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| • Skincare After Hitting The Gym |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on June 19, 2009 |
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Hi,
There is nothing better than hitting the gym to burn off excess calories. Sweating out and burning fat works wonders for your body, but you need to take care of your skin during this ritual. Excessive oil is the primary cause of many skin problems, the most popular being acne attacks. A heavy duty work out session can build up enough excess oil to trigger off the acne process. When you sweat excessively, your skin pores produce more oil which eventually can lead to breakouts and acne blemishes. Therefore, it is very essential to have a post-workout skin care regimen to take care of your skin and prevent skin damage.
You should have a handy skin care kit to use after your work out sessions. Here are some ingredients that should go into the kit:
Foaming Cleanser
Working out involves a lot of sweat. Essentially, sweat is also comprised of all dirt and debris within the skin pores. A good quality cleanser cleans the skin pores of any dirt residue. Try Obagi Nu Derm Foaming Gel that contains a unique blend of aloe vera extracts and natural herbs that act as a natural cleanser for the skin.
Light Moisturizer
Sweat removes all the toxins from your skin pores and makes them considerably clean. An oily moisturizer is the last thing that you should use. Use a light weight water based moisturizer that hydrates the skin without adding any greasiness to it.
Sunscreen
Before you leave the gym, make sure to slather on generous layers of sunscreen. All the sweating and consequent showering makes your skin all the more vulnerable to sun damage. An ideal product would be iS Clinical SPF 20 Powder Sunscreen. Its sheer ease of use and powdery texture makes it an instant hit among exercisers.
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| • Skin Care Regimen- Part III Moisturizing |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on June 12, 2009 |
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Hi,
Last week I told you about Toning!
The third step of a skin care regimen is moisturizing! Moisturizing hydrates the skin and replenishes and balances its intrinsic moisture levels. Moisturizers generally contain nourishing ingredients that provide necessary moisture to the skin cells and help the skin stay smooth and supple.
Contrary to popular belief that moisturizing is not necessary for oily skin, it is a key step in skin care regimens for all types of skin be it normal, dry, oily, sensitive or combination skin.
Oily skin is a result of excessive sebum within the skin cells. But there is a difference between oil and moisture. Excessive oil particles cannot compensate for moisture and oily skin continues to require moisturizing. However, people with oily skin should use lightweight oil-free moisturizers in order to prevent excessive greasiness on the face. On the other hand, people with dry skin should use heavy moisturizing creams and lotions that serve to supply intensive moisture to the parched skin.
After cleansing and toning, slather moisturizer on your face and massage it until it gets absorbed completely. The best time to apply moisturizers is when the skin is still moist. The water will lock the moisture within the skin and keep the skin hydrated longer. Moisturizers enhance the barrier function of the skin and reduce the irritation and sensitivity of the skin. As a result, the skin looks smoother and more supple!
All you need to do is make sure to choose a moisturizer that has suits your skin type and cater to your skins individual requirements. Also, pay attention to the weather and climatic conditions. Cold weather may require you to moisturize more intensively while you may moisturize less in the summer months!
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| • Do Skin Care Products Expire Or Need To Be Changed? |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on June 12, 2009 |
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Hi,
Is it OK to keep using the same lotion as long as there is product in it?. Although all products have different shelf lives depending on ingrediants, eventually they all have to go at some point. Let’s lay out some basic reasons for freshing up your cabinet. Addditionally,
Shelf Life of Active Ingredients
Skin care products contain a variety of active ingredients that help relive specific skin conditions and enhance the overall quality of the skin. However, these ingredients have a definite shelf life after which they tend to degrade and lose potency. In fact, ingredients like Vitamin C can be so unstable that they get oxidized upon contact with air or sunlight. This makes the skin care product lose efficiency and hence not show any results.
Contamination
There are 2 ways skin care products get contanminated. The first is contamination from your hands. You need to make sure you wash your hands before applying your moisturizers and anti-aging products. Secondly, skin care products need to be stored well in order to extend their shelf life. Often people handle skin care products carelessly and they get contaminated as a result of this poor usage. Thus, the product becomes ineffective and can evendamage the skin in some cases. Place your products in a dark space that has a constant temperature that is not too hot.
Ineffective Preservatives and Stabilizers
Skin care products contain certain preservatives and stabilizers in order to prolong their shelf lives and prevent bacterial infestation. However, sometimes these added preservative and stabilizers are so ineffective that they don’t even work on preserving the active ingredients of the product thus making them useless.
Accumulation of Occlusive Ingredients
Ingredients like silicones and mineral oil create a barrier and clogs the skin pores. Though skin care products contain only a small percentage of such ingredients, their regular use may accumulate a large portion of such substances that may further hamper the skin quality.
So, there are many reasons why you should keep trying out new skin care products. Even if you are not convinced you can always be game to experiment!
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| • Skin Care Regimen Part II: Toning |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on June 08, 2009 |
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Hi,
Last time, I told you about cleansing. After the cleansing process comes Toning.
The unique fact about toning is that it is not a basic procedure for all people. While it is extremely important for some to tone their skin toner post cleansing, some can do without it as well. In fact, people with oily skin need toning the most. This is because their skin often remains oily and sticky even after cleansing. Application of toners removes all the residual oil and balances the pHof the skin.
Even people with normal skin can safely use toners. They just need to make sure that the toner is alcohol-free or is will it cause extreme dryness.
However, people with dry skin should absolutely avoid using toners. This is because toners generally contain alcohol and witch hazel that are drying agents and also tend to irritate the skin. If you need to use a toner, select a mild one that has soothing ingredients instead of alcohols.
Excessive use of toners tend to strip off the thin coat of fresh sebum lying just underneath the skin surface. This makes the skin extremely dry and causes irritations such as itchiness and flakiness. You only need to remove the impurities within the skin cells and the excess oil particles, not the oil cells themselves!
However, if you use a mild toner with good quality ingredients, then it can offer several benefits.
They can help close the skin pores and tighten the gaps between the skin cells after the cleansing process. This reduces the penetration of impurities and environmental contaminants into the skin.
They adjust the pH balance of the skin
They remove all the impurities and residual particles left behind by the cleanser.
Thus, the effectiveness of toners depends on your choice of product and your individual skin type!
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| • SkinCare Regimen: Part I - Cleansing |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on June 05, 2009 |
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Hi,
Cleansing is the first and foremost step of your skin care regimen. It is the most important part of the regimen.
Cleansing is the process of washing off dirt, debris and make up residue from the skin pores and from the skins surface. Cleansing removes the impurities and prepares the skin for maximum absorption of active ingredients of your skin care products. However, there is a correct procedure to cleanse efficiently.
Ideally, you should cleanse your face twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Use lukewarm water to rinse and a mild cleanser that is free of all harsh detergents, soaps, alcohol and other potential irritants.
Here are some tips to apply the cleanser:
Apply cleanser all over the face with your fingers for about 20 -25 seconds.
Splash tepid water onto your face several times and rinse off the cleanser. Make sure there are no residual particles of the cleanser left on your face.
Use a clean towel to gently pat your face dry. Never rub the towel against your face. You need to make sure your face remains moist.
While the skin is moist, apply moisturizer on your entire face with gentle circular hand movements. Massage it on to the skin until it gets absorbed completely.
There are a variety of cleansers available in the market that caters to various skin types. While some are heavy others are lightweight. Your choice of cleanser should be based on your skin type and skin condition.
Avoid using cleansers that contain harsh detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate, alcohols, soaps etc.
Cleansing is the first step in your skin care regimen. To ensure a good start, make sure you do it well. Next week... I'll tell you more about the subsequent procedures.
Till then...!
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| • Nano-Technology In Anti-Aging Skin Treatments |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on June 04, 2009 |
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Hi,
Anti-aging skin treatments have come a long way. There are a wide variety of anti aging skin care products in the market. These arecreams, lotions or other formulations that work to improve the appearance of aging skin.
How do I know the effectiveness of anti-aging skin care products?
One of the primary factors that determine the effectiveness of anti-aging skin care products is the delivery of active ingredients within them. Anti-aging products should have a delivery system that lets the active ingredients reach the skin cells or inner layer of the skin. When this fails to happen, the product will cease to show any results.
Why do treatments fail to perform then?
One reason why active ingredients fail to penetrate through the skin surface is because the molecules are too big to pass through the cell membranes!
Solution?
The answer to the problem lies in Nanotechnology!
Nanotechnology forms, controls and manipulates the small particles of active ingredients that cannot be directly handled. This means that ingredients which are unable to enter the skin surface due to their physical shape can now do so effectively. Nanotechnology has actually revamped the way ingredients of skin care products react on the skin. they are able to penetrate better and thus be more effective.
Nanotechnology breaks down the active ingredients into nano-particles or makes use of nanosomes (nanometer sized liposomes) that allow vitamins and other ingredients to penetrate more effectively into the skin surface.
There are a variety of sunscreens in the market that make use of nanotechnology and cater effectively to the skin concerns. Here are some popular picks.
iS Clinical Treatment Sunscreen 25 by Innovative Skincare
This sunscreen provides broad spectrum protection against the UVA and UVB rays of the sunlight and repair sun damaged skin. This is a superb nanotechnology formulation suitable for all skin types.
iS Clinical SPF 20 Powder Sunscreen
A revolutionary powder sunscreen that contains physical UV blockers comprising of 25% titanium dioxide and 20% zinc oxide. This special nanotechnology formulation provides sun protection against a vast spectrum of sunlight.
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| • Are You Applying Your Skin Care Products The Right Way? |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on May 16, 2009 |
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Hi,
Ever wonder why your skin care products don’t work very well for you while they produce amazing results on other women?
It might be something beyond more than just different skin types. It could be the way you use your skin care products. How you apply your skin care products has a significant influence on the results they show. Here are some tips to help you apply your skin care products properly.
Maintain the Frequency of Application
Skin care products usually come with necessary direction on how to use them. You should always know how much and how often to use your products. Be it cleansers, toners or moisturizers… don’t use more thana dime sized amount on your palmsUse evebless with eye creams!
One mistake many women make is to over-apply skin care products hoping to enhance the results. However, using more than what is required will only have negative effects on your skin.
Store the Products Well
Another factor that influences the product quality is where and how you store it. Humidity, sunlight, and environmental pollution affect the products and show on their performance on your skin. Skin care products should be stored in a cool, dry and hygienic place.
Clean Your Face
Make sure you wash your face before you apply your skin care products. It’s useless to put on products if there is dirt and debris in the skin pores..
Use Make-Up Remover
Instead of soap and plain water, use a good quality make-up remover to remove all your make-up before hit the sack. Going to bed with make up on your face will lead to clogged skin pores that further lead to acne inflammations and premature aging.
Avoid Layering Skin Care Products
Applying skin care products one on top of another just end up mixing their active ingredients and rendering them useless. Always apply skin care products first and top it over with a moisturizer and sunscreen.
Apply on Damp Skin
Ideally skin care products should be applied on damp skin. This is because moist and damp skin better allow the active ingredients of the product to penetrate through the skin surface.
Just keep track of these tips and see the efficiency of your skin care products get doubled.
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| • Why Do You Need To Toss Skin Care Products Regularly? |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on May 07, 2009 |
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Hi,
Here are some reasons why skin care products are best thrown away after a while
Shelf Life of Active Ingredients
Skin care products contain a variety of active ingredients that help relieve specific skin conditions and enhance overall quality of the skin. However, these ingredients have a definite shelf life after which they tend to degrade and lose potency. In fact, ingredients like Vitamin C can be so unstable that they get oxidized upon contact with air or sunlight. This makes the skin care product lose efficiency and hence not show any results.
Contamination
Skin care products need to be stored well in order to extend their shelf life. However, often people handle skin care products carelessly that they get contaminated as a result of poor usage. Thus the product becomes ineffective and even tends to damage the skin in some cases.
Ineffective Preservatives and Stabilizers
Skin care products contain certain preservatives and stabilizers in order to prolong their shelf lives and prevent bacterial infestation. However, sometimes these added preservative and stabilizers are so ineffective that they take toll on the active ingredients of the product thus making them useless.
Accumulation of Occlusive Ingredients
Ingredients like silicones and mineral oil create a barrier and clog the skin pores. Though skin care products contain only a small percentage of such ingredients, their regular use may accumulate and further hamper the skin quality.
So, there are many reasons why you should keep trying out new skin care products. Even if you are not convinced you can always be game to experiment!
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| • Pamper Your Mother With Skin Care Gifts This Mother's Day! |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on May 02, 2009 |
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Hi,
Think of all the times your Mother has been by your side, leading you through all the ups and downs of life. Think of all the sleepless nights you put her through. Think of all the times she has put her own wishes aside to make sure you had what you wanted or needed.
It’s not easy being a Mom as you now know. They cook for you, they clean for you, they nurse you, they teach you, and they guide you throughout life.
Well, Mother's Day is the perfect occasion to thank her for all she has done for you and let her know how much she means to you. Let her know how much you love her. Give her flowers to charm her, chocolates to please her andsomething that will be there with her forever – younger looking and healthier skin.
We bring you an exquisite collection of special Mother's Day gift options that you can give your Mom and let her have the beautiful flawless complexion that she has always wanted whether she has told you or if it has been her little secret. We have packaged our best selling and most popular skin care products in special edition kits that will make a perfect choice of gift for any Mom.
Check out our website and select from an extensive range of skin care gift sets.
And if you still can’t decide what would be the perfect choice for your Mom, let her do decide on her own. Get a special Mother's Day Gift Certificate for her that will keep on giving. That’s right... Your Mom will have her very own gift account at Skin Care Heaven that she can use whenever she wants. She can either call us at 877-HEAVEN-3 and place an order or just log into our website and start shopping herself.
You can call us at 877-HEAVEN-3 (877-432-8363) and tell us the amount that you would like to deposit in the account. We will create an account for you and assign a Username and Password for your Mom. All she needs to do is log into her account or call us and buy products until the account is depleted.
So, what are you waiting for? Mother's Day is just round the corner (May 10th). Make it special by showing Mom how much you care about her!
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| • Skin Care Product Basics How Much To Use? |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on April 21, 2009 |
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Hi,
If little is good, a lot is better! Maybe… But certainly not in the case of skin care products!
If a little drop of acne care product eliminates your pimples, slathering on a large amount won’t make your face any better… rather, it can make it worse. Skin care products should be used as directed and no way else. You should know exactly how much of your skin care products you should be using. Read on to find out…
Cleansers
Cleansers are used to remove make up.The problem is, people tend to use too much of it in order to ensure that all traces of make-up are completely gone. However, over-use of cleansers can have detrimental effects on your skin. It can cause irritation and aggravate acne and blemishes.
Always splash your face with warm water before you begin the cleansing routine. This way you can use a lesser amount of cleanser. And when you use it, just take a dime sized amount, rub it in your hands and apply it on to your face.
Moisturizers
Whether you have a large can of moisturizer or just a small travel bottle, always take a dime size amount of the moisturizer and take more if truly needed. Remember, no matter which moisturizer is used, oily skin requires less while dry skin needs more. Always warm the moisturizer between your palms before you apply it on the face. This will ensure an even application! Moisturizers should hydrate the skin and do just that and no more. If your skin feels heavy and sticky… it means you have applied a bit too much.
Facial Serum
Serums are lightweight and feel almost like water. It’s easy to apply and they get absorbed by the skin almost instantly. Take about one or one and a half pumps on your fingertips and massage it gently on your face and neck. It should be more than enough. The deal with serums is there is no tell-tale sign to indicate you are using too much. So, use them cautiously.
Eye Creams
Eye contours are very sensitive and fragileand they need to be taken care of very carefully. Even though eye creams are designed to do the same, they can have severe effects if not used correctly.
Never rub the cream under the eyes. Rather use your ring finger to pat the cream along the orbital bone and eyelid.
Now that you know how much is too much, you can use your skin care products as indicated!
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| • Retinol In Skin Care How Much Is Too Much |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on April 13, 2009 |
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Hi,
Retinols are the buzzword in the anti-aging skin care products market. A derivative of Vitamin A, it is extremely effective in reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and healing sun damage.
Protection against sun damage? That’s what sunscreens are for!
True… But when you notice that first wrinkle on your face you know that simple prevention is not enough. In fact, anti-aging skin care should not be started only after the damage is done. Rather, it should be something that you incorporate in your daily skin care regimen now in order to keep aging signs at bay.
How does Retinol work?
Retinol increases the cell turnover ratio in the deeper skin layers. It prevents collagen degradation and helps the skin to actually reverse certain signs of aging.
All well… But like with everything else, Retinol should be used based on your individual skin type. Different people have different tolerance levels for Retinol. Here are some tips to follow while using Retinol based skin care products:
Always start using Retinol in smaller quantities. Start by using it sparingly and as your skin gets used to it, you can increase the frequency of application.
Retinol can become unsuitable for some people during winter because of excessive skin dryness.
Avoid using Retinol during the day. This is because it is photosensitizing as well as photodegradable. When you apply it under sunlight, the skin can get irritated and also break down the beneficial properties of the Retinol.
Ideally, use Retinol based skin care products at night so that it can perform its healing process well enough.
So, there you go. Gather all the benefits of Retnol.. just do it wisely so!
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| • Mechanical Exfoliation Vs. Chemical Exfoliation |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on March 27, 2009 |
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Hi,
Exfoliation is an indispensable procedure in skin care regimens. It scrapes off the dead skin cells from the skin surface and unveils fresh and radiant skin from within. Some of the core benefits of exfoliation are:
It improves the skin texture and makes it more vibrant
It reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
It removes dead skin cells from the surface
It unclogs the skin pores
It keeps the skin healthy and prevents acne breakouts and inflammations
There are 2 main types of exfoliation:
Mechanical Exfoliation
Chemical Exfoliation
Mechanical Exfoliation
As the name suggests, mechanical exfoliation involves manual or 'mechanical' use of scrubs and exfoliating skin care products to scrape off dead skin cells from the skin surface. Exfoliants can be scrubs, crystals, natural ingredients and even baking soda. Mechanical exfoliation works more like the sand-paper effect and literally scrub of additional unwanted cells and impurities from the skin surface.
If you suffer from blackheads, mechanical exfoliation is extremely helpful in unclogging blocked skin pores and thus removing the accumulated dirt known as blackheads. However, you should avoid excessive mechanical exfoliation if you have sensitive skin. This is because it can irritate the skin and promote new acne breakouts and inflammations.
Chemical Exfoliation
Chemical exfoliation break down the glue that holds skin cells together and make it possible for them to be sloughed off the skin surface easily. Alpha hydroxy acids and retinoids are good examples of chemical exfoliants. Chemical exfoliation is particularly suitable for people with mature or aging skin because the skin tends to become thin and dry with age and exfoliation makes sure new fresh cells continue to regenerate from within.
Be it mechanical or be it chemical, exfoliation should be a key step in your skin care regimen. Of course, how you do it and how often you do it depends totally on your skin condition!
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| • Keep Jack Frost At Bay Skin Care During Winter! |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on December 31, 2008 |
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Hi,
You know Jack Frost comes knocking when a slight scratch on your skin leaves a white trail behind. Lips become chapped and your face becomes dry and tight.
Winter time spells havoc on the skin. The chilly winds and cool weather rob your skin of moisture and leave it dry and irritated. This is a time your skin needs extreme care and nourishment.
Here are some handy tips that will help you survive through winter.
Cut down on Hot Showers
I know how tempting it is to laze around in a steamy shower room. But as relaxing they are, they strip off your skin’s natural oils leaving it dehydrated.
So just try and cut down your hot water extravaganza and use lukewarm water instead.
Moisturize! Moisturize!
It is an absolute essential during winter months. Immediately after you get out of shower, slather on generous amounts of moisturizer all over your body. This will help you combat the intrinsic dryness of the cool weather. Also make sure to drink lots of water and include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet.
Don’t Forget Your Sunscreen
A popular misconception among people is that they do not need sunscreen during winter. However, just because sunlight is not as intense as it is during summer, it is not devoid of the harmful UV rays. 80% of sun’s rays penetrate through clouds, snow and fog. So cloudy days harm your skin as well without protection!
Don’t Lick Your Lips
Licking your lips is the easiest way to keep them moist. However, the vicious circle only makes the condition worse. Use a good moisturizing lip balm that also has SPF contents in it and use it around the clock.
There you have it! If you know just the right things to do…. Jack Frost isn’t that evil!
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| • Versatile Vitamins- Get To Know Them Better |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on December 05, 2008 |
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Hi,
You are what you eat!
Good skin care begins from within and so it makes perfect sense to look at what you eat. Trust me… There is nothing like a healthy diet that can guarantee you glowing skin.
Let’s have a look at Vitamin’s and what they have to offer:
Vitamin A
Killer of free radicals, vitamin A fights acne and blemishes and lowers sebum production within the skin. Also, it helps heal wounds faster and stimulates the formation of new tissues.
Vitamin A is abundant in green vegetables like spinach, broccoli, asparagus, peppers. It can also be found in apricots and cantaloupe.
Vitamin B
Responsible for smoothening the skin, vitamin B prevents the formation of blackheads and promotes oil production. Deficiency of Vitamin B can lead to dry and flaky skin.
Meat, fish, eggs, and peanut butter are all high in Vitamin B and so are certain grains like brown rice.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that aids in the repair and growth of tissues and protects against free radical damage. Consequently, it heals burns and wounds and soothes the skin. Vitamin C is known to preserve the collagen tissues within the skin and thus keep in firm and supple. Moreover, it boosts the immune system and protects against cardiovascular disease.
Vitamin C is perhaps the most commonly found vitamin. It’s present in good amounts in citrus fruits like oranges lemons and fruit juices. It can also be found in broccoli, berries, beet roots, avocados, asparagus, tomatoes and peppers.
If you have a smoking habit or consume alcohol or take anti-depressants, then make sure you have extra supplements of Vitamin C in your diet. This is because these habits can reduce Vitamin C levels in the body.
There you go! A versatile array of Vitamins and ways to include them in your diet! If you have a healthy diet, you can be rest assured that your skin will also tell the tale.
Apart from this there are also many skin care products that contains vitamin supplements.
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| • Top 4 Acne Myths |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on December 03, 2008 |
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Hi,
All it takes is a tiny pimple to pop up on your face and you’ll get bombarded with tons of advice and tricks to banish the evil devil. However, most of the suggestions that come your way are useless.
Here are the top 4 acne myths that some women still swear by. Let your knowledge prevail…
Frequent Face Washes Reduce Acne!
Washing your face regularly is a good habit. But excess spells doom. Regularly washing your face will most likely eliminate all the dirt particles and keep your skin squeaky clean. But it an also cause your skin to dry up and encourage further breakouts. So just try not to overdo it and restrict your facial washing to twice a day!
Chocolate and Oily Food Are Responsible for Acne!
This belief has been hammered into young minds and passed on from generation to generation. However, oil intake inside the body does not ooze from your skin pores. Oily food is usually bad for health, but that’s not casues acne breakouts.
Occasional indulgence is safe! Chocolate has also shown to actually have many benefits!
Makeup Can Camouflage Acne!
As long as you use ‘non-acneic’ and ‘non-allergic’ make up, all is good. But if you use make up that’s not high quality, they may cause further breakouts.
Acne is Natural Consequence of Poor Hygiene!
Acne is caused by excessive oil production within your skin cells. However, dirt and environmental pollutants can sure aggravate the situation.
Hope that helps “clear things up” a bit about acne skin care.....
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| • Enemies Of Your Skin! |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on November 04, 2008 |
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Hi,
Effective skin care habits require a lot of dedication and perseverance. There are certain habits that aid in nourishing your skin while there are others lead to its destruction. Here are some potential enemies of your skin that you should seek to avoid.
Alcohol
A couple of drinks after a day’s work may be a stress buster for you. But not so for your skin. The dehydrating effects of alcohol are known to damage the skin intrinsically and cause signs of premature aging. Alcoholics are the first to flaunt wrinkles and fine lines! Moreover, alcohol also causes vasodilation, a process where the blood vessels of the skin dilate and become red and irritated.
Caffeine
Nothing works better to keep you alert during the day than coffee! But excessive caffeine intake can lower the hydration levels of your body put your skin at risk of becoming dry and wrinkled. If you can’t give up your daily caffeine fix, make sure to follow it up with sufficient water intake.
And yeah… Don’t trust the so called coffee flavored energy drinks, because chances are they have higher caffeine content than a regular cup of coffee.
Saturated Fat and Trans Fatty Acids
Be it dairy products, coconut or hydrogenated oils; saturated fats and fatty acids stimulate the production of free radicals that fuel the process of skin aging. These fats are common place in drive-through and junk food stuffs. Excessive intake of these fats may lead to acne inflammations and blemishes
Cigarettes
Puffing away on nicotine may lead triggering of the premature aging process too. Nicotine clamps down blood vessels and reduces the supply of Vitamin C in the body!
So, now that you have identified potential harmful habits, you can work towards eliminating them from your routine!
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| • All Good Things Come To An End
Part 2 |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on October 22, 2008 |
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Hi,
How are you? I’m sure you would have cleared away quite a bit of the junk in your make up kit by now (at least I hope so!).
Doesn’t it feel great?
So, here is more information about other throw-away products…
Foundation
The base of all your make up. In fact the foundation has to its credit the largest area of application! So you can just imagine the extent of damage if it goes wrong. Foundation comes in different forms
Liquid foundations: They can be either oil based, for dry skin types or water based for normal skin types. Having a liquid base, they tend to be more vulnerable to bacterial growth and breeding. The right time to throw it away is when the texture becomes creamy and develops lumps.
Powder foundations: They are less likely than the former to develop bacteria. But no doubt they can be damaged. When the powder cake begins to break or develop a grainy texture, it’s time to toss it away.
Concealer
The creamy texture of concealer is because of the oil and other hydrating agents in it. The best way to preserve it and make it last longer is by avoiding any contact with the hands and by washing the brush daily.
Mascara
Mascara should be replaced every three months. Mascara tends to dry up very fast and also because of the constant pulling out of the bristle brush, the air tends to pollute the inside. And don’t even think of adding water to remove the dryness. You would only be giving the bacteria a breeding ground.
Eye Liner
Liquid liners can dry up very quickly if not stored properly. Therefore, be sure that you close the lid tightly after every use and store in a cool dry place. Pencil liners are a better than the liquid ones and stay for about two years.
There you go! Life cycles defined for all the components of your make-up kit!
Till next time… Byeee!
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| • Is Your Make-Up Making You Old? |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on October 15, 2008 |
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Hi,
You’ll be amazed to know that your make-up can either add or even subtract years off your face. It all depends on your choice of make-up formulas and techniques.
As you age, your skin becomes dry and signs of aging begin to surface like wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, etc. It’s natural to make an effort to hide these flaws. This makes facial skin care very essential.However, women often end up doubling the visibility to these flaws instead of minimizing it .
Here are some techniques to better the task…
Foundation
Avoid applying a heavy coat of foundation, especially matte foundation as it will make your skin drier and highlight wrinkles and fine lines. Rather use a combo of concealer-foundation-loose powder. The concealer corrects spots and pigmentation on the face. Next, use a light reflecting foundation that blends well and has a skin tone consistent with your natural skin around the rest of your neck and body and top it off with an oil free powder.
Things to remember:
• Apply foundation only to those areas that need coverage.
• The color of the foundation should be blend in with your skin tone.
Eyes
Don’t add layers of color to your eyelids. Stick to neutral shades and give a finishing touch with eyeliner and mascara.
Things to remember:
• Avoid glittery eye shadows as they tend to settle down on the eyelashes.
• Heavy eyeliners can make you look older
Lips
Use a lipstick primer before you gab on the lipstick. This will make the lipstick stay on longer and prevent it from melting. Next, line your lips with a lip liner that matches the shade of your lipstick and line the shape of your lips carefully. Fill in lipstick and complete the look.
Things to remember:
• Go for a hydrating formula so your lips don’t get dry
• Use a lip gloss to add more shine to your lips
So… there you are! Its all about knowing how to use your make up that makes all the difference.
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| • Myths About Mineral Oil Demystified! |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on October 13, 2008 |
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Hi,
I just got back from a meeting about skin care products and their ingredients. One thing I noticed was the widespread anxiety among the audience regarding mineral oil.
That’s when I realized there were so many myths surrounding the use of mineral oil and that were shared alike by some skin care experts.
For the record, mineral oil is a colorless, odorless and tasteless substance derived from petroleum. It is also distilled from silicones like dimethicone and cyclomethicone.
Here are some popular myths:
Myth: Mineral oil clogs skin pores and cause acne!
Yeah… Pure mineral oil does promote further breakouts in acneic skin. But that doesn’t mean all anti-acne skin care products that contain a bit of mineral oil have the same effects. Industrial grade mineral oil can be comedogenic but cosmetic ones are not!
Myth: Mineral oil is occlusive
Mineral oil remains on the skin surface… true. But it neither stops the skin from breathing nor does it hinder the penetration of active ingredients within the skin. In fact, mineral oil acts as an excellent emollient cleanser as it demulsifies dirt and excess oil in the skin pores.
Myth: Mineral oil makes the skin dry
In contrast to popular belief that mineral oil dries the skin, it in fact stays on the surface and prevents moisture loss. Because its viscose in nature, it traps the moisture within the skin and lends more moisture.
Myth: Mineral oil can cause cancer
Mineral oil used in skin care products is quite different from what is used in industries. Also, the cosmetic oils have no record of being carcinogenic and stand the test of time.
Myth: Mineral oil is not natural
Mineral oil is derived from petroleum. And petroleum is as natural as essential oils or any other oils that come form the Earth. The misconception of mineral oil not being a natural product springs from the fact that it is further refined to become a usable product. But it is as safe to use as can be! Think about the use of vegetable oil in cars these days.
There you are! If you have any other myths or misconception regarding mineral oil, share them with me…
I’d like to hear from you…
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| • Sulking About Stretch Marks |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on October 10, 2008 |
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Hi
The creamy white lines that show up on the skin on your just seem to creep further and further, those ugly marks... The stretch marks! Those who have it know how bad they can be.
Stretch marks are from the sudden shrinking of stretched skin… Like after childbirth or after sudden weight loss. This is when the skin comes back to its original shape and shrinks.
The sad part is there is no sure shot skin care product I can think of that can guarantee relief from these stretch marks. There are some treatments that help reduce the marks, but otherwise it’s all about ‘Prevention is better than the cure.’
• Moisturizers can prove to be helpful in preventing stretch marks. That’s because they generally contain Vitamin E and A which boosts the formation of new cells and helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks
• Another preventive measure is keeping your weight controlled so that there is no sudden flab coming out. Massage your skin daily and keep it toned.
• Alpha Hydroxy Acids are one of the popular and most effective ingredients in skin care products. AHA’s are derived from sugar cane or diary products and contain powerful exfoliating compounds that break down the proteins holding dead skin cells together and make new cells to appear.
• Another popular ingredient is Retinoid. Used in creams and moisturizers to increase the absorption, retinoids accelerate the growth of new skin cells and that further helps reduce stretch marks.
• Salicylic acid also break down the proteins and lipids that are responsible for holding skin cells together and thus promote the emergence of new skin cells.
Other than these ingredients to help prevent stretch marks, you can also have surgery like laser surgery, microdermabrasion and dermabrasion. These processes remove the outer layer of the skin and bring forth the layer underneath.
So, if stretch marks are what’s troubling you... You know where to look now!
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| • All Good Things Come To An End..? |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on October 04, 2008 |
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Why do all good things come to an end? … So sang Nelly Furtado.
Let me put it this way…
“Shades to dust
Lipsticks to hard crusts
Why do all good things come to an end…”
You guessed it right! I am talking about your long romance with your cosmetics and the break-up you refuse to do.
There is only one place for old make-up, and that’s your garbage can. You need to understand that using old cosmetics can have adverse effects on your skin and damage it all the more.
Here are some tell-tale signs that tell you when to toss away you beauty kit members
Powders
Powders find place in the all women’ beauty kit. And they are often used for years and years because they don’t show any visible cues of damage or bacterial infection. But keep an eye for grainy textures or formation of hard chunks. And if you see this you know its time to throw it away.
* Always store the powder in a cool dry place and wash the powder brush regularly.
Lipsticks
They generally have a long shelf life. No wonder then cosmetic companies come up with new shades every season. But even your treasured shade has to go sometime or the other. Look out for any dryness on the stick or a strange smell. That’ll be the time to bid it farewell.
* Ideally, lipsticks should be changed every two years!
Eye shades
Eye shadows have the longest shelf life of any beauty product. But that’s not the signal for their lifetime validity. Over time, eye shadows develop pigments and become oily in texture. That will be the time when they breathe the last.
* Buy fewer colors in small packages in order to maximize their shelf life and avoid using your hands for application. Use a make-up brush instead.
That’s about the basic! Wait till next week as I get you more info about other make-up stuff. Keep reading!
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| • 10 Steps To Glowing Skin |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on October 03, 2008 |
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Hi,
Who doesn’t want healthy skin that glows with radiance? There are scores of skin care products out there that can help you achieve this.
But until you adopt good skin care habits, no amount of external application will help. You need to take good care of your skin and pamper it for the products to do any good.
For your skin to be radiant, it has to come from within. I’ll say it again, you have to treat your skin well. Here are 10 simple steps that will guarantee a natural glow.
• Eat a balanced diet. What you eat decides how your skin looks. If you eat a balanced diet, full with vitamins and proteins and everything… your skin will show the natural radiance too. Just the same way, if you take in lots of junk food shows on your face.yes, you are what you eat and so is your skin.
• Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water everyday. It must be the most repeated advice for healthy skin but least followed. Drinking good amounts of water throughout the day keeps the skin hydrated and maintain the proper moisture levels.
• Get 8 hours of sleep daily. Unless your skin gets enough rest, there is no way it can function optimally. Lack of sleep will show on your face as under eye circles and eye sacks.
• Exercise regularly in order to improve blood circulation and oxygen movement throughout the skin.
• Avoid excessive sun exposure. The harmful UVA and UVB radiations of the sunlight have the potential to penetrate the skin surface and cause damage that cannot be reversed.
• Apply sunscreen daily. Lather yourself with sunscreen before you venture out in the sun. Apply it at least 15-20 minutes before you go out in the sun and reapply as directed.
• Exfoliate twice a day. Exfoliating scrapes off dead skin cells from the skin surface and reveals fresh new skin from within.
• Quit smoking and avoid excessive alcohol consumption as they tend to disrupt the skin’s moisture level and cause dryness.
• Don’t stress out. The frown lines on your face will make permanent residence if they stay for too long. Remember, don’t sweat the small stuff.
• Adopt a healthy skin care regimen and follow it religiously.
It is not too late. Just follow these simple habits in your daily routine and watch yourself glow!
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| • On Oily Skin Care |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on September 29, 2008 |
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It glistens and it shines… It’s as greasy as its glossy!
Yeah… I am talking about oily skin. Those who have it know it what goes into its care. It’s a losing battle against shine and grease on the face!
So let me tell you some intricacies about oily skin and how to set it right!
Overactive sebaceous glands! They are responsible for the increased production of sebum that further leads to oiliness of the skin. When sebaceous glands secrete more than normal amounts of oil, the skin pores stretch out and darken which then are called blackheads.
Other deciding factors of oily skin are genetic make up, hormonal changes during adolescence, medications and use of certain unsuitable skin care products. Well… genetics and hormones are something you cannot do much about, but there are many other things that you can do at your end to ensure undue oiliness doesn’t reside on your skin.
Here are some tips that you should keep in mind:
• Use skin care products that are specially formulated for your particular skin type
• Cleanse your face every morning and night so as to remove any dirt, impurities and make up residues. Do not cleanse more than twice a day as it will give way to skin dryness. Use mild water based cleansers that cleans the face but don’t irritate the skin. Avoid using cream based cleansers.
• Wear a sunscreen with high SPF content of 30 or more throughout the day. Apply it at least 15-20 minutes before venturing out and reapply as and when required.
• Follow an effective skin care regimen on daily basis and nourish your skin well.
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| • Wisdom Against Wrinkle Woes! |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on September 26, 2008 |
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Wrinkles are the sign of wisdom they say…Wisdom that’s gained through age.
But premature wrinkles? They are only a hint for lack of wisdom- wisdom to take care of the skin.
And to tell you what... no one really minds keeping the wisdom lines at bay even if it comes with age.
Let us understand the root cause of wrinkles and ways by which your can prevent them!
As we grow old, cells within the epidermal and dermal layers of our skin become thinner and collagen production of the body is reduced considerably. As a result, the skin loses its former elasticity and develops wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of aging.
And if you neglect caring for your skin, these signs of aging may appear way before due time. Also, excessive exposure to sunlight may fuel the aging process as the UV radiation tends to damage skin cells from within.
There are several anti aging skin care products available in the market and some of them are quite effective too. Try the Neo Cutis Bio Restorative skin cream that nourishes and restores the original appearance of aged skin making it soft and supple.
However, it is still best to prevent the condition altogether than take help to rectify the situation. Here are some basic tips that you can follow to prevent your skin from aging prematurely:
• Use a good sunscreen that has an SPF content of about 30. Look for ingredients like ecamsule, titanium dioxide and avobenzone.
• Quit smoking as it tends to accelerate the aging process of the skin and develops premature wrinkles and facial lines.
• Moisturize your skin regularly with a good quality moisturizer in order to maintain the proper hydration levels of the skin.
• Wear protective clothing and sunglasses whenever you venture out in the sun and when you know you be spending a lot of time outdoors.
• Avoid going out in the sun in the peak hours of the day between 10 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon.
• Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water everyday to keep the body hydrated and moisture levels of the skin in balance.
• Exercise regularly as it increases blood circulation and enhances sound skin mechanism.
• Limit alcohol intake within the body as they contain anti-hydrating agents that disrupt the moisture level of the skin
• Sleep well so as to give your body the much needed rest and enable it to carry out skin functions properly.
There you are. Follow these tips and say goodbye to any or all signs of premature aging!
Till next time… Byeee!
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| • What Is Summer Without The Sun? |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on September 18, 2008 |
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And where there is sun… there are sunburn and sun tanning.
Sunburn are the most common of summer skin woes. Let us address the problem as a whole here:
Well… to start with, let me give you an idea about what exactly causes sunburn!
The sun emits UV radiations that penetrate through the deeper layers of the skin and prompts pre-mature aging of the skin. Thus the skin begins to show fine lines, wrinkles and sunspots! These rays are very harmful for the skin and should be avoided at all costs.
Moreover, when these rays enter your skin cells, they alter the DNA components and can lead to skin cancer in due course. Areas that are most exposed to sunlight are the ones at highest risk of developing the disease.
So, how do you know if it is a sunburn or just a regular rash? Most cases of sunburn are not taken seriously because people mistake them for rashes.
Here are some common symptoms of sunburn:
• Irritation and pain on the affected area
• Escalation in the pain in due course of days
• Redness and peeling of the skin
• Development of blisters, blemishes and inflammations
• Heat stroke or exhaustion
Sunburn, if not treated correctly can intensify and lead to severe consequences. Therefore, it is but necessary that you take adequate precautions and prevention measures to rectify the situation.
Here are some tips:
• Use dollops of moisturizers on the affected area so as to soothe skin and lock the moisture inside.
• Contact your doctor in order to take any medications
• Take regular baths in cold water so that the water cools down the affected area.
• Stay away from alcohol as it tends to dehydrate the skin
• Don’t peel at the skin because it may just serve to increase the healing time
So, adhere to these steps and stay away from the atrocities of the sun.
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| • How To Choose Your Sunscreen? |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on September 17, 2008 |
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‘I need sunscreen only in summer!’
That’s what my teenage cousin declared as she tossed away her bottle of sunscreen this fall.
Sadly, that’s something most people perceive too.
Sunscreens are synonymous with summer! But that is no reason to think that they are only needed in summer. The sun is sharper during the summer months and milder during winters. But mind it, the ingredients are the same. Sunlight at any time contains ultraviolet rays within that continue to damage your skin be it summer or be it winter.
Here are some tips to choose the right sunscreen for you:
Sun care is essential. It is an integral part of your basic skin care regimen. And sun care is not restricted to any season. As essential as it is in the sunny months of the year, so it is for the winter months. But then again the type of sun care required is different from person to person. The sun care products that you decide to use should cater to specific skin types like normal skin, dry skin, oily skin, combination skin or sensitive skin.
Here are some key points that you should consider while selecting your sun care product or sunscreens:
Sun Protection Factor
The SPF of a sunscreen is the deciding factor of selection. SPF gives an indication about how powerful the sunscreen is. A sunscreen protects you from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun that causes sunburn and also create greater risks of skin cancer. Make sure the sunscreen you choose has avobenzone (Parsol-1789), Mexoryl, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide so that you are protected from all the UVA and UVB radiations of the sun.
Lasting Time
How long the effect of a sunscreen lasts is different from one product to another. Some sun-care products break down due to prolonged exposure to UV light while others continue to fight it longer. Mexoryl, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are some of the ingredients that don’t break down when exposed to the UV rays of sunlight, and thus protect you all day long.
Staying power
There are certain sun screen agents that cling to the skin longer than the others. And if you are one of those who do plenty of outdoor exercise and running around or have to travel in the sunlight for long periods, this is a very important factor that you should consider while purchasing sun care products. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are two agents that stay on the skin for longer periods. However some sun care products that contain these two elements tend to look pale on the skin. Therefore, make sure your sunscreen contains "ultramicronized" titanium or zinc. These agents are finer in nature and are transparent to light but still function appropriately.
Types of Sun Care products
Sun care products are available in a variety of forms like sunscreen creams, lotions, gels and even sprays. Creams are best suited for smooth and normal skins. These products are usually prepared using water resistant formulas so inspite of all the sweating and swimming you do stay on to protect your skin.
Always consider the cosmetic quality of the sunscreen before you start using it. If you follow a good sun care regimen, you can really slow down the skin’s aging process and even reverse the damage already done.
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| • Miss-Take With Make-up! |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on September 15, 2008 |
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Hi,
Was at a party last night. Sigh… the hangover’s still there. All that glitz and glamour is still fresh. But what still irks me is that some women just don’t get it right. They end up making the very same make-up mistakes time over and over again…
I just can’t wait to enlighten the poor souls.
So here are some very common mistakes women tend to make with their make up.
Foundation mask
Now now now… Foundation is not paint. It is an essential part of your facial skin care. It is used to even out your skin tone, not to make you fair. Women often choose foundation a shade lighter that their skin tone in order to look fair. But that just doesn’t work. After all your neck hands and other décolleté will reveal your true colors ;)
Always choose a foundation that matches your skin tone so that it gives a natural glowing look.
Bling Blotch Blush
Women often look the female versions of Ronald with an overdose of blush. And it is in no way attractive!
The key is knowing how to apply blush correctly. Just look into the mirror and smile, and dab on blush on the apple of your cheeks. For the trendy ones, sweep across some mascara on the corner of your eyes. Pinks and peaches are hot this season!
Unshapely Eyebrows
Your eyebrows can make a world of difference on how you look. Shape them well and you look wow! Ruin the shape and get a foul expression. Often it happens that women don’t pay much attention to their eyebrows, concentrating more on the eye. But you need to realize that your eyebrows can make or ‘break’ the look.
Go to a salon and consult a beautician what shape will look best on your. It can be either arc shaped or round, thin or thick. Once you get them shaped, shade them carefully. Make tiny strokes in the direction of hair growth….
That’s for now… wait till next week as I get you more ways you can go wrong with your eye make-up!
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| • Revealing The Truth Behind Skin Care Myths |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on August 25, 2008 |
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The increasing awareness amongst people about skin care is sure a positive sign. But in the quest to acquire more knowledge, they tend to believe in everything that they come across. Thus creeps in myths and false facts….
Here are some myths that I have come across and the actual truth behind them:
• Sunscreen is more that enough to protect skin against potential Sun Damage
Phew! All the ranting about how absolutely imperative is using sunscreen has led people to believe it’s all that they need. But that unfortunately is not the case. Sunscreen is the basic necessity and for complete protection against the sun, you will need to do a little more.
Actually the SPF filters can either absorb the UVA/B radiations of the sun or they can reflect them off. But they are unable to shield rays ranging from 380 to 400, making your skin susceptible.
But you can take care of that part by simply applying an antioxidant skin care product before you slather on sunscreen!
• No Wrinkles = No Aging Signs
Now I wish it were true. But wrinkles are not the only way you can give away your age. Removing wrinkles from your face might give you a smooth skin but that is n guarantee to hide your age. In fact, there are a lot many other features that appear as you age.
• Your skin goes yellowish in color
• Brown spots appear on the skin
• The skin becomes red and broken capillaries become ever so prominent
• Your skin also becomes loose and saggy
There is only one solution: Go for an anti-aging treatment that takes care of all these flaws!
• Only your face needs Anti-Aging Treatments
Again, this is a popular misbelief. A young looking face and wrinkly neck and hands can sure blow the lid and expose your age.
Let this not be the case and make sure you treat you neck, hands and other exposed areas with the same anti-aging treatment.
• Men don’t need Skin Care, it’s for the womenfolk
Yeah… So can say the cowboys. Men say this with a sense of pride. Of course I would have to agree with biological notions that men generally have thicker and less sensitive skin than women. But that’s no cue they can pass skin care completely.
Let me tell you, skin damage, be it because of the sun or other factors see no difference in genders. Both men and women are equally prone to sun damage, susceptible to skin cancers and so on… Therefore it is as important for them as well.
• There is nothing better than Organic Skin Care Products
I sure can’t question the benefits of organic skin care products. But yeah… there can be a word of caution though. Organic skin care products need to be in the purest form. (Read: Don’t go by the cheap rates and check if the product is really organic or not!) Also they need to be used carefully.
And then again, these products take a little time to get results. And if you want to be fresh and glowing at the month end party, you might as well go for a cosmetic!
These are all for now. Wait till next time as I get you more… And meanwhile, if you have any queries or if you are skeptical about something, feel free to share it here!
Byeee
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| • A-B-C And More .. |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on August 22, 2008 |
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Hi,
Your skin is your most valuable asset. Bereft of all make up and accessories, there is just your skin to tell the world how beautiful are you.
Therefore it is essential that you take good care of your skin, nourish it and pamper it…
Here are some basic rules of good skin care, or so to say the A-B-C of skin care.
A: Cleansing!
Morning and night, make sure you cleanse your face. Pour out some cleanser on your palms and massage on to your face in circular motions. Don’t be hard on your skin. Cleansing is a soft and smooth process. Do it the same way.
Obagi Nu-Derm Foaming Gel deep cleanses the face and leaves you with oily and normal skin all fresh and clean.
B: Toning
Cleansing should immediately be followed by application of a good toner. Most often women undermine the importance of toning up their face and move on with their make-up. Actually cleansing opens up the skin pores to remove all dirt and bacteria and remove open till a toner is applied.
A toner adjusts the pH level of your skin to normal in addition to removing any stubborn leftovers. Use a cotton ball to apply the toner in an upward motion. Try using Obagi Nu-Derm Toner that contains natural ingredients and herbs that hydrates your skin and restores the normal pH level.
C: Moisturizing
Moisturize your face and neck after you are done with the cleansing and toning process. Apply in upward motions and make sure your cover every nook and corner of your face. The skin on your face… especially around the eyes is very thin and delicate. So be slow and steady while running your fingertips.
That’s as much for the basics. But in the changing world today… you need to take care of your skin as it survives through pollution, heat and dust, weather changes and all.
Exfoliate
In due course of the day, your skin accumulates dirt and bacteria. And this causes acne, whiteheads and blackheads to appear on your face. The cleansing-toning-moisturizing is a gentle one and removes inlay dirt particles. But for harder stuff like blackheads, you need to scrub your skin at least once a week so as to scrape off all the debris.
Sunscreen
Contrary to popular belief, a sunscreen isn’t something to be used if and when you go out in the sun. In fact, the UVA/B radiations of the sunlight are active all day long and traverse all through. Thus, it is necessary that you apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before you go outdoors and reapply every 2 to 3 hours!
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| • Skin Care - For Who??? |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on August 20, 2008 |
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Hi,
Cosmetic stores are full of colorful packs that hide inside unique skin care formulations. But just when you have that itch to pick it up and add to your cart, stop and look.
Does it cater to your skin type?
Skin type?? Must be normal… I guess!
Yup. This is the answer that I got when I posed this question to some ladies in the malls the other day.
And I’m sure there are still more who don’t have a clue about which category their skin belongs to. Well, before I get you tips and products to enhance your beautiful skin, I’d rather talk about how to decipher your skin type…
To start with, there are 5 major types of skin: Normal skin, Dry skin, Oily skin, Combination skin and Sensitive skin!
Let’s start with the blessed Normal skin types…
As I said, people with normal skin types are blessed with good genes. If you could say the 3Ss, it has to be for them. Soft-Smooth-Supple! Normal skin has a fine texture and is free of blemishes and acne. It has a natural radiance that comes from within.
But that does not mean you can do away with a skin care regimen. As blessed you’re with the skin, so important it is to maintain it. Follow a regular cleansing-toning-moisturizing regimen to that beauty stay where it is.
Now the Dry skin…
The problem with dry skin is the hair follicles refuse to enough sebum to lubricate the skin naturally, hence dryness. It comes close to the texture of normal skin but just that it feels tight and papery without moisture. And yeah due to lack of moisture, there can be fine lines around the eyes and mouth. And this makes the skin more prone to early-aging.
Therefore, you would need to use a rich and creamy moisturizer or soap to compensate for the poor performance of oil glands. But do make sure you rinse off the lather well enough.
The slimy Oily skin…
This compensates for the lack of oil in dry skin by producing excessive oil on the skin surface. The skin feels oily all the time especially around the forehead and nose areas. Plus there can be rough and uneven patches. Glow it will, but it will be closer to slime ;-)
Skin problems may include rise of blackheads and regular acne attacks. Therefore steer clear of any oil based beauty product that’s may hit the markets.
The complex Combination skin…
There is no good thing about it. Infact it takes up all the bad points of dry skin and oil skin type. The T-zone of the face is oily whereas the cheeks remain dry. Sighhh… how I wish there was a combination moisturizer!
Taking care of combination skin is indeed complex. You can do well using an oil-free cleanser in the morning so as to prevent the oiliness during the day. Wrap up the by using moisturizer to soften the dry areas.
And last of all the susceptible sensitive skin…
Easily irritated, highly reactive, red hues and occasional acne attacks- This is what sensitive skin is all about. The skin seems to be clear but any new product used on it may lead to severe reactions. Symptoms include swelling and redness and occasional sprouts of pimples.
A great way out will be abandon soaps n stuff and say hello to hypo-allergenic cleanser that doesn’t have any harsh chemicals. Try and get hold of a good quality organic cleanser.
So there they are. Ascertain what your skin type is as I get you more on what's happening in the world of skin care.
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| • Welcome To The Skin Care Heaven Blog! |
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| • Posted for Skin Care on July 02, 2008 |
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Hi,
Welcome to the Skin Care Heaven Blog!
This brand new blog is an extension of our website www.skincareheaven.com. The blog will be dedicated to the world of skin care and skin care products. Our prime focus is on you.
This is the hub of all skin care solutions. Whatever’s new in the world of skin care finds a place here before it gets you to. Though our website is a powerhouse of information in itself, here we get more personal with you. Any skin problems that you have, any skin care issues you want to know more about or just anything you want to consult with us on… Feel free to post it here and get instant answers or you could even trigger off a conversation between users.
We have a team of experts who have substantial experience in the skin care industry and know the intricacies of potential problems. Therefore, you can be rest assured that your questions will be addressed by professionals in the industry.
Moreover, our blog will have a storehouse of useful articles and resources that’ll help you learn about a host of tips and tricks.
Myths will be demystified, secrets will be revealed and various facets of the world of skin care will be reviewed.
So, keep visiting and yeah... Keep commenting on the weekly dose of posts..... :-)
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