Natural Skin Care Products

The market in beauty products has increased significantly in the last 25 years but in the last 10 years there has been an increasing interest in the ingredients contained within the lotions, creams and potions we apply so liberally to our skin - the largest organ of our human bodies.

Many main stream manufacturers still include a range of not so natural ingredients in their products:

- waste products from the petrochemical industry
- lead and other heavy metals
- products extracted from animal carcasses

Many of these ingredients are given scientific sounding names. While the cynic may say this is a deliberate attempt to confuse the consumer, a more charitable view is that this is done in pursuit of accurate labeling.

As an effect of the heightened awareness of health matters and the confusion concern ingredients and labeling, a new sector of this profitable market has appeared. The necessity for natural skin care and cosmetics.

But just how natural is natural?

Many consumers need natural ingredients but are not prepared to accept the essential compromise in product performance. A classic example is with the ingredient Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. This is a synthetic detergent derived from coconut oil and it appears in a wide range of shampoos, bath products, toothpastes and liquid soaps. It is what gives these products the luxurious bubbles and lather to which we have all become accustomed. A number of reports have suggested that this ingredient is harmful and many consumers now seek products containing an alternative.

Manufacturers then developed Sodium Laureth Sulphate, which is considered less irritating than Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. When this was condemned, Ammonium Laureth Sulphate and Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate were substituted. Once again these are synthetic detergents developed from coconut oil and they are still considered to be an irritant. Some reports have further suggested they may be carcinogenic.

Unless consumers have knowledge of biochemistry it is almost impossible to discern what ingredients are natural and what are not. The SLS saga is but one example of this confusion.

It is ironic that a number of "natural" manufacturers aggressively promote their products by denigrating the products of competing companies - despite the fact that the ingredients they contain are essentially the same.

Consumers need to make themselves aware of the real meanings behind the mysterious names on their cosmetic bottles and jars and educate themselves about the various aliases they are likely to encounter.

Depending on the reasons for wanting to buy natural products, some ingredients may be more acceptable than others. Take Lanolin for example. Lanolin is extracted from the fleece of sheep. It has been shown to contain a large number of chemicals used to kill parasites that may live on the sheep. Many eczema sufferers find that treatment with lanolin-based products - despite the chemicals - helps to reduce symptoms. The advantages of Lanolin treatment outweigh the disadvantage of potential contaminants. This is a value judgment that persons will need to make.

Of course, one of the best ways to ensure that your products are natural is to make them yourself. There are a growing number of companies providing organic based ingredients to facilitate home manufacture of products. Natural cosmetics are surprisingly easy to make in the home using nothing more than regular kitchen equipment. This may be an alternative worth checking-out.

Tips for Natural Skin Care

Our skin is the reflection of our health and vitality, physical, mental and emotional wellness. A radiant and glowing skin indicates good health, positive attitude and vibrates self-confidence. On the other hand, a dull and blemished skin shows an unhealthy body, stressful lifestyle and carelessness towards one’s own personality.

Who doesn’t want to look good, and good looks start with good skin. You may think it’s not such a big issue; there are several products in the market to make the skin beautiful and glowing in a jiffy. But as you use them, you must also be realizing that it is not so. These cosmetic products produce temporary effects on skin, have lots of side effects, and are very costly and not suited to all skin types. Then, what’s the way out? Here’s where we come to our topic of discussion, to care for the skin in a natural way that is natural skin care.

Natural skin care is not just about using skin products produced without chemicals; it’s an ongoing process of a result of a healthy life-style, right diet and off-course right skin products to be applied directly.

First of all, natural way of caring for skin starts with some life-style changes we need to take care of. Getting enough sleep: ‘Beauty sleep’ is not just a saying; its meaning goes far beyond that. As the rest of the body, for healthy skin, sleeping adequately is a must. At least 7 – 8 hours of sleep (hours vary for person to person), ensures a relaxed mind and body, normal blood flow, takes care of all wear and tear during the day, energizes you and brings the glow back in the morning. Dark circles around the eyes, blotchy skin, and lifeless appearance of face are all side effects of not getting enough sleep. So switch off that TV, log-off your laptop, and get from the party on time to catch a good night’s sleep. Get Moving: Now that you’ve got enough sleep, its time for some exercises as well. Be active, walk, jog, exercise, hit the gym, do stretches during office hours too, take the stairs, do anything to keep moving. Inactivity affects the skin by promoting bloating and puffiness, cellulite and loss of muscle tone. Exercise also helps us to relax and de-stress, both necessary for a healthy skin.

Drink lots of water: Water helps to detoxify the body’s system, bathes the cells, eliminates waste products, help in digestion, purify blood and the list goes on and on. The point is to have at least 2 liters of water a day, avoid carbonated and sweetened drinks and have fresh juices and soups as additional source of fluids.

For a shiny and smooth skin, drinking honey mixed in warm water in the morning helps a lot. Secondly, natural way of caring for skin by eating right. Let’s discuss some basic points: Have lots of fiber: Eating food that is rich in fiber help a good digestion and constipation is totally taken care of. This eliminates the root of many skin problems like acne, psoriasis, spotty skin etc. we must have lots of fruits, fresh veggies, whole grains, and salad. The idea is to cut on processed food and fast food because these contain almost no fiber. Eating things in their natural form is the mantra to get the most benefit out of it.

Cut on excess sugar: The more we take sugar, the more sugar enters our bloodstream. Over some time, this results in a process where the glucose molecules damages protein molecule by sticking to it. This causes damage in collagen, cartilage and ligament, thus forming wrinkles. So, the next time, you are adding the second spoon of sugar to your tea/ coffee or going to bite on your favorite sweet…think again!!

Get some good fats: These are the fats needed to build cells, membrane, hormones etc. Lack of the good fat can lead to eczema, acne and dry skin. The sources to get these fats are cold-water fish, walnut oil, flaxseed oil, nuts; also you can try fish oil supplements.

Apart from these basic dietary requirements, we need to have a balanced diet containing Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins, Fats, all essential ingredients which comprises an adequate diet. This is absolutely vital for a healthy body and mind along with a smooth, glowing skin.

Last but not the least, we come to the most interesting part of out discussion. Natural skin care products, to be applied regularly for best results. According to the classic definition of natural skin care products, these are products found and used in their natural or raw form without any chemicals and manufactured in such a way so as to preserve the integrity of the ingredient.

There are many products, which can be bought from the market, manufactured by reputed companies. But best is to spend a little time and prepare some easy recipes for taking care of common skin problems and daily cleansing and toning.

Skin Care Tips:

· Stop using soap on your face (if possible, on body also). Use gram flour and milk to make a paste. Apply it gently and rub a little, then wash off with water. Believe me, it’s much better that any soap!!

· Massage body with mustard oil 10 minutes before bath, and then take a warm bath. Your skin will be moisturized and smooth.

· Massage your body with milk. Milk moisturizes your skin naturally. · For daily cleansing, mix sandal wood powder with rose water and add 4-5 drops of milk in it, then apply on face and body. After 10 minutes, take a warm bath.

· Warm honey and mix with lemon juice, then apply on face. Let it dry, and then wash off with warm water. It refreshes and cleanses your skin.

· For preparing natural bleach, mix lemon juice in milk. Then massage it on your face and body. It bleaches you skin naturally.

· To remove sun-tan, mix cucumber juice with tomato juice, rub on skin, wash off with cold water.

· Mix milk cream with flour, apply that paste on to your skin, then wash off to get a smooth skin.

These are the basic ways of caring for skin naturally. The glow and radiance that comes with the natural care practice is for all to see and is everlasting. Just remember: Beauty is not skin deep…still it starts with the skin!

Skin Health Secrets: How to apply skin care products

Skin Health Secrets: How to apply skin care products

It is pretty well known that different people get different results with the same skin care products. This can be caused by variations in body chemistry, but more often than not it’s because everyone applies skin care products differently.
Of course, if a particular product doesn’t give you the results you expect, it doesn’t always mean you are applying the product incorrectly. Unfortunately, many products just don't work as advertised, no matter what you do! To top that off, some products may work for some people but not for others even when used properly. Nevertheless, when a product doesn’t work, it may often be due to incorrect application.
Products like skin creams, gels. or lotions are a mixture of chemicals that have a biological action, applied topically to the skin. So the effectiveness depends on whether the active ingredients work, and whether they are absorbed properly into your skin. Your skin’s temperature, hydration, environment and other factors will influence your skin's ability to absorb the active ingredients in a product. To be sure that you get optimal effectiveness of you skin care products:

Cleanse skin before applying any products. The best time to apply is right after you come out of a warm shower or bath because not only is your skin clean, but it is also moist and warm, so it will absorb whatever you apply much better. Do not wash with hot water because excessive heat accelerates aging. Water should be comfortably warm but not hot. However, if you plan to apply anything oily that blocks the pores, splash cool water on yourself to close pores. Just pat dry with a towel. Also, use a charcoal shower filter to prevent exposure to the chlorine in the water. You probably drink bottled or filtered water - but you can absorb more chlorine through your skin during a shower than you would get from an 8 oz. glass of water!

When cleansing your skin, don't use regular soap or shampoo, they’re much too drying. Use a good moisturizing soap, a skin cleanser, or plain warm (not hot) water.

The top layer of skin is mostly made from dry, dead cells. When this layer becomes too thick, either from aging or poor skin care skin, the active ingredients of a skin care product have trouble penetrating. Professional microdermabrasion safely removes that top layer of skin, revealing the healthier, younger-looking skin underneath and allowing skin care products to be better absorbed for greater effectiveness. In addition, microdermabrasion done regularly strengthens the skin by stimulating elastin and collagen production, which helps diminish wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars and many other blemishes.

Use short, firm strokes to apply skin care products. Do not stretch the skin. Do not rub. After applying, gently massage the products into your skin by tapping the area with your fingers for 30 seconds or so.

When using a professional microdermabrasion product at home, it is important to read the directions and follow them very carefully. Remember, professional microdermabrasion is usually applied with expensive machines and medically-trained professionals. You can save a lot by doing it yourself, but don’t be over-eager to get that 10-years-younger look. Apply the sponges gently the first time - let your skin adjust to the application. Add a little more time and pressure each application, about 2 weeks apart, up to a maximum of 3-5 minutes (depending on the sensitivity of your skin).

If you have sensitive skin or allergies, always test the products you want to use first on a small patch of skin on your underarm (the soft skin on the bottom of your forearm).

DO YOU HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN?
Did you know sensitive skin is very common? More than 40% of people say they have it. Its causes include age, heredity, gender, and racial differences. These questions below can help you find out if your skin may be sensitive. Of course, a trip to your dermatologist is the best way to find out!

Does your skin get extra dry after you wash it with soap?

Does your skin get extra oily and break out after you use particular types of moisturizers?

If you answered Yes to one or both of these questions, you may have sensitive skin.

Does your skin get red, itch, burn, or feel "tight" after coming into direct or indirect contact with perfumes and/or particular shampoos, shaving creams, detergents, dish soaps, hair sprays, cleaning products, or deodorants?

Irritants to sensitive skin include many household and personal products. The fragrances and dyes in just about every household product, and many personal care products, can cause irritation either from direct contact or even from deposits left on your clothes, towels, or bedding. If you have any of the classic signs and symptoms of sensitive skin in Question 3, try to use hypoallergenic products without ingredients known to cause skin reactions.

Does your skin get red, itch, burn, or feel "tight" after extended exposure to sun, wind, heat, or cold?

Sensitive skin often reacts to extreme weather conditions. In fact, anything in the environment that damages your skin's natural protective barrier against water evaporation -- called sebum -- can irritate sensitive skin.

Do you have acne or psoriasis?

People with acne, psoriasis, or skin conditions like eczema often have sensitive skin. These conditions impair immune system functioning and/or destroy the skin's protective barrier. If you have of these conditions, you may have sensitive skin.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Kathleen Williams is the developer of DermaSponge, a home microdermabrasion product which achieves results comparable to professional treatments at a fraction of the cost. She is also the founder of www.dermanesse.com, where her products may be purchased.

What is Oily Skin, How to Treat It, and How NOT to Treat It

What is Oily Skin, How to Treat It, and How NOT to Treat It

1 out of every 2 teenagers has oily skin. We hear about it every day on TV and the radio in ads for Proactive and Murad. Stars like Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton, Puff Daddy, Eminem, and even Paris Hilton all pitch various products and treatments for oily skin. Most of these products are nothing more than a mild benzoyl peroxide or salicylic (less than 2%) cleanser. The reality is that when we questioned real dermatologists none recommended these products. Their actual recommendations were: 1) skin peels and laser treatments. 2) tetracycline 3) Accutane - in severe acne cases only. 4) Doxycycline 5) Cetaphil - Every dermatologist said this was a great face wash. You have to remember Paris Hilton, Eminem, and Jessica Simpson are all paid endorsers. Read the fine print. Not one of them guarantees or stands behind the product. To properly treat oily skin and the acne it can and usually does cause, you have to get to the source. Benzoyl peroxide will only affect the surface and irritate it. Salicylic acid is a weaker acid and must be used in much stronger strengths to be effective - lees than 10% just won't cut it. What really works is treating the bacteria that are rampant in oily skin. This is what causes acne. A trichloroacetic acid (TCA peel) skin peel is the most effective external treatment and now the most cost effective as it is currently available to consumers for in home use. A TCA peel will alter the skin pH (acidity levels) and make the conditions unfavorable for the bacteria. TCA peels will also get rid of excess oil, increase exfolliation, collagen production, and new skin production - all helpful with oily skin. TCA peels are also very effective on acne scars - an added plus. And the best thing is there are no side effects. Tetracycline is available by prescription only. It will kill the bacteria, but only for as long as you keep taking it. It will not affect the oilyness and is not effective against mild to severe acne. It also has side effects like yellow teeth. Their are similar antibiotics like doxycycline that have basically the same results. Accutane is a very drastic prescription only medication. The side effects can be quite severe and are common. Blood tests must be done on a weekly or monthly basis. Accutane will cease the production of oil by stopping the functionality of the sebaceous glands. Usually this was reserved for mild to severe acne patients. The complications are so severe there have been numerous class action lawsuits (just watch TV or look up Sokolove the attorneys office on the internet). Lasers have been used in a limited capacity as they are still too expensive and are mostly effective on thee resultant scarring from the acne, not on the oilyness and excess sebum production. So, straight from real non-paid dermatologists all over the country, one can conclude that the most effective treatment with the least cost is TCA peels. And they are now available for home use. Now you know how to permanently cure oily skin, treat acne, and have beautiful skin from a real dermatologists perspective. Don't be misled by a highly compensated endorser like Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson, Eminem, Puff Daddy, etc...

Skin Care Enhance Your Pretty Look

Skin Care Enhance Your Pretty Look

Who doesn’t want to look beautiful? Everybody wants to look pretty and fresh. Taking care of your skin is one way to achieve what you hope for. Whether we like it or not, beauty does seem to affect the ease and success of an individual's life. That’s why no body wants to look pale, unhealthy and dull.

Perfect beauty is absolutely what you and all women desire. You can feel good about yourself if you have good look. Thus, skin care, hair care, and other beauty treatments should be on your program then. You will need some tips in order to make them successful. Here are some skin care treatment tips, given free just for you!

Tips for Perfect Beauty
There is no doubt that your skin needs special treatment since it is the body’s largest organ. You may not know how to take good care of your skin, how frequent you should do it, and so on. Keeping the skin moist, elastic, and smooth is one of the best ways of skin care treatment. Look at these helpful tips below:

1. The first thing you must know about skin care treatment is to do it regularly. You can start it from the very easy way, like washing your hands and face with a natural soap or cleanser.

2. Which type of skin do you have? Dry, normal, or oily skin? Get to know your type and use appropriate skin care products for the treatment. Consult with your beautician if you’re not sure about it.

3. Eat lots of healthy foods, namely fresh fruits and vegetables which act as great antioxidants. They are substances that prevent damage in the body caused by free radicals. Strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, tuna, and mostly seafood, as well as onions, garlic, and broccoli are great sources of food high in antioxidant.

4. Avoid smoking and stay away from alcohol. They are real skin enemies since they create wrinkles to your skin and making it dry.

5. Carry out proper treatments for your skin: clean your skin with water and free-chemicals cleansing products everyday, scrub your skin regularly to remove dead cells and smooth the skin, and moisturize it with skin lotion and cream containing high amount of vitamin E.

Those tips above are actually only a few of numerous skin treatments. You should maintain your youthful looks by always giving good care of your skin. Consuming vitamins and supplements is also a good way to do it. Don’t forget to drink a lot of water and exercise regularly! Have a healthy skin, and of course a healthy living!

About the author:
Loraine Lesley is editor for some Website concerning women. She wants to help women to look beautiful, that’s why her object features practical articles and tips on Skin Care, Hair Care, and more. To discover more of her advice, visit http://www.myskincareonline.comand http://www.myhaircareguide.com