Essential Oils in Natural Skin Care Products

Author: Chonticha Marijnebr
Source: isnare.combr
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No one likes dry skin. However, depending on the weather and where you live, dry skin may be a daily issue that you have to deal with. Keeping your skin hydrated is the best way to retain smooth, supple skin texture that stays soft as a babys you-know-what. Believe it or not though, many people dont moisturize regularly, no matter how dry it is outside!

People living in desert areas should moisturize daily, as well as those living at high altitudes. Still, many people, mostly men, forego basic skin care rituals. Think about it. How often do you see a man rubbing lotion on his skin? Men should take just as much care to protect their skin from UV rays as women do, but that is often not the case. Its just not done. Still, men want to look good, and many of them dont realize that their refusal to moisturize will come back to haunt them as they begin to age. Like women, mens skin texture also loses elasticity and is also vulnerable to the types of skin conditions that plague many women, including acne, dry, itchy areas, spider veins, wrinkles and age spots.

Men need to start thinking about skin care in their teens, just like women. Protection against skin cancer is just as important for men to think about as it is for women, and yet they tend to shrug away such concerns, as if the sun is just going to magically reflect off their shoulders. When was the last time you told your man to moisturize? And if you did, do you remember his response? The best way to get men to take care of their skin, if they wont do it for themselves, is to do so silently. Look for creams and lotions that will appeal to his taste in both texture and scent, and above all, dont bug him about it. Thats a sure way to get him to ignore the entire issue. Place lotions or creams for men on the bathroom or kitchen counter, or better yet, his desk or beside his favorite chair. If he gives you the eye, just smile and offer a little shrug. Why honey, you want my skin nice and soft, dont you? Hey, it works both ways, ladies. Better yet, why not make it a ritual to moisturize his skin yourself if he balks. Its not likely that hell balk if you do it.

Dry skin plagues everyone, women, men and children. Always make sure that kids are properly protected with sunscreen that will help to prevent skin cancers when they reach adulthood. Studies have shown that one good sunburn as a teenager increases the risk of developing skin cancer as an adult by about 30 percent. So tell those guys to get over the macho bit and take care of themselves, because skin cancer knows no boundaries. Proper protection will not only prevent dry skin, but it may help to prevent serious other issues from cropping up as time goes by.br
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Author: Amy Lee Turgeonbr
Source: ezinearticles.combr
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A good skin care regimen is essential if you want your face to look its best. It is the base to your makeup and no matter how great the makeup is or how skilled you are at applying it, if your skin is lacking you are not going to look your best. Think of it in terms of building a house, if your dont have a solid foundation, it doesnt matter what you build on top, it may look okay in the beginning, but over time the wearing effect will ultimately show, and so will makeup piled on unhealthy skin.

So to start your mission of healthy, glowing skin, you first need to identify your skin type as well as any problem areas. The most common types are dry, oily, normal and combination. Acne, blackheads, flaky skin, dull lifeless skin, and large pores are just a few common skin problems. So like I said before, if you want to have healthy, vibrant skin you must first get to know your skin type, otherwise you may use incorrect products treating it and end up with undesirable results. See below a quick description of the most common types.

Oily is generally characterized as having an all over shiny or in severe cases greasy appearance. A common result from this is acne.

Normal is the ideal skin type. It has the perfect amount of oil to keep the skin hydrated so it isnt dry and tight, yet isnt too oily.

Combination can have a couple of different characteristics but generally is dry to normal on the cheeks and jaw line but oily from the forehead, straight down the nose and to the chin (also known as the T-Zone.)

Dry skin can be generally characterized a peeling or flaking of the skin. It can also have an overall tight and slightly irritated feeling to it. It is often splotchy.

An absolute factor in maintaining healthy skin is to hydrate! I know, big yawn right? Im sure youve heard this one a million times before, but seriously this is the foundation to great skin. If you take your foundation away everything will come crashing down or in this case your skin will come sagging down. Not only does water help flush out toxins and help eliminate dryness, it also helps to plump up the skin which helps fill in lines. The normal range for proper hydration is drinking 8 to 10, 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Distilled is the best because it is water at its purest. If you dont take in enough water your body will use what little you did take in for the more important functions in your body. Since vital organs take priority over your skin, your skin will be neglected unless you increase your intake of water.

Once you get hydration down, its time to start scraping away by exfoliating. Exfoliation is super important. Exfoliation is simply polishing your skin, by removing the dead skin. We all get a build up of dead skin cells on our faces; a huge build up can cause a dull, lifeless looking complexion. These pesky cells need to have some gentle assistance in coming off, simply washing your face will not remove them. There are some great scrubs that you can use once a week after washing your face. A scrub is similar to a cleanser except that it has a gritty sand-like substance mixed into it. This grittiness is what breaks away those dead skin cells. If your skin currently is suffering from a breakout, you may want to skip a gritty scrub, as this can irritate pimples, causing them to break open and potentially slow down their healing. Instead try a damp face cloth, rubbing it gently in circular motions all over your face. This will help in removing dead skin, without being as harsh as a scrub. This simple step can really get your skin glowing and improve its overall appearance.

For dry skin you want to cleanse your face with a cleansing cream. It is generally an oil-based cream that can be used to cleanse very dry or mature skin. Cold cream cleansers help replenish the moisture that your skin is missing. If you use a harsh cleanser designed for oily skin, you will actually be stripping away moisture, making your skins condition worse. You will want to follow this with a skin freshener. A freshener is a toner that is in its mildest form, with the alcohol content usually being 4% or less. This should be followed with a hydrating moisturizer, preferably one that contains sunscreen. Once a week (providing you are not allergic to it) you may want to apply a coating of pure honey onto your face and let dry for 10-15 minutes then rinse, this is very moisturizing for dry skin.

For normal to combination skin you want to cleanse your face with a cleansing lotion. This is a water-based cleanser that will remove make up and other impurities. Next you will use a toner, which contains and alcohol content of 4-15%. Then follow with a moisturizer for normal skin.

With oily skin you really have to pay attention because one wrong product can cause a mega-breakout. You will want to use a face wash to cleanse your skin; it should be oil free and geared towards removing excess oil. If your skin is acne prone you should look for a cleanser that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. This should be followed with an astringent, which contain the highest alcohol content up to 35%. Now the final step is to moisturize, I know youre thinking with oily skin that can be dangerous, but yes even your skin needs moisture. The key is finding an oil free moisturizer. Just like the other skin types you also need a sunscreen, just aim for one thats oil free.

A great add on to your skin care routine is a weekly mask. The two most common and useful are clay and mud. Clay is perfect for oily skin. It dries up excess oil and tightens up pores. On the other hand, mud is an ideal solution for dry, mature skin. It moisturizes and helps soften the appearance of wrinkles.

Ultimately good skin care lies in your own hands. This is just a quick overview to give you some basic knowledge to get you on your way. By treating your skin properly by its type you are allowing it to start to regenerate because it is getting the basic nourishment it needs. There are lots of other things that affect your skin, stress, pollution, diet, smoke, ect. Once you starting caring properly for your skin according to its skin type, you can then take it a more in depth level. You can start to examine more targeted treatments such as facials (these dont have to be pricey and can very easily be done at home), facial exercises and more.

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pAmy Turgeon is a former licensed cosmetologist that runs her own makeup blog called MakeupAndBeautyTutorials. MakeupAndBeautyTutorials contains how-to video tutorials, product reviews, beauty tips, natural beauty remedies and more!/ppa target=_new href=http://www.makeupandbeautytutorials.com rel=nofollowhttp://www.makeupandbeautytutorials.com/a/pbr
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Author: Low Jeremy
Source: isnare.com

With the birth of the metrosexuals, men are increasingly made aware of their appearances. In fact, some women even complain that their boyfriends now spend more time at the mirror than they do.

One of the booming industries brought on by the metrosexual phenomena is the skin care industry especially those that focus on men. The industry has become so big that cosmetic and skin care lines that only catered to women have started to also develop skin care products for men.

There are now astringents and lotions for men. Some companies have even developed facial wash for men, a skin care staple that men would not have bought a decade ago.

Below are some of the products that have captured the interest and fancy of the male population.

Mask it!

Who would have thought that women will see the day when men will go to sleep with clay or mud all over their face? This however is prevalent in these times, as men have finally realized the advantages of deep cleaning his pores to prevent pimples and acne from settling in. The Anthony Logistics Deep Pore Cleansing Clay, which costs about $22 in the market, is one of the best in the line. It combines the properties of flowers with vitamins and purified clay to help the skin absorb excess oils, remove impurities and toxins as well as tighten the pores.

Moisturize it

Men also use moisturizers. As far-fetched as it seems, men also need moisturizers to help keep their skin supple and soft. Moisturizers, as women know, can prevent visible signs of aging by keeping the skin’s natural oils.

This is especially true with men who have dry skins. One of the products in the market that comes highly recommended is the Clinique Maximum Hydrator for Men, which will cost them about $26. It can be pretty expensive but it sure does the job.

Scrub it

To take care of the skin, one needs to get rid of dead skin cells, which may clog the pores or combine with dirt and grime. One of the essentials of exfoliating, is the T-Pur Face Purifying Scrub for Men, which is manufactured by Biotherm. Costing about $15 each, the scrub helps cleanse the skin.

Be careful though and make sure that the scrub is not so abrasive on your skin. Too much scrubbing can irritate the skin and worsen the problem.

Author: Marilynn Syrett
Source: articlesbase.com

The summer months are the best time to hit the beach and just rewind. However, not all is bliss at the seashore. For all the fun you have in the sand and water, your skin might have to pay toll. Skin care at the beach is serious business and requires a lot of precautions and protection. Here are elements that can cause damage to your skin and ways you can protect your skin against these…SaltwaterYou may have a great time lounging on the beach and playing in the water. However, your skin is affected by the saltwater and that has a detrimental effect leaving it feeling tight and dry. Saltwater strips off moisture from the skin cells and leads to irritation. Moreover, it can also promote the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines along with other aging signs. In severe cases, it can also lead to acne outbreaks as well.Tips for Skin CareMoisturize your skin with a hydrating moisturizer before your go in the water. This creates a water-resistant barrier between the skin and the saltwater and prevents it from getting damaged. Make sure you keep your skin well moisturized at the beach by re-applying the moisturizer every often.As soon as you come out of the water, take a shower at the beach-house to rinse off the saltwater from your skin surface. Also, when you get back home, have a bath with an effective body wash that not only cleans your skin but nourishes it as well.Moisturize your skin again when it is damp so that the moisturizer gets absorbed effectively and soothes the dry skin.Product Suggestions:Kinerase CreamIt is a great moisturizing cream that has anti-aging properties and helps to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also increases the skin’s capacity to retain moisture. Kinerase cream contains Kinetin, a plant based agent that helps the skin retain moisture.NIA 24 Skin Strengthening ComplexThis moisturizing cream is neither too light nor too heavy. Apart from hydrating the skin, there is also a visible reduction in wrinkles and fine lines with regular use. This is because it enhances the barrier function of your skin and accelerates the repair process by supplying moisture.iS Clinical Hydra Cool SerumThis is a hydrating serum that soothes the skin and is also anti-acneic. It is great for treating sunburns and after shaving and contains botanicals and bio-nutrients as well.Kinerase Hydra Boost Intensive TreatmentThis moisturizer hydrates the skin instantly using Kinetin, 25% Hyaluronic Acid and other moisturizing agents to provide maximum moisturizing from the inside out for a healthier, younger complexionSun ExposureIt is impossible to escape the sun at the beach and during summer months when the UV rays are the strongest, it becomes all the more harmful. Therefore, it is extremely important to protect your skin from the sunlight and apply sunscreen scrupulously all over your body. UV rays can cause premature aging of the skin and promote the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and further lead to extreme skin dryness, hyperpigmentation and even skin cancer.Tips for Skin CareUse a sunscreen that suits your skin type and has a steady SPF 30 or above.Sunscreens contain active ingredients that have a particular shelf life and expire after that. So, make sure you buy a new bottle every season and check the expiration dates before using them.Slather on the sunscreen on all the exposed parts of your body including your neck, ears, hands and feet. Make sure you use generous quantities of sunscreen!Apply the sunscreen at least 15-20 minutes before you venture out in the sun so that it has time to get absorbed within the skin surface.Product Suggestions:La Roche-Posay Anthelios SXThis is an amazing combination of sunscreen and a moisturizer. It provides full protection against sunburn and contains Mexoryl SX which is photostable against UVA rays so it does not breakdown and lasts longer than most sunscreens. It is free of all fragrances and parabens and moisturizes for 24 hours as well.Nia 24 Sun Damage Prevention SPF 30It is a physician recommended sunscreen lotion that has a dual action mechanism. It prevents sun damage and also is a 100% mineral sunscreen. It is weightless, oil free and absorbs almost instantly. It is even suitable for sensitive skin types.

Dr. Marilyn Syrett is a renowned physician and nurtures a keen interest in skin care and the effectiveness of skin care products. She believes that every women has the right to healthy and flawless skin. She has also reviewed several products from popular brand names like Obagi, iS Clinical, Clinique Medical and so on.

Author: Chonticha Marijne
Source: isnare.com

When it comes to skin, most people will spare no expense to make sure that it looks soft, smooth and as blemish clear as possible. However, when it comes to the choices for most women, and a lot of men, the mere magnitude of skin care products on shelves in Natural Health Stores, drug stores and cosmetic counters can be mind-boggling.

When it comes to skin care, most women agree that they don’t want to be slathering on a lot of extra oils or chemicals, whether for facial needs or the rest of their bodies. More women these days are leaning toward products that prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging, but regardless, many products are being marketed today that contain all natural skin care product essentials. What, exactly, are those essentials?

Start with the vitamins and minerals that your skin needs to stay healthy, hydrated and clean. The more you know about basic ingredients, the better off you’ll be when it comes to finding just the right skin care product to suit your needs, whether those needs include oily skin, dry skin, or a skin condition such as acne, eczema, psoriasis or occasional yet frustrating rashes. Different skin types call for different ingredients, and knowledge, as we all know, is information. Basically, anything that is grown in the ground, on a plant, tree or flower can be considered a natural product. So can things found in the ocean or in other bodies of water, with or without salt. But just how far do you go to find an all-natural product to use on your skin? Would you go outside and peel the bark off your neighbor’s birch tree to get to some of the sap underneath? No? Well, you might if you knew that birch tree sap is known as a perfect astringent and has plenty of antibacterial properties.

Still, do you go really natural, or do you purchase items from the store that have some of the more common natural ingredients in them? That choice is an individual one, but nevertheless, one that requires a bit of homework. Knowing what a product can do is different than what it will do if mixed wrong, or in combination with other ingredients, either natural or otherwise. Deciding on how far you want to go with a natural skin care product is up to the level of your interest and determination.

Another example is the aloe plant. The juice from this cactus has been known for hundreds of years to provide relief from cuts, burns, bruises and scrapes. Breaking a limb from the plant and rubbing the juice from it directly onto the skin may be a little slimy, but its healing properties are known and understood and accepted in most medical circles. When applied directly to facial skin, it can increase healing and provide wonderful moisturizing and emollient abilities. Still, some people don’t have the space, or the dirt, to grow their own aloe vera plants and prefer to purchase a cream or ointment with aloe vera listed as one of its prime ingredients.

Keep in mind however, that the closer to nature that you stay, the more benefits you’ll get from an all-natural product. Sure, finding some ingredients may be a little challenging, but there’s no doubt that these products have been gathered and used for hundreds, and even thousands of years, by some cultures around the world. You think they knew what they were doing back then? You bet they did.

Author: Amit Sar
Source: articleage.com

1. Sun Protection
More than anything else, sun protection will help to prevent the aging of your skin, The sun is largely responsible for wrinkling, blotchy pig entation (Lentigines, also called “liver spots”), thinning of the skin, broken blood vessels (telangectasias), dryness, texture changes, uneven color and some sun related skin diseases that make the skin look older. Daily use of sunscreen products with at least an SPF of 15 along with protective clothing such as full-brimmed hats, long sleeved blouses and shirts, and slacks instead of shorts will greatly reduce the aging of the skin and the possibility of skin cancer. Sunglasses will also protect the eyelids from aging and will help reduce crows feet by reducing the squinting which comes from sun exposure without eye protection.
2. Avoid Smoking
Melasma has been considered to arise from pregnancy, oral contraceptives, endocrine dysfunction, genetic factors, medications, nutritional deficiency, hepatic dysfunction, and other factors. The majority of cases appear related to pregnancy or oral contraceptives. The infrequency of melasma in postmenopausal women on estrogen replacement suggests that estrogen alone is not the cause. In more recent experience, combination treatment using estrogen plus progestational agents is being used in postmenopausal women, and melasma is being observed in some of these older women who did not have melasma during their pregnancies. Sun exposure would appear to be a stimulating factor in predisposed individuals. Although a few cases within families have been describe, melasma should not be considered a heritable disorder.
3. Fitness
With age, extra weight can accumulate in areas under the chin, the neck or cheeks, giving the skin an older look. Other areas of skin such as the abdomen, thighs, buttocks and calves look older if they are carrying excess fat. A combination of balanced nutrition and exercise can greatly improve the appearance of the skin. Drinking enough water is also important. Improved muscle tone and improved circulation also help to keep that younger looking skin we would all like to maintain. Some excess fat can be removed by liposuction; however, it is much better not to accumulate that excess weight in the first place.
4. Smile!
Your face tends to conform to the position or expression that you carry most of the time. If you often frown or scowl you skin is more likely to develop lines or wrinkles between the eyes, down turning lines at the corners of the mouth, or other lines or furrows that conform to the frowning facial expression. a smiling, pleasant, relaxed expression is goof for your face and will help keep you looking younger.
5. Sleeping Positions
Sleeping on your face can cause sleep wrinkles. Sleeping in the same position most of the night for years can permanently crease your skin. With a small pillow under the lumbar (lower) spine, it is possible to sleep on your back comfortably without causing wrinkles on your face.
6. Skin Care
Consistent skin care is important in maintaining younger looking skin. In recent years, several products appear to cause an improvement in aged skin. Although Retin-A? has received a lot of publicity and does seem to improve the appearance of skin over a period of time, it can cause skin irritation, sun sensitivity, peeling, and requires a medical prescription. Alpha hydroxy acids also appear to achieve remarkable results in giving the skin a younger look and lacks most of the irritating side effects seen with prescription products.
7. Moles
As young children, most people have few, if any moles. Most moles appear as we grow older. We may look older than we are if we have numerous or unsightly moles, especially on the face. Moles can be easily removed by a skilled dermatologist or plastic surgeon. This can greatly improve the appearance of the skin and give it a younger, smoother look.
8. Blood Vessels
As we age, extra blood vessels appear on the skin. Three types of blood vessels are most common.
1. Telangectasias are blood vessel lines and blotches that occur on the face, neck, and upper chest. These are caused from sun damage, flushing or blushing, some skin diseases such as adult acne (acne rosacea) and excessive use of cortisone-type skin creams. Other activities which greatly increase the blood flow to the face such as vigorous exercise, hot spicy foods and drinks, alcohol, hottubs, etc. may aggravate this problem. It may be possible to prevent telangectasias due to flushing by using a cold damp towel on the face during vigorous exercise, during use of hot tubs or at other times when there is marked facial flushing. Sun protection with sunscreen products and a hat can also help to prevent this problem. Telangectasias are best removed with Krypton, KTP, copper vapor, continuous wave dye, or flash lamp pulsed dye lasers.
2. Cherry angiomas are small bright red, mole-like spots on the skin. These spots are easily removed with laser, electrocautery, or surgery. Getting rid of these lesions will remove one of the tell-tale signs of aging.
3. Spider and varicose veins appear on the legs with age. These are most often caused by heredity, hormones, and pregnancies. Sclerotherapy (injections) and new simple surgical techniques can easily remove most of these vessels giving the legs a younger look.
9. Brown Blotches
Brown blotches occur on the skin with age. These include freckles, liver spots (lentigines), and uneven pigmentation (melasma) which usually occurs in women because of a combination of sun exposure and estrogen type hormones either naturally or in birth control pills. The Phaze 13 Pigment Gel, or NuCelle? Mandelic Serum 10-15%, and prescription medications can both help. Laser treatment, dermabrasion (skin sanding), chemical peels, and liquid nitrogen freezing can also improve these pigmented blotches. These procedures are performed by dermatologists and plastic surgeons.
10. Other Skin Blemishes Show Your Age
Waxy scaling yellow, brown bumps (seborrheic keratoses) and fleshy tags (skin tags) occur with age and make the skin look older. Enlarged oil glands and small cysts commonly appear on the face with age. These small skin lesions are easily removed by a dermatologist using simple office surgical procedures, liquid nitrogen freezing or lasers. A clear complexion without all of these little distractions, gives a much younger look to the skin.
Pharmaskincare? products are the unique result of modern biotechnology and dermatological research combined with centuries of scientific observation. These remarkable skin care formulations are not made by companies that spend most of their time selling lipsticks and perfumes, nor are they based on trendy or “secret” ingredients. The biology of skin is too complex for an individual ingredient to solve its problems, and treating the surface is not enough. That’s why any constituent of a Pharmaskincare? product has not only a specific function, it must also interact with the other constituents in the formula. The whole must be greater than the sum of its parts.
Pharmaskincare? products have been created to treat every aspect of skin care under all kinds of conditions, ranging from natural aging processes to UV damage to environmental assaults to stress and metabolic deficiencies. In addition, the active principles have been tested and retested on all skin types at all stages of skin development from youth to maturity, from acne to menopause, from excessive oiliness to age spots.

Author: Xavier Gallery
Source: isnare.com

Winter skin care is an area where many people fail to make changes in their daily routine, causing them to become discouraged when the cold weather brings on acne breakouts, dry skin, and dark circles around their eyes. But the onset of winter doesn’t mean that you have to succumb to the side effects it can have on your skin. By making a couple of simple changes to your skin care regimen, you can maintain beautiful skin in even the harshest winters.

Start Your Day with a Hot Shower

It shouldn’t take much to talk you into a warm shower on a cold winter morning, but just in case it does, here are the benefits from your skin’s perspective. First, the water of the shower provides a deep moisturizer for the skin. Second, as your body’s temperature rises, your veins expand, which allows your blood to reach all areas of your skin. Finally, a warm shower provides the perfect opportunity to integrate your moisturizer, which is the next step on our list.

Focus on Moisturizer

There is no way around it; you have to increase your use of moisturizer in the winter months. Exposure to cold air literally robs your skin of its natural healing ability, and this leads to dryness, flaking, and cracking. You will need a three-step moisturizing process to maintain healthy skin in these conditions. First, use a gentle body soap that is designed to provide moisturizers. Follow this by applying body lotion after your shower to lock in moisture. Finally, invest in a good facial moisturizer that is free of fragrances and other unnecessary additives. Apply this immediately after anytime you wash your face.

Exfoliate Twice a Week

Because the cold climates are so hard on the skin, you will find instances of flaking skin during this time. This is your body’s natural reaction to skin cells that have died off, and it can be controlled with exfoliation. Not only does this technique wash away dead skin cells, but it also promotes the growth of new skin. While this is an excellent strategy to combat occurrences of dry skin, it must be used in moderation. Exfoliating more than twice a week can lead to skin irritation, so you need to be cautious if you notice any adverse effects.

Get Some Extra Rest

It is not always easy to make time in our hectic lives for sleep, but a little extra rest can go a long way to curing those dark eye circles and fine lines on your face. Even if you can’t afford to sleep in an extra hour everyday, you can still provide your body with additional rest by simply taking a short break in your day. Relax your tensions and close your eyes for ten or fifteen minutes during your lunch hour. It may not seem like a lot, but by giving your face muscles a break from their tension will help ward off the sings of aging.

By utilizing some of these simple steps for winter skin care, you can preserve the softness and beauty of your skin even when the weather is at its worst. Just remember to follow these steps on a regular basis. It is much easier to control skin conditions with prevention as opposed to treating them after they have occurred.

Author: Rose Smith
Source: articleage.com

Don’t you just hate it how one part of your face is oily and shiny, while another is dry and flakey? It seems almost impossible to be able to clean both zones equally. Soap just makes the dry areas drier and lotions make the oily areas even greasier. So what’s a woman to do?

The problem may lie in the facial cleansing products that you are using. While they may work well for your T-zone, the chemicals in the product may actually be removing too much of the natural oils from the rest of your face. That’s the evil of manufactured skin care products. Anyway you look at it, it’s practically impossible to buy a completely natural skin care product made from pure organic ingredients. They have to add some chemicals in order to stabilize and preserve the product for a certain shelf life.

The good news is… the solution to your problem may lie right in your own kitchen cabinets.

Homemade natural skin care products don’t contain any additional chemical ingredients that could potentially irritate or harm your skin. The only prospective problem may lie in people who are allergic to certain food ingredients. This is easily overcome by substituting the offending food or ingredient with another similar ingredient. For example, if you are allergic to strawberries you could substitute a cucumber instead.

Not only do homemade skin care products cost a lot less to make, you can easily experiment with what works best for you without breaking the bank. Let’s face it, some of the products on the market cost a small fortune! I know it frustrates me to buy a product for $20 and find out it either doesn’t work or I can’t use it because it makes me break out. It’s much easier to head off to the kitchen, mix up a small sample batch of something and give it a try.

You will find that some recipes have to be mix up just prior to use as they don’t store well, but the majority of recipes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week allowing you to mix up a small batch to save yourself some time. The following recipes are great for people with combination/oily skin that tend to break out with acne and blackheads. Why not give these a try and see how they work for you?

Facial Cleanser For Normal to Oily Skin

2 tbsp cornstarch

2 tbsp glycerin

1/2 cup distilled water

Mix the ingredients together until smooth. Pour into a jar and place the jar inside a double-boiler pot (do not use direct heat on the jar). Bring the water in the outer pot to a boil and heat the mixture until it is clear and has thickened. (If it thickens too much, add a bit more water). Remove from heat and let cool. This is a good all-over facial cleanser and should keep for 7 to 10 days.

Green Tea Skin Toner

1 teabag of green tea

1/2 cup boiling water

Let the tea bag steep for 2 to 3 minutes in the hot water. Remove the tea bag and let the water cool. Pour into an empty toner bottle or something similar with a small opening. Use with cotton pads like you would regular toner. If you wish to, you could also add a 3 or 4 drops of tea tree essential oil. Tea tree oil is a great antiseptic for pimples, while the oil helps to moisturize the skin.

Facial Scrub (Good for blackheads)

1 part baking soda

1 part water

Mix together into a paste. Gently scrub blackheads for 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse off. Use once or twice a week.

Natural Scrub For Oily Skin

1 part sea salt

1 part lemon juice

Mix into a paste and gently scrub face for 1 to 2 minutes. Rinse off. Interestingly, you would think this would be very drying to your skin, but I’ve found it actually leaves your skin feeling clean, refreshed, and soft. Use once a week to remove dead skin cells.

Deep Cleansing Mask

1/2 of a peeled, pureed cucumber

1 tbsp plain, natural yogurt

Mix ingredients together and apply to the face (avoid eye area). Let dry for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. Use once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells and refresh your skin.

As you can see, making up your own natural homemade skin care recipes can be quite simple and convenient with the right ingredients in the house. After all, if you have to run out to buy some cleanser, toner, moisturizer, etc., why not just stock up on what you need to make your own facial skin care products instead? At least you’ll know exactly what’s contained in each product. Just remember to throw away the old stuff after 7 days and make a fresh batch for the following week. Your skin will thank you for it.
Rose Smith owns Total Beauty Tips, where you can learn to rejuvenate and revitalize your skin with body skin care tips and solutions. We feature advice, products and information that will help make your total body feel smooth, soft and fabulous. Visit http://www.totalbeautytips.com.

Author: Ricardo Lubis
Source: ezinearticles.com

Adolescents are the best time to start caring for your skin healthy. Skin Care is considered the most essential thing that teenagers need to do for your skin health. Skin condition for adolescents, and appearance is influenced by hormones, genetics and lifestyle. Hormonal changes in teenagers can lead to increased production of sebum that can cause rashes. While all adolescents are some changes in your skin, there are some ways to minimize skin rash teenager. What teens need to do to take care of your skin health is keeping your skin clean, treatment of its grains, eat a healthy diet, keeping your hair clean. Cleaning the skin is the most important step in skin care in adolescence. You can use a mild cleanser or oil / cream-free soap to wash your face two or three times a day. If you have sensitive skin, it is better for you to use cleaners that contain aloe vera. For treatment of pimples, you can use a cleanser that contains benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid to control oil production. You can also go to the doctor to seek medical treatment to deal with their acne problems. Diet healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, added to drinking lots of water is also an important factor in supporting skin health. The last thing is that you must keep your hair clean and pull it away from your face because dirty hair can transport the oil to your skin. Besides the above factors, adolescents should also be careful not to do things like popping a pimple and wash your face with harsh cleansers. Popping or squeezing at pimples can spread infection, the worst of the skin and result in scarring. Do not wash your face too often with a hard soap in an attempt to control acne, since sebum is pulled from the skin which can make it dry more. You should not worry too much about their crops, because most people experienced it.

Ricardo Lubis
Pure Handmade Soap