Skin Care Friends » Skin Care Tips

How to Improve Your Complexion

A Skin Care Friend — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:31:06 +0000

A beautiful complexion is a great thing to have. For some lucky people, great skin is something that comes naturally but for most people, it can be a bit of a struggle. Thankfully there are a lot of ways that you can improve the condition and appearance of your skin and most of them don’t require too much time or money. You only need patience and a good strategy to get your skin into top shape.

One easy and cheap thing you can do to improve your skin is to drink more water. Hydrated skin is less prone to breakouts and wrinkles. Keeping your skin hydrated also helps control oil production which is a direct precursor to breakouts. It’s a good idea to drink at least eight tall glasses of water every day. Water also has benefits for the rest of your body so it’s one thing you should already be doing anyway.

One thing you should be doing every day to help reduce breakouts is washing your face. You should not use the same soap that you wash your body with. A good anti-acne or anti-bacterial face wash is worth the few dollars because it can really improve your complexion. Everyone should wash their face before bed regardless of whether or not they wear makeup because oils naturally collect in your pores throughout the day. Washing can be followed by using a toner if desired and then you should apply a light moisturizer, even if your skin is oily.

You should also make a point of exfoliating your skin once a week. Dead skin cells naturally fall off and in many cases they clog your pores. It’s best to gently scrub away these naturally occurring flakes before they become pimple material. Many people use a salt or sugar scrub for this purpose. You can also buy products that contain AHA which isn’t gritty at all and slowly takes off the top layer of skin to reveal clearer skin underneath. This has the added effect of reducing the appearance of pimple scars. Over time your skin will look more even and clear if you exfoliate regularly.

By following these acne tips, you should notice an improvement in your skin within a few weeks. A great complexion is not out of reach for most people. It just requires treating your skin gently and being meticulous about hygiene. Sometimes less is more when it comes to skin care.

The Best Natural Beauty Care Does Not Come From The Store

A Skin Care Friend — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:55:08 +0000

People spend hundreds of dollars annually on beauty products claiming to repair or restore your skin. The best natural beauty and skin care products cannot be bought from your local store. Caring for your skin naturally can be done right in the comfort of your home. All you need to do is exercise, eat better, and avoid excessive direct sunlight.

If you are not exercising regularly you should start, it is a great way to achieve natural beauty without beauty products. A lot of people avoid exercise because they think that they are unable to fit it in their busy schedule. What you need to do is incorporate it into your daily routine and you will find that you can make time. You do not need to join a gym. Just start walking for about 30 minutes on a regular basis.

When you exercise you will find that you feel better about life, in general. All the stress and worry you feel after your day is through suddenly does not weigh so heavy on you. When you stress yourself out your body reacts negatively in many ways. Over time this will have an effect on your appearance.

What else do you do when you feel tension? You tend to make poor food choices. Eating the wrong foods can definitely affect the pores of your skin. If you eat a lot of greasy and fatty foods it will show. Many people break out with acne and other blemishes when they eat poorly.

If you are the type of person who reaches for food to feel better, start buying healthy snacks. Make sure they are in reach instead of ice cream and cookies. Make a salad to work off that tension. You will notice how much better you feel when you make better food choices. Drinking water is a good way to help skin clear up, and achieve a natural beauty look.

For some reason, people feel that they need to have a tan to look more appealing. Not sure how this got started, but it should be reversed. Skin that has been in the sun too long or under heating lamps, for that matter, looks horrible. You are doing so much harm to your body. Often the damage does not show up for many years, but then it will be too late. You need to start caring for your skin at an early age.

These are just a few ways to care for your skin and bring out its natural beauty. Of course, there are other ways and you can try different products that are available, too. If you do take care of yourself, but still have problems with your skin looking healthy then you should seek the advice of a dermatologist.

Tips on a Homemade Facial Mask

Amy Nutt — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:59:46 +0000

Women are always on the lookout for something that will make them feel beautiful on the outside as well as on the inside. There are many women out there who spend a lot of money on this pursuit, and while it may be quite effective, many women are now-a-days forgoing the homemade remedies that are perfectly fine. It’s much better if they are helped by Spa place.

Most women have learned the art of the homemade facial mask, but there are a surprising number who do not have the best recipes. The homemade facial mask is truly a lost art, but it is something that is making somewhat of a combat, especially considering the state of the economy worldwide. The homemade facial mask is probably one of the oldest beauty secrets, so instead of just giving this out step by step, it’s probably best that we get right into perfecting the technique.

Tips and Tricks. Preparing for the facial mask is something that has probably has to be the most important thing, because we all want this to go over as best as it possibly can. Firstly, make sure the face is thoroughly cleansed before the process starts. By doing this, you are removing much of the dirt that may be on your face, which can actually have something of an adverse effect on your face.

Afterwards, cleanse with warm water and apply your favorite moisturizer. Once the mask is on, you remember that it should be left there from 3-10 minutes, depending on the type of facial masks. Also, if a woman has what they would call ‘combination skin,’ there is nothing wrong with using two different types of masks. This is something that should be taken to heart, as some women feel as if it will damage the skin.

In most cases, it is perfectly fine. There is also nothing wrong than adding an extra ingredient in there for good measure. For instance, if you’re one prone to oily skin, add in a ripe tomato and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. This also works with oatmeal, as it is a great way to remove some of the oil from the face.

There is really no going wrong in using facials masks that are homemade, as at one point every facial mask was a homemade facial mask. The best thing about using this particular method, regardless of your approach, is that you do not have to worry about some of the chemicals causing an allergic reaction on the face.

Additionally, many of the ingredients in the homemade facial mask are already in the kitchen, making this a genuinely cost effective way of beautifying the skin. Whether it is the famed milk or egg masks, implementing these tips in your homemade masks are a great way for you to get the results that you deserve. With the homemade face masks, it’s genuinely hard to go wrong. Not only are you saving a few extra dollars, you’re also producing an effect comparable to one of the expensive spas out there.

Safe And Gentle Cleansing Skin Care For You

Kathleen P. Walsh — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 21:58:57 +0000

When you are thinking about taking good care of your skin, you need to be careful because a lot of the information that you will come across is actually inaccurate! If you want to prevent yourself from looking older and you want to make sure that you are taking good care of yourself, here are the steps that you need to follow.

When you want to look into good cleansing skin care solutions, make sure that you consider the irritants in the shampoos, soaps and conditioners that you use. In addition to this, you’ll find that there are many contaminants in the water that you use. The random number of things that can end up getting on your skin in your shower can approach 2000, so what can we do about fixing this?

While there are definitely some environmental toxins that you can’t get away from, you’ll find that many of them can be avoided with a good shower head filter. That’s your first step and it can help a lot!

When you are looking for soap, remember that the antibacterial agent in many antibacterial soaps is actually triclosan. Triclosan is generally known to be bad for the environment and it can be bad for humans as well. Why not look around for the natural antibiotic elements that you can find instead, like active manuka honey?

If you are really interested in taking good care of your skin, carefully check all of your personal care items. Things like parabens, petrochemicals and fragrances can make your skin more dried out and more unhealthy. Instead, replace them with things like manuka honey bars, tea tree oil and orange oil.

Stay away from exfoliation; it is frequently unnecessary. The micro beads that are used in exfoliation can lead to irritation, which in turn can lead to inflammation. This is something that can result in free radical damage, which is a big part of the path to wrinkling and sagging skin.

There are many problems that are caused by grime and dirt in the pores, including pimples, blackheads, oiliness and more. This is where using a once or twice weekly mask can come in. look for ingredients that include active manuka honey, natural clay extracts, allantoin, macadamia oil, shea butter, functional keratin and natural vitamin E.

Clay is a great method to use when you are thinking about cleaning your skin. It will absorb oils from your face while pulling dirt and debris from the pores. Keep an eye out for a special New Zealand clay that will disinfect, heal blemishes and give your skin a great glow.

Scientists have identified the effective component in the clay. It is called kaolin. Bentone Gel is also a clay extract and a cleansing skin care mask that combines it with kaolin is particularly effective.

The inclusion of macadamia oil and Shea butter prevents the mask from drying out on your skin, making it easier to remove. Some of the old masks would do as much to clog the pores as they did to un-clog them and getting them off required excessive scrubbing that caused redness and irritation.

The other ingredients that I mentioned create and skin cleansing mask that helps delay the signs of aging. If you start on a cleansing skin care routine like the one outlined here, your face will thank you, especially as time goes by.

Dealing with Dry Skin

Skin Care — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:24:18 +0000

Dry skin is quite often sensitive too, which only makes it more difficult to deal with. Dry sensitive skin feels taut because of the deficiency of natural oils and has a tendency to develop small expression lines that will evolve into wrinkles. Moreover, this kind of skin makes one more exposed to allergic reactions, rashes, capillaries breaking and sudden flushes. Therefore, the taking care of dry sensitive skin proves quite a challenge at times. It is worth stating the fact that it affects people regardless of age, colour or gender.

You have to follow rigorous steps in your choice of cleansing, moisturising and make up products if you have dry sensitive skin to care for. First of all, you need to reduce the amount of products you put on your skin. The fact is, the more chemicals you come into contact with, the higher the chance of getting rashes. The products ought to be fragrance-free and hypo-allergenic so that you don’t get red, irritation blotches. Blusher and foundation can pose some problems for dry sensitive skin.

Try not to use too much make-up in order to allow your skin to breathe properly. When you are shopping for make up, other than looking for the hypo-allergenic label, you should also try to make sure that they are oil-free. Foundation and blusher should be water-based because they won’t clog your pores. Furthermore, oil-absorbing foundations are not recommended for dry sensitive skin, because they will make your skin even drier.

It is also not to be recommended that you use exfoliants or astringent products on dry sensitive skin because they could irritate the thin epidermis. The same thing has to be said in relation to cleansing – too frequent washing of the face means eliminating the natural oils that oil the skin, which will result in an increased dryness.

Furthermore, the day-time moisturiser ought to have a sun-protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 incorporated. However, although you may like sunbathing, dry sensitive skin doesn’t really permit you to enjoy such outdoor pleasures.

Don’t expose dry sensitive skin to the sun in order to tan it, because you will only achieve premature ageing and possibly even quite serious health issues. And last but not least, a warning must be given that you should change some of your cosmetic products for others along the lines mentioned above.

If you decide to switch to another skincare brand, it is important to test the product on a small section of skin in order to check whether it triggers any allergic reactions.

Fighting Wrinkles at 40

Amy Nutt — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:07:18 +0000

As you near your 40s, you are going to start noticing wrinkles on your face. Even if you have been as careful as possible with your skin, using only the best organic products, this is the time when wrinkles normally appear. The good news about wrinkles is that you can limit their appearance with the right products and skin care tactics.

What Causes Wrinkles

As we age, the cells in our epidermis, or the top skin layer, become thin. They also begin to let more moisture escape from the skin, leading to dryness, which can cause wrinkles. The dermis, or second layer, also thins. As it does, it produces less collagen, a material that keeps the skin elastic. This causes the skin to sag and wrinkle. The bottom layer of the skin also contributes to wrinkles. This layer is made up of fat cells, and these fat cells get smaller as we age. Normally, these fat cells will fill in any damage in the other skin layers, but when they begin to shrink, they cannot do this, so wrinkles become even more noticeable.

Two Types of Wrinkles

There are two main types of wrinkles on your skin. Some are produced by the movement of the skin, while others are present even when the skin is resting. The wrinkles that occur when the skin is at rest are the ones that can be fought.

Fighting the Sun

The sun is one of your worst enemies as you work to fight wrinkles. The “crow’s feet” that many people develop around their eyes are a direct result of overexposure to sun, and these can be minimized with proper sun protection. Apply sunscreen to your face, getting as close to the eye as is safe, and wear sunglasses to prevent squinting. Wear sunscreen daily on all exposed skin, whether or not the weather is warm. Remember, the sun can damage your skin when it is below the freezing point just as easily as it can when you are spending a warm day on the beach.

Keep Moisturized

Many wrinkles are caused by dry skin, and skin gets drier as we age. To help fight these wrinkles, always apply a moisturizer after cleansing your skin. Use organic moisturizers with wrinkle-fighting ingredients to maximize your results.

Add Alpha Hydroxy Acids to Your Life

Alpha Hydroxy Acids, or AHAs, are one of the most popular organic skin care products used to fight wrinkles. These acids, which come from sugar cane, acidic fruits, and sour milk, all of which are organic, natural ingredients, are believed to reduce fine lines that are present when the skin is at rest. Many products Jurlique containing AHAs are available that can be used to exfoliate and moisturize the skin. They work by removing much of the dead skin cell and oil build up in these fine lines, and they also are believed to thicken the skin by increasing the substances found in the dermis.

Overall Healthy Living Fights Wrinkles

Believe it or not, your exercise routine and diet have a direct effect on the wrinkles you will have as you get older. When you exercise, your body takes in more oxygen and releases more toxins. Exercise also increase circulation, which makes your skin much more healthy.

Additionally, the food that you eat contributes to your overall health. Increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly those that are high in vitamin C, can help postpone the appearance of wrinkles. Taking a supplement that has other antioxidants like vitamins A, B, and E will also help fight wrinkles. Avoid too much refined sugar, because it attacks collagen and leads to more wrinkles. Also, avoid an over consumption of alcohol, as this can cause your face to swell, stretching the skin. This will cause wrinkles when the skin returns to normal.

Wrinkles may be a natural part of the aging process, but as you enter your 40s, you do not have to give up the fight altogether. With quality organic products, a healthy lifestyle, and good sun protection, you can keep your youthful skin looking youthful for several more years.

Exfoliation – An Important Skin Care Tip

Skin Care — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:36:09 +0000

The process of exfoliation is one that removes the oldest dead skin cells from your skins outermost surface. It is a process that has been used for many years now as a means of maintaining your skin. It is an aid when it comes to speeding up the process of your skin flaking and shedding and the great news is you can either do this yourself or you can have it done for you as part of a facial or body treatment at a spa, so what are you waiting for?

Exfoliation helps as a means of speeding up the process of skin flaking and shedding; it takes off the dead layer of cells as a means of exposing the finer, more translucent tissue underneath. Basically exfoliating can dramatically improve your complexion, especially when you keep in mind the fact if your oldest dead skin cells are not removed they can clog your pores, which can go on to causes spots and/or blackheads. This is important considering the average human generates a new layer of skin every two or four weeks. So just how do you go about exfoliating your skin?

There are a number of steps that you need to go through in order to successfully exfoliate your skin; to start with you need to brush your dry skin before you get into the shower. To do this you can use a loofah or special exfoliating gloves as well as an exfoliating brush but what you need to remember is you start at the soles of your feet and work your way up. You work your way up using your loofah or equivalent and an exfoliating cleanser you then use these to scrub your body in gentle, circular motions.

The type of cleanser that you choose is of importance. You shouldn’t opt to simply use soap; you need a cleanser that has a grainy texture that actually exfoliates your skin.
Also, make sure you check out the ingredients that these cleansers contain but what exactly should you be looking out for? Ideally, your chosen cleanser should contain things such as oatmeal, ground almonds, or sea salt. The reason for this is these ingredients will help to create the grainy texture needed to ensure your skin is effectively exfoliated.

Although exfoliating can do wonders for your skin, it should be noted that regular exfoliating is very drying to your skin and this could do more harm than good. It is because of this reason that your skin needs to be rehydrated with the right skin care moisturizer cream and lotions. You should aim to use these at least once a day but preferably twice daily as a means of keeping your skin hydrated constantly.

One more important point that you need to consider when you are exfoliating is the fact when you are exfoliating your face you should use products that have been specifically designed for this purpose. The reason why you shouldn’t use the cleansers you will use on your body for your face is because they will be too abrasive and irritating for your face, which could cause more harm than good.

If you want smooth, glowing and fresh looking skin, then I would highly recommend exfoliating to you. It achieves all of these goals while preventing the onset of fine lines and maybe even wrinkles. Just make sure that if you are going to do it that you follow the above skin care tips to ensure that you do it right.