-aging tips, I am certainly sure that you will reap the maximum benefits from my advice.

Chest and neck wrinkles

Chest and neck wrinkles are some of the common problems that people encounter especially when they start to acquire a mature age. The most common causes of chest and neck wrinkles are extreme exposure to the sun, lack of enough sleep, and even ill-fitting clothes. There several ways in which chest and neck wrinkles may be mitigated.

Some of the methods include drinking plenty of water and eating healthy foods. Drinking plenty of water ensures that the body has plenty of moisture which means that there is less probability of acquiring chest and neck wrinkles.

Also, if you are severely affected by chest and neck wrinkles, you can consider using an SIO beauty skin pad. This skin pad is trapped on the affected patch and left to stick there for a little while. It is specifically used for chest and neck wrinkles where it moisturizes the skin and normalizes the production of collagen which is vital for the young and healthy skin. Also, this method is not only used to treat chest and neck wrinkles, but it can also be used to treat wrinkles on other parts of the body such as on the face, brows, and even on the lips. If you want to help your skin increase its collagen production, you may also wish to consider getting some hyaluronic serum wholesale, as this can increase collagen production by up to 350%, as well as even out skin tone and increase the skin’s ability to retain moisture.

Chest and neck wrinkles can also be treated by other natural methods such as applying Aloe Vera on these specific parts. Aloe Vera slows down the aging of the skin by providing the skin with collagen and elastin which specifically help in preventing chest and neck wrinkles. It also prevents chest and neck wrinkles by sealing the skins’ natural moisture and preventing it from evaporating away quickly. This, therefore, keeps the skin healthier and younger for a very long period.

On the other hand, to prevent wrinkles and acne all over the oily skin, every individual should ensure that they maintain healthy and oily skin and one can also use Nerium Ad Age-Defying to prevent wrinkles. Oily skin primarily eliminates wrinkles and acne that are most common in adults. As a matter of fact, in a previous study, the results showed that 8 out of 10 of the respondents suffered from dry skin as opposed to only 2 who had oily skin. There are several tips that you can use to maintain an oily skin that is always radiant and naturally perpetuating. One of the most commonly advised methods by beauty experts is the application of cleaning products. These products primarily help the skin to keep healthy and revitalized.

An oily skin

Staying hydrated is another great secret for keeping oily skin. This is mainly because hydrated skin does not lose moisture easily and the chances of retaining its oily nature are very high.

On the other hand, if you want to always retain an oily skin, you should always make sure that your face is clean. In this way, all the applied products are wiped out, and the pores are left dry and perfectly open.

Conclusion

Are you suffering from severe wrinkles and acne all over your skin and may need to maintain it? Of course, you do. A simple practice and application of the above guidelines should get you the right texture of the skin you need. After carefully following my advice, you will have to worry no more about wrinkles and acne either on your chest, neck, or even your face. Finally, say goodbye to the skin problems that have always been such a pain in your life!

Author Bio:

Kathy Mitchell is a Travel & Beauty Blogger. She likes to Go Out with her Friends, Travel, Swim, and Practice Yoga. In her free time, you can find Kathy curled up Reading her Favorite Novel, or Writing in her Journal. To know more about her follow her on Google+, Facebook, and Twitter.

The History of Cheerleading Apparel

As cheerleading changed from being a male-dominated sport to a female sport, the clothing changed to reflect the athleticism needed to be a successful cheerleader. Nowadays, the sport is predominantly female and the uniform mainly includes short skirts and tank tops.

Practice Wear and Cheer Camp

Lawrence Herkimer created the initial cheer camp in 1948, and it brought a big change to cheerleading outfits. Because cheer camp is a place where a cheerleader goes to perfect her moves, the clothing worn needed to be comfortable to allow them to practice safely. In the early 1900s, cheerleaders wore khaki shorts but they were changed to Soffe-knit ones and paired with tank tops to allow easier movement.

As the camps expanded and new traditions came up, it became increasingly important for people to demonstrate their spirit and support by donning matching apparel. This is now common at camps and each team matches from the hair bow to the socks. In the beginning, tanks and shorts were only available in a few colors but as the number of squads went up, so did the designs and colors.

To make their uniforms unique, squads started making custom cheer uniforms with embroidered school names and logos. Customizing cheerleading uniforms makes it easier for squads to represent the school spirit. As this sport became more common, many clothing companies started meeting to expand the needs of cheerleading.

In 1982, ESPN showed their first cheerleading competition on TV and this put cheerleaders in the spotlight for the first time. From this point on, the fame of cheerleading took off and athletes started taking more pride in their sport. As a result, cheerleading costumes did not only represent the school’s pride but they also showed pride in being a cheerleader.

Instead of letting their differences tear them apart, the cheerleaders started having common triumphs and challenges to unite and bring them together. Cheer-specific phrases and bright-colored clothes became a way for cheerleaders to show off their unique personalities. You could now tell one cheerleading squad from the other by their uniforms.

In the 1990s, cheerleading uniforms were just as we know them today except for slump socks and canvas sneakers. Tops were waist-length sleeveless vests that could be worn with a turtleneck underneath. In some cases, the athletes wore turtlenecks under sweatshirts and paired them with pleated skirts that had a striping design at the bottom.

The preferred skirt length was mid-thigh and the rule was that the skirt had to touch the ends of the fingers when hands were straightened at the sides. Skirts that were shorter than this were considered too short and not acceptable.

The Rise of Cheerleaders

Parents are the number one cheerleaders of cheerleaders. Not only do they support their kids by taking them to practice and competitions, but they also want people to root for them. Friends, families, and communities would also like to show their love and support, which means that now there are some dedicated fashion lines that deal with cheerleading costumes only.

The fashion lines usually include polo shirts, sweaters, hats, and bags as well as anything that the cheerleaders can think of adding to their uniforms. Moreover, they wear clothing collections that allow them to support their favorite all-star teams and cheerleaders. When they do this, they might feel more complete and stylish.

Dressing for All-Season Sport

As the sport became more physical, the length of cheerleading skirts got shorter and the cold months did not encourage an increase in length. Instead of making the skirts longer, warm-ups became a great way for cheerleaders to stay warm in the winter. Although they were offered as in-stock pieces only at first, you can now buy warm-ups as part of your cheerleading costume.

You can purchase them to match your uniform or customize them to fit your unique style. As the popularity of cheerleading increases, the costumes continue to focus on keeping athletes comfy while allowing more flexibility for complicated stunts and tricks. The costumes also focus on highlighting squad, cheerleading, and school pride.

Cheerleading Uniforms Today

Cheerleading is now a sport in its own right, so the outfits need to reflect the ability to jump and perform hard moves. Because the uniforms are made from a spandex-polyester blend, they are more flexible than ever. Skirts are about 12-14 inches in length to make it easier to move about and to prevent tumbling.

You can wear your skirt over a pair of spandex spankies to avoid flashing the audience when you are three feet in the air. The top is tank-like and form fitting and you can choose from a number of colors and designs. Cheerleading uniforms for professional teams and colleges are not regulated but in high school, the guidelines state that the top must cover the midriff when the arms are at rest.

All-star teams have different guidelines: teams can wear tops that cover just the bra or the whole chest and tummy area. Nowadays, some tops have a bit of material cut off to expose parts of the chest or midsection. If you do not have to follow any guidelines, you should choose a style that reflects your fashion sense. Just make sure that you feel comfortable jumping up and down whilst wearing the uniform.

If you are looking to buy cheerleading costumes, it is important that you understand their history so that you can buy the best ones.