Finding Natural Skin Care Treatments

Many people are recognizing the need to find quality skin care that does not contain any of the chemical ingredients that are in so many of the products that are currently on the market. The search for a 100% pure skin care treatment will require you to do some research and find out the kind of ingredients that you should be looking for in your skin care products.

The people who are looking for pure skin care products are usually interested in finding the best anti aging skin treatment that is available as well. Most of the time the purer the ingredients the better the anti aging skin care treatment will be. You should consider the damage that can be caused to your skin when you are using products that contain chemicals and other ingredients that you should steer clear of. There are a number of resources online that can give you the information that you will need to begin your search.

Of course, when you conduct your research, you will discover that there are some ingredients that must be included even in those that claim to be a 100% pure skin care treatment. When you are looking at the products that are available, look for ingredients that are made from natural sources. Some of the ingredients will need to be processed in some way before they can be used so in this sense they are not completely natural. However, you can find products that are free of the harmful chemicals that should not be put on your skin. Consider that the ingredients are being absorbed into your system through your skin and decide if the chemicals that are in the products are something that you want in your system.

Fragrances and other ingredients that make the skin care product smell nice and have a better texture are the ingredients that you should be wary of. Anything that does not add to the effectiveness of the product is just not necessary in your 100% pure skin care treatment. Save your use of fragrances to the perfumes that you decide to wear. You will only be placing it in a small area and can choose the fragrance that you like. Manufacturers understand that people like things that smell nice and add the fragrances to enhance their product. Unfortunately, the fragrances are doing more harm than good.

For the best anti aging skin treatment and a 100% pure skin care treatment, you should look for products that are made of plant based ingredients that have been proven to be effective. Watch out for the quantities of the effective ingredient when you are shopping as well.

Many companies use a very small amount of the best ingredients to entice customers, but they are not effective because there is not enough of the ingredient to make an impact on your skin. Do not be deceived by this practice and do your research on the ingredients and their effective quantities before you buy a skin care product.

What is Your Skin Type?

The type of skin that you have plays an important role in how acne will affect you and also in how you should treat it. Different skin types need different types of treatments in order to effectively handle acne.

One size definitely does not fit all when it comes to acne skin care.

There are four basic types of skin, oily, normal, dry, or combination skin, a combination of two of them. Combination skin may be normal-to-oily or normal-to-dry. For each type, a different skin care regimen is needed. Skin types also change over time, skin that may have been combination normal/oily may become more normal or dry as the skin ages. Changes in skin requires adjust of skin care routines to maintain a healthful appearance.

Five Questions To Ask Yourself.

First, start with some basic questions in order to determine your skin type. The answers to these questions will help you to decide what type of skin you have.

1. How frequent are your breakouts?
2. Do you have blackheads?
3. Do you have large pores?
4. How does the skin feel after it has been washed with soap and water?
5. Are there facial lines?

The answers to these questions help determine the type of care your skin will require to look its freshest.

Basic Descriptions of Skin Types

Each skin type is determined by several factors such as the amount of oil produced, texture, and the frequency of acne breakouts. Skin tones often seem to coincide with certain types of skin, but skin tone is not a determining factor in what type of skin you may have. Quite fair skin may also be oily, while dark tones may be dry. Therefore, skin color is not a good metric to use when determining what type of skin you may have.

People with dry skin usually have few breakouts and seldom experience blackheads. The reason for this is that excess oil blockages are what form blackheads, and dry skin is not prone to excess oil. This generally means that acne breakouts are rare for this skin type, although other problems may exist. Dry skin generally has few if any visible pores, and the skin will feel tight and/or dry after cleansing. Those with dry skin are usually fair-skinned and often develop facial lines early in life. This skin type may sunburn very quickly.

People with normal skin and with combination skin suffer occasional breakouts, with mild-to-moderate blackheads that occur for the most part in the “t-zone.” The t-zone is the area which runs across the forehead and down the nose and mouth area, it also includes the chin. Pores are often larger and more noticeable in the t-zone area but are usually not as large as those that appear in oily skin. The skin may feel dry and tight immediately after cleansing but will soon feel more lubricated. The skin tone for normal skin usually is fair to medium, and a few early lines may appear around the eyes. This skin type usually will sunburn when first exposed to the sun, but then will tan. Prolonged sun exposure can produce temporary dry skin conditions.

Oily skin is characterized by more frequent breakouts and the presence of comdones or blackheads. The pores are enlarged and visible. After washing the face quickly becomes oily, the nose and forehead quite rapidly growing shiny due to increased oil production. The skin tone is frequently olive or dark. Facial lines are not very prevalent with this type of skin; oily skin tends to be resist aging longer than the other skin types. Therefore, over the long term, oily skin stays youthful for a longer period of time than the drier types of skin. Oily skin rarely burns when exposed to the sun and usually tans easily.

A Final Word

Determining what type of skin you have should enable you to make better choices when it comes to skin care products. There are numerous products on the market that are designed to improve skin quality. For improving your acne, choose products that won’t cause further problems for you by basing your choices upon the type of skin that you have. Adjust your skin care regimen as your skin changes in order to be on top of your acne problem.

How To Know Your Skin Type

Basically, there are four common skin types: oily, dry, combination, and normal. The way your skin reacts and behaves classifies the type of skin you have. Skin types react in different ways to creams and/or lotions
, environment, and weather. The skin on your face is the great point to categorize type of your skin.

Here are four skin types that you should know:

1. Oily Skin

Skin may look oily, sallow, and coarse; it has large pores and tends to have pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. The texture of skin is thick; the touch is often sticky. It is usually youthful-looking due to the presence of oil on the skin. Besides that, within hours of cleansing the oiliness will reappear and makeup is usually absorbed quickly. Often, individuals with this skin type have a propensity to develop acne in their teen and middle years.

2. Dry Skin

This skin type has a transparent looking and fine texture. It may lack natural oils, may look rather flaky with small pores, blackheads and blemishes. It feels particularly dry after cleansing and may have whiteheads around the eyes and dry patches. Without sufficient moisture, this skin type can simply become chapped. It’s more likely to become wrinkly than other types.

3. Combination Skin

This type can be characterized as oily on the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and the rest of the face, cheeks and around the eye, is dry. However, to restore both areas to balance, they need a separate cleansing routine.

4. Normal skin

If this is your skin type you are very lucky, because less than 20% of women have this skin type. It is the “healthy” type of skin. It’s smooth, soft, and supple; not too dry, not too oily, characterized by few blemishes, and has a nice glow. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that you don’t have to take care of it.

The first step just before choosing a skin care routine that will make you look beauty is knowing you skin type. Therefore, I want to give you simple tips how to know what type of skin you have exactly:

1. Cleanse your face, and wait for an hour, without applying any skin care product to it.

2. After that, take a tissue and wipe each of the following areas of your face: your forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks.

If oil appears on the tissue, then you have oily skin. But, if skin particles can be seen on your skin, or remain on the tissue, then you have dry skin. Other than that, If you see oil in some areas (T-zone: forehead, nose and chin), and none in others, then naturally you have combination skin. And, if you don’t find oily residue or flake is left on the skin, you have normal skin.

One thing that you should keep in mind, cleansing and moisturizing twice a day is an important thing of having attractive and healthy skin, regardless of what type of skin you have. For maximum results, select products that are intended for your particular skin type.

Skin Conditions – Vitamins Help Skin Conditions

While the use of daily vitamins has for years been recognized as an important part of maintaining health, only recently have researches started paying attention to the relationship between nutritional intake and skin health. Vitamins have long been used in topical skin treatment for their beneficial effects on their skin’s surface and for their antioxidant properties, but obtaining skin benefits via ingested vitamins had not received much attention.

Common to many of these “beauty-vitamin” formulations is a powerful blend of antioxidants, including higher-than-average levels of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as other antioxidants such as lycopene — the red plant pigment in tomatoes and other fruits, and pycnogenols. Not coincidentally, these are many of the same ingredients that have popped up in topical products during the last several years.

Nutritional requirements are often slightly different for young children, adolescents, and during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Vitamin skeptics continue to argue that there are no proven benefits to vitamins at doses higher than the RDA. The case of vitamins and skin conditions is a clear case proving the skeptics wrong. It is time that physicians start to put the remarkable healing powers of vitamins to work for their patients. In the meantime, the low toxicity and ready availability of vitamin supplements and creams enables the self-educated to act for themselves.

A vitamin helps enhance your mind’s ability to sharpen your memory. Your job may be one of constant change or if you are a student, you have to memorize hundreds of details or facts. Perhaps you are a senior and you want to end those annoying “Senior Moments” of short term memory loss.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A strengthens the protective tissue of the skin and prevents acne. It helps reduce sebum production. This vitamin is essential for the maintenance and repair of the tissue which the skin and mucous membranes are made of. Vitamin A is also a powerful antioxidant needed to rid your body of toxins.

Vitamin B Complex

Help to maintain healthy skin tone – also helpful in relieving anxiety and stress.Fights acne. Vital for healthy skin by improving circulation and metabolism. important in the functioning of your immune system and your antibody production.

Vitamin C

Among the most important new dermatologic discoveries is the power of vitamin C to counter the effects of sun exposure. It works by reducing the damage caused by free radicals, a harmful byproduct of sunlight, smoke, and pollution. Free radicals gobble up collagen and elastic, the fibers that support skin structure, causing wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E helps to get clear skin. have vitamin e rich tablets daily. it is also good for reproductive organ’s function. Apply the oil inside the vitamin e capsules on face. then your face will glow. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that enhances healing and tissue repair. It prevents cell damage by inhibiting the oxidation of lipids (fats) and the formation of free radicals. Recommended dosage to fight acne.

Most Common Skin Conditions

There are many different kinds of skin conditions, with a seemingly equal amount of treatment approaches. Those most commonly seen include eczema
(atopic dermatitis), psoriasis, folliculitis and, of course, skin acne. Skin Diseases can leave you with a wide range of symptoms, some more difficult to deal with than others and can show up as an itchy condition, pigmentation disorders, extremely dry skin conditions, sores and other less than stunning appearances. Getting treatment for most skin conditions requires a trip to the dermatologist and, in some cases, agressive action.

Common skin condtions include:

Solar Damage – Without a doubt the skin’s biggest enemy, the sun can have an enormous impact on all facets of the derma from wrinkles to age spots to problems with the physical structures that support and nourish. Skin conditions resulting from sun damage may take advanced procedures such as laser peels, chemical peels and photorejuvenation.

Skin Rash – Rash is a wide ranging term for a whole host of conditions. Most infections and bacteria that cause skin problems are also responsible for irritation. These may show up in the form of skin rashes. Though every case is different, these can be an indication that chronic skin conditions may be present. Skin rashes can be the result of a reaction to plants, allergens, chemicals, pollutants, toxins and climate.

Liver Spots – These spots on the skin (also known as solar lentigines) are the trademark of prolonged sun exposure over time. Additionally they are also one of the skin conditions that help to promote an aged appearance. Simple things can be done to keep them from forming from using an alpha hydroxy acid based product to more advanced procedures such as fraxel laser treatments.

Infections – Bacteria, viruses and other pollutants can be absorbed into the skin and cause mild to very complicated infections. Once they have taken hold, they should be subjected to prescription medication and the assistance of a dermatologist. It should be your goal to learn how to fight the skin diseases and conditions that can lead to infection. Keeping wounds and other raw skin conditions clean and free from bacteria is the first step in dodging these types of conditions.

Skin Diseases – Many skin conditions develop because of disease. These diseases can leave difficult to remove discolorations and may need advanced treatments to repair. A rare skin condition can also lead to hospitalization and worse based on the diagnosis.Catching these early and treating them with prescription medications (both topical and oral) can help you make great strides in getting rid of them fast.

Cancers – Cancers are usually considered the most dangerous of all the common skin conditions. These can be invasive and potentially life threatening strains such as melanoma or less aggressive but still aggressive forms such as basal and squamous cell carcinomas. If detected quickly enough and treated effectively, most forms of skin cancer are curable with melanoma needing to be caught the earliest to be battled correctly.

This is of course, not exhaustive list of skin conditions. Consulting a dermatologist is definitely recommended if you suspect that rashes or other breakouts may be the beginnings of a more serious condition. The vast majority of skin problems can be addressed by the wide array prescription medications currently available.

Japanese Skin Care Secrets for Beautiful Skin

Japanese skin care has drawn a lot of interest lately.  This is no doubt in response to the noticeable fact that the men and women of Asia seem to retain their youthful looks for far longer than people in other areas of the world.  What is it exactly that they are using in order to look so young?  What are the Japanese skincare secrets?

Hidden Skin Care Secrets Revealed

Consider this:  It may not be so much what they are using on their skin that is producing such a drastic difference in their skin.  It may be more of what they are eating that is preserving their bodies for such a long time.  Let’s take a look at diet as a factor in maintaining youthful looking skin.

Japanese Skin Care Diet

One of the reason that diet plays such a big factor in Japanese skincare is that many of the essential oils and fatty acids that are necessary in order for the skin to stay healthy are in the foods that they eat.  Being an island nation a large part of these people’s lifestyles have revolved around both fish, and sea vegetation.

Secret #1 – Omega-3

Of course everyone knows about the overwhelming health benefits that come from eating foods containing omega-3 fatty acids.  We are always being told that we have to eat fish two to three times per week in order to ensure that our levels of omega-3 are where they need to be in order for us to maintain our healthy bodily functions.

Including a lot of fish in their diets probably plays a huge role in Japanese skincare, but it also plays a role throughout your other organs and tissues also.   That is why it is advised that anyone who can’t eat fish take at least some sort of natural oral omega fatty acid supplement.

Secret #2 – Phytessence Wakame

What many people away from Asia don’t realize is that there is omega-3 in many forms of plants also, green leafy vegetables especially.  The Japanese also eat a lot of these vegetables, along with kelp and seaweed.  It is simply no wonder that these people look as young as they do with all of the fatty acids that they consume.

The same wonders of Japanese skin care are also available to you through either your diet, oral supplements, or through the use of selected skin care products that contain these ingredients.  Many skin care products now contain vegetable oils that will give you high doses of both omega-3 and of antioxidants.

One such company uses a type of sea kelp in their skin care products that can only be found in the Sea of Japan, which the Japanese have for centuries touted as their number one anti aging skin care secret. For more details see author box below.  It raises the level of hyaluronic acid in your skin to levels much higher level than normal for your age group.

So, if you want to follow a Japanese skin care regimen be sure to find a product line that contains Phytessence Wakame as an ingredient.  Also supplementing your diet with Omega-3 Fish Oil is a very wise move. Then you to will hold the secret to Asian beauty in your hands.

Skin Care Diet – What Is Bad For Skin

you’ve had a bad week – or maybe a bad month. You’ve been working overtime, your child is going through a difficult phase, your boyfriend’s eyes have started wandering, your boss seems to hate you, and you have insomnia. In other words, nothing in your life is going smoothly and you are feeling more stressed than ever. Chances are a few obvious pimples have sprung up since your life got so hectic. How do I know that? What do you think my face does when I’m feeling frazzled?

The reason for a spotty complexion is simple: When the body is under stress, it releases adrenal hormones, which are known generally as “stress hormones.” These hormones generate a number of changes in skin, including breakouts, oily patches, dry patches sallowness, dark circles under the eyes, and rashes. Obviously, you can’t avoid all forms of stress, but you can learn how to deal with them. Deep breathing, visualization, a professional or at-home massage, or even a spa-night at home can help relieve some of the tension.

Exercise boosts circulation, which in turn delivers oxygen-rich blood to the skin’s surface. The short-term result is a beautiful glow. According to some skin-care experts, the long-term benefit of exercise is improved skin elasticity and more efftcient new cell growth.

Rough treatment

As resilient as skin is, it also has a delicate side. Aggressive handling can make skin appear worn, abused, and just plain old. What qualifies as rough treatment? Picking pimples, which can cause scars; using overly hot water, which can break small capillaries and make skin dry; tugging at skin, which can break down collagen and elastin fibers and lead to slackness; and using harsh skin-care products, which can cause sensitivities and redness.

Skin and your diet

Severe diets that skimp on calories and on one or more nutrients are detrimental to your skin, and so are eating habits that include plenty of complexion-spoiling fast food. Here’s a rundown of common nutrient deficiencies and how they affect your complexion:

A lack of protein can lead to a dull, dry complexion and poor wound-healing.

A shortage of iron can result in a pale complexion.

A lack of vitamin A can produce dry skin or unexplained breakouts.

A deficiency in vitamin B Complex can result in cracks at the corners of the mouth, unexplained breakouts, impaired wound-healing, and pallor.

A lack of vitamin C can cause poor wound-healing, dullness, and easy bruising.

A shortage of vitamin E can lead to poor wound-healing and dry skin.

A lack of vitamin K can result in weak, broken, or distended facial capillaries.

Skin Care Products For Men

Back when I was young, a long time ago, mens skin care products generally consisted of shaving cream. Skin care for men wasn’t heard of, and men couldn’t have cared less.

Now mens skincare products are hot, and selling extremely well, and for good reason. Mens fashion/grooming is part of the new paradigm for men.

All those years ago things were different. Men were men. They ate a lot of steak, went camping and shooting a lot and only visited the doctor if they were about to die. Mens skin care? What was that? I use shaving cream don’t I?

Mens fashion was a new pair of jeans. And maybe a new pair of boots every now and then, when their toes were showing through the old ones. To go with the new pair of jeans.

Men’s grooming, and mens fashion, and for that matter mens health, have come a long way. I, for one, now visit the doctor regularly for checkups, keep fit, and take care of my skin with good quality mens skincare products. My father has had skin cancer and I need to take care of my skin as much as anyone.

That’s not because I want to keep up with the latest mens fashion, I’m way too old for fashion. It’s because I recognise that taking care of our skin, for a man, is a health issue. For my part, after being burned many times before anyone even knew how bad sunburn was for the skin, taking care of my skin now may prevent fatal skin cancer.

It’s never too late.

Mens skin care is also about looks though for many modern men. Mens fashion in the 21st century is also about anti aging and youthful looks, like it is for women.

It’s not good enough now for men to use a good shaving cream, buy themselves a new pair of jeans every other year, and eat steak every second night.

There’s now available a wide range of high quality mens grooming and anti aging and skin care products. Men can take care of their hair with good hair care products, nail care products help take care of their nails, and good skin care products help men take care of their skin. Mens grooming products are slowly catching up to womens grooming products with increasing sales and increased quality.

However note that I said “high quality” skin care products for men.

The “high quality” part is extremely important. There are many skin care and anti aging products on the market that are not “high quality”.

Unfortunately big brand name mens skin care products and mens anti aging products share many characteristics with popular womens anti aging products.

They don’t work very well, or at all, and are overpriced, often by necessity to pay for all that overhyped TV advertising using highly paid big name stars.

But worst of all, many of the ingredients used in skin care products in general can be suspect or downright harmful to our health, and skin. And that includes popular mens skin care products too.

Luckily there are companies that are producing highly effective and very cost competitive natural skin care products, including mens anti aging products.

And they are highly cost competitive too, primarily because these companies don’t spend up big on TV advertising, which is why you’ve probably never heard of them.

They produce natural skin care products using natural non toxic ingredients, and these include natural mens skin care products and mens anti aging products.

So if you’re a man, or for that matter a woman who knows a man who needs to take better care for his skin, rejoice.

There are excellent natural mens skincare products available, no toxic that work extremely well.

And modern men are using them more and more, and seeing the difference.

Common Herbs and Essential Oils in Skin Care

Essential oils and herbs offer so many benefits in your skin care regime.  Below are common essential oils and herbs commonly found in skin care products:

Almond and Almond Oil – A great vegetable oil for dry skin.  Commonly used as a carrier oil to blend with other essentials oils.  Easily absorbed into the skin and is an excellent emollient with nourishing properties.  Safety Precautions:  People with nut allergies should avoid almonds and almond oil.

Jojoba –.Jojoba oil makes a great scalp cleanser and hair conditioner.  Additionally, because of its absorption properties it is commonly used in skin care propducts as a cleaning agent, makeup remover and moisturizer…  It has a great effect on fighting wrinkles, as well as having an anti-bacterial effect on the skin.  Jojoba oil can be used as base carrier oil into which other essential oils can be diluted before applying it to the skin. Safety Precautions: No reports of toxicity

Aloe Vera – Aloe is used externally for skin irritation, burns, sunburn, wounds, eczema, psoriasis, acne, and dermatitis.  Aloe Vera has good astringent qualities.  When used with other ingredients it soothes the skin and stimulates cell regeneration. The oil is combined in massage therapy for its healing and rejuvenating properties. Safety Precautions: When used topically, some individuals may have an allergic reaction and a skin patch test (behind the ear or on the forearm) is advised before use.

Anise – Cooled down tea made from anise can be sponged on the face to help lighten the complexion.   Safety Precautions: On the whole, anise is a safe herb to use but due to its trans-anethole estrogen-like action, it may be best avoided during pregnancy or when suffering from endometriosis or any estrogen dependant cancers.

Avocado – Moisturizes, reduces appearance of age spots, heals sun damage and scars.  Additionally, avocado regenerates and rejuvenates the skin. Avocado increases collagen in the skin and therefore is an anti-aging ingredient in skin care.  Avocado oil has superior moisturizing qualities.

Carrot – A superb skin-nourishing essential oil, carrot seed helps balance both oily and dry complexions, heals damaged skin, and helps aged skin by reducing age spots and wrinkles. Safety Precautions: Carrot seeds and carrot seed oil should not be used excessively during pregnancy.

Chamomile – Tones all types of complexions. The anti-inflammatory effect of this essential oil applied topically improves skin regeneration, and a cold compress does wonders for puffy eyes. Chamomile is used in facial steams to reduce puffiness and cleanse the pores of the skin. Safety Precautions: Handling fresh chamomile plants may cause dermatitis in some individuals. It should not to be used when using anti-coagulant drugs. Please note that the essential oil is said to stimulate the uterus and should be used with care in pregnancy. Allergic reactions may occur for those that are allergic to daisies.

Green Tea – has an antioxidant effect that helps to keep wrinkles at bay.  External use: Green tea is often included in anti-aging skin care products for the antioxidant properties contained in the herb.  Green tea is a powerful antioxidant, a potent anti-inflammatory agent thereby reducing inflammation in the skin, and having a inhibitory action on collagens – an enzymatic action in the skin where the collagen is broken down, resulting in more firm and elastic skin.  In hair care, it can be used with great success to improve the gloss and shine of the hair.   Safety Precautions: When pregnant or nursing only limited amounts of green tea should be used, and it can also interfere with MAO inhibitors and blood thinning medication.  It should not be consumed together with other medication, as it may interfere with the absorption of such medicine.

Geranium – Wonderful oil for mature and troubled skin and brings a radiant glow and promotes circulation. Safety Precautions: Geranium essential oil is well tolerated by most individuals, but since it helps in balancing the hormonal system, care must be taken during pregnancy.

Ginseng – Ginseng is used in cosmetics for its rejuvenating properties. The vast amount of properties gives Ginseng an almost unlimited use in cosmetics. Its activity makes it useful in nourishing creams, in treating wrinkled and aged skin and in all cosmetic products used to retard the onset of age.  Ginseng may be used in products for weak hair and lotions for preventing hair loss as it stimulates growth and gives strength.  Safety Precautions: May worsen the side effects of stimulants such as coffee, and should best be avoided when consuming alcohol.  Not normally used by pregnant women and is not indicated for use by young children, people suffering from depression, high blood pressure, anxiety or any acute inflammatory disease.  Excess may cause headaches, restlessness, high blood pressure, and nausea.

Honey – Refines pores; tightens skin; moisturizes; retards wrinkles; anti-blemish

Jasmine – On the skin, it is used with great effect to treat dry, stressed and sensitive skins and also helps to increase elasticity. Safety Precautions: Although well tolerated, this heavy scented essential oil should be used sparingly, and specially so during pregnancy.

Lanolin – Moisturizer; softener; emollient

Lavender – Lavender skin care products are ideal for oily and combination skin. It has antiseptic and stimulant properties.  Lavender is useful in treating skin conditions such as abscesses, acne, allergies, athlete’s foot, boils, bruises, burns, dandruff, dermatitis, earache, eczema, inflammations, insect bites and stings, insect repellant, lice, psoriasis, ringworm, scabies, sores, spots, all skin types, sunburn and wounds. Safety Precautions: Although the essential oil is well tolerated by all skin types, it must be, like all essential oils, used with care – remember essential oils are powerful and very concentrated.

Mud – (including clay, fuller’s earth) reduced large pores; absorb excess grease in oily skin; improves circulation. Safety Precautions: No Toxicity Reported

Nuts – (almonds, cashews, pecans): Scrub to refine pores, combat wrinkles, blackheads and dryness

Oats – Excellent emollient properties.  Oats have a softening effect on sensitive skin. It helps to reduce the irritation caused on the skin by harsh climatic conditions or on skin with this kind of problem. It plays an important role in the treatment of older skin as well as problem skin.  Safety Precautions: No Toxicity Reported

Patchouli – It can be used for inflamed and itching skin.  The oil promotes cell rejuvenation, tightening of loose skin and heals wounds and sores, while sorting out rough, cracked skin.  Safety Precautions:  The essential oil of patchouli is well tolerated, but its heavy fragrance indicates use in low dosage.

Rose – Astringent and luxurious, rose oils and rose waters are welcome additions to almost any skin care formulation   has an astringent effect on oily skin, reducing puffiness, edema and has a slight tightening effect. The oil most effective for moisturizing and hydrating the skin while having a general stimulant and antiseptic action which is good for all skin types, but especially so for dry, mature and irritated skin. It is used to repair broken capillaries, inflammation, as well as skin redness and is useful in eczema  Safety Precautions: None noted.

Rosemary – Antioxidant properties, and secondly has a remarkable stimulating effect on the skin.  Traditionally used for hair and scalp stimulation, as well as anti-aging products.  Safety Precautions: Rosemary essential oil has a highly stimulating action and may not be suitable for people with epilepsy or high blood pressure. The essential oil should also not be used during pregnancy.

Seaweed – very good cellulite reducing capabilities All seaweeds are rich in compounds that are of specific use in the cosmetic industry

Yogurt – Cleanser; bleach; for normal and oily skin

As with any new skin care or hair product, a patch test is recommended.

Taking Care of Your Skin for the First Time

I never paid much attention to my skin because I never had any skin problems. I never bothered with skin care products because I didn’t need to. Now I’m seeing wrinkles and spots forming, I guess it’s just too late to anything about it.” If this sounds like you, you may want to keep reading.Never fear, because there is still much that you can do to help your skin. If you are lost in sea of product choices, you can still be assured cosmetic dermatology can offer many alternative treatments.

Not surprisingly, many adults rarely consult a dermatologist that is until AFTER the signs of aging have appeared. Wrinkles, of course, are the chief complaint. Your skin may feel  rough to the touch, and even sore, especially in drying environmental  conditions such as on an airplane or in a low-humidity environment like the desert or high-altitude cities. In the winter, when indoor heating is used, your skin gets even more dehydrated, making the wrinkles look worse. Your skin may catch on rough clothing. You may also notice wrinkles on your neck or others parts of your body.

Those who have never had skin issues or were blessed to even have beautiful skin for most of the lives, are now desperate to address the skin wrinkles and many run to the dermatologist feeling a lot of regret. Although genes certainly play a role in one’s skin condition, decades of neglect, or even mistreatment of their skin is most frequently the source of their skin problems.  Many say that if they knew then what they know now, they would have done things very differently and taken better care of their skin.
There are numerous explanations for unhealthy skin but the main causes tend to be an unhealthy diet, an ineffectual cleansing routine, and poor lifestyle choices.

Poor Diet
Your skin is a living, breathing organ of the body and it needs proper nourishment and hydration to look and feel its best. When your skin is deprived of the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that it needs it is unable to functional at optimal levels and the structure slowly begins to break down. This breakdown results in dry skin, blemishes, discoloration, wrinkles, and premature ageing.

In order to avoid this breakdown you need to feed your skin a varied mix of important nutrients each day. Ingesting sufficient amounts of vitamin A, a nutrient that can be found in citrus fruits and orange vegetables, can help you avoid dry skin and blemishes. Eating foods rich in the vitamin B group like brewer’s yeast or breads, or taking a vitamin B group supplement, can help you ward of skin discoloration, dry skin, dermatitis, shallow skin, and premature ageing.

To help discourage wrinkles, pale skin, sun damage, blemishes, and other unhealthy skin symptoms, nutrients like calcium, protein, iodine, niacin, folic acid, iron, and copper are very important to a healthy diet. Get these effective skin helpers by enjoying foods like mild, eggs, cheese, chicken, fish, leafy vegetables, fruits, and grains.

Poor Hygiene
Another common cause of unhealthy skin is poor hygiene. Whether this involves the failure to clean your skin often enough or the use of an ineffective cleansing routine, built-up dirt and grime can lead to blemishes, premature ageing, shallowness, dry skin, and wrinkles.

When your skin is not properly cleaned on a regular basis, dirt, pollution and other harmful substances are allowed to build up on your skin and clog the pores. Clogged pores result in breakouts, dry skin, and the reduction of cell renewal.

To get the most out of your cleansing routine make sure that you wash your skin twice a day, everyday. Also, make sure that you are using an effective cleanser like a soap that is specially formulated for deep cleansing. Make sure that you use gentle pressure when cleaning the skin, do not scrub or pull on the skin since this can result in tiny tears that are susceptible to irritation and infection. Finally, always follow your cleansing routine with a hydrating moisturizer that also contains a sunscreen in order to hydrate your skin and protect it from sun damage.

Bad Lifestyle Habits
Even if you enjoy a healthy diet and pay special attention to your skin care regime you can still be sabotaging the health of your skin by indulging in unhealthy habits. Habits like sun tanning, smoking, choosing fizzy drinks or sodas over water, and wearing heavy makeup can lead to the development of unhealthy skin. Avoid excessive sun exposure, always wear sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15, stop smoking and avoid those who smoke, drink plenty of water, and choose light cosmetics if you want your skin to stay young and healthy looking for years to come.

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