Herbal and Organic Skin Care Top Alternative

As consumers grow weary and suspicious of excessive chemical ingredients in their modern beauty products, herbal constituents and organic skincare continue to be a top alternative.

Current scientific studies have shown natural ingredients like Chamomile to contain healing and anti-inflammatory properties when applied topically, rendering old chemical formulations unnecessary. Indeed, analysis of many common herbs reveal that they too are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, enzymes and proteins as well as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-septic properties.

As a result of this rediscovered wealth of herbal healing, spas and skin care salons now focus on using more naturally derived skin care products. Natural products also tend to be safer and less toxic to our bodies as well as the environment.

The best organic skin care products contain carefully designed blends of healing herbs that use the actual plant constituents thus preserving their unrefined and natural characteristics.

Some examples of natural skin care ingredients include jojoba, safflower oil, rose hip seed oil, shea butter, beeswax, witch hazel, aloe vera, tea tree oil, and chamomile. Many of these natural ingredient combinations can be tailored specifically to the individual’s skin type or skin condition.

Natural skin care goes beyond the application of products on one’s skin. It also pertains to a holistic philosophy surrounding the care of one’s body. This includes the belief that what is ingested will affect all aspects of health, including the health of skin. People who use natural skin care products are less concerned with artificial beauty enhancements, as they feel that natural beauty is healthy beauty.

In modern skincare products, formaldehyde and parabens are commonly used preservatives and can provoke allergic reactions. Although the preservatives are needed to maintain product shelf life and only minute amounts are present in any given product, many products contain these same chemicals, including skin care products, makeup, medications, antiperspirants, toothpaste, and foods.

A note for those prone to allergic reactions

If you suffer from sensitive, allergic skin or severe dry skin, you may be among those who will have a problem or reaction to these chemical-laden products.

Vice President Noushin Adhami, stated, “Vivoderm would like all natural skincare consumers to understand - just because a product is labeled “natural,” does not make it any less potent or prone to cause an allergic reaction. Of course chemical substances have a greater chance of causing an allergy or toxic reactions, but you should always be aware of the products you are using and potential reactions you may have.”

The FDA recommends understanding the ingredient label and says, “There is no list of ingredients that can be guaranteed not to cause allergic reactions, so consumers who are prone to allergies should pay careful attention to what they use on their skin.”

It is your role as an informed consumer to carefully read the labels for all products that come into contact with your skin, whether internally or externally. Assure that they don’t contain the listed ingredients that you must avoid. Your skin barrier does a lot to protect you naturally, repay the favor and feed it nourishing chemical-free products whenever you can.

Best Organic Natural Skincare Tips

Treating your skin with pure natural skin care products is not just a new fad or a trend, but a true and effective response to a world overloaded with chemicals, toxins, and pollution. There is  only so much a body can do to purge itself from the unhealthy balance we have all been guilty of contributing to. Natural skincare products have been uniquely designed to restore the skin as well as protect the skin and also make it feel smooth, moist and fantastic. The skin is the body’s largest organ and is the first line of defense against toxins and other harmful substances. It is responsible for fighting infections, keeps your temperature regulated as well as fights off dehydration. Why treat it like a chemical garbage dump?

Using natural skin care products is one of the most popular and easy ways to maintain your healthy glow. Some may prefer surgical procedures to augment the natural look of their skin, but in the end using natural skincare is the most effective form of preventative and anti aging skin care regimes. This is because it is easily affordable and there are no ethical issues to consider that many face when considering plastic or augmentative surgery such as Botox injections or face lifts.

Many people are looking for instant solutions to their skin care issues or want to physically augment their appearance because of a sense of dissatisfaction with their appearance. Most physicians will prefer to prescribe natural skincare solutions and offer a variety of choices in terms of how to moderately treat your skincare issue before suggesting you go in for radical and invasive surgeries. Get proper professional advise before you head off to seek a surgical, “instant” option. The likelihood is small that a skincare procedure that involves a any form of anesthesia or an injection of skin bacteria may be the healthier choice.

Next time you consider trying to plump up your lips with a Botox injection or try to puff up your cheeks with some sort of skin bacterial injection, consider doing it the natural way. This can usually be in the form of a cream or lotion that will be significantly less severe than actually adding chemicals to the facial structure and bloodstream. The potential side effects of a chemical addition to your blood or bady can cause unknown allergic problems for many people and are not recommended above natural skincare solutions.

Instead, seek the opinion of a natural skincare expert and allow them to map your facial structure for the skin type and other factors. This will help in administering the best natural skincare product for your face and body, helping the product to work better with your skin type and color. This all comes at a fraction of the risk and at a much lower cost than the surgical procedure.

Administering natural products into your skin is a much better way to maintain a proper skin type and also a better way to improve the look of your skin.

Pure, natural skin care products do not contain the numerous synthetic additives that can cause the human skin’s defense to weaken as well as the unseemly and ugly skin irritations. In addition, the chemical based skin care products may also cause rashes to break out as well as the debilitating allergies. Some, if not all of the chemical additives are by products of motor oil (that’s right), petroleum products and insecticides or even worse.

One hundred percent organic and natural skin care products will help nourish and restore your skin, as well as strengthen the skin and keep it healthy. By using natural skin care treatments, they will work in harmony with the body so you can be assured of having healthy skin which, in turn, will help keep the whole body healthy by asking it to do less internal cleansing and detoxing.

Healthy skin will excrete an important protective covering called the “acid mantle.” This helps to protect the skin from environmental effects as well as harmful organisms. To keep the skin in good health as well as to keep your acid mantle functioning properly you need to have a healthy lifestyle along with a natural or organic skin care regimen.

This can be achieved by not only just eating healthy foods consisting of a whole food diet, but also constantly getting essential fatty acids through consumption of unrefined, expeller pressed plant oils or fish oils. In addition, one should drink plenty of water as well as exercise regularly. Using natural moisturizers and natural sun protectors like zinc and zinc oxide will help in lubricating your skin and protecting you from harmful UVA / UVB rays.

Natural face creams, containing shea butter, coco butter and organic oils as well as organic hand and body lotions will help keep the skin naturally free of blemishes. The best organic and natural skin care products are made from high quality botanical oils and ingredients, which are typically produced in small, carefully packed packages so that one can be assured of purchasing only fresh stocks. So, be sure to give your body and your skin a break…feed it well with nourshing natural foods and organic skin treatments.

Natural Anti-Aging Skincare Products

Natural anti-aging skin treatment products such as supplements and those facial masks that contain a blend of ingredients extracted from different plants are also well-known method of anti-aging application. Many of these target wrinkles, lines, scars, and mars, which usually set on your skin starting at the early 30’s. You should be able to know how to spot which natural product will work best on your skin and which will not. There are also great natural tips you can incorporate to reduce the signs of aging. Keep reading!

Skin aging is inevitably a process that seems to speed up because of the many elements of toxins produced by the modern age. These toxins are like poisons that attack our body and cause the skin to develop nasty acne and inflammations, which can be very tough to reduce of if not properly treated. If you are not careful of your daily lifestyle, a bad skin condition can worsen and speed up the development of skin aging, resulting in drying, sagging, and skin wrinkling.

The good news is there are many ways to treat skin aging problems today. Anti-aging treatments and creams are encapsulated to contain many vitamins and nutrients known to be very beneficial to the skin. With the help of these products, it is possible to alleviate skin problems as well as avoid undergoing delicate and sometimes complex dermatological procedures such as botox, dermabrasion or laser treatments.

Dermabrasion is one of the widely acknowledged anti-aging treatment and is used to speed up removal of wrinkles, lines and abrasions. Microdermabrasion is another kind of anti-aging treatment which uses fine crystal mists to work on sagging, wrinkling skin. Hydroderm also makes it possible to delay the aging process by removing skin lines associated with aging. All these treatments can be easily acquired nowadays and are known to be effective and safe for almost every skin type and color.

But before you resort to these harsher anti-aging treatment procedures, that there are simpler things you can do to delay the appearance of wrinkles.  The first step is to implement a regular skincare routine as early as possible. A good daily routine and a healthy lifestyle can always hide your true age and never let them guess how old, or young, you are.

• Follow these three regular routine: cleanse, tone, and moisturize your face skin. On your body skin, follow the same and use a good moisturizing lotion. Applying sun screen or sun block will also help prevent those outside toxins from ruining your skin. Weekly facial mask treatments (depending on your skin type) are also an excellent way to keep your skin fresh and revitalized.

• The appearance of the skin on your neck shows your age. Therefore, be sure to not only pay attention to your face but on your neck when moisturizing or using a face mask.

• Avoid applying heavy make up on your face. It only shows how frustrated you are with the process of your skin aging, not to mention it can be tough on your skin too. Choose cream based blush cheek color or foundation rather than a fine powdered one that can accentuate wrinkles.

• Topping dusty or caramel pinks with gloss will make your lips appear much younger. Avoiding deep brown mauves and matte reds will also help the same. You will also get benefits of looking younger if you avoid black eyeliners. Use instead brown or grey eyeliners.

• You will appear younger if you use colored plastic eyeglasses than metal framed ones.

• Having well-shaped and arched eyebrows might not sound significant,  but it is if you want to take years off your face. Medium thick eyebrows are always a good choice if possible.

• When getting a new haircut, always opt for one that will frame your face well. Bangs (or fringe) are a great way to reduce the number of years as well as looking cute and fun!

• And most importantly, quit smoking. We all know it is one of the great contributors of aging. Try for a healthier diet and lifestyle and you will worry less over wrinkles and lines attacking too soon.

Study Shows Diet Can Cause Acne

Many of us have suffered from acne at one point or another in our lives, most commonly during our teen years.  In the United States, 85% of teenagers and 20% of all adults suffer from acne, according to acne-resources.org.  Recently, studies have suggested that Westernized lifestyle choices, such as diet, can play a major role in the occurrence of acne.   A national study led in 2002 by a team at Colorado State University (1) indicated acne is a skin condition that is prevalent in fully modernized Western societies, but a rare occurrence in many non-Western societies where dietary habits “are virtually uninfluenced by Western foods.”  We all know that hormones, bacteria, and genetics are all contributing factors, and there are several creams, lotions and cleansers available on the market to treat acne pimples.  However, new theories suggest that what we put in our bodies is just as important as the topical products we use.

Studies have shown that a low glycemic diet not only improves the symptoms of acne, but also offers other significant health benefits.  Researchers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia conducted a study in which they found that those who followed a low-glycemic diet not only had less acne lesions, but also lower weight, lower Body Mass Index, and increased insulin sensitivity.  The glycemic index measures how different carbohydrates raise our blood sugar levels after consumption. The faster the food breaks down during digestion, the lower the GI count will be.  Similarly, food that breaks down quickly will have a higher GI count.  Foods with GI index of 55 or less are good for the body and skin, since they contain more complex carbohydrates and release sugar directly into the bloodstream at a slower rate.  As a result, insulin demand decreases, along with acne breakouts.  Insulin leads to acne by releasing other hormones that increases the amount of sweat and sebum.  When mixed with excess oil or dry skin cells, it provides a thriving ground for acne.  High levels of insulin can also cause high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

Foods with low GI indexes include broccoli, mushroom, fettuccini, and spaghetti.  Cake, soft drinks, white bread and potatoes are examples of foods that are on the opposite end of the chart, with GI indexes of 70 or higher.  A healthy, low-glycemic  diet does not have to be bland.  Instead of processed food, opt for those with more whole grains, such as wheat bread and wheat pasta.  (You probably won’t event taste the difference.)  Also, combine lean proteins like chicken breast, salmon and turkey with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.  String the meat and vegetables together on a skewer stick and throw on the grill for a healthy, summery feast.

Although diet alone will not clear up acne, it can lead to a healthier lifestyle.  Combined with a proper skincare regimen and the right products, acne can be manageable.

(1)    http://www.news.colostate.edu/Release/1531

Van Le is a staff writer for the CSU Daily Titan and writing intern for Vivoderm Laboratories in Los Angeles, California. She is currently pursuing a Journalism degree at California State University, Fullerton.

For the latest findings on natural skincare you can also link to http://naturalfacialskincare.net

Healing Blue Light Therapy for Skin Damage

By Van Le |  After trying countless of potions and lotions to no avail, some acne sufferers are turning to technology and hoping that blue light therapy, a new scientific advancement, will pave the way for acne-free skin. Considered a form of laser treatment, the procedure involves emitting a blue light source (with visible spectrum of 406 to 426 nm) to the affected areas. The high-intensity light kills the bacteria that can cause acne breakouts. Blue light therapy is approved by the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration as a legal and safe procedure for the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris. As a result, it is a widely advertised and highly popular form of treatment among acne sufferers.

Unlike creams and ointments that treat acne on a topical level, blue light therapy targets bacteria underneath the skin, eliminating the problem from the root. It works by adding oxygen to skin cells, which leads to a chemical reaction inside acne bacteria, causing the bacteria to self-destruct. With fewer bacteria, the number of buildups and acne lesions begin to decrease. The treatment stems from the belief that sunlight reduces acne, but also emits dangerous UV rays that can lead to premature aging and cancer. Since blue light does not contain any UV rays, it provides all the benefits without any of the damage. Most patients report little to no negative side effects, and the treatment can be used on several parts of the body including the face, back and chest. In conjunction with blue light, some dermatologists recommend undergoing red light therapy since it helps nourish damaged tissues and speed up the production of acne-free skin.

Like other laser treatments, blue light therapy is most effective when administered in multiple sessions. Although the length and time of treatment varies, most patients undergo treatment sessions that typically last for 20 minutes and normally done twice a week for at least four weeks. The cost for blue light therapy can range from $50 to $150 for a single treatment, and up to $3000 for a full treatment package. Due to its cosmetic nature, it is not covered by most insurance plans.

Van Le is a staff writer for the CSU Daily Titan and writing intern for Vivoderm Laboratories in Los Angeles, California. She is currently pursuing a Journalism degree at California State University, Fullerton.

For the latest findings on natural skincare and anti-aging, you can also link to http://newbeautifulskin.com

Skin Needling Treatment Reduces Acne and Wrinkles

What is Skin Needling?

Skin Needling or “derma rolling” has become quite popular in the last few months. Indeed, one Google search on “dermarollers” returned hundreds of links.

I was unfamiliar with this new anti-aging tool, so, I decided to research it further. At a recent beauty expo, the cosmetic representatives I spoke to claim these new facial rollers could increase collagen production and reduce wrinkles.

The process of skin needling uses a very small rolling device that contains 192 micro points made of surgical steel. Studies show that when this device is rolled over the skin, it creates small puncture wounds that cause the body to produce collagen in an attempt to heal the skin. Our collagen production falls dramatically after about age 35 or so.

This puncturing will then cause a type of wound-healing reaction for the dermal layer to begin production of collagen fibers, elastin, and other skin cells that helps to fill in lines, wrinkles, remove stretch marks and fill in deep pitted scars – also allowing the derma roller to be a great acne scar treatment. In addition, the derma roller allows for optimum absorption of any anti-aging cream you may use afterwards.

While it goes by different names, ‘skin needling,’ ‘dermaroller,’ or ‘meso roller,’ among many others, it appears to be a simple and natural method that promises to prevent skin aging, restore collagen, smooth out scars, pitted skin, and stretch marks - or your money back in some cases.

Research on Skin Needling

The skin needling device is used along with your normal skincare routine to remove acne scars, stretch marks, wrinkles, fine lines. Representatives say it can even help with big pores, black heads, and white heads. This micro needling or skin needling anti-aging technique is also used to perform collagen induction therapy (CIT). Skin rejuvenating results with skin needling are similar to laser treatment, dermabrasion or chemical peels but much less expensive, less invasive, does not damage the skin, and can be done at home for pennies.

Celebrity Endorsements

More than a few sites claimed famous celebrities used derma rollers or a type of skin needling technique to keep their skin look young and healthy and reduce acne scars. The London Daily Mail Online, reported, “ It looks like an implement of torture, but this spiky roller is thought to be the secret to Angelina Jolie’s plump, glowing skin.”

The Rachael Ray show hosted a segment titled ‘The Human Lab,’ where Rachael selected members of her audience to test several anti-aging creams and devices and report a few weeks later on their results. See the You Tube clip here.

The Studies

Study results by plastic surgeons and dermatologists claim in that addition to reducing the appearance of sun damage and wrinkles such as crows feet, skin needling can help lessen or remove stretch marks, cellulite, acne scars, surgical scars and smooth out pitted skin and dimpling.

Dr. Philippe Simonin, a Swiss Dermatologist, performed a study on 600 people divided into two groups — the skin aging group and the scar reduction group. Published results found that - in the skin aging group there was a 40% significant improvement and an impressive 60% improvement in scar reduction group. And this was only after 5 to 6 treatments!

See the link here: http://www.scar-reduction.com/needling.html

Another doctor, Dr. Andre Camirand, a plastic surgeon from Canada, found that skin needling improved the texture and depression of scars and also improved over-all skin color and texture. The best part is this remodeling process can go on up to 12 months from each treatment.

Other benefits of the skin needling are:

• Dramatically increases the effectiveness of your hair & skin products through increased penetration.

• Stimulates blood flow through directly massaging the scalp, face and body.

• Gentle exfoliation of dead skin cells accumulating in the hair follicles, face and body.

• The process is not painful (a tickling sensation).

• Medical grade stainless steel makes the needles non-allergenic to human tissue.

• Cost effective compared to expensive commercial treatments

• It can be used on all areas of the scalp, face, neck and body. Can be used on all skin types.

• It can be used anytime at your own convenience (no restrictive treatment session times).

• Removes old collagen fibers and rapidly stimulates new collagen growth.

• Clears blocked pores and stimulates blood flow.

• Natural process requiring no lasers or chemical peels.

• Does not induce sun sensitivity.

• Does not damage the skin.

• No risk of hypo– or hyper– pigmentation.

• Short healing time.

There are many skin rollers on the market with different needle lengths, so do your research if you do decide to purchase one of these new tools.

Skin needling devices range in price from $25-$200 depending on where you purchase them and the type of device you choose.

Professional sites advise using a skin needle length at 0.5mm for use on the face, a 1.0mm for most of the body and a 1.5mm for very fleshy areas such as the stomach, thighs and backside.

Each brand is slightly different. Certain features make different derma roller brands suitable for different needs. The more expensive brands benefit from superior build quality, narrower needles and a better overall look and feel. As with any product though, the results you achieve are not necessarily dependant on choosing the most expensive model.

~ R. Dupree