Saturday, June 5, 2010

Seven Skin Care Commandments You Ought To Follow

Obsessing on having a flawless skin is really pointless. With today’s craze on skin perfection, women are consumed with purchasing skin care products and trying out various beauty regimens just to achieve the perfect skin they see on TV commercials and magazines.

There is really nothing wrong in using beauty products to achieve a young and healthy looking skin. However, most of these products only offer false benefits such as instant facelifts, zero pores, and perfect skin smoothness. In fact, there is really no need for you to adhere using such products just to have beautiful skin. Remember that the body changes as you become older. Hence, wrinkles, facial lines, freckles, and other changes in the skin are natural indications of aging.

As mentioned earlier, beauty products are not that necessary just so you can have beautiful skin. Expensive beauty treatments are also not always the best option to maintain a flawless skin. Remember that achieving a beautiful and smooth skin doesn’t really need to be costly.

If great skin is what you want, then read the tips below on how to achieve a smoother and younger-looking skin.

1. Get enough nutrition and rest.
Adequate nutrition and rest are essential if you are aiming to achieve a beautiful skin. Make sure to have at least eight hours of sleep everyday. If you eat well, it is reflected on your skin; so eat right and maintain a healthy daily diet.

2. Avoid nicotine.
To refrain from smoking is probably one the most cliché reminders on what’s good and bad to the skin. Since the skin is among the largest organs of the human body, it therefore needs a lot of oxygen so the skin won’t look gray and dull.

3. Be stress free.
If you are always stressed out from work or other activities, it definitely shows on your physical appearance, particularly on the skin. Hence, find ways to perfectly manage stress and pressure to avoid experiencing physical complications, particularly the skin, as side effects of intense stress.

4. Wash your face as often as necessary.
Washing the face is perhaps the simplest yet very hygienic skin care regimen. Never ever forget to wash your face before going to bed every night as your face is packed with dust, dirt, and dried makeup.

5. Avoid popping or squeezing out pimples with your fingers.
Pimples are indeed very frustrating. But popping or squeezing them out using your fingers is really a no no, for this will only traumatize and scar your face. If you want to get rid of pimples, try using an effective and safe skin care ointment to dry the blisters.

6. Regularly clean your makeup.
Make sure to regularly replace the old sponges of your compacts with fresh sponges. Using dirty makeup paraphernalia may lead to acne, pimples, and blisters on your face. In addition, throw away old cosmetics and buy new ones every six months.

7. Practice applying less makeup.
A simple makeup is better than applying layers of colors on your face. However, if you really want to apply more makeup, do it occasionally so your skin can adjust to the layers of ingredients you applied on your face.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Skin Health Solutions

There may be more to caring for the skin you're in than many people realize. Here, from a noted dermatologist, is an answer to a common skin care question.Q. I'm never surprised when my four-year-old son comes in from playing outside with cuts or scrapes. But recently, a cut on his forearm has become red, swollen and a little "blistery." I've washed the area with soap and water and applied a warm, wet washcloth to relieve the pain but it's still scabby and swollen. Should I take him to see the doctor?-Worried MomA. Dear Worried:You probably should. Red, swollen, blistery skin may be a sign of a skin infection, which can occur when bacteria come in contact with an open cut or scrape.If you suspect your child has a skin infection, cleaning the area with soap and water is a good first step, but it's also very important to call your doctor. Early treatment can prevent the infection from becoming more serious. If the doctor determines that your child has a bacterial skin infection, the physician may prescribe an antibiotic. There are many available, including some that taste good and have convenient dosing options.Symptoms usually begin to go away within a few days after your child starts taking the medicine. It is important, however, to finish the entire course of the antibiotic as prescribed, even if your child is feeling better. If the child does not take all of the antibiotic, it might not cure the infection. Be sure to communicate with your doctor if symptoms do not improve, if they worsen or if new symptoms appear.8226; Dirk Elston, M.D., is an Associate in the Department of Dermatology at the Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania. For more information on children's skin infections, see your doctor.An inflamed cut should be seen by a doctor who can prescribe an antibiotic if necessary, health experts say.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Skin Care Ingredients to Watch Out For

Skin care products are made of different substances. Some may be wholly organic while others make use of preservatives and chemicals. Vitamins, minerals, oils, and a whole lot of other skin care ingredients find their way inside your jars of moisturizers, bars of soaps, and tubes of creams. While these skin care ingredients are generally approved by the concerned federal agencies, they can affect your skin differently especially if it's sensitive. The following are some skin care ingredients you must watch out for in buying your beauty products:

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

A common component of cleansers and shampoos, sodium lauryl sulfate is a detergent that can cause probable damage to the skin with prolonged exposure. Since cleansers and shampoos only have short-term contact with the skin, the risk of exposure is minimal. However, prolonged or repeated exposure to this substance can cause dryness and irritation.

Synthetic Colors

How a product looks certainly adds to its marketability. Often, a product's appeal lies on its appearance, particularly its color. Mixing chemicals and other skin care ingredients does not guarantee an attractive hue so synthetic colorants are often added to enhance or change a product's color. However, since they serve no real purpose in taking care of your skin, they are best avoided. Although studies are still inconclusive, preliminary testings often indicate the connection between synthetic colors and some diseases like cancer.

Mineral Oils

Often used as product base, mineral oils are comedogenic, meaning, they can cause whiteheads, blackheads, and minimal breakouts. Mineral oils are also found to interfere with the skin's natural ability to perspire which can cause blocked pores.

Synthetic Fragrances

Like synthetic colorants, the use of synthetic fragrances are often just for market appeal. While there are no clear evidence linking these synthetic fragrances to diseases and skin damage, they can mask spoilage in your beauty products. Foul smell is often one of the indicators of expired skin care products but with synthetic fragrances, products may still smell good long after they have expired.

Imidazolidinyl Urea

A common cause of dermatitis, imidazolidinyl urea is a preservative found in some skin care products to prevent bacterial growth. Prolonged exposure or use of a product with this substance can make you prone to developing skin irritations and contact dermatitis. In addition, a variety of this substance is known to release formaldehyde, a popular toxic chemical used in embalming.

Great skin care products do not rely on how good they smell and look or how long they last. Their value lies in their components and how these can benefit your skin. To be on the safe side, you can opt to go for organic or natural skin care products. Most skin experts also recommend products that contain vitamins A, C, and E to prevent aging, correct discoloration, and increase antioxidants. It is also advisable to learn more about a product and its components prior to purchasing or using it. The Internet, as well as dermatologists, is a great source of information regarding skin care products.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Acne Treatments: The Cheap Option Or The Potent Stuff?

If you scour the shelves of a pharmacy or drug store, you'll most likely find numerous brands of over-the-counter treatment for acne more than you can count with your fingers. among other skin infections,There are likely to be ingredients common to said treatments for skin infections, though none are exactly the same. If the problem is something that your typical medication can handle, it is probably best you consult a skin care professional.

In most cases, these readily available measures achieve the simple goal of alleviating your acne problem without causing any discomfort. Of course, given individual reactions to the chemicals in the skin treatments, that may not always be the case. Prescription medication, which is typically more potent, may also cause the same unwanted side-effects as those that come from over-the-counter products.

Various factors influence the effectiveness of an over-the-counter or prescription acne treatment product. You might be inclined to wonder which of the two would be the best acne medication, with minimal possible side effects. Well, the answer to this is that all medications can potentially cause side effects. Every person's skin will react differently to different drugs or medications.

Let's take a look at this whole thing objectively, shall we? Or at least, with as much objectivity a single person can have. Hopefully, if we do that we can find the best acne medication, or at least something close to it. In theory, there may be no such thing as a “best” medication, as individual skin chemistry can easily get in the way.

First off, over-the-counter medication for your average range of skin infections, let alone acne, is nowhere near as potent as your typical prescription treatment. This may stem from either the differences in the basic chemical composition or how concentrated the key ingredients of the treatments are. A prescription acne treatment may clear up the problem faster, but the potency of the chemicals can cause side effects more readily than the over-the-counter variants. That means that your life can get back to normal a lot faster, seeing as how you've got one less thing to worry about.

However, despite being “less effective” (and that's something that's just this side of being arguable), over-the-counter stuff is significantly cheaper. Unless you've somehow gotten a case of monumentally bad acne, you should go and try an over-the-counter treatment first. They may not be as potent, but they very often can do the job on their own. If they're not helping, you shouldn't hesitate to seek professional help. Medical insurance may or many not entirely cover your costs, as this sort of thing is something that varies depending on the details of your coverage.

The lower potency of the drugs can also be a boon rather than a bane, for some people. You see, every once in a while, the combination of skin, acne, and other factors is going to produce a person with very sensitive skin. The kind of skin that turns red and swells to the size of a grapefruit at the slightest touch of benzoyl peroxide, or something similar. However, lower chemical potency means that you're also less likely to run into a nasty side effect.

There's also the matter of convenience to be considered here. An over-the-counter product is obviously easier to get your hands on. Go to a drug store, find medication for acne that you like or think would work, and pay for it at the counter. Simple, clean, and there's not a whole lot of time involved. In contrast, if you need to get one that's prescription-required, that involves the time to set up the appointment, the consultation, and all that other good stuff.

There's also the matter of an individual's skin. Your skin is unique and how it might react to something is different from how someone else's skin might react. Your skin may be tougher than most, or it can be easier to scar than most. Medications are set to a specific formula when they're made.

Finally, you may want to keep in mind not to mix and match your treatments. Drug interaction is a leading cause of side effects, aside from poor interaction with the patient's skin. Skin infections like acne can be made worse if you mix two treatments together, such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. The warning about drug interaction holds true even when you mix together over-the-counter medication and prescription ones, even if the two have ingredients in common.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Ageing Skin Care - What Is Chemical Peeling?

As the name implies Chemical peeling peels the skin with chemicals. It is also called dermapeeling or chemexfoliation. By peeling off the skin layer, it allows new skin to form, which is new and fresh, and without some wrinkles. Chemical peeling is used to remove photo aged skin damages.

How chemical peeling is done for skin care- in chemical peeling, chemical solutions are applied on the skin. The choice and strength of chemical depends upon the results desired. For mild peeling, mild chemicals are used and so on. Sometimes, light peel is repeated over time to get desired effect. With mild peel, superficial wrinkles and sun damage is removed. For more damaged skin such as skin having age spots, freckles and acetinic keratoses, a medium peel is used.

Skin care and strength of chemicals- depending upon the skin damage, and the results desired, the dermatologist decides about the kind of peeling to be performed.

Skin care and peeling chemicals- common peeling chemicals include alpha hydroxy acids, trichloroacetic acid, carbolic acid and other chemicals.

Skin care and side effects of chemical peeling- the chemicals peel the old skin and that is like sunburn. What the doctor is doing is to remove the old skin to a certain depth. That naturally causes redness and scaling of the skin. as new skin forms, the redness and scaling disappear. With medium or deep chemical peeling, the skin may develop blisters and swelling along with redness and peeling that may last for up to two weeks.

Skin care and discomfort with chemical peeling- some discomfort is the result as the skin peels. Your doctor will prescribe some lotions to reduce the discomfort. Exposure to sun must be avoided for some time and protection must be taken from sun till the new skin forms and all the side effects disappear. With chemical peeling, surface skin damage is removed. Please consult your doctor for further details.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Acne – the What, Why and How

Did you just wake up and go to the bathroom to freshen up and got the shock of your life? You see something odd on your forehead, that wasn't there the previous night when you went to bed. It looks ugly and you wish it would go away.

The What:
That ugly thing that pops up on our face when we least expect turning our world upside down is what an acne is. Also known as pimples, these are outburst through our skin pores thanks to all the grime and dirt that has accumulated there. It typically occurs during the adolescent phase in a person, say, during their teenage years. And some are lucky, they don't get acnes at all, while others see clusters of them on their face. It is not something that only girls get, there are boys who suffer from this as well. If you are lucky, it will last couple of days, and then disappear never to reappear again, but the unfortunate ones see signs of acne through their life, some of which leave behind scars.

The Why:
The most common kind of acne is the acne vulgaris which translates to common acne. The face is the region of the face that is affected in almost 90% of the cases, at times, people get it on their forearms or chest region. But those are called Keratosis, and not acne, since they are bigger in size and last longer than a common acne. It is basically eruptions in our skin due to dirt and other particles settling in. if the acne is very severe, and looks like a big boil, it could be a cyst, in which case one needs to be careful and not touch it too much. If they do, it might erupt, ooze with puss and not be a pretty sight.

The How:
For some, acne is such a big problem, that they think of skipping school or college. They don't want to face their friends for fear of being ridiculed. For some girls, hormonal changes in their body leads to acne, and for this there is no cure but to let nature takes it course. There is no need to panic or worry about these little boils,.as they are our body reacting to changes happening inside. If it is due to bad eating habits, or intake of oily foods on a regular basis, acne or pimples occur when the follicles are blocked and does not get enough oxygen. If you were to touch an acne and then use those fingers on other parts of your face, you might spread the infection and see more tiny pimples occurring over the next few days. So, it is better to control yourself and keep your hands away from your face and wash your face multiple times during the day. In the market, there are various products that claim to make the acne go away in a day or two, but be warned that they are miracles and not likely to disappear.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Learn How To Make Natural Beauty Products At Home

Want to know how to make natural beauty products at home? There are a number of natural beauty recipes you can prepare with just a few items you may already have in your kitchen. Not only are these products easy to make, but they are also healthier than using commercial products full of chemicals.

By learning how to make natural beauty products of your own, you will helping the environment, along with saving money. Most of the commercial cosmetic products on the market include some type of chemical or detergent. When this is washed off your skin or thrown in the trash, these chemicals and toxins can get into the water supply. Making your own natural beauty products out of common household items is a much greener solution.

Some common kitchen items that can be used to make natural beauty products are Epsom salt, bananas, honey, oatmeal, olive and vegetable oils, yogurt, mayonnaise. This is just a short list of household products that can be used for skin or hair care. There are quite a few other natural products that can do wonders for your appearance.

There are two common ingredients that you probably will not have on hand when you are learning how to make natural beauty products. These are beeswax and natural soap bars. Beeswax and other natural waxes can be found at health food stores, soap making shops, and some craft stores. For those allergic to bees, there are other vegetable- and flower-based waxes to choose from.

Olive oil is a very versatile home remedy that can be used for a number of natural beauty purposes. It will moisturize the dry skin of your elbows, cuticles, knees, and feet. Olive oil can be added to a warm bath for even more moisture and softness. For dry hair or scalp, simply massage the oil directly in with your hands.

You can even make your own natural exfoliating treatment from olive oil. Mix the oil with twice as much brown sugar to create a thick paste. Use this paste as a pre-shower skin treatment by rubbing gently into the skin. Rinse thoroughly in the shower to remove all paste and any dead skin cells that may have been scraped off.

If you have bananas on hand, you can also use those as a moisturizer for dry and cracked skin. Mash a ripe banana until it becomes a paste that is smooth enough to apply to your face or hands. Let the paste soak in for about ten minutes, then rinse off and pat dry. For added moisturizing, add in a teaspoon of olive oil before applying to dry, parched skin.

These are just a few of the beauty products you can make at home without spending much money. Other great home remedies include facial cleansers, herbal bath soaks, skin butter, and natural body scrubs. Most of these recipes can be made with simple ingredients that you already have at home. Now that you know how easy it is, jump right in and learn how to make natural beauty products of your own.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Oily Vs. Dry: Choosing What Skin Care Treatment To Use

An unknown student once wrote on his desk, “You can't face your problem if your problem is your face.” Though intended only for humor, this curious statement may mean a lot to those who are bothered by imperfections on their faces especially their skin. Often, people complain about having pimples, wrinkles or blemishes and are baffled with what to do about it. Advertisements seen on television, newspapers, posters and billboards show various products claiming to be the miracle solution for all skin problems. People who model these products highly entice the ordinary buyer to believe in their statements. It is not safe, however, just to follow blindly. When it comes to skin problems and treatments, it is best to understand the underlying causes or processes that are involved and how it is related in one's situation.

A good starting point when it comes to identifying the right skin care treatment to be used is to determine the type of skin one has. Classification of types of skin range from dry skin to oily skin. Each type may then have a corresponding skin problem to address. It is important to take note of the type of skin one has since skin care products are also designed in relation to the common skin types of consumers.

For people who have dry skin, the most common problems to be expected is premature skin aging and appearance of wrinkles. Dry skin results from lack of moisture and is commonly experienced during cold season. To address this problem, one can make use of moisturizers available in the market. It is better to make use of those products that are fragrance-free and has less amount of preservatives used to limit the chemical content that might cause irritation. Note that humectants and emollients are contained in moisturizers and these components are responsible for absorbing water to increase the moisture of the skin and replacing lipids. Moisturizers also come in two kinds, those that are oil-based and those that are water-based. People with oily skin may still opt to make use of moisturizers during cold season and it is better for them to choose the water-based kind.

On the other hand, the ones with oily skin usually have to worry about having pimples, blackheads and blemishes. This skin type is brought about by overactive sebaceous glands which may be a consequence of heredity, diet, humidity or cosmetics used. In terms of skin care products, people with this skin type must carefully choose those that are oil-free or are not oil-based. Regular cleansing is necessary to decrease the appearance of greasiness but note that the cleanser used should be alcohol-free and soap-free if possible. It is also better to make use of lukewarm water when cleansing since it will help dissolve oil faster. It is not advisable to use moisturizers unless the skin is becoming dry due to changes in season or temperature. In cases where pimples come about as a consequence of this skin type, common treatments for such are those products containing salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. When cases are severe such those of people with acne, it is better to consult a dermatologist first before deciding upon what products to use as treatment. Blemishes usually result from having pimples or acne and may be treated through exfoliation. However, one should be careful in using products for skin exfoliation because some may be too harsh for the skin and cause further complications.

Skin care treatment, therefore, is not just blindly following what the advertisers of skin care products claim. Doing this might just be of minimal help in solving the problem, if not at all. Worse, this might cause further complications if wrong products are used. With regards to matters such these, it is really important to determine first the type of skin a person has. Next is to know the appropriate product to be used relative to one's skin type. Taking note of the components, substances or chemicals contained in skin care products will also help avoid further complications or irritations and maximize the treatment's effectiveness.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Lotions vs. skin care creams

There is no dearth of skin care creams and lotions in the market. Name an ailment, and you will find hundreds of skin care creams, lotions and other products for it. As a result of ongoing research and due to ever increasing demand, the number of skin care products seems to be on the increase. Skin care lotions and skin care creams are the most popular forms in which these products are available, and there always seems to be a debate on which form is better?

Well, there is no definitive answer to this. It seems more like a matter of personal choice. However, greasy creams are surely less popular as compared to the non-greasy (or less greasy) ones. Since the application of skin care creams is easier, they seem to be preferred (over lotions) in cases where the skin care product is not to be removed immediately after application. So, skin care creams seem more popular as moisturisers than as cleansers or toners. For toners, lotions seem to be preferred over skin care creams. There are some skin care creams that acts as toners too, but generally the toners are available in liquid form only. For cleansing, lotions and skin care creams are equally popular; however, the tilt seems more towards lotions.

Creams are known to be most effective in keeping skin moist; hence, the most popular form of skin care creams is moisturisers. Due to the same reason, a lot of people tend to associate skin care creams with dry and sensitive skin. Though it is true to a certain extent, skin care creams are not used only for dry skin, they are also used for making products for oily skin e.g. vitamin A creams and sulphur creams that help reduce the rate of sebum production.

Skin care creams are also used for products that cater to skin disorders especially for disorders that require the application of product over a small localised area. This is again due to the fact that skin care creams are easier to apply (without wastage) on the affected area. However, in cases where skin needs to be washed using a medicine/product, lotion is a better choice. Mostly, the manufacturers too realize this fact, making it easier for you to choose between a lotion and a skin care cream

Eye-creams and anti-ageing creams are other examples where skin care cream is preferred over its lotion counterpart.

Whatever your choice be (cream or lotion), knowing how to use it effectively, is more important than anything else.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

How To Avoid The Three Most Common Mistakes With SkinCare

Our skin is our largest organ. It’s living and breathing and it protects your internal organs from the invasive and dangerous elements of life: viruses, bacteria, pollutants, and harsh weather, including the sun.

Many people don’t understand or fully appreciate the role that our skin plays on our overall health and well being. Most of us focus on the end result, which is how our skin looks, rather than the process of reaching and maintaining that appearance through healthy choices. This results in the most commonly made mistakes with skin care:

Not realizing that what you put into your body shows on the outside.
By not maintaining a well-balanced diet of foods and liquids rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins, and by poisoning your system with too many harmful substances such as an overabundance of alcohol or cigarettes, you harm your skin. Too much alcohol can dehydrate your skin and cigarettes deprive it of the oxygen it requires. Supplement your diet with Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) like cod-liver oil or borage, flax & coconut if you’re vegan. And PLEASE drink plenty of water! Add a slice of orange or sprig of mint to spruce up your water drinking experience.

Neglecting your skin when it's young.
The sun and the wind can damage your skin. This damage might not show when you're young, but just like your favorite leather coat, the wrinkles and cracking will show with age. If you treat your leather coat with moisturizers when it's new and continue treating it throughout the years, you can wear that jacket for a very long time without it showing its age. The same goes for your skin. Moisturize it before it shows signs of needing the moisture and it will stay healthier as it ages. Use a heavier crème at night to re-hydrate your skin & assist with repairing cellular degeneration.

Using skin care products that promise instant results.
Most skin products that are manufactured and full of 'instant improvement' guarantees are just full of chemicals and broken promises. And, if you listen carefully most of their marketing campaigns state that they will give you healthy-looking skin, which is a far cry from having skin that's healthy. Use all-natural creams and cleansers when taking care of your skin. Avoid ingredients like mineral oil, alcohol, lanolin & parabens (preservatives).

Friday, March 26, 2010

Guide in Purchasing All Natural Skin Care Products

Today, thousands of skin care products are manufactured and sold in various markets worldwide. These products are available in hundreds of beauty and skin care establishments like stores, malls, salons, spas, etc. Products as such are continuously booming due to the increasing demand for skin care treatments and products by beauty-conscious men and women each year.

Beauty and skin care products have different variants. These personal enhancement products are also categorized as either artificial/conventional or natural skin care products. Since the conventional beauty and skin care products can be quite expensive, many people choose to buy certified all natural skin care products instead. Not only these products are less expensive, but they are also a lot safer to use compared to conventional skin care products.

Now, if you are thinking of using all natural skin care products for your everyday personal use, remember that there are a lot of things to consider when buying these kinds of cosmetic/beauty items. You just can't go and grab the first natural skin care product you find in the mall or store. See, not all organic or natural skin care products are legitimate or certified. Note that hundreds of such products are distributed and sold in many markets.

As such, below is a guide for consumers on purchasing all natural skin care products:

1. Determine your skin type.
The first thing you need to do before heading to your nearest beauty and health store is to know your skin type. This is really important since all skin and beauty care products are developed to match certain skin types. Hence, if you just use any type of product without knowing your skin type, irritation, blemishes, dryness, and other complications may happen to your skin.


2. Talk to your dermatologist.

Another important thing to do before shopping for natural skin care products is to talk to your dermatologist first. Your doctor is the one who can tell you what skin type are you. Upon confirming this, your doctor can then tell you of the skin care variants that are applicable and safe to use on your skin.


3. Read product labels carefully.
When you already determine what skin type you are and you already know which skin care variants are applicable to your skin, you are now more than ready to shop for the all natural skin care products you need. Once you already found your prospect products, read and compare all labels carefully to know which one best suits your needs.

In addition, reading the product labels carefully is a good way of determining which ones are hoax and certified products. Remember that not all products claiming to contain all natural ingredients are purely organic. So it really pays off when you take the time to study the product labels first before purchasing any product.


4. Never ever fall for the so-called “miracle” skin care products.

There are numerous skin care products in stores today that pose false advertisements of their so- called miracle ingredients. There are really no such thing as miracle ingredients in beauty and skin care products. Majority of these hoax products promise immediate results to consumers. Hence, stay away from these products.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Facial: Serious Skin Care Treatment

When you have a healthy and radiant-looking skin, people instantly assume that you are taking real good care of your body, particularly your skin. The skin is actually regarded by many as a mirror of oneself, in which it is a reflection of how one takes care of his body.

Of course, to keep our skin looking beautiful and young, proper skin care is really necessary. See, there are a lot of skin care regimens that people can adapt and practice everyday, and there are also a number of skin care products available in markets today that are formulated to maintain the natural suppleness of the skin.

Meanwhile, skin care does not necessarily have to cost you a lot of money. As for skin care products, learn how to choose products that are not too expensive yet provide excellent skin maintenance results. Treatments, on the other hand, do not really need to be high-end and costly. Simple treatments like facial are usually the ones needed by the skin.

What is a facial treatment?

A facial is a form of serious skin care treatment that nourishes, exfoliates, and cleanses the skin, thus, promoting a well-hydrated, smooth, and clear complexion. This type of skin care is in fact regarded as one of the most popular and in-demand spa and salon treatments today.

There are a lot of tools and equipment used in facial treatments. Among them are the following:

1. Facial chair or bed
2. Magnifying lamp
3. Facial steamer
4. Small trolley
5. Cotton and cotton pads
6. Gauze
7. Towels
8. Head covering
9. Facial massager
10. Cleansers, astringents, sanitizers, moisturizers, creams,
11. Facial masks

What are the basic procedures in a facial treatment?

The following are the basic steps in a facial treatment:

1. Facial cleansing
2. Skin analysis
3. Exfoliation using steaming
4. Extraction of blackheads
5. Facial massage to relax the body and stimulate the skin
6. Application of facial mask
7. Application of protective creams and toners

How often should you get a facial treatment?

According to dermatologists and skin care specialists, people should get a serious skin care facial treatment every four to six weeks. The ideal number of times to have facial treatments is four to five times a year. Those who have skin complications like acne may need to get a facial more often than the usual recommended times to get it.

As for the cost of the treatment, it varies depending on the price offerings of spa and salon establishments. The packages and add-ons on the procedure make the cost of the treatment higher.

Furthermore, those who cannot afford to get a facial treatment at spas and salons can opt for a home-made facial treatment. A quick facial regimen that can be practiced at home includes that following easy-to-do steps:

1. Splash your face with warm water.
2. Massage your face using olive oil.
3. Thoroughly scrub your face with a half-teaspoon of sugar.
4. Wipe your face with a warm wet cloth.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Choose Natural Skin Care Products for a Gorgeous Complexion and Healthier Skin

Natural skin care products provide an excellent alternative to many beauty and skin products found on the market. We often don't realize how many chemicals and toxins are being absorbed into our bodies through skin care and hair care products. Shampoos, make-up, perfumes, facial cleansers, and even baby care products often contain harmful chemicals that can irritate our skin, dry it out, or cause premature aging. That's why so many people are choosing natural skin care products.

Benefits of Natural Skin Care Products

There are many benefits of organic skin care because true all-natural products contain no harmful chemicals or additives. If you have allergies, recurring skin rashes (or eczema), itchy or dry skin, or even very oily skin, then you might be worsening the problem by using products with certain chemicals and additives. Organic skin care provides a natural way for you to cleanse your skin and hair, enhance your beauty with cosmetics, and even protect your skin from the sun. If you have very sensitive skin, natural hair care and skin care products might even help prevent outbreaks of rashes or skin redness and irritation.

The skin absorbs most anything that it comes in contact with, including any chemicals found in beauty products. With all-natural products, your skin will absorb the organic ingredients more quickly and with more positive results. Absorbing organic products can actually enhance your skin and health, and your body can process the ingredients in a more efficient way.

If you have a baby or small child, their skin is extremely delicate. You can select natural baby care products for their shampoos, lotions, powders, and soaps.

Ingredients found in Organic Products

Common ingredients found in natural skin care products include oatmeal, aloe vera, hemp seed, virgin olive oil, sunflower seed oil, primrose extract, essential oils, cucumber, shea butter, collagen, and many other natural ingredients and extracts. These all have different purposes such as adding moisture and much-needed minerals to your skin and hair, reducing wrinkles, stretch-mark reduction, dead skin removal, sun protection, and moisturizing the lips.

Types of Natural Beauty Products

With the increasing demand for all-natural or organic products, there are now many companies that specialize in organic products, whether it's food and beverages or natural hair care and skin care products. Some of the beauty products available include natural soaps for babies and adults, organic make-up foundation and finishing powders, all-natural shampoos and conditioners, facial cleansers and toners, bath salts, organic oils for skin, bath scrubs, facial masks, anti-wrinkle creams, shaving soaps, natural lotions, soothing gels, and even organic lamps for aromatherapy. There are also many natural men's skin care products and natural baby care products.

How to Buy All-Natural Products

You can find organic skin and hair care products at your local herbal or organic store. But the easiest way to find specific products for your needs is to shop online. There are hundreds of organic skin care products online and you can often find these at very affordable prices. You can easily search for specific products that will help your skin and hair type. These products also make great gifts for birthdays, Christmas, or any occasion.

Your entire family from the youngest to the eldest can benefit from natural skin care products, and you'll each enjoy healthier, more radiant skin and hair!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Busting Some Skin Care Myths

Proper skin care is one of those things that more and more people are embracing nowadays, particularly because of the media campaign that subconsciously pushes people to be more beautiful. However, as with anything of this sort, not all the information one needs to know is actually known by the general public. In such situations, the general public tends to develop “knowledge” of its own, which are easily dismissed as myths and urban legends by medical experts. Here are a few of the more common myths.

Myth 1: Eating Some Foods Can Cause Skin Infections

Skin infections are not caused by the food you eat. No, acne is not caused or affected by your diet either. Your food intake has no effect on whether or not your skin can become a target for acne, pimples, or any other skin infections. The fact is, your diet has minimal effect on your skin. Instead of watching what you eat, you might want to try cutting down on the stress and anxiety to minimize the chances of your skin getting blemished. The only way food can have an appreciable effect on your skin is if you have an allergy to the food eaten.

Myth 2: Facial Exercises Make The Skin Look Younger

There is absolutely, positively no truth to this. The harsh reality is that doing facial exercises will do more harm than good. Your skin is elastic, but only to a certain extent. Like all things that are elastic, there are limitations to just how much you can pull before breaking it or deforming it. Similar to a rubber band, if you pull at it enough, you'll eventually deform it. In the case of the skin, do enough exercises and this'll just make those wrinkles and lines more visible.

Myth 3: A Good Tan Can Kill Bacteria

This one is little more than scientific speculation at the moment. Ultraviolet light may have an effect on bacteria or it may not, science isn't really sure about that right now. However, even if UV rays did have an effect on bacteria, there's no indication that it would have any appreciable effect on bacteria beneath the surface of the skin, which is where most skin infections start out. Sure, tanning might be a good way to relieve stress and anxiety, but the possibility you might end up getting skin cancer is something you should keep in mind before you lounge all day on the beach.

Myth 4: Too Much Drink Can Make The Skin Blow Up

There is some scientific basis for this one, as alcohol tends to open up the pores and make a person look more flushed. However, alcohol cannot make the skin blow up and have acne appear all over your skin overnight. The open pores might make it easier for dirt to get into them and aggravate them if they are already clogged, but it is unlikely to increase the damage that was already there by any significant margin.

Myth 5: Dirt Causes Acne

To confirm: dirt clogged in the pores does not cause acne. It can cause problems, definitely, but it cannot cause acne, so don't grab an over-the-counter acne treatment to help alleviate them. An exfoliant is more likely to help if dirt has clogged your pores, as that sort of treatment will peel away layers of the skin, eventually taking the dirt along with it. While acne treatments based on salicylic acid might help, this is because the acid is an exfoliant and not because acne problems are the same as having dirt in your pores.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Aloe Vera and Its Natural Skin Care and Health Benefits

Aloe vera plants, particularly aloe barbadensis miller plants, have been used for centuries to help burns, cuts, and other skin ailments. Perhaps your grandparents always had one of these unique, cactus-like plants nearby, just in case of an emergency. If someone got a cut or burn, they would break an aloe leaf apart to extract gel from inside the leaf. The aloe gel inside the leaf is used as a natural healing salve.

With the onset of commercialism and the recent boom in all-natural products, aloe has become the ingredient of choice in many skin care and health products. Commercial aloe products include everything from creams to lotions to nutritional supplements in pill or drink form. The products often combine aloe gel with other ingredients to enhance the gel's natural healing components. For example, an aloe-based Hawaiian product, called AhVahleen, combines aloe with some natural extracts taken from organic honey and a Hawaiian Kalo herbal plant.

Natural Aloe-Based Solutions for Skin Care and Health

Aloe gel, especially when combined with other natural ingredients, can greatly enhance the skin and its ability to replenish skin cells. As skin cells die, new skin cells must replace the old to promote healthy skin. This also slows the aging process and helps keep the skin moist and beautiful. Aloe creams and gels on the market can help enhance this process. There are also creams and gels to help with itching, burns, cuts, psoriasis, shingles, and other skin conditions.

Aloe vera gel is also known to have antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, which allow skin ailments to heal while reducing risk of infection. Some aloe-based products are said to help soothe and dry up chicken pox as well. Aloe gel can work as a natural anesthesia to reduce or alleviate pain caused by burns, cuts, and skin rashes. For severe sunburn and/or sun poison, aloe vera gel can cool the burning skin and speed up the healing process.

How to Buy Natural Aloe Products

Besides growing your own aloe vera plants, the next best thing is to buy natural aloe-based products. But before buying, be sure the products are all natural with few or no added ingredients that could decrease the aloe's beneficial properties. Read the ingredients on each product and learn why the ingredients were added. You'll find some products, such as AhVahleen, to have added natural ingredients to enhance the product's skin care and health properties. These products often provide more benefits than even the actual aloe plant alone.

Shop online to find aloe-based products that are unique to your skin care and health needs. If you have psoriasis, for instance, look for creams, gels, or lotions to soothe this condition in particular. If you work in the sun or are outdoors a great deal, look for aloe products that can protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. If you have multiple needs for aloe, find a natural aloe product that offers many benefits in one. Start enjoying natural skin care and health today with the wonderful natural solution of aloe vera!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

'Personal skin care’ is a routine

We all know the importance of ‘personal skin care’. The opinion on how-to (for personal skin care) differs from person to person. Some people believe that going to beauty parlours every other day is personal skin care. Others believe that personal skin care is just a matter of applying some cream or lotion on your skin, every now and then. Then there are people who think that personal skin care is an event that happens once a month or once a year. Still others busy themselves with ‘personal skin care’ all the time. However, personal skin care is not that complicated and neither is it that expensive (considering how beneficial it is). Personal skin care is following a routine or a procedure for attending to the needs of your skin.

Even before you start with a routine, you need to determine your skin-type (oily, dry, sensitive, normal etc) and select the personal skin care products suitable for it (you might have to experiment with a few personal skin care products). Here is a routine that should work for most people with normal skin.

The first thing on personal skin care routine is ‘Cleansing’. The three main ingredients of a cleanser are oil, water and surfactants (wetting agents). Oil and surfactants extract dirt and oil from your skin and water then flushes it out, thus making your skin clean. You might have to try a couple of cleansers before you find the one that suits you the best. However, you should always use soap-free cleansers. Also, you should use Luke warm water for cleansing (hot and cold water, both, cause damage to your skin). Take care that you don’t over-cleanse your skin and end up damaging your skin in the process.

The second thing on the personal skin care routine is exfoliation. Skin follows a natural maintenance process wherein it removes the dead cells and replaces them with new skin cells. Exfoliation is just a way to facilitate the skin in this process. Dead skin cells are not capable of responding to personal skin care products but still consume these products, hence preventing them from reaching the new skin cells. Thus removing dead skin cells is important in order to increase the effectiveness of all personal skin care products. Generally, exfoliation takes it place just after cleansing. As with any personal skin care procedure, it’s important that you understand how much exfoliation you need. Exfoliate 4-5 times per week for oily/normal skin and 1-2 times per week for dry/sensitive skin. Exfoliate a couple of times more in hot and humid weather.

Next thing on personal skin care routine is moisturizers. This is one of the most important things in personal skin care. Even people with oily skin need moisturisers. Moisturisers not only seal the moisture in your skin cells, but also attract moisture (from air) whenever needed. Use of too much moisturiser can however clog skin pores and end up harming your skin. The amount of moisturiser needed by your skin will become apparent to you within one week of you using the moisturiser. Also, applying the moisturiser is best when your skin is still damp.

The last thing on personal skin care routine is sunscreen. A lot of moisturizers (day-time creams/moisturisers) come with UV protection – so you can get double benefits from them. Such moisturisers are recommended for all days (irrespective of whether it is sunny or cloudy).

Again, experiment with various personal skin care products and also with the amount you need to apply. What gives you best results is the best personal skin care recipe for you. However, if you have some kind of skin dilemma, it is best to consult your dermatologist before you actually start using any personal skin care products.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Beyond Vanity: Skin Care is Imperative to Health and Wellness

While feminists and critics sneer at beauty for being only “skin deep”, the continuous growth of the cosmetics industry proves that an increasing number of people are really taking effort, time, and money to invest on various beauty regimen and skincare. Nowadays, women are not the only ones who get conscious of their looks, but even some men, particularly the younger generation, have become advocates of pampering skincare.

Some people, however, are too absorbed in their busy lifestyles that they have no more time left to engage in proper skincare. Economy also plays a great deal on why people would refrain from availing those skincare services being offered in the media. The hard times take its toll on your skin. It is no longer as supple as that of a baby and has become thinner and wrinkled with age. Your skin is drier due to less oil production from the sebaceous glands and the decrease in the number of blood vessels has made your skin lackluster without youthful glow.

There is more to skincare than just a case of vanity. Unknown to many, all human beings, whether healthy or not, probably have some Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on their skin. These bacteria, simply called staph, are usually found in your nose or throat and may not really cause much problems except for minor skin infections. The skin serves as the body's first barrier against these bacterial infections. This is why it is important to have healthy skin in order to ward off bacterial infections. Once the skin is broken, cut or wounded, you are at risk for infection. Once these bacteria gets to burrow deeper into your skin and penetrates your body into the bloodstream, urinary tract, lungs, and heart, these seemingly harmless bacteria can become life-threatening.

History showed that most cases of fatal staph infections in the past have occurred in people who have been in the hospital or those who are suffering from chronic illness and faltering immune system. However, recent development proves that an increasing number of otherwise healthy people who have never been in a hospital are also acquiring these lethal staph infections.
Moreover, the usually powerful antibiotics no longer have an effect in fighting against certain strain of destructive bacteria that have evolved over time. Although as of now, most staph infections are still manageable and can be successfully treated, sooner or later, there will come a time that a new and deadlier strain of these bacterial infections will become resistant to most currently available skincare and medications.

The signs and symptoms of bacterial infections depends on the condition and affected area of the infection as well as the nature of illness if it is a direct infection from staph bacteria or from toxins produced by the bacteria. They may range from mild skin infections to food poisoning, deadly pneumonia, surgical wound infections, and endocarditis which is a lethal inflammation of the heart valves. Most skin infections caused by staph infections include the following: boils , cellulitis, impetigo, scalded skin syndrome, follicilitis, hordeolum, among others.

Most skin problems would require clinical care by medical professionals but it helps to take note of the following tips:
· Make sure to always clean and cover areas of skin that have been injured.
· Do not share towels, sheets, clothing until the infection has been fully healed.
· Do not touch to avoid spreading it to other parts of your body.

Always remember that cleanliness and good skincare hygiene is not just a form of vanity but it is a way of keeping your skin healthy and strong to be able to protect you in warding off bacterial infections as well as preventing many skin problems.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Are Natural skin care products the answer to all problems?

When it comes to skin care products, you will find that a lot of people are very particular about using only natural skin care products. They treat all the synthetic products as harmful to the skin.

So, are natural skin care products the answer to all of our problems? What if a natural skin care product is not available for the treatment of a particular skin disorder? Are the synthetic skin care products so harmful that they should be banned?

Different people have different answers to these questions. However, the reality is that due to presence of synthetic preservatives, it’s really tough to find a natural skin care product that is 100% natural. There are natural skin care products that have natural preservatives, but their cost might be detrimental. Moreover, such natural skin products have a shorter shelf life and hence are not preferred by the manufacturers of natural skin care products.

Some people carry a wrong notion that since natural skin care products are natural, they cannot cause any harm to the skin. The suitability of a skin care product is not based on whether it is synthetic or natural. An unsuitable natural skin care product can harm you in almost the same way as a synthetic one. So, use natural skin care products, but be open to synthetic ones too (you might need them when a natural solution is not available)

Your selection of a natural skin care product should be based on 3 factors:

* The skin type (dry, oily, normal, sensitive) of the person who will use that natural skin care product
* The climatic conditions in which it will be used e.g. hot and humid condition would warranty the use of oil-free natural skin care products.
* The process for application/use of the natural skin care product. A good natural skin care product (in fact any product) can seem useless if not used in the proper way.

You can also make natural skin care products by yourself, by using the recipes that are readily available on the internet and in the books at book stores.

Use of organic fruits and vegetables is also popular as a natural skin care procedure. Some essential oils, herbal oils, are useful too and are known for their moisturising and antiseptic properties

However, using a natural skin care product does not mean that you can exercise carelessness with other aspects of skin care. Natural skin care products should be used like supplements to the following ‘essential’ recommendations: healthy eating habits (avoiding oily food), regular exercise, drinking a lot of water (8 glasses everyday), and cleanliness. This will then form a perfect and completely natural skin care routine that will help maintain a healthy beautiful skin for longer time.