Definition: Sebum


Updated 06/06/07 2:27 PM · Posted by BellaSugar · 7 comments

Sebum, which comes from the Latin word for "fat," is an odorless oil produced by the sebaceous glands. The substance contributes to oily hair and skin, while overproduction of sebum can cause acne. As sebum breaks down, the bacteria gives off an unpleasant smell, which can contribute to body odor. Sebum isn't all bad, though: It's also what coats your hair to make it nice and shiny. In addition, Read more

How to Wear Makeup While Working Out (If You Must)


Updated 04/19/12 4:45 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

How to Wear Makeup to the Gym

We're happy to present this story from our friends at Allure: Track and field star Jessica Ennis, currently in training for the London 2012 Olympics, recently admitted that she always competes in a full face of makeup. And Ennis's explanation of her race ritual to The Daily Mail certainly makes sense: "I definitely think if I feel I look good, it makes me feel more confident," she told the Read more

No, You're Not Imagining Things. You Really Are Getting More Acne


Updated 03/21/12 5:05 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Acne Rises Among Adult Women

Good news and bad news from this year's just-concluded American Academy of Dermatology conference. First, the bitter reality: if it seems like you break out more as an adult than you did as a teen, you're probably right. As dermatologist Dr. Bethanee Jean Schlosser revealed at the conference, adult-onset acne is on the rise among grown women. A 2011 clinical study found that 45 percent of women Read more

5 Simple Ways to Look Even Better in 2012


Updated 01/03/12 9:40 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

How to Look Even Better in 2012

Making New Year's resolutions is one thing, but making changes that take little effort but have a huge beauty payoff? Now that's something to celebrate. Whether you're looking to banish bikini-line bumps for good, to have stronger nails, or to get that glowing complexion, these straight-from-the-experts tips will give you guidance. Read more to get started. Read more

5 Foods For Skin, Nail, and Hair Health


Updated 12/05/11 2:25 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

Foods For Healthy Hair, Skin, and Nails

Skin, nails, and hair can be outward signals of your overall health and can indicate where you may be lacking in the nutrition department. Having a whole, well-balanced diet contributes to shiny, silky hair with minimal breakage and split ends. In addition, eating lots of antioxidant rich fruits and healthy fats can help clear skin and protect you from skin cancer. Lastly, loading up on Read more

Sweat It Out For Healthy Hair


Updated 11/23/11 12:23 PM · Posted by · 1 comment

How Your Workouts Benefit Your Hair

You might think that sweating it out can be harmful to your hair, but you should start thinking of your workout as part of your beauty routine. Most of us know that eating a well-balanced diet helps make for a healthy mane. But it hadn't occurred to me that hair could also reap beauty benefits from working out until celebrity stylist, educator, and fitness buff Natasha Sunshine introduced me to Read more

All of Your Most Common Acne Questions — Answered!


Updated 05/08/12 11:01 AM · Posted by · 11 comments

Acne Questions and Advice

While 80 percent of teenagers will experience acne at some point or another, it's not uncommon for the condition to afflict women well into adulthood. "The good news is that we have really great treatments, and nobody has to suffer with it," says Dr. Linda Stein Gold, director of dermatology clinical research at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. That's why I asked Dr. Stein Gold some of the Read more

I'm Trying the Oil Cleansing Method For a Month


Updated 04/05/11 5:57 AM · Posted by · 29 comments

BellaSugar Is Trying the Oil Cleansing Method

It's time for another Bella experiment in the spirit of my The Natural series. This time, though, instead of making my entire beauty routine organic and edible, I'm taking things a little slower and testing out the popular Oil Cleansing Method. The OCM uses a combination of household oils (most commonly olive and castor) to remove makeup, grime, and surface sebum without dehydrating your skin. Read more

Why Cleansing Oil Is Awesome


Updated 03/18/11 3:12 PM · Posted by · 19 comments

Why Facial Cleansing Oils Work

I'm obsessed with cleansing oil these days, and with good reason. Anyone who's ever spent time in Japan won't be surprised by this; oil formulations have been popular there since 1967, when Shu Uemura introduced the first oil-based cleanser. But for those of us on this side of the Pacific, cleansing oil gets short shrift even though it's a brilliant idea. So why is washing your face with oil so Read more

Stinky Strands: How to Get Rid of Smelly Summer Hair


Updated 07/22/11 2:36 PM · Posted by · 2 comments

How to Keep Hair From Smelling Bad

Much as it stinks to say it, sometimes hair can smell not-so-fresh. "The more oily your hair, the more prone it is to picking up environmental pollutants, such as smoke, cooking odors, and other strong scents, that will make it smell," Glenn Lyons of the Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic explained to the Daily Mail. And while the cause of smelly hair can be attributed to many factors — from Read more