Over the world, there is a huge consumption of goat milk. Most of the dairy products that we have globally comprise of 65% to 72% as its main ingredients.
Although cows are often considered as a good source for dairy products, it cannot be denied the fact that goat’s milk may enhance the body’s ability to absorb important nutrients from other foods. Among these important nutrients are calories, protein, and fats. 
​

Unlike the other kind of milk, goat’s milk is easy to digest because it contains high digestive protein. There are people who are allergic to cow’s milk, but there was a study which reveals that goat’s milk can less trigger one’s allergies. Another potential health benefits of goat’s milk is its ability to manage cholesterol levels. We all know that a high cholesterol level may lead to high blood pressure and heart problems. With these significant benefits of goat’s milk in managing cholesterol, it is beneficial to make the heart healthier.
​

However, do you know that aside from the benefits we can get from drinking goat’s milk, this type of milk is also good for our skin?
Goat's milk contains fatty acids that aid in the repair of the skin barrier, probiotics that promote the growth of normal skin flora, and vitamin A that aids in the gentle exfoliation of the skin.
Goat’s milk can lighten your skin due to its high acid concentration and mineral content.
Lactic acid, which is found in goat’s milk, gradually brightens your complexion by reducing brown pigment (melanin) in your skin.
​

​Think Nutrition
Good nutrition does not need to be expensive. Look around your neighborhood and see how much nutrition you can get from malunggay and other leafy greens which can be added to affordable proteins. Remember, the important thing in nutrition is not overindulging in food choices that lack the required nutrients. ​

​A​ vlogger’s work describing Filipinas’ obsession to have a fairer, whiter skin flooded the internet recently. In the said video, vlogger Mike Grogan, admired Filipinas’ brown skin but was surprised by how much they want instead to have a whiter skin.
Many, especially those gifted with white skin, cannot understand Filipinas’ obsession to have a whiter skin. Skin whitening products have in fact found a huge market here, with several new products entering the market year after year that consumers have difficulty choosing which brand to use.

While the desire to have a fairer, whiter skin is harmless, choosing the right product would be wise. Product testimonials on how ‘fast’ their skin became fairer should not be enough. Having an almost ‘instant’ whiter skin should not be the criteria, but ‘how effective’ and ‘how safe’ a skin whitening product should be. On top of this is the integrity of the manufacturer. Run-of-the-mill companies manufacturing these products may just be in for a quick profit, but a company that is built in years of integrity care more for their consumers.
Know your skin whitening product. A few may work well in short term but are harmful to long-term health of your skin. Your products may carry harmful ingredient like mercury, a toxic chemical that has been banned as ingredient in skin whitening products. Yet, despite the ban, many run-of-the-mill manufacturers use it on a dangerously elevated level, giving your skin fast-acting bleaching effects while exposing your skin and body to adverse side effects and health concerns. Many of these products are cheap and affordable but long-term use can cause skin discoloration, malfunction of the nervous system and the kidney, and increased risk of cancer.
Mercury is easily absorbed into the body but is not easily removed. World Health Organization reported that exposure to mercury can also cause depression.

​​Skin cancer can be avoided. Aside from living a healthy lifestyle including eating a balanced diet and taking supplements, daily habits can be huge factor in avoiding skin cancer.
Many are mistaken by two common myths- that one should use sunblock cream only during summer, where the temperature is high, or only when one has to be outdoors. Busting these myths are thousands of articles online and advices from skin specialists. 
Harmful UV sunrays are present in winter time and can do as much damage to your skin even in low temperatures. And staying indoors does not guarantee you protection from UV sunrays. 
Now the tricky part is choosing your sunscreen. It is wise to read the label and see if its approved by BFAD. It won’t also hurt to check the brand and the integrity of its manufacturer. 
We share with you below two major considerations in choosing the right sunscreen for you. 

1. Broad spectrum protection
 this means your sunscreen cream can protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. All sunscreen creams contain UVB ray protection against sunburn and skin cancers. But not all contain UVA protection against premature aging.
2. SPF 30 or higher – recommended sun protection factor (SPF) is at least 30. This means the level of sunscreen filter against UVB rays. Below 15 means protection only against sunburn and not skin cancer and aging.
For those who are not so inclined to add another layer of cream on their skin, choose face creams and body lotions that already include sunscreen protection. Aside from saving time allowing moisturizing cream or lotion to get absorbed by the skin before application of sunscreen cream, this can also save you money as you need not buy moisturizing creams/lotions and sunscreen cream separately.
Psalmstre’s New Placenta product line has been in the market for more than 15 years. Built with integrity and unmatched consumer care, New Placenta’s breakthrough technology allows for high quality home-grown products which are budget friendly yet effective and safe to use. Aside from New Placenta Classic and With Goat’s Milk soap variants, the product line also offers Day and Night Cream and Hand & Body Lotion.
New Placenta Day Cream contains botanical extracts and Bio-Placenta®, an imported ingredient from South Korea known for its anti-aging property. The cream contains sunscreen protection and is non-greasy, perfect as a base for make-up. Regular use reverses signs of photo-aged skin while making skin whiter, softer, and younger-looking.
New Placenta Night Cream also contains botanical extracts and Bio-Placenta®. Its formulation corrects skin health from all-day sun exposure and pollutants. Its intense nourishing properties allows you to wake up with a glowing, healthy, and plump skin.
Lastly, New Placenta Hand & Body Lotion, which also contains botanical extracts and Bio-Placenta®, has sunscreen protection against harmful sunrays. It is mildly scented and it moisturizes skin without giving you a greasy after-feel.
Consumers can opt for local yet high quality brand of skin care products like New Placenta by Psalmstre. New Placenta products are available in leading supermarkets, drugstores, and department stores nationwide. For more product information and queries including product distributorship, check Psalmstre website www.psalmstre.net.

L​et’s face it, we are at our best when stand tall with confidence. But more so when we agree with what our mirror tells us about the health and beauty of our skin.
While many different beauty products are sold in the market today, many experts agree that women need only the basics to take good care of their skin. And these ‘essentials’ need not be expensive.
Look great with these five beauty basics.
1. The ultimate power of moisturizer – face creams come in varieties to cater to different skin types. You can certainly find the right moisturizer to suit your dry, normal, or even oily skin. There are also moisturizers especially formulated for age ranges 20s, 30s, 40’s, and 50s. The older you get, the more prone your skin becomes to premature aging thus you need some protection to prevent this.
2. Daily sunscreen application to prevent aging – experts say the basic step before considering anti-aging cream is to opt for sunscreen. Sunscreen helps block sun’s damaging rays, thus preventing skin aging effects. When the skin is exposed to sunrays without protection, its ability to produce collagen is impacted. Less collagen production means wrinkles, freckles, age spots, spider veins, and saggy skin.
3. Be smart with your cleanser – choose a gentle cleanser. Soaps and liquid cleansers may contain harsh ingredients that could damage your skin. Also washing your face with harsh cleansers could damage the natural lipid barrier of your skin. Over washing and use of strong soaps and cleansers could also lead to skin cracking, peeling, itching, burning, and stinging.
4. Use gentle ‘tools’ – when applying make-up, it is important to use soft, gentle brushes. They should not also contain any substance that can be left onto your skin. Investing on good brushes and replacing them regularly would be a good habit to start now.
5. Spend wisely on cosmetics – anything you put or apply onto your face must contain only gentle ingredients and substances, even cosmetics. Depending on your skin type, you can choose your make-up base to ensure no harsh reaction when applied onto your face. Again, this does not need to be expensive.
 
Psalmstre’s New Placenta skin care line carries basic skin care products that are proven safe and effective for regular use. Its breakthrough formulation has Bio-Placenta®, an imported ingredient from South Korea, noted for its anti-aging property. Bio-Placenta® combined with Aloe Vera, Vitamin C, Papaya Extract, Goat’s Milk and other natural active ingredients make New Placenta the best-selling anti-aging and whitening herbal soap in the country and the placenta soap brand most preferred in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Dubai. 
New Placenta by Psalmstre is available in all leading supermarkets, drugstores, and department stores nationwide. 
For interested distributors and dealers, check Psalmstre website www.psalmstre.net or call (02) 715 2500, 0919 8076492 or send email to inquiry@psalmstre.net or sales@psalmstre.net. 

​​Appearing natural is such an ideal look every woman struggles to have. Basically, when applying make-up, we go overboard and regret looking odd. For starters, it is a must to know your skin type, tone, and texture when purchasing cosmetics.
As for foundation base, here are five essential tips for choosing your perfect shade.

1. Consider the intensity of your skin color- how light or deep is your skin color? Foundation bases are formulated to suit very light, light, light-medium, medium-deep, deep or very deep skin color. If you are not sure of your skin color, try the assistance of the cosmetics sales consultant before buying any foundation. 
2. Think about your undertone- .Look closely at your bare skin to check your undertone. Usually, undertones vary from rosy or pink to golden or yellow. If you have a rosy undertone, that means you can opt for foundation base that has a cool undertone. If you have a golden undertone, it means you can use warm undertone. If it’s a combination of rosy and golden undertone, choose a foundation base for neutral undertone. 
3. Tanned skin color- If you go for regular tanning, you might want to purchase a foundation base that matches your tanned skin, not your pale complexion. Note also that your skin tone varies in different areas of your face. Keep close watch to adding shade where the sun hits your skin such as nose and forehead.
4. Foundation base should be tested on your face, not on your hand- The best foundation base is one that almost disappears into the skin, meaning it should be the closest match to your skin color. Skin undertones on face and on hand could be different, so better test at least three swatches on your face, preferably your jawline, rather than test it on your hand. 
5. Seek the advice of beauty experts- rather than keep guessing and feel frustrated with foundation base purchases you cannot use, consult beauty professionals. They can help you identify your beauty formula, i.e., whether sheer, medium or full coverage; luminous, semi-matte or matte finish; or whether you have a dry, normal/combination or oily skin type.
Of course, there would be days when you just want to look bare and natural, and still want to look your best. Nothing beats fresh and younger-looking and whiter skin on any day. That is the skin promise of New Placenta by Psalmstre. 
New Placenta has a complete beauty skin care product line that ensures flawlessly fair and youthful skin. From herbal beauty soaps (Classic and With Goat’s Milk), to day and night cream, and hand and body lotion, you can be sure to look naturally stunning.
New Placenta by Psalmstre are widely distributed nationwide in leading pharmacies, supermarkets, and department stores. For interested distributors, check Psalmstre and New Placenta Facebook pages, or call (02) 715 2500 or mobile number 0919 8076492.

​​Interestingly, there have been several studies linking taste and flavour preferences to one’s personality. Since I am a great fan of trivia, I’d like to share with you this week a compilation of what I have read. I had a great fun testing it myself; I also realized how people are mistaken about me, that is, when later on people would disclose how surprised they were that I went for food choices other than what they thought I would be delighted to have.
In the book “What Flavour Is Your Personality?”, Dr. Alan Hirsch, a neurologist, presented his views on this matter. Using ice cream flavours as a parameter, he said one’s choice tells something about the person’s personality. 
You must be competitive, accomplished, competent and ambitious if you prefer chocolate chip. This also describes you as generous and the life of the party. Behold, you are compatible with those people who prefer butter pecan or double chocolate chunk. 

1. Cue energy with color
"Seeing a bright, vibrant hue when you open your eyes gets your adrenaline going—and that sudden surge of energy helps clear the cobwebs and kicks you into gear," says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. Put a red, orange, yellow, or fuchsia throw pillow, blanket, or piece of art in the area you first see in the morning, or slip on a robe in one of these shades. You can even make breakfast visually stimulating (and get a nutritional boost) by pouring yourself a glass of antioxidant rich pomegranate or cranberry juice with a sweet slice of orange.
2. Wake up and see the roses
Seeing a bouquet of blooms when they first woke up gave women in a new study a mood lift and energy boost that lasted all day, reports Nancy Etcoff, PhD, a faculty member at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard University Mind/Brain/Behavior Initiative.
3. Stop snoozin'
There's truth in the adage "You snooze, you lose." When you hit snooze, your brain knows it will go off again in a few minutes--so you won't go into the deeper, more restful stages of slumber. That means you'll be more tired than if you'd gotten up when it first sounded. A better strategy: "Set your alarm for when you really need to get up," says Jodi Mindell, PhD, associate director of the Sleep Disorders Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "That extra, uninterrupted sleep makes you feel more rested and refreshed when you get out of bed."
4. Picture the day ahead
Once you're awake, close your eyes and picture yourself alert and energetic. "Imagining an activity fires up the same parts of your brain that are used when you actually experience it," says Dana Lightman, PhD, a behavioral psychologist in Abington, PA. "Thinking positively about the day ahead energizes you."
5. Drink instant energy
Drinking a big glass of water as soon as you get up is a good way to replenish the fluid your body loses overnight, and it provides instant energy. "Everything that happens in your body requires water," says Holly Andersen, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical Center. "Without enough of it, your systems have to work harder in every respect—which can cause fatigue." Indeed, even a 2% drop in water stores can tire you physically and mentally. Starting to sip early also gives you a head start on the 11 cups of water the Institute of Medicine now recommends women consume throughout the day to stay hydrated.
6. Let the sunshine in
A splash of sunlight makes you feel more awake, so read the paper by a sunny window or step outside for a few minutes while having your coffee. "Daylight signals your biological clock to stop the secretion of melatonin, a hormone that makes you sleepy, and promotes wakefulness," says James B. Maas, PhD, a professor and past chairman of the department of psychology at Cornell University.
It also increases the brain's level of serotonin, a chemical that boosts mood. If it's still dark when you get up, consider purchasing a dawn stimulator (from $80; Light Therapy Products), a device that gradually brightens a light source at a preprogrammed time. Set it to create a dawn that breaks a half hour before your usual wake up time and grows to maximum brightness when your alarm goes off—even when your eyes are closed, the light that passes through your lids signals your internal clock to trigger waking neurons in your brain.
7. Give yourself a face rub
"Massaging your face boosts circulation, making it a surefire way to wake up," says Maggy Dunphy, general manager of the Aria Spa and Club in Vail, CO. Starting at your forehead and working down to your chin, lightly flutter tap or drum your fingertips, varying the velocity, intensity, and location until you've touched your entire face. Bonus: These moves give you a quick healthy glow.
8. Have a romp in the hay
Physical activity is one of the best ways to shake off grogginess—and having sex boosts your body's levels of chemicals associated with stamina (testosterone), energy (dopamine), and calmness (oxytocin), says Helen E. Fisher, PhD, a research professor in the department of anthropology at Rutgers University. What a great way to start the day!

​Spending a little extra time fixing your brows can add glamour and contour on your face. Whether you have thick or thin brows, simple tricks like tweezing and filling out can help you achieve the look you desire. 
For practical reasons, you should seek a salon professional to shape your brows. If you wish to do it on your own, do so after you have figured out what shape is best for you. Just remember to pull out one hair at a time and pause when you are using the tweezer. When filling, choose an ideal shade of eyebrow pencil to compliment your complexion and brow hair color and fill through gentle, patient strokes until you have perfected the art. 
For your inspiration, we are featuring best celebrity eyebrow styles compilation from shoppinglifestyle.com. One or two can actually compliment the shape of your face and could be your signature brows.
Camilla Belle has arches that are luscious and excellently shaped with precise filling to achieve a definition. To duplicate this, you can fake lusher brows by taking an eyebrow pencil and drawing fine hair-like strokes in sparse areas. 

​As promised last issue, we will share with you this time 8 bad skin habits that will shock you. This is part of the online article published by totalbeauty.com that would surely help you improve the way you take care of your skin.
1.    NOT USING OIL ON YOUR FACE – Does simply hearing the word ‘oil’ make your break out? While you may balk at the idea of applying oil on your face, especially if you have oily skin, using it can actually decrease your skin’s oil production. Sounds crazy, but over-cleansing stimulates the sebum glands which prompts more oil production. Applying oil on the skin can have the opposite effect and actually slows oil production, making you less shiny.
2.    EATING DAIRY AND OTHER INFLAMMATORY FOODS – The glass of milk that your mother forced you to drink as a kid may prove to be harmful to your skin and health. Dr. Jessica Wu, MD, Los Angeles-based dermatologist and author of “Feed Your Face” says cow’s milk, even organic, contains its own hormones and growth factors that are absorbed into the bloodstream that may cause acne in women. Also dairy products are pro-inflammatory, meaning, they can worsen acne. 
3.    USING TOO MUCH CORTISONE – Your home’s first-aid kit may contain a product with cortisone, the one you use to treat rashes and bug bites. Over-the-counter forms of cortisone can relieve redness, swelling, and flaking. But remember that cortisone is also a type of steroid and its continual use (for long term) can lead to tachyphylaxis, or addiction to cortisone. Too much use of cortisone can cause collagen breakdown leading to thinning of the skin and worse, stretch marks.
4.    NOT AIRING OUT YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES – At least once a week, wash your makeup brushes and make sure to allow them to ‘breathe’. Not airing out of makeup brushes may lead to a rare skin infection normally seen in aquarium workers and those who work with fish. 
5.    USE OF RECREATIONAL DRUGS – One should avoid recreational drugs not only for health reason, in general, but for their disgusting consequences. Recreational drugs may be contaminated and thus may cause Purpura, a rare skin disorder. It usually shows symptoms such as crusty, purplish areas of dead skin that have a good chance to contract infection.
6.    TAKING SUPPLEMENTS WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR DOC – Miracle supplements sold over-the-counter and not recommended by your dermatologist or your primary care physician, can interfere with prescribed medication. Take the case of calcium supplements which can reduce the efficacy of medications prescribed as antibiotics or as thyroid hormone pills. Vitamin D also can lessen the efficacy of a cholesterol-lowering medicine.
7.    DRINKING YOUR WATER RATHER THAN EATING IT – 8 glasses of water a day does not guarantee that your body can stay hydrated. Your body does not retain a good portion of the prescribed daily water intake as the water goes right through you by frequent urination. To retain water and stay hydrated, try eating your water instead. Do so by having fruits and vegetables rich in water such as watermelon and zucchini. 
8.    NOT CONSULTING YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE REFILLING YOUR PRESCRIPTION – Some medications such as isotretinoin, need to be monitored closely. It would be really smart to consult with your dermatologist first as some products may be harmful to your liver, may drop by blood pressure, or cause electrolyte imbalances. If you were prescribed isotretinoin, make sure to dash to your derma’s clinic first before you head to the pharmacy for a refill.