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).
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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