10 Ways to treat Acne regardless of skin type!!! Monday, Jun 1 2009 

There are a lot of cures for acne out on the market these days, both natural and over-the-counter, and it sometimes gets difficult to know what to use or why. Everyone’s skin is different, even if those people are all suffering from a similar skin condition like acne. One size does not fit all when it comes to treating acne. Below is brief list of 10 ways to treat acne, along with a quick explanation of why they might be able to help you get that flawless skin you’re after.

  • Lemon Juice – Citric acid is a form of Alpha Hydroxy Acid, which sloughs off old, dead skin cells and helps to promote new skin growth. You can try a gentle lemon juice rinse applied topically to skin to help clear up acne.
  • Zinc – Zinc is full of antibacterial properties that aid in healing wounds and preventing inflammation, which is the nasty redness associated with acne. You can take Zinc orally, but be cautious, as it can interfere with other medications.
  • Aloe – This power-packed plant boasts vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and then some, which is why it isn’t that surprising that it helps speed the healing of acne breakouts. And because those breakouts heal faster, they are less likely to lead to unsightly scarring.
  • Vitamin E – Vitamin E’s acne protection is due to its anti-oxidant properties, helping to prevent oils in the skin from becoming trapped and inflamed, which leads to acne. By keeping Vitamin E reaching into your pores, you may be able to prevent the painful bumps associated with acne.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar – This potent anti-bacterial agent also helps to balance out skin’s pH level and control oil production. It can also be taken orally to help the liver perform its detox duties, flushing impurities from your system before they make themselves known on your face!
  • Benzoyl Peroxide – A large percentage of over the counter drugstore acne treatments use Benzoyl Peroxide, and the common wisdom is that it takes at least 10% of the stuff to do any good. It breaks down the surface skin cells, unblocking pores so that dirt and oil don’t become trapped.
  • Tea Tree Oil – Tea Tree is an essential oil that is extracted by steaming the leaves of an Australian plant. Because it has strong anti-microbial properties, it helps fight the bacteria that can lead to acne rearing its ugly head.
  • Salicylic Acid – Salicylic Acid is a beta hydroxy acid, basically working by speeding up the shedding of cells and making room for fresh, new skin growth. Its strength makes it effective, but can also cause photosensitivity, so make sure you use sunscreen!
  • Honey – Surprising as it might be, this sweet treat has some proven antibacterial properties, given that you use it in 2.5-5% concentrations. That might be why it makes a guest appearance in so many face masks and skin treatments.
  • Vitamin C – It’s important that you get enough of this ascorbic acid on your own accord, because we humans don’t produce Vitamin C. It’s integral in partnering with other vitamins in the body and helping make them efficient

Appropiate Brush to apply powder!! Sunday, May 31 2009 

For professional applications the right solution is the use of products such as makeup brushes. Airbrush makeup gives your face a lift and the use of cosmetic brushes can highlight your best features. Makeup brushes help your makeup go on more easily and look a lot better. Make up artistsprovide tips to suggest that the best brushes are made of natural bristle, with wooden handles. The handle should sit well in your hand so that you can get a great grip. Make up applicators use a blush brush, a powder brush, an eye shadow brush and finally a lip brush.

Discount brushes are the facial solution for creating a natural, anti aging, fabulous look. Care and treatment of any brush product should include soaking your makeup brushes, airbrush makeup and cosmetic brushes in a mix of hot water and antibacterial soap for a half hour. Leave them out to air-dry and use tissues regularly to wipe off your brushes. The secret is if the bristles stray off in different directions after prolonged use, simply cut them back.

Natural bristle made from sable, goat, or squirrel is the best solution for makeup brushes. For airbrush makeup they are great because the hairshave cuticles that grab the powder or blush and allow it to go on more evenly. Supply your skin with products for your professional make up application at discount prices.

How to Use Blusher Sunday, May 31 2009 

BLUSH UP THE RIGHT WAY

The bottomline for the right blusher application is that it should look natural.

. Place your index and middle finger vertically against the side of your nose. Start putting the blusher from near the edge of the outer finger, going up to the temple. 
. If you have broad face (square/round) apply the blusher on your cheekbones and do not brush it up towards your ears. 
. Dab blusher (just a bit) on each earlobe. It can add a glow to your face if you pull your hair back or have short hair (such that the earlobes show). 
. Don’t forget to add a touch of the blusher on your chin and forehead to help give the natural look.

GLOW WITH THE RIGHT BLUSH COLOR

It is better to avoid blushes that are too bright or dark for your skin colour. Says Bobbi Brown, a renowned US-based beauty consultant - “The right blusher for you should be the same colour your cheeks are naturally when you’re really healthy.” To flatter your skin tone, choose a blush colour that will give a natural healthy glow.

Color tips 
. Fair skin – beige, tawny and pink tones. 
. Olive/Yellow-toned skin – warm brown, almond and copper shades. 
. Dark-skin – plum, auburn and deep bronze shades. 
. Tanned skin – orange, apricot, peach and coral shades.

FOR A NATURAL BLUSH

How often have you seen other women with just a bit too much of blush? The ideal way to use blush is to use it in a way that it looks natural. Unlike eye make up and lipstick, a blush is like foundation (base make up). It is not meant to show. The best way to ensure that your blush doesn’t stick out like a shaded outline of your cheeks always apply blush before your eye make-up and lipstick. Otherwise, it will be competing with your eyes and lips and that is when you will apply too much. Also, ensure that you are standing in front of a well-lit mirror. Otherwise you will apply too much simply because you were not able to notice the colour yourself. If you are not sure still, apply no more than 3-4 brush strokes. It is unlikely that you will go wrong with that.

OOPS! TOO MUCH BLUSH

If you’ve applied too much blush don’t worry – all you’ve got to do is take a dry clean make-up sponge, rub gently over your brush strokes to take the colour out. You can soften colour even further with translucent powder, and redo with a new, subtler blush shade.

Use of Blusher Sunday, May 31 2009 

The magic of blush powders is obvious. Blush makeup is fast-fix beauty, it warms up the skin, contours the cheek, exaggerates an attractive hollow, and ideally creates a glow on your face that looks like it comes from within. Never judge a blush powder just by looking at it. Cosmetics and face blushes are found in different shades and textures. Test your blush powder on the inside of your forearm if you are wearing make up already.

You need to make two tests to find the right blush powder or cream blushthat will be the right color. First, the right color will look natural and the wrong one will stand out. The second test is the intensity of the color. If you are fair, you want just a hint of color, the more translucent the better. If you are strong in coloring, with olive or dark skin, you need greater depth and intensity with blush powder to bring out your good looks.

As you get older your skin needs more creams to retain it’s natural oils and cream blush can really help you prevent looking washed out. Tips for facial beauty include, use a good brush applicator, grin like a fool, brush your blush powders lightly over the apple of the cheek, with short, up and down movements and finally you can apply a light stroke across your forehead by your hair line. Supply your skin with discount cosmetic facial blushes for a rich creamy cheek color.

Mineral Cosmetics Sunday, May 31 2009 

Mineral Make-up is the most popular among people returning to natural elements in their daily lifestyles or simply because Mineral Cosmetics is an excellent alternative for body and skin care. Marketed under different names, but sharing a common ingredient, minerals, these cosmetics are found everywhere around the world.

Mineral Cosmetics, as their name says, are made with minerals and inorganic pigments that exist in nature, in many combinations, including those of colored minerals, such as zinc, iron oxides, mica, titanium dioxide, and ultramarine pigments, used as makeup from foundation to eye-shadow to shimmer powder for the body.

Being a modern boom, Mineral Cosmetics come from remote ancient times. Perhaps the Egyptians were the most devoted to them believing that beauty and fashion were very important. Egyptians used mineral pigments to produce the make-up that we can see in their papyruses and tombs.

Some Egyptians dynasties used powdered green malachite brushed under the eyes, and all of them throughout the history of Egypt had rouge to color the face and lips, made from red ochre. The scientific analysis of some Egyptian cosmetic powders date back to as early as 2,000 BC.

Minerals such as galena and malachite was ground on stone palettes to make eye painting, applied with their fingers or a kohl pencil made of stone, ivory or wood. Such palettes have been found in graves, perhaps to ensure that the deceased had the means to grind eye makeup after life according to their beliefs.

The emphasizing of the eyes was not only cosmetical, but also to protect them from the bright sunlight of the desert. Egyptians used cosmetics regardless of sex and social status for both aesthetic and therapeutic reasons. Oils and fats were applied to the skin to protect it, besides being mixed into perfumes and incenses.

Mineral Cosmetics used today in countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and other countries of the Middle East are modern natural variations of those belonging to the ancient empires of Egypt and Rome. Herbal Face Packs have also been used since before recorded times, particularly by Indian dancers in combinations with mineral cosmetics that are now impossible to find.

Some other mineral cosmetics come from oral traditions from generation to generation, including concoctions with crushed pigments that now are mixed with neutral cold cream to be applied as natural lipstick, protecting the lips against dryness at the same time.

Modern Arabic world has never stopped using the mineral crushed blends to line the eyes not only for beauty but superstitions coming from Egyptian times, in the belief that “kohl” eyeliner will ward off evil spirits. Originally, Kohl made of galena or lead sulfide was mined in Upper Egypt, or at the Red Sea Coast.

Today, most women use Mineral Cosmetics to avoid wrinkled skin caused by the heavy and constant application of modern makeup with synthetic formulation, or restore skin damaged by abuse due to harsh makeupproducts, and for those who want a natural look and feel, that stays on all day long.

A wide range of products are available in the market today, including lipstick, eyebrow pencil, concealer, mascaras and even gels that can be used as moisturizers and foundations, as well as other Mineral Cosmetics enhanced with Vitamins A and E incorporated into the mineral formulation, that liquefy once applied to the skin, producing a satiny finish.

Mineral Cosmetics are inorganic and do not contain moisture, preventing bacteria from growing with no need of preservatives, oils or waxes, which could affect the skin, and they are practically well tolerated by everyone in all climates, available both as natural beauty care by health providers, or as part of traditional cosmetic lines, introduced to make their products more affordable and accessible.

Homemade Facial Masks Sunday, May 31 2009 

Homemade Facial Masks – Make your own facial mask ! Face masks for every type of skin

Below are some simple yet efficient homemade face masks that you can make and use in minutes.

Homemade Facial Masks for dry skin

Mask 1. Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 2 teaspoons milk. Smooth over face and throat. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Mask 2. You will need: 
2 oz/60g ripe avocado flesh 
1 oz/25g orange juice 
1 tsp/5g pure acacia honey 
1 tsp/5g molasses 
5 drops chamomile essential oil 
Put all the ingredients in a blender, or mash by hand in a bowl. Add extra orange juice if the mixture is too thick. Use your fingers to spread the mask over your face and neck and leave it on for at least 30 minutes, preferably longer, before removing. Use a warm flannel to rinse off the mask – this will help gently exfoliate skin as well as clean your face. This mask will keep for a day or two in the fridge if you don’t use it all.

Mask 3. Mash apricots mix it with warm olive oil to form a paste. Apply it on your face and leave it for 10 minutes, then wash off.

Homemade Facial Masks for oily skin

Mask 1. It works wonders – Grate an apple finely and then add about 4 tablespoons of honey. Mix it well apply it to your face wait 10 minutes and rinse.

Mask 2. You will need: 
1 egg white 
6 drops witch hazel 
6 drops lemon juice 
Whisk the egg white until it’s stiff, and then add the remaining ingredients. Gently apply the mixture to your face, avoiding your eyes. Leave to dry for 15 minutes or so. Rinse well with warm water.

Mask 3. Tomato Mask: For oily skin, mash up a ripe tomato and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm (not hot) water.

Homemade Facial Mask for sensitive skin

Mask 1. Warm a small pot of honey in a double boiler, then test a small amount on your hand to make sure it’s not too hot. When warm, apply the honey generously over your entire face. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm, then cool water.

Homemade Facial Masks for normal skin

Mask 1. Lettuce leaves are best home remedies for normal skin. Dip two large lettuce leaves in olive oil and sprinkle on them a few drops of lemon juice. Place them on both sides of your face, and then cover them with a paper towel dipped in mineral water. Wipe your face with a cotton ball soaked in warm milk, then rinse with boiled warm water.

Homemade Mud Masks for your face

You can mix Kaolin, Fullers earth or any cosmetic clay with a suitable liquid to form a mud mask. Mix the clay with the liquid to form a paste. Wash your face Pat dry your face Apply the paste on your face Leave to dry Rinse off completely.

Liquids to use:

Distilled Water
Spring Water
Rose Water : For sensitive skin 
Witch Hazel : For oily skin 
Herbal Tea : To treat your skin conditions 
Aloe Vera juice : Read complete benefits here
Egg white : For firming the skin 
Egg Yolk : For nourishing the skin 
Honey : For attracting moisture to the skin

More homemade facial masks

To loosen blackheads : Combine equal parts baking soda and water in your hand and rub gently on your skin for 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Firming Facial Masks :

1. Whisk together 1 tablespoon honey, 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon glycerin and enough flour to form a paste. (Approximately ¼ cup). Smooth over face and throat. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

2. BANANA MASH. Mash up a very ripe banana. Add just enough honey to make a soft pulp. Apply over face and hair. This is such a great firming mask that aging movie stars have been known to put it in the cups of their bras to make their breasts “perky.”

Marie Antoinette’s homemade facial mask : This wife of King Louis XVI of France was a legendary beauty. Many believe that this mixture was the secret of her clear and glowing skin – so much so that it’s still used as a popular facial treatment in France. This mask is suitable for all skin types, but the witch hazel and lemon can be harsh on dry skin. If you indulge, be sure to use your regular moisturiser afterwards.
You will need: 
1 egg 
Juice of one lemon 
4 tbsp cup non-fat dry milk powder 
1 tbsp witch hazel 
Put all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and mix well. Alternatively, you can blend them together by using a fork or a wire whisk. Apply the mixture to your face, neck and chest and allow it to dry for around 15 minutes. Use the remaining cream as a cleanser to remove the mask. Then, rinse your face thoroughly with warm water and pat dry.

Honey Cleansing Scrub : Mix 1 tablespoon honey with 2 tablespoons finely ground almonds and ½ teaspoon lemon juice. Rub gently onto face. Rinse off with warm water.

These homemade facial masks will make your skin glow from the inside. So go ahead… try them out and all the best!! Ideal for both men and women of all ages.

Homemade face mask for blemished skin: Take a chopped tomato, 1 tbsp of instant oatmeal, 1 tbsp lemon juice. Blend all ingredients just until combined. Apply to skin, making sure the mixture is thick enough to stay on blemished areas. Add a bit more oatmeal to thicken the mask. Leave on 10 mins. Wash with warm water.

Cosmetics for Acne skin Sunday, May 31 2009 

Oil Free Cosmetics
Oil-free cosmetics mean products that contain little or no ingredients such as isopropyl myristate, isopropyl esters, oleic acid, stearic acid, petrolatum and lanolin (especially acetylated lanolin, alcohol’s and lanolin fatty acids). The label on the cosmetic should state that it is oil-free. This implies that the product has been formulated with no oleaginous ingredients. These products would be appropriate for oily or acne prone skin. For a small number of people, acne may still flare up, to feel better about yourself, you may want to consider using … 

Skin Camouflage
Skin Camouflage is a useful cosmetic for covering skin defects. A concealing cream may be applied to the skin prior to a foundation, the foundation in this case should either be sheer or opaque. Loose powder can then be used on top to set the foundation. 

Skin/Face Foundations
Face foundations are used to cover skin blemishes, and acne, as well as to even out and give colour to your face. There are four basic types of foundations. They are all different combinations of oil, water, emulsifiers, talc, kaolin, titanium dioxide and pigment. Their ability to cover skin is related to the amount of titanium dioxide, talc, zinc oxide, chalk and koalin they contain. Chemical sunscreen may be added to the sun-protective effect of titanium dioxide … 

Skin Foundations For Different Skin Types
Some types of skin foundations work more effectively for different skin types. Read on to find out what will work best for you. Oil-free, matte or semi-matte foundations are best, because they are least likely to aggravate the acne. However, these do not cover or last as well as the oily foundations, they are more difficult to apply and tend to collect around skin blemishes. Loose transparent powders applied over the oil-free foundation gives longer coverage. For skin with many comedones, sheer foundations are best. Inflamed acne needs moderate coverage …

Use of Moisturizers Sunday, May 31 2009 

Skin Moisturizers For Acne:

“Dry skin”, or xerosis, is an extremely common problem, and our society, and its advertising suggest that we have a simple solution – just apply a moisturizer. The marketplace has a great number of products to moisturize the skin and dermatologists divide them into different classes, based on how they work. 

These classes include:

  • Occlusives
  • Humectants
  • Emollients
  • Protein rejuvenators

What Are Moisturizers?

Moisturizers are bland, oily substances that are applied to the skin by rubbing. They are used to replace natural skin oils to cover tiny fissures in the skin, and to provide a soothing protective film. By doing this, they slow evaporation of the skin’s moisture, thereby improving the appearance and feel of dry and aging skin.

How Do Moisturizers Work?

Traditionally, moisturization was believed to inhibit water loss. Water originates in the deeper skin layers and moves upward to the cells in the stratum corneum, eventually being lost to evaporation. Occlusive moisturization then, prevents the dehydration of the stratum corneum.

Much more is now known about the epidermis, and in particular, the stratum corneum. Dry skin is noted when the moisture content is less than 10%, and there is loss of continuity of the stratum corneum.

Scientifically, the moisturizing treatment involves a 4-step process:

  1. Repairing the skin barrier
  2. Increasing water content
  3. Reducing water loss
  4. Restoring the skin’s ability to attract, hold and redistribute water

Use of Sunscreens Sunday, May 31 2009 

Sun avoidance and regular sunscreen use are widely promoted by organizations and individuals interested in cancer prevention. However, 70% of those who participated in a beach survey were on the beach to get or to maintain a suntan. Although they stayed on the beach for an average of 4 hours, only half were using sunscreen.

On the mountains, and despite past sunburn experience, skiers often do not use sunblock. A springtime survey of skiers in Alberta showed that only two thirds were using sunscreen, and of those using a sunscreen, one third were sunburned at the time of survey.

There appears to be some confusion about the messages people are getting about sunscreens and why they’re so important. Some use sunscreens to prevent sunburn, whereas others use sunscreens to improve sun tanning. Some wish to avoid the wrinkling associated with sun exposure, and others believe that sunscreens prevent all types of skin cancer, yet others seem to believe that they can use sunscreens in order to prolong their time in the sun.

Why Use Sunscreens?

  • Prevents sun burns
  • Prevents photodamaged skin (aged look – brown spots, wrinkles)
  • Prevents actinic keratosis and perhaps squamous cell cancers
  • May prevent other skin cancers

What Is A Sunburn?

A sunburn is caused by exposing your skin to too much ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, that is, lightwaves that measure approximately 200-400nm. UV light can be broken down into 4 component parts that include:

  • Ultraviolet A1 (UVA1), 340-400nm
  • Ultraviolet A2 (UVA2), 320-340nm
  • Ultraviolet B (UVB), 290-320nm
  • Ultraviolet C (UVC), 200-290nm

There are two major types of UV sun damage: UVA-type damage, with light wavelengths of 340-400nm, and UVC-type damage, which includes light wavelengths of up to 340nm. UVA-type damage can cause the skin to tan and may cause very weak burns, while UVC-type damage causes skin to burn.

How Much Sunscreen Should I Apply?

The average user of sunscreen tends to use significantly less sunscreen than the amount required to achieve the SPF listed on the container.

How Often Should I Apply Sunscreen When I’m Out In The Sun?

Many experts recommend that frequent application during sun exposure is required. However, a group of children were tested by spreading on one application of sunscreen to one side of their bodies, and four applications to the other.

They then spent 6 hours in the sun, one application provided the same level of protection as four applications, confirming the adequacy of a single daily application of a sunscreen in that situation.

How Long Before Sun Exposure Should I Apply Sunscreen To My Skin?

As molecules of sunscreen are present in their active state in the sunscreen, sunscreens work immediately upon application. The only reason for early application, is to allow absorption into the skin so that the sunscreen is less likely to be washed off, should the person be entering the water. Even so, modern sunscreens are quite resistant to removal from the skin.

Sun Protection Factor (SPF) – What Is It?

SPF is the ratio of the minimal ultraviolet dose required to produce redness with and without a sunscreen. For example, if it took ½ hour for your skin to become sunburned without any sunscreen, then for a sunscreen that has a 15 SPF rating, you could stay in the sun for 15 times longer (or 7.5 hours) before you get sunburned. This is provided, of course, that you’ve applied the sunscreen properly so that you’re getting the prescribed protection.

Reactions To Sunscreens:

Sunscreens can be both an irritant and an allergen, though allergic reactions are rare. Irritant reactions, however, abound. One classic error in sunscreen application is to put a large amount of sunscreen on the forehead, perspiration and gravity can cause the sunscreen to migrate down your forehead into your eyes, causing a stinging sensation. Some people attribute this to an allergic reaction and discontinue use. It’s also important to wash your hands after applying sunscreen, since rubbing your sunscreen covered finger near your eyes can induce an irritant reaction.

Why Is It Important To Use Sunscreens During Childhood?

It appears that a great deal of time can elapse between actual sun damage and the development of skin cancer or other skin problems like photoaging therefore, it is important to protect your skin from an early age when you are out in the sun.

Sunscreens And The Elderly:

Many elderly people can become quite obsessed by sun avoidance, and their quality of life can suffer. Sometimes, if they are diagnosed with an actinic keratosis or basal cell carcinoma, they can become anxious and almost leap from shadow to shadow. However, few of them are likely to develop new skin cancers from present sun exposure. As long as they are prudent about avoiding excessive sun exposure, and protecting their skin to prevent sunburn, they can continue to enjoy time outdoors.

Can Sunscreens Prevent Cancer?

There is clear evidence that sunscreens are helpful in preventing actinic keratoses, which are warty lesions that can occur on sun exposed skin of the face or hands. Research has shown that these lesions can develop into a cancer called squamous cell carcinoma, and that this is linked to a cumulative exposure to the sun.

However, there is surprisingly little evidence that sunscreens have much effect in preventing another kind of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma, or for malignant melanoma. For malignant melanoma and for basal cell carcinoma, the character and timing, that is, the type of sunlight and your age at the time of the exposure to the sun, appears to be more important than the cumulative dose.

Acne Cleansers Sunday, May 31 2009 

Acne Cleansers
Acne cleansers are generally used to remove accumulated oil, make-up, sweat, and dirt on the surface of your skin. In doing so, these products generally make it easier for topical acne treatments to be absorbed. However, excessive use of acne cleansers can also lead to irritated dry skin. Most acne patients will only need to cleanse with such products once to twice daily. 

Skin Cleansers – Different Skin Types
Oily skin - the selection of cleansers for oily skin should involve using products that rinse off well. Both bar soaps and liquid cleansers have been formulated for this purpose …
Dry Skin - the use of hard-milled face soaps and gentle synthetic detergents are very appropriate for dry skin. It may be necessary to only use cleansers on the face and body folds, when the ambient humidity is low for example…
Normal Skin - most people can cleanse with bar soap daily. The synthetic detergent soaps react better with hard water. Liquid cleansers and soap gels are popular at this time, the advantages, being …
Sensitive Skin - people with sensitive skin can react easily to fragrance and preservatives, and should avoid mechanical cleansers such as cleansing grains, brushes and loofahs. Most synthetic detergents have … 

Mild Cleansers
Different gentle skin cleansers are available for acne, there are several types of mild cleansers that you may use if your skin is irritated or aggravated. There are also several types of specific acne cleansers that you can use for daily skin care. Oil-free and non-comedogenic products are usually advisable. Over cleansing the skin, can cause irritation and may aggravate your skin condition as well as encourage you to use other products that will grease up your skin. This may then complicate your skin care. You may need to use a toner to remove the oil, which in turn may irritate your skin further.

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