Tips for flu prevention, soothing dry skin and anti-oxidant rich salad recipe!

As the temperature starts to drop, we begin to see a lot more patients looking for cold and flu remedies, as well as ointments for dry skin. Since the cold temperature is coming quickly this fall, we will proactively discuss tips on avoiding the flu and dry skin inside this September blog!

Tips on avoiding the flu

1. Getting the flu shot is the most effective way of avoiding the flu virus because it helps your body build the defenses it needs to fight the flu.

Starting in mid-October, Custom Care Pharmacy will be providing flu vaccines again at the pharmacy. This is free for all patients with an OHIP card (health card). If you have received a flu vaccine at Custom Care Pharmacy last year, we will contact you as soon as the first batch of flu vaccines arrives. No appointment is necessary; however, scheduling an appointment ensures faster access.

2. Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often OR use an alcohol-based  hand sanitizer (gel or wipe). 

o    Make sure you wash your hands for at least 15 seconds or more.

o    The alcohol based hand sanitizer has to be at least  60% alcohol to be effective

With all the hand washing and disinfecting, we may be successful at avoiding the flu, but we can sometimes end up with very dry skin! Harsh soap can wash away your skin’s natural moisture barrier. Lower temperature also leads to lower humidity level, which causes dry skin on your face and hands. As we get older, our skin also becomes thinner and therefore, we can become more susceptible to dry skin compared to a few years before.

Tips on avoiding dry skin

1. Use a humidifier at home to keep air moist. Set humidity at a constant 45% to 55%

2. Moisturize your skin after every hand wash, face wash, shower and before you go outside.

Did you know that Custom Care Pharmacy can custom make preservative-free, fragrance-free skin cream at our special compounding lab? 

We use a combination of effective and natural ingredients such as Shea butter and Glycerin to create a skin cream that helps skin retain moisture naturally. We can also add special ingredients such as vitamin E oil, retinol serum and vitamin B (niacinamide) for anti-wrinkle and anti-dark spots treatments. 

This is a customized service that we provide for our members, starting at $20. Come in to try a free sample or Call us at 905-305-0111 for further details!

Tips on skin care ingredients

There are so many skin care products on the shelf, it can sometimes be difficult to find the one with the right ingredients for your skin. Here are some of the effective ingredients and the explanation on how they work:

Shea butter

Shea butter is extracted from the nut of the African shea tree that has natural soothing and moisturizing properties. Shea butter is full of nutrients, including vitamin A, which has many healing properties and has been known to aid in treating blemishes, wrinkles, eczema and dermatitis, as well as burns and even stretch marks. Shea butter is also packed with antioxidants like vitamin E , as well as polyphenols and phytonutrients. These ingredients make shea butter an anti-inflammatory, which is why it works so well at moisturizing and soothing all types of skin. 

Glycerin & Sodium Pyrrolidone Carboxylate (Also know as PCA)

These two ingredients attract moisture to your skin to keep it feeling smooth and moist.

Aloe vera

This ingredient comes from the Aloe Vera plant and it is widely used to soothe sunburn. It has also shown to be able to increase circulation in the tiny blood vessels in the skin as well as kill bacteria. These properties can be useful in healing dry, chapped skin.

Vitamin E

vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects and repairs your skin. Antioxidants are agents that neutralize the oxidant effect of free radicals, which are molecules that damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines and wrinkles.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

In multiple clinical studies, topical niacinamide (vitamin B3) has been observed to be well tolerated by skin and to provide a broad array of improvements in the appearance of aging facial skin such as reduction in the appearance of hyperpigmentated spots and red blotchiness.

In addition to previously observed benefits for topical niacinamide, additional effects were identified, such as:

• Improved appearance of skin wrinkles and yellowing
• Improved skin elasticity

Retinol

Retinol is a form of vitamin A that can improve wrinkles and skin discolouration.

Mandelic Acid & Ascorbic Acid

Mandelic acid is an extract of bitter almonds that can make skin look smoother and more youthful. It is a gentle form of alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) that causes less redness and peeling than glycolic acid but it has shown to be just as effective.

Ascorbic Acid is commonly known as vitamin C. Most people have heard that vitamin C can improve wrinkles and skin discolouration. But many of the vitamin C products available on the shelf are weak because it is not freshly made. Custom made cream containing Ascorbic acid ensures that its potency is not lost.

Hydroquinone

This ingredient is only available through health care professional. It is an effective and potent medication to treat dark spots on skin. To understand the proper use of this ingredient, ask our pharmacist at Custom Care Pharmacy.

Custom Care Pharmacy has a compounding lab where we can custom make skin care formula to suit your needs. Come in or call us about your skin care needs today! 905-305-0111 

Tips from Registered Dietitian – Rowena Leung

When thinking of flu/cold prevention, many individuals automatically turn to Vitamin C. Vitamin C is one of the easiest vitamins to obtain from food as long as you eat all different colours of vegetables & fruits. Some individuals may not know that oil of oregano is a natural antibiotic and can also help with flu/cold prevention. Because oil of oregano is a natural antibiotic, it kills both good and bad bacteria; therefore, only use oil of oregano when you are sick. Make sure that you are supplementing probiotic bacteria while you are taking oil of oregano to ensure that your level of good bacteria in the body is not compromised.

Here is a anti-oxidant rich salad perfect for the fall:

Kale and Sweet Potato Salad (makes 6 servings)

2                              medium sweet potatoes (sliced into wedges)

1                              sweet onion, sliced

2 clove                  garlics, minced

2 Tbsp                   olive oil

Sea Salt and Freshly Cracked Pepper to taste

1 Tbsp                   Dijon Mustard

2 Tbsp                   red wine vinegar

3 c                           baby kale, chopped

½ c                          toasted pecans

1 tsp                      maple syrup (optional)

Instructions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 425^oF.
2. In a large bowl, toss together sweet potato, onion, garlic, oil, salt and pepper
3. Transfer to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Roast @ 425^oF until sweet potatoes are golden and tender when pierced with a fork (~20 minutes). Transfer to a large bowl
4. While potatoes are still hot, drizzle with red wine vinegar, Dijon and maple syrup; toss with kale to combine.
5. Sprinkle with pecans