Showing posts with label skin care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skin care. Show all posts

How To Get Gorgeous Skin

Don't go to bed with makeup on. Makeup left on overnight seeps into your pores, clogs them, and congests your skin. Make sure that you wash your face twice at the end of the day. Once to get the makeup off. A second time to wash the skin itself.
Exfoliate twice a week. After washing your face at night, be sure to exfoliate. Use a delicate scrub a non-abrasive formula that will not irritate or scratch your skin. If you don't have one on hand, a tablespoon of sugar and champagne or oatmeal will work just fine.

Use facial masks regularly. If possible, everyday is ideal. Again, if you don't have one on hand, make your own. Mashed banana or avocado is good. Plain yogurt also works well.

Keep a treatment and moisturizer on your face, day or night. Put your skin first. After you wash it at night, put on some kind of skin treatment, whether it's alpha hydroxy acid, vitamin A or C, or any kind of special cocktail treatment. Beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid, is a topical exfoliate that minimizes the appearance of aging. Let that sink in, then put a moisturizer over that. In the morning, do the same.

Don't use the cheapest or most expensive cosmetics. I have experienced that the moderately priced cosmetics are the best. They get the job done, and the ingredients are usually very good. Face powder and foundation is the only items you may want to spend money on. Lipsticks and other facial makeup products do come in more selections of colors in pricier brands than drugstore brands. You have to keep trying various brands until you find something that works well for you.

Hydrate your face throughout the day. Whether it's a commercial product, or one you make yourself (fill a spray bottle with distilled water, add a few drops of chamomile or rose essential oil, shake it gently before each use, and spray it on) hydrate your face, even over makeup, frequently throughout the day.

Treat your face gently. Never pull, tug, or scrub your facial skin. Be very gentle when you clean it, moisturize it or makeup on it. This will lessen the chance that you'll damage your skin and get wrinkles.

Keep your face covered when you're in the sun. As beautiful as you are never lets anyone see you her face when your in the sun. Slather on a high factor sunscreen, put on sunglasses, and a wide brimmed hat.

Dehydration- It's important to drink at least eight glasses of water (or other non-carbonated, non-caffeinated beverages) daily to keep your skin moisturized, keep your hair healthy and keep your healthy glow.

Eat fresh foods and drink lots of water. Stay away from too much "dead food" food that's basically not fresh and is processed, like chips. She always eat lots of veggies, fruits, nuts, and drinks tons of water.

Let go of stress. Stress can show up on your face, no matter how well you take care of your skin. Do something your enjoy everyday, whether it's watching TV or going shopping. Your face reflects what's going on inside of your mind.

SMOKING- Do not smoke. You already know it can kill you, but did you know that it causes hair in unwanted places, e.g. lip hair? Were you aware that it causes wrinkles and premature aging? It turns your teeth, skin, and fingernails a disgusting yellow over time.

Lack of Sleep- When you don't sleep, you don't look your best. You're guaranteed to have puffy or dark circles underneath your eyes. Your body needs 7-8 hours every night to rejuvenate. During this time your skin is repairing it's self.

SKIN CARE TIPS - For glowing skin

Skin Care Tips For Glowing skin
• A face mask of egg white and honey gently removes the tan from your face.

• Mix oats with honey, yogurt and ground almonds. Apply this in your face, leave it for five minutes and wash with lukewarm water.

• Cucumber is a natural cleanser. Mix cucumber juice with milk and use it instead of a cleanser.

• Take 1/3-cup cocoa, three teaspoons of heavy cream, 1/3-cup ripe papaya, 1/4-cup honey and three teaspoons of oatmeal powder. Mix it all together. Apply on your face. After 10 minutes, wash your face with warm water. This is best for oily skin.

• For oily skin, apply a mixture of grapes, lemon and egg white. Leave it for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water. While lemon acts as a natural cleanser, grapes will soften your skin and egg whites will tighten it. Don’t be alarmed if your skin tingles.

• Cut the lemon and rub the wedge all over your face. Leave it for about 20 minutes, then rinse off with cold water. This will refresh your face. Avoid doing this if you have dry skin.

• Mix honey, lemon and vegetable oil .This mixture is a good moisturiser for dry skin. Apply this mask for 10 minutes.

• Apply the mixture of honey and milk on the face . This will make your skin glow.

• Prepare a mask by mixing a slice of pumpkin with egg yolk and milk. Let this mask set on your face for 30 minutes for a glowing skin.

• Mix half-a-cup honey to your bath water for soft and smooth skin.

• For a soothing body pack, prepare a paste of mint leaves and almonds. Mix it with warm water and apply all over your body. Leave it till it dries and rinse with warm water.

• Buttermilk dabbed on skin for 15 minutes will soak up oil from your skin without drying it.

• Carrot juice applied daily fades blemishes.

• For dark underarms and neck apply lemon juice mixed with cucumber juice and a pinch of turmeric daily. Leave this on for 20 minutes.

• For removing facial hair.. Apply a sticky paste of egg white blended with sugar and corn flour. When it dries, gently peel it off. Repeat this three to four times a week.

• Thin apple slices rubbed onto oily skin will help in controlling oily shine.

• For supple skin, apply a ripe smashed banana on your face for 20 minutes daily.

• Cauliflower juice applied on warts regularly will make them fall.

• For a fair skin, try this natural bleach. Mix orange peels (sun dried and powdered) with milk. Apply this paste for 25 minutes and wash off.

• Mix half teaspoon dried curry leaf powder with multani mitti (fullers earth) and apply on the face. Wash it after it gets dry.

• Apply the mixture of tomato juice and honey on the face and neck , wash it after 15 minutes.

• Apply the mixture of carrot juice and basin. Leave it till it dries and wash the face.

• Add two teaspoon of tomato juice with 4 teaspoon of curd and apply on the face.

• Add a pinch of yeast with 2 teaspoon of cabbage juice and apply.

• Mix 1 table spoon of barley powder with half teaspoon of lime juice and 1 teaspoon of honey. Apply it on the face and wash after 20 minutes.

• Mix pineapple juice and carrot juice together and apply it on the face and wash it after 15 minutes.

• Mix vinegar and rose water in equal quantities and apply.

• Mix curd and cucumber juice and apply it on the face.

• Apply the mixture of coconut water and thick pineapple juice.

• Make a paste with 1/2 teaspoon of milk powder, 1/4 teaspoon of egg white and 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice and apply on the face.

• For dry skin, Make a paste with egg yolk, olive oil and lemon juice. Apply it on the neck and face, wash it out after 10 minutes.

• For oily skin, take a mixture of oatmeal and egg white and apply it on the neck and face

• For glowing skin, use basin or green gram powder mixed with milk instead of soap.

• Apply the mixture of raw turmeric and cream of milk on the face and wash it after 20 minutes. It will make your skin fair.

• Apply the mixture of honey, basin, cream of milk and olive oil as a face pack.

• Apply the paste of fenugreek with milk on the face and let it dry. Wash off with luke warm water.

• Make a paste of red sandal wood and apply it on the face every day for glowing skin.

• Make a paste with red sandal powder and coconut milk and apply on the face for soft skin.

Skin Care Remedies

There are number of natural and herbal products specially used for skin care that are useful in promoting healthy and beautiful skin.

Lime juice:
Add some lime juice in a glass of boiled milk with a teaspoon of glycerin and stir well. This mixture should be applied every night before going to bed for a fresh, healthy and young Looking skin. It also prevents the appearance of acne.

Peach Skin:
Use the inside of the peach gently massages the skin of the face every night before bed. It cleanses the skin and frees the pores allowing the skin to breathe easier. It also has astringent properties that help to strengthen the muscles of the face, so avoid depression.

Natural cleansing lotion:
Cleanses and purifies the pores of the skin. Mix one teaspoon each of milk and cucumber juice with a teaspoon of lime juice quarter, stir well and apply to face and neck. Wash after fifteen minutes, and the result is a naturally healthy and glowing skin.

Watermelon, mandarin oranges and orange juice treatment:
Citrus fruits contain vitamin C are extremely essential for good looks bright. A simple remedy is to apply freshly squeezed tangerine juice or orange liberally throughout your face and forehead. To treat acne, you can use a paste made from powdered sun dried pips of green oranges at bedtime. Similarly, the juice of watermelon is also useful in removing stains on the skin.

Orange and Carrot tonic:
Mix two tablespoons of milk and one tablespoon each of chopped carrot and orange juice to a paste of ground blanched almonds and dried and applied throughout the face and neck. Leave about half an hour before washing off. It helps to remove scars and blemishes of the face, prevents acne and makes it soft and smooth.

Tomatoes:
The tomato paste applied liberally on the face helps to achieve a clear and good looks. The application of a tablespoon of tomato juice and a few drops of lime juice to your face is very effective to reduce enlarged pores. To remove excessive sunburns use two teaspoons of tomato juice and four tablespoons of butter.

Cucumber:
Apply a grated cucumber over the eyes and face and leave for 20 minutes. It is an excellent tonic for the facial skin. Regular use of cucumber prevents pimples, blackheads, wrinkles, dryness and face. A cucumber lotion of one tablespoon of cucumber juice and milk with a few drops of water is an excellent whitening agent pink skin and leaves the skin glowing.

Natural Remedies for Skincare

Our skin plays an important role in our lives. In addition to protecting our bodies and internal organs, skin and its condition can also have an impact on appearance. For that reason, there are many men and women who are always on the lookout for ways to improve their skin or repair skin damage. Despite the fact that there are a countless number of over-the-counter skincare products that claim to provide relief and repair, there are also many natural remedies that can easily and safely produce the same results.

If you are an individual who suffers from peeling skin, you are urged to examine the vitamins that you currently consume. Whether it be through the taking of a vitamin supplement or through the consumption of vitamin rich foods, vitamins can play an important role in healthy skin. Proteins, vitamin A, vitamin B, and vitamin C can also assist with peeling skin. They do so by replenishing the skin with needed nutrients. For food consumption, fish, eggs, carrots, milk, cheese, vegetables, and citrus fruits should be consumed on a daily basis.

Eczema is another skin problem experienced by many. Eczema is dangerous on many different levels, as it often produces the uncontrollable urge to itch. This can result in an itchy rash, which can also increase one’s chances of developing an infection. One of the best ways to prevent an eczema outbreak is limit exposure to trigger factors. For some individuals, a trigger factor is food, such a dairy products. For others, an eczema trigger factor is close contact with certain chemicals, such as laundry detergent. If eczema is developed, a natural remedy that can provide relief is the daily consumption of tomato juice.

Razor burn is another skin problem that is experienced by men, women, as well as teenagers. The best way to prevent razor burn is by careful shaving. Warm water should be used to help soften up the skin. Soap is also advised, as it can help to move the razor along, resulting in less skin nicks and cuts. Should razor burn develop, crush a few strawberries and mix them with one spoon full sour cream. This mixture should be applied to the affected area and left on for around ten to fifteen minutes. Apply daily until the razor burn is no longer an issue.

Sunburn is another one of the many skin complications that many seek relief from. The good news with sunburns is that there are a number of natural remedies that can provide relief, mostly with the pain. Aloe Vera is one of the most well-known natural remedies for sunburns. Other remedies involve milk and raw cucumbers. For cucumbers, apply slices of raw cucumbers to the burned area for relief and a reduction in skin inflammation. As for milk, dip it in a paper towel or cloth and gently apply to the skin. Milk tends to have a claming affect on burned and inflamed skin.

Dry skin is another skin condition that many try to seek relief from. Dry skin can result in itching and it can increase one’s chances of having an eczema outbreak. The good news, however, is that it is easy for many to naturally seek relief from dry skin. A mashed ripe banana is an ideal way to treat dry skin on the neck and face. Of course, this natural remedy can be used on other parts of the body, but it can get quite messy. Easy ways to relieve dry skin on the whole body include taking a milk bath once or twice a month or adding five drops of oat extract to warm bathwater.

As outlined above, there are a number of natural remedies and home remedies that are ideal for treating a wide range of skin complications. Where the skin is concerned, it is important to keep any open cuts or wounds covered, as the risk of infection is quite high. Should you ever suspect an infection, seek medical treatment immediately, even if you are using some of the above mentioned natural remedies.

Diets For Healthy Skin Are Half of the Solution to Aging Skin

What to eat in order to look great has been a subject of much debate for many years. Some dermatologists say that it makes no difference. Some say that it is a matter of individual sensitivities, and that a food diary is the best way to find out what works best for you.

Individual sensitivities must always be taken into consideration, but there is a growing amount of evidence concerning specific foods that cannot be overlooked. Some of the foods should be eaten on a regular basis. Some should be avoided at all costs. Let?s look at the ones to avoid, first.

You may have heard that ?white? foods, such a sugar, potatoes, bread and rice, are bad for your health and interfere with weight loss efforts. Research has shown that they also cause the production of molecules called ?Advanced Glycation End-products? or AGEs for short.

The acronym ?AGEs? is appropriate, because those molecules are one of the causes of cellular aging. Foods that contribute to the production of AGEs should not be included in diets for healthy skin because they contribute to wrinkle formation and because they play a role in acne.

It?s safe to assume that they play a role in other inflammatory skin conditions as well, including eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. In short; avoid the white stuff.

Foods that are essential for the skin?s health include fish, fruits and vegetables. Fish, especially salmon, is a good source of protein and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help to reduce inflammation throughout the body. Researchers have shown that omega-3s are beneficial in acne and eczema. One study showed that they increase the skin?s firmness, too.

Fruits and vegetables are the best sources of antioxidants. Antioxidants counter the effect of molecules called free radicals, one of the other causes of cellular aging. Most dermatologists agree that free radical damage is one of the primary causes of wrinkles, age spots, sagging and other problems of old age.

But, all things considered, diets for healthy skin are only 50% of the equation. In order to support the skin?s health, you need to eat the right foods and use the right skincare products.

In today?s society, we bathe regularly, which is good in some ways, because it washes away bacteria that could cause serious infections, reduces the risk of transmitting diseases and makes everyone more pleasant to be around. But, frequent showering is bad for our skin?s health.

Certain aspects of diets for healthy skin will help to reduce the damage done by ?over-cleansing?, but the best way to protect the skin?s naturally healthy state is to use a moisturizer after every bath or shower. For women, you should remove your makeup every night and follow up with a nighttime moisturizer. The best ones contain Cynergy TK.

It?s a proprietary compound, but the ingredients in it are similar to those found in diets for healthy skin; protein and other nutrients. If your moisturizer is up to par and your diet is good, you should be one of those people that always look younger than they actually are. Isn?t that what we all want?

OILY SKIN HOME REMEDY

1. Avoid fried foods and chocolates.

2. Drink 8-10 glasses of water every day as it helps to flush out the toxins from the body.

3. Do not touch or squeeze your pimples as it leaves a scar.

4. Consult your dermatologist and use an effective pimple cream that suits you.

5. Eat a well balanced diet.

HOME REMEDIES

Ingredients
Cold Water
Method
Splash cold water on your face. It will tighten up your pores and leaves you refreshed.

Ingredients
Neem Leaves
Method
Crush neem leaves to form a paste and apply on the pimple and the effected area. And wash after an hour.

Ingredients
Calamine Lotion
Method
Dab some lotion on blemishes at bedtime and they would gradually fade away.

Ingredients
Chilled Cucumber
Method
Blend the cucumber in a blender to form a fine paste and refrigerate in freezer to chill it. Apply the chilled paste on your face after cleansing it and wash off using cold water after 15 minutes. Repeat 2 times in a week for best results.

THE 10 BIGGEST ENEMIES TO YOUR SKIN'S HEALTH AND APPEARANCE

Think for a minute about your worst enemy. Chances are you don't really have
one. Unless you're a comic book character or have done something really bad to
someone in the past few years, you probably don't have what you would call an
enemy.
And that's good news of course. Anyone that is told to think of their worst enemy
and immediately thinks of ten or twelve people might want to think about some
type of counseling, or at the very least a good home security system!
An enemy however doesn't necessarily mean a soldier or mercenary that's out to
kill us or to destroy our family, the way we might think of the word. An enemy is
really just a foe, or someone that is opposed to us and our goals. While we think
of the word as being applied to a real person, it can also mean just general
concepts or circumstances.
For instance, someone trying to lose weight and stay in shape might consider the
fast food industry as an enemy. Because they spend so much on advertising and
because they're on virtually every street corner, this temptation is in direct
opposition to their goals. They're an enemy to that aim you have of being in good
shape and being healthy. So referring to them as an enemy might be a bit harsh,
but it's also very fitting.
Along the same lines you might think of an enemy as anything that's opposed to
something you're trying to accomplish, and this might even include your own
habits and such. You've probably heard the phrase, "He's his own worst enemy,"
and this can be true for so many things. Our laziness can be the biggest enemy or
threat to those weight loss goals. Our own quick temper can be a threat to the
health of our marriage and other relationships, so we make ourselves an enemy
to those things.
So in talking about your skin and its health and appearance, keep in mind that
something can be an enemy simply if it's in opposition to your goals for your skin.
It might seem a bit odd to talk about goals for your skin and its health and
appearance, but most people who want smooth skin need to make that a goal of
theirs. Some people are just naturally blessed with all the elements that make
beautiful skin, and God bless them, but typically the rest of us need to actually
work at having good skin if that's what we want.
They say that forewarned is forearmed, so if we can understand the 10 biggest or
most common enemies to that goal of beautiful, smooth skin, then we can be
better prepared to face and combat those enemies. So here they are, in no
particular order.

1. POLLUTANTS
Never underestimate the effect on your skin when you live in a heavily polluted
area or work around harsh chemicals or a lot of dust and dirt. Our skin is meant
to keep our inner parts from being exposed to everything in the atmosphere,
meaning that it will easily absorb all that dust and dirt and be affected by those
pollutants.
We as humans are not meant to exist in an environment that is laden with
chemicals and irritants, so of course these things will have an adverse affect on
us.
It's very important to not just cleanse your skin properly if you live or work in an
area like this, but to protect it in the first place. Women who shy away from
makeup may want to consider using it everyday, as it can act as a barrier to these
harmful elements. Moisturizers can do the same.
This applies to the men as well who might notice some skin irritation, if they live
or work in a very polluted environment. Using moisturizers or other skincare
products can protect them throughout the day. There are many that are designed
just for men, so there's no need to think you're going to smell like makeup or
perfume if you use them in the morning.

2. HARSH WEATHER
Have you ever noticed when you're outside in the cold weather that your lips start
to get chapped and your hands get very dry? This is because cold weather makes
it more difficult for your skin to produce its own moisturizers.
Think of what happens when you put water in the freezer. It becomes solid,
right? The same thing happens to your body's own hydration and moisturizing
system. It doesn't exactly freeze, but it does get less fluid and therefore not able
to reach the top laKeeping yourself warm during the winter months is essential for good skin, and
this helps your body's own circulation and natural moisturizers. But covering
yourself when out in the elements is also important. You should always wear
gloves and a scarf especially when there's a cold wind. And again, wearing
protective moisturizers or makeup can also go a long way toward protecting your
skin. These form a barrier against that harsh weather and can protect your skin.
This is of course especially important if you participate in winter sports. Moving
is like that cold wind - it just makes the problem worse.
3. DEHYDRATION
It's thought by many that the vast majority of adults are consistently dehydrated
and don't even know it. Scientists and doctors blame this on not just a lack of
fluids but also on the fact that most people drink a lot of caffeinated beverages.
Caffeine is actually a diuretic meaning that it causes the body to lose fluid,
making you dehydrated rather than refreshing you.
The body has many built-in defenses that keep it healthy, and this includes for
the skin. We have moisturizing systems in place that keep us hydrated and that
keep the skin moisturized and healthy, but these systems only work if they
actually have enough fluid to pump to the surface of the skin. When we don't
have enough water in our bodies, the body will react by pulling it from the skin or
from delivering it to the skin last, after it has hydrated all the vital organs and
muscles first. The body does this as a survival mechanism; if the muscles don't
have enough hydration they freeze up and can't move and of course we can't live
without our muscles, while we can survive with very dry skin.
But we can combat this by making sure that we're adequately hydrated as much
as possible. Switching to decaffeinated coffee and soda is a big help, but of course
drinking water is the best thing we can do. If you're someone that hates water,
try cutting it with a bit of fruit juice or use a drink mix like Crystal Light.
Get into the habit of drinking water by scheduling it, for instance, have a glass
before lunch and another before dinner. Keep a water bottle at your desk at work
and another in the refrigerator. This way you always have chilled water readily
available.


4. LACK OF BLOOD AND OXYGEN CIRCULATION
Blood and oxygen are two very vital components of the body's system, and you
probably already knew that. They are also incredibly important when it comes to
your skin's health and appearance also because blood not only delivers nutrients
to the skin but also takes away things like dead skin cells and such. This gives
your skin a very radiant look and appearance.
Blood that is circulating more often is going to have more nutrients and work
harder at getting rid of those pollutants in the skin. This also means more fresh
blood that will fight free radicals, which are those nasty elements that break down
healthy cells.
We increase our blood and oxygen circulation by being more physically active.
This gets our heart pumping and the blood flowing more freely, which also carries
the fresh oxygen to our cells.
People today usually just aren't very active. Being able to sit behind a desk and
work on the computer all day may sound very convenient, but it's not very
healthy. We need to be active and we need to be active on a regular basis.
Exercise is therefore one of the best things we can do for our skin. If you don't
work out regularly or engage in some type of physical activity on a regular basis,
it's time to start. This is good for your skin and your system overall.

5. HARSH SKINCARE PRODUCTS
Skincare companies have made great progress in recent years when it comes to
consulting with actual dermatologists in order to create their products. These
skin doctors can advise on products that are just going to clog the pores or irritate
the skin, and so many makeup and skincare products are now much healthier for
your skin and can actually work to improve it.
But unfortunately there are still many skincare products out there that are harsh
and unnatural and that actually damage your skin rather than care for it.
Because most breakouts and acne are caused by dirt and oil clogging the pores,
many people assume that getting as much oil off of your face as possible is the
best thing to do for your skin, but we have many natural oils on our skin that
keep it soft and healthy. When you use harsh products that contain a lot ofalcohol or other such elements you're just going to strip your skin of these helpful
properties as well.
And there are some makeup products that contain elements that will irritate the
skin. Keep in mind that makeup manufacturers need to have their product sit on
store shelves for weeks and even months, so they need to add chemicals that will
preserve the product and keep it from separating for that time. These chemicals
are usually fine for your skin but sometimes they can be rather harsh and irritate
your pores and cause wrinkles.
It's better to try makeup that's noncomedogenic, meaning that it won't clog your
pores, or that's made for sensitive skin. And while you might be thinking of your
budget, sometimes those more expensive brands are the best. Consider doing
some comparison shopping until you find a brand that sets well on your face and
that doesn't seem to irritate your skin.

6. OVER-CLEANSING THE SKIN
Using these products too often can also do much damage to your skin. It's
tempting to scrub it with some type of cleanser the minute you see a little shine in
the mirror, but sometimes the body is just reacting to this cleansing by producing
more oil.
You can also irritate your skin every time you cleanse if you're very rough with it.
Using exfoliates every day or too often or using elements that scrub harshly can
make your skin dry and rough.
Whatever skincare products you use, it's good to treat your skin gently, not as if it
needs to be punished for breaking out or having blemishes! Think of how you
would treat a cut or scrape - you may need to apply an antiseptic to get rid of any
germs but you definitely wouldn't rub it harshly. The same applies to your face.
You need to clean it, but you need to be gentle as you do or otherwise you'll just
irritate it and cause it more damage.

7. THE SUN
Some years ago the term "healthy glow" was coined to advertise tanning beds and
tanning products. However, that healthy glow is actually your skin's sign that it is
being damaged by the sun, one of the worst enemies to healthy skin there is.
We have a tendency to think of a tan as being attractive but in reality it's very bad
for your skin's health. The ultraviolet rays that cause your skin to change color
are doing damage to that same skin.
If you regularly tan, you should give some serious consideration to stopping. A
tan is really just a burn that's healing. You wouldn't think of purposely burning
your skin on the stove or with a blowtorch, would you? And yet that's what you're
doing by tanning. It's not healthy, it's actually a scar.
When you're outdoors for any length of time you should consider using a
sunscreen as well. This means for your face and neck, and if you're going to be
bent over doing gardening or yard work, you want to consider the back of your
neck as well.
When you're on or near the water such as at the beach or on a boat, remember
that this water acts as a mirror that reflects the sun and makes those rays even
more powerful. If you're out on the boat you definitely want to consider a
sunscreen, and even for lounging around the pool.
8. SMOKING
There are several reasons why cigarette smoking is one of the worst enemies to
your skin's health and appearance, and these reasons apply to not just the person
smoking but to the one exposed to secondhand smoke as well.
The nicotine in cigarette smoke gets absorbed into the bloodstream almost
immediately, and because blood is transported to every cell in the body this
means that this poisonous nicotine is then sent to every corner of the body as
well. Your lungs are therefore not the only things affected by cigarette smoking.
This means your skin as well.
Remember, that blood and oxygen it carries are very important to your skin's
health as it is supposed to be delivering healthy nourishment to your body's
systems as well. But when you smoke, what it's delivering is poison!
Smoking is also especially bad for the skin on your face because when you exhale,
you're sitting in that cloud of smoke. This smoke too contains many poisons that
are bad for the skin, and yet you're purposely exposing yourself to it several times
per day.Smoke is also a drying agent that makes it impossible for your body to adequately
hydrate all its systems, including the skin. The poison in the nicotine and other
elements just seeps up that moisture and hydration, which is also very bad for
your skin.
Cigarette smoking is probably one of the worst enemies for your skin, right along
with the harsh rays of the sun. There are absolutely no benefits to smoking and
many reasons why you shouldn't, so if you smoke, it's time to stop. Your body
can do much repair itself on its own, but not as long as you keep smoking.
And if you're around those who smoke, you might want to give some
consideration to the damage this is doing to your face and skin on other areas of
your body as well. Can you at least open a window or go in another room when
someone is smoking? Can you ask them to go outside?
You might need to give up that weekly poker game or switch to a bowling alley
that is smoke-free, but it can be worth it and not just for your skin's health. Every
single study that comes out about secondhand smoke just adds to the damage
that we already know it does to those around it. Your lungs are breathing in
almost as much smoke as if you smoked yourself, and of course your skin is being
consistently damaged.
Do whatever you can to avoid cigarette smoke; this means not just quitting
yourself but getting away from that secondhand smoke as well.

9. AGE
It's a sad fact that Mother Nature can be heartless and this is certainly true when
it comes to the things that affect us as we get older.
The body has a tendency to get very dry skin as we age, and this is due to many
different facts. Our blood circulation gets worse as we get older so those
necessary nutrients don't get delivered the way they should.
We also get wrinkles because every time our skin folds in or out it makes a slight
impression. When we're young, our skin is very elastic and can snap right back
into place. However, when we get older that elasticity breaks down as well,
meaning that it won't snap back into place the way it should. We are then more
prone to wrinkles and lines.There's probably not much we can do about old age, at least not until scientists
find some type of cure for it. But we can realize that some skin problems are just
going to be natural as we age.
Keeping ourselves in good shape on a consistent basis is important but especially
as we get older. This will help our skin to stay in shape as well, and to keep that
blood and oxygen flowing the way it should.
Moisturizing is also important but especially as we get older and our body's own
systems tend to break down.
10. POOR SKINCARE ROUTINE - OR NO ROUTINE AT ALL!
Those people who are just naturally blessed with beautiful skin are very
fortunate, but the rest of us typically need to work hard at taking care of our skin.
Unfortunately, most people give very little thought to their skincare routine, if
they even have one. They might run a wet washcloth over their face at night and
then hop into bed. Or they may just buy whatever moisturizer is the cheapest at
the pharmacy and just slap some on in the morning.
Taking care of our skin is like taking care of our teeth and every other part of our
body. We need a regular routine, and we need one that is personalized to our
particular needs.
For instance, someone with very dry skin may need a different routine than
someone with very oily skin. If you have sensitive skin and are prone to
breakouts, you need different products to avoid irritating your skin.
There are some common elements that everyone should be considering as part of
a good skincare routine, regardless of your skin type. These include:
cleansing
No matter what your skin type or needs, you should always cleanse your face at
night. When you sleep, this is when your body renews and repairs itself. The
skin gets taken care of during the night but if you still have dirt, oil, and makeup
products in your pores there's not much your body can do.
Be sure to use a cleanser that is meant for your face and don't use just hand soap.
Regular soap is usually very harsh and irritating to the skin on your face. Good
old-fashioned cold cream is also beneficial for removing makeup. A toner can
reduce oily patches as well.
exfoliate
Unfortunately many people exfoliate far too often, while other people never
exfoliate at all.
An exfoliate works by sloughing off the top layer of skin, removing dead skin
cells, dry skin, and other impurities that make your skin look dull. The healthier
skin underneath is revealed and new skin grows in.
But an exfoliate also removes those important oils and other natural elements
you need for healthy skin. Doing this too often means you're stripping your skin
and making it overly dry. And when you make your skin overly dry, it sends the
oil glands into overdrive, producing even more oil. So you then think you need to
exfoliate again, and then you make it worse and get caught in a never-ending
cycle of exfoliate, oil, exfoliate, oil, and so on.
Usually once per week is enough for an exfoliate, and sometimes even less than
that. There are also a wide variety of products that you can use; those scrubs that
you by at the pharmacy can be very rough on the skin. Shop around a bit and
find something that's much easier on your own skin.
moisturizer
No matter what your skin condition or type, you need a moisturizer to help
protect it against harsh elements and its own dryness. This is true even if you
have oily skin. There are areas of your face that don't have oil glands, including
around the eyes and mouth, and so need moisturizers from you in order to stay
healthy and hydrated.
This is especially important when you cleanse and exfoliate, as these two steps
are stripping your skin of natural oils. You need to replace those oils with a good
moisturizer in order for you skin to remain healthy and for it to look as good as it
can.
You men need to think about this as well. Especially during the cold winter
months will you want to consider keeping your skin moisturized and protectedappearance. While there may be some that don't particularly apply to you - if you
live and work in smoke-free environment then you're very fortunate - chances are
there are some that you need to give some thought to in order to protect your
skin.
Not many of us are blessed with beautiful, healthy, radiant skin. Most of us need
to work at it, and this means every single day. Our skincare routine needs to keep
in mind that these enemies are out there, everywhere we look, working to age and
dry our skin and cause wrinkles. Just like you might need to work harder to face
the enemies that work against your goals of weight loss or career advancement or
something else, you need to work against these enemies of your healthy and
radiant skin as well.

10 Skin Care Tips for Men



Wash your face regularly with a mild soap. Deo soaps could harm your charm of your skin.

Apply a sunscreen with SPF 15 on your face, when you venture outdoors.

Wash your face with skin cleanser and warm water twice a week.

You can use a skin toner to reduce the pores of your skin.

You can use a moisturizing body lotion enriched with aloe vera on your skin.

Splash your face with warm water before applying the shaving cream. Use cold water to rinse your face after the shave.

Cut down on fast food and Reduce your intake of alcohol.

Fruits and vegetables rich in anti oxidants are good for the skin.

Follow a regular exercise regimen.

Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated.

Make Your Hands Soft, Smooth & Beautiful Naturally

Do you know that while we give importance of taking care of our face and skin, we neglect our hands completely? Do you know your hands age quicker than your face? Hands need to be moisturized and cared for to keep them looking their best. So you should not neglect your hands. A natural hand care is a good way to take care of your hands.


Exfoliate Your Hands Once a Month
Just like your face and body, your hands need to be exfoliated too. Use a sugar or salt scrub once or twice a month to slough away the dead skin cells. Your hands will be softer and smoother. Mix sugar and lemon juice. Rub it on palms till sugar dissolves. Wash with cold water. This will make rough hands soft.

Treat your hands at night
Apply thick moisturizing cream or petroleum jelly on your hands before going to bed. Cover them with white cotton gloves or even socks. In the morning, your hands will look and feel soft.

Home Made Treatment
Cocoa-Butter Hand Cream: This is a wonder natural hand cream lotion, devoid of toxins and synthetic fragrance. This is completely natural and relaxes and rejuvenates the skin of your hands. Using this regularly will ensure that you have soft and beautiful hands.

Preparation and Application
In a container melt 4 tablespoons of beeswax and cocoa butter.
Add 4 tablespoons of almond oil When the mixture melts.
Mix properly to get a smooth mixture.
Pour the mixture in a glass jar and let it solidify. Your cocoa-butter hand cream is ready and you can use it when required.
Take a little amount of the hand cream and gently massage this homemade hand cream into the skin of your hands. Cover after sometime and then wash it. Preferably use before going to bed at night.

Almond-Butter Hand Softener: This hand cream lotion has the goodness of butter and almonds. It leaves a beautiful fragrance on the hands, relaxes the tissues, and nourishes the skin making it softy and smooth.

Preparation and Application
In a container take 1 tablespoon of almond oil and 1 cup softened butter. Mix them properly to get a cream-like consistency and store in a glass container.
You can use it in the same manner as you used cocoa butter hand cream.

Regular Caring Tips
Use milk cream. You can add a little lemon juice and glycerin to the milk cream and rub this on hands.
Wash your hands with water mixed with vinegar or lemon juice.
Mix glycerin in rose water or cucumber juice. Dab a cotton wool in this mix and rub your hands. This will clean the skin and make it smooth.
Put almond oil and rub the skin on hands and fingers to get a beautiful hand.
Rub boiled potato pulp and get beautiful hands.

The warm oil treat
This is a very easy and natural way to keep your hands soft. Heat olive oil or another soothing, natural oil until comfortably warm. Soak the hands and nails in it for ten minutes. The heat aids absorption of the oil. Wash hands afterwards with a mild soap to remove oil. this you can do before you begin your regular manicure.

Beautiful Glowing Skin Naturally

Oh how we always want to have that perfect glow in our skin. A smooth, fair, spotless skin is always something that everyone wants to have. Nowadays both men and women are equally involved in beauty treatment. We spend large amount of money in buying the cosmetic products in the market. We have to visit the beauty parlor for our regular facials. This is true for all men and women. But why not use the easily available products at home to attain that skin glow ? Its easy, simple and cost free. All you have to do is to know which are the products that you require and how to do it. Well, don't worry. Certain easy tips are given below.

Banana and milk: Well I think you all love to eat bananas. Next time to make a face pack using a banana. Mash a banana with milk and apply on face and leave it for some time. Wash it with cold water to get a skin that will glow.

Honey: Apply honey on your face and neck for 20 minutes. Wash it with cold water. Your skin will glow and become soft and smooth.
Corn flour and egg white: Mix corn flour with egg white and apply on your face. When your face is dried completely, put your fingers in warm water and massage your face. Repeat daily for 10-15 days.
Egg white:Mix egg white with honey and apply on the face for few minutes. Wash it with cold water.

Walnut powder, honey and lemon juice: Make a paste of one teaspoon of walnut powder, honey and lemon juice. Scrub your face with this paste and leave it for few minutes. Wash it with cold water.
Papaya: Rub a piece of papaya on your face and neck for 15 minutes.
Turmeric powder & orange juice: Make a paste by mixing 2 tablespoon haldi (turmeric) powder in orange juice. Scrub it on your face and neck. Wash it with cold water for few minutes.
Orange peel: Try this natural bleach. Mix orange peels (powdered) with milk. Apply this paste.

Cabbage:Have you ever wondered how a cabbage can make your skin glow. Juts boil cabbage in water. Wash your face with this water.
Mango peel: Powder mango peels and mix 1 teaspoon milk powder and rub on face, neck, and hands. Wash it off after some time.

Sugar scrub: Mix one cup of sugar with 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice. While taking bath, lather your face and body with a soft soap like Dove. Scrub the whole body and face with the sugar mixture on the lather.
Vacelin: After a shower apply vaseline over your entire body. Shower again after one hour. Repeat twice a month.
Carrot juice:Carrot juice applied daily fades blemishes.

Tomato:Apply the mixture of tomato juice and honey on the face and neck , wash it after 15 minutes.
Red sandal wood powder: Make a paste of red sandal wood powder with water and apply it on the face every day for glowing skin.

Natural Remedies for Dry Skin

Dry skin is a common problem that is seen in almost everyone specially during winters when humidity is less. The areas most affected are the cheeks, area under the eye, thighs, lower arms, chest, and sides of abdomen. The skin becomes tight and itchy. In severe cases there is scaliness and cracks on the skin. There are many causes that leads to dry skin like environmental factors (less humidity, cold, sun exposure, use of excess make-up, harsh soaps and pollution), Nutrient deficiencies like deficiency of vitamin E, A and B, Skin problems like dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis and the last cause is less supply of oil by the oil glands to the skin. Many cosmetic products are available in the market to make your skin soft and reduce dryness. But then it is always better to opt for home remedies. Try these remedies to solve your dry skin problem.

Home Remedies for Dry Skin
Oil Massage
Massage the face and other parts of the body with almond oil or olive oil every night before going to bed. You can also massage the skin with grapeseed oil. In severe cases of dry skin castor oil or avocado oil is highly beneficial.

Face pack
Face pack using egg yolk, orange juice, olive oil and lime juice. Prepare a fine mixture by adding 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of orange juice, few drops of rose water and some drops of lime juice. Apply this as a face pack in the morning for 15 minutes before taking bath. This is very useful home remedy for dry skin.
Ripe banana: Mash a ripe banana and apply it on the face and neck. Leave it for sometime and then wash the face with lukewarm water.
Raw peanuts and milk: Mix 2-5 tablespoons of raw peanuts with milk and make a fine paste. Add little honey to this paste. Apply this paste on face. Leave this paste to dry. Then wash with cold water.
Egg yolk:Take the yolk of an egg and dab it on your face leave for 15 minutes. keep using this pack everyday till your face is clear.
Fruit pack: Create a puree of 1 papaya, peach or avocado and mix it with 1 banana. Apply to skin and leave for few minutes. Clean with warm water.
Honey, Egg yolk, Milk Powder: Mix up half-teaspoon honey with the yolk of an egg and one tablespoon dried out milk powder. Make it a paste and apply. Remove after few minutes with water.
Grated cucumber: Apply grated cucumber all over the face and around the eyes too. The juice is good for the skin, gives a cooling and refreshing result and tightens the skin.
Mayonnaise: Apply normal mayonnaise, either homemade or from one available in the market. Massage into skin, leave on for few minutes, and wash thoroughly with warm water.
Raw papaya: Make a pulp of raw papaya and apply on affected area. It helps in softening dead skin cells and aiding their removal.
Apple:Take 2-3 apples, grate them and apply on the skin, keep it for 20 minutes and then wash using cold water.
Honey and rose water: Take half tablespoon of honey and mix it with 1-2 tablespoon of rose water. Apply on face, neck, and other dry skin area. This will clean the skin, tones it, and makes it smooth and glowing.

Herbal Remedies for Dry Skin
Use aloe vera extracts or gel for massaging the skin. Or prepare a mixture of fuller earth (multani mitti) with mint (pudina) leaves. Freeze the pack overnight. Keep outside for few minutes and then apply it on your face. After 10-15 minutes, wash off and pat dry. It has good results in treating dry skin.

Other Home Remedies
Soak the face in lukewarm water for about 5-10 minutes. This is an effective remedy for dry skin.
After bathing applying Aloe Vera gel is also effective.
Before bathing add 5-6 drops of oat extract or lavender oil to the bathtub.
Milk bath once a month is also effective.Make a mixture of cooked oatmeal and honey for moisturizing and cleaning the face.
Important Tips
Try to avoid using tap water when cleansing dry skin.
Dry skin gentle cleansing, massage and generous quantities of oil and moisture.
Use non-detergent, neutral-pH products to wash your skin.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
Include lots of fruits in your diet to get the essential vitamins.

Tips For Sensitive Skin

Author: Laura Lin

Here are some great tips for sensitive skin. Are your skin prone to irritation and inflammation? Do you always have to be careful of the skincare products and make up that you apply on your face? Does your skin flare out like rashes, redness or inflammation when exposed to the sun? If you do have such encounter, you are likely to have sensitive skin. Skin sensitivity can mean different thing for different people. For one group, it may be related to allergies to food, or products that they apply that caused the skin to flare up, itch, redness or inflammation. For others, it can be related to allergy to cold or hot weather condition, exposure to the sun or acne condition relating to sensitive skin. Here are my advice to you to help you managed your skin better.

1. Water

Make sure that you drink enough water throughout the day. The recommended is 6 - 8 glasses of water a day. Water is essential as it hydrates your body and allow the nutrients to flow throughout your cells for cell renewal. Water is also important for you to flush out the toxins from your body and your lymph nodes.

2. Avoid staying out in the sun

You need to understand your skin well and take necessary precaution to prevent further triggers to your skin. If your skin reacts negatively to the sun, limit your exposure to the UV rays and apply sunblock to protect your skin. Apply sunblock everyday before you leave the home as the UV rays will cause further skin damage and breakdown of collagen resulting in fine lines and wrinkles. Reapply sunblock when necessary.

3. Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps to build up your immune system and improve your collagen and tissue repair and give your a healthy body. It also aids in wound healing and promote healthy skin, gum and teeth.

4. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidants that helps to protect our skin against free radicals. The free radicals can accelerate the breakdown of our skin cells resulting in damage of our skin. Taking sufficient of the antioxidant, it can help to prevent or delay the process of skin ageing.

5. Pimple

When you have pimples on your face, apply pimple cream on the affected area to speed up the healing. Do not use your hand or fingers to touch the pimple area as our hands are dirty and the bacteria on our hand can further aggravate the pimples and worsen the condition.

6. Keep Your Face Clean

Wash your face regularly to keep your skin clean. However do not overdo, as if you washes your face too often, you will remove away the protective layer of our skin and your skin will become dry or more prone to more problems.

7. Moisturizer

A good moisturizer is very important to hydrate our skin and always retain its moisture. Always apply sufficient moisturizer to keep skin moist and hydrated. For sensitive skin, it will be safe to use a water based moisturizer instead of oil based.

Sensitive skin may be a little difficult to handle but if you take the proper care, you will be able to maintain a good healthy skin. Be sure of what you apply on your face and whenever in doubt, check with the experts for solution.

About the Author:

Laura is a skincare consultant for DR's Secret and care to share her experience to bring forth beautiful life and hope for those who aspires. Want to have beautiful skin, flawless complexion? Visit Laura's DR's Secret Review Site for the best skincare product you need to make you look beautiful and young.

Herbal Skin Care

by Awinita Smith


The skin is essentially the largest organ in the body and performs many vital roles as both a barrier and a regulating influence between the outside world and the controlled environment within the body.

Skin type differs between individuals; sensitive skin is skin that stings easily, especially during or just after cleansing. Oily skin attracts dirt and bacteria and may lead to acne and pimples. Normal skin also needs regular regime for health.

Water alone as a cleanser is not quite enough: removing dirt and grease that sticks to the skin forms a major aspect of cleansing. Use of soaps in skincare will dry the skin and lead to itchiness. Lemon (Citrus Limon) and honey (Meldespumatum) are alternatives to soap as lemon removes grime and oil while honey has antibacterial, antiseptic properties and prevents scar formation. Honey is increasingly being used to treat infected wounds and has been found to be effective in common wound infections.

Jasmine (Jasminum sambac) provides a cooling effect through its good smelling volatile oils and has healing properties, especially for oily or sensitive skin.

Sunflower (Heydichium spicatum) has soothing properties and is regularly used as a massaging agent.

Sandal tree (Santalum album) is useful for alleviating itchy and inflammatory conditions of the skin. It is commonly used as a household remedy by applying a paste of sandalwood on skin rashes and itchy skin.

Carica papaya (papaya) is a small tree with straight and soft stem with leaf scars on it. The fruits are a good source of pection. It removes freckles and smoothes the skin.

The juice of lemon is rich a source of vitamin C. it protects the skin from skin from oxidative damage and helps in preventing pruritus.

Coconut can be used externally for softening the lips and in various cosmetics.

Cucumber helps to keep the facial skin soft, has healing and soothing effect on the damaged skin and exerts a natural sunscreen.

Almond is known for its astringent effect. It has a globulin called amandin. It contains folic acid, alpha tocopherol and zinc, which are useful in skin disorders

Apple fruits contain a B-glycol, octane-1, 3-diol which is an antifungal constituent. It reduces skin inflammation and helps in removing dead skin fragments.

The fresh juice leaves of Kesharanjana are applied on the scalp for promoting the hair growth.

The fruit of Indian gooseberry contains the highest amount of vitamin C. Its fruit is acrid, cooling, refrigerant, diuretic, laxative and used in the preparation of hair dyes. A fixed oil extracted from the fruits is reported to have the property of promoting hair growth.

Skin-Saving Tips



1. Don't overdo cosmeceuticals. With more and more beauty potions containing alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), salicylic acids, antioxidants, and retinoids, mixing a cleanser from one line with a scrub or daytime moisturizer from another, then a night cream from yet another, can lead to over-exfoliation and irritation, says Deborah S. Sarnoff, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at the New York University School of Medicine, in New York City. This can add up to a real problem, especially for women with olive and darker complexions, who are more prone to discoloration when their skin is irritated. To play it really safe, stick with one line of products which are formulated to work together. If you use any prescription products, such as Renova, ask your dermatologist to advise you on how to combine prescription treatments with over-the-counter cosmeceutical products.

2. Shake your booty. Twenty to 30 minutes of any aerobic exercise will give you a glow. Exercise increases blood flow, which brings more nutrients to the skin, says Sarnoff. But beware -- the buildup of oil and perspiration can result in sweatband acne, folliculitis, and prickly heat. The solution: Shower as soon as possible after working out.

3. Don't get intimate with the phone. Constant rubbing on the mouthpiece may lead to rashes around the chin and mouth, says Alexa Boer Kimball, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of dermatology at Stanford University Medical Center, in Palo Alto. Hold the phone away from those areas when talking, and clean it often with a mild soapy solution or rubbing alcohol.

4. Check your birthday suit for spots. Any sudden or suspicious-looking bump, mole, or other growth is reason to see a dermatologist. But as skin-cancer rates rise, having a full body check by a professional is crucial -- especially for those of us in the baby-oil-and-iodine, pre-sunscreen generation. "People in a high-risk group -- having a personal or family history of skin cancer, a lot of moles, fair skin, and/or light eyes or hair -- may need regular checkups starting in their teens, and probably no later than age 35," says Randall K. Roenigk, M.D., professor and chairman of the department of dermatology at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota. Even if you're not in a high-risk group, the American Cancer Society recommends that between the ages of 20 and 40, people have a cancer-related checkup, including a skin exam, every three to four years. Once you hit your 40s, begin having a cancer-related checkup, including a skin exam, every year. You should also be doing monthly self-exams to keep an eye out for changes and growths. (For step-by-step instructions on how to do a head-to-toe self-exam, call the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345; ask for a free copy of their brochure, "What You Should Know About Melanoma." Or visit www.cancer.org.)
www.cancer.org

More Advice


5. Eat healthy. Antioxidants (vitamins A, C, and E) -- which help reduce sun damage and fight certain cancers, including skin cancer -- are essential to your health, says Wilma F. Bergfeld, M.D., director of clinical research, department of dermatology at the Cleveland Clinic. She recommends a well-balanced diet filled with at least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables, plus a multivitamin that meets RDA standards.

6. Don't wear your makeup to bed. We all know it, but we sometimes do it anyway. "Layers of foundation, powder, and blusher left on overnight can clog pores and lead to acne or folliculitis," warns Sarnoff. Take it all off before bed with a mild non-soap cleanser. But don't waste your money on a cleanser with glycolic acid or AHAs: "It's not on your face long enough to absorb into the skin," says Sarnoff. "These ingredients are more effective in your moisturizer."

7. Hands off those zits. Poking, prodding, and popping can prolong a pimple's life and make the problem worse. Scarring and the spread of infection are two possible consequences. To speed up healing, cleanse your face, then apply a warm compress, such as a clean, damp washcloth. Next, dab on an over-the-counter cream or lotion containing a drying agent, such as salicylic acid, sulfur, or benzoyl peroxide.

8. Get your shut-eye. Most of us don't get the eight to nine hours we need to avoid sleep deprivation. There haven't been any conclusive studies on how being tired affects skin, says Alexa Boyer Kimball, but the effects aren't hard to detect -- namely, under-eye circles. The solution: Budget in sleep time, including a short afternoon nap whenever you can manage it. The downside: Sleeping in the same position for years on end can lead to wrinkles. Look for special pillows that help prevent sleep creases on your face.

9. Adopt "water, water, every day" as your mantra. Yes, drinking water does keep you hydrated, which helps skin look and feel better," says Bergfeld. Get in the standard 6 to 8 eight-ounce glasses throughout the day -- more if you're a heavy exerciser. Bergfeld also warns that many of the new sugar substitutes are dehydrating, so drink more water if you're into low-cal liquids.