Luxury Skin Care

When we were a kid, we never really considered things like grooming and taking proper care of our image.

We would hop out of bed, pull on some random clothes, clean or filthy, it does not really matter. Maybe we take a bath or shower before going to bed at night or maybe not.

You have got to love the simplicity of those days.

As far as good skin care goes, it is virtually irrelevant. Our skin is flawless at that age by nature. Not that we appreciate the fact at that time. However, as we grow into our teen years, there’s no doubt that we wouldd love to have that flawless complexion back.

Well, just maybe it is an option. There are various things you can do to improve your complexion.

This statement applies to everyone, regardless of your skin type. A large part of your skin’s clarity and balance concerns your diet. Some foods/nutrients that will benefit your complexion are; prune juice, flaxseed, water, fiber from vegetables, and omega 3. Look for ways you can incorporate these into your regular diet. As far as protein goes, fatty fishes such as salmon are great for skin and hair. This can be your source of omega 3s. On the flip-side, there are several things you should avoid if you’re interested in good skin care routines. Americans are notorious for indulging heavily in sugary snacks and high sodium foods. These can truly throw your skin out-of-whack. In fact, those random breakouts you receive are likely linked to your dietary habits. As much as most of us enjoy junk food, we all have to set a limit.

The products you use naturally play a role. Good skin care does not always mean doing more. As opposed to scrubbing your face with expensive cleaners three times a day, try washing that mug twice a day max. Our skin has natural oil that keeps it radiant and moisturized. When you cleanse it too often, you wash these oils away, hence making it dry and irritated. Irritated skin can definitely lead to more breakouts.

Finally, a few last good skin care tips are to avoid excessive sun exposure, moisturize where needed, and be gentle when applying cleansers, scrubs and treatments. Your face requires a soft touch.

Are you plagued by pregnant skin problems?

It is no fun feeling nauseous, tired, bloated and heavy. Having skin problems on top of that just makes things even worse, right? It makes you wonder if all those pregnant women you see in advertisements with their glowing, blemish free skin are real. Well, it’s unfortunate that pregnant skin problems are a common thing, no thanks to crazy hormones. So, if you’re wondering if it’s just you, it’s not.

Here is a list of common pregnant skin problems.

Melasma
This skin condition is also known as chloasma or pregnancy mask. Your face has dark patches in places such as forehead, nose, chin, and upper cheeks. Some people also have it on their upper lip making them look like they have a moustache. This problem of uneven pigmentation may also appear as dark circles around the eyes.

Melasma isn’t just a face problem, it can also happen to your arms. Melasma is more likely to happen in dark skinned women. The good news is the problem goes away after you’ve given birth. However, I’m guessing you don’t want to wait that long. So, the best thing you can do is to protect yourself from the sun. Limit your time in the sun, use sunblock with SPF 30 or higher, wear a brimmed hat and stay away from tanning salons. You may not get rid of the skin problem entirely this way, but you will at least minimize it.

Another solution is to take enough folic acid. Research suggests lack of folic acid may increase skin discoloration. Get sufficient doses of folic acid through supplements and folate rich foods such as whole grains and green leafy vegetables.

Skin Darkening
You may find natural dark areas of you body such as the areola and nipples of you breast, moles, freckles, scars, birthmarks, and skin around you genitals becoming darker than usual. It could also happen to your inner thighs and underarms. This happens because your body is experiencing a temporary increase in melanin production.

A Dark Line Down Your Belly
This is known as linea nigra. It runs from the lower chest to the navel and also extends to the pubic area. It usually appears during the second trimester and should slowly disappear after your baby is born. You may need to give it a gentle rub to get rid of any dry skin. The line appears darker in darker skinned women.

Acne
You may feel like you’re reliving your adolescent days with all those acne, white heads and bumps breaking out everywhere. To fight acne during pregnancy, practice good cleansing habits. Keep your face clean and keep your hands away from your face.

Do not over wash your face as the dryness will cause your face to produce more oil. Twice a day should be enough. Use gentle cleansers such as oatmeal-based scrubs. Drink plenty of water and eat foods that contain antioxidants such as prunes, blueberries, dark green, yellow and orange vegetables, beans, pecans, walnuts and wheat germ. Be wary of the acne creams you use as some are not suitable for pregnant women. If you want to try natural products, try neem or aloe vera.

Stretch Marks
75-90 percent of all pregnant women develop those unsightly stretch marks. These red or purple streaks not only appear on your growing abdomen, but can also show up on your hips, breasts, buttocks, hips and arms. Can stretch marks be avoided? Yes. Find a moisturizing product that can penetrate pass your skin’s epidermis (top layer) and deep into the dermis (second layer.) Search for products with high amounts of vitamin A, vitamin E, emu oil, collagen, glycolic acid, elastin, liposomes and aloe vera gel. I like belli stretchmark minimizing cream.

Itchy Skin
Are you going crazy with the itching? Unfortunately, pregnancy can cause dry and flaky skin which is the reason for your itching. Plus, your expanding abdomen causes rubbing of skin such as between the stomach and the top of the pubic area and also between the inner thighs. This rubbing can cause prickly heat rash too. In hot weather, wear loose cotton clothing. Stay out of the sun and keep cool. Invest in a good moisturizer and a lotion to take away the itch like calamine, aloe vera or tea tree oil.

Take note that itchy skin in the third trimester may be a sign of Obstetic Cholestasis. It’s a liver disease that may endanger the life of your unborn child. The itch is so severe, it interferes with your daily activities, even sleep. The itching may be accompanied by jaundice, dark urine, fatigue and poor appetite. Check with your doctor if you suspect your itching is not normal. Get proper treatment to avoid the possibility of a stillbirth.

Don’t let pregnant skin problems take out the joy in your pregnancy. Be ready for the changes and know that you are not alone. Most of these skin problems will disappear after you deliver your baby.

Just endure it the best that you can till then. You can do it.

Cleansing is the cornerstone of an effective skin care regimen. It is important for the long term health of your skin as it reduces bacteria, keeps pores open and exfoliates surface skin cells. If waste is allowed to build up it can block the pores, thus blocking the secretion of the glands from coming to the top of the skin.

These secretions provide the skin with the weapons it needs to combat infections and toxic agents. Cleansing stimulates the circulation, which improves the blood supply to the skin and nourishes it.

The best way to cleanse your face is the gentlest way; use a rinse off facial cleanser and forget about soap - the pH is too high. Cleansing also gives a healthy glow to the surface of the skin. A high pH soap will dry the skin and diminish its life expectancy.

The skin’s surface is mildly acidic, having a pH of around 5. Most soaps have a pH of well over 7, some as high as 10. Soaps with a high pH will not only dry the skin, but also eliminate its protective coating on the skin’s surface.

Unlike soaps, facial cleansers remove makeup and dirt, but leave the skin felling soft and silky. Facial cleansers basically consist of oil, water and surfactants (agents which allow oil to mix with water). The oil in the facial cleanser dissolves the oil on the face; the surfactants dissolve everything else; water washes the face clean. The best facial cleansers also contain natural botanical extracts to soothe, protect, nourish and moisturize the face. When choosing a facial cleanser, be sure to pick one that is appropriate for your skin type and condition.

Precede facial cleansing by washing your hands first; otherwise you will simply be working additional dirt in to your face. Splash your face generously with tepid to slightly warm water. Spread a nickel sized dollop of facial cleanser into your palm or on a soft cotton wash cloth.

Using fingertips or washcloth, gently wash face using circular and upward motions. Wash face for approximately 30 seconds for dry skin, 60 seconds for normal skin and 90 seconds for oily skin. Then rinse and rinse again with tepid to slightly warm water. Any residue left behind will have a drying effect. It’s not too much to splash your face 20 times and drench the sink in the process - your face will thank you for it!

Pat (do not rub) face dry with a clean towel. Follow by toning and moisturizing the face. Perform this simple skin care regimen twice daily and you’ll be amazed at the positive difference it makes in your faces health and appearance!

Skin remodeling can be an effective procedure for distinct kinds of skin blemishes. The renewal of aging and blemished skin is a normal desire for people who miss the shiny skin they had in their youth. Whether you are looking for a way to remove the actinic keratosis on your face or the leftover acne scarring marking your cheeks, there is new 100% all natural skin product that can biologically remodel your skin with no precarious side effects.

Both men and women are burdened by wrinkles and fine lines. Old age is though to be the culprit but the real reason is the loss of collagen and elastin. Skin cells decrease their development and old cells are not remodeled at a suitable rate, causing the skin to lose its shape. Guaranteeing essential elements are passed on to the skin matrix to improve elasticity and strenght is a form of skin rejuvenation.

Sun spots and red marks from blemishes torment a huge percentage of the population. Acne scarring and hyperpigmentation that keeps coming back can be renewed and managed using biological ingredients. No matter what kind of skin blemish you want to eliminate, you do not need to schedule surgeries or use harsh synthetic compounds. Due to a special biological ingredient, you can stimulate skin renewal from within and clear out skin blemishes and scarring with no hazardous side effects.

Cream for Dark Spots

Topical retinoids are a popular treatment developed from Vitamin A. Creams containing retinoids can be obtained over the counter at supermarkets. Stronger topical treatments containing tretinoin or isotretinoin require a doctor’s prescription. Creams that contain retinoids may help revise the appearance of aging skin and also be useful in counteracting some of the changes due to photo-aging. This can include everyday problems like sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, and solar keratoses.

While retinoids can be useful, they can at the same time irritate the skin and increase the chances of UV damage. Increased sensitivity to the sun is one of the more dangerous side effects of these treatments. Intense sunburn can cause free radical development and even skin cancer if not cared for. Excessive retinoid use can result in flushing and flaking.

Alpha hydroxy acids have been prescribed for years for skin renewal. These are compounds that are embodied in chemical peels and provide results that are comparable to microderm abrasion. They can diminish fine lines and give skin a more lustrous appearance with 1 to 3 applications. Treatments must be repeated every few months to keep the flawless look.

When used as a treatment against old scars or deeper blemishes, the skin can experience more issues. The higher the concentration of the alpha hydroxyl, the more skin irritation occurs. Since older scars require a higher concentration, an individual can experience serious redness, flaking, and oozing skin that can last for up to a month.

While many people of color feel that their skin care needs differ from those of Caucasians, nothing could be further from the truth. Regardless of color or ethnic background, all skin is subject to a range of virtually identical problems with similar considerations. Whether it is dry or oily skin, blemishes, scarring, wrinkles, skin discolorations, rashes, rosacea, sensitivity, or sun damage, the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment is the same for all men and women.

There are certainly some distinctions between varying ethnic groups when it comes to skin problems and skin care options, but overall these differences are minor in comparison to the number of similarities. Think of it this way: regardless of skin color, dietary needs remain the same. A high-calorie diet results in weight gain, an unhealthy diet can cause health risks, etc. As far as ethnic skin care goes, skin is an organ (the largest organ in the human body)and needs the same ingredients and formulations to be healthy or deal with various skin concerns.

Research on ethnic skin care supports the points above, while also noting the distinctive traits between ethnic skin tones, though these traits don’t mean that different products are needed for treatment. According to an article in the journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (February 2002, pages 41 - 62), “There is not a wealth of data on racial and ethnic differences in skin and hair structure, physiology and function. What studies do exist involve small patient populations and often have methodological flaws. Consequently few definitive conclusions can be made.”

“The literature does support a racial differential in epidermal melanin (pigment) and melanosome dispersion in people of color compared with fair-skinned persons. These differences could at least in part account for the lower incidence of skin cancer in certain people of color compared with fair skinned persons as well as; a lower incidence and different presentation of photo aging; pigmentation disorders in people with skin of color; and a higher incidence of certain types of alopecia (loss of hair) in Africans and African Americans compared of those with other ancestry.”

While skin cancer may not be as much of a threat or concern, skin discolorations resulting from unprotected sun exposure or hormonal concerns are the same as that for women with lighter skin. If there is any difference noted in the research it is the imperative need to treat darker skin tones gently. When irritated, darker skin tones can stimulate hyperpigmentation patches of dark or grayish skin discolorations. Though this is easily treated, the main focus should be on prevention.

When skin is irritated it cannot protect itself from the environment, it causes collagen and elastin to breakdown, it hurts the skin’s immune response, and can cause skin to become dry or flaky. In closing, remember that regardless of skin color or ethnicity, all skin needs a gentle cleanser, an effective exfoliant and a top quality moisturizer. An ethnic skin care regimen is the same as a Caucasian skin care regimen.

You can improve the overall appearance of your aging skin by applying gentle, effective and protective anti aging skin care ingredients that have a proven track record for helping aging skin look and feel better. Providing such benefits to skin on a daily basis will enhance the health and appearance, encourage collagen production, and help generate normalized skin cells, greatly reducing fine lines and wrinkles. The following anti aging skin care ingredients will help the skin to repair itself and function optimally:

Alpha Hydroxy Acids
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s) are nature’s gift for aging skin. AHA’s occur naturally in several foods and include citric acid (from citrus fruits), malic acid (from apples), tartaric acid (from grapes), lactic acid (from milk) and glycolic acid (from sugarcane). When applied to the skin, AHA’s supplement the skin’s natural exfoliation process by loosening and sloughing away the outer layer of dead skin cells, revealing the newer, smoother skin cells underneath. This process rejuvenates the skin by improving circulation and stimulating new cell growth, resulting in a fresher, healthier complexion and reduced pore size. Another benefit is that exfoliation helps other skin care products, particularly moisturizers, penetrate skin and be much more effective.

DMAE
DMAE is an amazing nutrient that extends the life of cells and inhibits the cross linking of proteins, which gives the skin a tone and firm appearance. Excellent for fine lines, DMAE is one of the most important anti aging skin care ingredients.

She Butter
Shea Butter is solid and comes from the natural fat obtained from the karite tree grown in west and central Africa. Often referred to as karite butter, Shea Butter is an emollient (an agent that softens and soothes the skin). It is extremely therapeutic, helping to heal cracked, aged and damaged skin. Its chemical constituents help to heal bruising and soreness. Shea Butter penetrates the skin leaving it feeling soft and smooth. It contains vitamins A and E and is highly compatible with the skin. Shea Butter also has a high concentration of unsaponifiables and cinnamic esters, which have antimicrobial and moisturizing properties and provide protection from the UV rays of the sun.

Glycerin
Glycerin is obtained by adding alkalies to fats and fixed oils. It is a soothing humectant which draws moisture from the air to the skin. It is also an emollient.

Jajoba Oil
Jajoba Oil is cold pressed from the nuts of the jajoba tree, cultivated in California, Arizona, Mexico and Israel. Pronounced Ho-Ho-Ba, it contains protein, minerals and a waxy substance that mimics collagen. Jajoba Oil is not greasy and absorbs right into the skin, moisturizing and protecting the skin.

When choosing a skin care product, be sure it contains some or all of the anti aging skin care ingredients listed above to ensure the maximum benefit for your investment.