Natural Skin Care Products

Natural Skin Care is a turning trend. Like people drinking water today, who would have thought we would all be drinking more. Our skin needs more care as we get older. With this increase in use of skin care products we are turning to natural ingredients. This is a good thing!!

To find these ingredients we look everywhere form our own kitchen to the rainforest. You will be surprised what you will find in the kitchen and I believe the rainforest will give up its secrets in do time. From the book Latino Folk Medicine by Anthony M. DeStefano gives us insight on how the thousands of plants have been used for hundreds of years, by people living in and around these rainforests.

We make a trip to the kitchen many times a day and our summer vacation plans may not have a trip to a rainforest. But we can find good skin care from these articles listed below. These articles from professional makeup artists, dermatologists, and press releases from around the world will help.

One of the best was to get natural skin care is to use homemade skin care recipes. In This website I have listed many recipes, along with information on the benefits from there ingredients. From moisturizers for the whole body, skin scrubs, or recipes just for one part of the body. Take the time it’s not that hard to make.

Every day we see new products in magazines, and on TV. And we talk to people who use all kinds of different skin care products. Keep in mind that what may work for one person may not work for you. That is why it is a good idea to find out your skin type. Then read articles that will work for you. You may want to take the time to read a good book. The summer is coming and a trip to the beach is only weeks away. Plan ahead and get a book that may help you year round.

This is a video that I think is worth taking your time to see. So go get something good to eat and sit back watch.

The Truth about Natural Skin Care, Acne, Anti Aging, Face & Acne Products

Healthy beautiful skins starts on the inside and not the outside w/ skin care products. This video discusses the role of sugar, antioxidants, sun, nutrition and antiaging.

Dr. Vincent Bellonzi is a chiropractor and is certified in Clinical Nutrition. He has been in practice for over 12 years. He received his Doctorate from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic in 1991.

Since 1998, Dr. Bellonzi has practiced in the Austin area. He works with athletes at every level to provide sports conditioning and rehabilitation.

(This video was produced by Psychetruth)
http://www.myspace.com/psychtruth http://www.youtube.com/psychetruth

Five Tips for Natural Skin Care

Tip 1: Give Yourself a Dry Brush Exfoliation
A dry brush exfoliation can be done in the morning before you shower. It eliminates dead skin cells and allows the skin to detox (skin is the largest organ of elimination). Dry brush exfoliation also improves lymph and blood circulation and decreases puffiness. An added benefit is that the gentle pressure is calming to the nervous system. To give yourself a dry brush exfoliation, you’ll need a soft, natural bristle brush.

Tip 2: Rev Up Your Digestion
In alternative medicine, good skin is a reflection of a good digestive system. People with skin disorders such as acne, rosacea, and psoriasis often suffer from constipation, imbalanced “good” vs. “bad” bacteria, leaky gut, and other digestive conditions. The two most common sluggish digestion culprits are:

* Culprit #1: Not Enough Water Water bathes cells and eliminates waste products, preventing constipation.

* Culprit #2: Not Enough Fiber Most people lack fiber in their diets - the average person eats only 12 g of fiber a day. In 2002, the National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition Board established recommended fiber intakes. For men aged 19-50 years, 38 g fiber is recommended, and for men over 50, 31 g fiber is recommended. For women aged 19 to 50 years, 25 g fiber is recommended, and for women over 50, 21 g fiber is recommended.

* Some suggestions:
1. Add Whole Grains - Choose whole grain products over refined. Have brown rice instead of white or make your own 50:50 combination.
2. An Apple a Day - Have an apple, skin on, as a snack.
3. Eat Cauliflower - Try this delicious Roasted Cauliflower recipe!
4. High-fiber snacks - Snack on nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, such as dates, figs, and prunes.
5. Try a “Prune Power” Smoothie - Prunes are a great source of fiber. Start your day with this tasty Prune Power smoothie.
6. Eat Beans and Legumes - Open a can of your favorite beans or legumes. Rinse them well and add them to your meal.
7. Ground Flaxseeds - For any easy fiber boost, sprinkle ground flaxseeds (available at health food stores) on rice, salads, oatmeal, or any other meal. Store flaxseeds in the fridge.

Tip 3: Invigorate Sluggish Circulation
Do you sit at your desk for hours, only getting up to go to the bathroom? One of the best things you can do for your skin, stress level, and overall health is to get moving! Inactivity may affect skin and promote bloating and puffiness, acne, cellulite, and loss of muscle tone.

* Take a quick break to go outside and walk around the block.
* Book a massage therapy appointment.
* Close your door and stretch.
* Go to the gym.
* Start each morning by stretching.
* Get a skipping rope - raise your heart rate and do some good cardio.

Tip #4: Avoid Excess Sugar
Most people do not realize this but excess sugar is considered one of the main causes of premature aging. The more sugar we eat, the more sugar we have entering our bloodstream. Over time, this can result in a process known as glycation, which is when a glucose (sugar) molecule damages a protein molecule by sticking to it. The new molecules formed are called advanced glycation end-products, or AGEs. AGEs damage collagen in skin, cartilage, and ligaments and promote a loss of elasticity. Wrinkles form and skin begins to sag.

* Try This - It may seem impossible to reduce your sugar intake, but it can be done! A gradual approach works best. In the next week, choose one thing you’re going to do to decrease the amount of sugar you consume. For example, start by cutting the amount of sugar in your daily coffee or tea by half. Every week, find another way you can decrease your sugar intake. Pretty soon, you’ll be surprised at how far you’ve come!

Tip #5: Eat Some Good Fats
Essential fatty acids are simply fats your body cannot live without. They are needed to make cell membranes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Essential fats are thought to keep your heart healthy, fight inflammation, and possibly prevent cancer. They are also particularly important to people with inflammatory conditions such as eczema and acne, and also for people with dry skin. People with essential fat deficiency sometimes notice bumps on the backs of their arms. Here are my suggestions on getting more essential fats:

* Flaxseed and walnut oil - Use flaxeed oil or walnut oil with balsamic vinegar as a salad dressing. Be sure to keep these oils refrigerated. They should not be heated or used for cooking.
* Cold water fish - Sardines are a good source of essential fats. Salmon is another good source, however these salmon accumulate toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (otherwise known as PCBs) in their body fat during the 95 percent of their lives they spend at sea.
* Supplements - Consider fish oil supplements.

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.

Natural Free Skincare to Prevent Aging

By Van Le | Skin care has come a long way in recent years, and the numbers say it all.  Current estimates assert the skincare industry generates over $2 billion annually.  That’s not to say our mothers and grandmothers never took care of their complexion.  Many of the tips our mothers taught us still ring true today — in fact,  some of the most effective remedies for healthy skin have been passed down from generation to generation.  The following are easy, no-cost techniques to prevent premature skin aging.

Don’t Smoke

Smoking causes so much damage to the skin that the term “smokers’ face” was coined to describe the shallow lines and wrinkles caused by cigarettes.  Even more shocking, a study published in the British Medical Journal featured a doctor who could distinguish a non-smoker from someone who has been smoking for ten years or more based on their facial features alone.  A single cigarette contains thousands of toxins that seep into the bloodstream and affect the appearance of skin.   In addition, scientists have calculated that every cigarette takes ten minutes off your life.

Wear Sunglasses

Long before they became fashion statements, sunglasses served a humble purpose: to protect the eyes from the sun.  Skin near the eyes is extremely delicate, and since we can’t apply sunscreen to these areas, we need the UV protection provided by sunglasses.  Not wearing sunglasses can also cause you to squint, which can lead to wrinkles over time. And if you are out in the sun, don’t forget your sunscreen. Any organic compound with zinc oxide and lots of moisturizer will do the trick to protect the rest of your fave from harmful rays without that “white zinc look.”

Get Adequate Sleep

While  we sleep, our body generates new skin cells, repairs damaged ones and strengthens collagen.  Doctors recommend seven to eight hours of sleep each night for maximum performance during the day.  In addition to under-eye bags - the tell-all sign that you’ve been up all night - lack of sleep can cause skin to appear dull, puffy and wrinkled.

Sleep on your back

In a perfect world, we would get our beauty sleep every night.  However, in today’s fast-paced world, eight hours of sleep each night, every night is not always possible, therefore, it’s important to make the best of the time we do have to rest.  We are up and about at least 12 hours a day, and gravity can take its toll.  Sleeping on your back instead of stomach promotes circulation, and reduces wrinkles since your face is not buried in a pillow.

Limit Your Stress Level

Stress is an inevitable part of life, but not all stress is bad.  There are two kinds of stress: eustress and distress.  Eustress keeps us energized about life and stems from exciting events such as starting a new job, getting married or simply getting on a roller coaster ride.  Unfortunately, most of us are more familiar with distress (negative stress) which can weaken our immune system and cause hormonal changes that result in pimple breakouts.  Participating in stress-reducing activities such as exercise, spending time in nature and yoga is key in balancing eustress and distress.

Doing your best to implement these tips to prevent skin aging and overall health will keep you looking your best for years to come.

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://naturalantiagingproducts.net/

Natural Skincare For Your Hands, Neck and Chest

By Van Le | When it comes to anti-aging skincare, most women automatically focus on the facial area, spending thousands of dollars on crèmes, masks, and other products that promise to combat signs of aging. We spend hours in front of the mirror and thousands of dollars on products that promise to hide wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots on our face, however, many of us pay little or no attention to the neck, hand and chest areas. The skin around these areas are as delicate as the face, and they are just as susceptible to symptoms of aging. Skin, regardless of where it is on the body, needs equal protection from the sun and other pollutants. Fortunately, there are simple and easy steps for skincare from the neck down.

Neck and Chest

Products that are good for the face are equally good for the neck and chest. Without proper care, the skin on the neck and chest areas can be wrinkly, blotchy, and show age spots, which can contradict the illusion of young, firm facial skin created by makeup. The simplest, easiest way to care for the neck and chest areas is to moisturize, and fortunately, you do not need to purchase a separate moisturizer. Most daily facial moisturizers work just as well on the neck/chest area, especially those that contain natural herbal products such as Vitamin A and E, rosemary, and lavender. Vivoderm’s intense moisturizer is made with both the face and neck in mind, and it is infused with all-natural ingredients to give all three areas a healthy glow. In addition to daily moisturizing, exfoliation is also very effective in fighting signs of aging on the neck and chest areas, since it removes dead layers of outer skin to make room for younger, healthier skin. Use a gentle exfoliant, since the skin is most tender and delicate around these areas. Finally, remember to apply sunscreen every day. A moisturizer that also contains a natural sun protection ingredient, like zinc or zinc oxide, is perfect for daily use on the neck and chest areas.

Hands

Most people can guess a woman’s true age by looking at her hands. Getting weekly manicures may be a great way to pamper yourself, but it’s not enough to keep the skin on your hands young and healthy. Since we wash our hands several times a day, harsh soap can strip the hands of essential oils that are vital for healthy skin. Use a gentle soap to help maintain the proper pH balance for your skin. In addition, use a hand cream often to fight off dry, flaky skin. Try keeping a small bottle in your purse or at your desk to remind yourself to use it daily and often. As with everything, prevention is the best solution. Break habits that are bad for your hands, such as picking at the cuticles and washing dishes without gloves. Cuticles protect your fingers from infections, and excessively picking at them can make them bleed and look unsightly. Dishwashing soaps are alkaline (basic), extremely harsh on the skin and can cause the skin on the hands to age prematurely. Wearing gloves every time you wash the dishes is a simple, easy way to protect your hands.

So the next time you prepare your face for the day, or wash your skin at night - remember that just like the face, the skin on the neck, chest and hands are exposed to external elements 24/7, and need just as much care.

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/

Treatments for Chapped Lips

By Van Le | We have all experienced occasional chapped lips, but for those who experience this condition year-round, the pain and irritation can be frustrating.  Medically known as “cheilitis,” chapped lips can have several causes, including dehydration and excessive exposure to elements such as wind, sun, cold or dry air.  While most cases of chapped, dry lips are results of environmental factors, in some cases, they may be an indication of an underlying medical or nutritional problem.  There are several ways to prevent dry lips from escalating into a bigger health issue.

Dehydration
Chapped lips are often a sign that there is not enough water in the body for proper hydration.  The number one cause for dry lips is dehydration, therefore, it is important to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day and avoid dehydrating fluids like caffeine and alcohol.  Also try to avoid licking your lips, since saliva dries quickly and leaves your lips even more dry.  In addition to keeping your body healthy, water keeps your lips looking moist and attractive.

Avoid extreme weather exposure
Just like our skin, our lips are exposed to external factors 24/7, but unlike our skin, our lips lack the melanin that protects the skin from sun exposure.  We moisturize our face daily to protect against dry air, put on sun block to protect your skin against harmful UV rays, but we often forget about protecting our lips against the very same elements.  Wear a lip balm that contains SPF protection and apply it several times a day when in the sun or exposed to extreme temperatures.  Use a humidifier when indoors to help get rid of dry air inside your house or room.

Use the right products
Fight the urge to hide dry, flaky lips under thick layers lip gloss, since some ingredients in these products can contribute to the problem.  Instead, choose a moisturizing lipstick that contains Vitamin E, shea butter, or macadamia nut oil, and avoid matte, ‘last-all-day’ products since they can be very drying.

Exfoliate
Buff away the dead skin on your lips with a lip exfoliator and soft toothbrush or warm washcloth.  Then, use a moisturizing lip product or simply apply honey to your lips and wash away after five minutes.  Honey is an excellent moisturizer and a common ingredient in most natural skin care products.  Exfoliate your lips at least once a week.

Herbal remedies
There are several herbal alternatives to help treat dry, chapped lips without exposing them to harsh chemicals.  Aloe vera gel has been a great remedy for inflammations, and drinking Aloe vera juice can help relief pain associated with dry lips.  Applying a zinc oxide treatment before bed can also help heal and lubricate lips.

A healthy diet
Chronic chapped lips can be a sign of vitamin deficiency, specifically Vitamin B.   Foods such as cauliflower, wholegrain cereal, and soy bean are great sources of this vitamin, and can help fight dry lips from the inside out.

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://bestorganicnaturalskincare.com

Skin Care Advice for Your Big Event

Get Your Skin Ready for Your Wedding, Graduation or Other Major Event

By Kevin C. Smith MD FACP FRCPC

Everyone – guests and those who will be in the public eye — wants their skin to look its best on their big day. Here are some simple tips you can follow to help avoid skin problems on your special day:

• Acne or Rosacea Skin:
  Plan ahead: if you have a skin condition like acne or rosacea, see a dermatologist at least 3-4 months ahead of the big day (and sooner, if possible), so that your condition can be brought under control and so that your skin can heal up in time for the occasion. Check out www.AcneGuide.ca or www.RosaceaGuide.ca for treatment information.
• Wrinkles, Unwanted Hair or Sweating:
  Are you thinking of having treatments like Botox® (for frown lines, or to control excessive sweating), fillers like Restylane™, Juvederm™ and Artecoll™ for wrinkles, creases and scars, or laser treatments for unwanted hair or to remove broken blood vessels from the face? You should aim to have these treatments completed about 3 weeks before the event, so that the benefits of treatment will have fully developed, and so that any side effects of treatment like redness or small bruises will have resolved. Discuss the plans and timing with your dermatologist so that these things can be taken into account when scheduling your treatments. (Read more about Botox®)
• New Cosmetics:
  If you want to experiment with cosmetics, you should do so well in advance, to reduce the risk that an allergic or irritant reaction will interfere with your enjoyment of the event.
• Sun Tanning:
  Sun protection is important in the weeks leading up to an important event, to reduce the risk that you will have sunburn or peeling on the big day. It is also important to avoid experimenting with tanning beds in the weeks leading up to a major event, in case you have an undesired reaction to the UV light.
• Self-Tanning:
  Self-tanning creams and spray-on tans should not be used for the first time within three weeks of a major event, in case there is an allergic reaction or an unusual or uneven color is created. If you want to use such products, start to experiment with them several months ahead so that you can learn how to obtain safe, reliable results. Remember that the pigment created by many self-tanning products can discolor fine clothing, so it might be best not to apply them within a week of a public event.

What if there is a dermatological emergency like a flare-up of acne or an allergic reaction on the face in the days before a wedding, graduation or other important day? Fortunately, many of these problems can be helped by modern medical treatments. Your doctor may be able to arrange a high priority appointment with a dermatologist if they explain that there is an important event coming up – most of us, and most of our staff have been through these things ourselves and we are very sympathetic.

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About the author:
Dr. Kevin Smith is a dermatologist in Niagara Falls, Ontario with a particular interest in protecting the skin and in correcting skin problems resulting from aging, rosacea and sun damage. He is an expert in the use of Botox®, fillers, lasers and intense pulsed light to maintain and enhance the appearance of the skin, and have lectured on those subjects across North America, and in Europe, Asia and Mexico. Read more at www.smithlaser.com

Herbal facial masks are healthiest for proper skin care

The secret to proper facial cleansing and radiant skin is to get rid of any dead cells and toxins not thrown off naturally by the skin; remove all makeup, dirt, grime and chemical pollutants; clear out clogged pores and eliminate infection-causing bacteria without stripping away the skin’s natural oils and hydration.

Most facial care products-cleansers, masks and scrubs, dry the skin and alter its PH balance, causing skin to become more alkaline. In fact, advertisers have led us to believe the best facial products are the ones that make the most suds or leave a ‘squeaky-clean’ sensation. In principal, this result sounds good, especially if you have oily skin, but in fact the body always seeks to normalize itself – that is to balance and heal – so when we remove the skin’s oil content, it responds by making more oil to compensate for the loss.

If we dry the skin too much, it will produce excessive amounts of oil that may exacerbate an existing acne condition. Of course, if you have dry skin already, you do not want to make it drier. If you have sensitive skin, you do not want to irritate it further with harsh chemicals and soaps.

Herbal clay masks have been found to do wonders for the skin – naturally. The herbs act as a gentle scrub to clear away the dirt, toxins, pollutants and dead skin cells, but they do not strip away the necessary moisture in the skin. At the same time, they are balancing, nutritive, healing and totally free of toxic ingredients.

For deeper exfoliation, experts recommend herbal masks at least once or twice a week.
The skin sheds cells at a rate of one million per hour, so it is important to do a mild exfoliation daily. A that rate, it takes the skin about one month to completely regenerate itself and the herbal mask, “peels” away the old cells, so new ones can grow. The dead cells are also the top protective layer of the skin, however, and if we remove too much too soon, we leave the new cell growth unprotected. If the cells are not growing in at the rate we remove them, skin problems will develop.

An herbal facial mask can perform wonders on dry, oily, flaky, or just plain tired skin without damaging the renewing skin cells. Before setting out to purchase a facial mask first, ask yourself what you want to fix or change about your complexion. Is your skin excessively oily? Does it feel dry and tight? Does your skin look dull and flaky in the mirror? Whatever your specific skin type, herbal clay masks (preferably organic) will bring out your best appearance.

If you are blessed with oily skin, be thankful. Your skin will age the best, with fewer wrinkles than those with dry skin. Those with oily skin should only be careful to prevent blackheads and clogged pores; this is easy if you use the right products and facial masks. Do not be seduced by products that claim to “pull” the clogs out of your pores. These will damage your skin over time, making your pores permanently enlarged. Better are dissolving facial masks that remove pore-clogging matter gently. Another great attributeof a clay facial mask is that it will leave very tiny residue behind, filling in fine lines and slightly enlarges pores. This is a perfect way to prepare for a big night out, giving you a perfectly smooth surface over which to apply makeup.

A facial mask should be applied weekly and left on the skin for at least 15 minutes or longer. Apply in a circular motion and use enough product to leave a thick layer on your face. Spend time relaxing while the mask does its job. Remove the mask with warm water and gentle scrubbing.

Treating your face to an herbal clay mask each week will keep you looking fresh and youthful and maintain optimal skin health.

Cleanse, Nourish, Moisturize

If you suffer from any type of facial malady, most experts will agree, the first rule of skin care is:  cleanse, nourish, and moisturize. No matter what type of skin you have, this three-step routine for the care of your skin is essential to counteract the daily effects of environment, stress, and the skin’s natural process of cell degeneration. It is the very minimum you must do to maintain a normal, healthy, youthful complexion. Even if you do nothing else for an existing skin problem, keeping this regimen every day can help to improve your condition, sometimes in a short amount of time.

The basic requirements for good skin include daily cleansing, nourishing, and moisturizing that is right for your complexion type. A total facial beauty program should feature daily skincare: cleansing, toning, moisturizing, weekly facial masks, healthy eating, rejuvenating body baths, exfoliation, and of course, exercise.

Following a seasonal skin care regimen is ideal for everyone, no matter what your skin condition, as our skin fluctuates with the seasons. In winter, cold temperatures and lack of humidity make moisturizing a must. In the heat of the summer months, the humidity is higher and you are more prone to exercise and sweat, so a moisturizer may not be necessary, but a sunscreen will - then you may notice more breakouts and need a detoxifying clay mask for example.

The most common skincare complaints include acne, eczema, psoriasis, premature wrinkles, sagging and age spots. Not all of these skin maladies will occur at the same time and not all skincare products will be necessary at all times. If you have combination skin, you may even need to ‘spot-treat’ – a moisturizer on your cheeks and a detoxifying mask on your forehead and nose, for example.

If you are a resourceful natural skincare advocate, you may already make some of your best skincare products at home. If you prefer to buy your skin care products rather than make them, it will benefit you greatly to be a knowledgeable consumer. Learn to distinguish the true natural products from the many pretenders on the market today.

Typically most skincare treatments are external. While they are vital to achieving a flawless complexion and an all-over healthy appearance, they alone are not sufficient to eliminate all skin problems completely. A topical product will alleviate only the surface issues of disease and aging, not the cause itself. For that you must also cleanse and nourish the body and mind internally - where all disorders begin. Internal skincare is equally if not more important that any external cream, especially when it comes to diet and key stress-reducing techniques like exercise, meditation and massage.

You can take years off your appearance by rejuvenating your skin if you are willing to follow a “whole-health” regimen. Make a routine of your daily skincare with proper cleansing, nourishing / toning and moisturizing as well as feeding your body nourishing, healthy foods and exercising. You will see the results for yourself through your improved complexion and an overall feeling of well-being.

Dry, Sensitive Skin Options

Treatment Options for Dry, Sensitive Skin

If you suffer from dry, cracked or sensitive skin – skin that easily reacts to chemicals and temperature fluctuations - then keeping your skin hydrated is essential. If you live in a humid climate where natural moisture is more prevalent, then you are halfway there to better skin. On the flip side, if you live in a high-altitude or desert climate, artificially creating humidity in your home may be the second best option. Since many of us can’t just pick up and move to a new seaside location, using a humidifier in your home or bedroom while you sleep can do wonders for your dry, cracked skin.

While drinking more water will help hydrate your skin to a degree, it isn’t the cure-all for sensitive skin issues. However, the water you use to bathe is very important. Bathing with hard water (which contains increased amounts of calcium) can contribute to dryness and redness. Reverse osmosis water filters will help convert hard water to soft water, if it fits in your budget, it could be a consideration. Water temperature also matters. Dermatologists warm that very hot water temperatures, such as 104 degrees F, can dry out your skin and lead to redness. Gentle hydrotherapy, meaning moderate temperatures with little fluctuations are best for your skin type.

When choosing a special spa treatment, do so with care. Be wise in selecting spa and beauty treatments like exfoliating massages, loofahs, acid-peel facials, and hot steam rooms, which can all strip oils from sensitive, dry skin. Scalding temperatures, intense treatments, running from hot saunas into wintry snow is good for those with resilient skin - not for you. For those with especially sensitive skin, even perfumed bath oils and massage products can be irritating. Aromatherapy massages may be counterproductive if the oils used cause any form of burning or redness. Even getting a manicure or pedicure can cause hyper-reactions when the acetones in nail polishes and removers are irritating.

If you have had serious reactions to spa treatments in the past and need a gentler alternative, consider thalassotherapy. Thalassotherapy was developed in seaside towns in Brittany, France during the 19th century. Based on the belief that the properties of seawater have beneficial effects upon the pores of the skin, trace elements of magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, and iodide found in seawater are believed to be absorbed through the skin. The therapy is applied in various forms, as either showers of warmed seawater, application of marine mud or of algae paste or the inhalation of sea fog. Spas make hot seawater and provide mud and seaweed wrapping services.

Very popular throughout Europe, thalassotherapy treatments are used for relaxation, stress management, muscle and skin restoration, and to fight cellulite. If you cannot afford the actual spa treatments, home products containing seaweed or algae can also be effective in hydrating dry, sensitive skin.
Another great option to provide more oil distribution to dry skin is massage. Massage is also great for eczema. A recent dermatological study at the University of Miami showed that children with severe dry skin were treated with moisturizer and massage therapy improved more compared to those who were not massaged and were treated with moisturizer alone.

So these are simply guidelines to use when choosing products and treatments to help alleviate your dry skin conditions. As with all hydrotherapy treatments, it is important to limit your immersion in the water to less than one hour so as not to impair the skin barrier. And when purchasing products, always be sure to read the ingredient list for potential irritants.

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