TAKING PROPER CARE OF YOUR SKIN

How many of you have woken up in the morning only to see a stranger in the mirror looking back at you?  Years of good or bad choices can contribute to the quality of not only your body, but your largest organ - your skin.  The epidermis - or outer layer of skin- can be the first sign of how well you take care of yourself.  As the evidence of our lifestyle choices will eventually show up in far more than our skin, it behooves us all to take the best care of our body and skin that we can.

If your motivation for good skin care is to look more youthful, than taking proper care of your skin will have the added bonus of creating a healthier body.  If you wish to reduce acne breakouts, then a slight modification of diet might be necessary as well. Whatever your desired skin result, your overall health will be much improved by following a few easy steps.

Your everyday decisions shape how healthy you and your skin will be - it is that simple.

Here are some simple tips for basic skin care and a healthier body:

• Keep your skin clean so that it can breathe
• Give your skin plenty of moisture to keep it looking young and healthy
• Feed the skin key nutrients that it requires to rejuvenate and repair itself repeatedly
• Rid only the top layer of dead cells to promote rapid birth of new cells
• Protect against outside elements to prevent deterioration and/or damage
• Live a healthy life style

Skin is a living, breathing organ that regularly moves thousands of layers of skin cells each day. The skin is comprised of three layers - the subcutaneous layer  - where fat cells are produced;  the dermis - where you can find sweat glands, nerve endings and hair follicles, and the epidermis - the final outer layer of skin where pores and oil glands reside.

When new skin cells are ready, they start moving toward the epidermis. This trip takes about 2 weeks to a month. As newer cells continue to move up, older cells near the top die and rise to the surface of your skin.  So what you really see on the surface of your skin are dead skin cells.

Keeping your skin properly cleansed and moisturized is vital to healthy, glowing skin. It is the basic of all skincare routines. Be sure to choose a cleanser and moisturizer best suited for your skin type. If you aren’t sure what that is, ask your friendly pharmacist or dermatologist for help. You skin can be acne-prone, oily, dry or a combination of the two. There are hundreds of specialized products out there to suite every skin type.

Feeding the skin means feeding the body. A good skin care regime will always include a healthy diet full of nutrients and vitamins. Whole, organic foods are best if you can get them. Leafy greens, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains will keep your skin in top shape. Try to avoid junk foods or processed foods as much as possible. These foods rarely contain any real nutrition and can actually overload your skin with sugars and toxins to process.

A weekly light-exfoliation or facial scrub will do much to slough off the top layer of dead skin cells and reveal newer, healthier skin underneath. You can use a soft facial brush found in cosmetic counters, a rough washcloth or a light scrubbing pad as well as pre-packaged facial scrubs or facial masks.

Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure: While some sun exposure is necessary to produce vital Vitamin D, excessive sun exposure is very harmful to the skin. Without protection from the sun’s rays, more than 10 minutes of exposure each day can cause freckles, age spots, and spider veins on the face, rough and leathery skin, loose skin, a blotchy complexion and even skin cancer. If you must go outside, be sure to wear a good UV-blocking sunscreen like Zinc Oxide or wear protective clothing such as hats and long sleeves.

LIVE A HEALTHY LIFE STYLE

Although you have no control over intrinsic factors of aging, such as genetics, you are largely in control of the extrinsic factors.  This is where you can make life-altering choices.

Don’t Smoke. You cannot have truly vital skin if you smoke, period.  Smoking depletes your body of essential vitamins, which means you can’t have a healthy body either. If you do smoke, try your best to quit. Plenty has been reported and verified on the dangers of smoking and there are now numerous programs, patches and nicotine replacement therapies that can help you quit.

Exercise: Exercise gives you vitality. If you want fresh and youthful skin, physical activity is a must. It not only tones your muscles, but it increases blood flow to all areas of your body, especially your skin. Regular exercise reduces your stress levels, increases levels of oxygen circulating throughout the body, promoting rejuvenation and repair.

Avoid or Moderate Alcohol: Overindulgence of alcohol causes a decrease in the body’s level of vitamin A. This is a very important antioxidant vitamin that supports body and skin health. Alcohol also dilates small blood vessels in the skin’s surface, creating blemishes and red blotches. Drinking too much alcohol can exacerbate acne-rosacea. Due to the dehydrating effects of alcohol, skin wrinkles can occur after an extended period of alcohol abuse because the water in the body and skin is continually evaporated.

Reduce Stress: A good skin care routine and way of life can include meditation, yoga, relaxation, saunas, regular steams, exercise and most importantly, self love.

Get Plenty of Rest:  Lack of sleep shows up on the face in forms of dark circles, baggy eyes, and saggy skin. Research has shown that most adults function best with eight to nine hours of sleep each night. While we sleep, our skin gets a chance to rest and rejuvenate. Your skin truly does need its “beauty sleep.”

You’ve only got ONE body. Healthy choices that you CAN make every day will have tremendous effect on the quality of your life and health. The body has amazing repair capabilities, and once you stop or reduce toxic behaviors, it will be better able to heal itself.  Taking good care of yourself is the most important step in your skincare routine.

Author: Rachelle Dupree
Vivoderm Natural Skincare

Why Should I Look Out For Parabens and Sulfates? (Pt 2 of 2)

Natural Skincare for Winters

Facial skincare needs to be adjusted as per the demands of the season. While summers do not throw up many problems, winters and monsoons pose a million skin problems. Frosty air and chilled winds can actually give you a tough time. As such it is very important that you take adequate care of your skin during these harsh months.

Skin experts suggest that during winters, you must use milk rather than plain water to wash your facial skin. That will not rip the skin of its moisture. In fact, milk will help to give you a soft and baby-like skin texture. Cream and green tea brew may also be used. You must also strictly abstain from using such beauty products that contain alcohol. Natural skin products are free from alcohol and other such constituents. In order to get a youthful appearance, you should either use wholly homemade beauty recipes or 100% herbal skin products.

Face masks are a good way to protect the facial skin from the harsh winter chill. Since winters are known to sip up a major amount of skin moisture, it would be better if your face mask contains some moisturizing elements.

Here is a really easy winter face mask recipe. All you would need is potato starch, kiwi flesh, fresh cream and some yogurt. Blend everything together so that a consistent mix is made. Application of this mixture as a facial mask helps you to brave the winter chill. It also helps you to fight rashes and irritation. It is however suggested that you moisturize your skin with a quality moisturizer after removing the facial mask.

Your diet and lifestyle also contribute towards your skin texture. You must pay adequate thought to what you gulp down.

If you take adequate care of your skin in winters, you will bloom in spring!

Natural Way To Facial Skincare

We can actually go endless on the benefits of natural facial skincare. Women, by nature, fall for glossy creams and lotions. They have been falling prey to such harsh mix of chemicals since long. It is only after using and losing from these over-the-counter products that they realize the unworthiness of these so called beauty creams and solutions. No, we do not mean to say that all those creams that the store shelves are teeming with are worthlessness. No, not all are bad but yes many of them are and you may have no clue how badly they can react to the skin.

Natural facial skincare products act mildly on the skin. They are unbeatable and rather magical mix of constituents that add vigor and vivacity to the facial skin. Natural skincare products are made from naturally available products so it makes sense to use the natural products directly. Some people however keep utterly busy and do not have the time and energy to go through the hassle of making a so called ‘Beauty product’ at home and hence they find it convenient to buy readymade facial mix. As long as the product is ‘All natural’ in true sense of the word, it is okay.

For those who have ample time to experiment with various gifts of nature, here is some aid-

There are many natural ways to expedite collagen production for example sea kelp, zinc, algae, magnesium and ascorbic acid. Likewise there are many natural emollients like glycerin, Aloe Vera, Shea butter and many more. Oatmeal, banana, strawberry, essential plant oils, beeswax, floral wax, honey, papaya, fine salt, Aloe Vera and turmeric are amongst those hundreds of naturally availably effective beauty enhancers.

Apart from this, a person desiring a healthy and glowing skin must pay adequate attention towards one’s diet and lifestyle.

Natural Facial Skin Protection from the Sun

Zinc Sun Care and Summer Skin

Summer is rapidly approaching and it is time to once again stock up on sunscreens and hats. Sunrays can have a detrimental effect on the skin, so it is very important to protect the skin from too much sun exposure. Sun damage to the skin can show up almost immediately and will also appear over time. Different sunrays have different effects on the skin. A great way to remember the difference is by the letter A or B. UVA rays or ‘aging rays’ cause wrinkles, pigmentation and cancer. UVB rays or ‘burning rays’ are the rays that cause a tan and sunburn. These rays also age the skin but do not penetrate as deep as UVA rays.

To protect the skin from harmful sun exposure it is important to use a sunscreen that has both UVA and UVB protection. These sunscreens are commonly known as dual spectrum sunscreens. It is also important to check for ingredients that absorb and block sunrays. Ingredients such as oxybenzo absorb sunrays while zinc oxide actually blocks the rays. It is also important to look for sunscreens that are non comedogenic and non acnegenic which means that the sunscreen will not clog pores or promote acne. A SPF or sun protection factor of 15 or higher is recommended. A generous application is needed in order to attain protection; most people do not apply sunscreen liberally enough.

The SPF indicates how long you can be exposed to the sun before burning. For example, if your skin will burn within 10 minutes of sun exposure with no sun protection you can be exposed to the sun for 150 minutes with a sun protection factor of 15 before burning.

To estimate how long you can be exposed to the sun before burning, multiply the probable time you can be exposed to the sun with no sun protection before burning and multiply it by the SPF on the label of the sunscreen. Multiple applications throughout the day are necessary in order to be protected, and it is recommended to reapply every two hours, as sweating and water activities may rub off the sun screen. Sunscreens do more than just protect skin from burning, so reapplication is necessary to shield the skin from other harmful damage like premature age spots, wrinkles and fine lines.

Sunscreen Application

Regular sunscreen use will protect the skin from burning, premature aging and possible skin cancer. It is important to make sunscreen use as much a part of your daily routine as brushing your teeth. As summer is approaching it is even more important to wear sunscreen as the sunrays are stronger and more harmful during this time of year.

Natural Facial Skin Care

Natural Skin Care is a turning trend. Like people drinking water today, who would have thought we would all be drinking more. Our skin needs more care as we get older. With this increase in use of skin care products we are turning to natural ingredients. This is a good thing!!

To find these ingredients we look everywhere form our own kitchen to the rainforest. You will be surprised what you will find in the kitchen and I believe the rainforest will give up its secrets in do time. From the book Latino Folk Medicine by Anthony M. DeStefano gives us insight on how the thousands of plants have been used for hundreds of years, by people living in and around these rainforests.

We make a trip to the kitchen many times a day and our summer vacation plans may not have a trip to a rainforest. But we can find good skin care from these articles listed below. These articles from professional makeup artists, dermatologists, and press releases from around the world will help.

One of the best was to get natural skin care is to use homemade skin care recipes. In This website I have listed many recipes, along with information on the benefits from there ingredients. From moisturizers for the whole body, skin scrubs, or recipes just for one part of the body. Take the time it’s not that hard to make.

Every day we see new products in magazines, and on TV. And we talk to people who use all kind of different skin care products. Keep in mind that what may work for one person may not work for you. That is why it is a good idea to find out your skin type. Then read articles that will work for you. You may want to take the time to read a good book. The summer is coming and a trip to the beach is only weeks away. Plan ahead and get a book that may help you year round.

This is a video that I think is worth taking your time to see. So go get something good to eat and sit back watch.

The Truth about Natural Skin Care, Acne, Anti Aging, Face & Acne Products

Healthy beautiful skins starts on the inside and not the outside w/ skin care products. This video discusses the role of sugar, antioxidants, sun, nutrition and antiaging.

Dr. Vincent Bellonzi is a chiropractor and is certified in Clinical Nutrition. He has been in practice for over 12 years. He received his Doctorate from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic in 1991.

Since 1998, Dr. Bellonzi has practiced in the Austin area. He works with athletes at every level to provide sports conditioning and rehabilitation.

(This video was produced by Psychetruth)
http://www.myspace.com/psychtruth http://www.youtube.com/psychetruth

Understanding Hormones and Your Skin

“How to achieve beautiful, supple and young-looking skin”. You almost can’t avoid it - splashed on magazine covers, reported in newspapers and marketed on television and radio, the message to improve our skin would appear paramount to how we and others view our looks.
How does our skin age?  Skin aging is influenced by:

* Genetic differences
* Hormonal changes, e.g. estrogen and thyroxin
* Chronic sun exposure
* Wind, pollution

Blame it on hormones

Hormones are mostly to blame for skin changes as we age. Hormones are chemical messengers produced in organs such as the ovaries, adrenal glands, and thyroid glands, and all have an effect on other tissues.

Much of the reason why our skin begins to suffer is primarily due to hormones — and there is a massive industry manufacturing products to try to alleviate the results of these hormonal changes, notably as women reach menopause in their 40s and 50s.

As menopause occurs, estrogen is reduced and while it has a direct effect on thinning bones, it also creates significant changes in the skin. Women find:

* their skin becomes drier with increased wrinkles
* skin becomes more fragile, loses some of its elasticity, and is looser because the production of collagen is reduced
* older skin appears paler as the lack of estrogen reduces the number of blood vessels in the skin
* menopause also causes a reduction in the level of testosterone but not as significant a drop as in estrogen

Hormones and dry skin

Another hormone we have is thyroxin, produced by the thyroid gland, which influences skin appearance. Too much thyroxin shows a warm, smooth, sweaty, flushed skin. Under-activity of thyroxin produces a dry, coarse thickening of skin with reduced ability to sweat.

Hormones affect acne

The oil glands of the skin are in part controlled by the level and activity of the hormone testosterone in the skin. Testosterone is required to produce acne. This outcome can be seen in conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, which produce some elevation in testosterone, which in turn causes increased facial hair, irregular periods and acne. It has also been found that some birth control pills can block testosterone skin reactors to improve some of the consequences of increasing hormone levels. (See Acne Guide for more acne information)
Thinning hair

Hair will thin after menopause. In some women, genetic factors produce significant thinning. Abnormalities in the level of a thyroid hormone, in addition to the amount of iron stored in the body, can influence the volume of hair.

Estrogen encourages hair to stay in its growing phase (Anagen hair). This is seen in the significant thickening of hair towards the end of pregnancy. After menopause, however, the lower estrogen amount allows the scalp hair to grow towards the falling out stage (Telogen hair).
HRT and skin

Post menopausal women will notice that unlike their scalp, facial hairs increase. This is thought to be because estrogen — which opposes the effect of testosterone — drops relatively more after menopause than testosterone.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been used over the last 20 years to combat the signs of aging. HRT can promote a fuller-looking skin because the skin then becomes thicker with less loss of subcutaneous fat. Thinning and drying of vaginal surfaces is also minimized. This can also be achieved by using topical estrogen. The use of estrogen creams has been shown to maintain the elasticity and fullness of skin after menopause, although at this time it is not used extensively because of concerns about side effects and the variability of absorption into the body.

See your doctor or dermatologist to determine which solutions best suits your experience with aging skin.

By Richard Thomas, MD

Natural Facial Skin Treatments and Facial Masks

For thousands of years, women around the world have used herbs as part of their beauty regimens. Effective herbal beauty treatments purify internal and external toxins, which accumulate from environmental, dietary and other sources of pollution. According to Apothecary Tinctura’s Herbal Classes - turmeric, chamomile and seaweed provide deep nourishment and surface beauty. Use turmeric to promote radiant skin. Turmeric facials prevent bacterial infection. Turmeric pastes encourage radiance and balance pH levels. Chamomile can be an effective eye treatment. Apply a mild blend of chamomile and distilled water around the eyes to diminish a tired appearance. Seaweed detoxifies skin for a fresh feel and look.

Natural or herbal facial treatments are not new news - they have been around for millenia, but how we use them today is a brand new world. With a plethora to herbs and natural treatments to choose from, we can be overwhelmed.  But fear not.  Going natural is actually quite simple. Herbal treatments for the face can be used for beauty or health reasons. Use herbs to promote and maintain healthy, younger-looking skin. If facial skin conditions occur, turn to herbs to treat conditions including dry skin and acne. Herbs generally are safe, but consult a physician for advice about persistent facial issues. Keep reading for info and tips on facial masks and how to apply them.

Dry Skin
Dry skin can feel tight, itchy and look flaky. Holistic Online lists herbs for dry skin including, but not limited to, aloe vera, calendula, comfrey and tea tree oil. Aloe vera moisturizes and heals dry skin. Aloe vera has exfoliating action. Apply aloe vera topically. Soften and soothe dry skin with calendula or comfrey. Holistic Online suggests adding either herb to a facial sauna or to herbal water. Drink calendula tea to ease dry skin from the inside out. Add 1 tsp. of dried calendula to boiling distilled water. Infuse for five minutes and enjoy daily. According to Holistic Online, tea tree oil can heal skin at the cellular level. A drop of tea tree oil to night cream adds moisturizing benefits.

Acne
Herbal treatments can be effective for fighting acne. Holistic Online recommends black currant seed oil in capsule form to clear acne. Stinging nettles and cleavers tea may be an effective acne treatment. Acne may result from stress. Aid the healing process by relaxing jangled nerves with lavender or chamomile tea.

Using A Facial Mask

A good facial mask serves a variety of different functions: mud masks absorb oil, hydrating masks moisturize dry skin and perfecting masks replenish dull skin.

Instructions
Things You’ll Need:

* Washcloths
* Clay-based Face Masks
* Facial Mud Mask
* Moisturizing Facial Masks
Step 1
Use your fingers to spread a thin coating of the mask evenly over your skin. Avoid eye area and lips.

Step 2
Leave mask on as long as directed. Try not to laugh or smile while it’s drying.

Step 3
Remove a mud mask with a hot, wet washcloth. Pat face dry with a towel.

Step 4
Wipe off a moisturizing or replenishing mask with a tissue.

Step 5
Peel off a gel mask, starting at the forehead and moving down.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have combination skin, you may want to apply a mud mask only over the T-zone, which is the center of forehead, nose, chin and center of cheeks.
• If you have sensitive skin, you may wish to test the mask on another skin patch, such as the inside of the elbow. Wait 24 hours to make sure there is no adverse reaction before using the mask on your face.
• Avoid contact with eyes, as many masks contain acne medication or other irritating ingredients.

Natural Facial Masks and Home Recipes

Healthy Diet, Healthy Skin

By: Van Le

The saying “you are what you eat” didn’t happen by accident.  More Americans are realizing that what we put in our bodies dictates how well we think, look and feel.  Eating is the body’s way of obtaining the nutrition and vitamins required in order for the body to function properly.  Consuming the right kind of food can increase our energy level, lead to healthier-looking skin, and boost our self-confidence.  Americans spend billions of dollars each year on beauty products that promise to hide blemishes, cover under-eye circles, and conceal wrinkles; however, these products only temporarily fix what’s on the outside.  In order to have truly healthy skin, we must monitor our food intake and eat food that allows our body to naturally generate that coveted healthy glow.

Water:  Everyone knows that we should drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day, but not everyone does.  Seventy percent of the body is comprised of water, which is vital to cellular replenishment..  Water also helps flush bodily toxins and regulate our body temperature.   Try to limit caffeine and alcohol intake, as they can lead to dehydration and cause dull, dry skin.  If you think water is too plain, try adding lemon slices or cucumber for a hint of taste.

Low-fat dairy products:  Milk, low-fat yogurt, and low-fat cheese all contain vitamin A, a key ingredient in most anti-aging, anti-acne and anti-wrinkle products.  Vitamin A strengthens the skin, helps repair and restoration processes and prevents wrinkles.  The recent frozen yogurt craze has helped increase consumption of dairy products, however, it is important to remember that a cup of yogurt topped with candy, caramel, and other processed sugary treats can be counterproductive.  Instead, choose healthier fresh fruit toppings such as blueberries and strawberries.

Antioxidants: Fruits like berries and pomegranates are filled with antioxidants, which have been proven to protect the skin against UV damage such as wrinkles and dark spots.  They also protect the skin from free radicals, which are organic molecules responsible for tissue damage and aging.  According to antioxidantskincare.org, “when free radicals attack healthy skin cells, they cause the cell to decay,” which can lead to cancer, cardiovascular disease and speed up aging.  Antioxidants neutralize the production of free radicals.

Omega 3:  Walnuts, flaxseeds and salmon contain essential fatty acids that prevent harmful substances from entering cells.  They help regulate cell functions and maintain skin elasticity, leading to soft and healthy skin.  A diet filled with omega 3 will result in radiant skin, stronger hair and overall good health.  Our bodies cannot produce omega 3, therefore, it is important to add omega 3 to our diet.

Whole grain:  Wheat products such as bread, pasta, and cereal contain plenty of vitamin B, which can even out skin tone and help the skin maintain moisture.  Whole grain products help replace dead skin by stimulating cell growth on the epidermis, the skin’s outer layer.  Increase your consumption of whole grains by replacing white bread, pasta and bagels with wheat products.  Most likely, you won’t even taste the difference.

Makeup can create the illusion of healthy skin, but true healthy skin starts and ends with a proper diet.  A healthy diet is an essential way to achieve not only radiant skin, but also a radiant lifestyle.

Van Le is a staff writer for the CSU Daily Titan and writing intern for Vivoderm Laboratories in Los Angeles, California. She is currently pursuing a Journalism degree at California State University, Fullerton.

For the latest findings on natural skincare, you can also link to http://bestskincareforme.com

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