Women Skin Care & Beauty Blog

Exfoliating Faces by stevehicks

One of the best methods used to keep the skin radiant and healthy is through regular exfoliation. This is the process used to remove the dead cells and dirt on your skin. This can be done more often according to the kind of exfoliate used, the skin type and the general skin health of a person. Exfoliating is a skin treatment done to slough off dead skin using a sponge or brush. This process is commonly used in the face to remove the dead cells and oil that cause the pores to get clogged leading to the development of common skin problems such as pimples, whiteheads, blackheads and acne. Dead cells when left unattended would create a problem in the sebaceous gland making your skin look patchy and dull.

Facial Exfoliation

Exfoliation will encourage the growth of new skin cells, making your skin feel smoother and look brighter. This will also speed up the skin flaking, shedding and improve your skin complexion. The process is done by first washing your entire face with a mild cleanser to remove residue of make-up and any impurities present in your skin. Wet the surface of your skin and apply an exfoliating cleanser which is designed only for the face or put a small amount in a brush or sponge. Scrub your face in a circular motion and avoid the area surrounding your eyes as this part of the skin is very sensitive to abrasive products. Rinse your face carefully with lukewarm water and pat dry completely with a clean towel.  Apply an exfoliating mask to make your skin brighter and healthier. Finally, apply a nourishing cream and moisturizer to your skin.

Exfoliating Products

Regular scrubs can be used to treat your skin but the result will not be the same as an exfoliator does. The natural fruit based products and the ones containing oatmeal, kernels, apricot seeds and almond meal can be used as an excellent peel. Exfoliating scrub will help increase blood circulation leaving your skin smooth and youthful without irritation.

Nonabrasive and gel-based products are the most effective exfoliating peels which will moisturize the skin. This is also an excellent treatment for acne because it does not contain abrasive ingredients and irritating granules that can damage your skin. Exfoliating astringents will help control excess oil in the face and this is appropriate to all skin types including acne-prone skins.

Exfoliating mask is also designed to get rid of dead skin cells of the face. They can help refresh your skin with the growth of new cells in the skin. If you want to make a homemade exfoliator, you can combine oatmeal and water into a paste. Regular sea salt can also be use while showering and would provide better results. However, if you already have a dry skin, it is advisable to use a moisturizer after.  Sugar is one of the best natural exfoliator used by many people. You can mix two teaspoons of honey and sugar for a daily exfoliation. Add a little oil to the mixture if necessary.

Most women were able to preserve their youthful looks even if the age is more than 40. Surprisingly not all of them had gone to surgeons. As not all people can afford the expenses that it would cost. Each woman have their beauty secrets they used to keep ourselves looking young and feeling good about it.

Secrets for a younger looking skin

If money doesn’t matter for you, try the following beauty secrets as the celebrities do to have a younger looking skin. Injectable fillers are used to treat forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet and deep smile lines, hyaluronic-acid fillers like Juvederm and Restylane A professional should perform the procedure. It cost $600-$1000 per needle and results will last up to six months.

Botox has been used by most celebrities and it remains the gold standard for wrinkles and crow’s lines treatment. It works by paralyzing the muscles underneath the wrinkles. It becomes so obvious if used too mush. Procedure cost $300-$500 per area treated. Result lasts three to six months.

Laser skin resurfacing is used to increase the collagen production in our body. Given the fact that as we go older, the production of the collagen decreases making our face to be gaunter and appear thinner. Laser fraxel is the currently used to treat skin damage. The laser produces some microscopic teardrops that penetrates deep into your skin and generate the body to naturally produce a great number of collagen while on the healing process. Treatment cost $1000 per session. You needed three to five sessions a month.

Chemical peels are the producer used to remove damaged skin cells on the outer layer of the skin. A mild glycolic and chemical peel cost $150-$300 but the same results can be achieved using over the counter peels. Buy whichever you think is more effective for your skin

Simple ways for younger looks

These are a few of the tips and secrets that is somehow too heavy for your budget however there are also more simple and easy way to maintain a fresh and youthful appearance. Moisturizers when use regularly will make the skin appear younger by retaining the moisture of the skin which in turn increases circulation and plumps up fine lines. The right moisturizer could make your skin feel comfortable and soft. Keep out of the sun. Too much exposure to the heat of the sun can cause not only skin damage but leads to premature aging as well. Drink a lot water. Water helps naturally moisturize our body. Don’t leave home without a little make up but don’t use too much as it will make you look old. Try luminizing product, as concealers and foundation to blur fine lines and imperfections. Make sure your hair looks young. The hair adds beauty to your looks. Take care of your neck. Losing the elasticity of the neck add years to your appearance. Always keep a smile with your pearly white teeth. Make an appointment to your dentist to maintain nice and healthy teeth.

Whether a woman approaches 30 or nearly 90, everyone wants to find a way to look young. There has never been secret miracle to stop aging but these simple steps could make yourself better than you used to be.

As medical science advances rapidly it also adapts the best that other sciences have to offer. If you want an example, look no further than cryotherapy, using a cryogenic chamber. You may or may not have heard much about this novel form of medical treatment, but the fact is that it is rapidly gaining popularity due to the health benefits it has to offer.

In this therapy, a patient is placed in a cryogenic chamber for a short period of time, which can be enough to relieve pain at the nerve-level, without actually killing tissue due to the extreme cold. During the procedure, you are given socks, gloves and ear muffs to protect you from frost bite, but you wear nothing but a bathing suit other than that.

Since the chamber is cooled to a temperature of -120 degrees centigrade, you need this protection for survival, even if this is for just three minutes (the optimal time for this therapy).

The benefits of entering the chamber, start with a rapid drop in the temperature of the skin. Usually the temperature of the skin is 12 degrees centigrade on an average while the coldest areas may reach 5 degrees. This results in the release of endorphins, which are hormones which relieve pain fast. This is why the single biggest benefit of a cryogenic chamber is immediate pain relief.

When parts of your body are sore, you apply an ice pack, because the sudden cooling creates a numbing sensation which overrides the pain. Entering the chamber can also work in the same way. If there is a nerve in your body which is causing a lot of pain, it can be desensitized by the effect of the cryogenic chamber. This is why many athletes and pro sportspersons use cryogenic chamber therapy in the process of recovering from injuries or recuperating after a hard season.

This can help in various conditions such as muscle and joint pain due to excess wear and tear and activity, fibromyalgia and psoriasis. The release of endorphins has a long lasting beneficial effect on the body and even inflammations have been seen to reduce quickly.

On the other hand, people suffering from age related problems such as rheumatism or chronic joint pains, can also benefit from spending time in a cryogenic chamber. They are reported to feel reinvigorated and more mobile after therapy in a cryo chamber.

Destruction of cells which may lead to cancer is also a possibility, because the cell cytosol crystallizes at such low temperatures. However, that is usually done by local cryotherapy and not in a cryogenic chamber.  Yes, there are various forms of this cryogenic treatment, other than the chamber.

You should note that despite the evident benefits of cryogenic chamber therapy, there are a lot of question marks and risks surrounding this unique treatment method. Hypothermia is a distinct possibility and so is the loss of motor skills due to nerve-numbness. So, if you plan to go in for this therapy, make sure to take the best available medical advice beforehand.

Exfoliating dull skin can result in wonders beyond your imagination. Yes, this is not an exaggeration and you will know this if you have ever used a body scrub for exfoliating your skin. But selecting the right scrubs may be quite a headache for you. How will it react with your skin? Will it cause any allergies or eruptions? Which scrub is the best available? If these questions are bothering you a lot, you surely need to read on.

There are a lot of considerations before choosing a body scrub and frankly, what suits hundreds of others may not suit you. For example a salt scrub is harmful for sensitive skin and so, if you have this type of skin, you have to more careful and choosy than a person with normal skin. The key is to know your skin type and allergies, if any. Only then can you use a scrub without worries. Of course your preferences and budget also play a role in the selection process, albeit a minor one.

So, with that sorted out, lets have a look at how you can choose a body scrub.

1. The most important ingredient of a body scrub is the granules in it. These are what help in the actual process of exfoliation. So, you can make your selection based on the type of granules you are looking for. The size of granules in scrubs can vary from fine particles to large grains. Needless to say, the larger grains provide a thorough scrubbing whereas the smaller granules aid a mild exfoliation.

The common substances which supply these granules are sea salts, oatmeal, strawberries, white sugar, pumice and coffee beans. Synthetic granules are also found in some scrubs these days. Generally fine granules with blunt edges are the best bets, because they cannot harm your skin in any way, even if you scrub too hard. Coarser granules can be better for areas of your body where the skin is thicker, such as the knees and joints.

2. Your skin type should also influence your choice of scrub. For example, if you have dry skin, go for a scrub that has a moisturizing cream as its base. Even ingredients such as chocolate, honey and almond oil can help improve your dry skin.

If you have oily skin, avoid scrubs with oils as important ingredients. Instead go for scrubs with oatmeal, papaya or lemon for best results.

By now you may have got a fair idea about what to consider before choosing a scrub. So, keep that in mind when you go out to buy a scrub the next time.

Oily skin is perhaps the most detested skin type. This is because oily skin is very vulnerable to pimples, acnes, blackheads and rashes. When you try applying cosmetic products to make them disappear, they rarely work. When you try using creams to conceal ugly marks left behind by acne, you end up inviting more of them. Oily skin can be matter of genetics. You cannot alter your genes, but you sure can alter your daily skin-care routine. Let me enlighten you with some tips which can help you take care of your oily skin and any problems you may be having.

Before applying any cream or following any beauty-care routine you should try to keep your mind stress-free. No matter what you use on your skin, if you have a stressed mind, acne and pimples will keep sprouting. Studies associate acne breakouts with stress. So de-stress before you beautify!

Any skin care routine should be adhered to religiously. So, cleansing, toning and moisturizing your skin should be done everyday. Cleansing should ideally be done twice a day. Make sure that your make-up is rubbed off by a cleanser before you hit the bed. Cleansing limits the amount of bacteria in your skin and helps open pores. Soaps should never be used on your face, as it dries your skin. Always use cleansers.

This is because cleansers comprise of three things primarily- oil, water and surfactant. The oil in the cleanser helps to dissolve the oil on the surface of your face. The surfactant dissolves other external elements such as make-up and dirt particles. The water helps wash away all that remains to be cleaned.

Toning is what follows cleansing. Toners make the pores on our face contract. This reduces their sizes and also diminishes their chances of releasing oil. Toners also have a cooling effect on the skin which feels really refreshing. They come in different forms like clarifiers, astringents and fresheners. You are advised to start off with fresheners and then switch over to astringents, in case you are not used to cosmetics.

The final step is moisturizing. Remember, whether your skin is dry or oily, moisturizing it is imperative. Your skin needs water, else it will start crumbling. Moisturizing strengthens skin. Choose one with humectants that tend to attract more moisture to your skin. Try to apply a light moisturizer as that would ensure less oil on your face. You can also store the moisturizer in a fridge during summers, so that when you apply it, you experience a cool, refreshing feeling.

Apart from following these steps, remember to cleanse your face with a gentle scrub. This exfoliates your skin and removes dead cells. Oatmeal scrubs are generally mild and hence more preferable. Exfoliate your skin after cleansing and before toning, just once every week, because doing it too often might roughen your skin.

You also need to protect your oily skin from harmful UV rays, since they react with the oil in the skin to worsen its quality. A sunscreen lotion can protect you from these rays. Remember to follow these basic rules, drink adequate water and I am sure pimples and acnes will be a thing of the past!

Dry and itchy skin is a problem that plagues many people. It is generally the most intolerable during winters, when your body is less hydrated. But a lot of people have a skin type that is inherently dry. The skin tends to maintain the same impoverished, dry look throughout the year. If you have dry skin genetically or for any other reason, then this article is definitely for you.

Heat absorbs moisture from your body as well as your skin. Hence your skin loses water and turns dry. This is a common problem that everyone faces. However, there are a few simple tips that can refurbish your skin and add that extra glow to it. Follow them and you will thank me one day!

When you bathe your skin, ensure that the water is not steaming hot. Even if the weather is chilly, you should abstain from using hot water. Lukewarm water is fine, but the temperature should be a bare minimum, else hot water can rob your skin off moisture.  Hot tubs or steam baths are a strict no-no.  After you have finished bathing in cold or lukewarm water, do not dry your skin with a towel. Instead let it dry naturally. This will allow the skin to absorb the water particles sticking to it.

Once your skin dries up a bit (not completely though), apply a good moisturizer on the damp skin. Use oil to lubricate your body instead of lotions since the latter is stickier. Itchiness is also reduced by using oil. If you want to keep your cuticles soft and supple, massage your skin with olive oil. If possible, try to exfoliate your skin before using moisturizer, because it accentuates its effect. However do not exfoliate your face with anything you lay your hands on. You should ideally use a mild scrub that is gentle on your face. The scrub exfoliates and scrapes off dead cells from the skin so that the moisturizer can act on a clean skin and not a flaky one.

Now, have you ever wondered why people in deserts have such a dry, gaunt skin? The reason is that moisture in the atmosphere is good for your skin and desert air is generally dry. If you live in areas which are not humid, or stay in an artificially heated room, please keep a humidifier with you.

Another big deterrent to your skin getting moisture is your daily soap. Try using a creamy moisturizing cleanser that contains glycerin or petroleum. Also avoid anti-bacterial soaps, especially the ones used in public washrooms! They have a harsh effect on your skin.

You should not ignore your lips either. Do not lick your lips (or for that matter anyone else’s!) if they are dry and are wearing out. This does not hydrate them. Apply a nice lip balm to moisturize them instead.

Let me now bust a very old myth. Have you been previously advised to drink excess water to hydrate your skin? If you have been, ignore the advice. Excess water will just bloat you up, without helping your skin in any way. But, yes, adequate water is essential for healthy skin. If you follow these useful tips on a daily basis, you will surely get radiant and beautiful skin which will fetch you many an envious glance!

One of the first signs of aging is the way your skin changes. This change may be in the form of loss of softness, smoothness and firmness. These losses can be hard to take for you, and it’s natural if you are looking everywhere for a solution. While aging is a natural process and age shows on your face too, you may use creams to make the changes less prominent. These creams can also delay the deterioration of your skin due to aging. So, without delay let’s find out how to choose anti-aging creams.

The thing is that contrary to what advertisers say, not all anti-aging creams work. They are also not made equal and can contain a whole host of different substances which have supposed ‘anti-aging’ properties. So, your choice should definitely be based on the ingredients in a particular brand of cream.

Depending on what they are composed of, creams can:

• Reduce wrinkles and fine lines
• Make skin softer and youthful to a certain extent
• Give you mental satisfaction and lessen your worries to a great extent!

Here are some of the better anti-aging creams available these days:

• Creams with cooper peptides. Your skin cells have a natural copper content and these creams can complement what skin cells start losing due to aging. Peptides are proteins which also help in repairing ailing skin cells and increasing the formation of collagen.
• Creams with retinol. Retinol is basically vitamin A1 and is synthesized biologically from carotene. Its action as an anti-aging substance is due to its antioxidant properties. This means that retinol helps your skin get rid of free radicals which expedite aging.
• Creams with alphahydroxy acids. These acids are instrumental in removing dead cells which give aging skin a dull look. They can also help new skin cells grow faster.
• Creams with kinetin. Kinetin is a natural element which helps the growth of plant life. Research has shown that kinetin can also reduce wrinkles and eliminate blemishes on your skin which show up due to aging. It is also helpful for the formation of collagen.
• Creams with coenzyme Q-10. This substance has an influence on cellular behavior and life. It can help reduce fine lines and also prevent skin damage due to sunburns.

These are just some of the best anti-aging solutions and if you trawl the market and the Web you can surely find even more creams to solve your aging worries!

Do you pamper your skin regularly? If not, you need to start doing so immediately. Simply following a basic skincare regime is not enough. Cleansing, toning and moisturizing everyday is not sufficient to remove finer dirt particles from your skin. You need to occasionally pamper your skin in order to rejuvenate and beautify it. And can feel really energizing too! Using face masks is one of the best ways in which you can pamper your skin.

Masks accentuate the effect of cleansing, toning and moisturizing. Face masks are generally a part of all facial treatments given in salons and spas. However you can create your own recipes for masks with the aid of some natural products. They are easy to prepare and usually do not have adverse effects on your skin. This is because masks made up of herbal ingredients and devoid of synthetic chemicals cannot trigger any skin problems usually.

Good skin is common, but if you want to stand out from the crowd, you need to have superior skin. Face masks can help you get just that. Here are some of the most popular facial mask recipes which you surely need to try:

Nourish mask: avocado-banana mask

Ingredients

• Half an avocado
• Half a banana
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp of unflavored full-fat yogurt.

How to prepare and use?

Mash all the ingredients together and mix well. Apply the concoction on your face and neck. Keep it for 20 min and then rinse it with lukewarm water.

Exfoliate mask: lemon-tomato mask

Ingredients

• 1 tsp of instant oatmeal
• 1 over-ripe tomato
• 1 tsp of lemon juice

How to prepare and use?

Put all ingredients into a blender. Once you obtain the mixture, apply it on your face and neck. Keep it on for 20 minutes, and then wash it off with water.

Tighten mask: peach mask

Ingredients

• 1 ripe peach
• 1 tsp unflavored full-fat yogurt
• 1 egg white

How to prepare and use?

Peel the peach and put it in a container. Add the other ingredients to it and crush them together. Apply this mixture on your face. Keep it on for 30 min and then wash it off with cool water.

Smooth mask: almond-honey mask

Ingredients

• ½ tsp almond oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp yogurt
• 1 egg yolk

How to prepare and use?

Mix all the ingredients together well. Apply this mixture on your face gently. Keep it for 30 min before you wash it off with water.

If you have an oily or sensitive skin, you could also prepare a home-made clay face mask. Ingredients to be used are:

• ½ tsp kaolin clay
• 1 ½ tsp green clay
• 1 tbsp rosewater
• 1 ½ tbsp aloe vera gel
• 2 drops of rose essential oil

Mix the kaolin and green clay. Add rosewater, oil and aloe vera to the mixture. Refrigerate and use the solution for up to 4 weeks. This is a very effective mask for your skin and a must-try!

Now that you know about these great facial mask recipes, make them an integral part of your skin-care regime. The difference will be there for all to see!

If you have sensitive skin, you need to take very good care of it to keep it healthy. You need to monitor not only what cosmetics or face-wash you apply, but also regulate the food you eat and what you drink. Different climates may also adversely impact your skin, as can water replete with iron. Sun rays may also have a telling impact if your skin is sensitive. You can try following the tips that I enlist below because they are the best ones for people with sensitive skin.

First and foremost, do not buy random beauty products available in the market, even they promise a lot. The reason is that your skin may be allergic to certain brands. The ingredients at the back of the product are also non-conclusive, so if you use them and start developing rashes on your skin, throw them immediately. For example, if you have a combinational skin, a normal to oily cleanser will not serve any purpose. It may in fact compound the problem, since you do not know where and when your skin turns oily. Therefore, you may have to do a bit of trial and error, before settling on a range of products which suit you.

You should also exercise restraint while eating. Fresh fruits and vegetables must be a part of your daily diet. That does not however mean that all fruits and vegetables should be consumed. Make sure that the moment you find any fruit or vegetable affecting your skin adversely, you discontinue it. Aerated drinks, alcohol, cigarettes and drugs should not even cross your mind. They can ruin your skin. Oily and deep-fried foods are best avoided. Make sure that you have a healthy diet and couple it with an exercise regime that is not too strenuous. This would ensure that your metabolism remains normal, since irregular metabolism can also damage your skin.

The environment surrounding you can also impact sensitive skin. Presence of moisture in the right amounts, instead of an arid or humid environment can help a lot. Polluted air can also hasten the degeneration of your sensitive skin.

Even the water that you drink or for that matter apply on your face should not be coarse and full of iron particles. It can very easily induce rashes, blotch marks and pimples on your skin.

I would suggest you stick firmly to herbal products only. Not that they guarantee you complete safety, but they are better than conventional cosmetics. For cleansing your face you can try almond and jojoba oil. For a toner you could use a solution of comfrey and water. Grapefruit mixed with oatmeal would make a wonderful scrub for exfoliation of dead cells from your skin. Cucumber and yogurt are excellent ingredients for a face mask. Licorice, green tea and aloe vera would not disturb your skin either.

Perhaps the most important sensitive skin care tip is to protect it in every possible way. I have an aunt who has an extremely sensitive skin. So sensitive, that she cannot stand even sunlight. My uncle has to ferry her in a car that has sunlight-protecting panes to ward the harmful rays from her. This is the kind of effort you may have to put in!

The quality of your skin is a very important facet of your appearance. Whether you want to display a great beach body or make your partner fall in love with you all over again, great skin can help you a lot! But for that great skin all over, you need a good body lotion. It can give your skin the nourishment and moisture it requires after a hard days work and exposure to polluted air. A good body lotion can also serve specific purposes such as reduction of aging signs or hair growth on arms and legs. But the big question is: how to choose a body lotion?

If you are pondering over probable answers then you are definitely not alone. Thousands of others have the same question and are looking desperately for apt solutions. However, to make your job easier, here are some tips:

• Understand your skin type first. Dry skin calls for a lotion with extra moisturizers while oily skins need a lighter lotion which lets your skin breathe. A wrong choice of body lotion may be disastrous for your skin.
• If you have special needs, just another body lotion will not do. For example if you are looking to reduce the signs of aging on your skin, buy a lotion which has antioxidant properties. It may be more expensive than an ordinary body lotion, but serves your purpose nonetheless.
• If you have sensitive skin, consult your dermatologist before buying a body lotion. You may think that baby lotions will be fine, but they may also harm your skin if you have sensitive skin. So, getting medical advice is your best bet.
• Sample testing is always a smart move. Most beauty shops will allow you to check samples for allergies and reactions. If samples are not available, buy a small bottle instead to know whether the lotion suits you at all.
• Some lotions have a really strong aroma. It may be a turn off for people around you particularly if it clashes with your perfume to create a weird smell. Remember that the main purpose of a body lotion is to nourish your skin and not spread unique fragrances!
• Don’t think that the cheapest is the worst and the best ones are exclusive and expensive. This is wrong notion and bargain hunting, with an eye on the ingredients, can help you land a great product.

A good body lotion will help you get that skin of your dreams, so start looking now!