We literally live inside our skin.

Take good care of your skin and it can function properly, remain healthy, and look great for a lifetime.

Here are seven crucial habits, you can begin today, to help ensure your skin achieves and maintains an overall balance of health and longevity:

1.) Get A Good Night of Restful Sleep - When you don't get adequate sleep, your body makes more of the stress hormone cortisol. Higher levels of cortisol can lead to increased stress and inflammation throughout the body, damaging your skin's appearance and integrity.  A highly successful skin care routine should always begin daily with the previous night of a restful sleep.  Eight hours is ideal.

2.) Eat A Healthy and Balanced Nutritional Diet - A healthy diet consisting of the proper portions of all six food groups in the Food Pyramid is essential for your body and skin to function properly. We like to say that "we are what we eat" and that certainly is the truth. This is not new news, however, good eating habits are often overlooked in our hectic lives as we take short-cuts to fill up and curb hunger. Fast food establishments have grown to be a mainstay of people's lives and this type of eating is an injustice we do to our bodies. A highly successful skin care routine must include eating well with proper nutrition.

3.) Avoid Cosmetics with Questionable Ingredients - When choosing skin care products, people who know better, always read the label and they avoid ingredients which can be harmful to the skin. Specific ingredients are included in skin care products to stabilize the formula or thwart bacterial growth. This function is required in topical skincare products however through the years it has become evident that certain ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, and certain alcohols may disrupt the skin's balance and have additional negative consequences. Always read the label carefully and avoid products which contain artificial colors, parabens, petrolatum, mineral oils, sulfates, and phthalates.  Also, avoid products that list "fragrance" as an ingredient. The term "fragrance" in skincare can include dozens of potentially harmful chemicals that are non-regulated when used in skin care products at less than 1%. Choose, instead, cosmetics which list the scent source such as essential oils of various citrus extracts or other natural blends.

4.) Take Precautions to Avoid Sun Damage - Radiation from the sun in the form of UVA and UVB rays can take a heavy toll on our skin's health and vitality. Avoiding exposure to intense sunlight is a good practice especially when living in warmer climates, where you may tend to stay outside longer. If you are like me and enjoy the feeling of the sun's rays, then you need to be religious about protecting your skin in other ways. Applying a natural quality sunscreen, with at least an SPF rating of 30, to exposed body parts such as the face neck and ears, is recommended on a daily basis.

5.) Moisturize and Nourish Your Skin From The Outside - Our complexions are assaulted by sun, wind, and environmental pollutants on a daily basis.  Proper nourishment and moisture provide the foundation for healthy, more elastic and stronger skin.  Highly sought after, Ocean-derived natural ingredients may be the key to your skin's longevity.  The SeaQuarius Sea Cream is loaded with exotic seaweed and marine algae compounds which add needed moisture and nourishment, to the dermis, in the form of crucial vitamins and minerals. 

6.) Always Wash Your Face Before Going To Bed - With our hectic lives, it is often easier to go to bed without properly cleansing your face. Oil and dirt accumulate throughout the day and is added to the makeup you may have applied in the morning. Your skin wants to breathe at night. It requires oxygen... makeup, oil, and grime are not part of the equation for healthy skin.  We recommend the SeaQuarius Sea Clean Facial Wash which includes sea minerals plus olive and coconut surfactants. The Sea Clean provides a refreshing natural clean.  You will feel like you just stepped out of the Sea.

7.) Stay Hydrated - You have heard about the importance of drinking eight glasses of water a day but many of us fail to achieve this level of optimal hydration. You can get a portion of this water by eating lots of healthy fruits with high water content. Proper water levels in your body help to plump the skin which decreases fine lines, plus water intake helps the skin's metabolism work more efficiently for a healthy glow.

A highly successful skincare routine may take a little work but the positive results for your skin's health can last you a lifetime.

Thanks for reading!  I'd love your feedback in the comments. ~ Rick Fox

P.S. - If you found this article interesting and helpful please consider sharing it.

33 HABITS FOR HAPPINESS

For today's stressful and fast-paced world here are 33 actions you can strive to do, each and every day, to instill a sense of calm-driven purpose joy and happiness in your life. 

1.) Make Your Bed -  Making your bed in the morning sets the tone for the entire day to be positive and productive.  By making your bed, in the morning, you are doing something now instead of later which needs to be done anyway.  After a long and fruitful workday, you will have a pleasurable experience of having an already made bed, sliding into crisp sheets, putting your head onto a fluffed pillow, and having a comforter that is straight and flat instead of bundled up and lumpy. You will fall asleep quicker and sleep better with a bed you made in the morning.  This video clip from Admiral McRaven says it best - If You Want To Set The Tone For Happiness For the Rest of The Day...Make Your Bed.

2.) Drink Water In The Morning - We covered this topic in a previous blog article but it is worth repeating again.  Drinking water on an empty stomach will help purify the colon, achieve glowing skin, increase the production of healthy blood and muscle cells, assist weight loss, and help to balance the lymphatic system.  

3.) Visit The Ocean - Of course, we cannot visit the ocean, every day, unless we live at the ocean so get there when you can and make the most of it.  When we visit the ocean our minds open up to the expansive nature of the universe.  We breathe in the healthy ocean air, as it soothes our lungs, we connect with the very same life-giving, mineral-rich, water which runs in our veins.  Our troubles slip away and we lose ourselves in happiness at the ocean.     

Below are 30 additional habits we can apply today for reduced stress and to increase happiness and joy in our lives. 

• Be Kind
• Eat Well
• Exercise
• Meditate
• Be Honest
• Dream Big
• Be Patient
• Judge Less
• Smile Often
• Don't Criticize
• Love Yourself
• Forgive Easily
• Show Gratitude
• Think Positively
• Drink Lots of Water (In the morning and throughout the day)
• Believe In Yourself
• Keep An Open Mind
• Put Your Needs First
• Don't Make Excuses
• Speak Well of Others
• Listen To Understand
• Choose Faith Over Fear
• Make The Most of Now
• Exercise Self-Discipline
• Avoid Social Comparison
• See Failure As Opportunity
• Don't Take Opinions To Heart
• Select Friends That Lift You Up
• Keep A Healthy Sleeping Pattern
• Let Go Of What Can't Be Changed

Now it's your turn...

Do you have habits for happiness to add to this list or do you have experience how any of the habits we have listed have affected your life?  We want to know... Visit SeaQuarius on your favorite social network. 

The Sea's Influence.

Why does exotic sea life THRIVE in the Ocean?

Can humans benefit from this knowledge?

YES, we can.  The answer lies in "Perfect Equilibrium".

It starts with SEAWATER, the foundation or the building block of life in the Ocean.  This incredibly complex solution surrounds and nourishes every organism which lives here. What is seawater? Here is one short answer.  "A complex mixture of dozens of naturally occurring sea mineral elements." The long answer easily fills a 300-page textbook. This was the very first topic presented in my "Introduction to Oceanography" class at Florida State University. Defining and discussing the correct answer to, "why does exotic sea life thrive in the ocean?" and investigating its impact on sea life, man, and the planet as a whole, took up a large portion of lecture time for the semester.

We started the investigation by learning about the Marcet Principle also known as the rule of constant proportions. This foundation of seawater science states; "regardless of how the salinity may vary from place to place the ratios between the amounts of the major ions (natural mineral elements) in the waters of the open ocean are constant." What does this mean in a less technical sense? Well, If you measure and determine the amount of Magnesium in a particular sample of seawater, for instance, as well as the percentage of Potassium, you can then extrapolate with accuracy the levels of other major elements present. In other words, by knowing the proportion of just two of the major elements to each other, we can then determine the levels present of the remaining major elements in that sample of seawater. They are in Perfect Equilibrium. This proved to be such a remarkable concept that I reminded myself, of a couple years earlier, when I was swimming in the ocean on a daily basis, and declared, "One day I will share this special, Florida Keys, seawater so others can benefit as I have." That day came more than 20 years later, as we decided to pursue with high integrity and passion, this business of skin health and beauty.

The Ocean provides humans life-giving mineral nutrients, not only directly from the seawater, but also from exotic seaweeds which concentrate these mineral nutrients. Concentrated sea minerals, naturally present in seaweed are made bio-available inside of these marine plants.  The living cells of seaweed and marine algae transform "metallic" minerals into a more readily absorbed form of organic minerals.  

Marine Biologists believe the Perfect Equilibrium of the major ions or mineral elements present in seawater is in part responsible for sea plant's robust nature and ability to thrive in the Ocean.

Seaweed and marine algae manufacture and concentrate additional natural health compounds, which our skin cells thrive on, such as amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and omega fatty acids. Seaweed extracts contain high levels of these compounds and when these extracts are properly formulated into skin care products they will have a positive impact on preventive, as well as, anti-aging skin health.

More information on these natural compounds from seaweed and micro-algae plus how these sea-derived nutritional components add to your skin's health and vitality will be coming in future entries to the SeaQuarius Blog.

by Rick Fox

Thanks for reading! If you found this information interesting or helpful please consider sharing it with your friends.

Now it's your turn...

Are you an Ocean Lover? If so, what draws you to the ocean? Is it the exotic sea life? The seawater itself or something else entirely?  Find SeaQuarius on your favorite social network and let us know.

Hydrate Early And Hydrate Often

We know that drinking plenty of water each day is good for us. 

Hydrating in the morning has unique health advantages as well.

1) Drinking water in the morning helps to increase the production of new healthy blood and muscle cells which improve overall functions of the body.

2) Assists Weight loss - Drinking at least 16 ounces of cold water, in the morning, can boost your metabolism by 25% which may lead to weight loss.

3) Drinking water on an empty stomach helps with digestion.  Water has been shown to "clean up" the colon making it easier to absorb nutrients.



4) Balance and Boost the Efficiency of Your Lymphatic System - The lymphatic glands help you perform your daily functions, regulate your body fluids, and fight infection. This system is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials

5) Glowing Skin - Drinking plenty of water in the morning purges toxins from the blood which helps to keep your skin glowing and clear.  

So drink up early and often.  It is one of the best things you can do for your healthy selfie! 

The SeaQuarius Blog

If you found this information, on the benefits of drinking water in the morning, interesting or helpful please consider sharing this blog with your friends.

Now it's your turn.

Have you experienced some of these benefits of drinking water in the morning or do you need to drink more?

THE SURPRISING BENEFITS OF EXERCISE FOR YOUR SKIN

You know it helps you feel younger, and the health benefits are real; but did you know that physical fitness can actually make you look younger too? Stress has been proven to speed up the aging process and take a toll on the body in the form of wrinkles and loose skin. Simply put, stress wears your body out and damages your skin.

By exercising for a minimum of fifteen minutes per day, you have an impact on reducing tension in the body plus calming endorphins are released into the bloodstream. It feels great. Raise your heartbeat through exercise and you will feel a true sense of calm and peace afterward. You are also promoting strong blood circulation which is an important component of keeping skin vitalized and collagen healthy - in turn keeping skin firm and young looking.

There are additional youthful benefits to your skin from exercise. You will rid your body of toxins by sweating them out. These toxins are believed to promote the speed-up of aging cells and sweating out toxins will help more youthful skin to flourish.

Added bonus: When you exercise regularly, you may drink more water and keeping properly hydrated is essential to look and feel your best.  (Related post on the SeaQuarius Blog: Have a Drink On Me! 5 Advantages Of Drinking Water In The Morning)  

Author - Angela Eriksen-Stanley, director of education for Phytomer Group

Originally Published in Skin Inc. Magazine May 2013

Microalgae species are the future of topical skin and body care products. What can these plants from the ocean do to answer the demands of savvy clients?

First, as a picture begins to be painted of what marine-based skin care has to offer, it is important to understand the unique nutrient composition of the oceanic environment. It’s no coincidence that seawater and blood plasma have a nearly identical chemical composition in terms of mineral and trace element levels. Both blood plasma and seawater contain naturally occurring trace elements and minerals, and the concentration of each mineral present is very similar. Seawater is so close to the body’s internal environment that if white blood cells are removed from the body and placed in a sterile diluted seawater solution, they are able to maintain normal cell function—this is the only solvent that will accommodate continued cellular activity. The human body needs replenishment of minerals, such as zinc, phosphorous, calcium and magnesium on a daily basis. Because seawater contains the body’s ideal balance of minerals, it is the perfect medium to restore these levels. Minerals and trace elements are important catalysts to all cell functions. Maintaining ideal mineral levels is key to preventing cellular imbalances and boosting every cell function.

Marine ingredients and human skin

Not only can seawater provide a balanced way to supplement minerals to human cells, it also provides a nutrient-rich growing environment for micro- and macro-algae. As marine plants grow in this amazing mineral medium, they absorb and concentrate various nutrients also beneficial to the human body. Depending on the environment in which the seaweed is growing, it will develop different nutrients and cell functions as defense mechanisms to protect itself from various aggressors. Researchers have well-noted the similarities between human skin and various seaweed species and have found ways to use marine extracts to improve many skin conditions.

This is especially true for micro- and macro-algae that grow in areas with large tidal fluctuations, such as the Brittany region of France. With the second highest tide fluctuations in the world, the span of distance between high tide and low tide can reach great lengths in this area, which provides a dual environment for the native marine plants to adapt. At different times of the day, these seaweeds are being protected by cold, mineral-rich seawater. During low tide, these same plants are exposed to UV rays, airborne pollutants, wind, and bacteria—the same aggressors skin is exposed to. In order to combat these aggressors, the seaweeds that grow in the tidal zone adapt and develop many skinlike qualities to maintain hydration levels, protect themselves from UV-induced free radical formation and withstand cold temperatures, to name just a few. Researchers have well-noted the similarities between human skin and various seaweed species, and have found ways to use marine extracts to improve many skin conditions.

Research and development

During the past 40 years, techniques used to preserve seaweed post-harvest—including the process of nutrient extraction—have become extremely sophisti­cated. When looking for a marine skin and body care brand, it is important to seek a company utilizing cutting-edge techniques. Once seaweeds have been harvested, they must be preserved in a way that respects the integrity of the raw material. If heat or chemicals are used to preserve seaweed, they can damage the potency of nutrients, including important peptides, vitamins, enzymes, fatty acids, antioxidants, and complex sugars. Freeze-drying has proven to be the best way to preserve seaweed’s potency because, instead of using heat or chemicals, a cold process removes the water. All that is left after freeze-drying is the dry matter, including nearly 100% of the original concentration of biological actives.

Perfectly preserved algae can then be used to create high-quality, potent ingredients, otherwise known as seaweed extracts. State-of-the-art extraction and filtration methods can isolate and extract very specific molecules. These molecules can then be concentrated into an ideal potency to help balance various skin conditions. For instance, a peptide extracted from Chlorella vulgaris, a single-cell green algae, stimulates the product of four types of dermal collagen and elastin. This peptide has been formulated into topical creams to restore youthful function to maturing skin. Another seaweed, Laminaria digitata, retains water in its plant tissue—much like the epidermis holds water—and even during low tide, it stays plump and moisturized. After identifying that the skin of Laminaria contains water-binders very similar to those found in the epidermis, these water-binders (a combination of sugars, minerals, and amino acids) were extracted to be used in cosmetics. When used as a key ingredient in topical creams, the skin’s hydration system may be improved.

Sustainable development

Another facet to consider when looking for high-quality marine ingredients is the origin of the seaweed, and how it is grown and harvested. If growing areas or conditions dramatically differ season to season, the seaweed will not contain the same balance of nutrients each harvest. When the nutrient concentration is different, the components in the marine extract will be affected. A great way to bypass this potential problem is through seaweed and micro-algae cultivation practices. Seaweeds can be grown via high sea farming, in which seaweed spores are attached to ropes. The ropes are put out to sea in a protected area where the water is very pure and stable. Once the seaweed reaches maturity, it can be cut, freeze-dried and used for ingredients. This method allows seaweed to be grown in a pure, consistent environment that is also incredibly sustainable. These seaweeds can be grown specifically for cosmetic use, reducing the need to harvest from the wild and reducing human impact to these precious marine areas. One seaweed that is grown this way for cosmetics is called Undaria pinnatifida. Extracts of Undaria help to improve the condition of the extracellular matrix, or dermal network of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid that keep the skin dense and plump, while circulating water throughout the epidermis.

Micro-algae and small seaweeds can also be cultivated by replicating natural marine conditions in the laboratory. Purified seawater is used as a medium, and all conditions—such as light, oxygenation, and pH—are regulated to maximize the quality of the microalgae. All of these levels can be adjusted for the individual species being grown.  Using cultivation and sea farming as a means to produce seaweed creates very stable, consistent results in the final skin care product, while at the same time offering sustainable, eco-friendly skin care options.

The future of marine ingredients

For an estimated 3. 8 billion years, micro-algae have been adapting, thriving and multiplying. Although tiny, they have managed to create amazing self-protection systems from which skin can truly benefit. With the combination of the ability of seaweed to concentrate unique nutrients, and with aggressive research and development practices, marine skin care can successfully provide solutions to most skin concerns. With such a plethora of seaweed and micro-algae that have still not been discovered in the vastness of the ocean, there is a virtually untapped arena of possibil­ities. Because of these incredible factors and the ability to create ingredients so sustainably, marine skin care is truly the future of the professional skin care industry.

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General REFERENCES

R Quinton, Ocean Water, Organic Matrix (1904)

drs. nio. org/ drs/ bitstream/ 2264/ 489/ 1/Sci_ Cult_ 71_ 60. pdf

- See more at: http://www.skininc.com/skinscience/ingredients/Marine-Ingredients-The-Future-of-Skin-Care-209180111.html?page=2#sthash.J3iInogr.dpuf

Author - Angela Eriksen-Stanley, director of education for Phytomer Group, has been a trainer for 15 years, sharing her expertise in esthetics, body modalities and thalasso­therapy-based spa care. Eriksen-Stanley attends annual international education summits to expand her knowledge with cutting-edge products and techniques. -

Proper skincare plus health-conscious lifestyle choices can help delay natural aging and prevent many skin problems. Keep yourself and your skin going strong with these important tips. 

1.)  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

Lack of proper hydration is one of the primary causes of red, dry, and blemish-prone skin.  Drink plenty of water on a daily basis.  Doctors commonly recommend eight, 8-ounce glasses, which equals about 2 liters, or half a gallon.  Our bodies are made mostly of water and keeping our skin hydrated will help to flush toxins and plump the skin to make it more cushiony from the inside out.  Drink early and often, It is one of the best things you can do each and every day for a younger-looking complexion. 

2.)  Gently Cleanse Your Face Morning and Night

A clean, fresh face will respire life-giving oxygen, at the cellular level, more efficiently and a clean complexion feels and looks great.  We love bringing the skin-soothing benefits of mineral-rich natural seawater to our complexion with the SeaQuarius Sea Clean - Foaming and Purifying Facial Wash.   We believe you will too.  

3.)  Protect Skin From The Damaging Effects of the Harsh Sun

One of the best ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun on a daily basis. A lifetime of sun exposure will add up and can cause undue wrinkles, discoloring, age spots, plus additional skin problems including skin cancer.  

• Use sunscreen daily.  Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Spread it generously, and reapply every two hours or more often if you're enjoying your swim in the ocean.
• Seek the cover of shade.  Avoid sun exposure, daily, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.  This is when the sun's rays are the most damaging.
• Wear protective clothing.  Cover your body with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts and long pants  To protect your facial complexion consider wearing a shade-friendly wide-brimmed hat.

4.)  Eat Healthy Food

A healthy diet can go a long way to look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.  A diet rich in fish oil or fish oil supplements will be low in unhealthy saturated fats and processed or refined carbohydrates.   Eating fish helps to promote smoother and younger-looking skin. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in fish is well-known for heart health and skin benefits.  In addition, fish oil has an incredibly positive impact on the brain, especially when it comes to mild memory loss and depression.  

5.)  Stress Is Harmful.  Learn to Better Manage Stress, Daily. 

Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and it may trigger acne breakouts and other problems.  To encourage healthy skin, and a healthy state of mind, take steps to manage your stress. Get enough sleep, set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list, and make time to do the things you enjoy. At SeaQuarius we love visiting the beach, as often as we can, to take a break from our hectic lives.  So take a day-trip, or longer, to the coast.  Your skin will thank you.

6.)  Wear Minimal Makeup

It is not recommended to always use a blush, concealer, foundation, and other makeup options. These products can take a toll on the health of your complexion, especially if they are full of harsh chemicals and additives. 

Don't suffocate your skin. No matter how expensive the brand is, too much makeup and applying too often may damage your complexion.  

Keep it simple.  Cleanse, moisturize, and use a high-quality skin rejuvenating serum such as the SeaQuarius Sea Serum with powerful and effective sea-derived actives.  Try and keep makeup to a minimum and let your skin breathe.