Secondhand smoking causes weight gain

 
   Secondhand cigarette smoke not only increases the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic problems it may also lead to gain weight a new study suggests.
The study challenges the decades old belief that smoking cigarettes helps keep one slim.
Researchers wanted to pinpoint the mechanism behind why smokers become insulin resistant.
To carry out their study, they exposed lab mice to side stream (or secondhand) smoke and followed their metabolic progression.
Mice exposed to smoke put on weight.
When researchers drilled down to the cellular level they found the smoke triggered a tiny lipid called ceramide to alter mitochondria in the cells causing disruption to normal cell function and inhibiting the cells ability to respond to insulin.
The lungs provide a vast interface with our environment and this research shows that a response to involuntary smoking includes altering systemic sensitivity to insulin said researchers.
Once someone becomes insulin resistant their body needs more insulin. And any time you have insulin go up you have fat being made in the body.
The key to reversing the effects of cigarette smoke they discovered is to inhibit ceramide. The researchers found the mice treated with myriocin (a known ceramide blocker) didn’t gain weight or experience metabolic problems regardless of their exposure to the smoke.
However, when the smoke exposed mice were also fed a high sugar diet the metabolic disruption could not be fixed.

Daily Habits That Can Cause Calcium Loss

Daily Habits That Can Cause Calcium Loss

Osteoporosis and bone loss are two issues that affect many people every single year that can be both painful and problematic for overall health. Our bones support our muscles, joints, and without healthy bones, we may suffer fractures, breakages, and severe pain that affect our day to day life and abilities. As we age, we naturally lose bone mass. This is one reason why strength and resistance training are recommended for everyone, especially those 45 years of age and above. It’s also why weight-bearing exercises like walking and yoga are so highly recommended; they support a strong body for life, indirectly prevent the breakdown of bones, and strengthen the muscles. The saying, “If you don’t use it, you lose it” rings true for your muscles and your bones; to preserve bone mass, you have to help build your muscles and support your overall skeletal structure.

Calcium Loss and Our Bone Health

However, when it comes to bone loss, no amount of exercising can overcome the effects of a poor diet or daily habits that directly cause bone loss. Though one of the worst lifestyle choices for our bones is not exercising, there are some other choices we make that also can. These choices directly leach calcium from the bones, the very lifeblood that keeps our bones healthy. We’ve all been tricked into equating calcium needs with milk consumption since we were young. When someone hears the word calcium, milk and strong bones are the very two things that normally come next in a person’s mind. However, this is only due to years of marketing tactics by the dairy industry, who pay for milk to be advertised to us as youth, and is why milk is recommended for strong bones—not because it’s the best (or only) source of calcium.  (Did you know they actually paid for the food pyramid to be produced?) What’s not promoted in schools and nutritional organizations, however, is how to prevent calcium loss to begin with. If more people focused on living a life that supported calcium preservation in the body, a fear of not getting enough calcium wouldn’t even be an issue.

Here are some daily lifestyle choices that all deplete calcium from the bones and what you can do to ensure your bones stay as healthy as possible, all without the need to chug three glasses of cow’s milk a day …

1. Soda Consumption

Diet or not, all types of soda have been linked to bone loss. They are high in phosphoric acid that leaches calcium from the bones and also places a strain on the kidneys. Soda is also full of chemicals that can lead to mineral loss and depletes the body of real nutrition. If the soda has caffeine, the effects are even worse; caffeine causes excess water loss in the body which can exasperate calcium loss since calcium and other minerals leave the body via excess urine output. Even caffeine-free sodas contain harmful properties to the kidneys such as chemicals and artificial sweeteners that lead to mineral loss.

2. Excess Caffeine and Salt

Caffeine is a natural diuretic which causes excess urine to leave the body. Along with water, out goes all the minerals you need too, including calcium. A cup or two of coffee a day isn’t going to hurt you, but a pot a day or multiple sources of caffeine just might. You lose 6 milligrams of calcium for every 100 milligrams of caffeine you take in. One cup of coffee (8 ounces) has 160 milligrams of caffeine, while some energy drinks have double that amount and some sodas have more or less.
Too much salt is also a no-no for preserving calcium. Salt is only one form of sodium, a necessary mineral for good health just like calcium, however, table salt is not the best source to get your sodium from. Processed salt is highly refined and leaches calcium from the bones unlike true sodium found in plant-based foods or even ancient, unrefined sea salts (pink, black, etc.) that provide necessary nourishment to the cells. Some foods that are good sources of natural sodium include: celery, greens like spinach, fortified almond or soy milk, hummus, cocoa, and even many fruits and vegetables.
Instead of reaching for the salt shaker to season your food, go for herbs and salt-free spices that come with other health benefits and more natural flavor. You should also avoid as many processed foods with refined salt as possible, such as cereals, chips, and other types of boxed and packaged snacks with over 250-300 milligrams per serving.

3. Too Little Protein

While we know it can be easy to get protein-obsessed, we should keep in mind that bones are made up of 50 percent protein. So, regardless if we don’t need an excessive amount, we do need protein to maintain healthy bones. Protein preserves calcium in the body where it is stored and supplies the body with support. It’s also is easy to obtain enough protein without meat (or dairy, eggs, fish, or poultry if you choose). Eat sources such as: hemp seeds, chia seeds, legumes, broccoli, tofu, beans, greens, tempeh, teff, amaranth, oats, almonds, pumpkin seeds, hemp protein powder, vegan protein powders (choose organic or non-GMO when possible), quinoa, tahini, walnuts, hazelnuts, and other nuts and seeds as the best sources.
Including a few different options from these foods at each meal (greens and nuts, seeds, beans/legumes, and or a grain) is a simple and efficient way to get enough protein. Plus, most of them all have ample amounts of calcium to boot. Most people need 1/2 the amount of protein in grams per day as what they weigh in pounds, though some choose to eat more.

4. Smoking

If you smoke, quit. Smoking causes calcium loss, not to mention cancer, hormone problems, aging, heart disease, and has been linked to many other serious, life-threatening health problems and even minor health problems like low energy and poor recovery after exercise. If you need help quitting, go on a patch or look into alternative therapies to help you quit.

5. You Minimize the Important of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a crucial vitamin for good health; don’t pass this off as a simple recommendation. Vitamin D acts like a hormone in the body, optimizes calcium absorption and also can help prevent colon cancer, breast cancer, depression, and digestive problems like constipation. It can also affect how your body preserves (not just uses) calcium. Take a vitamin D3 supplement, as fortified vitamin D foods are made with vitamin D2, a harder to absorb form.
You should also be sure to do some type of exercise daily, even if it’s just 15-20 minutes. Everyone has time for that! Yoga, walking, lifting weights or heavy objects around the house, jogging, and other simple exercises are all great ideas if you can’t hit the gym.

What About Dairy?

As we mentioned, dairy is often equated to calcium intake, but it has not been shown to preserve bones any better over a longer period than plant-based sources have when enough are eaten. It should also be noted that a highly acidic diet can lead to calcium loss. This is because extremely acidic foods can cause mineral leaching from the body, including from the bones. Magnesium, potassium, and calcium are three of the top minerals affected by this. Acidic foods are largely animal-based, with dairy being one of the major sources (red meat, eggs, fish, and poultry are also very acidic). Plant-based, whole foods are naturally more alkaline, even some of the most acidic grains, nuts, and seeds. This is one way that a plant-based diet may support long-term bone health in comparison to one that’s animal-food based. So while dairy might not directly cause calcium-loss, it’s acidic nature combined with other acidic foods may cause an unnecessary weakening of the bones. Plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, and leafy greens directly counter the effects of mineral loss even if they’re not necessarily a 100 percent proof way to prevent calcium loss.
The Bottom Line:
You don’t need the cow’s milk to get enough calcium, but you do need to be sure to fill up on more alkaline, calcium-rich foods. See our Plant-Based Nutrition Guide to Calcium for plenty of tips on that!

Fast Fact: There is actually more calcium in 4 ounces of tofu, 8 figs, and 2 cups of collard greens than there is in an 8 ounce glass of milk, which makes getting enough pretty simple on a plant-based diet. Teff and millet are also two “super seeds” packed with calcium that can replace grains in your meals as well.
Take care of your bones so they can keep you strong, lean, and energized for life!

Study reveals benefits when consuming eggs with raw vegetables

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Next time you visit a salad bar, consider adding cooked eggs to your raw vegetables as a new study shows that this combination will increase nutritive value.

Purdue University's Wayne Campbell said that Americans under consume vegetables and they now  have a way to increase the nutritive value of veggies while also receiving the nutritional benefits of egg yolks. The study found that those who ate the highest egg amount with the salad of tomatoes, shredded carrots, baby spinach, romaine lettuce, and Chinese wolfberry increased absorption of carotenoids 3-9 fold. The carotenoids found in the salad include beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, the latter two being found in egg yolk as well.

Campbell noted that because of this combination, not only are lutein and zeaxanthin available through whole eggs, but now the value of the vegetables is enhanced. Campbell believes the beneficial effects seen in this college-age population will extend to all populations and ages. His group would like to expand their research to explore the effects on other fat-soluble nutrients including vitamin E and vitamin D.

This Is What Happens When You Overdo It On Vitamins

From 1985 to 1995 a group of doctors set out to test a theory—that high doses of beta-carotene and retinol, two A vitamins with cancer-fighting properties, could greatly reduce our risk of getting cancer. They put study participants on 30 milligrams of beta-carotene and 25,000 International Units (IU) of retinol each day. But instead of turning their bodies into cancer-fighting machines, the vitamins actually caused some participants to get cancer. The doctors stopped the trial nearly two years early because of the results.

"We should step back and ask ourselves whether there might be a lesson to take from this sad experience of actually causing cancer with high vitamin intake," says Tim Byers, MD, professor of epidemiology at the Colorado School of Public Health. Byers, one of the original researchers in the trial, recently led a forum at the American Association for Cancer Research reviewing this and other studies that all found increased cancer risk with vitamin overdose. "I think the lesson is one that says a little nutrient is good, a lot may not be better," he says.

It's an easy lesson, but one many do not obey. At the first sign of a cold, we guzzle orange juice and vitamin C powders, take vitamin C tablets or suck on vitamin C infused cough drops—despite research that overloading your body with Vitamin C does nothing to get rid of your cold.

It usually doesn't cause any harm either, though, which may be why people continue to take it. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning any extra hangs around in the water in your body until it's flushed out in your urine. So taking too much once in a while isn't really a problem.
MORE: Do You Just End Up Peeing Out All The Vitamins You Take?

But not all vitamins are water-soluble, and the ones that are lipid-soluble, meaning they like to hang around in your body's fat, don't get flushed out. Instead, if you take too much of a lipid-soluble vitamin over a few weeks to a month, they sit in the liver and can build up to toxic levels, causing problems ranging from weak bones to liver damage, according to Katherine Zeratsky, a registered dietician nutritionist at the Mayo Clinic.

Scientists are still trying to figure out exactly how much of a vitamin is too much for our bodies to handle, but in the meantime the Institute of Medicine has a list of Upper Tolerable Intake Levels, which is the best bet given the research so far.

Multivitamins:

How much is too much: More than one a day.
If you're a health-conscious person in the United States today, chances are you take a multivitamin. And one a day, even if you're already getting enough nutrients in food, won't hurt you. But more than one a day over a long period of time will. The most serious risk, according to the National Institute of Health, comes from multivitamins that include iron or calcium. Calcium toxicity can cause abdominal pain, weak bones, constipation, irregular heartbeat, and depression among other symptoms. Iron is one of the most dangerous minerals to overdose on, and can cause problems ranging from diarrhea and liver damage to low blood pressure and coma.

Vitamin C:

How much is too much: 2000 mg.
Since vitamin C is water-soluble, excess that your body doesn't need just gets flushed out in your urine. But, The Mayo Clinic warns, large doses of vitamin C can cause problems like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, cramps, headache, insomnia, and kidney stones. The average person needs only 65 to 90 mg of vitamin C every day, which you can find in one large orange or a cup of chopped bell peppers. 

Vitamin A:
How much is too much: 3000 IU
Vitamin A is fat-soluble, which means it gets processed through your liver. Too much vitamin A will stick around until it can get processed—and taking too much every day for a month can lead to toxic levels. Other than studies like the one above showing both the beta-carotene and retinol forms of vitamin A can cause cancer, too much retinol has been linked with birth defects, weak bones, and liver damage.

Vitamin E:
How much is too much: 1100 IU
This is another one that has been linked to cancer. Vitamin E is fat-soluble and easy to get in your diet from foods like meat, eggs, and vegetables—so it's rare for people to have vitamin E deficiency. The average person only needs 15 mg a day, but can tolerate much more. Too much vitamin E can cause problems with blood clotting, and poses risk of hemorrhage. High doses have also been associated with both lung and prostate cancers.

Vitamin D:

 

 

How much is too much: 4000 IU, according to the IOM, but recent evidence suggests we may actually need more than 8000 IU to avoid Vitamin D deficiency.  Unlike vitamin E, vitamin D deficiency is common. Doctors estimate three out of every four people are vitamin D deficient; so taking a vitamin D supplement might not be a bad thing. But be careful not to overdo it. Taking 50,000 IU of vitamin D a day can lead to toxicity, according to the Mayo Clinic. Vitamin D toxicity builds calcium in your blood and lead to weak bones, kidney stones, nausea, kidney problems, and calcification of soft tissue.

Vitamin B:

How much is too much: 1 to 1.3 mg
There are many different forms of vitamin B, but the Institute of Medicine only lists limits for folic acid (vitamin B9) and vitamin B6. Although B vitamins are water-soluble like vitamin C, they can cause problems when taken in large doses. Folic acid, for example, has also been linked to cancer in high doses. It's also been known to cause stomach problems, trouble sleeping, rash, and seizure. And doctors believe taking more than 200 or 300 mg of vitamin B6 can cause nerve damage.

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5 Food Combos That Make Your Healthy Diet Even Healthier

 

When we think of ideal food combinations, it's usually in the form of steak and potatoes, bacon and eggs, or cookies and milk. But pairing certain foods can also provide a big health boost.
"When it comes to nutrient absorption, pairing certain foods can make a healthy meal even more nutritious," Caspero says. A lot of vitamins and minerals work together synergistically, she says, meaning you get more benefit from one if you swallow it with the other. You can supercharge your meal's health-supporting powers by seeking out these simple, tasty food combos:
Lean Beef + Broccoli

An iron shortage is one of the more common nutritional deficiencies in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Women are especially likely to fall short, and low iron can lead to blood disorders and fatigue. Because vitamin C helps the body absorb iron, says Caspero, pairing iron-rich beef or lentils with vitamin C sources like broccoli or tomatoes is a great way to boost your iron levels. 
Apples + Blueberries

Fruit contains phytochemicals—healthy antioxidants that may reduce your risk for heart disease and cancer. When you eat different fruits together, their antioxidant benefits can multiply, finds a study in the Journal of Nutrition. That study found a surge in antioxidant activity when people ate several fruits in combination. Rather then filling a bowl with blueberries or munching on an apple, halving your portions and eating them together provides more disease-fighting benefits, the study suggests. Even better, says Caspero: Combining several different whole fruits into a smoothie, like one of these Tomatoes + Avocado

Tomatoes get their bright red color from lycopene, a type of healthy carotenoid that has antioxidant properties and may also block the growth of cancer cells, suggests research from Mayo Clinic. And researchers at Oregon State University have found that fat helps your body absorb lycopene. Clearly, it’s time to add some diced tomatoes to your guacamole, or avocado to your BLT.
Tuna + Kale

Calcium and vitamin D are the two most important nutrients for strong bones, reports the National Institutes of Health. Caspero recommends combining vitamin D-rich tuna or salmon with kale, an excellent source of calcium. Peanut Butter + Bananas

Your body and muscles need both protein and carbohydrates to recover and grow stronger following a workout. Create the perfect combo of these macronutrients with a PB-and-banana sandwich, suggests Caspero.

The Breathing Trick That Puts You to Sleep in Seconds

Nothing is worse than lying awake at night, willing your brain to shut down so you can rest. Warm milk, lavender oil, and counting sheep — we’ve all tried them. But the new solution could be simply learning to breathe.

What is it? The 4-7-8 breathing technique was pioneered Dr. Andrew Weill from Arizona, who describes the yoga-inspired method as “utterly simple, takes almost no time, requires no equipment and can be done anywhere.”

Dr. Weill claims that 4-7-8 breathing can help people fall asleep in just 60 seconds by acting as a “natural tranquiliser for the nervous system” that reduces stress and tension in the body.

 How do you do it?
1. Before you begin, place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth just above your teeth and keep it there throughout the exercise.

2. Exhale completely through your mouth quite forcefully so you make a “whoosh” sound.

3. Close your mouth and inhale quietly and softly through your nose for a mental count of four.

4. Hold your breath and count to seven.

5. Next, exhale completely through your mouth, making another whoosh sound for eight seconds in one large breath.

6. Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three times for a total of four breaths.

Remember: All inhaling breaths must be quiet and through your nose and all exhaling breaths must be loud and through your mouth.

How does it help?

• It takes on more oxygen relaxes the parasympathetic nervous system and promotes a state of calmness.

• It helps rebalance the nervous system which can become over stimulated during times of stress.

• It helps you connect with your body and your breathing and distract you from everyday thoughts that can prevent you from sleeping.

12 Reasons Why Honeymoon Phase Is The Best Time Of A Marriage

Of all the phases in a marriage, there is no stage as exhilarating and exciting as the honeymoon. This phase is full of love, passion and caring for each other, as both the husband and the wife remain at their best self. There is no whimpering and no baggage yet; and this poetic phase makes you see the world through rose-tinted glasses. Soon after the honeymoon phase gets over, reality sets in hard.

But, what makes honeymoon the best phase of a marriage? Here are some of the reasons.

#1. Pure infatuation

This sweet stage sweeps you off your feet. The honeymoon period makes you fall head over heels in love with your partner. Phrases like, “Oh, he is so handsome” and “She is so beautiful”, keep flashing through your mind, and your heart guides you throughout.

#2. Romance is unending

During this phase, there is a lot of passion. Romance is all that matters, day and night. Everything becomes a romantic adventure.

#3. Constant agreement

Yes, you read that right! There are no disagreements during the honeymoon phase. Be it choosing the dinner menu, which side of the bed you get to sleep on, the cancellation of plans or anything else- what the other person says is what you want as well. After the honeymoon phase is over, agreeing to disagree is perhaps the first thing you agree about.

#4. You do not watch TV as much

Image Courtesy: Hasee Toh Phasee

But, you do not even realise it. In fact, TV is the least wanted thing in life during your honeymoon. Soon after the honeymoon phase is over, life becomes impossible without TV. And then, constant battle over the remote control becomes an integral part of your daily life.

#5. Looking at no one but each other

Your man does not check out other women during this phase. He is still too busy 'exploring' you. Eventually, eyes may or may not wander here and there, from time to time.

#6. Your love for them is untarnished

Your love for each other is still pure. Other people’s interference and expectations, or even your own doubts about each other have not yet tarnished it. You only see the good in each other. You dream of perhaps an unrealistic future with them, because reality is still at bay.

#7. Nothing about them annoys you

From their sweaty smell to croaky voice, you absolutely love everything about them. You will, in fact, even dig your face in their pillow and think nothing smells so intoxicating. After this phase is over, you can make an endless list of things about them that annoys you.

#8. All your attention is on each other

During this time, the only thing that seems important in your life is your significant other. You do not play games, spend time on Facebook, or even call your friends or family too often. Afterwards, everything else starts taking over your life, and it is no longer only about you two.

#9. You admire each other

Your spouse is the most admired person in your life all through the honeymoon phase. Afterwards, the more you grow familiar, you start teasing and mocking each other a bit too much.

#10. A pimple is a bigger problem

There are still issues you have not opened up about with each other until now. You might shriek when you see a pimple in the morning, but you will never talk about having a stomach bug or acidity in front of them. Because, that is just too gross to talk about during your honeymoon phase!

#11. “Made for each other” feeling

We all live by every word of the Bryan Adams number, “The only thing that looks good on me is you”, during our honeymoon phase. There is no one more important than your soulmate. Eventually, you start wishing for some alone time with your buddies.

#12. There are no real fights

Finally, we have an amazing reason that makes honeymoon the best phase of your married life. There are no real fights, and even if there is any confusion or disagreement, you diffuse the situation lovingly. When the fight is over, you both laugh about how it was such a silly fight. All this just adds to your romance. After the honeymoon phase is over, there are no rules, no boundaries about what you can fight about and how far you can take it! And, on some nights one of you might end up sleeping on the couch.

So, these are some of the reasons that make this phase the best time of your marriage. Enjoy it to the fullest as long as it lasts, or you can make your honeymoon an eternal part of your marriage with a bit of love, patience and persistence.

17 Common Everyday Habits That Cause Acne And You Don't Even Know

Looking beautiful not only makes you happy, but gives your self-confidence a boost to go and face the world. When you look good, you automatically feel good. But, in today’s time with the growing pollution, wrong eating habits, and ever increasing stress levels, our skin suffers the most.

And not to forget, the weird sleeping patterns that count up to make the skin dull and prone to breakouts. Not only this, but there are also a few mistakes we knowingly or unknowingly make that increase the chances of getting pimply skin. So, we get you a list of some bad habits you must stop doing to avoid damaging your skin.

#1. Touching face too often

Throughout the day, our hands come in contact with thousands of bacteria, and we do not necessarily wash our hands every now and then. It is a strange sense of satisfaction that one gets by gently swaying the hands over the face, but that is what transfers those bacteria, oil and dirt particles to the face, thus causing breakouts.

#2. Scrubbing skin the wrong way

You may think that roughly scrubbing your face with a facial scrub, or a towel will help to clean your pores from deep within, but in reality you are just irritating and harming your skin. Gentle scrubbing once a week is more than enough to exfoliate your skin, and remove the layer of dead skin cells.

#3. Popping out pimples

We know you cannot bring yourself to stop doing it, and it is rather fun. But remember, doing so will not only spread the breakouts, but also leave dark and uncool marks.

#4. Dirty makeup brushes

Sometimes, we are too lazy to clean our makeup brushes thinking them to be pretty clean as no one else used it. But, that is one big blunder you are making. Dirt particles and makeup leftovers get clogged in the brush strands that cause acne and other skin infections.

#5. The wrong haircut

If your haircut allows your hair to come on your forehead or cheeks all the time, the pores on your skin are then blocked by those strands, thus encouraging breakouts. So, better choose a haircut that keeps all the hair off your face.

#6. Harsh hair care products

Using hair products with very harsh or skin-irritating agents can lead to breakouts. Products that you use on your hair may come indirectly in contact with your face, seeping deep into the skin pores and blocking them. Thus, in turn giving breakouts a fair opportunity to erupt.

#7. Not taking a bath after an exercise routine

Any exercise routine will make you sweat a lot. Pollution (in case you are exercising outdoors) mixed with sweat and dirt along with the friction of your sweaty clothes is the perfect combination to pave the way for breakouts. Always remember to take a shower after you come back from your workout session.

#8. Not sleeping enough and on time

Getting enough sleep reduces the stress levels in your body and mind. Lower stress levels and an energised body ensure clean and healthy skin, otherwise your skin tends to take a toll of all the ill-effects on your health. And, it comes out in form of acne, and breakouts. So, 'early to bed and early to rise', is the mantra you need to follow to avoid skin damaging.

#9. Changing skin care products too frequently

We all want miracles to happen overnight, and most of the time, we are impatient to wait for long-lasting effects. Changing skin care products too often, just because the previous one did not work that well is not really a great idea. You can end up damaging your skin by trying too many new combinations on it, instead of saying goodbye to breakouts.

#10. Cheap cosmetics

Another mistake that ruins the skin and causes breakouts, is the use of low quality and cheap cosmetics. When it is a matter of your skin, pay a little extra, but always go for good branded skin care products. After all, you do not want to end up paying more for skin treatments that you might need to undergo, due to the damage caused by the cheap cosmetics.

#11. Washing face with hard water

Well, there is nothing much you could do about that if your locality gets only hard water. But, what you could do is use water softeners or filters that can be fixed on to the showers. You can also use a face wash with balanced oil and pH levels to retain the moisture levels of the skin; thus, preventing breakouts.

#12. Severe and harsh sun exposure

Too much sun exposure is another reason for breakouts. The harsh sunlight not only causes skin damage and darkening due to UV Rays, but also makes your skin dry. Thus, stimulating oil production, in turn making the skin more prone to acne. So, always apply a sun-screen lotion before stepping out in the sun, and use sun shields such as, an umbrella, eye shades or stawl to cover your bare body parts.

#13. Not reading the contents of detergent

Sometimes, harsh chemicals present in your laundry detergents can also be a cause for skin breakouts, as they come in contact with your skin each time you use a towel or keep your face on the pillows. So, always go for mild detergents or fabric softeners.

#14. Smoking

Smoking not only can cause cancer, but can also lead to major skin breakouts, wrinkles and premature ageing. This is because every time you smoke, the amount of oxygen that goes into your skin decreases. And, the smoke tends to dry out the skin, stimulating oil production, which again leads to pimples.

#15. Taking too much stress

Yes, taking too much stress, too causes skin breakouts. Under tremendous stress, your skin tends to produce stress hormones that lead to major oil production; thus, creating a breeding ground for breakouts. Meditation, taking breaks from your daily routine, and exercising are some of the ways you can handle your stress.

#16. Eating very spicy food

We are sorry to bring this to your notice, but those of you who love chillies need to choose between the spice and a flawless skin. Chillies have the ability to irritate the skin by unbalancing its pH Levels for many people, hence causing breakouts. Eating spicy food in moderation, however, would not be a bad idea.

#17. Your man’s beard

We know how men now a days can think of nothing but their beard, and chic ways of grooming it. A lot of women too somehow like men with a nice beard. But, did you know that your partner’s beard could be the reason behind your acne? Yes, when you make out, his pokey beard rubs against your soft skin, making it irritable and opening the skin pores. These pores attract dust and oil, and can further lead to nasty pimples.