Skincare

Holistic Skincare – Discover The Incredible Benefits of Genuine Holistic Skincare

When it comes to holistic skincare, there are many companies vying for your attention but the truth is most of them are not holistic as they contain many harmful chemicals. Here’s how to find the true gems that can really change the way you think about skincare.

If you just spend a minute and look at your current skincare labels you will surely find mineral oil (paraffin wax, petrolatum), parabens (methyl, propyl) and fragrances which could be any number of thousands of chemicals are present, and also dioxane, known to the state of California to cause cancer.

These are not only in holistic Read more…

Acne problem and Exercise

Moderate exercise is actually good for your skin. It helps you maintain a healthy body and manage your stress levels, too. If you find your acne problem is aggravated by regular exercise, then you may want to examine your routine. What do you wear? Where do you go? How hard do you work? Exercise-related acne problem is usually caused by something you put on your body rather something you do with it. Remove these outside factors, and you may put an end to your workout breakouts. Here are just a few things to watch for.

Acne & Exercise – Make-up. When exercising, wear as little make-up as possible. Even oil-free and non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) cosmetics can clog pores if worn during heavy exercise. When you’re done working out, wash as soon as possible. Read more…

How To Prevent Eczema From Bacterial Infections

Eczema symptoms are characterised by inflammed, red and blotchy skin. If you have eczema, it is likely that you will want to scratch youself in the affected parts due to the intense itch. There is also no cure for eczema.

Eczema is not contagious or infectious. What can worsen eczema is the possibility of getting a secondary infection from bacteria. Dry skin can cause eczema symptoms to become worse and increased permeability of the skin means that it is easy for it to be invaded by a viral or bacterial infection. Itching and scratching yourself also increased the chances of you getting a bacterial infection.

Herpes simplex, viral molluscum, and warts are a few of the secondary infections that eczema sufferers may get, as well as bacterial infections like staphylococcal and streptococcal infections. There are other skin problems that can develop from eczema worsening, including crusting or scaling of the skin, cheilitis (inflammation around the lip area), papules (small, raised, rough bumps on the skin), and darkened eyelids.

Keeping your skin moisturized is one of the easiest ways to prevent skin infections from eczema. This is to stop yourself from scratching your scaly skin. Some gentle moisturizers that I recommend are Lubriderm, Moisturel, Aquaphor, Alpha Keri, Eucerin, Curel, or even Vaseline at least two to three times. Check with your health practitioner to see what he or she recommends as well.

It is important that you do not allow your skin to become dry or to the point of feeling dry and scaly. If that happens, moisturise more times than what you are currently doing. It is also important to hydrate yourself inside by drinking six to eight glasses of water a day. This helps to guard against infections by flushing out your organs.

If you have broken or cracked skin, then you have an open door for bacteria to come into your body through your skin. The way to prevent this is to try to keep from scratching. You may need to use extra moisturizer or hydrocortisone cream to assist control the itching.

Cutting your fingernails to a short length will also help, because you this will prevent you from causing much damage. If you find that you scratch at night while you sleep, then you may want to find a pair of thin gloves and wear them while you sleep so that you cannot damage your skin.

If, despite all your efforts, you still have cracks or breaks in your skin, then you need to apply an antibiotic cream to the area and bandage it until it starts medical.

There are other ways to assist prevent eczema related infections, too. An air purification system in your home or office can filter out many of the allergens that can cause a flare-up of your eczema. A humidifier can add moisture to the air and keep your skin moist, too.

Adding fatty fish, like sardines and salmon, can also assist, as well as adding flax seed in powder or oil form. These foods have omega-3 acids in them, which assist remove swelling in the skin. Avoid hydrogenated oils as much as possible because they can cause a flare-up of your eczema

Learning more about your eczema will help you to learn to live with it and help prevent infections.

About the Author
Evelyn Lim tests and rates natural eczema treatment methods and products through her online journal. To read on her quest to find an eczema treatment, click here http://www.eczemaskintreatment.com .

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How To Prevent Eczema From Bacterial Infections

Natural healing

Natural Healing… for superb skin
Natural Lifestyle © Natural Lifestyle September 2005 in connection with Natural Health Week
The skin is a most amazing organ – in fact the largest organ in the human body… and it never stays the same. The average adult has 21 square feet of skin (2 sq m) which weighs 7lbs (3.2kg) and has approximately 300 million skin cells. On average, each half inch square of skin contains 10 hairs, 15 sebaceous (oil) glands, 100 seat glands and a metre of tiny blood vessels. The top layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, dies and is shed in a process which takes 52 to 75 days – so there is constant chance for renewal.

Do you…
? Have very greasy skin?
? Have severe red spots and bumps?
? Have yellow pus-filled spots?
…then see below
? You might have acne, which is caused by a sebaceous gland sensitivity to the hormone testosterone, causing the glands to pump out an excess of oil. At the same time, dead skin cells lining hair follicles are not shed properly and clog up the follicles causing a build up of oil. This is a great environment for the acne bacteria, P.acnes to thrive, causing infection.
? Whether diet plays a role in making this worse is controversial. Naturopathic practitioners recommend cutting out tea, coffee, alcohol and chocolate, as well as eating a very ‘pure’ organic diet. More conventional practitioners say there is no link.
? Tea Tree oil is a favourite. It’s naturally antibacterial, so can help to keep infection at bay.
? The ayuvedic remedy guggul Commiphora mukul has been very effect in the management of acne at 500mg daily*.
Other items of interest
It’s Natural Health Week
Natural Lifestyle Magazine
Specialist creams & gels from GoodnessDirect
? Common herbal remedies include red clover and agnus castus.
? Ask a nutritionist about vitamin A supplementation, and make sure you get advice that is specific to you because intakes need to be supervised.
Do you…
? Have dry, itchy patches of skin – especially on the elbows, the backs of the knees and the neck (the ‘flexural’ areas)?
? Have a tendency to allergies in general?
…then see below
? You might have eczema. Many ‘external’ factors can make eczema worse, including heat, dust and contact with irritants such as soap or detergents. Being unwell can also make eczema flare, as there is an immune system element. Stress could also make it worse.
? The most important thing that you can do is to keep the skin moisturised. Use aromatherapy based oils – for example calendula oil, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Emu oil is incredibly soothing.
? Food sensitivities can play a part in highly sensitive individuals. Look out for food additives, histamine, salicylates, benzoates, and other compounds (such as aromatic compounds) found in fruits, vegetables and spices. Get it properly checked, as these are good sources of immune-strengthening antioxidents. Add a supplement of evening primrose oil and fish oil to your diet. Cutting out caffeine has helped some people.
? Herbs with anti-inflammatory preparations are often recommended; calendula, chickweed, chamomile and licorice.
Do you…
? Have dull, lifeless looking skin?
? Have tired, dry eyes?
? Have dry skin, which lacks tone?
… then see below
? You need a simple skincare routine!
? There really is a lot to be said for a good cleanser and toner, designed to take away the grease and grime of the day ahead. Look for ones which include natural astringents such as witch hazel. This will gently tighten the skin without drying it out (like soap does).
? Moisturise every day. If you have very sensitive skin, use one based on sea minerals, which are naturally healing, and great for people with problem skin.
? Use a facial scrub every other day – especially in areas where you’re getting blackheads. Everyone gets them, but only some people clear up the clogged pores. Being diligent in doing this will give you healthy, glowing skin.
? Treat yourself to a stress-busting, a nourishing, or a deep cleansing face pack every week.
* Please be diligent and check with your GP to discuss a treatment plan before taking any supplements or remedies.

Men’s Skincare Products For The Four Different Types Of Skin

There are different ranges of men’s skincare products and each range has products that are suited to particular skin types. Not everyone’s skin is the same our skin is unique to each one of us. However, men’s skin, just like women’s skin can be broadly classified into types.

Whatever your skincare product you should make sure that you are choosing the one that is best for your skin. There are four main skin types, normal, dry, oily, and combination.

*Normal skin is usually smooth and its pores will be small and virtually invisible. If you have this type of skin then consider yourself lucky because you will usually be able to get away with the most minimal of skin care. Occasionally climate changes may affect your skin and you could find yourself with rough patches. Even normal skin needs protecting from the sun’s harmful rays so at the very least you should use a moisturizer with a UV screen in it.

*Dry skin may need extra care. It is particularly prone to soreness when exposed to the wind and cold weather and therefore should be well moisturized at all times. If you have dry skin then you need to take special care when shaving. There are men’s skincare products that are specially designed to eliminate the extra dryness and soreness that results from having to shave. Skin balms are good for this. Dry skin can be flaky and have a dull appearance, in extreme cases it may become chapped and cracked and for this you need a cream that is especially designed to help with it. You should moisturize morning and evening – it also helps to drink more water.

*People with oily skin are often plagued by blackheads and spots because this skin type tends to attract the dirt. Oily skin also tends to have bigger pores. If you have oily skin then your face will feel oily and look shiny. You need men’s skincare products that are specially formulated for oily skin.

*Combination skins are just what they say they are, a combination of dry and oily skin. There are products that are made to suit this skin type. Normally the oily part tends to be in the middle of the face and across the nose while the cheeks may feel dry.

Taking care of your skin is the same procedure for all men. Most men need to shave at least once a day or every two days. After shaving and washing the face you should moisturize it. Use a moisturizer that has a sun screen built into it – the most favored is SP15. At least once a week you should exfoliate – this gets rid of all the excess dry skin and stimulates the blood flow. Most ranges of men’s skincare products will contain exfoliants.

If you follow the above routine and make sure that you are using men’s skincare products that are specially formulated for your skin type then you should not have too much trouble.

Summary:

Men’s skincare products are usually formulated to suit specific skin types. The main types are normal, dry, oily and combination skins. Use the right products for your skin type and stick to a regular skin care routine if you want to get the best from the products.

About the Author
Brooke Hayles
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Men’s Skincare Products For The Four Different Types Of Skin

Toxic Skincare – The Beautiful But Poisoned Chalice

Our skin is highly absorbent, and provides a pathway into our bloodstream for many of the ingredients in our skin care and makeup. Women on average absorb more than 14kg of the ingredients in face and body care products alone over 60 years – that is not counting those we absorb from cosmetics. Yet most of us use skin care that is filled with chemicals that can accumulate in our bodies, and may, over time, provide harmful.

For example, one common ingredient in skincare is parabens. Parabens can have an effect similar to estrogen, and may lead to an increased risk of breast cancer. A study conducted by researchers in Britain found that there were traces of parabens in the tissue of women who had breast cancer. Whilst they are not suggesting that the parabens caused these women’s cancer, they pointed out that this is the first study that shows that these chemicals do accumulate in our bodies. So even though we may only be absorbing a small amount each day, that can build up to a more significant amount over time.

Some ingredients have very concerning chemical relatives. For example, talcum powder is in the same group of minerals as asbestos, and there is a 300 to 400% increased risk of developing ovarian cancer when it is used regularly. The common emulsifiers used to thicken and bind products are known to be irritating to the skin, yet they are used in nearly every skin care product to prevent it from separating. These emulsifiers include monostearate, and stearic acid. Another one, triethanolamine, can cause allergies on contact with the skin, and in some people causes eczema. Other emulsifiers such as the ethoxylate group (abbreviated usually to something like PEG-20-stearate – or PEG-something else), have an interesting association with World War 1. Then, a by-product of it was used as part of chemical warfare.

Interestingly, although skin is so highly absorbent, there are products which are banned in food use still used in skin care and makeup. These include certain artificial colors, such as FDC Red 4, FDC Red 1, and Food Red 1. They were banned from use in food because they are known to cause urinary bladder polyps and wasting of the adrenal glands, yet they are allowed to become part of the 14kg of chemicals women will absorb over 60 years into their bloodstream.

If we begin to look closer at the ingredients in our skincare and make-up, this disturbing theme of toxicity comes up again and again. Whilst these chemicals are present in only very small amounts, the potential for them to build up is real.

It’s no wonder so many women are opting for organic skincare.

About the Author
Learn more about natural skincare with aromatherapy here, including recipes. Rebecca presents health and natural beauty articles here.

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Toxic Skincare – The Beautiful But Poisoned Chalice