Skin Care
1. What you put in your body can directly affect the state of your skin, but don’t forget topical treatments. The mistake young women make is applying medication, which dries blemishes but doesn’t address the cause of the acne. The medication also dries the skin, leaving red, irritated blotches. Products such as benzoyl peroxide (an over-the-counter medication) aren’t strong enough to clean the pore, but they cause dryness and irritation.
2. Facial scrubs can worsen pimple problems. No one with acne should use a granular scrub because it spreads infection and aggravates the skin. If you’re going to use a scrub, experts recommend choosing a nongranular one made specifically for acne and use it only on affected areas. Experts also maintain that heat is an acne-aggravator, and this includes hot water and sun exposure. A little color on your face from the sun may provide an appearance of healthier looking sun, but the heat irritates the pores. Harsh scrubbing of the skin is also a bad idea.
3. For young women, facial cosmetics can actually add to the skin’s toxic burden. Look for an anti-acnegenic makeup base, not just a hypoallergenic one, which can also be acne producing. A good rule is to use no pressed makeup or powder. Anything pressed has to have oils or lipids or waxes to hold it in its pressed form. Also, stay away from harsh astringents or toners and remember less is best when it comes to acne treatment.
4. Moisturizer is the skin care product a person with acne needs the most, contrary to popular belief. The more you dry up oil on the face, the more the face produces oil. Keep the skin hydrated without oils or lipids. Pure aloe vera gel is the best choice. It’s healing and calming and contains no fats or lipids. Enzymes derived from plants and herbs are also effective as topical treatments.
5. You may try calendula soap, which stimulates wound healing and is antifungal; lemon juice and water for gentle toning; tea tree oil for its antibacterial action, and aloe vera. Chamomile extract is another good herb for clearing up trouble spots fast because of its ability to soothe inflamed acne-prone skin.
6. Facials are another way to control acne, and experts remind people they’re a necessity for people with acne. Glycolic acids and alpha-hydroxy acids (fruit acids) are an effective element of facials. These acids help when acne is accompanied by scarring and discoloration. They are rapid exfoliators but are gentle to the skin and are chemical free, nontoxic and not absorbed by the bloodstream.
Experts assure worried teens and adults there are treatments available to heal acne effectively and naturally without harmful chemicals. Today teenagers and even older people don’t have to suffer with acne. Everyone deserves to have good skin, and it is possible.
Posted in Acne, Skin Care | Tags: Acne, Acne Skin Care, Pimples, Skin Care, Skin Care Tips | 3 Comments »
1. Protect your skin from the sun The ultraviolet light from the sun is damaging to the skin and can cause dry skin, aging skin, wrinkles, liver spots and even skin tumors. Protect the skin by using sunscreen (greater than SP 15), avoid the sun during peak hours, 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and by wearing long sleeves, pants and wider-brimmed hats.
2. Do not smoke as can age and wrinkle the skin Accelerated skin changes from smoking include aging skin and wrinkles. Smoking decreases the blood flow due to narrowing of the arteries in the skin’s outer layers, depleting the skin of oxygen and nutrients. This then damages the elastin and collagen, which is needed to keep the skin elastic and and strong. Also the repetitiveness of facial expressions during smoking, such as pursing lips while inhaling and squinting eyes to avoid the smoke, can lead to wrinkles.
3. Gently wash your skin Cleansing your skin is an integral part of skin care and should be done gently. Use warm water and avoid strong soaps that can leave your skin dry. Avoid additives in soaps that can be irritating to the skin like perfumes and dyes, especially for sensitive skin as can irritate and trigger allergic reactions. Use cotton balls or sponge to remove eye makeup to avoid any damage around the delicate area of the eyes. After bathing or washing, pat dry your skin leaving some moisture to remain on the skin, then immediately moisturize with a cream or oil.
4. Regularly moisturize your skin To keep you skin’s moisture levels at an optimum, regularly use moisturizers. Use a moisturizer that is best for your skin depending on factors like your age, skin type and if you have any specific conditions such as acne. A way to test if your skin needs a moisturizer, after bathing wait 20 minutes to see if the skin starts to feel tight and if it does, then apply a moisturizer. When selecting a moisturizer use one with at least SP 15 so can also protect the skin from the sun’s damaging rays.
5. Carefully shave hair off your skin. Shaving is a common and inexpensive way to remove hair off skin but it can also cause skin irritations especially if the skin is sensitive, thin or dry. Prior to shaving, soften the hair on the skin by pressing a warm wash cloth over it or to shave after taking a warm shower or bath. Avoid shaving on dry skin as can cause razor burns. Use a shaving lotion, cream or gel to lubricate and protect the skin. Always use a razor that is sharp and clean. If using an electric razor, don’t aggravate the skin by adjusting it to the closest setting. Shave in the direction of the hair growth and not against it. Then rinse the skin after with warm water.
If the skin gets irritated, use a lotion that does not contain isopropyl or ethyl alcohol. Even though may be cooling, alcohol doesn’t soothe irritated skin since it rapidly evaporates.
Posted in Skin Care | Tags: Aging Skin, Healthy Skin, Skin Care, Skin Care Health, Skin Care Tips, Skin Protection, Wrinkles | No Comments »