Herbal Skin Care - An Overview

December 31st, 2008

Skin care has been around since ancient times. This is not a recent topic as many archeologists have discovered various methods the people in the past have used to take care of their skin. Many of these methods were centered around the use of herbs and other plant material to give the skin a better look and feel.

Today you can bet that most of the skin care products have arisen due to commercialization of the skin care industry and our hectic lifestyles. These chemical based skin care products have to mixed with other ingredients that were not naturally intended to go on the skin. Hence sometimes a good skin care product can cause an adverse reaction that is unintended because of the various preservatives that are incorporated into the skin care products.

This commercialization fo the skin care industry could be one of the reasons for a resurgence of a more natural approach to taking care of oneself. So if these herbs have been around for a great amount of time then why have we not heard of them? That is perhaps because there is too much emphasis on the over the counter remedies that are sold in stores. Fear not though as the natural revolution is now taking hold and the word is getting out.

The first natural herb to take care of your skin is called aloe vera. Many of you have probably have heard of it by now as it is widely used in sunscreens and other preventative creams.

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

There is also a need for a variety of natural antiseptics and these can be found in Lavender, marigold, thyme and fennel to name just a few. You can also use lavender water as well as rose water that can also act as a natural toner.

Oils are used extensively in natural skin care. These oils include tea tree oil, Lavender oil, borage oil and primrose oil. You can also find extracts from fruits such as apple, orange and bananas that are used in many shower gels and other cleaning products.

Herbal skin care is on the rise and you will see more and more of the above mentioned herbs, oils and extracts being used in everyday products. Of course for some your skin may react negatively to these natural herbs. Be sure to consult with a dermatologist if this should happen.

Taking care of your skin when you have acne

December 30th, 2008

Acne is a real problem that can not be underestimated in any way. Acne is characterized by pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, reddishness and cysts on the skin. Face acne is the worst as it can really spoil your appearance and ruin your self confidence and your day. That is why it is so important to take care of your skin when you have acne.

Acne skin care should really start much before the acne actually appears. ‘Acne skin care’ is more about being proactive than reactive. Acne skin care is about being aware of preventive measures. Acne skin care is - following daily skin care routines with complete discipline. So let’s have a look at how ‘acne skin care’ can be applied to our daily routine

Taking care of your skin when you have acne begins with being clean. Just basic morning showers are just the start to keeping your skin clean. Some with a severe case of acne actually take multiple showers throughout the day. This helps with keeping the skin clean but also relaxation as you feel better when you go to bed as you are more relaxed because of the shower. For some that is all they need to do to keep their acne problem under control.

Taking care of your acne however is sometimes more then just taking multiple showers. For instance if you wear dirty clothes or sleep in dirty sheets then your skin problems will persist. Some advocates of acne skin care recommend cleaning your make up brush or other bathing and grooming tools often as this will affect how your skin looks.

It is recommended that you keep a mild, water soluble, oil free and soap free cleanser for taking care of your acne problem. Cleansing is perhaps one of the most basic and best ways to prevent the breakout of acne. Use a cleaner to remove your make up before you go to bed as this will also help keep your acne under control.

If acne is already present then try not to pop them or in other ways try to remove them. Forcibly removing your acne can actually cause you to create scars on your face or other severe skin blemishes. Be gentle around that region and apply what ever cream or medication that your dermatologist has recommended using a non abrasive pad or other applicator in order to take care of your skin.

The Treatment of Acne

December 30th, 2008

If you suffer from acne then you know that this can be a scourge on your lifestyle. However, this problem can be solved. Needless to say there are countless products from over the counter to prescription medications. In fact you could say that there are three types of cures for acne and these are:

  • Preventative or general skin care products
  • Specialized and over the counter products
  • Prescription skin care products for some severe cases of acne

The first type or the general skin care products are used more for prevention of breakouts of acne. You can include various cleansers, make up removers and other similar types of products in this mix. These are the products that should always be a part of your everyday routine. These products help to prevent the production of sebum oil and preventing clogging of skin pores. By working to prevent the oil from being trapped inside the skin they help prevent the breakouts that can occur if these products were not used. You can also include the general exfoliation products like skin peels. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells thus helping reduce the possibility of pore clogging and the production of bacteria in the skin.

The second type is the specialized skin care products that are available to everyone over the counter. You can include such items such as vanishing creams which help to extract the oil from the skin. Most but not all are based upon benzyl peroxide and salicylic acid which help kill harmful bacteria in the skin. Always start with a product with a lower concentration of these chemicals as you try and see how your skin reacts to such treatment. Just try a few of these products to see which one works best. Only you know your skin so just keep trying to find where you are at your best. Consult with a dermatologist to see what he or she recommends as they are well trained to help you solve your skin problems.

On-prescription acne skin care products are the ones that are prescribed by a dermatologist. This can include ointments that can be applied on the affected area or oral antibiotics or just any topical treatment. Dermatologist could also suggest a minor surgical procedure to remove the contents of pustules. However, never try to squeeze or do this by yourself, it can lead to permanent damage of your skin. Your doctor could also prescribe a hormone-based treatment (since hormonal changes are also known to cause acne). Such acne skin care products are known to be very effective in some cases.

The last type is the prescription drugs given out by dermatologists for worst case scenarios. These are ointments and creams that are formulated based upon your skin type and history. Usually several consolations may have to be performed before the right combination will be determined. If you are in this stage right now do not give up hope. There is a treatment that can lessen the affects of acne and only your dermatologist will really know how to treat it.

Acne can be solved or at least managed but this should be done under the careful eye of someone who has the training to do so.

Top Ten Skin Care Tips

December 30th, 2008

Having healthy skin can really improve one’s appearance. Healthy skin beings with the proper care and treatment of the skin through proper daily care. If you do not know how to take care of your skin then you will experience breakouts of blackheads and other unsightly blemishes that really detract from your overall glow.

The following tips should help you get your healthy skin back or to keep your skin from getting to a ugly state that you obviously do not want.

The first tip to healthy skin is to know your skin type. This is the beginning of the battle as this will determine your course of action from this point forward. You can really customize your skin care regimen by knowing what skin type you have.

The second tip is to drink plenty of water. Everyone is made up mostly of water and since your skin is the largest organ you have then it makes sense to drink plenty of water to keep it healthy.

The third tip is to clean your skin regularly which means at least one to two times a day. The best method is to use lukewarm water as hot or cold water can actually damage the skin. If you have a product you use to help maintain the moisture in your skin then use this every time you clean your skin.

The fourth tip is to be gentle with your skin. After all this is your skin on your face and you do not want to rub excessively or too harshly as this can actually damage the your face.

The fifth tip is to keep your skin moist at all times. With some climates this may seem difficult but it is necessary in order for your skin not be aged prematurely. You can really tell if someone has been out in a dry climate for most of their lives as they will look far older then they appear.

The sixth tip is to avoid using soap on your face. Soap actually will pull moisture away from the skin. If you have to use soap then moisturize immediately afterwards as this will help you from damaging your skin in the long run.

The seventh tip is to use sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays. For those sun bathers out there you are really damaging your skin in the long run and will look far older then those that took care of themselves by avoiding the damaging rays of the sun .

The eighth tip is to exercise regularly and to get enough sleep. This will help relieve some stress which can damage the skin and cause you to look old and tired before your time.

The ninth tip is to treat any skin blemishes with care. Consult with a dermatologist regarding your skin and always follow their advice.

Finally I would just learn to relax a bit more. Stress can really add years to your face and age you prematurely. Beat the stress by finding outlets to cause you relax.

Taking care of your skin will pay huge dividends in the long run. After all this is your face you are talking about and taking care of yourself really shows to others how you respect yourself and hence them.

What is the cause of acne?

September 3rd, 2008

While the exact cause of acne is not precisely known there are some factors that play into this painful skin condition. The primary cause of acne is hormonal and that is why the most acne prone years in your life are when you are in your teens. When you reach this stage in your life your hormones are quite prevalent and trying to find an equilibrium. Also at this time you are more likely to eat foods that bring on acne.

Fatty foods, chocolate and even beer have been linked to outbreaks of acne. Avoiding these foods will not only help your skin but also help your health later on in life. The body has several cleansing mechanisms and many of them involve taking the toxic elements out of the body through the skin. These toxins in turn can cause acne to appear on the skin as it tries to react to the adverse effects placed upon it.

For women the use of heavy makeup can cause acne as this blocks the pores of the skin. Blocking pores will cause blackheads and other unsightly blemishes to appear. Taking care of your skin by taking a pore cleansing treatment is sometimes one of the best ways to counteract this.

Lowering your daily stress can really affect how your skin looks. This is because high stress can cause the hormones that cause acne to appear. So by taking care of yourself and your schedule and making sure you are not overloaded then you are less likely to have acne. Not having acne is also a stress reducer so it kind of goes hand in hand.

Taking care of yourself involves getting enough vitamins in your diet. However when done to excess or an overdose then this will appear on the skin through acne and some other skin blemishes. The most common vitamins to cause this flare up are B1 and B12.

The causes of acne are many and the cures for each person varies. However some common sense and moderation is needed in order to ensure a clean and acne free skin. Now while acne occurs most commonly in teens it has been known to show up in adults and even some pre-teen children.