Good Skin Care

Does Natural Really Mean Natural when it comes to Skin Care Products? by Louise Forrest

With organic and natural products quickly gaining in popularity, attention has gone into the chemicals that are found in our everyday skin care products.

Whilst we may never really think of it, there are loads of chemicals dumped into our products which we automatically think are good for us. However, as time goes on we are realizing too often than not, that a lot of chemicals within our products are not as innocent as they first appeared to be. Not only that, but these so called natural products on the market are not always what they appear to be either.

So how exactly do we know which products to go for and which ones could be potentially harmful? The main way to tell if you are being conned, or if you are really buying something natural is to read the labels on the back of the products!

The Ingredients to Avoid in Natural Products

Sadly some natural products do still contain some chemicals which may be harmful to our health. Most of us do not know what to look out for so the companies generally get away with it. After all if we are buying natural products they have to be good for us do they not? The answer is no, not always.

Imidazolidinyl Urea

Many people believe that Urea is good for them as it is sometimes found in emollients which help to provide moisture for dry skin. However, Imidazolidinyl Urea is definitely not good for you. It is found in most skin care products, yet it has often been found to create skin reactions such as contact dermatitis. So if you do notice this chemical in your natural skin care products, do not buy it!

Fragrance

Whilst this may seem harmless enough, fragrance can often contain many ingredients which are often not separately listed. So if you cannot see the ingredients listed separately, how can you tell that the chemicals are not harmful? It is always better to look for products which state natural fragrance or the fragrance of essential oils.

Paraffin

Paraffin is another popular ingredient used in many skin care products. It is often used by manicurists who melt it and dip the hands into it. It is mainly used in eyebrow pencils, hair remover and cold creams, though it is also found in many other cosmetics. It comes from either coal or petroleum.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is a detergent which often has a drying effect on the skin. This can cause irritation so it is best avoided.

Formaldehyde

This is a preservative and it is mainly found in nail care products but it is also contained in other cosmetics too. It has been known to cause adverse skin reactions.

Methyl Paraben

This one is extremely common and is widely used. It tends to often cause skin irritation.

Overall there are a lot of chemicals and potentially harmful ingredients listed in so called natural products; you just have to know which ones to look out for. If you do spot the ingredients above listed in your favorite cosmetics, opt for a better alternative. There are gentler alternatives for the skin including:

Potassium Sorbate
Retinyl
Sorbic Acid
Ascorbic Acid

All chemicals tend to be bad for the skin so it is always better to try and avoid them. It really is shocking what goes into our skin care products and most people do not realize that their products can harm them. However, prolonged use of skin care products which contain potentially harmful ingredients can cause potential health problems as the ingredients soak into the skin and they can enter the bloodstream. It is always better to read the labels and know what is in your favorite products. That way, you can make a consciences decision whether or not you want to risk using the product. After all, knowledge is power!

Louise Forrest has created the ultimate FREE Health & Beauty guide. Find out how you can gain access to FREE natural skin care articles, tips and techniques at http://www.NaturalElements.co.uk
Learn how you can benefit from theseorganic skin care products at www.NaturalElements.co.uk

Article Source: ArticlesArticles.Net

Get Serious About Skin Care To Prevent Future Problems by Gregg Hall

Your skin is the body’s largest organ and needs a lot of maintenance. Serious skin care should be taken to keep that fresh youthful look and feel. As we get older the different areas of our bodies change and so does our skin care needs. There are many myths and misinformation out there about the proper way to take care of the skin. Some people think that chocolate will make them break out, but there is nothing you can eat that will cause a skin eruption. Acne is caused from cells sticking together and plugging the pores, this is not related to anything that is put into the body.

Black heads are not caused from a dirt build up. They are caused from cellular debris build up and when the cells hit the air they oxidize and turn black. A remedy for this is to use a good exfoliating face scrub to remove dead skin cells the granules in these scrubs are designed to do the clean up work for you. Using a moisturizer that has salicylic acid can also help keep the skin clear.

Facial exercise won’t help to retain the elasticity of youth. When doing these facial exercises you are actually stretching the skin and making wrinkles and lines more apparent. The new gadgets on the market that are supposed to revitalize skin cell repair are just a hoax, there isn’t a machine yet that can do this.

Some people think tanning or using a tanning booth can help clear up acne. There are only theories about the benefits of ultraviolet rays on acne. Of course a sun burn will hide acne it will not clear it up. And a lot of exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer. With darker skin people, the sun’s ray can cause pigment scaring making acnes red spots turn a permanent shade of brown. A tanning booth is not a better alternative, seven minutes in a tanning bed is like four hours on the beach.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects cells from damage, it helps the body utilize oxygen and helps build skin. It cannot however, help reduce scarring. Instead of using a cream with vitamin E it is better to add foods with a higher Vitamin E content like nuts, leafy green vegetables and fortified cereals.

Lips are one of the most sensitive skin areas and they can be dried out quickly. The use of lip balms can help to keep them moist. But to avoid initial drying it is better to stay out of the sun, wind, and dry air. Licking the lips will also dry them out.

Keeping the body hydrated is a good idea in dryer climates and helps to add moisture to the skin, drinking 8 glasses of water everyday can help maintain great looking skin.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as skin care secrets at
http://www.cosmeticsplusmore.com

Article Source: ArticlesArticles.Net

Turning Back The Clock With Anti Aging Skin Care by Shari Ode

Wrinkles are quite literally a sign of the times. So what can we do to prevent and stall the skin damage that causes wrinkles, laugh lines, age spots, and other bothersome blemishes?

Can they be Prevented?
The best way to prevent wrinkles is to follow a regular skin care routine and to adamantly protect your face from the harsh effects of the sun. You need to cleanse your skin on a daily basis to remove the perspiration and pollutants that can build up and damage your pores. Very important as well is to avoid smoking, alcohol, and caffeinated beverages that dehydrate the skin. Drink plenty of purified water to keep your skin supple and well hydrated.

How Can I Diminish Wrinkles?
There are numerous products and techniques available today to help you diminish the appearance of wrinkles. Herbal creams and vitamin supplements can be used to reduce the effects of aging on the skin.

When Should I Start Using Anti-Wrinkle Creams?
You can start using anti wrinkle creams before you even see a wrinkle appear. Eye creams in particular are effective at supporting the delicate area around the eyes and preventing or stalling the development of wrinkles. Many women and men start using anti wrinkle creams in their thirties. The skin’s natural levels of collagen diminish with age and anti-wrinkle creams may offer a suitable replacement. These creams may be too heavy for younger, thicker skin, so you will have to determine whether or not they are right for your skin type. I recommend using all natural products, organically certified if possible.

Anti Aging Products and Ingredients.
Vitamin A: Vitamin A yields a slight inflammatory action on the skin. It can help to puff up the skin and diminish the depth of many wrinkles.
Vitamin C: This water soluble vitamin helps to improve circulation and boost the production of collagen within the body. It has a brightening affect on skin that has become dull and dry with age.
Vitamin E: Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps to protect skin from the damaging effects of free radicals. It also strengthens the immune system, improves circulation, and protects red blood cell membranes.
Coenzyme Q10: This powerful antioxidant is effective at protecting the skin from free radical damage and improving circulation throughout the body. Coenzyme Q10 can be found in oral vitamin supplements or as an ingredient in skin care creams.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids: AHA’s or fruit acids help to slough off dead skin cells that can dull the skin’s appearance.

Anti Aging Procedures
Botox: Botox or botulinum endotoxin A can produce dramatic anti aging results, similar to surgery, without the devastating side effects. Botox is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The procedure to have Botox injected under the skin can be quite costly and it’s effects are only temporary, so it must be repeated several times throughout the year.

Laser Resurfacing: Laser surgery is a technique that uses a controlled laser beam to remove the upper layer of damaged skin. It can visibly reduce the appearance of fine line and in come cases, deeper wrinkles. It is one of the most popular procedures in cosmetic surgery today. However, it is an invasive surgical procedure that also has risks such as excessive scarring, infection, loss of normal skin pigmentation, skin redness and dryness.
Chemical Peels: Chemical peels involve applying a chemical substance to your skin that burns off the damaged layers. The gentlest type of chemical peel available is the glycolic acid peel that removes dead skin cells from the upper layer of skin only.

Shari Ode is a web designer and marketer with a keen interest in Anti Aging, it’s effects and ongoing research into prolonging our health. Find out how you can make life changes now that will benefit you long term at http://www.anti-ageing.interestinginfoonline.com/

Article Source: ArticlesArticles.Net

Anti Aging Skin Care, Is There A Miracle In A Jar? by Wendy Owen

We’ve all seen see the ads promising instant youth and beauty when we buy a particular facial skin care product. “Scientific Breakthrough!” proclaims one. “Doctors Discover Miracle Cure For Wrinkles,” shouts another.

We’re only human and can’t help wondering if maybe this time, science has actually landed upon the miracle in a jar and perhaps for $150.00 we can iron out wrinkles, fade skin discoloration and firm our skin tone by daily application of this new wonder anti aging skin care product.

So we read the instructions and “Yes!” There have been scientific tests performed which prove without a doubt that this is indeed the skin care product we have been waiting for!

Look at the before and after photos. Look at the half face studies. After six weeks of using this wonder cream the fresh younger looking faces stare out at us from the pictures. It gives us this warm and fuzzy feeling that we too can achieve a younger and more attractive look.

The jar is expensive looking and pretty, it would look lovely on the bathroom shelf. Halleluiah!

All that stand between us and youthful beauty is money. Well we’re not going to let that stop us. So we float to the checkout, credit card and miracle product in hand, mentally calculating what we can cut back on this month so we can afford our dream.

So are we witnessing a real miracle? Yes indeed. But it’s more a miracle of modern marketing than anything else. Don’t be disappointed, at least we’ve got to keep our $150.00!

Skin care marketing is very clever indeed. It preys on our insecurities and our lack of self esteem. We want people to admire us and think we’re attractive. When someone tells us we can achieve this by using their product, we want to believe it so we do believe it. That little voice of reason is silenced.

Don’t feel bad if you’ve recently fallen for this type of skin care hype. There are many more of us who’ve done exactly the same thing. Yes I’ve done it too and I don’t even have the excuse of ignorance. I’ve studied skin care and natural health and I know what the skin can absorb and what the best ingredients are.

But I bought the product anyway and used it faithfully every night for a month until it ran out. Trouble was I had to use it for six weeks to see real results! It was then time to decide whether to buy another jar and carry on to the six weeks.

Fortunately common sense kicked in. I looked in the mirror. Yes my skin was looking pretty good. But I realized it was probably more because I’d taken the trouble to cleanse and nourish it for thirty days straight rather than the super anti aging ingredient inside the jar.

No I wasn’t upset with the cosmetic company, they are in business to make money. I wasn’t really upset with myself either, more amused that I’d been sucked in with clever marketing.

There may well be skin care products in the market which can make a significant difference to our appearance, but I think I’ll wait to hear about it in the media next time. After all the real fountain of youth when it comes, will be a newsworthy event I’m sure.

Meanwhile, while we’re waiting, is there any way we can improve our skin? I’m glad you asked. Take care of your health, eat a healthy diet, use a good sunscreen and use quality natural skin care products. The results may amaze you!

Absolutely natural skin care is the aim of http://www.just-natural-skincare.com We have lots of free information and 5 free books if you join our list. Wendy Owen is a health researcher and writer.

Article Source: ArticlesArticles.Net

How Real Dermatologists And Plastic Surgeons Cure And Treat Fine Lines, Wrinkles, And Acne by David Maillie

Fine lines and wrinkles are a fact of aging. They make everyone look older as the skin loses its elasticity and starts to sag. Frowning and facial expressions over time can also result in the same loss of elasticity. There are thousands of various products we see hawked on TV by leading actresses and assorted hollywood stars from Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Anniston, etc… We even see them on Oprah as some of her recent Oprah’s favorite things giveaways. The problem is that 99.9% of them do not work at all or minimally at best! We asked thousands of dermatologists and surgeons what the best remedies were other than plastic surgery. The answer was unanimous - a routine of TCA skin peels, mild cleansers - no harsh soaps, stay out of the sun, use sunscreen, and take vitamin E and fish oil pills. Not one of them mentioned any of the thousands of products we see on TV and in magazines that claim to cure or ease these fine lines and wrinkles.

TCA stands for trichloroacetic acid. TCA peels have long been used in doctors offices and medispas for treatment of many skin problems like sun damage, liver spots, acne, acne scarring, wrinkles, fine lines, freckles, pregnancy mask, etc… TCA peels are not cheap, but they are the most effective product or treatment available for fine line and wrinkles. They increase your skins rate of repair and they also increase collagen production. They are the most prescribed chemical peel and are, hands down, the most effective treatment for fine lines and wrinkles - and also acne! They can now be purchased for home use.

Mild cleansers are inportant as they will clean, but not overdry or aggravate your face. Cetaphil and the Target generic brand are great. They will gently emulsify dirt and oil and remove it with out overdrying your face. Products with benzoyl peroxide, like Proactive, should be avoided as they will overdry and aggravate oily skin and acne. Harsh soaps will have the same effect as benzoyl peroxide products.

The sun is your enemy. It will age your skin and does result in wrinkles and other skin problems like melanoma - the worst type of skin cancer. Use sunscreens with high SPF’s like 30 - 40. You need to cover up when going out in the sun. And I can’t stress it enough wear sunscreen - If youdon’t think you will get cancer from being out in the sun, goto your local hospital oncology department. Most of those people didn’t think they could get it either.

Vitamin E and fish oil pills will increase the hydration of your skin. They will increase the elasticity of your skin and reduce wrinkles and fine lines. It can take a few months to see the results and they won’t be as dramatic as with the TCA peels mentioned earlier, but they have been clinically proven to be effective.

There you have it - how to treat and cure fine line and wrinkles from real dermatologists and plastic surgeons. Real treatments that really work. For more information on TCA peels please see the link below.

David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental skin care interests. He can be reached at http://www.bestskinpeel.com.

Article Source: ArticlesArticles.Net