Ray Andrew asked:


I hope this article helps you understand a little more about the reality of skin care and how you should go about taking your first steps toward a healthy skin.

There is no doubt on the importance of skin care. The opinion on how-to (for personal skin care) differs from person to person. Some people believe that going to beauty parlours every other day is personal skin care. Many people believe that just applying some cream, lotion or something else to your skin, every now and then, will solve their problems. Then there are people who think that personal skin care is an event that happens once a month or once a year. Still others busy themselves with ‘personal skin care’ all the time. However, personal skin care is not that complicated and neither is it that expensive (considering how beneficial it is). Personal skin care is following a routine or a procedure for attending to the needs of your skin.

You nee to determine your skin-type, even befor you start with a routine(oily, dry, sensitive, normal etc) and select the personal skin care products suitable for it (you might have to experiment with a few personal skin care products). Here is a routine that should work for most people with normal skin.

The first thing you must do on personal skin care routine is ‘Cleansing’. The three main ingredients of a cleanser are oil, water and surfactants (wetting agents). Oil and surfactants extract dirt and oil from your skin and water then flushes it out, thus making your skin clean. You might have to try a couple of cleansers before you find the one that suits you the best. Actually, you should always use soap-free cleansers. Also, you should use Luke warm water for cleansing (hot and cold water, both, cause damage to your skin). Take care that you don’t over-cleanse your skin and end up damaging your skin in the process.

The second thing on the personal skin care routine is exfoliation. Skin follows a natural maintenance process wherein it removes the dead cells and replaces them with new skin cells. Exfoliation is just a way to facilitate the skin in this process. Dead skin cells are not capable of responding to personal skin care products but still consume these products, hence preventing them from reaching the new skin cells. Thus removing dead skin cells is important in order to increase the effectiveness of all personal skin care products. Generally, exfoliation takes it place just after cleansing. As with any personal skin care procedure, it’s important that you understand how much exfoliation you need. Exfoliate 4-5 times per week for oily/normal skin and 1-2 times per week for dry/sensitive skin. Exfoliate a couple of times more in hot and humid weather.

Be aware that Personal skin care is something everyone should take care of since young, if not, when we get older we are going to see the results of not caring about ourselfes.

Ok, Next thing on personal skin care routine is moisturizers. This is one of the most important and basic things in personal skin care. Even people with oily skin need moisturisers. Moisturisers not only seal the moisture in your skin cells, but also attract moisture (from air) whenever needed. Use of too much moisturiser can however clog skin pores and end up harming your skin. The amount of moisturiser needed by your skin will become apparent to you within one week of you using the moisturiser. Also, applying the moisturiser is best when your skin is still damp.

The last thing on personal skin care routine is sunscreen. A lot of moisturizers (day-time creams/moisturisers) come with UV protection - so you can get double benefits from them. Such moisturisers are recommended for all days (irrespective of whether it is sunny or cloudy).

Again, experiment with various personal skin care products and also with the amount you need to apply. What gives you best results is the best personal skin care recipe for you. However, if you have some kind of skin dilemma, it is best to consult your dermatologist before you actually start using any personal skin care products.

I hope that reading the above information was both enjoyable and educational for you. Your learning process should be ongoing—the more you understand about personal skin care, the more you will be able to prevent skin problems.



Victor

Natural Skin Care asked:


 

 

I have researched botanicals for over 20 years and have came across much valuable information. I am fascinated by the power of herbs. I found that herbs can naturally improve many skin conditions.

You have Hidden “Assault Intruders” in your body. Herbs can blast them away.

There are so many skin ailments in our society today. There are habits that we engage in that may be causing many of our skin problems.

Many have acne problems who blame these unsightly “Zits” on oil build-up, dirt and clogged pores. These may be the least likely suspects. The major problem of many skin ailments is “Toxin build-up” in the body. Many of these toxins come from the very foods that we eat. There are hidden “Assault intruders” in the very foods we eat. And yes, the industry knows that they are in there and that they are bad for you. Hence, why your body tries to spit them out.

Our bodies are bombarded with 100’s even thousands of these “assault intruders” everyday. Toxins can come from our environment. But, mainly from the foods that we are eating. Take the time to read the ingredient labels on your food purchases before thinking about putting them in your mouth. If you can’t pronounce an ingredient, then there is a good chance it is not organic food. It is an un-welcomed chemical additive. Next time you see one of these intruders listed on your ingredient label, Google it. Find out what it is. See what it is used for and the negative chemical reactions that it can have on your body.

When there is an overload of toxins in your body, what your body tries to do is get rid of them. Some may come out by regular everyday elimination. But, many toxins are bombarding your system every day and the regular everyday elimination may not be enough.

Your skin is your body’s largest organ. The skin, through it’s pores helps eliminate toxins. The more you sweat, the more your body is ridding itself of these intruders. But, considering the overload of these “assault intruders”, the skin tries to eliminate such huge amounts that skin problems do occur physically on your skin. One large cause of acne is body toxin waste showing up on the surface of your skin.

Herbs to the Rescue.

There are herbs that even when taken topically through the skin can eliminate toxins right out the skin and giving you a healthier look and radiant skin.

Here are some beneficial herbs that can eliminate these toxins, right out of your skin. Acne can be easily cleared up in a matter of a few days, as well as many of your skin ailments.

Dandelion has been given a bad wrap by the media and weed killer industries. Dandelion is a very therapeutic herb for our body. Dandelion is not an unsightly weed with no purpose, but to haunt your lawns. Did you know that dandelion eliminates cancer cells from your body when taken internally ? Topically, it is beneficial in soothing and repairing sun-damaged skin. Dandelion with Sage, which is another therapeutic herb eliminates toxins out of the skin and clears acne.



Gregory

Marc Carson asked:


“Serious skin care” is about maintaining a healthy and glowing skin all through your life. As you grow older, your body’s natural skin care mechanisms become weaker. So, “serious skin care” is about responding to the changing needs of your skin. Thus, “serious skin care” is about constantly evaluating, analysing and changing your skin care routines. Your skin care routine should change based on the environmental conditions, your age and changes in your skin type.

Skin care is also about awareness. With the technological advancements and research, more and more facts are being brought to light everyday. Also, the composition and nature of skin care products seems to be changing with time. So trying out the new products is also a part of this care. However, serious skin care advises using a new product over a small patch of skin (not facial skin) first, just to see how your skin reacts to it.

Serious skin care also means knowing how to use your products. Good practices include things like applying the moisturizers while the skin is damp, using upward strokes for better penetration of skin care products, removing the make up before going to bed, cleansing before moisturising or applying make up, using the correct amount of products, etc. Thus, increasing the effectiveness of your skin care products is another focus area of care.

Some precautions, like avoiding contact with detergents, are also part of serious skin care. Serious skin care means being gentle with your skin. Things like over-exfoliation, use of low quality products, and application of strong-chemical based products, are all harmful to your skin. Some people have a wrong notion about this. For them serious skin care is - using large quantities of products as often as possible. However, this really isn’t serious skin care (and that’s why awareness is so important).

Serious skin care is also about visiting your dermatologist for treatment of skin disorders. Ignoring the skin disorders can be fatal for your skin and might lead to permanent damage. So, if the things don’t improve with over the counter medication, you should immediately visit a dermatologist. Self-surgery e.g. squeezing of acne/pimples is a big no (it can lead to permanent damage of your skin).

So, seriously serious skin care is more about precautions and preventive measures (than treatment). It is about being proactive as well as reactive. In fact, we can say that it is about being proactive about the needs of your skin so that the need for being reactive is reduced to a minimum.



Jean

Peter Clark asked:


Need a good anti aging skin care guide? Here’s the start. 3 things you shouldn’t do to your skin, and a guide to how good anti aging skin care treatments will improve the look and health of our skin.

Whilst you might expect a lot of voodoo and hype about anti aging skin care, it’s not as difficult as you would think. There are some simple steps you can take to improve the chances of your skin looking good and being healthy right into old age. Combine some basic steps with a good quality anti aging skin care treatment and you’re on your way to slowing the visible effects of aging on your body.

A few simple steps each day should be a good foundation to good anti aging skin care, and there’s also some things you shouldn’t do too. A basic anti aging skin care guide should be easy to follow. It isn’t necessary to spend hours every day, just follow some simple rules and you’re well on your way to healthy good looking skin, and good health in general. Because the 2 go together.

3 Things You Should Never Do To Your Skin.

1. Avoid sunburn, or even overexposure to the sun.

Whilst a suntan might look good it’s one of the worst things you can do to your skin. Sunlight has damaging UV rays that burn your skin if you’re out in strong sunlight for too long, and this ages your skin and damages it severely. Sunburn is one of the worst things you can ever do to your skin.

When we get too much exposure to the sun our skin starts to experience damage to the cells that make up the skin, or dermis, as the scientists call it. This results in the loss of a substance known as hyaluronan. Hyaluronan is a key component of our skin and is responsible for helping our skin repair itself, so we don’t want to burn ourselves, thereby reducing the amount of hyaluronan that is there to repair damage.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go out in the sun, please don’t misunderstand. And any good anti aging skin care guide shouldn’t advocate staying indoors all day. Our bodies need sunlight. Exposure to sunlight helps our body produce vitamin D, and important vitamin. It’s not exposure to sunlight that is dangerous to our skin, it’s over exposure.

So avoid direct exposure to the sun from around 1pm to about 4pm, the most dangerous time, especially in summer. Use a good hat and long sleeved shirt. Use sunscreens sparingly, as they can contain chemicals which themselves can be nasty to our skin and in some cases are suspected of being dangerous.

2. Don’t eat to ruin your skin.

Or your health for that matter. The American diet is one almost designed to age us as fast as possible. Any good anti aging skin care guide should stress the importance of good diet to our skin and overall health. Because remember, the 2 go together.

So when you’re tucking into that next burger or pizza, remember that your diet affects your skin’s health, and your overall health. Focus on a diet rich in fruit and vegetables and in particular leafy green vegetables. Spinach and broccoli are particularly good. Take care of your body with good diet (and exercise) and it will function better and look better.

A diet high in vegetables improves your levels of anti oxidants that combat the effect of free radicals in your body, and skin.

3. Don’t dehydrate your skin.

So many of us don’t have enough fluids in our life. Specifically water.

In any good skin care routine drinking enough water should play a big part. Our body is made up of more water than anything else, and it needs water taken in every day. Our skin is our largest organ and it too needs plenty of water, and doesn’t respond well to dehydration. Drink plenty of water every day. Make sure it’s filtered water, tap water isn’t so great.

There’s 3 simple things you can do to help reduce the effects of aging on your skin, but those 3 on their own aren’t sufficient. A good anti aging skin care guide should also focus on skin care products that work.

Make sure you use a good anti aging skin care treatment.

Unfortunately you’re probably using skin care products now that don’t work. If you’re using mainstream household name products there’s a good chance they won’t do anything. And they probably contain ingredients that could be dangerous as well.

The best skin care treatments are organic skin care products that contain ingredients that come from sources such as plants, rather than the lab.

For example products that contain Phytessence Wakame and CoenzymeQ10 are effective and natural skin care treatments that work, and don’t contain nasty chemicals. Both these ingredients are naturally occurring.

Phytessence Wakame, for example, is extracted from seaweed, and is packed with vitamins and minerals essential to the health of our skin. And it can help our body retain hyraluronic acid, which is very important for skin health.

But don’t be fooled, not all products containing those ingredients are effective, many big companies put very small amounts into their skin care products just so they can list them on the label.

So if you’re looking for a good anti aging skin care guide there’s a good place to start. Eat well, drink plenty of filtered water, avoid too much exposure to the sun, and use a high quality organic anti aging skin care treatment that contains some of the best naturally occurring anti aging and skin health ingredients .

And you won’t find these in your mainstream big name skin care brands sitting on the shelf of your drugstore.



Yvonne

Ray A. Rubio asked:


Everybody wants to have great skin. There is a great craze for good healthy skin and there is every reason why you should try to have great and healthy looking skin. You can go for a skin care course that will help you learn all about skincare. Skin care is also a great industry because there is a lot of demand for anyone who knows how to take care of skin and keeps it looking great.

You can go for an online skin care course that will give you the basic knowledge about skin care. There are many certified courses available online which help you take the first step towards becoming a skincare professional. Beauty is an industry with great prospects and with these courses, you too can benefit from being part of the industry.

If you think that you’re not suitable for a skin care class in an actual school, you can opt for an online one. There are many websites that offer skin care courses online. You can take part in any of these online correspondence courses and hone your skills as a beauty expert. There is a range of options that you can choose from while opting for these courses. You can go for anatomy of the skin, which is all about understanding the way the skin works and what it needs in order to stay healthy. In this course, you learn all about the structure of the skin. There is another very popular course that is about basic skin care. It is a very useful skin care course because it teaches you all about how to take care of different kinds of skin and how to conjure up a skin care solution for those who have certain problems. A thorough understanding of the skin types is very important if you want to give individuals skin care solutions. Thus, this course will provide you with the basics that you can brush up and hone later.

Skin care schools and training

If you are planning to stay in the skin care industry and become a skincare professional, these online courses are a great help. However, you will need a certificate from a recognized skin care school if you want to become a successful skin care therapist. In case you are interested in the practical bit, you can go for the technical courses that teach you all about different skin care techniques like speed waxing, permanent make up application, skin analysis, ingredient technology, makeup artistry, and microdermabrasion. These are the latest in skin technology and if you are well versed in these techniques, there will be no end to your professional success.

When you start a skin care course, you will get to learn all about these techniques and you will soon become a master of the art.

Once you are done with the initial courses, you can opt for the advanced skin care courses like cosmetic surgery, dermatological studies, cosmetic surgery counseling etc.

Practice makes perfect. Hence, it is great if the skin care course you are doing also provides you with some hands-on experience. There are many schools that have both practical and theoretical classes.

If you really have the passion in you to become a good Esthetician, enroll in these schools and let your career flourish.



Mathew

Nicholas Tan asked:


Healthy skin is really one of the most important ingredients for beauty-enhancement. This article on skin care tips is an effort to bring the 10 best skin care tips to you. The list of skin care tips has been restricted to 10 because anything more that that would not only be difficult to remember, but also shadow the more important skin care tips. So let’s see what these top ten skin care tips are:

* Knowing your skin type is one of the most important skin care tip. This is important because not every skin care product suits everyone. In fact, all the skin care products specify the type of skin they cater too.

* ‘Drink a lot of water’. This will not keep your skin moist but will help in overall upkeep of your health (and in turn your skin). It might seem a bit awkward to some, however, this is an important skin care tip.

* Cleanse your skin regularly (1-2 times everyday). A very effective skin care tip that helps in getting rid of the dirt and other harsh elements from your skin. Cleansing is especially important when you have been out of your house (and hence exposed to pollutants, dust etc). This skin care tip also advocates the use of Luke warm water for cleansing (hot and cold water, both, cause damage to your skin)

* Be gentle, after all it’s your skin. Don’t scrub/exfoliate too hard or too often. Similarly, don’t apply too much or too many skin care products. A must-to-follow skin care tip.

* Keep your skin moist at all times. This is one of the most important skin care tip. Don’t let your skin get dry. Dryness causes the outer layer of your skin to break, leading to a rough and unattractive appearance. Use moisturisers/ emollients. Moisturisers work best when applied while the skin is still damp.

* Avoid the use of soap on your face. Soap should only be used from below the neck. A small but important skin care tip.

* Use sunscreen to protect yourself from sun’s harmful UV radiations. You can use day-time moisturisers that have sunscreen built into them. Use them even when it’s cloudy. UV radiations are known to cause skin cancer, so follow this skin care tip without fail.

* A bit of exercise and good sleep are essential too, not just for skin care but for your health as a whole. Lack of sleep can lead to formation of wrinkles below your eyes and lack of exercise can cause your skin to slack. Moreover, exercise and sleep also help in beating stress. So besides being a skin care tip, this is also a health care tip.

* Treat skin dilemmas with care. This skin care tip is about not ignoring any skin dilemmas. Consult your dermatologist before you go on to use a skin care product (lest you do end up harming your skin even more).

* Beat the stress. The harmful effects of stress are known to everyone, however, sometimes stating the obvious is essential too (and hence this skin care tip found its place here). Yes, stress harms skin too. So, take a break or indulge in a warm bubble bath or just get good sleep.



Sheila

Richard asked:


More Health and Beauty Guides

Your skin is an organ just like any other in your body and because it is your protection against the world it is vital you take care of it more than any other. Most people neglect taking care of their skin, more so men than women, but there are some sensible easy to follow tips that will keep your skin healthy that will not cost you an arm and a leg.

Healthy skin is really one of the most important ingredients for beauty-enhancement and when your skin is well cared for you will not only look good but feel great as well. Consider these sensible tips and guides to young healthy looking skin.

1. You should know your skin type in order to care for it properly. This is vital because not every type skin care product suits everyone. When you buy skin care products you will see that they are formulated to treat different types of skin. You may have dry skin, sensitive skin, or rough skin so make sure to purchase the right type of skin care product.

2. You should try and drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. This is crucial to good health in more ways than one. Doing so will not only keep your skin moist and supple but will help in overall upkeep of your health. It might seem a bit awkward to do so but water in any form is good so if you prefer fruit juices or alternatives this is just as sensible. Make it a habit if drinking enough water or liquids every day without exception.

3. Cleanse your skin regularly with the right type of products that suit your skin as mentioned above. Once in the morning and before retiring is good (1 or 2 times everyday). Your skin is exposed to pollution and harsh elements everyday and you need to revitalize it by cleansing. Use any of the different cleansing products on the market with Luke warm water. Too hot or too cold water is harmful to your skin. If you do like hot baths add skin oils to the water or bath salts that are skin care related.

4. Always be gentle when taking care of your skin. Never scrub or exfoliate too hard or too often. Sometimes your skin also needs a break from too many creams, make ups, or other skin care and cleansing products, Skip one day a week and use nothing on your skin. When you dio use skin care products also try not to overdo it.

5. Keep your skin moist and hydrated at all times. This is most important when it comes to skin care. Dryness causes the outer layer of your skin to break and flake more, and this results in chapped and rough skin. Use skin care products like moisturizers/ hydrating creams. After you have bathed or showered then apply a moisturizer before your skin is completely dry.

6. Try and Avoid the use of harsh soaps on your face and neck. Normal cleaning soaps should only be used from below the neck. You should use quality skin care cleansing for the rest of your body as well like herbal soaps or skin care gels.

7. When you are outdoors or vacations use sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful UV radiations. Tanning is dangerous without sunscreens and can lead to skin cancers. During the day use moisturizers that have sunscreen built into them where possible. Use them even when it’s cloudy because there are still UV rays coming through.

8. This may sound odd as a skin care tip, but regular exercise and good sleep are essential too, not just for skin care but for your health as a whole. The lack of sleep can lead to the formation of wrinkles and blackness below your eyes. In addition to this a lack of exercise can cause your skin to slacken and sag. Stress is not good for skin so exercise and sufficient sleep being a good reliever of stress lead to healthy looking skin.

9. Treat skin problems as soon as you notice any. Consult your dermatologist or doctor if you discover something out of the ordinary. Serious problems can be prevented if you catch them in time.

10. Beat the stress of modern living. The harmful effects of stress are well known to everyone but few people realize that there are easy ways to beat stress. Simple relaxation in a hot bath; regular get aways even for a weekend, relaxing with friends and family, is just a few examples of ways to relieve stress. Good health and relaxation result in a radiant looking supple skin.

More Health and Beauty Guides

More Weight Loss Guides



Loretta

Tim Faber asked:


Anti-aging is a bit of a misnomer and I’ve yet to meet anyone who has turned back the hands of time. However, as we age our skin becomes depleted of nourishment and hydration which leads to pre-mature skin aging. Antiaging skin care are formulated to renew and reclaim our youthful appearance.

Through a combination of hydration, protection with antioxidants, and anti wrinkle creams, lotions and moisturizers, those of us in the baby-boomer stage of life can add years to aging or damaged skin.

Antiaging skin care begins with several fundamentals we should all follow together with the use of effective skin care. Diet, fitness and health, together with maintaining proper hydration for healthy cell membranes and a bit of scientific “know-how”, allows us to look years younger, slow or halt pre-mature aging, improve suppleness and smoothness, and somewhat “turn back the hands of time”.

Keeping Your Skin Clean

As simple as this may sound, many skin problems result from lack of proper cleansing. Clogged pores can cause skin rashes, rosacea, blackheads and whiteheads, and prevent the proper irrigation of pores. Dermal layers require adequate moisture and circulation; and nutrition can be hampered without proper cleansing.

As part of a daily skin care regimen, using a facial cleanser in the morning and at night before bed is recommended. Avoid cleansers with harsh surfactants that may irritate the skin - this only worsens the problem and my offset gains from products formulated to treat or protect.

Oily or dry skin may need special attention, but a good, deep cleaning, removing makeup and pat drying are the first best steps towards protecting your skin from aging quicker than you would like.

Hydrating Your Skin

You have probably heard by now that our bodies are made-up in large part of water. Water is the primary component of skin cells, so it holds true that proper hydration is important. Moisture content directly effects healthy cell maturation and development, while improving circulation and delivery of nutrients.

Maintaining adequate levels of bodily fluids is a must. As the doctor says, drink plenty of fluids and avoid liquids high in caffeine and sugar. Caffeine is a diuretic that acts to deplete fluids and sugar is known to increase metabolism, both flushing nutrients and reducing fluid levels. It goes without saying diet and regular exercise and stopping smoking (if you do) are hugely helpful.

Anti-Aging Skin Care

Though anti aging covers a broad topic, to keep the conversation succinct and to focus on the most effective products, anti aging skin care can be categorized into a relatively small group:



Wrinkle Treatment

Antioxidants Skin Care

Age Spots

Dry Skin

Enlarged Pores

Body Firming

Spider Veins

Stretch Marks



 

Granted this is not an all encompassing list, but it covers many of the skin care issues we face as we age. Skin care is fundamentally developed to address symptoms, but effective products can remedy the causes as well. Let’s take a closer look at antiaging skin care and how it can help in our anti aging “quest”.

Wrinkle treatment comes primarily in the form of wrinkle creams formulated to reduce the density and depth of wrinkles. Many provide added hydration that acts to reinforce and provide nutrients to cell membranes - improving the skin’s health, while improving healthy cell rejuvenation.

Argireline and Matrixyl are two of the most commonly used active ingredients. These peptide compounds act similar to BOTOX in that they relax facial tissue - smoothing wrinkled skin and eliminating fine lines. Many are somewhat temporary in nature, though consistent use will aid to further prevent wrinkles.

Common in anti wrinkle eye and face cream, Argireline and Matrixyl are also effective for use on the neck (where my wrinkles started) and on the chest. Hyaluronic Acid is also useful in wrinkle treatment. Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring substance in our bodies. It helps cells retain moisture and acts to plump and smooth. Used as an active ingredient in wrinkle creams, it has a cumulative effect in relaxing and smoothing wrinkles.

Antioxidants skin care should not be overlooked. Free-radicals produced from naturally occurring oxidization destroy cells - and are especially fond of skin cells. Antioxidants are common in many fruits and vegetables - in particular, Green Tea, Idebenone and coffee.

All three have found themselves as popular ingredients in anti aging skin care. Green Tea in particular is promoted in consumables (tea), moisturizers, and topical serum applications. Free-radicals, in a nut shell, lead to pre-mature skin aging and can be accelerated if you smoke or are over exposed to the sun. Using an antioxidant as part of your anti aging program is a great step in the right direction.

I turned 50 last year…mmm…I still feel 30, but I’ve started noticing some things on my skin that I only linked to my grandmother - age spots. As we age melanin pigment in our skin loses its ability to protect from sun damage, thus dark, brown or age spots appear.

Bleaching or skin whitening creams can be effective reducing the appearance of age spots, but should be used with care. Many whitening agents make skin sensitive - and sensitive to the sun. Also, use should be confined to the age spots themselves, unless used in light(er) formulations for overall skin lightening.

Dry skin is the hidden villain of aging. As we age our skin naturally loses moisture, the ability to retain hydration, and this leads to amplifying other skin problems such as, wrinkles, rashes, and psoriasis.

Using a night cream that moisturizes is the best advice. Avoid the sun, drink plenty of fluids, and attempt to eat fruits and raw vegetables if possible. As mentioned, many products utilize Hyaluronic Acid to aid moisture retention. Often found in face applications, it is also used successfully in body lotions and creams.

In the past couple of years, Emu Oil has also become a favorite in anti aging skin care. Emu Oil is known to penetrate into the dermis and subcutaneous skin layers and is super-moisturizer. It also has anti-inflammatory properties as well as being an antibacterial. It has carrier benefits allowing it to “carry” other anti aging ingredients deeper into the skin - improving their effectiveness. Like Hyaluronic Acid, it can be found in body lotions and creams for the eyes and face.

Enlarged pores create havoc on the face. A result of heredity, clogged pores, or excessive oils, enlarged pores accumulated dirt, oil and dead skin cells. Often they lead to rough skin, bacterial infections, blemishes, swelling and irritation, inflammation, or acne and rosacea.

Daily and effective cleansing usually helps reduce pore size and irrigates bacteria-laden pores. Light use of makeup or using mineral makeup that does not irritate the skin and cause inflammation is recommended.

Many skin care products use either Emu oil or Alpha Hydroxy crystals to clean bacteria and reduce pore size. Both are effective active ingredients and when used in concert, help clean and clear your complexion and make skin pores smaller.

Ah…if you’re still with me, there are just a few items to cover - but, they are the top-three on the countdown list. Let’s start by discussing body firming lotions. Again, I know you’re tired of hearing this, as we age our skin loses elasticity and elastin fiber production drops. So?…well, this causes loose skin.

Outside the more obvious causes of lack of exercise and diet, collagen production and elastin development diminishes. Combined with depleted hydration, you get a one-two punch for loose and sagging skin. To get skin tight, body firming lotions use a complex of ingredients that firm and tighten skin, improve hydration, and nourish for optimal cell reproduction.

Many body firming lotions use Collagen III, Emu Oil, a firming peptide complex, and nutrients and amino acids that act together to firm sagging skin. Particularly useful on the arms, stomach, neck, and legs, these lotions tighten skin while adding moisture.

Spider veins are generally the result of several common occurrences - weight gain, pregnancy, having work responsibilities that require you to be on your feet a lot, or often from sun exposure - especially facial spider veins.

Considered a result of damaged or weak veins and capillaries, spider veins occur when damaged valves allow blood flow to get in, but not get out. Weight gain and gravity complicate the problem and in some respects may contribute to the problem. Anti aging skin care focuses on two results.

One, healing or strengthening the vessel walls. There are several active ingredients considered useful in helping the vessels and restoring healthy walls, but Vitamin k is consider the most effective currently. Two, you can cover them up. Repairing spider veins usually requires a spider veins cream or a spider veins treatment.

In fact, I had several facial spider veins removed from below my eyes and at the top of my nose with laser treatment - the result of too many days in the Florida sun growing up, per my dermatologist. But, I have had great success using a cream enriched with Vitamin K and have experienced measurable and noticeable clearing since use.

But, back to covering them up. Many folks have begun using spray-on pantyhose (men and women) to add some tint and color to their legs as the warmer seasons approach. Many spray-ons are formulated to not run when wet or to give you a weird coloring. Often available in a variety of shades, they can be chosen to give you a hint of color that matches your body without being noticeable.

Finally, whew, stretch marks. Though not necessarily at the top of the anti aging list, they are a common problem that folks like to address, especially as they age and become more “aware” of their bodies or pass through the child-bearing age.

Stretch marks are often result from childbirth, pregnancy, weight loss and gain, and are common among body builders. Simply, stretch marks are just that, marks created when the skin stretches faster that the skin can keep-up. Elastin and collagen are not able to reproduce quickly enough to counteract the stretching and the result is scarred and torn tissue.

Underlying the obvious, stretch marks core issue is elasticity and hydration. There’s that word again. True, though. If you are experiencing weight gain or are pregnant, using a stretch mark cream developed to add moisture and hydration has been shown to significantly reduce or even prevent stretch marks. If you already have them, as the title of this article suggests, there are several options.

Again, a stretch marks and scar creams help increase collagen and elastin fiber production. If used with ingredients that stimulate healthy cell reproduction, consistent, disciplined use can often marks and scars.

An alternative is to use an in-home, soft light laser. Low-level lasers emit light waves in oscillations that have been shown to stimulate cell growth and increase circulation. Used for many applications such as scars, burns, sores, and blemishes, low level “soft light” lasers have been shown effective.

Anti aging is a goal we all have and can be effectively dealt with using anti aging skin care. The reduction or elimination of wrinkles, smoother, softer clear skin, protection with antioxidant products, a firmer, tighter body and the elimination or fading of spider veins and stretch marks is possible with the right skin care products.

Though it’s a lot to consider, a skin care regimen focused on cleansing, moisturizing, and treating will to give you substantial short-term and long-term benefits.



Bessie

Nicholas Tan asked:


Skin care is not a topic of recent times; it has been in practice since ancient times, when herbal skin care was probably the only way to take care of skin. However, skin care has transformed in a big way. Herbal skin care routines have been replaced by synthetic/chemical-based skin care routines. The herbal skin care recipes which once used to be common place are not so popular today (and even unknown to a large population). This transformation from herbal skin care to synthetic, can probably be attributed to two things – our laziness (or just the fast pace of lives) and the commercialisation of skin care. Even herbal skin care products have been commercialised. These commercial herbal skin care products have to be mixed with preservatives in order to increase their shelf-life, hence making them less effective than the fresh ones made at home. However, it seems that things are changing fast and more people are now opting for natural and herbal skin care routines. But still, none want to make them at home and hence the commercial market of herbal skin care products is on the rise.

So what are these herbs or herbal skin care mechanisms?

Aloe vera, which is an extract from Aloe plant, is one of the best examples of herbal skin care product. Freshly extracted aloe vera is a natural hydrant that helps in soothing skin. It also helps in healing cuts and treating sun burns.

A number of herbs are known to possess cleansing properties. Dandelion, chamomile, lime flowers and rosemary herbs, are a few examples of such cleansers. Their herbal skin care properties get invoked when they are combined with other herbs like tea.

Antiseptics are another important part of Herbal skin care. Lavender, marigold, thyme and fennel are good examples of herbs that are known to possess antiseptic properties. Lavender water and rose water also form good toners.

Tea plays an important part in herbal skin care. Tea extracts are used for treatment of skin that has been damaged by UV radiation.

Oils prepared from herbal extracts present another means of herbal skin care. Tea tree oil, Lavender oil, borage oil and primrose oil are some popular oils used in herbal skin care. Some fruit oils (e.g. extracts from fruits like banana, apple and melon) find use in shower gels (as a hydrating mix)

Homeopathic treatments and aromatherapies also come under the umbrella of herbal skin care remedies.

Herbal skin care is good not only for the routine nourishing of skin but also for treatment of skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis. Most herbal skin care products don’t have any side effects (the most important reason for preferring them over synthetic products) Moreover, herbal skin care products can be easily made at home, hence making them even more attractive. So, herbal skin care is the way to go. However, this does not mean that you totally discard the synthetic products. Some people go to the extent of debating with their dermatologist, if he/she suggests a synthetic product. You should accept the fact that some skin orders might need usage of clinically proven non-herbal skin care products.



Danny

gen asked:


I really want to try Revitol skin care products and I was hoping that it might work on me. I would like to know where I can buy these products here in Manila. Also, does anybody know how much these products are?

The products I was looking for are Revitol Acne Spot Gel and Revitol Acnezine Acne Solution.

Colleen