Swallow To Glow - A Holistic Approach To Skin Health

By: Debra


The skin is the largest organ in the body. It defends against disease and infection, regulates temperature and even aids in vitamin production. Keeping skin healthy is crucial for beauty and general health, even if most of us are interested in knowing how to keep skin looking healthy, rather than really keeping it healthy.

The best way to keep skin looking healthy – young, fair, radiant, supple, soft and wrinkle free – is to keep out of the sun.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun bring about a healthy-looking tan, but do much damage to the skin in terms of pigmentation, sunburn and loss of elasticity. These can lead to premature aging in the form of wrinkles, fine lines, sagging, dark skin, uneven skin tone, loss of translucency, enlarged pores and dryness. Even the best of genetics, topical skin lightening treatments and oral skin supplements would be of little use if one tans mercilessly and regularly.

Keeping out of the sun helps, but if you cannot avoid it, you will have to ensure that you use a sunscreen. This is especially crucial if sun exposure is for an extended period of time.

Assuming that one is already sensible about sun exposure, how can we then further improve our skin condition? We know that certain oral supplements are effective for good skin health, but which are these supplements and how effective are they?

Supplement From Within

The first group would be vitamins and minerals, essential for proper functioning of every organ.

The vitamins and minerals that can affect skin health include the B-complex, especially B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) and B12 (cyancobalamine). Overt deficiencies of vitamins B1 and B2 are known to cause special forms of dermatitis (a kind of skin inflammation). B12 deficiency is particularly detrimental to neurons and rapidly dividing cells, including skin cells.

Besides the B vitamins, deficiency of vitamin C, iron and copper also affect skin health. All three are important for the synthesis of collagen, a key structural protein in the skin, which fills the skin and gives it tone.

Vitamin A is critical for the normal life cycle of skin cells. Vitamin A deficiency causes skin to become dry, fragile and prone to wrinkles. On the other hand, excessive Vitamin A intake may cause serious toxicity and should be avoided.

Vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene have been touted as anti-oxidants that reduce free radicals. (Free radicals result in skin degeneration and aging.) However, while free radicals and the role of anti-oxidants are beyond doubt, clinical results have not conclusively proved if supplementary vitamins and other micronutrients improve the skin quality and defy the aging process.

Excessive doses can be just as harmful as deficiencies, so it is best to abide by the recommended daily allowance (RDA).

Topical Help

Oral supplements should go hand-in-hand with topical applications – sunscreen of at least SPF 30, creams (preferably with skin whitening agents) and moisturizer (preferably with skin lightening agents). Compared with topical applications, the effects of oral supplements are slower and more subtle. Consumers have to be realistic about their expectations because results certainly will not be seen in 7 days or 2 weeks.

We recommend a holistic approach to skin health, comprising:

* A healthy balanced diet comprising all food groups as well as vitamins, minerals and micronutrients.
* Keep a happy positive mood. It is well documented that some skin conditions – such as acne and eczema – are more prevalent among the stressed.
* If you smoke, quit smoking. Smoke causes free radicals, damages the microcirculation of skin and also causes staining of teeth and other discoloration.
* Minimize sun exposure and use a good sunscreen on a daily basis.


Article Source: http://articles-4-free.com

Debra Tan is a senior product development consultant at ~SkinWhite Research Labs. Equipped with a team of experienced cosmeceutical researchers, SkinWhite Research Labs is a company that specializes in the formulation of skin whitening products that help to rectify dark skin and pigmentation problems. Please visit their official website for more skin lightening information and tips.

Acne treatments for teenagers

By Marc Howlett


The Teenagers' Guide on Treating Acne


Acne is truly one of the big problems faced and most feared by teenagers anywhere around the globe. To some, it is a nightmare to have acne that truly gives very unfavorable effects. It surely lowers a person's self-esteem to express themselves freely and confidently to their families,friends, partners or to anyone. It certainly carries with it physical, as well as, emotional scars made by self-conciousness and embarrassment that made some don't even want to get out of their rooms!


Acne, however, just occurs normally and naturally with teenagers like you so you shouldn't feel so bad and depressed about it.According to recent statistics, 9 out of 10 teens and about 25% of the adult population are suffering from acne.But, acne is just a skin problem that can actually betreated. Doctors and health companies, nowadays, are looking forward to give us the best acne treatments for teenagers. Health tips are also worth tof ollow and made to practice. You should know that prevention is better thana cure! As the saying goes, the best cure for your acne problems is making the constant effort of preventing it to occur in the first place.


Self-prepared remedies
There are so many acne treatments for teenagers like you that can actuallybe found inside your home or just right in your garden. Fruits and other herbs are known to men as cure to almost any health problems, one of these is acne. You will surely find it fun to make your own proven acne treatment for teenagers. Making a paste or a mask is actually one of the common procedure teenagers do to treat their acne. You can actually make one with ground orange peel or fresh lemon juice. Another effective acne treatment for teenagers is actually a mixture of tea tree and sweet fennel essential oils added with witch hazel. This is believed to remove the excess oil and dirt on your face and kill the bacteria that cause the unwanted acne. Corn flour mixed with egg white is another great option that you can try to clear that acne in your face. Cucumber, a favorite acne treatment for teenagers,is tested to prevent the appearance of acne. It also refreshes your tired and unhealthy skin.


Right on the counter
When you think home-made preparations are not the acne treatments for teenagers like you, then ‘over-the-counter’ products are more recommended for you. Anytime at the nearest store in your neighborhood, you can buy these non-prescription products that are truly great acne treatments for teenagers. Boys especially prefer these products for it is really awkward for them to put on a facial mask. Benzoyl peroxide is actually the best known acne treatment for teenagers that is available in stores. It works asto dry the skin and eventually encourage it to peel off and form a new,healthier skin surface. It also has antibacterial effects, very good in killing that irritable acne-causing bacteria.


The doctors’s advice
Not all cases of acne problems can be treated by self-made applications or“over-the-counter” drugs. These actually only treats mild to moderate acne problems. Thus, a consultation with your doctor is advisable, especially when you have a severe case of acne problem. Your doctor will surely giveyou more potent acne treatments for teenagers which are actually divided between topical and oral solutions. Topical acne treatments given to teenagers are applied directly on the skin include antibiotic lotions and azelaic acid which is described as a benzoyl peroxide alternative.Meanwhile, oral antibiotics that you have to take in are just some of the recommended acne treatments for teenagers.


marc howlett writes articles for www.acne-support.info and several other leading websites.

Is it Skin Disease? Could it be Cancer?

By Anne Clarke

Here is a brief algorithm for diagnosis you can refer to, before speaking with your physician or dermatologist:

I home this will help to be a guide that will help determine what kinds of lesions may be of concern, and what signs your dermatologist will be looking for.

Some lesions you may find on your epidermis will turn out not to be skin cancer, but regardless, they can still be of concern. Though perhaps not the worst thing that could happen to your skin, certain kinds of diagnosis’ can be very important to attend to right away.

If then character of your skin legion is brown or black, it is likely a kind of Pigmented BBC.

These legions are mostly nodular and can be totally pigmented or appear in fractions of pigment. Again, as with any skin legion, you will want to consult your doctor as soon as possible. There are many other possibilities as to what this kind of legion could be other than skin cancer.

One way to diagnose your skin disease is by the appearance of it. If the legion you find is scar-like, it likely falls under the category of Sclerotic BBC. The characteristics of these particular legions are that they appear flat or even depressed, if the border of the legion is not well defined, or if the legion appears shiny—like a scar. However, something like this could just be a traumatic scar and not skin cancer at all.

If you legion is yellowish it may be what is called a Nodular BBC—the majority of these legions will be found on the face. Sometimes they are more pearly colored, they may have a rolled edge, stretching the skin will help you see the legion better, these legions are slow-growing and are almost always on the face. However, there are several other kinds of skin disease that could have similar appearance that is why it is recommended that you always consult your doctor when you find a legion on your skin.

A reddish colored legion on the skin could possibly be Superficial BBC. The legion may have a fine scale, will appear perhaps with a thin, beaded pearly boarder surrounding it, these legions tend to have atropic centers. Depending on if the legion is scaly or smooth, the legion could be one of many different types of skin disease.

As with any cancer, if the illness is identified soon enough, it is more effectively treatable—the same goes for other kinds of skin disease. So you do not want to put off diagnosis or the necessary treatment.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, health care and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on skin care please visit Skin Care.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke

Why Skin Care Doesn't Work!

By Yvonne Finn

Skin Care Products Wont Work.....!No skin care or cosmetic product,( or any other product for that matter) will work, unless you use it!Sounds obvious, right?But don't we all have a "graveyard" drawer of unused and never to be used skin care items?Bought on a whim or from convincing sales pressure, with little thought of how they fit our needs, wants, lifestyles, etc.?So, what properties make-up your ideal skin care?

1.Ease of use?

Unless it fits into your lifestyle, you wont use it!It 's that simple!Unless you're Oprah or some other celebrity, with others at your beck and call, your skin care is your responsibility and with most of us already running on over-time, fast and easy is a not just a bonus, it's a must!

2.Natural and environmentally-friendly?

A growing number of consumers are choosing to use earth-friendly,cruelty-free, natural skin care and cosmetic products.The skin care industry is responding and there are now many sources where these items can be bought.Choosing the most natural skin care we can find is just a part of the other healthy choices we make, such as not smoking,balancing our diet, exercising and getting enough rest.

3. Cost?

Skin care doesn't have to be ridiculously expensive to work!I have seen a jar of face cream that cost $1000.00!I have never and would never use it.There is no need to spend that amount on skin care, when there are more cost effective alternatives, that work just as well.Believe me...I know!Whenever, I have a facial or massage, my soft skin, immediatelybecomes the talk of the salon or spa.They (the staff) want to know my "secret".When I do reveal my secret and how reasonably priced it is, they always want to try it.Don't make the mistake of buying skin care or cosmetic products without knowing your skin type.No matter how high quality or how high priced the product is,if it is not designed for your skin type, you're defeating it'spurpose and wasting your time and money.

4.Guaranteed

Skin care that is not over-hyped and full of empty promises and unrealistic goals, such as(look 20 when you're 50), can offer guarantees!Why, because the same ingredients work in the same way(unless the customer is either(a) allergic to or(b) does not use theproduct as intstructed).

For example, in an exfoliating gel or serum, fruit derived,alpha-hydroxy acids(AHA's) will gently remove the dead cells and debris from the upper most skin layer and reveal a smoother brighter complexion.This is it's characteristics and what it is designed to do and will do, when used as it should be!

Be wise and educate yourself about your skin care choices, not just about what the products do, but how they do it and whether you will actually use these, sometimes, very expensive items.

Yvonne, invites you to come share her skin care "secrets"s.For natural, effective skin care that's easy to buy, use and return (you wont to!)http://www.freewebs.com/natural-skin-care/index.html

Skin Care Enhance Your Pretty Look

By Loraine Lesley


Who doesn’t want to look beautiful? Everybody wants to look pretty and fresh. Taking care of your skin is one way to achieve what you hope for. Whether we like it or not, beauty does seem to affect the ease and success of an individual's life. That’s why no body wants to look pale, unhealthy and dull.


Perfect beauty is absolutely what you and all women desire. You can feel good about yourself if you have good look. Thus, skincare, hair care, and other beauty treatments should be on your program then.


You will need some tips in order to make them successful. Here are some skin care treatment tips, given free just for you! Tips for Perfect Beauty.

There is no doubt that your skin needs special treatment sinceit is the body’s largest organ. You may not know how to take good care of your skin, how frequent you should do it, and soon. Keeping the skin moist, elastic, and smooth is one of thebest ways of skin care treatment.


Look at these helpful tipsbelow:


1. The first thing you must know about skin care treatment is to do it regularly. You can start it from the very easy way,like washing your hands and face with a natural soap or cleanser.

2. Which type of skin do you have? Dry, normal, or oily skin?Get to know your type and use appropriate skin care products for the treatment. Consult with your beautician if you’re not sure about it.

3. Eat lots of healthy foods, namely fresh fruits and vegetables which act as great antioxidants. They are substances that prevent damage in the body caused by free radicals.Strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, tuna, and mostly seafood, as well as onions, garlic, and broccoli are great sources of food high in antioxidant.

4. Avoid smoking and stay away from alcohol. They are real skin enemies since they create wrinkles to your skin and making it dry.

5. Carry out proper treatments for your skin: clean your skin with water and free-chemicals cleansing products everyday,scrub your skin regularly to remove dead cells and smooth the skin, and moisturize it with skin lotion and cream containing high amount of vitamin E.


Those tips above are actually only a few of numerous skin treatments. You should maintain your youthful looks by always giving good care of your skin. Consuming vitamins and supplements is also a good way to do it. Don’t forget to drinka lot of water and exercise regularly!


Have a healthy skin, andof course a healthy living!


About The Author:
Loraine Lesley is editor for some Website concerning women. She wants to help women to look beautiful,that’s why her object features practical articles and tips on Skin Care, Hair Care, and more. To discover more of her advice,visit http://www.myskincareonline.com

Aloe Vera Skin Care

By Kevin Pederson


1. Silky Aloe Vera Skin Care Body Lotion

1 cup Aloe Vera gel 1-teaspoon lanolin 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil 1/3-cup coconut oil 1/2 to 3/4 ounce beeswax 3/4 cup almond oil 1 ½ teaspoons essential oil.


Use a blender (or food processor) to mix the Aloe Vera gel, lanolin, & vitamin E oil. Microwave coconut oil & beeswax in a glasscontainer on high 30 seconds, and stir. Repeat heating in 10-second blocksuntil fully melted. Stir in almond oil, reheating if necessary. Run blender or processor at low to medium speed, and then pour in melted oils in thin stream. As the oil is blended in, the cream will turn white and blender's motor will start to grind. As soon as melted oils are added and you've achieved mayonnaise-like consistency, stop the blender; add essential oila nd pulse-blend. Do not over blend. Transfer cream to glass jars while still warm - the lotion will thicken quickly. This lotion really absorbs well and leaves no residue on skin. This recipe makes two cups.



2. Oats & Aloe Vera Exfoliant for your skin

1 tablespoon finely ground oats 1 tablespoon finely ground almonds1-teaspoon honey 1-tablespoon Aloe Vera gel Combine ingredients in a bowland stir until well mixed. Apply to face and neck skin after cleansing and before toner is applied, using gentle circular motions. Rinse well with warm water and gently pat excess moisture from face. Follow with facial mask.


3. Aloe Vera Face Mask for Healing and Soothing(Great for sensitive and dry skin, especially after sun bathing)

Ingredients: -3 TBS pure and certified organic aloe Vera juice -1 drop Helycrisum essential oil -1 drop Rose essential oil Combine all ingredients and apply mixture evenly on face and neck. Leave it on for at least 7 minutes and rinse with warm water. Pat dry, and apply the following "healingand soothing" aromatic blend, prepared in advance in a 10-ml bottle filledwith vegetable oil: -1 drop Neroli essential oil -3 drops Lavender essential oil



4. Aloe Vera Skin Toner

Soak a cotton pad with pure aloe Vera gel and use it to freshen your skin and remove excess oil. Use daily, following with moisturizer. This isespecially good for normal and oily skin and is a great overall toner.Dilute the gel 50/50 with spring water if you have sensitive skin. You canalso use the juice of a leaf from your aloe plant. Cut off the amount you are going to use, and put the remainder of the leaf in a plastic bag in therefrigerator. The leaf will keep for about 3 days.



5. Floral Aloe Vera Gel

1/2 cup Aloe Vera gel (available in most natural food stores) 1 tbsp. dried lavender flowers or 3 tbsp. fresh. 1 tbsp. dried calendula flowers or 3tbsp. fresh.

1. Mix together the aloe Vera gel with the lavender and Calendula flowers in an ovenproof glass container, then heat the container gently by sitting it in a hot water bath on the stovetop.

2. Let the mixturecool completely, and then pour it through a clean, fine strainer (to removeall of the solids) into a clean container.



6. Exfoliating Foot Mask

1/2-cup oatmeal 1/2-cup cornmeal 1/2-cup coarse salt 1/2 cup unscented body lotion 4 tablespoons Aloe Vera gel in a large bowl, combine all ingredients.Slide feet into mixture and rub, beginning at toes, working up to heel andankle. Do one foot at a time, rinsing in a separate bowl of warm water.



7. Exfoliating Aloe Vera Face Mask

4 Tbsp. Pumpkin puree 1 Tbsp. Honey 4 tsp. Cornmeal 2 tsp. Aloe Vera gel 2tsp. Pineapple, diced 1 tsp. Green tea 1/2 tsp. Sunflower oil 6 drops frankincense essential oil (optional) 4 drops cinnamon extract (optional)Directions Steep green tea in boiling water. Set aside to cool. In blender or food processor puree pineapple and place in medium-sized mixing bowl. Add pumpkin, honey and aloe. Mix well. Stir in sunflower oil, green tea andcornmeal. Discard the remaining green tea. Add frankincense and cinnamon.Stir. Apply small amount of pumpkin mask to cheeks, forehead, chin and neck.Massage in circular motions gently buffing skin. Repeat. Apply more productas needed. Leave a thin layer of pumpkin mask on face and neck for 15-20minutes. Rinse with tepid or cool water and pat dry with soft towel. Follow with appropriate moisturizer. Store remaining mask covered in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Benefits: Pumpkin enzymes dissolve dead skin cells whilethe cornmeal sweeps them clean. Honey has antimicrobial properties as wellas moisturizes and softens. The result is a beautiful glowing complexion.Use this mask as often as you like.


Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites,such as http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com , which have a lot ofinformation on home based natural cures for some of the most common illnesses.

Natural Health And Beauty - The Truth About Vitamin E

By: Rebecca Prescott

Whilst skin care products generally won't deliver nutrients deep into the actual living cells beneath the superficial layers of the skin, the vitamin E in many products is actually useful. Scientists have found that by applying antioxidants to the skin, free radical damage that would normally occur through exposure to UV light (say, from the sun), can be prevented or at least minimized.

Vitamin E is a popular ingredient in many skin care creams.The scientists found that the protective effects of vitamin E from that period of UV exposure were apparent 2 and 3 days later. The group of people who had vitamin E cream applied to their skin had less signs of inflammation than the group who were given the lotion without vitamin E.

Inflammation is a sign of cell damage, and was measured in this study by the amount of blood flow to that area as compared to normal. This was a placebo controlled, double blind study, which means that some people received the lotion with vitamin E, some didn't and neither group knew which it was getting. The conclusions these scientists made were that vitamin E was effective at preventing the visible signs of aging on skin.Whilst vitamin E in creams and lotions will benefit the skin, there is strong doubt on whether it can help in some of the beauty products it is in.

For example, when vitamin E is advertised as being of benefit to strengthen or thicken eyelashes, this is something of a misnomer, and is not supported by science. Paula Begoun, the 'cosmetic cop' writes that there isn't a product out there that will strengthen and thicken eyelashes. The best you can do in this instance is to apply an eyelash primer and mascara to make eyelashes appear thicker. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and the research verifies only benefits that relate to this antioxidant activity.

Another of the promises associated with vitamin E creams is that it helps to heal scars. This is not something that has been verified scientifically. Research quoted in Wikipedia found that when vitamin E was applied to patients who had undergone surgery, it did not reduce the size, shape, or color of scars. In fact, up to one third of patients experienced complications like allergies, dermatitis, and irritation that in fact can make a forming scar worse. Activated manuka honey is a much better option in reducing scarring, and healing skin.

Vitamin E remains an excellent antioxidant. It is helpful when taken as a supplement for a whole host of issues, including protecting the liver, and minimizing the damage smoking does. And it is great for the skin in terms of preventing sun damage from the oxidizing effect of UV light.

It is a good 'beauty vitamin' when taken as a supplement. Erica Angyal describes how it protects cell membranes from damage and helps maintain their flexibility, which can diminish as we age. It also works to increase the level of vitamin A in our body. And it is very beneficial for skin problems like acne and psoriasis. She recommends taking 400 to 800 IU of vitamin E a day, to prevent premature aging and improve the lustre of skin.

References:cosmeticsdesign.com/news/ng.asp?id=62583Erica Angyal, Gorgeous Skin In 30 Days (Lothian Books, 2005)

Article Source: http://articles-4-free.com

If you'd like to learn more about vitamin E, including more information on vitamin E and burns, scarring, and more, click here. If you're an acne sufferer, and want some help deciding on either an in salon or at home acne facial, check out this article.

Healthy Lifestyles Can Control Acne

Author: Edward F. Group III, D.C., Ph.D, N.D.,CCN

When treating a person for acne, the only way to get results from effective treatments is through various healthy lifestyle changes. This includes the way you eat, sleep, work, play, etc. It is extremely important to focus on all areas that need changing in order for a sustained effort be complete. It is important in the treatment of acne to treat your whole self in as many ways as possible.

One common problem that faces people is stress, and not normal stress. What happens when the body gets too stressed out is the adrenal cortex converts adrenal androgens to testosterone in men and women, resulting in overactive sebaceous glands. Women's ovaries produce 25% of the testosterone while 75% comes from adrenal androgens. When the male or female body is stressed, more adrenal androgen is released causing double the amount of testosterone. This causes the T zone of the face to be oily, while other areas are still dry from dehydration.

Adult acne is sometimes a by-product of stress and/or dehydration. Water calms the "body's stress alarm system". The most important type of acne treatment is to keep the skin from becoming dehydrated.

Clean, pure water is the most important acne treatment in that it is alkaline (pH 7.3) and can be considered a natural treatment or an almost free acne treatment. So the types of lifestyles you live will greater affect whether your body will reject acne or succumb to it.

Here are some tips that have helped other people and hopefully will help you:

Drink at least eight glasses of water per day (10 to 12 is better) to assist your body in getting rid of oil, waste and toxins. Water also helps moisten your skin, which keeps your pores from clogging. Most importantly, water helps relieve stress and relax your body so you can sleep better. Water and sleep help to reduce stress. Reduce coffees, soft drinks, teas and alcohols as much as possible as they are partial diuretics in that they push more water out of the body cell than they put in.

Astringent Natural Soaps and any astringent agents that shrink your skin's pores, such as witch hazel, oatmeal, very cold water, and rubbing alcohol, should be avoided. When your pores shrink, more oils are clogged in the pores of the skin.

Avoid stimulants, like coffee, tea, cigarettes, and excessive sugar from sweets and soda. Anything that affects your entire body, brain, and nervous system -- to awaken it in the morning or stimulate it during the day -- can easily stimulate the sebaceous glands to secrete more oil that has to leave the body via the pores, making your acne worse. Also, stimulants create stress.

Diet affects acne. Be careful what you eat. Try to eat foods as low in fat as possible.
Avoid alcohol considering it may worsen acne. People think of alcohol as a way to relax and relieve stress. It may do this but it also causes acne. Alcohol is an astringent that shrinks the skin pores, making them more prone to clogging. Also, alcohol inhibits sleep, causing more fatigue and stress, which lead to worse acne.

Avoid hot baths as well as very cold water on areas where you have acne. Use warm water well below 98.5 degrees on your skin. Scrubbing and abrasives should be avoided, since they irritate your skin, which should be left intact as a natural barrier against acne-causing bacteria.

Use Parfait Visage or Aquaspirit moisturizing natural facial lotion for dry sensitive skin' as it usually gives the best results for skin with acne. Parfait Visage and Aquaspirit can be purchased online at www.ghchealth.com.

Spend limited time in the sun. You should get 15 minutes to the face and arms daily. The sun does kill bacteria, but it also acts as an astringent to tighten, dry, and clog your skin's pores. Avoid extremely cold weather as well, so you don't freeze and clog pores. Moisturizing your face and body and staying in temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal. We suggest 100% pure Jojoba oil with no preservatives as a moisturizer. Jojoba oil can normally be purchased at GNC stores in the United States and Canada, and in most health stores throughout the world.

Reduce stress in your life. Allow as much time for tasks as possible to avoid time-pressured periods. Sleep seven hours or more per night so you can be alert during the day without a stimulant, like caffeine.

Avoid all hot foods and drinks until they have cooled to body temperature. Spicy-hot foods, too, can worsen acne.

Exercise for stress reduction by swimming in a properly treated indoor swimming pool. Use a Ozone purified pool if possible. Swimming pool water is usually 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which is well below your body's normal temperature of 98.6 degrees. Thus, it cools your whole body, including the acne-affected areas, while providing excellent exercise to the rest of you to reduce mental stress and physical tension.

Change linens such as wash cloths and body towels after each use, as they are a great place for acne-causing bacteria to grow and be reapplied to the skin later. Wash white facial wash cloths, pillow covers, and personal undergarments daily with Vinegar, tea tree oil or essential oils of Lime, lemon or orange to decrease acne-related bacterial growth. Also use a natural detergent available at Whole Foods or online. Change clothes and sheets frequently.

Moisturizers can be helpful in protecting the skin from dryness. We suggest 100% pure Jojoba oil with no preservatives which normally can be found at GNC stores in the United States and Canada and can be purchased in most health stores throughout the world.

Healthy lifestyles will lead to a healthier skin and a healthier body may require a permanent lifestyle change that will reward you with better general health, more energy, and clearer skin to show the world. Don't be afraid to make changes! The initial affects may be hard to grasp, but you will quickly learn to adapt.

More natural resource tips found right in your home:

Blend a cucumber, apply externally, leave on for 20 minutes, then wash off.
Rub watermelon rind on the acne.
Apply Aloe Vera.
Eat watermelon or drink watermelon juice.
Drink tea made from carrots including the tops and beet tops.
Drink lukewarm water with 2 teaspoons of honey every morning on an empty stomach. This effectively lubricates the intestines. If one does not evacuate the intestines regularly, the toxins either end up in the liver or come out in the skin.

You may want to try the following Homeopathics, Essential Oils or Herbs:
Belladonna— for people who experience flushes of heat to the face or who have inflamed pustular acne that improves with cold applications
Calendula— for skin conditions involving pustules or blisters
Hepar sulphur— for painful, pus-filled acne
Kali bromatum— for deep acne, especially on the forehead, in persons who are chilled and nervous ~ Silicea— for pustules or pit-forming acne
Chaste Tree Berry taken each morning can help prevent premenstual breakouts.
Lavender or Tea Tree Essential Oil can be applied directly to the blemish up to 3x daily.

Skin Care for Men

by Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN

Most men develop some kind of necessary skin care cleansing routine in the teenage years. Acne, blemishes, and the attentions of the opposite sex are usually the reason for such routines. However, many men ignore the toning and moisturizing steps that can improve both the appearance and feel of facial skin. Skin care products and routines may seem likely stuff for women only, but men have skin too. And just like women, men can do wonders for their skin by simply learning a few basic principles of skin care. For starters, men need to understand what type of skin they have, how to care for their skin, and how to develop a skin care routine they can live with.

Know Your Skin Type

Before you can select skin care products, you need to know what type of skin you have. Although women often learn these differences as soon as they can hold a bar of soap, many men find the question perplexing. Skin is skin, right? Wrong! Your skin can be normal, oily, dry, sensitive, or a combination. Here's a primer for men on deciphering your skin type.

Normal Skin:

If you've never had problems with oily skin or dry skin, it's likely that you have "normal" skin. The pores of normal skin are small and the overall skin tone is even. If you've never given a second thought to your skin before, your skin type is probably normal.

Oily Skin:

As its name implies, oily skin is slightly to moderately greasy. If you have oily skin, your pores are medium to large in size and prone to blockage. You probably have problems with pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and acne cysts. Oily skin is usually thicker and firmer than normal skin and it's less sensitive to environmental damage.

Dry Skin:

Dry skin characteristically feels tight and itchy. Winter is especially rough on this skin type. Dry skin is usually thinner than normal skin and may even be slightly rough to the touch. If you have dry skin, you may have noticed that your skin is also easily irritated.

Sensitive Skin:

Men with sensitive skin are usually the ones who actually know their skin type. Sensitive skin is prone to rashes and breakouts from any kind of irritants such as sun, perfumes, shaving cream, temperature extremes, and even soap. Be very careful about the skin care products you choose if you have sensitive skin. Avoid products with dyes, perfumes, or unnecessary chemical ingredients that may irritate your skin.

Combination Skin:

This skin type is used to specifically describe facial skin that has both dry and oily patches. Most commonly, combination skin exhibits an oily "T-Zone" (forehead, nose and chin) with dry skin on the cheeks and around the eyes. It is not uncommon for these oily zones to be reversed. If you have this skin type, you will need to purchase skin care products made especially for combination skin.

A Skin Care Routine For Men

Now that you know what kind of skin you have, and you've purchased skin care products to accommodate your skin type, how do you know what to do with them. Many men have a fitness regime, a financial plan, and a daily schedule. But mention a skin care routine and they run for the hills. Skin care is not just for women. In fact, men who exercise regularly are prone to having more skin problems than women who do the same. That's because you're stretching your skin, not cleansing it properly, and not protecting it from elements such as sweat, sun, and wind. But don't worry; taking care of your skin doesn't have to mean spending hours in the bathroom. It just means establishing a simple routine to keep your skin looking and feeling its best.

Wash:

Sure you take a shower in the morning before work, but do you take time to wash your face as well? (with products made for your skin type?) Gently wash your face twice a day. In the morning, facial cleansing will remove any perspiration and debris from sleeping and at the end of the day it will get rid of sweat and pollutants that have accumulated on your face throughout the day. Use a all-natural herbal soap.

Tone:

If you have dry or sensitive skin, skip this step. Toners are usually alcohol based and may irritate these skin types. But normal, oily, and combination skin can benefit from the extra cleansing and pH restoration of a alcohol free toning product.

Moisturize:

Hydrate your face with a quality, skin-type appropriate moisturizer such as "Parfait Visage". And if you spend any time in the sun at all, choose a moisturizer that includes a sun block of at least SPF 15. This will protect your skin from the sun and save you the hassle of remembering to apply another product.

For more information on natural cosmetics and skin care visit:
http://www.skin-care-support.org or http://www.make-up-cosmetics.com

About The Author
Dr. Group, the founder/CEO and clinical director for the Global Healing Center, heads a research and development team producing advanced, new, natural health protocols and products. To learn more visit http://www.ghchealth.com.
myoung@virante.com
Copyright Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN - http://www.skin-care-support.org

Acne Skin Care For You

By Kirsten Hawkins

A high percentage of individuals have been tormented by skinproblems like blemishes, rashes, pimples, blackheads and acne.These problems are commonly experienced during puberty or anearly stage in life where people tend to be most sociallyinsecure. Aside from being physical, the effects can also bepsychological. It can drain an individual’s self-esteem andconfidence. Some individuals may continue experiencing acnerelated skin infections decades later and it may eventuallydiminish during early adulthood for most people. There is nowway of predicting when it will gradually decrease or fullydisappear. Pimples, blackheads, and blemishes are among themost common skin infections caused by acne. The infection is aresult of excessive secretions of oil from the skin glands andits buildup when a skin pore is blocked. Upper regions of thebody like the face, chest, back and upper arms are commonly infected.

Acne can be irritating for most people since it can almost beunpredictable and uncontrollable once it strikes. The exactcauses of this skin disease are not known and there have beenno guaranteed measure in averting it. Diet, hereditary reasons,vitamin deficiency and stress are among the factors that havebeen closely attributed to acne infections. Still, it is bestto find a good acne skin care regimen to ease and control itsgrowth. An average person can make use of typical acne skincare methods. For severe forms of acne, consultingdermatologists is advisable in finding ways to lessen swellingand prevent scarring.

Perhaps the best acne skin care regimen is to regularly washyour skin twice a day. Using a mild natural facial cleanser andwarm water in washing your skin regularly can help remove dirtand pollutants. Using strong detergent soaps and scrubbing yourskin can only worsen your acne problems. Too much scrubbing canaggravate acne and it can also open up blemishes. Poppingpimples can make the blemishes to spread up causing moreinfection. Some astringents are too strong and can cause moreskin irritation. Using astringents are only advisable for oilyskin. Washing your hair regularly can also help in acne skincare. Washing hair, especially long ones, can help removeexcess oil and dirt that might come in contact with the skin.

Proper acne skin care also involves shaving and using the rightrazor. Choosing and testing for a comfortable safety razor isimportant when you have acne. Before applying the shavingcream, the beard can be softened by washing it with soap andwater. Using a sharp blade and shaving lightly helps avoid cutsand rupturing pimples. Many acne skin care products andmedicines for treating skin diseases can make your skin moreprone to sunburn. Exposing your skin for a while to the sun mayhelp dry up acne blemishes in the surface. Too much exposure tothe sun can cause rapid skin aging, skin cancer and can makeyour skin drier.

Individuals that are prone to acne and are being treated for itshould use oil free cosmetic products. Benzoyl peroxide andother acne skin care treatment can redden the skin so applyingregular cosmetics products might be difficult. Regular cosmeticproducts usually contain more fatty acids that are harmful toacne prone individuals. Looking for organic and acne skin careproducts that will match your skin tone can help avoid more infections.

It is still best that one should consult a dermatologist before applying any acne skin care product or using different methods.Exerting more effort is needed for serious cases of acneinfection to keep it from recurring. Observing proper acne skincare is important especially for younger individuals sinceblemishes and rashes tend to heal faster at a young age.Keeping a healthy lifestyle and diet can help restore thebody’s vitality easily.

About The Author:

Kirsten Hawkins is a freelance writerspecializing in skin conditions such as acne and rosacea.Visit http://www.acnesolution411.com/ for more information onacne and acne treatments.

Beauty Consultant on Skin Care Basics

By Sheila Dicks

If you’re like many women you are confused about how to choosethe proper skin care. Or maybe you have some knowledge of what isavailable but you are not sure what is a good choice for you.Cosmetics come in many forms and deciding which is good for youis often a matter of personal taste.

However, in order to make agood decision here is some basic information that you shouldknow.

Cleansers: Are used to cleanse the skin of impurities and restoreit to its natural oil balance.

Types of Cleansers

Soap: Almost everyone uses it. If you have dry or oily skin besure your soap is helping correct the problem. Medicated soapsare meant for acne and problem skin, hypoallergenic soaps aremeant for sensitive skin and there are drying soaps for oily skinand oily soaps for dry skin. If you have problem skin it is bestto see a dermatologist.

Liquid Cleansers: Are made for all types of skin. A good cleansergoes deep into the pores to loosen and lift excess oil andmakeup.

Creams: Are used for dry skin

Pad Cleansers: Are thick wad of absorbent material and are goodfor touch ups throughout the day.

Grains: Are coarse cleansers that are used for oily skinRefreshers: Are used to complete the cleansing process. They helptone; sooth and rehydrate the skin keep complexions clear andclean.

Types of Refreshers:

Astringents: Are meant for oily and normal skin types. Theyusually have alcohol as an ingredient that will stimulate thecomplexion and close the pores. This is not a product to use ondry skin.

Toners: Are mild refreshers and are meant for normal and dryskin.

Fresheners: Are recommended for dry, sensitive or problem skin.

Moisturizers: Replenishes moisture and nourishes the skin.

Types of Moisturizers:

Moisturizers for normal skin: Helps maintain the moisture innormal skin.Moisturizers for dry skin: Helps restore skin’s natural moisturebalance.

Oil Control Moisturizers: Help control excess oil and preventblemishesEmollients: Are rich creams suited for extra dry skin thatreplenishes the natural supply of the skin’s oil. Thismoisturizing cream forms a protective shield that minimizesmoisture evaporation and allows increased hydration of dry areas.

Masks: Exfoliates dead surface cells as it hydrates andmoisturizes the skin.

Types of Masks:

Facial Masks for normal to dry skin: Help relax facial musclesand remove dry flaky skin.

Facial Masks for oily skin: Refines skin’s texture and deepcleans to help control surface sebum.Pore Packs: Are designed to eliminate blackheads and reduceblemishes. Mostly used for oily skin.

Foundation Protection: Foundation protects the skin by keepingmoisture in and dirt out with the added benefit of a flawlessfinish. This is a step that some women skip because they don’tquit know how to apply it and are not getting the right look.

Acouple of suggestions: make sure you have the type that iscompatible with your complexion, test the color on your jaw lineand it should be the same color as your complexion and make sureyou have exfoliated (if not the foundation will show up asflaky).

Types of Foundation:

Full Coverage: used for normal to dry skin for extra hydration.

Medium Coverage: used for normal to oily skin.

Whatever your skin type take care of it by keeping it clean.Cleanse, tone and moisturize every morning and every night.Irregular or improper cleansing causes skin problems and makeupthat is left on the skin will dull the skin’s surface; while oiland dead skin cells will clog the pores and cause blackheads.

Sheila Dicks is a wardrobe and image consultant who teaches womenhow to look slimmer by dressing to suit their body type. Visither at http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download a copy ofher e-book Image Makeovers and get How to Build a Wardrobe free.

7 Beauty Tips for Looking Younger

© Copyright 2005 Jill Miller

Ever since Eve took that first bite of theapple, the human race has been obsessed withbeauty.The truth is we begin the aging process just assoon as we pop out of the womb.

Every day ofour lives our bodies slough off and regeneratenew cells. The speed at which that processtakes place when we are children is vastlydifferent as we get older.

Every day you are bombarded daily withcommercial messages and beauty tips thatattempt to lure you into believing that themost recent miracle drug is just what you needto fight off the ravages of Mother Nature.We are living longer as a whole.

Singularly,that can be a curse or a blessing, depending onyour perspective.The best route to natural beauty and healthyskin is to take care of what you have. Soundssimple, doesn¡¯t it?

The truth is that your skintakes a beating from the environment everysingle day.

Here are some of our favoritebeauty tips for keeping your skin fresh andhealthy:

1: Stay hydrated and do it with plenty ofwater! That does not mean soda, caffeine or anyother type of liquid, even if it is low cal.Soda (even diet soda) has a high concentrationof sodium. Sodium retains fluids. You needfluid that will hydrate and flush your bodyfree of toxins. Make sure you are drinking atleast 8 glasses a day!

2: Protect your skin from harmful ultra violet(UV) rays. We all love the sun. We love beingin it and we love having a beautiful tan. Thetruth is you can poison yourself with too muchsunshine. UV rays cause skin cancer and if thatisn¡¯t bad enough it causes your skin to agefaster than it should, contributing tounsightly wrinkles. If you must play in thesun, make certain you are using an adequate sunscreen. Don¡¯t leave home without it!

3: Keep your skin clean. Use a soft warm cloth.Skin does not require scrubbing. You will domore harm than good if you do.

4: The best cure for wrinkles is to never havethem in the first place! If you are like mostof us, you didn¡¯t listen to your Mom when shetried to tell you to stay in the shade, standup straight and stop squinting!

5: Eat healthy. Knowing how and what to eat,can make a huge difference in how you feel.Improper eating habits can cause depression,weight gain, illness and an overall lethargy.Weight gain causes your skin to stretch. As youget older, it loses it's elasticity and you'releft with sagging skin.

The best solution to this is to maintain aproper weight.A rule of thumb for eating habits are...don'teat more calories than you consume. Don't goone single day without doing something extraand physical for at least 30 minutes per day.This can be three ten minute walks. Or 30minutes of vigorous aerobics, or 12 minutes ofweight lifting and 18 minutes of walking.

6: Don't worry, be happy. A happy outlookappears to trigger the release of endorphins.Endorphins relax the cardiovascular system andcytokines which alert the immune system to payattention in detecting abnormalities likecancer cells. Listen carefully to yourself. Ifyou have put yourself down since childhood,over a lifetime, negative subliminal messagescan take their toll by turning you into apessimist.

Spend one week writing down thephrases you use in your ¡°self talk.¡± Chancesare you will find that you repeat a dozen or sophrases over and over again that reinforce thatnegative image. If you know about them, you canchange them. Outer beauty and inner joy go handin hand.

Here are a few quick tips for increasing joy,hope and optimism that will work no matter whatyour age:

Make a list of at least 50 great things thathappen to you every day.

Laugh a lot. You¡¯ll heal your body and yourmind.

Discover a new challenge each month.

Try meditating for just five minutes each day.

7: Sex After 50 ¨C Ha! How many of you jumpedahead to this section?

The importance of physical intimacy actuallydepends on the couple. An alarming number ofmen used to give up on sex after 60 and manywomen used to feel that their sex life endedwith menopause. Thankfully, that is no longerthe case.

Sex at middle age can actually become betterand more satisfying than ever before. Maturitygives a couple more experience in lovemaking.The children are usually grown and left home.The pressures of building a career and day today life are usually less stressful than inyounger years.

Is beauty really skin deep?

The answer is yes and no. It¡¯s a paradox,isn¡¯t it? True beauty begins from the insideout. Don¡¯t you wish there was some way to¡°wriggle your nose¡± and regain that soft skinyou had as a child? Well, until someone comesup with the true ¡°Fountain of Youth¡± we arestuck with what we have.

Just remember that getting older doesn't haveto mean getting old.

Jill Miller is the founder of the Fit4Life Club.

Discover the timeless secrets of everlasting youth and beauty. Go here tofind out how.http://www.fit4lifeclub.com/beautytips