Archive for October, 2007

Avoid Dry Skin by Using Moisturizers

All skin types of people vary, they can either be too dry or to oily. The most common problem during the summer is having dry skin. Because of this, a number of products have come up that promise to bring back the moisture in your dried up skin.

The dry skin problem can be remedied by using a liquid moisturizer. When your skin becomes too dry, you should buy the cream moisturizers. It is advisable to apply these after baths because this is when the skin pores are open and are able to absorb the moisturizers quickly.

During the summer season, most people go to the beach to tan themselves while others go to tanning booths. People can also use the liquid moisturizers to get the perfect tan. The only difference between a moisturizer-induced tan is that liquid moisturizers get washed off easily while a suntan fade naturally.

The summer is the season when moisturizers are much needed by the body. When choosing the product that is right for you, check the ingredients first to make certain that it does not contain oil. Oil can block pores and results in pimple breakouts and other skin problems.

Best Skin Diet for Healthy Skin

“You are what you eat.”

Does it sound familiar? You probably have heard of it. And yes, it is true. What you eat affects how well you are and how you look- today and for the years to come.

Balanced diet is needed for optimal health and well- being; as well as having a healthy skin. However, balanced diet is primarily set to prevent malnutrition and vitamin/ mineral deficiencies.

The aim of this article is to provide tips that will help you achieve the skin you have always longed for.

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Common Acne Myths

Try asking people advice regarding your acne and chances are, they would tell you that it is due to your poor hygiene or poor diet.

However, skin experts are actually dismissing those as nothing but myths. The best way to cope with your acne problem is to educate yourself and it is with this purpose that we decided to list here the common acne myths that people often encounter.

• Acne is not a caused by a poor hygiene. Many people believe that acne is caused by poor hygiene; therefore they tend to over-wash their skin. However, washing too frequently and too aggressively can strip the skin of its natural lipids, damaging the skin’s natural barrier function. In response, the follicle will produce excess sebum and possibly additional breakouts. So unless you get yourself dirty on regular basis (like a mechanic, perhaps), do not over-wash your face.
• Acne is caused by certain foods. The common misconception is that eating junk food will lead to or worsen an acne condition. Scientific studies have shown that diet has little to no effect on acne. This varies depending on the person. While eating healthy and balanced diet is encouraged for our health, there is really no scientific evidence that connects certain foods to acne. If you are one of those who are affected by certain foods, it is always wise to avoid them.
• You can outgrow your acne. It is much more sensible to treat your acne immediately to avoid emotional stress and permanent scarring.
• Acne is just a little problem, no need to overreact. It is embarrassing to have acne, thus can affect our confidence and esteem. It may even affect our social relation and job performance.
• Acne is just a cosmetic disease. Heavy and oily make up may contribute to acne build up. However, cosmetics labeled non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic might actually contain benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid that may help to fight acne.
• Stress can cause acne. While over stress may actually produce hormones that can aggravate acne; normal, everyday stress does not really trigger acne.
• Getting a tan would clear up acne. While sun exposure may dry out existing acne, it will not prevent new ones from forming. It can also over dry the skin thus sebaceous glands will produce more oil that will ultimately worsen your condition. It will also increase your risk of skin cancer and wrinkles.

So there, the next time somebody tells you one of those things, gracefully correct them and share what you know. Remember, knowledge is power.

Common causes of acne

I always wanted to know why I had acne and other people do not. Worldwide, 60 million people suffer like I did.

I did some research and talked to my doctor to find the most common causes of acne.

• Hormones: The number one cause of acne is the production of sex hormones, known as androgen, that begins at puberty. This is why majority of acne sufferers are adolescents and teens. Hormones are responsible for then acne flare-ups during menstruation and pregnancy.
• When the sebaceous gland is stimulated by androgens, it produces extra sebum. In its journey up the follicle toward the surface, the sebum mixes with common skin bacteria and dead skin cells that have been shed from the lining of the follicle. While this process is normal, the presence of extra sebum in the follicle increases the chances of clogging — and acne.
• Stress: can also cause the production of hormones, such as cortisol, which can aggravate acne. Stress brings upon different hormone levels. With hormone changes the body prompts the skins oil glands to enlarge, secreting more oil. Which causes white heads, black heads and pimples.
• Oily or heavy make up: Heavy make-up clogs the pores and oily make-ups add more oil, which only adds to the problem if oily skin already exists. Cosmetics, especially certain moisturizers, foundations and pomades contain lanolin, petrolatum, vegetable oils, butyl stearate, lauryl alcohol and oleic acid.
• Certain medications and steroids: Vitamins are good for your body, But an excess of vitamins B1, B6 and B12 can cause acne flare-ups. These vitamins are good for the skin, but avoid overuse.
• Diets: For some people, a diet that is high in refined carbohydrates and sugars can actually aggravate their acne.
• Over abrasive cleansing: Harsh exfoliators can damage skin and spread infections.
• Picking and squeezing: This can actually send the infection deeper into the skin and can cause scarring.
• Environmental irritants: such as high humidity and pollution. High humidity actually causes swelling of skin. Pollution is of course is a big cause for clogging your pores.
• Genes: Family members who are also acne sufferers. Acne is inherited and severe cases known as cystic acne usually come from heredity.

Control Your Chest Acne

Acne was once known as the mark of adolescence. This image has slowly diminished with today’s rapidly changing lifestyle. Studies have shown that at present, approximately fifty-four percent of the female population in their adulthood are suffering from various forms of acne problems. These problems may include pimples, blackheads and epidermal cysts.

As teens, people acquire acne because of some genetic factors that may have left them prone to this condition. However, in adulthood, acne may come not only from the genetic factor, but also from the hormonal changes, stressful lifestyle, urban pollution and various preparations and medications such as birth-control pills. Since hormonal changes, like that induced by menopause, are more drastic in women, they are also more prone to acne problems as compared to men. Only forty percent of adult men at present are suffering from these skin irritations.

Acne conditions in adulthood starts with the shedding of epidermal cells. The flakes shed by the epidermis then clog up the skin’s pores. Meanwhile, oil is produced by the oil glands in the skin, which should, ideally, be released through these pores. Since the pores are clogged, the oild builds up under the skin, creating a conducive environment for bacteria growth.

One form of acne problem common in women as well as men is the chest acne. People suffer from facial acne due to its increased exposure to pollution and other external acne-inducing factors. However, people’s bodies may also become prone to acne when the internal factors like hormonal change, genes, and medication are accompanied by perspiration trapped by synthetic clothing. The best way to avoid this condition is to wear breathable fabrics, like cotton, in order to induce evaporation of sweat.

Another effective control measure against acne on the chest, neck and collar areas is the ClearPores body wash and lotion. When used once every morning and every night, the ClearPores body wash will prevent the breakout of body acne. It is best to make ClearPores a daily regimen with the wash accompanied by the ClearPores lotion, to be used twice every week and the ClearPores Pills to be ingested for internal control of blemishes.

Different Acne treatments

Acne is the most common skin disorder known today. In United States alone, nearly 60 million people are infected with acne, while 85 per cent of teenagers suffer from it.

Skin experts and practitioners recommend several natural acne treatments. Here are some that we have compiled just for you.

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Easy Home Remedies for Beautiful Skin

Tired and confused of all the cosmetic products in the market? Are you typically at loss on what to buy to have the best quality that would give your skin the care it deserves? Well, if you are constantly fooled by the hypes done by those big cosmetic companies who are spending billions of dollars each year to satisfy your quest, then you might consider computing the amount of money that you have spent. How much does each trip to the drugstore cost? How many bottles of products did you buy aimed to cleanse, tone, moisturize, and exfoliate your skin? Does your bureau resemble a hospital medicine cabinet? The truth is, maintaining a beautiful skin does not have to be this complicated. There are natural ways to have that beautiful skin you have always longed for at your refrigerator and kitchen. Moreover, they are not that expensive as those bottles of cosmetics that you are so fond of.

Easy Home Recipes for Beautiful Skin for Every Day of the Week

1. You will need one egg, a heaping tablespoon of mayonnaise and a tablespoon of honey. Mix this together thoroughly with a fork and apply sparingly to the skin. Allow this to dry and then wipe off with a warm washcloth.
2. You will need 1 tbsp. yeast, 1 tbsp. baking soda, 1 tbsp. water. Mix together ingredients and apply on face allowing it to sit for 15 minutes before rinsing it with warm water.
3. You will need 1 tbsp. of gram flour, 1/4 tsp. orange peel powder, 1 tbsp. beaten yogurt, 1 tsp. olive oil. Mix ingredients well and apply paste on your face and neck allowing it to dry. Rinse with warm water first then cold water.
4. Slices of cucumbers applied to the eyes refresh and relieve puffiness and they are great cleansers when sliced and rubbed over your face. The same holds true for slices of fresh tomatoes.
5. You will need one-fourth tsp. of limejuice stir to mix with one tsp. of milk and cucumber juice. Apply on the face and neck and wash off after 14 minutes. This cleanses and purifies pores of skin.
6. Make a paste by mixing papaya, honey, milk and milk powder. Apply on the face and let sit for a few minutes then wash off.
7. You will need 1/2 tsp of rose water mixed with 1 tsp of honey. Gently apply to the face. Leave it for about 15-20 minutes, then wash off with tepid water. Honey moisturizes and soothes dry skin, and is gentle enough for daily use.

Really, you do not need to blow your savings just to have a beautiful skin. Next time you long for a facial open your fridge and treat yourself to an inexpensive, all natural, at home salon. Satisfaction guaranteed.

Even Your Skin Needs to Take Vitamins

Your body isn’t the only thing that needs to be healthy; your skin has to be healthy, too. Some people may not be aware of this, but a lot of vitamins are essential and helpful in improving your skin’s health.

Let us start by discussing the Vitamin A. You have probably heard discussions about how good this vitamin, more specifically beta-carotene, is for the eyes, but aside from this, it is also good for the skin. Vitamin A is important in repairing and protecting the skin tissues. A lack or even a small drop in the required amount of this vitamin will immediately be manifested by the body, especially by the skin itself. Flakiness and drying of the complexion is a good example the signs of vitamin A deficiency. To avoid these consequences, it is best to take foods that are filled with vitamin A, such as fruits and vegetables.

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Face Washing Donts

Here are several things that you should avoid when washing your face. Remember that it is our aim to make your skin healthier and beautiful.

1. Do not wash face too often. Washing your face doesn’t mean you have to wash it every hour of the day… Experts recommend ONLY two or three times per day. Frequent washing may dry out your skin thus increasing your risk to irritations that may even cause acne. Moreover, if the skin is too dry, your glands will produce more oil to compensate for this loss. This means that the risk of getting too much sebum also increases.
2. Do not use harsh soaps and cleansers. Never use bar soaps or bar cleansers. The ingredients that keep these soaps and cleansers in bar form can clog your pores and irritate your skin… plus, they can help foster breakouts. Harsh soap and cleansers can strip off the skin’s natural lipids thus irritate your skin. Choose cleansers that are mild and non-comedogenic, hypo-allergenic, and soap-free. There are several products like this in the market like Cetaphil, Burt Bee’s or Neutrogena. Dilute your cleanser with enough water when you wash… The less concentrated your cleanser, the gentler it will be.
3. Do not use too much cleanser. Even if you are using mild cleansers, it is best to dilute it with water (a palmful will be sufficient). The less concentrated your cleanser, the gentler it will be for your face.
4. Do not use cleansers containing alcohol. Alcohol will upset your face’s natural ph level, thus causing irritation. Using toners and astringents may feel wonderful… but over-using these will irritate your skin!
5. Do not just use products. Instead, know your skin type. For dry skin, look for products with cocoa butter or glycerin. For oily skin, look for products with benzoyl peroxide, citric acid or salicylic acid. For sensitive skin, look for aloe vera, almond oil or chamomile.
6. Do not under rinse. Residues left behind can actually clog your pores. Facial cleansers can leave an invisible residue behind which can clog your pores. Rinse three times, then rinse again!
7. Do not exfoliate often. Removing dead skin cells can make your skin less dull but you should not overdo it or you will injure your skin. Too much scrubbing will make your skin dull and flaky. Avoid abrasive facial pads and grainy facial scrubs.

Remember, in everything that you do, simplicity and moderation is often that key. Do not abuse your skin. Go easy and gentle. And put your best face forward.

Fight Skin Problems with Sun Screens

When winter comes, it usually makes the most impact on your skin. The cold season makes your skin dry, brittle and flaky. Unlike the summer sun’s, the effects of winter are not as obvious because you are usually covered up with your winter clothes. Your dry and cracked skin becomes more of a problem when winter ends and you must once again don your regular clothes. Summer is usually the season in which you go out on the beach with your bikini or exercise outside with tank tops and shorts. However, wearing these summer clothes might become a problem if you do not have healthy skin.

Before summer comes, you can start rejuvenating your skin through constant exfoliation. This process involves removing the dead cells from your skin’s surface. It is a simple process, normally involving only a loofah or a piece of cloth rubbed against the skin. After this, you can apply lotions or moisturizers to avoid drying your skin.

There are many ways of taking care of your skin during the summertime, yet the most effective is using sun protection products to prevent sunburn. These products usually have different Sun Protection Factors or SPF, which refers to the amount of protection it offers against the sun. Choosing the right SPF all depends on whether you have a fair or dark skin. The fairer your skin is, the higher the SPF that you will need. It is safe for everyone to use a sunscreen, which has 15 and above SPF. This will ultimately help in preventing the harmful effects of bright sun’s rays, like skin cancer.

When you apply sunscreens, it is important that you use more than enough to shield your exposed skin. You must always remember treating skin cancer is more expensive than buying sunscreen products. For the sunscreen to work effectively, it is best to rub it on before going outside. The reason for this is that the protection works better after fifteen to twenty minutes has elapsed from the time of application. You must also remember to reapply it after every two hours. When you sweat or go for a swim, the sunscreen becomes less effective, so you must lather up your body again, including your scars after you wipe yourself. The regimen discussed above is an effective way to take care of your skin and keep it healthy.