Healthy Skin
Healthy skin is a sign of good health. The skin is the largest vital organ in our body comprising of about two billion cells and has a surface area of around two square meters.
- Nourish your skin by eating the proper foods. This means healthy and balanced diet. Healthy and balanced diet promotes our general well- being and optimizes our body to function at its best. To have a healthy skin, eat plenty of seed food i.e. fruits that contain seeds, vegetables - organic vegetables are better as it contains additional nutrients.
- Cleanse it. Cleaning plays an important part in the overall wellness of your skin. Experts agree that we should gently clean our skin; tone it; moisturize it; and exfoliate it.
- Take care of you skin and choose only the best acne products if you need to clear your pores. And remember, according to user reviews, they do not work in a few days, you need at least a month to treat your acne completely!
Why do you need to keep your skin clean?
First and foremost, the skin is the outermost layer of the body and is essentially its first line of defense against various elements. It covers approximately 19 square feet, so it's more or less the largest organ of your body. What's more, the skin (particularly that on the face) is the first thing people see when they look at you, so it's really important that you keep it clean, smooth, and acne-free. The only way you can do that is if you follow a good skin regimen.
The truth is that there is only one good skin regimen and it includes three (sometimes four) steps: cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. These three skin care steps are the basics, and they should be done everyday if you really want to maintain your beautiful skin. Experts even recommend that you do this skin regimen twice a day, right after you wake up and right before you sleep.
Dry Skin - due to environmental exposure to harsh elements and very often lack of water skin may flake off and feel tight in your face. It may lack natural oils, may look rather flaky with small pores, blemishes and blackheads. Without adequate moisture, dry skin can easily become chapped. As dry skin ages, it's more likely than other types to become wrinkly.
Oily Skin - skin may look oily and coarse, may have recurring blackheads, acne and large pores. The texture of skin is thick; the touch is often sticky. This type is usually youthful- looking due to the presence of oil on the skin. Often, individuals with oily skin have a tendency to develop acne in their teen and middle years, and overgrown oil glands, or sebaceous hyperplasia, in the middle and late years.
Skin Types
Vanity is a natural human characteristic. It is innate in all of us. And although most people do not regard their skin as an organ, our skin is in fact the largest vital organ in our body. Skin that is clogged and unhealthy is not just a beauty problem. It can become a hindrance to your sense of vitality and wellness. Proper care of your skin is important not only to your personal sense of beauty but also to proper elimination, more graceful aging and overall health.
There are five major types of skin. Understanding your skin type is the best approach to your personal skin care.
Normal skin is the type of skin that we'd all love to have. This is the "healthy" type of skin. This type is the not too oily, not too dry type, characterized by few blemishes, generally firm and smooth with small pores. When you pull the skin away from the bony structure, it springs back to normal position. Lines and wrinkles are appropriate for age.
We will continue with this review, please stay online and check our blog in 2 weeks. Whatever your skin type is, you can always find an acne treatment product that will work for you.
How to Cleanse Your Skin
Acne. The mere mention of the word brings terror to teenagers and grown-ups alike. They have a knack for appearing when you least like them to - a day before prom night, hours before a blind date, and minutes before your center stage performance. This dreadful skin problem has neither mercy nor respect for anyone - whether you're a hot celebrity or a regular teenager, getting a big, fat, pus-filled bump can happen to you. But instead of freaking out whenever you see one of these monsters creeping up your face, you should do something about it. Acne products will certainly help you!
The bad news about acne is that there are about a dozen of reasons why they just pop almost out of nowhere. According to the skin care specialists, acne occurs when a pore breaks down and blocks the oil within which causes the inflammation that results in acne.
Some of the well-known culprits of acne include improper diet, stress, overactive hormones, bacteria, vitamin deficiency, evolutionary biology, or a combination of all. The good news is that there are also about a gazillion things that can help you fight off acne and other unwanted skin problems. Since acne starts in the pores, keeping the pores clean is one of the best ways to keep acne from plaguing your skin.
Is moisturising really good?
Moisturizers are the traditional staple of skin care products line. Others may consider it the centerpiece of anti-aging skin care, while others may plainly just set its values aside. Special moisturizing care for our skin is needed when the humidity is relatively low because it promotes faster evaporation of skin moisture. Dry weather and indoor heating season also calls special attention to moisturizing.
Moisturizers help in hydrating your skin by preventing the water from escaping or by slowly releasing water into your skin. However, it is best to remember that inside and outside moisturizing is necessary for best results. Keeping the body well hydrated is as important part of a beauty regimen as well as using those creams and lotions that everyone is fond of. Adequate fluid intake is the key as well as balanced diet and proper exercise.
Protecting your skin from the sun can help you retain that moisture and reduce your risks of many skin diseases.
Before starting on any beauty regimen or acne treatment product, it is always wise to keep in mind your skin type. In this way, you will know what products are best for your skin. Consult with your dermatologist so you will know if you are in certain risk of allergic reactions and sensitivity to most of skin care products ingredients.
Protecting your Skin from the Sun
Why should you protect your skin from the sun? Here are the reasons why we should avoid basking in the sun too much.
The sun's rays can be very harmful to our skin. Although sunlight is actually beneficial in treating skin diseases, over exposure to the sun can cause sunburn, wrinkles, freckles, skin texture changes, dilated blood vessels, and skin cancers. It may also cause rash problems.
Most skin cancers are linked to sunburn or prolonged exposure to the sun. Skin cells are damaged by the electromagnetic radiation that makes up sunshine (this is different from the radiation associated with nuclear energy). The dangerous rays contain UV radiation. This comes in three types: UVA, UVB and UVC. UV radiation can penetrate deep into our cells and cause gene damage, the trigger for cancer.
It is in this regard that health experts and medical practitioners alike are encouraging us to protect ourselves against the sun. Here are four simple ways that we can do so:
- Stay away from the sun especially in the middle of the day (approximately from 10 a.m. to four p.m.) when the sun is at its hottest.
- Block. Use sunscreen lotions or those with Sun Protection Factor (SPF). Using SPF 15 or higher is recommended.
- Cover up. Hats, sunglasses, sun visors and protective clothing will provide effective barrier to sunlight.
- Speak out. Help promote awareness regarding sun protection and the dangers of too much sunlight.
So next time you wanted to ride the hype of sunbathing and tanning, remember that no amount of beauty can compensate for your life.
Protect Your Children from Harmful Sun Rays
Children like to play outside regardless of what time of the day it is. When they play outside from morning until the afternoon, the chances of getting sunburned are quite substantial. Your children's skins are one of their bodies' most sensitive parts. When they are not properly covered and are, thus, exposed to extreme sun, they can get a lot of very serious skin problems, such as skin cancer. The reason for this is that the sun has ultraviolet rays that is damaging to the skin.
When a child frequently acquires sunburn, there is a great chance that he or she will grow up with a skin problem called melanoma. Moreover, when he or she becomes an adult, he or she may obtain wrinkles prematurely. Other possible conditions that may be acquired are skin discolorations and liver spots.
To protect your children from sunburn, it is advisable to let them wear sunscreen beneath their dark-colored shirts. White shirts are not recommended since the sun's rays can easily pass through it, especially when it gets wet. Choose dark-colored shirts that can hide as many body parts that are normally exposed to the sun as possible. Teaching your kids the importance of skin protection will help them maintain healthier and more radiant skins in the future.
At present, tanning has become popular. People of all ages like to soak under the sun to achieve the perfect tan look. Always remember that tanning under the sun is very dangerous to the skin, thus, sunscreen application is still highly recommended.
Remember, if you take care of your skin, your skin will be OK and you will not have to deal with acne and other horrible skin conditions.
Skin Cancer Faq
It is estimated that there are about a million people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer annually. Although anyone can get skin cancer, the risk is greater for people who always burn, never tan, and are fair with red or blonde hair; green or blue eyed and freckled types have a greater chance of developing skin cancer.
Learn more about it with the following frequently asked questions:
Q. Is sun exposure the main cause of skin cancer?
A. Long-term exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation sun is the main cause of skin cancer. Artificial sources of UV radiation, such as sunlamps and tanning booths, also contribute to the risk of developing skin cancer.
Q. What are the types of skin cancer?
A. The most common kinds of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma arises from the basal cells, small round cells found in the lower part (or base) of the epidermis.
Squamous cell carcinoma begins in squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the lining of the hollow organs of the body, and the passages of the respiratory and digestive tracts.
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are sometimes called nonmelanoma skin cancer. Another type of cancer that occurs in the skin is melanoma that arises in melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment. Melanoma usually begins in a mole.
Q. What are the early warning signs?
A. The ABCD's of melanoma are as follows:
A - Asymmetry (common moles are round and symmetrical)
B - Border (skin cancers may have uneven borders)
C - Color (watch for varied shades of brown, tan or black and also red, white, and blue)
D - Diameter (if a spot is larger than a pencil eraser (6mm or ? inch in diameter) it could be trouble)
Q. How does a mole change?
A. Aside from the ABCD's, you should watch out for these changes:
Size - mole suddenly or continuously gets larger
Elevation - a mole that was flat or slightly elevated increases in height rapidly
Surrounding skin - skin around the mole becomes red or develops colored blemishes or swellings
Surface - a smooth mole develops scaliness, erosion, oozing, crusting, ulceration, bleeding
Sensation - there is itching, tenderness or pain.
Q. How can skin cancer be prevented?
A. Whenever possible, people should avoid exposure to the midday sun (from 10AM to 2PM). Keep in mind that protective clothing, such as sun hats and long sleeves, can block out the sun's harmful rays. Also, lotions that contain sunscreens can protect the skin.
Proper Eating For Healthier Skin
There are a lot of products in the market that promise to give you a fairer and healthier skin and treat acne. However, these products are not the only measures that can give you a healthy skin. Food also plays an important part in determining the look and feel of your skin. Studies have shown that eating unhealthy and fatty foods may result in oily and pimply skins. If you eat right, you can have the radiant and glowing skin all people seek to achieve.
Foods rich in vitamins and minerals can also give you the beautiful skin complexion, of which you have always dreamed. You can also get these vitamins and minerals from supplementary creams, lotions and other similar products.
Having unhealthy skin means that you are probably eating unhealthy foods. When you lack some nutrients in your body, the skin reflects this problem. A possible solution for this is eating foods packed with antioxidants. These antioxidants can be found on various fruits and vegetables.
Aside from the healthier and more radiant complexion, having a healthy diet will also slow down your skin's aging process. This means that a healthy diet will make you look and feel younger.
Even Your Skin Needs to Take Vitamins
Your body isn't the only thing that needs to be healthy; your skin has to be healthy, too. Some people may not be aware of this, but a lot of vitamins are essential and helpful in improving your skin's health.
Let us start by discussing the Vitamin A. You have probably heard discussions about how good this vitamin, more specifically beta-carotene, is for the eyes, but aside from this, it is also good for the skin. Vitamin A is important in repairing and protecting the skin tissues. A lack or even a small drop in the required amount of this vitamin will immediately be manifested by the body, especially by the skin itself. Flakiness and drying of the complexion is a good example the signs of vitamin A deficiency. To avoid these consequences, it is best to take foods that are filled with vitamin A, such as fruits and vegetables.
Aside from food supplements, the external application of Vitamin A is also a plus. These supplements can be taken in the form of lotions and creams, which help control the fast growth of acne, wrinkles and unwanted facial lines. Aside from these important benefits, Vitamin A also helps us avoid psoriasis, the symptoms of which include the swelling and scaling of the skin. Retin-A, which is a derivative of Vitamin A, is used in the formulation of retinols. Retinol is an over the counter drug that is used as a treatment for aging. Topical retinol with Vitamin C is also found to reverse skin changes, which are caused by photoaging and chronological aging.
The next vitamin on our list is Vitamin B for Vitamin B Complex. The most important "B" to remember in Vitamin B complex is Biotin. This nutrient is responsible for the formation of the nails, hair, and skin cells. Biotin is found in various types of food such as eggs, rice, oatmeal, and bananas. Even the human body creates its own biotin.
However, the fact that our body produces it doesn't mean that you should stop taking food and other supplements rich in Biotin and the entire vitamin B complex. A lack of this important nutrient may result in dermatitis or skin inflammation accompanied by itchiness and redness of the skin. Hair loss is also another symptom for vitamin B complex deficiency.
There are now available creams in the market which contain B vitamins. These creams help restore or bring radiance to the skin as it moisturizes skin cells and improve the entire body' s skin tone. Aside from biotin, Niacin is another B vitamin which helps bring back moisture to the skin in almost less than a week. They work by relieving dry and chaffed skin. It also serves as a skin lightener which can clear up blotchy skin.
Vitamins C and E are also good for the skin. Individually, vitamin C helps protect the skin from skin cancer normally caused by very long and frequent exposures to the sun. Vitamin E, on the other hand, is responsible for the reduction of wrinkles and photo damage. A 400 mg dose of natural Vitamin E every day would help prevent this damage and enhance the skin's texture. Together, these two vitamins work in reducing DNA damages in the skin cells. This fact made researchers come to the conclusion that antioxidants help defend the body's skin cells from further DNA damage. The vitamins C and E also lessen damages brought about by free radicals, which are detrimental byproducts of pollution, smoke, and exposure to too much sunlight. These free radicals gorge down elastin and collagen fibers that are important to the structure of the skin.
There are formulated lotions, which include a combination of vitamins C and E to help restore lost vitamins and to make your skin healthier looking. Good sources of vitamin C include broccoli, bell peppers, citrus fruits, cauliflower, and other green leafy vegetables. There are also a lot of vitamin C supplements available as over the counter drugs, of which it is enough to take a 500 to 1,000mg tablet a day. For Vitamin E, nuts, olives, asparagus, vegetable oils, and spinach are good sources. Unfortunately, you cannot make your vitamin E supply depend only on taking these foods. It can be supplemented by acne cleansing creams, lotions, and acne treatment pills, of which the required amount is up to 400 units a day. An excessive intake of vitamin E may also be harmful.
Lastly, the skin also needs vitamin K. Vitamin K does not do much for the skin, but it has one major benefit. This benefit is manifested by the reduction of dark circles formed under the eyes and the appearance of bruises. It can also be combined with vitamin A to form a potent formula for lightening the circles under the eye.
Fruits for Healthy Skin
Clear and healthy skin is essential part of our overall well being. There are some effective natural acne teratment aids for your skin that are made by nature and will assist acne treatment system to clear and treat your skin.
Some healthy fruits for your skin:
- Apple juice makes an excellent remedy for fine wrinkles, cracked skin, itching and inflammation. Apples can be used as great conditioner and toner. They have been used for centuries for their skin-healing powers. Add a cup of apple juice to your bath to cleanse and soften your skin. The juice of apple can be used as breath freshener. Apple juice when applied to your hair scalp can prevent dandruff. Use as a final rinse after shampooing your hair.
- Apricots fresh juice of apricots is good for sunburn, itching and eczema.
- Avocado can be used as an effective facial mask.
- Banana can be made into an effective and inexpensive facial mask.
- Cucumber is good for treating skin eruptions and bulges and for whitening skin. It can also prevent pimples, wrinkles, blackheads and dryness of the face.
- Guava boiled leaves can be used as natural antiseptic.
- Lemons a classic home beauty ingredient, lemons are used to cleanse and freshen the skin and hair. Use lemon slices to soften rough skin spots such as elbows and heels. Lemon slices also help deodorize and mix a few teaspoons of lemon juice in your bath and you will feel fresh the whole day. Lemon juice can be added to your favorite cleanser or shampoo to refresh and tone your scalp. It also helps prevent dandruff.
- Lime juice is very important natural aid for beautiful skin. This treatment will help you to look young and beautiful. It will also help cure pimples. It is also known to help in controlling oily skin, improve a dull and greasy complexion, improve rough and dry skin, relieve tired eyes and remove freckles.
- Mango leaves can be boiled and be used as antiseptic.
- Orange juice paste can be is an effective remedy for pimples and acne. It can also be used for scar and blemish removal.
- Papaya orange and green papaya is used to remove whiteheads, boils and spots. It also contains the papain enzyme, which is effective in skin whitening.
- Peach: the skin of peach is said to be useful in improving complexion. It can also be made as anti-wrinkle cream.
- Pineapple are good skin softeners which cleanse and rejuvenate dull and dry skin, especially for classic rough skin spots like knees, elbows, and heels.
- Pomegranate paste of roasted and powdered pomegranate skin is good in treating boils, pimples, blackheads and whiteheads.
- Strawberry can be used for conditioning and skin toning treatment. They are rich in salicylic acid an ingredient found in many commercial acne creams and thus are the best treatment for troubled or teenage skin.
Face Washing
Here are several things that one should avoid when washing their faces. Remember that it is our aim to treat acne and make your skin healthier and beautiful.
1. Do not wash face too often. Washing your face doesn't mean you have to wash it every hour of the day... Experts recommend ONLY two or three times per day. Frequent washing may dry out your skin thus increasing your risk to irritations that may even cause acne. Moreover, if the skin is too dry, your glands will produce more oil to compensate for this loss. This means that the risk of getting too much sebum also increases.
2. Do not use harsh soaps and cleansers. Never use bar soaps or bar cleansers. The ingredients that keep these soaps and cleansers in bar form can clog your pores and irritate your skin... plus, they can help foster breakouts. Harsh soap and cleansers can strip off the skin’s natural lipids thus irritate your skin. Choose cleansers that are mild and non-comedogenic, hypo-allergenic, and soap-free. There are several products like this in the market like Cetaphil, Burt Bee’s or Neutrogena. Dilute your cleanser with enough water when you wash... The less concentrated your cleanser, the gentler it will be.
3. Do not use too much cleanser. Even if you are using mild cleansers, it is best to dilute it with water (a palmful will be sufficient). The less concentrated your cleanser, the gentler it will be for your face.
4. Do not use cleansers containing alcohol. Alcohol will upset your face’s natural ph level, thus causing irritation. Using toners and astringents may feel wonderful... but over-using these will irritate your skin!
5. Do not just use products. Instead, know your skin type. For dry skin, look for products with cocoa butter or glycerin. For oily skin, look for products with benzoyl peroxide, citric acid or salicylic acid. For sensitive skin, look for aloe vera, almond oil or chamomile.
6. Do not under rinse. Residues left behind can actually clog your pores. Facial cleansers can leave an invisible residue behind which can clog your pores. Rinse three times, then rinse again!
7. Do not exfoliate often. Removing dead skin cells can make your skin less dull but you should not overdo it or you will injure your skin. Too much scrubbing will make your skin dull and flaky. Avoid abrasive facial pads and grainy facial scrubs.
Remember, in everything that you do, simplicity and moderation is often that key. Do not abuse your skin. Go easy and gentle. And put your best face forward. It's possible to treat acne.