Why Natural Facial Skincare is Best for You

Our skin is the largest organ of the body and protects the rest of our organs from outside elements and harm. We have all been taught to take care of our skin not only to look good, but also to be healthy.

The benefits of eating organic, whole foods have been getting a lot of press in recent years. If you want beautiful skin, a healthy inside will reflect a healthy outside. Today, natural and organic skin care is the fastest growing area in the skin care and beauty industry.

Why natural? Some facial cleansers and  products have been known to contain many chemicals such as parabens, to preserve their shelf life. Parabens are actually harmful to the skin, and overall health. Organic skin care products are all natural and do not contain any chemicals or preservatives. “Natural skin care” can and might contain some chemical constituents, but strives to be as natural as possible. The key ingredients used to make these products contain few if any toxins or chemicals.

You may then ask, “Do natural or organic skin care products expire more quickly than others?” The answer is no. In order to extend the product’s shelf life, manufacturers recommend you use something sanitary–such as a spatula–to remove products from containers and always close containers directly after use. It is widely agreed upon that once skin care products of any kind are opened and exposed to air, they should be used or thrown out after 6 months.

When natural facial masks and treatments are used to treat skin disorders such as eczema and acne, they are much less likely to cause irritation to sensitive skin. Choosing natural is a beneficial and safe way to take care of your skin and overall health. Today there are many organic and natural soaps and cleansers to choose from, including cleansers, toners, moisturizers, make-up and even anti-aging serums. Some organic ingredients you may already have at home are: essential oils like ginger and tea tree, natural plant oils such as grape seed and almond oil, and herbs such as lavender and green tea. You can use these in your bath or make fabulous natural, facial treatments. The internet or your local library has hundreds of great recipes to choose.

Organic fruits such as papaya, apples, citrus and cucumbers are proven to have a healthy effect on the skin, due to the absence of toxic pesticides. As you can imagine, there are many great organic and natural soaps and cleansers available for retail, if you’re not interested in making your own home remedies. However, “natural” doesn’t always mean organic and labels can be deceiving; do some research on ingredients that seem skeptical.

The intent of this article is to help you be aware what you are putting on your skin and what harmful ingredients may be looming in your favorite skin care products. Now that you know more about natural, organic skin care follow the below home recipe for a great glow!

Make sure that your at home ingredients are certified organic.

Moisturizing Avocado Mask:

1 avocado, 1 teaspoon of apple vinegar, 1 egg white, 3 teaspoons of olive oil. Peel and mash avocado. Separate and beat egg white, add to mashed avocado along with other ingredients. Apply to face and wash off after 20 minutes.

Natural Skincare and Lifestyle Tips to Age Gracefully

Ahh aging. That all-time nemesis of the twenty-first century.  Everywhere you go, people are trying to look younger. We buy all sorts of high-tech anti aging skincare products, try exercise regimes, new workouts, spending hundreds or even thousands on spa treatments, facials and invasive surgical procedures.  Just so they can look 5 to 10 years younger.  And what is the bottom line? WHY are we all trying to erase the signs of our maturity and experiences? Many blame media or modern culture for putting such a high value on youth and vigor that all other valuable attributes have simply slipped away. Indeed, we see evidence of this all too often - from the workplace that lets their oldest employee go for “budgetary” reasons, to the new dating trend preference of of choosing someone 10 to 20 years your junior.

Maybe it’s the inevitable fear of death that keeps most of us clinging to our years already gone by, but our society looses so much of its value and wisdom by simply paying attention to the surface appearance. Doesn’t it make more sense to take care of yourself as best as you can and age gracefully - without regret or expensive ‘restoration work’?

Of course, most of us would all like to live longer and have a better quality of life. To have the gift of good health in your later years, it makes sense to take care of yourself in your youth. Here are some common-sense lifestyle tips and natural remedies to help grow old youthfully.

Drink More Water

Water makes up approximately 60% of the human body, and there is water in every cell of the body. We cannot survive without water for longer than a few days. With age our sense of thirst gradually diminishes, and the water content of body decreases so many elderly people are somewhat dehydrated. Dehydration is linked to allergies, hypertension, general aches and pains and of course, bad digestion.
Use Organic or Natural Skincare Products

Natural skin care goes beyond the application of products on one’s skin. It also pertains to a holistic philosophy surrounding the care of one’s body. This includes the belief that what is ingested will affect all aspects of health, including the health of skin. People who use natural skin care products are less concerned with artificial beauty enhancements, as they feel that natural beauty is healthy beauty.

Some examples of natural skin care ingredients include jojoba, safflower oil, rose hip seed oil, shea butter, beeswax, witch hazel, aloe vera, tea tree oil, and chamomile. Many of these natural ingredient combinations can be tailored specifically to the individual’s skin type or skin condition.

Eat Healthily

Easier said than done for some, but a healthy diet is essential to your well-being. The old saying “You are what you eat” rings true when we see the rise in dietary related diseases. Don’t be caught digging your grave with your teeth. A balanced diet of fresh, whole (non-processed), organic and preferably raw food should be a large part of your diet.

Basic Guidelines For A Simplified Balanced Diet

* Avoid white flour products
* Eat whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, millet etc.
* Avoid sugar - rather use honey, agave, xylitol or stevia.
* Eat a variety of legumes (beans, lentils etc.)
* Avoid all hydrogenated fats (margarine etc.)
* Avoid fried foods
* Include low-starch vegetables preferably eaten raw.
* Include foods rich in omega-3 fats.
* Include low-fat, organic protein sources (fish, spirulina, organic whey protein, quinoa)
* Include fresh organic fruit (especially from the super food range) and raw nuts.
* Avoid colourants, flavourants, preservatives and artificial sweeteners.

Whole foods are better than processed. Refined foods result in both a measurable loss of nutrients and an unbalanced food, which creates imbalance in the body when eaten. Living food (such as fresh fruit and vegetables) are more nutritious and better than “dead food” (such as canned foods). Foods grown in “live soil” (organic food) is better than food grown in “sterile soil”. This has largely depleted trace minerals in foods.

How Does Eating Sugar Make You Old?

Eating sugar causes your body to secrete high levels of insulin. Insulin and the stress hormone, cortisol, are two hormones that can dramatically speed up the aging process. Sugar depresses the immune system; it contributes to atherosclerosis, and it causes oxidative stress by creating AGEs (advanced glycosylated end-products). These accumulate in body tissues such as the skin (causing age spots), arteries, kidneys and brain. In other words, eating sugar makes you old.

Do Exercise

Exercise is one of your key weapons in the fight against premature aging. Medical studies prove time and time again that physical exercise is a key factor in the
prevention of chronic disease as well as beneficial for mental function. The main benefit of exercise is the increased oxygen to the brain, heart and other organs which in turn increases their well-being and functioning. Bouncing on a mini-trampoline is a well recommended form of exercise that can be done in the comfort of your own home and at a time that suits your schedule.

Detox

The body detoxifies itself naturally through the skin and other organs of elimination. Assist your body with its cleansing ability by making some lifestyle changes. You need to minimize your exposure to external toxins: changes like drinking pure water, eating organic food, avoiding sources of air pollution and exposure to tobacco, and limiting consumption of alcohol, preservatives, caffeine, sugar and processed foods.

Simple measures like bathing daily, dry brushing, exercising, keeping hydrated, supplementing with herbal remedies that support the organs (like milk thistle for the liver), deep breathing and eating healthily are good routines to follow.

Get Some Sunshine

Natural Vitamin D is another key weapon in the pursuit of good health and longevity. Sunlight is the best form of Vitamin D and its levels in the body affects the entire body. Modern science is now realizing that vitamin D does more than just aid the absorption of calcium and bone formation. It is also involved in multiple repair and maintenance functions, touches hundreds of different genes, and helps to fight infection by regulating the immune system. Vitamin D deficiency is a growing epidemic across the world and contributes to many chronic debilitating diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and depression, as well as cognitive impairment in older people. Avoid synthetic Vitamin D2 in supplements like fortified foods as high doses have been found to be toxic.

Get More Sleep

Good quality sleep is essential, in fact some say that it’s the best anti-aging tool. While we sleep,the body “recharges” and repairs. The 24-hour circadian rhythm is our internal clock and governs the body’s functions.. This clock helps the body to adapt to the time of day and to environmental changes. Studies have shown a co-dependency between the circadian clock and the body’s metabolism and cellular performance. Disrupted sleep patterns can adversely affect health especially mental health. Some effects include short-term memory loss and impaired creativity as well as weight gain or loss and an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. Lack of sleep weakens the immune system and may cause decreased production of melatonin, which is produced by the brain during sleep.

Take pleasure in living healthily and make good choices in nutrition, exercise, weight management, mental attitude, work and relationships. This will stand you in good stead for your later years.

References:
1. Science Daily March 19, 2009: How Your Body Clock Regulates Your Metabolism.

2.http://articles.mercola.com/sites/a…

3.http://www.topantiagingtips.com/sle…

4. Bland JS. Improving Genetic Expression in the Prevention of the Disease of Aging - A Functional Medicine Approach to Anti-aging Medicine. Gig Harbour, WA:
HealthComm Intl, 1998

5. Grossman T. The Baby Boomer’s Guide to Living Forever. Golden, CO: Hubristic Press, 2000:127

Five Tips for Natural Skin Care

Tip 1: Give Yourself a Dry Brush Exfoliation
A dry brush exfoliation can be done in the morning before you shower. It eliminates dead skin cells and allows the skin to detox (skin is the largest organ of elimination). Dry brush exfoliation also improves lymph and blood circulation and decreases puffiness. An added benefit is that the gentle pressure is calming to the nervous system. To give yourself a dry brush exfoliation, you’ll need a soft, natural bristle brush.

Tip 2: Rev Up Your Digestion
In alternative medicine, good skin is a reflection of a good digestive system. People with skin disorders such as acne, rosacea, and psoriasis often suffer from constipation, imbalanced “good” vs. “bad” bacteria, leaky gut, and other digestive conditions. The two most common sluggish digestion culprits are:

* Culprit #1: Not Enough Water Water bathes cells and eliminates waste products, preventing constipation.

* Culprit #2: Not Enough Fiber Most people lack fiber in their diets - the average person eats only 12 g of fiber a day. In 2002, the National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition Board established recommended fiber intakes. For men aged 19-50 years, 38 g fiber is recommended, and for men over 50, 31 g fiber is recommended. For women aged 19 to 50 years, 25 g fiber is recommended, and for women over 50, 21 g fiber is recommended.

* Some suggestions:
1. Add Whole Grains - Choose whole grain products over refined. Have brown rice instead of white or make your own 50:50 combination.
2. An Apple a Day - Have an apple, skin on, as a snack.
3. Eat Cauliflower - Try this delicious Roasted Cauliflower recipe!
4. High-fiber snacks - Snack on nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, such as dates, figs, and prunes.
5. Try a “Prune Power” Smoothie - Prunes are a great source of fiber. Start your day with this tasty Prune Power smoothie.
6. Eat Beans and Legumes - Open a can of your favorite beans or legumes. Rinse them well and add them to your meal.
7. Ground Flaxseeds - For any easy fiber boost, sprinkle ground flaxseeds (available at health food stores) on rice, salads, oatmeal, or any other meal. Store flaxseeds in the fridge.

Tip 3: Invigorate Sluggish Circulation
Do you sit at your desk for hours, only getting up to go to the bathroom? One of the best things you can do for your skin, stress level, and overall health is to get moving! Inactivity may affect skin and promote bloating and puffiness, acne, cellulite, and loss of muscle tone.

* Take a quick break to go outside and walk around the block.
* Book a massage therapy appointment.
* Close your door and stretch.
* Go to the gym.
* Start each morning by stretching.
* Get a skipping rope - raise your heart rate and do some good cardio.

Tip #4: Avoid Excess Sugar
Most people do not realize this but excess sugar is considered one of the main causes of premature aging. The more sugar we eat, the more sugar we have entering our bloodstream. Over time, this can result in a process known as glycation, which is when a glucose (sugar) molecule damages a protein molecule by sticking to it. The new molecules formed are called advanced glycation end-products, or AGEs. AGEs damage collagen in skin, cartilage, and ligaments and promote a loss of elasticity. Wrinkles form and skin begins to sag.

* Try This - It may seem impossible to reduce your sugar intake, but it can be done! A gradual approach works best. In the next week, choose one thing you’re going to do to decrease the amount of sugar you consume. For example, start by cutting the amount of sugar in your daily coffee or tea by half. Every week, find another way you can decrease your sugar intake. Pretty soon, you’ll be surprised at how far you’ve come!

Tip #5: Eat Some Good Fats
Essential fatty acids are simply fats your body cannot live without. They are needed to make cell membranes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Essential fats are thought to keep your heart healthy, fight inflammation, and possibly prevent cancer. They are also particularly important to people with inflammatory conditions such as eczema and acne, and also for people with dry skin. People with essential fat deficiency sometimes notice bumps on the backs of their arms. Here are my suggestions on getting more essential fats:

* Flaxseed and walnut oil - Use flaxeed oil or walnut oil with balsamic vinegar as a salad dressing. Be sure to keep these oils refrigerated. They should not be heated or used for cooking.
* Cold water fish - Sardines are a good source of essential fats. Salmon is another good source, however these salmon accumulate toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (otherwise known as PCBs) in their body fat during the 95 percent of their lives they spend at sea.
* Supplements - Consider fish oil supplements.

Natural Skin Care Therapy Tips for Acne

Acne is not a new problem; people have been suffering from it for many thousands of years. In ancient Egypt for instance, oils were often used to soften and smooth the skin. It is only in recent times that people have begun to use acne creams made of chemical ingredients like benzyl peroxide, among others. These can not only have unwanted side effects, like the drying of healthy skin or the bleaching of clothing, but can be very costly.

It’s no mystery that our grandmothers seemed to know best. When it comes to health and skin, the more natural the ingredient, the better. Of course, there are times when natural remedies may not be as effective and that is Ok. However, just be aware of the natural options you have first, before you waste a lot of money on another product that doesn’t work. Many people today discovering the old-world secrets in caring for their bodies more naturally, and are turning to natural and herbal remedies, such as the following simple ‘kitchen cures’.

Acne Remedy #1: Make a paste of nutmeg powder and milk, and apply to your face in a thin layer. Leave on for up to an hour, or even overnight.

Acne Remedy #2: Take an orange peel and leave it to dry, and then grind it to a powder. Mix with water and apply directly to the pimple.

Acne Remedy #3: Applying garlic directly to a pimple can also be a great remedy, as garlic is a natural disinfectant.

Acne Remedy #4: Mix a spoonful each of fresh lemon juice and cinnamon. Apply to the acne overnight for several nights in a row to be effective.

Acne Remedy #5: Take fresh leaves of fenugreek and grind to make an acne remedy that is also said to be effective in reducing wrinkles. It should be left on for only fifteen minutes.

Acne Remedy #6: Papaya juice, which is high in natural enzymes, makes a wonderful acne solution all on its own.

Acne Remedy #7: Boil a cup of milk, and then allow to cool to room temperature, and add a spoonful of limejuice to make a acne face wash.

Acne Remedy #8: Mix rosewater, cucumber juice and lime juice in equal amounts. Apply to clean face and leave on overnight.

Chemical skin care ingredients you should avoid if you are acne-prone or have oily skin in combination with acne:
• Butyl stearate
• Cinnamon Oil
• Isotearyl isostearate
• Cocoa butter
• Jojoba oil
• Coconut oil
• Decyl oleate
• Myristyl myristate
• Myristyl propionate
• Octyl palminate
• Octyl stearate
• Peppermint Oil
• Isopropyl stearate
• Isopropyl, isostearate, myristate or palmitate
Try several of these natural remedies and see which one is best for you, be aware that it can take several days to have an effect. Make sure you use clean spoons and dishes to mix your remedies, and remember to wash your face as usual in between treatments.

Rosemary Uses for Health and Skincare

By Van Le | Rosemary is a widely-used herb in many natural products, specifically natural skin care products.   Its use has been traced back to ancient and medieval times, when it was used as an antiseptic to care for wounds thanks to its restorative properties.  Rosemary is edible and is often used as a spice for cooking.

When added to food, rosemary provides key nutrition such as calcium, iron, and Vitamin B.  What is good for the body is also good for the skin, therefore, rosemary and its oil extracts have been used medicinally for hundreds of years.  In modern times, rosemary has been a wildly popular ingredient in many herbal skincare products and cosmetics.

Rosemary is an evergreen herb that is native to the Mediterranean region, and is known as the “dew of the sea” because it first grew predominantly along the Italian coast.  Today, rosemary can be grown in a typical garden with relative ease.  The leaves can be crushed and used as an herb for cooking, and the health and cosmetic benefits of this herb are plentiful.  Rosemary is popular in the kitchen as spice for fish, meat and poultry.

Outside the kitchen, rosemary oil improves digestion, boosts mental activities, and strengthens follicles for increased hair growth and stronger hair.  It is high in anti-oxidants, making it a key ingredient in the fight against tumors and cancer.  Rosemary stimulates brain activities, fights off free radicals, and is a key component in the fight against cancer.

The health benefits of rosemary are plentiful, but the cosmetic benefits are even more rewarding.

Also known as Rosmarinus Officinalis, rosemary is rich in minerals, has a pleasantly compelling smell, and contains powerful anti-inflammatories.  According to an article by Dr. Winston Craig, “The terpenoids in rosemary, such as rosmarinic acid, rosmanol, carnosol and ursolic acid provide effective anti-inflammatory benefits, while ursolic acid conveys anti-tumor properties.” When used on the skin it stimulates blood flow and helps improve skin functions, resulting in a healthy complexion.

A common indication of skin damage and aging skin is broken capillaries, a condition where capillary walls rip and blood seeps to the surface of the skin.  As a result, fine, red lines appear under the surface of the skin, creating an unpleasant look.  Rosemary has been known to reduce the appearance of broken capillaries.  It stimulates circulation, reduces the appearances of the red lines, which makes it an effective element in anti-aging products.  Rosemary is also effective in reducing under-eye puffiness since it is able to increase circulation and help drain toxins that accumulate in the area directly under the eyes.

Thanks to its antimicrobial and astringent properties, Rosemary is also used to treat symptom of acne.   When used as an astringent, rosemary helps cleanse the skin by clearing clogged pores, removing dead skin cells, and stimulating cell renewal.  It also prevents excess oil buildups that can lead to inflamed pores.

Rosemary can also be made into essential oils, teas, and powders.  Its soothing and rejuvenating properties are commonly used in aromatherapy for overall wellness.  As with everything, moderation is key.  Rosemary should not be used by those suffering from hypertension or epilepsy, and women who are breastfeeding should consult a doctor before consuming rosemary herbs.
Rosemary is a key ingredient in Vivoderm’s anti-acne mask, anti-aging mask, intense moisturizer, facial cleanser, facial toner, body butter and foot cream.

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://naturalsoapinfo.com

Complementary and Alternative Health Practices

By: Van Le

Complementary and Alternative Practices towards a Healthy Lifestyle. Over the last century, doctors and researchers in the Western world have made several medical breakthroughs and significant discoveries in the fight against terminal diseases.  Such discoveries are key milestones towards finding the cure for diseases such as cancer and other illnesses, however, the idea of using complementary and alternative medicines, remedies, and holistic therapy to help manage a natural, healthier lifestyle is gaining popularity in the Western world.

Complementary and alternative medicine consists of practices that do not follow the norm of conventional medicine; complementary medicine is used in conjunction with conventional medicine, while alternative medicine is used in place of conventional treatment.  Some examples of complementary and alternative medicine include acupuncture, meditation/visualization, and the use of natural products.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture, a complementary medicine technique, is the practice of inserting tiny needles into very specific parts of the body to relieve pain and discomforts associated with conventional treatments.  According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), it is the oldest healing practice in the world, and works by restoring the body’s balance (ying and yang.)  Acupuncture is most popular for its ability to relieve pain and aches, but the idea of “cosmetic acupuncture” is also gaining attention as a less-drastic alternative to cosmetic surgeries.

It has been reported that those who undergo cosmetic acupuncture experience vibrant skin tone, reduced and finer wrinkles, and firmer skin.  A study in The Journal of Clinical Acupuncture states that 90% of cosmetic acupuncture patients experience notable improvement in their skin quality.  As with any medical procedure, acupuncture carries risks, and when considering an acupuncture treatment, it is important to examine the creditability and equipment of the practitioner.

Meditation/Visualization
Meditation is a complementary technique used to escape from the stress of our hectic lifestyles and reach a profound state of relaxation and calmness.

There are several types of meditation, including yoga and tai-chi.  Yoga consists of molding the body into postures, using controlled breathing, and focusing on the moment to escape from the day’s stress.  Tai-chi started as a form of martial arts but has transformed into a healing practice.  Those who practice tai-chi move their bodies slowly and mindfully while focusing on their breathing.  According to the Associated Press, tai-chi helps build a stronger immune system, which can help the body fight against shingles, a skin condition that cause rashes.  Visualization, also known as mental imagery, is a technique in which the mind focuses on a specific image.  Cancer patients sometimes use this technique to envision their bodies fighting off the disease.  Visualization can be used by anyone to relieve stress from a busy day.

Use of natural products
The popularity of natural products has increased exponentially in the last few years due to its ability to generate healthy skin from the inside out.  Products that contain natural ingredients as opposed to harsh chemicals are logically better for the body and skin.  From a diet filled with healthy choices to using natural skincare products, there are several ways to generate a healthy, more fulfilling lifestyle.  By choosing blueberries over Botox, you can achieve longer-lasting and healthier results.  Switch to an all-natural line of skin care products to give your skin a break from the preservatives and lab-generated chemicals that can wreak havoc years down the road.

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://bestorganicnaturalskincare.com

Keeping Skin Healthy

The market today is flooded with beauty products. Everywhere you look, another new product is on the shelf (or on the website). So, how does one choose which is the best product for them? If you are inclined to treat your skin naturally-meaning without harsh chemicals-then organic or natural skin care may be the best for you. Not only do these products help your skin in a more balanced, natural way, they are also much less harmful to yourself and the environment.

Below are five basic steps in keeping skin healthy, along with the use of organic skin care products.

Eat and maintain a balanced diet. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins and minerals that help you maintain a healthy skin the natural way. Avoid processed and greasy foods. Familiarize yourself with healthy, organic food that you enjoy and will promote better health. Supplements will also provide assistance in keeping your whole body healthy. Keeping the entire body healthy is the primary key for healthy cells. This is the most important organic skin care tip. Skin can only look as good as the nutrients you feed your body. The skin is the primary conduit for the liver to process toxins.

1. Drink plenty of water. A huge percentage of the body is composed of water. Water intake will help you clean the body. Water also hydrates the body and helps prevent dry skin. Well-hydrated cells function well. Cells that function well can help maintain youth. The more active a person is, the more water he/she needs. Eight glasses of water a day is the recommended amount of water intake, however, as for athletes and energetic people, more is needed to replace the fluid they excrete through perspiration. There is no replacement to drinking plenty of water and this is not only a great organic skin care rule but a great habit to adopt.

2. Exercise. Aside from a boost in energy, moderate work outs promote blood circulation and increase oxygen in the blood stream. Both help in maintaining the youth of your skin.

3. Wash your face with mild cleansing products. Cleansing products with strong substances can harm cells. Ensure that you use clean water when washing the cleansing products off your skin. Don’t rub your skin vigorously with the towel - it irritates the skin. Wipe gently with soft cloth. Organic skin care products are milder than those with synthesized or processed ingredients and don’t need to be scrubbed off.

4. Use organic skin care products when possible. Products with natural ingredients will clean you r skin just as well as those full of chemicals. The closer the ingredients are to their natural state, the less harmful for your skin. Most organic products work with the body’s natural process in fighting harmful elements and potential diseases as opposed to chemically forcing the skin to respond to treatment.

5. Moisturizers are recommended for all skin types. Even oily skin loses its natural moisture after using harsh cleansing products. If your skin is not properly moisturize, it will dry and age faster. Toners help in cleaning traces of dirt and cosmetics not easily removed with the use of cleansers. Try to use a product containing zinc or a natural sunblocking agent to protect your face from the harmful UVB rays of the sun.

Organic skin care gives you the greatest opportunity to have a healthy skin, without using harmful ingredients. The appearance of your skin indicates the state of your health. If you are suffering from acne or any other skin condition, try treating it from the inside out first. Give your body a chance to balance itself with healthy foods and supplements before you spend hundreds of dollars on topical treatments. Your skin is your body’s armor, protecting your from the elements. Help it do its job.

Determine Your Skin Type

Determining your skin type is easy, and the information will help you when buying moisturizers, cosmetics and facial cleansers.

Step One
Wash your face with a skin cleanser, then rinse and pat dry.

Step Two
Wait one hour.

Step Three
Note whether your skin feels “tight.”

Step Four
Press a separate piece of tissue onto each area of your face: chin, center of cheeks, outer cheeks, center of forehead, outer forehead and nose.

Step Five
Examine each tissue and look for oily residue or flaky skin residue.

Step Six
Interpret the results. Oil on each tissue indicates an oily skin type, while oil on only some tissues (specifically those on the T-zone, which is the center of forehead, nose, chin and center of cheeks) indicates a combination skin type. Flaky skin residue on all tissues - without oily residue - or a tight feeling in the skin indicates a dry skin type. No oil and no flaky residue on any parts of the tissue indicates a normal skin type.

Tips & Warnings
Pore size is another indication of skin type; small pores generally indicate dry skin, while large pores mean oily skin. Remember that there are many factors that affect your skin type, such as weather, emotions, hormones and stress, and this will cause your skin type to be in a constant state of fluctuation.
“Combination skin” products that claim to serve different functions on different parts of the face are suspicious. You’re better off using different products on different areas.

Overall Things You’ll Need
Hand or Wash Towels
Mild Facial Cleansers
Oil-free Facial Cleansers
Oil-free Moisturizers

Your Face Reflects Your Diet

You may have heard the old saying, “You are what you eat.” Never does it ring more true when we consider the quality of our skin. It’s not a fallacy to say we feel better when we eat pure, healthy foods that support and nourish our bodies as compared to a diet of over-processed, chemical-laden foods. Without proper nutrients, the body just can’t function optimally. It will be sluggish, lack vitality, and lack muscle mass. On the surface, the skin may show wrinkles, sagging, acne, age spots and appear overall to be dull. Free radicals can take the blame for some of this skin degeneration, but if you want beautiful, healthy, glowing skin – you have to feed it right.

Antioxidant-rich foods that contain vitamin C and E have been found to defend against free radicals by giving them their own electrons and forming a barrier that protects skin cells. You may already know certain behaviors and habits will either help or harm your skin, such as proper diet, exercise, smoking and sun exposure. One of the most significant sources of skin-damaging free radicals is cigarette smoke.

The modern Western diet is filled with carbohydrates, unnecessary sugars and salts, fats and caffeine. Most would be shocked to learn just how many of these detrimental elements they consume in a day. According to current research, it is the sugars and carbohydrates that have the worst effects on your complexion. They rob your skin of the oxygen it needs to stay youthful and can also cause inflammation.

In opposition to the processed foods, a diet that is pure and natural to its original essence as possible will provide your skin with vital nutrients and oxygen. Fruits and vegetables are on the top of this list of course, but other vital fats like walnuts, olive oil and fresh fish oils will also contribute greatly to beautiful, glowing skin. You cannot improve your skin without first improving your daily diet. Take the time to research various natural foods and their beneficial qualities. Try to incorporate these foods as much as possible into your lifestyle. Also beneficial is to replace those sugar-laden sodas with fresh water and teas. Proper hydration will help flush residual toxins from your system while you are optimizing your diet.

Once you consider what foods you are ingesting, you may also need to consider your smoking and drinking habits. We all know how harmful excessive smoking or drinking can be for our health, but our skin will be the first to show the signs of damage–long before our bodies give any indication of disease or imbalance. Smoking creates a toxic metabolism in your whole body. Many know the lungs are damaged by smoking–which is bad enough in itself–but the lack of oxygen will show on your face first. You will see more wrinkles around the eyes and mouth and smokers also have skin that is slower to heal. Blood is actually directed away from the skin by the destructive effects of nicotine, resulting in a sallow, grayish skin tone. On a scientific level, the nicotine blocks the oxygen supply to your skin, causing the subdermal capillaries to go into spasms, eventually increasing the rate at which your skin ages.

If you are hoping a cosmetic procedure will “erase” all the damage you have done – be aware that many doctors today will not perform any invasive procedures on a smoker due to the slower healing rate and lack of it results it can cause.
Once you have incorporated healthier foods into your life and reduced or eliminated smoking and excessive drinking, it is guaranteed you will see noticeable positive results in your skin’s appearance and in your overall health.

Skin Care Advice for Your Big Event

Get Your Skin Ready for Your Wedding, Graduation or Other Major Event

By Kevin C. Smith MD FACP FRCPC

Everyone – guests and those who will be in the public eye — wants their skin to look its best on their big day. Here are some simple tips you can follow to help avoid skin problems on your special day:

• Acne or Rosacea Skin:
  Plan ahead: if you have a skin condition like acne or rosacea, see a dermatologist at least 3-4 months ahead of the big day (and sooner, if possible), so that your condition can be brought under control and so that your skin can heal up in time for the occasion. Check out www.AcneGuide.ca or www.RosaceaGuide.ca for treatment information.
• Wrinkles, Unwanted Hair or Sweating:
  Are you thinking of having treatments like Botox® (for frown lines, or to control excessive sweating), fillers like Restylane™, Juvederm™ and Artecoll™ for wrinkles, creases and scars, or laser treatments for unwanted hair or to remove broken blood vessels from the face? You should aim to have these treatments completed about 3 weeks before the event, so that the benefits of treatment will have fully developed, and so that any side effects of treatment like redness or small bruises will have resolved. Discuss the plans and timing with your dermatologist so that these things can be taken into account when scheduling your treatments. (Read more about Botox®)
• New Cosmetics:
  If you want to experiment with cosmetics, you should do so well in advance, to reduce the risk that an allergic or irritant reaction will interfere with your enjoyment of the event.
• Sun Tanning:
  Sun protection is important in the weeks leading up to an important event, to reduce the risk that you will have sunburn or peeling on the big day. It is also important to avoid experimenting with tanning beds in the weeks leading up to a major event, in case you have an undesired reaction to the UV light.
• Self-Tanning:
  Self-tanning creams and spray-on tans should not be used for the first time within three weeks of a major event, in case there is an allergic reaction or an unusual or uneven color is created. If you want to use such products, start to experiment with them several months ahead so that you can learn how to obtain safe, reliable results. Remember that the pigment created by many self-tanning products can discolor fine clothing, so it might be best not to apply them within a week of a public event.

What if there is a dermatological emergency like a flare-up of acne or an allergic reaction on the face in the days before a wedding, graduation or other important day? Fortunately, many of these problems can be helped by modern medical treatments. Your doctor may be able to arrange a high priority appointment with a dermatologist if they explain that there is an important event coming up – most of us, and most of our staff have been through these things ourselves and we are very sympathetic.

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About the author:
Dr. Kevin Smith is a dermatologist in Niagara Falls, Ontario with a particular interest in protecting the skin and in correcting skin problems resulting from aging, rosacea and sun damage. He is an expert in the use of Botox®, fillers, lasers and intense pulsed light to maintain and enhance the appearance of the skin, and have lectured on those subjects across North America, and in Europe, Asia and Mexico. Read more at www.smithlaser.com

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