Friday, December 11, 2009
Five Common Chemicals Used in Skin Care Products
Here are the five common chemicals used in skin care product:
First is the chemical known as Retinol. This is a derivative of vitamin A, and a lot of over the counter skin care products contain retinol. Retinol's stronger counterpart is tretinoin, which is the active ingredient in Retin-A and Renova, available by prescription only. If your skin is too sensitive to use Retin-A,retinol is an excellent alternative.
Retinol is proven to improve mottled pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture, skin tone and color, and retinol also helps to re-hydrate your skin. You may also hear about retinyl palmitate. This falls into the same family as retinol, but if the skin care product you choose contains retinyl palmitate, you will need to use more of this product than one that contains retinol to get the same effect.
Second is the Vitamin C which is the only antioxidant that is proven to stimulate the synthesis of collagen, which is essential since your body's natural collagen production decreases as you age. Collagen is considered a person's fountain of youth; it's responsible for warding off wrinkles and fine lines. Studies have shown that vitamin C helps to minimize fine lines, scars and wrinkles.
It is still important to be choosy when selecting a vitamin C product. Vitamin C in its most commonly found forms is highly unstable when exposed to oxygen, making it useless. Also, many topical vitamin C preparations do not penetrate the skin enough to make a difference.
Third in line is the a chemical called Alpha-hydroxy Acid or better known as AHAs. It is an Over-the-counter skin care products containing alpha-hydroxy acids (glycolic, lactic, tartaric and citric acids) have become increasingly popular over the last five years. 0Creams and lotions with alpha-hydroxy acids may help with fine lines, irregular pigmentation and age spots, and may reduce the size of enlarged pores. Side effects of alpha-hydroxy acids include mild irritation and sun sensitivity. For that reason, sunscreen should be used every morning. To help avoid skin irritation with alpha-hydroxy acids, it is advisable to start with a product with low concentrations of AHA. Also, give your skin a chance to get used to the product. Start out by applying AHA skin products every other day, gradually working up to a daily application.
Next is the Hydroquinone which is popularly referred to as bleaching creams or lightening agents. These skin care products are used to lighten hyper pigmentation, such as age spots and dark spots related to pregnancy or hormone therapy (melasma or chloasma). Some over-the-counter skin care products contain hydroquinone, but your doctor can also prescribe a solution with a higher concentration of hydroquinone if your skin doesn't respond to over- the-counter treatments.
Fifth and the last is known as the Kojic acid. Is a more recent remedy for the treatment of pigment problems and age spots. If you are allergic to hydroquinone, use products that have Kojic acid. Kojic acid is derived from a fungus, and studies have shown that it is effective as a lightening agent, inhibiting production of melanin.
Use this information to sort through various skin care products on the market. But for your own safety, and if you're still unsure which skin care products are right for you, ask your dermatologist.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The Different Kinds of Beauty Products for Men
Men’s scalp is a lot more oily compare to those of women. That is why, if possible, they need to use shampoos and conditioners are good for their scalp. Though most of men have short hair, they still need to take good care of their hair to avoid their scalp from drying that could cause dandruff. Choosing the right products for their hair just like anti-dandruff shampoos and conditioners give them a hair that is so soft, clean and dandruff free hair.
Facial products are useful to men. They say, facial products eliminate the oiliness of men’s face, give them soothing and smooth skin. These products include facial foams, shaving creams, after shaves, toners, facial scrubs and creams. But what are these products do to the skin?
Facial foams and facial scrubs are usually used two to three times a day to eliminate dirt and facial oils. Shaving creams on the other hand are being applied before a man would shave his beard or mustache to make it easy for them to shave. After shaves are best used after shaving, along with shaving creams. Toners are sometimes used after using of facial foams, for your facial skin looks clearer and dirt free. Creams on the other hand are best used after applying toners.
For their body, beauty products fro men include, deodorants, cologne sprays and perfumes and lotions. Men should not forget to pamper their bodies. A man with a fresh scent is much great to smell compare to those who are not. It is good for men to put their underarms deodorant everyday especially after taking a bath. There is a study says that men sweat twice compare to women. It is just right for them to take extra care of their body. To add an extra fresh feeling, cologne sprays and perfumes are being used. Women find men who smell like a man fresh from shower than a man fresh from work.
As men sweat so fast, it affects not just their upper body but also on the lowest part, their feet. Imagine taking off your shoes from work and smell that dull odor from your feet. Feet need extra care, don’t they? Athlete’s foot is now one of the problems that men are facing. They need to give it an extra care to their feet. It’s as easy as, drying your feet and put an anti-fungi cream or powder to your feet to avoid having feet diseases.
Though men are not that vain compare to women, they must still give an extra effort to their physical aspects. There is actually nothing wrong in trying as long as what you try could give yourself a better result.
Look your best! Feel your best!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Skincare Tips That'll Make You Glow
Dry Brush Exfoliation: This should be done in the morning prior to going in the shower. This gets ride of excess dead skin, thus allowing your skin to detox. This will also help with blood circulation and decreases any puffiness. While this is a great way to improve your skin condition it also provides a calming affect through the gentle pressure, which stimulates the nervous system. With the help of a bristle brush you can be on your way to a dry brush exfoliation once a day in no time.
Hydration: This causes your digestion to slow down and in turn leaves your body filled with impurities for longer than it should. You should try to drink 4 litres of water per day, at least. In order to make sure you meet this target have a bottle of water with you at all times throughout the day and you will find it's easy to get through this amount without thinking about it. Don't like drinking plain water? Consider adding flavoring to your water.
Fibre: Fibre will improve your diet and your skin at the same time. Most people know that this will make their skin glow, but few know how to realistically eat their RDA of fibre every day. Here's some tips to make sure you manage:
1. Brown is better than white. Pasta and bread both have up to ten times as much fibre in them when you opt for brown rather than white. This is an easy dietary change for most people, so at least give it a try and see if you can make the shift.
2. Eat apples, and lots of them! Apples are sweet and tasty. More importantly their skins are jam packed with fibre. Try to eat a couple of apples a day as a contribution towards your 5 fruit and vegetables.
Get exercise: If you fail to get exercise then you'll notice your muscle tone turning to flab. This has been said to lead to cellulite, acne and bloating. None of which will do your complexion any favours! That's why you have to consider incorporating an exercise plan into your lifestyle. This shouldn't be a chore, and is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.
Sugar: Sugar may be sweet, but it doesn't do your skin any favours. This is said to be one of the major causes of ageing in the skin. You can easily tackle this problem through ensuring your not having any more sugar in your diet than you have to. This means that a sprinkle of sugar on your cereal shouldn't be an option. When it comes to tea and coffee, it's easy to gradually reduce whether or not you take sugar. If you currently take 2 spoonfuls, come down to zero half a spoonful at a time.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Top 3 Most Loved Fashion Accessories
Fashion accessories are things that are mostly used by women as well as men to add some detail and style to their outfit. They are also worn out to complement theirclothes and create such new and extraordinary look that will surely get other people's attention. Nowadays, they have become so popular and in demand because these items are not just considered as essential for fashion but also part of basic necessity. Especially for those women, it's for sure that you'll see them wearing accessories wherever they go because they consider them as part of their daily lifestyle. Aside from this, these things have also certain place in their hearts, that's why they recognize them as extremely valuable possessions that must be always close to them.
To give you a guide on what accessories that are hot this year, here is the list of the Top 3 Fashion Accessories most loved and used by people.
1. Jewelries
These glittering items are the most well-known fashion accessories because they are meant for all ages. Even teens and other children are also fond of wearing these accessories because of its bright colors that make them become fascinated. Jewelries are also intended for both gender, that's why most men also wear these accessories such as watches and rings. Women are very much enchanted with jewelries such as necklaces, earrings and bracelets because they use them primarily for fashion to make them more beautiful and attractive.
2. Handbags and Purses
Handbags are also popular fashion accessories for most women and teenage girls because they consider them as one of their compulsory accessories. Since most of them need to bring large amount of necessary things for their office or school, they have to use handbags to carry their stuffs in a more convenient way. Aside from that, they also need a handbag where they can keep their make up to keep them stay fresh and beautiful all day long.
3. Shoes and Sandals
Shoes or sandals are also one of the most sought fashion accessories among women. Most of them own numerous pair of shoes with different styles and colors intended for complementing their दिफ्फेरेंत clothes.
Wearing fashion accessories is indeed a good way of enhancing your wardrobe and transforming your ordinary appearance into such stunning and surprising look. However, not all trendy accessories work best with यौर clothes as well as with your figure. So you must be careful in choosing your accessories because they can also turn you down if they are not well-complemented with your outfit and body type. Just learn how to accessorize and it's for sure that you'll shine best with your चोसें fashion accessories.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Natural Stretch Mark Removal
You shouldn't consider natural remedies for stretch marks as weak products. Stretch Out Fading Cream is a product that is reported to result in as much as a 50% reduction in stretch marks. The product does not contain any man-made ingredients. Instead, all of the ingredients are derived from plants. Chemicals usually work by working against nature and forcing a reverse reaction to occur. The ingredients in Stretch Out Fading Cream work with your skin naturally to produce results.
The ingredients that are key to eliminating stretch marks include vitamin E, cocoa butter, and wheat germ oil. Stretch Out Fading Cream contains these elements and a host of other skin nourishing ingredients such as collagen, aloe vera, and vitamin C. While this naturalstretch mark removal product is designed to treat stretch marks, its compilation of essential vitamins and minerals will also improve the general condition of your skin. You will end up with skin that is not only stretch mark free, but that is also healthy and glowing. Another added bonus of the product is that it can diminish the appearance of wrinkles.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Dry Skin Is Thirsty and Other Useful Tips
Skin is not dry because it lacks oil, but because it lacks water. Only a lucky few have 'normal' skin; the rest of us have a dry, oily or combination variety; if dryness is your problem, read on.
Dry skin happens more often in the winter where the cold air outside and the hot air inside creates a low relative humidity.
Skin contains the hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, apocrine glands and blood vessels. The average square inch of skin holds 650 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels, 60,000 melanocytes, and more than a thousand nerve endings. Skin is considered one of the most important parts of the body.
The outermost layer of epidermis consists of 25 to 30 layers of dead cells. The epidermis contains no blood vessels, and cells in the deepest layers are nourished by diffusion from blood capillaries extending to the upper layers of the dermis.
The epidermis can be further subdivided into the following strata (beginning with the outermost layer): corneum, lucidum (only in feet), granulosum, spinosum, and basale.
Bathing or showering too frequently, especially if one is using harsh soaps, may also contribute to xeroderma (dry skin). Xeroderma can also be caused by a deficiency of vitamin A, systemic illness, overexposure to sunlight or some medications. Dry skin is common.
Apply moisturizers just after a bath or shower, when your skin is still damp. Use as little soap as possible limiting its use to armpits and genitals. Dry your skin gently and thoroughly, patting not rubbing.
Drink plenty of water, a minimum of a quart a day. The two most common, sluggish, digestion culprits that affect your skin are not enough water and not enough fiber. Put two tablespoons of coconut oil in your smoothies. Eat at least one organic apple with the skin on every day. Fatty acids are particularly important to people withdry skin.
Use coconut oil to remove your make-up at night, like I do; it leaves a fine layer of oil to nourish your skin all night long. If you also have eczema or acne,coconut oil will treat those skin conditions too.
It just takes motivation, a willingness to try it, and diligent application of coconut oil several times daily and at bedtime to see its benefits. Apply a thin layer of coconut oil and massage it deep into the skin.
The skin must be regularly cleaned or it'll become cracked or inflamed. Dry skin can be converted into healthy skin using natural home remedies.
Unclean skin favors the development of pathogenic organisms - the dead cells that continually slough off of the epidermis mix with the secretions of the sweat and sebaceous glands and the dust found on the skin to form a filthy layer on its surface.
Continue using coconut oil and the benefits of good, clear skin, free of dryness and other skin conditions should be your reward .You should see the results with improved skin within a few days following this advice. Make sure to call your dermatologist when you have any open cuts or sores from scratching that won't heal.
Source: Free Articles
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Fade Stretch Marks
Scarguard ScarCare works by providing a protective covering for the stretch marks so that they can heal on their own. The product does, however, contain ingredients that are beneficial for diminishing stretch marks. Vitamin E and silicone are two ingredients in ScarCare that will help fade stretch marks. You apply the product directly to your stretch marks twice each day. You should start to notice an improvement in your stretch marks in less than six months. If you are pregnant, you need to obtain approval from your doctor before using the product.
Scarguard Lightener is another stretch mark treatment product manufactured by Scarguard. This product fades stretch marks by lightening the skin. The product contains 2% hydroquinone, a skin-lightening chemical. If you choose to go with this product you need to also wear a sunscreen. You may experience a darkening of your skin if you apply the product to your skin and spend time in the sun without any sun protection. This product, like ScarCare costs $64.99. The cost is more than the averagestretch mark treatment, but then doctors do not endorse the average product for stretch marks. Plastic surgeons use Scarguard products in their practice, so there is a good chance that you will experience success with Scarguard products.