Choosing Moisturizers to Reduce Wrinkles

If you aren’t sure what they do, moisturizers are used to replace natural skin oils to cover tiny fissures (or openings) in the skin, and to provide a soothing protective film. Thus, evaporation of the skin’s moisture is slowed, which helps to improve the appearance and feel of dry and aging skin. An effective moisturizer increases water content, reduces water loss, and restores the skin’s ability to retain water.

Who doesn’t want smooth, hydrated, healthy skin? From basic formulas that claim to keep skin moist, to concoctions that promise an end to aging skin and wrinkles, the choice of a skin moisturizer can be overwhelming. You can look at information on moisturizers for different skin types.

(Scientists say a moisturizer will smooth skin to temporarily make wrinkles less apparent, but unfortunately, moisturizing your skin will not have any long-term effect on wrinkles.)

Look for products that:

* help to make the skin smooth and supple
* duplicate and enhance the skin’s natural moisture retention mechanisms
* are good to sensitive skin – hypoallergenic, non-sensitizing, fragrance free, non-comedogenic (Read about Sensitive Skin Other Skin Conditions.)
* absorb rapidly and last long

Remember, too, just because a product has a certain ingredient, that doesn’t necessarily mean it has enough of it to make a difference. Dermatologists look for a number of substances to complete a moisturizer’s make-up:

* Emollients such as plant and mineral oils, shea and cocoa butter, petrolatum, cholesterol, silicones or animal oils (including emu, mink and lanolin). These lubricating ingredients soften and smooth skin while helping it to retain moisture.
* Water-binding agents that keep water in the skin, called Humectants, are important for skin damaged by sun and dehydration, but they won’t help your skin retain water.
* Occlusives, which are substances that physically block water loss in the stratum corneum, or layers of the skin, include: Petrolatum (in a minimum concentration of five per cent is the most effective occlusive), followed by lanolin, mineral oil, and silicones such as dimethicone, which act as a protective part of skin barrier creams.
* Soothing agents and anti-irritants, such as bisabolol, allantoin, burdock root, aloe, licorice root, glycyrrhetinic acid, green tea and chamomile extract, are added to many moisturizers to help skin handle ingredients that may cause irritation.
* Pure mixtures of amino acids are useless as moisturizers, while pure solutions of glycerin are ineffective, and propylene glycol by itself is irritating. However, alpha hydroxy acids, such as lactic acid or glycolic acid, appear to help reduce roughness and scaling.
* Vitamins and antioxidants, including vitamins A, C and E, get mixed reviews. Some experts say these ingredients have the ability to heal and hydrate, while others insist there’s little evidence of their effectiveness when applied topically, especially in the quantity found in most moisturizers.

Side Effects of Skin Creams

Choosing Mosturizers

Moisturizers aren’t without their side effects. If you have these symptoms, see your doctor:

* sweat retention (miliara rubra, i.e.: petrolatum and lanolin)
* irritation (urea; lactic acid; propylene glycol; solvents)
* allergic contact dermatitis (fragrances, preservatives, i.e. parabens, formaldehyde, Quaternium 15 and Imidazolidinyl urea; lanolin; additives, i.e.: vitamin E and aloe vera
* photo contact dermatitis (fragrances, UV filters)

The skinny on skin – five points

* Study the active ingredients listed on labels in order of the amount contained. If soothing aloe vera or vitamin C is 15th on the list, you’re not getting much of it
* Be wary of claims that products will increase your own natural collagen or elastin, whose job is to keep skin plumped up and youthful-looking. The molecules in these products are too big to actually penetrate the skin.
* Wash your face no more than twice a day with a gentle cleanser formulated for dry skin. Washing more often can dry your skin.
* Add a few teaspoons of olive oil or lavender-scented oil to your bath.
* Steer clear of added fragrance, preservatives and botanicals, which may irritate already dry skin

Get your money’s worth

Which is better? High-end brands or low-cost brands? Drugstore shelves seem to have an overwhelming choice of products, with each company vying for your dollars. Experts say that often low-cost brands are just as effective. You can stretch your money’s worth of product by applying your moisturizer on damp skin – it will absorb better.

Natural Anti-Aging Products and Tips

While the right skin care products can do wonders over time, there are occasions when you need an instant lift. Whether you’re prepping for a party, reunion, or date night, these quick tips will get you out the door looking gorgeous and radiant.

Anti Aging products include facial cleansers, toners, moisturizers and facial masks as well as sun protection.

This natural facial cleansers that contain Aloe Vera, Vitamins A and E, gently remove dirt and make up which could damage and clog your skin. In addition, it promotes vitality to the skin by maintaining and adding moisture.

Facial toners with grape seed and green tea extracts can enrich the skin with minerals and natural ingredients to hydrate normalize and tone the skin.

Herbal anti aging masks should be free of preservatives and chemicals.Looks for masks enriched with a concentration of botanicals, vitamins and enzymes. Once on the skin, the mask promotes capillaries to increase blood flow and delivery of oxygen. Components like lavender, cumin, vitamins C and E have powerful antioxidant properties and fight free radicals. The herbs nourish the skin, assist in building collagen and promote healthy tissue regeneration. This unique combination of botanicals will calm blemishes, fight bacteria, minimize spots caused by sun damage, pregnancy and acne.

Intense moisturizers are the top anti-aging product to help reduce wrinkles and dry skin. Anti oxidants, vitamins like vitamin A and E and minerals will hydrate dry and dull complexions. Zinc repairing creams will further heal, repair, nourish, and protect your skin against sun damage and environmental toxins.

Anti aging regimens are designed to promote health, youth and radiance for your skin. Every product should be designed to work in synergy with the others in order to restore and maintain flawless and fresh skin.

2. Banish Dark Circles
At least you can look like you got a full 8 hours
After 40, skin loses elasticity and thins, which can make you look tired and allow blood vessels to show through, heightening discoloration. Concealer lightens dark circles, gives lids the appearance of a lift, and brightens your face. Here are three steps to cover correctly.

1. Choose the Right Hue: Pick a yellow-based formula that’s at least two shades lighter than your skin tone.
2. Apply It: Using a small-headed concealer brush, apply a dab along the lower lashes to the innermost corner of eyes and the hollows of the nose. You can also use your ring finger, which has a naturally light touch and added warmth to tap and gently blend.
3. Set: A dusting of a sheer, loose, yellow-toned powder locks the concealer in place.

3. Give Your Face a “Lift”
Our brains associate thick, groomed eyebrows with youthfulness
“When brows are thin and light, they make your features disappear, adding years to even the youngest looking face,” says Damone Roberts, a celebrity eyebrow artist. Fill in sparse spots with a dark brow shadow to create the illusion of thickness. Apply the powder with an eyebrow brush or a washed and dried mascara brush (aka a spooly brush) and then use your fingertip to blend it. Don’t, however, increase the height of your arch in order to “lift” your face. “You’ll go from looking youthful to looking angry,” Roberts says. Simply follow the natural contour of your brow.

4. Smooth Fine Lines
A last-minute regimen that works
One hour before your event, exfoliate and apply moisturizer; the combination offers immediate plumping that lasts several hours. “Even gentle sloughing causes skin to swell slightly, making wrinkles less noticeable,” says Elizabeth Briden, MD, adjunct associate clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota. Use a scrub with smooth, spherical beads that polish without causing redness (look for polyethylene at the top of the ingredient list). Follow with a moisturizer that contains zinc or comfrey – to reduce sun damage and heal inflammation.

5. Hide a Blemish
Step-by-step tips to camouflage flare-ups
“In my own battles with the occasional blemish, I’ve found that the opaque coverage offered by stick foundation works best,” says makeup guru Bobbi Brown, best-selling beauty author and founder of her own multimillion-dollar cosmetics business. Surprisingly, she says, concealer is not the solution; it’s designed to be lighter than your skin tone and will accentuate the discoloration. Choose a foundation that’s the same color as your skin and spot-apply it using a small, pointed brush; then pat with your index finger to blend. Finish by applying sheer powder with a velour puff or small powder brush. If you still see the blemish, repeat this process.

6. Soothe Redness
Relieve irritated skin naturally Soak a clean washcloth in cold milk and place it over your face for 10 minutes. “Milk contains proteins, fat, amino acids, and vitamin A—all of which reduce redness and calm irritated skin,” says David Bank, MD, a dermatologist in Mount Kisco, NY. Bonus: The lactic acid in milk exfoliates, so skin looks soft and glowing.

Natural Anti-Aging Facial Masks are also a great way to instantly add plumpness and vibrancy to dull, dry skin. Look for all natural or herbal ingredients to reduce the possibility of allergic reactions.

Natural Skin Care to Prevent Premature Aging

Aging is a normal process of life and the evidence of aging shows on our skin. As we age skin begins to thin, dry and dull due to slow cell turn over. New skin cells do not grow as quickly, resulting in thinning skin. As a result, dead skin cells shed less quickly making the appearance of the skin dull and dry. Collagen and elastin-the system of fibers that make skin firm and elastic-begin to break down, resulting in sagging and wrinkles. Pigmentation is more prominent as we age when melanocytes, (which produce skin pigment) begin to produce irregularly. Research has shown there are two different factors in aging; intrinsic or internal and extrinsic or external.

Intrinsic aging, the natural course of aging, has to do with genes and inheritance. Natural aging begins at birth; however, signs of aging begin to appear on the skin in our mid 20’s. Intrinsic aging includes slower cell turn over, and less collagen production. Elastin begins to break down which acts like a rubber band enabling our skin to stretch and snap back. Visible signs of intrinsic skin aging include fine lines, loss of suppleness, dry and thin skin.

Extrinsic aging are the external factors that age the skin. These include sun exposure, health and diet, gravity, sleeping positions, smoking, drinking and even facial expressions. External factors cause premature aging to the skin and can become visible rather quickly.

While intrinsic factors are mostly uncontrollable, fortunately, extrinsic aging is controllable. Skin aging is a normal process however, premature aging of the skin can be prevented. A healthy lifestyle, yearly physical exams and topical care of the skin can prevent premature aging. A healthy, active life style will create healthy, strong skin from the outside in, preventing premature aging. Physical exams may catch early signs of skin damage that then can be treated. Topical skin care allows the skin to absorb ingredients through topical products that aid in building the epidermis and dermal layers of skin, the skin that is and will become visible. Topical care includes skin care products such as cleansers, moisturizers, serums and sunscreens.

To prevent premature aging is to treat your skin as one of a kind. There are many different skin types, meaning what one person is doing to take care of their skin is not necessarily what you need to be doing to treat your skin. However, the most important products to aid in preventing premature aging are cleansers, exfoliates, moisturizers with hydrators and sunscreens. Cleansers will cleanse the skin clearing excess oil, dirt and debris. Exfoliates will slough off dead skin, deep clean pores and result in smoother more even skin tone. Moisturizers with hydrators will keep the skin supple and moist, while sunscreen will help to protect the skin from sun damage. It is also important to consider skin care products that include essential oils and antioxidants to help fight off free radicals that can further damage skin cells. Always consult a dermatologist before starting any skin care routine.

By Tiffany Oney

Tiffany Oney is a licensed esthetician, professional makeup artist and natural skincare authority. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies California State University, Long Beach and interning with Vivoderm Natural Skincare in Los Angeles, California.

Anti Aging Skin Care Treatments

The best skincare is also the simplest. Easy to follow instructions prevent you from making a mistake or skipping a vital step. There’s no need to go to extremes, just follow a consistent skincare routine and your skin will look more youthful for the rest of your life.

Here’s some tips for the best skincare.

Stay in the Shade. We all need a little sunlight. It makes us feel better. Many people suffer from seasonal depression. It’s caused primarily by a lack of sunlight. But, limit your exposure to no more than 15 minutes of direct sunlight.15 minutes three times a week will insure that you get enough vitamin D. UV rays from the sun do too much damage to the skin.They cause the cells to produce less hyaluronan – a protein import in tissue and skin-cell repair. Evidence continues to show that you cannot rely heavily on sunscreens.

Drink More Water. Why do people have dry skin? Well, there could be any number of reasons, but one that is very common is minor dehydration. Severe dehydration, of course, causes stomach cramps and other problems, this is not the type we are referring to.

But, many people walk around everyday with mild dehydration, because they simply don’t drink enough water. Seventy percent of your body weight is water. Each of the cells in your body is comprised mostly of water. That includes the cells of your skin. At least eight (8) ounce glasses per day is a good rule to follow, but to keep it simple, have a glass with every meal or snack, drink one when you wake up in the morning and another before you go to bed at night.

Eat Right

Often people forget to include this step in their anti aging skin care guide. If your diet is lacking in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, then your body does not have the ingredients that it needs to go about repairing cellular damage on a daily basis.

Facial Creams

Anti Aging Skin Care Treatment: Creams, Gels & Lotions

As you continue to follow the anti aging skin care guide above, you are ensuring younger looking, healthier skin throughout your lifetime.

The right anti aging skin care treatment and anti-wrinkle creams can undo some of the damage that occurred in your youth. There are many on the market to choose from. Some are not very good, but others are great. The best ones are designed to help your body produce new collagen and elastin fibers. The loss of those two components causes many of the outward signs of aging. Now there are a number of products on the market that contain small amounts of collagen derived from bovine hide, but skin cells cannot actually absorb it. So, products that contain it are ineffective.

Phytessence Wakame

Wakame has been getting a lot of press lately. Wakame is a specific type of Japanese seaweed or kelp. It was used for years both as a food source and also to keep younger more beautiful facial skin. Recently it was learned that there are components in Wakame that actually undo some of the aging damage that has already been done and prevents additional damage from occurring. The kelp is full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Phytessence Wakame was created using a process that allows for quicker deeper absorption into the pores.

Nanobelle CoenzymeQ10

Coenzyme Q10 has become a popular ingredient in many anti aging skin care treatment creams, but the companies that use it did not consider that unless the antioxidant is finely ground to a microscopic powder, it cannot enter the pores. Only Nanobelle will penetrate to the deepest layers, healing and soaking up free radicals as it goes. Other things to look for include products that will light age spots and lighten dark circles. High quality moisturizers are also important as dry skin is more easily damaged.

So there you have it. Choose the best skincare products you can find for your skin type and combine it with these simple steps to keep a younger and more healthy complexion.

Popular Herbs Used in Skin Care and Their Benefits

Popular Herbs Used in Skin Care and Their Benefits: Chamomile, Aloe Vera, Lavender and Rosemary

Today skin care and cosmetics are increasingly going natural. You may have heard that herbs and oils are commonly used in skin care and cosmetics; but, you may not know why or what purpose they serve. why, and what do the do? Four very common and popular herbs that are used in the form of oil or gels are chamomile, Aloe Vera, lavender, and rosemary. All provide unique benefits for the skin and body.

The benefits of chamomile for the skin and body range from calming effects to healing. Recent and on-going research has identified chamomile’s

specific benefits as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-allergenic. Chamomile is most often recognized as an herbal tea; however, chamomile is present in many skin care products. Chamomile’s active ingredients extracted from the flower are essential oils and flavonoids. Essential oils help to calm and relax irritated skin. Essential oils have also been found to be beneficial to treat and sooth acne prone skin. Flavonoids – or plant metabolites- are rich in anti oxidants that help the body repair and heal damaged skin, as well as fight free radicals, which create damage to bodily cells. Chamomile has few side effects and is effective and beneficial to the skin topically or if ingested.

Aloe Vera contains numerous, minerals, vitamin, enzymes, and natural sugars that help with inflammation. Aloe Vera is commonly known for its healing properties, which explains its popular use in skin care. Aloe Vera aids in the healing of skin burns and cuts and moisturizes and softens skin. Aloe Vera is used in skin care products to help with dry sensitive skin as the plant has unique healing and soothing properties. Taken internally, Aloe Vera has been found to regulate digestion, which in turn builds healthy skin from the inside out. Aloe Vera is available as a gel, spray, lotion, juice, cream and in the form of a capsule. Aloe Vera is most commonly found in skin care gels or creams.

Lavender has many uses in skin care that include aiding skin repair, stimulating cell growth, reducing inflammation, preventing scarring and pigmentation, regulating oil production, and reducing pain. Lavender also works as antiseptic or antibacterial agent and is considered an essential oil. Due to its extensive benefits to the skin, lavender is often found in skin care formulated to treat acne prone skin.

Rosemary can be used as an essential oil just like chamomile and lavender. Rosemary and lavender are actually found in the same herbal family.

Rosemary tones the skin, helping to even out skin tone and texture, while reliving dryness. Rosemary strengthens capillaries and is good to use on aging skin. Rosemary is found in skin care cleansers, toners and creams.

There are many other herbs used in skin care and cosmetics today-most in the form of essential oils or extracts- and all can have different or positive effects on the skin and body. Herbs and oils have been used to heal for many centuries and now are being utilized for safe, natural ways to treat skin conditions and maintain a healthy complexion.

by Tiffany Oney

Natural Anti Wrinkle Skin Creams

Our skin is the largest organ of the body and protects the rest of our organs from outside elements and harm. We have all been taught to take care of our skin not only to look good, but also to be healthy.

The benefits of eating natural, whole foods have been getting a lot of press in recent years. If you want beautiful skin, a healthyinside will reflect a healthy outside. Today, natural anti aging skin care is the fastest growing area in the skin care and beauty industry.

Why natural anti aging products? Beauty products have been known to contain many chemicals such as parabens, to preserve their shelf life. Parabens are actually harmful to the skin, and overall health. Natural anti aging skin care products are all natural and do not contain any chemicals or preservatives. The key ingredients used to make these products contain few if any toxins or chemicals.

You may then ask, “Do natural skin care products expire more quickly than others?” The answer is no. In order to extend the product’s shelf life, manufacturers recommend you use something sanitary–such as a spatula–to remove products from containers and always close containers directly after use. It is widely agreed upon that once skin care products of any kind are opened and exposed to air, they should be used or thrown out after 6 months.

When natural or organic skin care products are used to treat skin disorders such as eczema and acne, they are much less likely to cause irritation to sensitive skin. Choosing natural anti aging is a beneficial and safe way to take care of your skin and overall health. Today there are many natural anti aging skin care lines and products to choose from, including cleansers, toners, moisturizers, make-up and even anti-aging serums. Some natural products you may already have at home are: essential oils like ginger and tea tree, natural anti aging plant oils such as grape seed and almond oil, and herbs such as lavender and green tea. You can use these in your bath or make fabulous natural anti aging, facial treatments. The internet or your local library has hundreds of great recipes to choose.

Natural anti aging fruit extracts such as papaya, apples, citrus and cucumbers are proven to have a healthy effect on the skin, due to the absence of toxic pesticides. As you can imagine, there are many great natural anti aging skin care lines available for retail, if you’re not interested in making your own home remedies. However, “natural anti aging” doesn’t always mean organic or pure and labels can be deceiving; do some research on ingredients that seem skeptical.

The intent of this article is to help you be aware what you are putting on your skin and what harmful ingredients may be looming in your favorite skin care products. Now that you know more about natural anti aging skin care follow the below home recipe for a great glow!

Make sure that your at home ingredients are certified organic or all natural.

Moisturizing Avocado Mask:

1 avocado, 1 teaspoon of apple vinegar, 1 egg white, 3 teaspoons of olive oil. Peel and mash avocado. Separate and beat egg white, add to mashed avocado along with other ingredients. Apply to face and wash off after 20 minutes.

Natural Anti-Aging Skin Care Ingredients

We know it is impossible to stop the natural aging process; however, it is possible to delay it. There are many options available to achieve this, including cosmetic surgery and medical treatments; however the most popular and most cost efficient solution, aside from eating well and exercising regularly, is the use of anti aging products. These products can be for both cosmetic internal and external treatment.

Although wrinkles, lines and age spots are formed by the natural effects of getting older, one way to prevent them from appearing early on in life is to avoid direct sunlight and use sunscreens with SPFs 15 or higher. While, most of us have some form of sun-damaged skin, there are ways to regain healthy, smooth skin.

After many years of research, scientists, dermatologists and plastic surgeons have discovered that a variety of natural ingredients and vitamin extracts significantly help slow down and even reverse the signs of aging skin. These ingredients are now found in many physician developed and physician recommended anti-aging skin care products, which are specified below.

Vitamin A (Retinol) – Topical Vitamin A has been suggested to help build collagen fibers within the skin in addition to its more superficial exfoliating property. This is the basis for its use in minimizing the appearance of fine wrinkle lines.

Vitamin C – Vitamin C or ascorbic acid acts as an antioxidant and is considered vital in wound healing because it aids in stabilizing collagen. When applied topically, vitamin C can reduce fine lines and wrinkles and may lessen the severity of sunburns.

Vitamin E – Vitamin E is another antioxidant that shows to have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. When applied topically, vitamin E has been shown to improve moisturization, softness and smoothness and also provides modest photo protection.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) – AHAs are designed to smooth fine lines and surface wrinkles, to improve skin texture and tone, to unblock and cleanse pores, to improve oily skin or acne, and to improve skin condition in general.

Glycolic Acid – Glycolic acid is the most active and beneficial of the Alpha-Hydroxy-Acids (AHAs) in skin care. Once inside the cells, the acid triggers new formations of collagen to plump cells and the ground substances in the skin to reduce wrinkles on the skin’s surface. Glycolic acid is proven to be very effective in the treatment of acne as well as in cosmetic uses.

N-6 furfuryladenine (kinetin) – The nature-identical plant growth factor, furfuryladenine, retards the aging of plant cells as well as in vitro human skin fibroblasts. This natural, anti-aging ingredient has been proven to reduce wrinkles and fine lines and is exclusively found in Kinerase creams and lotions. This is a proven alternative for people with sensitive skin or people who are sensitive to products containing Retinol and Vitamin C.

Copper Peptides – Copper Peptides are the latest scientific breakthrough in skin rejuvenation. Copper has been found to naturally firm the skin, enhance elasticity, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Pal-KTTKS – Pal-KTTKS is an effective ingredient for reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It’s found to promote a smoother, younger complexion quickly, without with out expensive and painful chemical peels, surgery or injections.

Green Tea Extract – Green tea’s anti-inflammatory and anti-growth qualities are found in many skin care products designed to reduce the appearance of puffiness, wrinkles, fine lines and large pores.

TNS – The biotechnology of the skin’s natural healing process has arrived with the first tissue repairing complex containing growth factors found in normal, healthy skin. Unlike anything else currently on the market, TNS is the next level of skin rejuvenation that delivers dramatic results, for smoother, softer, younger looking skin.

Chamomile Reduces Redness and Inflammation

Chamomile (or camomile) is a common name for several daisy-like plants. The greeks named them “earth-apple-on the ground” for their apple-like scent. There are several varieties of Chamomile – each one used for slightly different purposes or intensities of properties. German or blue chamomile and Roman (English) chamomile, or the “garden” chamomile are the most commonly used.

These two types of chamomile are used for health conditions and are most commonly found in skin care or beauty products. While the two kinds are thought to have similar effects on the body, the German variety is more commonly used in the United States. Chamomile, is one of the oldest of all herbs, dating back to ancient Egyptians. It’s both a pretty flower and an ancient healer. Chamomile has been widely used for children and adults for thousands of years for a variety of health conditions.

Chamomile Provides Natural Skin Healing

Chamomile is an essential addition to the herbal first aid kit. It is a useful herb in many situations. It can relieve anxiety and calm someone down in the event of stress. It can also relieve gastrointestinal upset – after a big meal, or when stress doesn’t mix well with your meal. Chamomile is even an excellent herb to use as compresses for eye problems. Warm two tea bags with chamomile flowers to ease itchy eyes, especially when traveling to different parts of the country and you are not immune to the allergens in that area. It is also used topically for skin conditions and for mouth ulcers resulting from cancer treatment.

Chamomile: How It Is Used

The flowering tops of the chamomile plant are used to make teas, liquid extracts, capsules, or tablets. The herb can also be applied to the skin as a cream or an ointment, or used as a mouth rinse.

Chamomile in Anti-Aging Skin Care Products

This versatile herb is also recognized as a natural healing treatment that helps rejuvenate the skin. There are many wonderful natural facial treatments on the market today that incorporate Chamomile as a key ingredient.

To make a quick and easy tea facial, simply apply a paste made from one teaspoon of fine cornmeal mixed with cooled tea to the face, let dry, then gently rub off.

This very gentle skin tonic is ideal to replenish and enrich dry or sensitive skin. Its bactericidal, anti-itching, and antiseptic properties help to refresh the skin and reduce swelling.

Making paste with extra-strong brew and using it as an external wash or part of a hot compress can also help soothe burns, skin rashes, and sores.

Chamomile Reduces Redness and Inflammation

Chamomile has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. Chamomile contains an anti-inflammatory compound called alpha bisabolol which helps to soothe itchy, red skin. For this reason, Chamomile along with some other herbs and natural treatments has shown promise as skin treatments for eczema.

According to family physician Dr. Kristie Leong, “Chamomile has been used throughout history to treat various skin conditions and some studies have shown it works as effectively as low dose steroid creams without the side effects. Chamomile oil can be purchased at some health food stores. It needs to be diluted with a carrier oil such as almond oil or jojoba and can then be applied as a skin treatment for eczema. Bathing in warm water containing chamomile flowers may also help to soothe inflammation and itching. Simply make a bath bag using chamomile flowers and float it in a tub of warm bath water.”

For easing skin inflammations and acne, make a strong chamomile tea, and wipe the cooled liquid over your face each morning. This effective daily rinse tones and cleanses.

Essential Oil Usage

Both Roman and German chamomile have excellent calming properties, but Roman chamomile is more effective for irritation, impatience and feeling disagreeable, and has great value in treating PMS and other menstrual and menopausal problems, while German chamomile  is superbly effective on the skin, not only to sooth and calm, but to heal and for tissue regeneration.

Side Effects and Cautions

* There are reports of rare allergic reactions in people who have eaten or come into contact with chamomile products. Reactions include skin rashes, throat swelling, shortness of breath, and anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction).
* People are more likely to experience allergic reactions to chamomile if they are allergic to related plants in the daisy family, which includes ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies.
* Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This helps to ensure coordinated and safe care.

Anti-Wrinkle Skin Care Ingredients and Creams

Before we have a discussion of specific ingredients, it’s important to educate ourselves a little bit more on skin itself and what makes a product good or poor. Your skin is the largest organ of the body. Anything you put on it can be easily absorbed through the pores. When you use skin care products, they are typically applied all over the face, neck, and body. This covers a lot of surface area and, therefore, a great deal of chemical absorption occurs.

The biggest reason our skin, whether on the face or the rest of the body, develops lines and/or starts to sag, is that the collagen and elastin in our skin begins to break down. Collagen is a protein that is fibrous in nature. What makes collagen different from other kinds of protein is that it possesses great tensile strength, which means, among other things, it provides firmness to the skin.

You don’t need to be a scientist, therefore, to understand that as collagen breaks down due to aging, the firmness of our skin becomes…well, less firm. Wrinkles appear and skin starts to sag.

Elastin, too, is a protein that helps skin stay “flexible” and firm. If your skin is stretched, elastin is the protein that helps it return to its original position.

What all of this means for you as a consumer is you do want to avoid buying products that are nothing more than wrinkle or fine line ‘fillers.’ Some creams will give the appearance of plumper fuller skin while it still sits on the surface, but once absorbed or removed, the illusion is gone. Want you want to look for is a product that actually stimulates new collagen and elastin production in your skin. If you achieve this, you will, in reality, begin to turn back the clock.

Unfortunately, some cosmetic manufacturers will include some great ‘active ingredients’ while filling the majority of the product with inferior filler. Because these active ingredients are beneficial for the skin, they include just enough to be allowed to legally list them on the product label. This way, the typical consumer thinks they are getting a great product of high-quality. But, because these ingredients are expensive, and because, many well known companies spend much of their budget on marketing, the amount of these ‘active ingredients’ is limited to have any real benefit for your skin.

So, when choosing a skin care product, it’s not just about selecting one with good ingredients; it’s also about choosing one with a high concentration of these good ingredients.

• Collagen

After the brief review of the importance of collagen, you would think that buying a product with collagen in it would be a great thing. And the marketers who sell products that contain collagen know this. But, again sadly, collagen molecules are much too large to penetrate into the skin when applied topically and there presence in a beauty product has no effect whatsoever. To be of any benefit, you must purchase a product with ingredients that have been shown to stimulate your body’s own collagen production.

• Phytessence Wakame

Phytessence Wakame is an exotic kelp, native to the Japanese Sea. It works by blocking a harmful enzyme in your body called hyaluronidase. Hyaluronidase breaks down hyaluronic acid in your skin. Without hyaluronic acid, the elastin and collagen fibers lose their “glue,” which leads to a loss of youthful appearance and dark eye circles. Hyaluronan is a major component of skin, where it is involved in tissue repair.

• CoQ10

If you look at the ingredient list for some of the better skin care products, you’ll often see CoQ10 listed. CoQ10 is short for Coenzyme Q10, so you may also see it listed this way. CoQ10 is a vitamin like substance that is found in all of our body’s cells and is very important for healthy skin. CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant. A lot of skin damage and aging comes from free radicals wreaking havoc in our body’s cells. CoQ10’s antioxidant ability can counter these free radicals before damage occurs.

Unfortunately, like many other vital substances, as we age, the amount of CoQ10 in our bodies becomes depleted.

Although CoQ10 is a great ingredient, not all forms are equal. One in particular stands head and shoulders above the rest. This version of it is called Nano-Lipobelle H-EQ10.Most of the CoQ10 you buy in a typical skin care products are not readily usable when applied topically to the skin.

• Nano-Lipobelle H-EQ10, on the other hand, is a special nano-emulsion form of CoQ10, which penetrates far down into the skin, thereby providing much greater benefits for skin health. In fact, Nano-Lipobelle H-EQ10 has been shown to penetrate seven layers deep into the skin, making it extremely effective at gobbling up free radicals in your skin. The result is a powerful anti-wrinkle effect.

Anti-Wrinkle Facial Masks

A facial mask is a creamy mask applied to clean or soften the face. It often contains minerals, vitamins and/or fruit extracts, such as papaya or cucumber and moisturizing or detoxifying ingredients. There are different kinds of masks for different purposes; some are deep cleansing for cleaning the pores, others are strictly cream-based and used for moisturizing. The perceived effect of a facial mask treatment can be revitalizing, rejuvenating or refreshing. Facial masks have most commonly been used by women but are also increasingly popular with men.

Duration for wearing a mask depends on type of mask, but can be five minutes to 30 minutes, and on some rare occasions, the whole night. Most masks are washed off with warm water, while others are peeled off by hand. Facial masks should be selected according to skin type. Clay and mud masks typically suit oily skin; cream-based masks work best on dry skin types. Masks should be used once or twice a week after cleansing for best results. Firming masks should not be applied on the eye area because they can cause irritation or tearing of the delicate skin tissue around the eye.

You can determine your skin type by noticing how your skin tends to react most frequently. Mother nature works in seasons and the variations in temperature and climate that go with it, and so does our skin. You many need a moisturizing mask in the cold, dry months of winter and a detoxifying clay mask in the warm, humid summertime. Recognizing if your skin tends to be dry and tight or oily and acne prone is a first step. Review other articles in this blog for further help on skin type. Don’t forget to check combination or sensitive types as well.

Always apply the facial mask to clean skin and avoid the eye area. Masks can also be used on the neck, shoulders and arms. These areas are exposed to the everyday environmental stress and need pampering too. Masks are perfect to bring back the glow to your skin.

Once applied, take the time to sit back and relax. Try not to use your facial muscles and avoid laughing or eating as some masks will tighten significantly. The mask needs to dry so that it can absorb the toxins or moisturize your skin.

“Radiance” or anti aging masks will include various properties such as vitamins, seaweed, kelp, or minerals, to perk up and tone lifeless, dull skin. Radiance masks moisturize and tone the skin to give a more youthful appearance. Regular hydrating masks moisturize the skin by restoring your skins natural oil balance.

Clay and mud masks are best suited for oily skin. They dry in a short period of time and are excellent for pulling toxins and excess oil from the skin. Clay and mud masks open the pores , remove blackheads and improve circulation.

Peel-off masks are usually gel-based and dry to form a thin rubber-like mask that can be pulled off in one piece. These masks are set to lighten the skin by closing open pores and smoothing out the skin. Peel-off masks remove blackheads and dead skin cells. (Be aware that some masks might slightly pull facial hair).

Firming masks are usually gel or cream form  and are designed to tighten the skin surface. They are massaged into the contours of the face where elasticity is lost. Firming masks are commonly used as an anti-aging or anti-wrinkle treatment.

If you are looking for all-natural masks you can make at home, there are many variations of recipes to be found in holistic magazines, herbal reference books and on the Web. Honey, for instance, is not just good for your tea. Honey makes an excellent mask, as a low-cost choice to smooth the skin, hydrate and clean pores. Honey is also highly antimicrobial and excellent for acne.

Homemade facial masks can be made from simple ingredients such as honey, egg whites, milk, fruits, oats, clay and vegetables and herbs. Each of the ingredients offer some sort of benefit to the skin. For instance, eggs offer anti-oxidant properties, lemon is a bleaching agent and tightens skin, milk or is a great skin softener. The properties of natural ingredients and essential oils and herbs are endless when applying to skin care.

Quick home recipes for facial masks:
Oatmeal softens the skin and removes dead cells
To reduce the sign of wrinkles, make a mask of crushed ripe bananas
To tighten skin and close pores, beat an egg white with 1/2 tsp. of lime juice
Tomatoes are helpful for oily skin types
To cool and reduce inflammation, grate a cucumber and slather the pulp on your face
A stimulating mint leaf mixture will alleviate acne issues

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