Who would not want to have beautiful, glowing skin? These days, even children as young as ten are becoming particular with their appearance. In response, the market now offers various products specially created to help people, especially adolescents, deal with skin problems. Today, there is also an observable influx of beauty parlors and cosmetic skin care products.

However, cosmetic skin care products contain strong chemicals that might do more harm than good. To add, they also tend to be very expensive despite being impractical commodities.

Maintaining a healthy, glowing skin actually does not need be expensive. It does not have to require several visits to cosmetic shops and spas either. Men and women alike can have healthy and glowing skin right at the comforts of their own home. They can create various skin recipes that are guaranteed to help improve skin and maintain its glow.

Some of the foods that are proven effective in keeping the skin healthy and glowing include berries, salmon, sunflower seeds, whole grains, citrus fruits, and spinach.

Berries are rich in antioxidants that protect the skin cells from the damaging effects of environmental toxins. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are needed to help keep the skin plump and youthful-looking. Other sources of healthy fats include avocados, flaxseed or olive oil, and nuts.

Sunflower seeds which are usually served as snacks and salad-toppings are packed with great amounts of Vitamin E. This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that shields the skin from sun damage. It also helps control the development of wrinkles and acne scars which are common signs of aging.

Citrus fruits such as grapefruit and oranges are full of Vitamin C, a nutrient essential in promoting skin firmness and elasticity. Spinach is full of minerals such as zinc and selenium and is also packed with vitamins C, E, and A which helps in the production of new skin cells.

To summarize, the food you eat has everything to do with how you look. Therefore, if you eat healthy, you also have radiant, healthy skin.

What causes skin breakouts?

The responsibility for skin breakouts lies with a variety of factors; no one single cause can be held more responsible than others. At times, even a combination of factors may be responsible for these skin breakouts. Understanding these causes can help with face skin care as well as a reduction in these breakouts.

• Hormones
• Heredity
• Stress
• Heat
• Moisturizers and cosmetics
• Pressure from sports and travelling equipments, as well as tight collars and uniforms
• Pollution and humidity
• Squeezing or picking out these breakouts
• Scrubbing the skin forcefully

Myths about What causes Acne

As with everything, there are a few myths surrounding the causes of skin breakouts also. Most of us have grown up believing that a diet rich in greasy foods and indulgence in chocolates can result in acne. But the American Academy of Dermatology has yet to find evidence that can lay blame squarely on chocolates and greasy foods. Another myth doing rounds is that unclean skin causes acne because dirt has no direct bearing on skin breakouts.

What can be done to help reduce acne breakouts?

Although, there is no easy answer to this question, we can do various things differently to see if it helps cut down acne breakouts to give you a clear complexion. You can:

• Really do nothing about the hormonal changes as well as hereditary causes; all you can do is wait to grow out of it in good time
• De-stress yourself on a regular basis
• Use water-based moisturizers
• Keep your clothes loose fitting
• Avoid pollution as much as possible
• Stop squeezing and picking
• Be gentle when scrubbing
• Regularly wash the excess oils that clog the pores

The most important thing is moisturizing!
When you are having a bath don’t forget to control waters temperature – it can’t be too hot and also avoid wash your face with hot water as well. Better prepare tepid or even cold water especially in the morning – it will awake your skin.

Don’t use water-based moisturizers, because it has a lot of water in it and that might cause a freezing on your face when you are outside. That’s why you should use oil-based moisturizer.

You should use scent free soaps and washes also avoid colored or antibacterial facial skin produce. All chemicals which add scents and color are the reason why our skin becomes dry.

For better results apply your moisturizing cream immediately after you have a wash and while skin is still damp. Use moisturizing face cream which includes lecithin and vitamins. Daily use nutrisional face cream enriched vitamins, fruity acid.

But undoubtedly best way to hydrate your skin is drink plenty of water.

Don’t forget to protect your skin when you are out!
Many people are thinking sun is dangerous only in summer, but it’s not true! The snow reflects the sunlight so you must wear sunscreen. Remember, that sun ages your skin. Use moisturizer with SPF 15 or even SPF 30. Your makeup must be with sun protection too.

Also don’t forget protect your lips – it’s one of the most sensitive areas on your face during wintertime. If you want to have healthy not chapped lips, don’t lick and bite them!

To protect chapped lips in winter season, always wear lip balm or lipstick with sunscreen. Choose lip balm which includes propolis.

Pamper your facial skin whit mask.
Once a week use moisturizing or nutritional masks. You can buy them in beauty shop, pharmacy or also you can make it at home from natural products.

How to Avoid Premature Aging.

Start now.  This is the first piece of valuable advice – as it is never too late.  Our bodies are capable of cell rejuvenation and repair and there are a number of things we can do to promote that.  Generally, the focus should be put on reorganizing the way you eat, the way you handle stress, the way you protect yourself from the environment and choosing the right kinds of anti aging skin care products and treatments.

1. Anti Aging Diet
There is a popular theory at the moment, the Free-Radical Theory, which states that the body ages due to accumulation of free radical damage over time.  Free radicals are normally occurring in the body and vital for certain functions but apparently, as we age we become more susceptible to the damaging effects of free radical build up.  It is thought that antioxidants help control against free radical damage.  So, it is important to adapt your diet to include foods rich in antioxidants.  These foods are: berries, broccoli, red grapes, garlic, spinach, carrots, soy and whole grains.
In addition to antioxidants, some other compounds in foods, that impact inflammation at a cellular level, can affect aging.  These foods possess anti-inflammatory properties: yogurt, sprouts, hot peppers, nuts and seeds, buckwheat, beans and lentils, barley, green colored vegetables, garlic and onions and acai fruit.
Incorporate these foods in your diet and they will help to minimize premature aging and age related illnesses.

2. Anti Aging Vitamins and Supplements
If you are eating a well balance diet, packed with the foods mentioned previously then you are probably getting the essential anti-aging vitamins you need to prevent wrinkles and dull skin.  But just in case, you can supplement your diet by taking these vitamins: selenium, vitamin E and vitamin C.  These are known to have antioxidant properties and will enhance your anti aging skin care and health care plan.  Here are some anti aging vitamin supplement recommendations:

3. Anti Aging Lifestyle
Beyond encouraging an anti aging diet plan and supplementing it with anti aging vitamins, you can also adapt your lifestyle to promote anti-aging processes in your own body.  Stress management and regular exercise are the key here and they are related.  It is really important to maintain an active lifestyle – so take the stairs when you can, walk or bike instead of driving or get yourself to the gym or a yoga class on a regular basis.  The benefits of moderate, regular exercise are enormous and anti aging and stress management are definitely among them.  Also, you should be protecting yourself from the sun with appropriate attire, such as clothing, hats and or sunglasses (with UV protection).  Using sunscreen daily on your face and on your body prior to sun exposure will also help to avoid wrinkles, brown spots and other signs of premature aging.  More information about the aging process and how to adapt your lifestyle to promote longevity can be found in this really great book:

4. Anti Aging Products
If you are doing all that has been mentioned thus far, then you will definitely benefit from using good, anti aging products.  I am a big fan of moisturizing creams.  Moisturizing alone helps reduce early wrinkles and keeps skin hydrated and elastic.  But for that extra benefit you can choose anti aging products.  If you have read my previous articles, you will know that I prefer choosing natural skin care products but there are also a few other products out of the all natural category, that I like.  Below are some suggestions, but I encourage you to do your research and choose ones that are appropriate for you.

Let’s face it: there is no way to completely remove a scar. But there are several ways to make it less noticeable. Scars can be different in form, color; they can be results of various causes. Therefore they need to be treated with different means. Basically, there are three ways to fight scars: surgery, creams and lasers.

Surgical way is recommended when scar is salient or vice versa – “cut out” (i.e. acne scar). When healed up skin is salient, the scar tissue is removed during surgery and healed in special way to be less visible. In some cases of prominent scar or cut-out scar, a small piece of skin is being attached after removing the original scar tissue. This additional skin is excised from less perceptible part of patient’s body, i.e. from behind the ears.

Scar removal creams, gels and lotions are highly promoted in nowadays market. They do a great work when a scar tends to be red, rough or swollen. Ointments provide skin with a lot of humidity and special components that induce a skin tissue to regenerate more than usually. Scar treatment creams contain certain amount of collagen as well. Collagen is natural part of human body which helps to keep a flat skin. Creams and gels are also recommended to heal burn off caused scars and stretcahmarks. Ointments do more effect to young scars, but they can make old scars appear less noticeable too. There are several creams dedicated to wounds treatment that can make skin to heal up prettier.

Laser treatment is used for all types of scars, but not for all types of skin. People with dark skin tones are recommended to avoid laser treatment. This technology is used to remove almost all scar tissue. Later the skin is stimulated to healthy regenerated. The disadvantage of this kind of treatment is a very slow recovery; it might take from 10 to 18 months for a skin to regenerate. Even after this period, there’s no guaranty of success, because it might take two or three procedures to finally see the effect. Other laser treatment is used to remove the redness. The laser light contracts blood vessels in a scar and makes it look more like uninjured skin.

There are some other ways to treat scars, but they are not as effective as the ones mentioned above, that is why they are not that popular. Special massages can be recommended while skin is still healing, this can help to form softer and less noticeable scar tissue. Sometimes tiny portions of collagen or fat from patient’s body are injected under salient scar. These materials are absorbed into skin and may flatten the scar. Healthy skin needs a lot of moisture

With the price of products like skin care treatments increasing dramatically, some individuals have decided on making homemade skin care products of their own.  The ingredient list is usually inexpensive and convenient as you can find them in your kitchen or in your garden.  One of the more popular items to make yourself are facial masks.  Making homemade face masks is not as hard as you would expect and by following simple steps, making facial masks can be a hobby that you can enjoy any time.

Why Use a Facial Mask?
Cleansing your face regularly will remove surface dirt and grime, but a facial mask will actually draw out impurities from beneath the skin’s surface. Using a face mask helps to exfoliate dead skin cells and unclogs pores so your other skin care products work more effectively.  Face masks also help stimulate blood circulation and leave your skin feeling smoother and softer.

Tips for Making Homemade Face Masks.
1. Use mainly fresh natural ingredients.  Natural skin care is the best kind of skin care. Whether you purchase your ingredients at a local retailer, online store or at the grocery store, opt for natural or organic products.
2. Invest in inexpensive equipment and materials that will be specifically designated for creating your homemade facial masks.  These materials, such as mixing bowls, jars, spoons and squeeze bottles can be found at your local dollar store and are usually very affordable.  Having specially designated tools for making your facial masks will decrease risk of contamination and will also add a fun personal element that will enhance your homemade facial mask hobby experience!
3. Always test a small amount on your skin before putting it all over your face.  This way you can avoid minor irritations or unknown allergic reactions.
4. You will find many homemade face mask recipes online on a variety of different sites.  Usually, the recipes work well for most people but you should feel free to experiment with the ingredient quantities to get the right formula for you.  Creating a personalized formula will take some practice but it does not cost much to create some small batches of the product to see what combinations of ingredients from the recipe work the best.
5.  Keep track of the amounts of each ingredient that went into making homemade facial masks that you like so that you will be able to duplicate the exact recipe in the future.
6.  Usually, unless otherwise specified, keep homemade facial masks on for 10-15 minutes and follow with gentle cleansing and moisturizing for best results.

Some Basic Homemade Face Mask Recipes:

Clay Facial Mask for All Skin Types:
* 1½ tsp green clay (French is preferred)
* ½ tsp kaolin clay
* 1½ tbsp aloe vera gel
* 1 tbsp rosewater
* 2 drops rose essential oil
Mix green and kaolin clays together.
Add in the aloe vera gel, rosewater and oils.
Refrigerate mixture for up to four weeks.

Yogurt Face Mask for All Skin Types:
* 1 tbsp natural yogurt, room temperature (not lowfat or non-fat)
* 1 tsp runny honey (microwave for a few minutes to soften hardened honey)
Combine mixture, then apply to face.
Let sit for 15 minutes.
Wash face with steaming washcloth.
For dry skin, use an extra tsp of honey.
Oily skin? Add a few drops of fresh lime juice.

Oatmeal and Yogurt Facial Mask for All Skin Types:
* 1 tbsp oatmeal, finely ground
* 1 tbsp live, organic yogurt (skip the flavored stuff)
* A few drops of honey
Add the yogurt to the oatmeal in a small bowl and mix together.
Warm a few drop of honey. To do this, warm a spoon under hot water for a minute, then add a few drops of honey to the spoon.
Stir the honey into the yogurt and oatmeal mixture.
Apply the mask to the face. Leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse off with several splashes of warm water. Follow with a warm washcloth.

Have fun and save money making your own homemade facial masks and achieve glowing skin in the process! ]]> http://communitychesttreasures.com/making-homemade-facial-masks/feed/ 0 http://communitychesttreasures.com/selecting-the-perfect-all-natural-moisturizer-for-you/ http://communitychesttreasures.com/selecting-the-perfect-all-natural-moisturizer-for-you/#comments Tue, 20 May 2008 14:34:47 +0000 Mr jhon http://communitychesttreasures.com/?p=188 Everyone needs to choose the right skin care product for themselves because not all skin is the same.  Different skin types require different products. While some like a light moisturizer that is barely noticeable,  others choose a thicker product that is heavier on the skin so that it feels like the moisturizer is working  for them.  There are many different types of all natural moisturizers available on the market which means that choosing the right product for your skin type and preference will most likely take some time. You will have to  try many different natural moisturizers before you find the one that best suits you needs.

Things You need to Consider

1. You need to decide how much you are willing to pay for a product like an all natural moisturizer. The price  range for these products can vary from just a few dollars to over a hundred dollars. A lot of people try out a  moisturizer sample that is far beyond their budget and end up being hooked to this product, and decide to buy  it although they cannot actually afford it in the quantities that they require. Therefore, it is best to  decide on a price range before and then only sampling natural moisturizers that are within that range. This  will save you a lot money and disappointment. Some people insist that wholesale or budget natural moisturizers  are just as good as the products available in retail stores. This is another option that is worth considering  if you have a limited budget.

2.When you have chosen the price range that you are willing to pay for your natural moisturizer, the next step  is choosing what kind of formulas you like.  There are various types of formulas available, and everyone has a  personal preference when choosing the right formula for their skin. If you know exactly what you like and what  you dislike, it will reduce the amount of time you will spend trying out different formulas and allow you to  find the best natural moisturizer in much less time and with less effort.

Trying out different skin care products

If available, you may want to purchase a small bottle or a sample of the natural moisturizer and try using it  for several days or a week to ensure that it does not cause any allergic reactions or other unwanted side  effects and that is does the job that you bought it for. Many companies offer small sample packs of their  moisturizers that can get free at the store to try the product for long enough in order to get idea of how  effective the product is for you.  These small samples contain the same natural moisturizer product that the  full side bottles contain and will cost very little or nothing and are only offered by the manufacturer as a  demonstration of their products.

You should find as many of these demo bottle as possible in order to reduce the amount of money you spend  trying to find the right cream for your needs. You should only be using one product at a time for at least a  few days or a week. This should give you a good impression of how effective the moisturizer is. Then you  should go on to another product and repeat the testing. After trying several different all natural  moisturizers you may have a better understanding of what you like and what you do not. Obtain other similar  demo products and test them until you have found the moisturizer that you like and that has the benefits you  require, purchase a large bottle and enjoy.

Washing your face gets rid of dead skin cells, dirt and dust, grime, make-up and bacteria, which all contribute to clogged pores and consequently, flawed looking skin. Cleansing keeps your skin breathing freely, aids circulation and prepares the skin to receive topically applied nutrients and lipids, which are supplied by a good moisturizer.

The first step is determining which skin cleanser products are right for you. This depends a lot on your skin type. You may want to choose an oily skin cleanser, a sensitive skin cleanser, a dry skin cleanser or a gentle facial cleanser. A cleanser for dry skin should contain nourishing herbs and oils. An oily skin cleanser should contain herbs that balance oil production and support clarity. Sensitive skin cleansers should be ultra-gentle, fragrance-free, non-irritating. Generally, I recommend choosing all natural skin care products if you can, but there are also other products out there that are relatively good that are not natural such as skin cleansers produced by Cetaphil, pHisoderm and Spectro Derm.

The most important thing to do when choosing the right all natural moisturizer is to read the ingredients. Do not trust the front label. Just because it says “all natural”, “botanical” or “organic” doesn’t mean it is. You must check the ingredient list of that product and make sure all the ingredients are earth-derived. So plant extracts from herbs, roots and flowers, essential oils and water are what you should look for. Stay away from products that list any of the following as part of their ingredients list: fragrance, colours, Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea, Isopropyl (alcohol), Monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), and triethanolmine (TEA), Parabens (Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, and Ethyl Paraben), Polyethylene glycol (PEG), Petrolatum (Petrolatum is mineral oil jelly, and mineral oil), Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). As common rule – if you can barely pronounce the ingredient, chances are it’s not natural.

If you are conscious about what you put into your body, then you should probably also be concerned about what you put on your body. Your skin is your largest organ and has a super absorbing quality. So much so, that it is common to find medications and drugs that can be administered via skin absorption by using patches or creams. So it’s really important what you put on your skin because it definitely will be absorbed into your body. If you have dry skin, look for an all natural moisturizer that contains rich oils such as sesame or olive oil. Normal to oily skin should be treated with products that contain light oils such as jojoba, grapeseed, or avocado.

An easy way to achieve and maintain great skin in a natural way is to make your own moisturizers. It’s a good way to save money and to be sure of what you are putting on your skin, but requires preparation time. You can find millions of recipes online (so have fun searching!) but here are a couple of homemade recipes I found and liked:

For normal skin:
1 ripe avocado
1-2 tablespoons wheat germ oil
Slice the avocado in two lengthwise. Remove the pit and discard. Take only half the avocado and place in a glass bowl. Add the wheat germ oil. Mix well. Apply to your skin and let it set for 15 to 20 mins. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

For oily skin:
4 drops rose essential oil
¼ cup distilled water
¼ cup rose water
½ cup almond oil
5 drops galbanum essential oil
2 tablespoons grated beeswax
Mix the beeswax with distilled water and place on the stove (low heat). When the mixture is thoroughly blended, pour it into a blender. While blending at a low speed, add rose water and essential oils and gradually add the almond oil. Afterwards, the mixture should look a bit like frosting as it thickens after cooling down. Finally, pour the mixture into a jar and use when ready.

For dry/sensitive skin:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons grated beeswax
½ cup cocoa butter
2 teaspoons distilled water
3 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons coconut oil
Mix the water and beeswax and place over low heat on the stove. In the same pot, add cocoa butter, followed by sesame, coconut, and olive oil. Be sure to blend thoroughly. Next, pour the mixture into a jar and allow it to thicken as it cools down. That is when it will be ready to use.

Also, don’t forget, we are what we eat. In order to maintain good skin you must also practice a good diet that includes vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds, and nuts. Eat quality protein from vegetable sources. Eat foods such as garlic, onions, eggs, and asparagus that are high in sulfur, which helps to keep the skin smooth and youthful. Consume plenty of yellow and orange vegetables because they are high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant. Avoid soft drinks, sugar, milk chocolate, potato chips and other junk foods. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. These substances have a diuretic effect, causing the body and skin cells to lose fluids and essential minerals. But most importantly, drink at least 2 quarts of water every day to keep the skin well hydrated.

To summarize, the keys to healthy, good looking skin are to use a natural moisturizing product daily and to eat healthily. If you purchase your product make sure to read the ingredients, if you make your own product, have fun and be creative. Hopefully, you are now better equipped with the necessary knowledge to purchase or make your own all natural moisturizer. Healthy, beautiful skin is just around the corner.

• Happy Aging Facial Cleanser
• Happy Aging Tonic
• Happy Aging Moisture Cream
• Happy Aging Renuvenating Mask
• Aging Complex Ampoules
• Cotton Pads
• 2 Cucumber Slices
• Towel
• Herbs suitable for you skin type

Moisten your face, neck and décolleté area with lukewarm water. Divide 1/2a teaspoon of Cleanser on two cotton pads and cleanse the face using a cicular motion from the inside out, except around the eyes. Work from the outside in around the eye area, starting on the bhottom lid and easing upwards to the top.