Natural Herbal Skin Care

by: Jerrick Foo

Natural herbal skin care has been the choice of beautiful women the world over for thousands of years. It has only been recently that cosmetic companies have formulated makeup and skin care products that contain chemicals and artificial additives in an effort to improve on the natural herbal skin care regimens that have been around for centuries.

But today many women have come to realize that these harsh chemicals and artificial ingredients that are so expensive aren’t necessarily good for their skin – in fact, in some cases they can cause drying and stripping of the skin’s natural pH balance and interfere with the body’s natural skin repair process. That’s why so many have returned to the natural herbal skin care routines that are based on some of the same key ingredients that might have been used by legendary beauties like Cleopatra or Marie Antoinette.

Some basic beauty secrets of the ages – natural herbal ingredients for skin care includes essential oils, rose water, crushed almonds, sea salts, rice powder, shea butter and purified water are common. These ingredients are good for the skin as rarely you will encounter any allergy to them. These natural ingredients can help to moisturize dry skin and contains cooling botanicals to promote the healing of blemishes and a complete skin care regimen. The benefits include slowing down the aging process and help to diminish those fine lines and crow’s feet.

Natural herbal skin care can be the answer if you have sensitive skin and are prone to rashes and or break-outs. Many people don’t realize that occasional flare-ups of blemishes or rashes can mean your skin is being irritated by the many chemicals in the soaps, cleansers, astringents and other products your skin is exposed to every day. Add to the list the many dyes, chemicals and preservatives in your makeup and it’s a virtual assault on your delicate skin.

That’s what makes natural herbal skin care so important as a part of your daily skin care routine. Using natural, soothing ingredients can actually calm and soothe your skin, reducing the number of break-outs and rashes. Soothing ingredients like oatmeal for sensitive skin calm itching and redness when rare flare-ups do occur due to environmental stressors.

Most natural skin products are full of natural botanicals, vitamins and minerals and pure anti-oxidants to nourish your skin, and are just as rich and creamy as any luxury department store skin care line. There is a whole range of products, from natural clay masks for acne to healing aloe gels for dry skin. Best of all, these does not contain the harsh chemicals that you can find in some other non-natural products.

By using natural herbal skin care products, you’re improving the condition of your skin and decreasing the likelihood of future skin problems.

Acne Skin Care Treatments

by: Jerrick Foo

Acne sufferers today can choose from an array of products and regimens designed for acne skin care, both in prescription and over-the-counter preparations. Whether you are a teenager with typical hormone-driven breakouts, or are battling acne as an adult, you should be able to find a skin care treatment that gives you relief.

Acne skin care products target the problem of acne with several different strategies—some work by reducing the production of the oil glands, others by killing the P. acnes bacteria that cause the acne eruption, and others reduce the build-up of dead skin cells that leads to clogged pores. Several popular skin care products perform more than one of these functions.

The oldest commercial acne skin care treatment, and still one of the most widely available, is Benzoyl Peroxide. Sold in gels, creams, and washes, Benzoyl Peroxide fights acne by killing the P. acnes bacterium on the surface of the skin. It also has a drying and peeling effect, which may help reduce the severity of acne.

Users report that Benzoyl Peroxide can take four to six weeks of constant use to achieve full effect, but that it is a powerful tool in acne skin care when used faithfully. It can be found in commercial acne skin care products, such as Oxy 5 and Clearasil, but is also available in prescription strength.

Antibiotics are another common treatment used in acne skin care. Like Benzoyl Peroxide, they target the P. acnes bacterium, and can be found in gels and creams, but are usually administered as an oral medication. Common antibiotics used for acne treatment are Erythromycin, Clindamycin, and Tetracycline. Another aspect of antibiotic use in acne skin care is their anti-inflammatory effect, which reduces the redness and swelling of acne eruptions that have already occurred.

Additionally, Sodium Sulfacetamide and Azelaic Acid are prescribed to fight P. acnes bacteria, although neither are antibiotics.

Azelaic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Resorcinol, sulphur, and Adapalene are products that approach acne skin care with the intent to reduce clogged pores by peeling or sloughing off dead skins cells. Salicylic Acid is found in over-the-counter acne care products, such as Stridex, as are Resorcinol and sulphur.

While most acne skin care treatments in this group target the surface of the skin, Adapalene, a prescription-only medication, reduces the build-up of dead skin cells inside the pore itself. Also a prescription-only skin care product, Azelaic Acid has the added benefit of killing P. acnes bacteria.

To reduce oil production, there are two common acne skin care treatments: oral contraceptives, and Isotretinoin (Accutane). Of the two, Accutane, a vitamin A derivative, has the most severe side-effects, which include a high risk of birth defects, and is used for severe cases when other acne skin care regimens have failed.

Oral contraceptives work as an acne treatment because they are anti-androgens—they reduce levels of male hormones, specifically testosterone. Increased oil production in women has been linked to elevated levels of testosterone. Not all birth control pills work in the same manner, and the progestins used in some actually act like androgens, so be sure to inform your doctor if you wish your oral contraceptive to serve the dual purpose of acne skin care.

Every acne skin care product available today has side effects, some of them quite severe. Always consult your doctor or dermatologist, and read carefully all labels and warnings before beginning an acne skin care regimen.

About The Author Jerrick Foo has been researching and developing all dry skin care the purpose of offering men and women safe, dry skin care tips. He have created Dry Skin Care Guide to share his 10 years of combined expertise with you. Visit http://www.dry-skin-care-guide.com for essential skin care tips. contact@dry-skin-care-guide.com

Fresh Fruit Facials for Healthy Skin

by: Alisha Burke

I was having tea with a friend last week, and we were discussing our extensive skin care regimens. As we were exchanging tips and advice, I realized that I have amassed a virtual recipe box of facials that can be done using fresh fruit. As there are many of you out there that could benefit from this knowledge, I have decided to share my insights.

One of my favorites is the peach facial, which works very well as a tightening mask. Simply take a ripened peach, and remove the skin and the pit from the center. Place the peach and the whites from a single egg in a blender, and whip until smooth. Pat the mixture onto your face, and allow it to sit there for 30 minutes. Rinse with cold water.

I have found that the apple mask is very good for normal skin. Peel, core, and quarter an apple. Chop the apple in your blender, and add two tablespoons of honey. Blend until smooth. Then remove the mixture from the blender, and refrigerate for approximately 10 minutes. Apply the mixture to your face using a patting motion, and be sure to pat until the honey becomes tacky. Leave it on for about 30 minutes, and rinse with warm water.

I have also had great success with a Strawberry mask that my Grandmother told me about. The trick here is to use extremely ripe Strawberries. Add approximately ½ cup of strawberries and a ¼ cup of cornstarch to the blender, and mix until smooth. Apply the mixture to your face, and be careful to avoid the area around your eyes. Leave it on for 30 minutes, and rinse it off with cool water.

The next facial mask is excellent for blemished skin. Chop a ripened tomato into small pieces, and place it in your blender. Add one tablespoon of lemon juice and some instant oatmeal or rolled oats. Mix until it is all combined. Do not mix for too long, as it will not stick to your face. If it gets too thin, simply add more oatmeal. Apply the mixture, and leave it on for 10 minutes. Scrub it off using a warm, wet cloth.

There are many different ways to care for your skin, and as many different products on the market. In my experience, the most natural treatments provide the best results. Try to avoid products that have heavy perfumed scents or appear to use poor quality ingredients. These all natural fruit facials have worked wonders for me. I hope you enjoy them.

About The Author Alisha Burke loves getting facials. When she is not daydreaming about her next trip to the spa, she writes for yourskin101.com – an online resource dedicated to helping you care for your skin, with important information about Collagen Injections (http://www.yourskin101.com/anti-aging-skin-care/collagen-injections.aspx), Anti-Aging Products (http://www.yourskin101.com/anti-aging-skin-care/), Sunscreen (http://www.yourskin101.com/sun-protection/sunscreens.aspx) and more.