Skin care is not a topic of recent times; it has been in practice since ancient times, when herbal skin care was probably the only way to take care of skin. However, skin care has transformed in a big way. Herbal skin care routines have been replaced by synthetic/chemical-based skin care routines. The herbal skin care recipes which once used to be common place are not so popular today (and even unknown to a large population). This transformation from herbal skin care to synthetic, can probably be attributed to two things – our laziness (or just the fast pace of lives) and the commercialisation of skin care. Even herbal skin care products have been commercialised. These commercial herbal skin care products have to be mixed with preservatives in order to increase their shelf-life, hence making them less effective than the fresh ones made at home. However, it seems that things are changing fast and more people are now opting for natural and herbal skin care routines. But still, none want to make them at home and hence the commercial market of herbal skin care products is on the rise.
So what are these herbs or herbal skin care mechanisms?
Aloe vera, which is an extract from Aloe plant, is one of the best examples of herbal skin care product. Freshly extracted aloe vera is a natural hydrant that helps in soothing skin. It also helps in healing cuts and treating sun burns.
A number of herbs are known to possess cleansing properties. Dandelion, chamomile, lime flowers and rosemary herbs, are a few examples of such cleansers. Their herbal skin care properties get invoked when they are combined with other herbs like tea.
Antiseptics are another important part of Herbal skin care. Lavender, marigold, thyme and fennel are good examples of herbs that are known to possess antiseptic properties. Lavender water and rose water also form good toners.
Tea plays an important part in herbal skin care. Tea extracts are used for treatment of skin that has been damaged by UV radiation.
Oils prepared from herbal extracts present another means of herbal skin care. Tea tree oil, Lavender oil, borage oil and primrose oil are some popular oils used in herbal skin care. Some fruit oils (e.g. extracts from fruits like banana, apple and melon) find use in shower gels (as a hydrating mix)
Homeopathic treatments and aromatherapies also come under the umbrella of herbal skin care remedies.
Herbal skin care is good not only for the routine nourishing of skin but also for treatment of skin disorders like eczema and psorasis. Most herbal skin care products don’t have any side effects (the most important reason for preferring them over synthetic products) Moreover, herbal skin care products can be easily made at home, hence making them even more attractive. So, herbal skin care is the way to go. However, this does not mean that you totally discard the synthetic products. Some people go to the extent of debating with their dermatologist, if he/she suggests a synthetic product. You should accept the fact that some skin orders might need usage of clinically proven non-herbal skin care products.
Showing posts with label oily skin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oily skin. Show all posts
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday, August 25, 2008
Home Remedies for Wrinkles
Having wrinkles on your face or on your body is a normal fact of life. You can accept it for what it is or do something about it. Instead of buying expensive creams and moisturizers, perhaps you can try some home remedies that have proven to be effective against wrinkles.
You can apply egg whites under the eyes. For those that want to prevent wrinkles, you may also use odor free castor oil and put this to the skin, under the eyes or the throat.
Those who want to make their own cleansers can do so by emptying the contents of 3 Vitamin E capsules into a small bowl and then mixing this with 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt, half a tablespoon of honey as well as half a tablespoon of lemon juice. When this is mixed together, you get a cotton ball and rub this on your face and leave it on for 10 minutes then rinse.
Another mixture may come from a quarter cup of comfrey infusion, a quarter cup of witch hazel and 10 drops of patchouli essential oil. What is nice about it is that you can store the excess in a clean bottle so you can use it again later on.
You may also mix 1 teaspoon of raspberry juice with one teaspoon of orange juice, a teaspoon of olive oil, whipped egg yolk and 2 tablespoons of grind oatmeal. After mixing everything, you wait 20 minutes and smear this on the face. Once it dries, you wash this off with warm water.
If you happen to have coconut oil around, apply this in skin pore areas nightly before going to bed. For those that pineapple at home, you can cut this open and then rub the core of the fruit on your face for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing.
You can also use green Thompson seedless grapes. Once you cut this in half, you gently crush this on your face so the juice will be absorbed by the skin. Make sure to leave it there for 20 minutes, rinse with warm water and then let it dry with natural air.
A paste of turmeric made with sugarcane juice can also be used as it has proven to be effective in getting rid of wrinkles and slow skin aging.
No matter what you use, be sure to have regular facials as this is very effective in controlling wrinkles. You should also give yourself a facial massage as this helps increase blood circulation which results in the tightening of the muscles which reduces the fleshiness of the skin and restores your youthful look.
When you do this, make sure you always start from the neck upwards and then end at the forehead. A faster way of doing this will require using all your fingers and massaging rapidly in a circular motion. If there are wrinkles on the jaw, pinch the skin between your thumb and fingers.
Before you apply any of the home remedies for wrinkles on the face, make sure you clean the area first with wet cotton so you are able to remove make up and be able to open the pores on the skin. If you need to go outdoors, the only thing you can do to protect yourself from the sun is to use a pair of sunglasses and wear a hat which helps delay the onset of wrinkles on the sides of the eyes strangely referred to as crow’s feet.
You can apply egg whites under the eyes. For those that want to prevent wrinkles, you may also use odor free castor oil and put this to the skin, under the eyes or the throat.
Those who want to make their own cleansers can do so by emptying the contents of 3 Vitamin E capsules into a small bowl and then mixing this with 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt, half a tablespoon of honey as well as half a tablespoon of lemon juice. When this is mixed together, you get a cotton ball and rub this on your face and leave it on for 10 minutes then rinse.
Another mixture may come from a quarter cup of comfrey infusion, a quarter cup of witch hazel and 10 drops of patchouli essential oil. What is nice about it is that you can store the excess in a clean bottle so you can use it again later on.
You may also mix 1 teaspoon of raspberry juice with one teaspoon of orange juice, a teaspoon of olive oil, whipped egg yolk and 2 tablespoons of grind oatmeal. After mixing everything, you wait 20 minutes and smear this on the face. Once it dries, you wash this off with warm water.
If you happen to have coconut oil around, apply this in skin pore areas nightly before going to bed. For those that pineapple at home, you can cut this open and then rub the core of the fruit on your face for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing.
You can also use green Thompson seedless grapes. Once you cut this in half, you gently crush this on your face so the juice will be absorbed by the skin. Make sure to leave it there for 20 minutes, rinse with warm water and then let it dry with natural air.
A paste of turmeric made with sugarcane juice can also be used as it has proven to be effective in getting rid of wrinkles and slow skin aging.
No matter what you use, be sure to have regular facials as this is very effective in controlling wrinkles. You should also give yourself a facial massage as this helps increase blood circulation which results in the tightening of the muscles which reduces the fleshiness of the skin and restores your youthful look.
When you do this, make sure you always start from the neck upwards and then end at the forehead. A faster way of doing this will require using all your fingers and massaging rapidly in a circular motion. If there are wrinkles on the jaw, pinch the skin between your thumb and fingers.
Before you apply any of the home remedies for wrinkles on the face, make sure you clean the area first with wet cotton so you are able to remove make up and be able to open the pores on the skin. If you need to go outdoors, the only thing you can do to protect yourself from the sun is to use a pair of sunglasses and wear a hat which helps delay the onset of wrinkles on the sides of the eyes strangely referred to as crow’s feet.
Monday, July 23, 2007
The facts about Oily skin care
To start the discussion on oily skin care, it’s imperative to first understand the cause behind oily skin. Put simply, oily skin is a result of excessive production of sebum (an oily substance that is naturally produced by skin). As is known to everyone, excess of everything is bad; so excessive sebum is bad too. It leads to clogging of skin pores, resulting in accumulation of dead cells and hence formation of pimples/acne. Moreover, oily skin spoils your looks too. So, ‘oily skin care’ is as important as the ‘skin care’ for other types of skin.
The basic aim of ‘oily skin care’ is the removal of excessive sebum or oil from the skin. However, oily skin care procedures should not lead to complete removal of oil. ‘Oily skin care’ starts with the use of a cleanser. However, not all cleansers will work. You need a cleanser which contains salicylic acid i.e. a beta-hydroxy acid that retards the rate of sebum production. Cleansing should be done twice a day (and even more in hot and humid conditions).
Most of the oily skin care products are oil-free; however, it is always good to check the ingredients of the product, before you actually buy it. This is especially important if a product is marked as ‘suitable for all skin types’, instead of ‘oily skin care product’. ‘Oily skin care’ is also dependent on the degree of oiliness, if you aren’t too oily, so some of these ‘suitable for all’- type of products might be work for you too. For extremely oily skin, only oily skin care products are suitable. Your oily skin care routine can include an alcohol based toner (for an extremely oily skin). This can be the second step in your oily skin care routine i.e. just after cleansing. However, excessive toning can harm your skin.
The next step in your oily skin care routine can be a mild moisturiser. Again, the degree of oiliness of your skin will determine whether you need to include this in your oily skin care routine. If you do decide to include a moisturiser, be sure to use one that is oil-free, wax-free and lipid-free.
You could also use a clay mask (say once a week) as an oily skin care measure.
As far as the oily skin care products go, you might need to try out a few before you arrive at the one that is really suitable for your skin.
In case these measures don’t give you the desired result, consult a good dermatologist for advice. He could prescribe stronger oily skin care products like vitamin A creams, retinoids, sulphur creams etc , which can help counter the problems of oily skin.
Anti aging skin care
One of the most interesting topics on skin care is ‘anti aging skin care’. As one gets older, the natural defence of our skin (and in fact of the whole body) weakens. ‘Anti aging skin care’ is about protecting your skin from the negative effects of aging process. ‘Anti aging skin care’ helps in maintaining a young and fresh look for a longer period of time. However, ‘anti aging skin care’ doesn’t end just here. Besides maintaining your looks (good looks), ‘anti aging skin care’ is also about retaining the resistance to disease. Though the awareness about anti aging has increased over a period of time, still a lot of people are unable to recognize the aging symptoms (and hence are unable to determine if they are in need of additional anti aging skin care measures).
Here is a list of visible anti aging symptoms that will help you in the planning and execution of your strategy for anti aging skin care: baldness, forgetfulness, graying hair, wrinkle formation, loss of eyesight or hearing loss and menopause. The occurrence of one or more such symptoms is an indicator for upping the ante on anti aging skin care. Note that we are talking about introduction of additional measures for anti aging skin care, we are not talking about starting ‘anti aging skin care’ altogether. ‘Anti aging skin care’ actually starts much before the symptoms of anti aging appear. Serious anti aging skin care is building and following a proper skin care routine much earlier in life (say in your teens). Anti aging skin care doesn’t mean adoption of any special skin care procedure but just following a normal procedure in the right earnest. Eating a lot of fruits, avoiding stress, drinking a lot of water and using natural therapies can delay the aging process.
Once the signs of aging start showing up, you should start using some additional measures in the form of anti aging skin care products. The market is full of anti aging skin care products. In fact there are so many anti aging skin care products that they will probably find you even before you find them. Also, with age, the skin undergoes significant change. So you will need to analyse your current skin care procedure to check if it still holds good i.e. if it is still suitable for your skin.
You should remember that aging is a natural process and there is nothing that can stop it from happening. All these anti aging skin measures can just help in delaying the aging process.
Until next time, keep living your best life!
The basic aim of ‘oily skin care’ is the removal of excessive sebum or oil from the skin. However, oily skin care procedures should not lead to complete removal of oil. ‘Oily skin care’ starts with the use of a cleanser. However, not all cleansers will work. You need a cleanser which contains salicylic acid i.e. a beta-hydroxy acid that retards the rate of sebum production. Cleansing should be done twice a day (and even more in hot and humid conditions).
Most of the oily skin care products are oil-free; however, it is always good to check the ingredients of the product, before you actually buy it. This is especially important if a product is marked as ‘suitable for all skin types’, instead of ‘oily skin care product’. ‘Oily skin care’ is also dependent on the degree of oiliness, if you aren’t too oily, so some of these ‘suitable for all’- type of products might be work for you too. For extremely oily skin, only oily skin care products are suitable. Your oily skin care routine can include an alcohol based toner (for an extremely oily skin). This can be the second step in your oily skin care routine i.e. just after cleansing. However, excessive toning can harm your skin.
The next step in your oily skin care routine can be a mild moisturiser. Again, the degree of oiliness of your skin will determine whether you need to include this in your oily skin care routine. If you do decide to include a moisturiser, be sure to use one that is oil-free, wax-free and lipid-free.
You could also use a clay mask (say once a week) as an oily skin care measure.
As far as the oily skin care products go, you might need to try out a few before you arrive at the one that is really suitable for your skin.
In case these measures don’t give you the desired result, consult a good dermatologist for advice. He could prescribe stronger oily skin care products like vitamin A creams, retinoids, sulphur creams etc , which can help counter the problems of oily skin.
Anti aging skin care
One of the most interesting topics on skin care is ‘anti aging skin care’. As one gets older, the natural defence of our skin (and in fact of the whole body) weakens. ‘Anti aging skin care’ is about protecting your skin from the negative effects of aging process. ‘Anti aging skin care’ helps in maintaining a young and fresh look for a longer period of time. However, ‘anti aging skin care’ doesn’t end just here. Besides maintaining your looks (good looks), ‘anti aging skin care’ is also about retaining the resistance to disease. Though the awareness about anti aging has increased over a period of time, still a lot of people are unable to recognize the aging symptoms (and hence are unable to determine if they are in need of additional anti aging skin care measures).
Here is a list of visible anti aging symptoms that will help you in the planning and execution of your strategy for anti aging skin care: baldness, forgetfulness, graying hair, wrinkle formation, loss of eyesight or hearing loss and menopause. The occurrence of one or more such symptoms is an indicator for upping the ante on anti aging skin care. Note that we are talking about introduction of additional measures for anti aging skin care, we are not talking about starting ‘anti aging skin care’ altogether. ‘Anti aging skin care’ actually starts much before the symptoms of anti aging appear. Serious anti aging skin care is building and following a proper skin care routine much earlier in life (say in your teens). Anti aging skin care doesn’t mean adoption of any special skin care procedure but just following a normal procedure in the right earnest. Eating a lot of fruits, avoiding stress, drinking a lot of water and using natural therapies can delay the aging process.
Once the signs of aging start showing up, you should start using some additional measures in the form of anti aging skin care products. The market is full of anti aging skin care products. In fact there are so many anti aging skin care products that they will probably find you even before you find them. Also, with age, the skin undergoes significant change. So you will need to analyse your current skin care procedure to check if it still holds good i.e. if it is still suitable for your skin.
You should remember that aging is a natural process and there is nothing that can stop it from happening. All these anti aging skin measures can just help in delaying the aging process.
Until next time, keep living your best life!
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