Skin Care - 5 Leading Causes of Dry Skin

Troubled by itchy and flaky skin? Does the unsightly appearance of your dry skin make you want to take cover whenever someone approaches you? Well, if it is of any consolation, you are not alone in this irksome situation. In fact, experts agree that nearly everyone suffers from this irritating skin condition every now and then.

Dry skin does not only look unattractive, it may even progress to contact dermatitis, a condition wherein the topmost layer of the skin becomes cracked, rough and scaly. Well, I guess nobody wants to suffer from that. Just take a quick look at the large selection of skin care products in an average department store and you will understand what I mean!

What causes the skin to dry up?

Under normal conditions, the fluids produced by the sweat glands and other underlying tissues work to keep the skin moist and supple. The sebaceous glands then produce natural oils to help keep these fluids in their rightful places (at the topmost layer of the skin).

Sadly, however, there are a lot of factors that contribute to the eventual drying of the skin. Among these are genetics, age, low humidity, our bathing habits and the harsh chemicals found in most everyday products. Let us take a look at how these factors affect normal skin conditions.

. Genetics. Some people have skin that just does not hold moisture as much as most people do while others may have sweat glands that function less actively than most. For these people, special skin care routines should be followed just to keep their skin from drying.

. Age. It is an undeniable fact that as we grow older, our sebaceous glands begin to produce less oil. This eventually leads to an impaired ability of the skin to hold down moisture.

. Humidity. Low humidity is perhaps one of the greatest contributors to this problem. Do you notice how your skin becomes more prone to drying during the harsh winter months? This is because the cold, dry winter air literally robs the skin of its moisture. To protect skin during these periods, an appropriate skin care routine should be followed.

. Bathing rituals. You may enjoy taking leisurely long hot baths and believe that these help in your total skin care regimen. But has it ever dawned upon you that you are doing more harm than good? This may sound ironic but water can actually rob your skin of its precious moisture. Taking long baths in hot water or taking a bath or a shower several times a day eventually damage the essential proteins in the skin which work to keep it moist and young-looking. Be sure to remember this tiny nugget of information the next time you head for the bath or the shower!

. Harsh chemicals. We commonly use everyday products, which might contain harsh chemicals. Detergents, household cleansers and chemical solvents can definitely damage the outer layer of the skin. So be sure to avoid direct contact with these products the next time you do you household chores.

To maintain a healthy and youthful looking skin, it is essential to take care of your skin properly. Here are some simple skin care tips that you might want to consider:

. Keep you skin moisturized at all times. The best time to lather on your favorite moisturizer is right after taking a bath while your skin is still damp. For maximum protection, choose one with a thick consistency since the thicker the moisturizer, the more oil it contains.

. Limit the time you spend in the bath or under the shower. If you really needed a long warm bath, be sure to lather on your moisturizer immediately after bathing.

. Choose your bath time buddies well. If you chronically suffer from dry skin, consider shifting to milder soaps. Using bath oils and avoiding body scrubs might also help in retaining moisture in your skin.

You cannot practically avoid all the things that can cause dry skin in your everyday life. But by following these simple skin care tips, you can definitely prevent dry skin from setting in!


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com Michael_Russell

Tips For Getting Rid Of Acne Scars

Although it may seem impossible I would like to talk about tips for getting rid of acne scars. Most people talk on and on about how to handle the zit when it gets there, but what do you do if it's gone and it leaves a scar just as bad as the acne? Well I'm going to answer this for you, since no else has very many tips for getting rid of acne scars. Bare in mind some scarring is worse than others but regardless you will see noticeable changes if you adhere to my tips for getting rid of acne scars.

Tip # 1 - Stop Acne At The Root

The first tip for getting rid of acne scars is stopping acne before it gets out of control. Most people want to stop scarring but then they have lots of acne still. Well before you can really get rid of those scars you must stop pimples before there arrival. This does not mean popping all your pimples. Popping pimples or rubbing your face or touching your acne makes it more severe. Bacteria from your hands feed the acne and popping the pimple is what causes the scar. If your acne is mild or moderate than pursue treatment immediately and aggressively before it gets worse.

Tip # 2 - Try Natural Treatments

Many times people are unaware that chemical acne products help in the short term but are a failure in the long run. These over the counter products have way too much benzoyl peroxide(if you notice the best acne treatments have lower benzoyl peroxide) and they usually leave your skin dry and you'll have to put a facial lotion on that usually blocks pores even further. If your having no success with chemicals try increasing your Vitamin A and E. These vitamins help skin to heal. Honey facials are good and running cold water on your face after you wash will open your pores allowing them to "breathe." Exercise helps blood pump everywhere and promotes healing all over th body. Most people notice a considerable decrease in acne scarring once they start an exercise regime.

Tip # 3 - The Six Treatments

The third tip for getting rid of acne scars is for the small percentages where none of the other tips work. It is only for severe cases and a dermatologist should be consulted first. These are used together more than they are separately and they include:

*Dermabrasion

*Laser Resurfacing

*Chemical Peel

*Punch Technique

*Subcision

*Augmentation

These are much pricier and riskier. I personally recommend natural treatments as these methods can be a waste of time and money. Collagen is injected in your face if you choose augmentation for "crater" like scarring. It raises the impact from the scar and requires repeated treatments because it is only temporary. Dermabrasion and Laser Surfacing are as dangerous as they sound because they don't always work and will leave you homeless with the price it cost. Chemical peels seem to work in the short run but constantly putting chemicals on your face will make the treatment less effective over time. Which means you will need chemical peels all the time.

Asking your Dermatologist whether one of those treatments is necessary is very important. This is a good tip for getting rid of acne scars because a dermatologist will tell you specifically what type of scarring you have. Most doctors recommend natural treatment however, because many natural products contain plant extracts that are designed to heal scarring and repair facial skin. There are also no side effects. Proactiv, Acnezine, and Revitol are the best natural products but they should be combined with healthy skin care. The Overnight Acne Cure GUARANTEES that your acne will be gone in 1 night and scarring reduced. This guide teaches you all the "forgotten" secrets that the Japanese Geisha girls used to use. You may never have to buy an acne product again with this guide because they use ingredients found in your kitchen. So remember avoid the chemicals, your acne is a natural part of your body so use a natural substance to have it removed. It only makes sense.

The Art Of Healthy Living

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com Matthew_Lacey

The 4-Step Guide to Basic Skin Care

Introduction

To properly care for your skin you need to follow the daily 4-step skin care routine, from the right way to wash your face to the best moisturizers and UV protection. It is also very important to know your skin type as this will dictate how you care for your skin.

Step 1: Cleanse

Cleanse with a good cleanser that your skin reacts well with and find the correct oil mix for your skin type to stop clogging or drying of the skin. Generally cleanse only at night and splash with lukewarm water in the morning to remove excess oils from your nightly moisturizing. Avoid washing your face with hot or cold water which can cause broken capillaries. Don't over-cleanse the skin.

The best way to wash your face is with warm water to loosen the dirt and clogged pores. Then use a small amount of the cleanser before rinsing with lukewarm water. Make sure you take off your makeup with a proper makeup remover.

Step 2: Exfoliate

Most women skip this step in their weekly skin care routine while men exfoliate daily when they shave. This may be one of the reasons a man's skin looks more youthful than a woman's. Here are several ways to exfoliate the skin:

Microdermabrasion

Scrubbing removes the top layer of dead skin cells which dulls your complexion. Exfoliating the skin once a week with a microdermabrasion kit keeps skin glowing all year-round. Use a gentle scrub with tiny grains to avoid tearing of the skin.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels can take years off your face making the hour wait well worth it. You can use a monthly peel or over-the-counter peels that work over the course of a month.

Retinoids

Retinoids also work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells. However, they also generate collagen in the skin which increases the skins structure and fiber. Aging creates lines and large pores, retinoids reduce them. Most skin care experts regard retinoids as a miracle skin saver.

Step 3: Moisturize

A basic principle of beauty is that everyone, no matter what the skin type, should moisturize - the only exceptions are those with acne. Moisturizers seal moisture into the skin so your skin will tell you when it is needed. When it's tight it's crying out for moisture. Be careful not to over-moisturize, this can clog pores.

Step 4: Apply Sunscreen

Sunscreen is the most important step in your skincare regimen when you consider that sun damage is the number 1 cause of wrinkles and skin cancer. Use sunscreen even in winter and on cloudy days. You can use two moisturizers: one for the night and one for the day (with UV protection). Don't use moisturizers with sunscreen at night. Make sure the sunscreen contains one of the following active ingredients - titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or Parsol 1789 (avobenzene).

Additional Tips

Should you use a toner?

Toners remove all remaining traces of oil, makeup and dirt. However, a good cleanser can do this which explains why many beauty experts are against the use of toners. In the end, it really comes down to personal choice and how your skin feels after using a toner.

Are eye creams necessary?

Beauty experts are strongly divided over eye creams. Some believe that the very thin skin around the eye is susceptible to wrinkles and therefore needs creams to 'thicken' and strengthen this area. Others regard the daily skin care regimen around the eyes as sufficient.

Conclusion

These days people seem to have no choice but to confront any issues involving their health. When these issues involve the health of their largest and most exposed organ, their skin, it is no wonder that they tend to be at the mercy of countless "expert" opinions and the accompanying products. What I have tried to show here is that, like most things in life, it doesn't have to be complicated, especially when it comes to basic skin care. By keeping to the simple regime above, and consulting qualified practitioners when in doubt, there is no reason why you can't have healthy and glowing skin all your life.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com Shane_Duffy

How To Keep Fit And Stay Looking Young

One of the signs of aging is wrinkling. Another sign is arrival of those brown spots on the skin, what Grandma called "liver spots." Skin dries out, thins and becomes less elastic and resilient. While no one has discovered a miracle anti-aging cure yet or the fountain of youth, doctors and scientists have discovered some ways to delay the onset of some of the symptoms of aging.

Wrinkles are caused by the loss of collagen in the middle layer of skin called the dermis. This layer is made up of collagen and elastin fibers. These proteins are what support the skin and make it resilient.

Other components of this layer are capillaries, lymph nodes, hair follicles, nerve and muscle cells, seat glands and, most importantly for this discussion, sebaceous glands. These sebaceous glands produce an oily protective substance that that lubricates and waterproofs the skin and hair. As they get older, they produce less and less of this lubricant, the skin dries out and wrinkling occurs. Another symptom is the loss of collagen that causes the droopiness and tired-look that comes with old age.

Regular exercise nourishes all three layers of the skin. It improves circulation, providing the skin with oxygen, fresh blood and nutrients. This increased blood flow also draws toxins out of the body and improve the condition of every organ, not just the skin. The increased blood flow created by exercise helps promote the growth of collagen that, in turn, plumps up the facial skin eradicating wrinkles and adding vibrancy to the skin. Sweating, a byproduct of exercise, improves the health of the skin by flushing out toxins, which also adds to a youthful glow.

Exercise has been proven to relieve stress. Stress is tied in very closely to the aging process and wrinkles. Prolonged stress increases levels of free radicals, speeds up the breakdown of proteins, can suppress the immune system and generally accelerates the process of aging.

Of course, it is important to exercise properly and keep hydrated while doing it. Moisturizing inside and out makes good sense.

No smoking. Not only does smoking constrict the blood vessels in the dermis that reduces the flow of nutrients and oxygen to the skin. The facial expressions caused by smoking also accelerate wrinkling. Pursing the lips, squinting to keep smoke out of the eyes and the sucking in of the smoke all put repetitive stress on the muscles of the face.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com James_Schramko

Nutrients and Tips for Healthy Skin

The skin is a natural defensive body covering and is an organ made up of several layers of epithelial tissues that guard underlying muscles and organs. It is one of the main influential indicators of health and can give an interface a completely diverse look than what it initially came with. Dry or oily skin, acne and inflammation all are some of the major symbols of fragile internal health, and happen because of consuming unhealthy foods.

Now in order to overcome from unhealthy skin, these days many people apply mainstream topical cosmetics, like creams and lotions. However, you must understand that treating your skin with costly chemical beauty products does very little to overcome from the origin source of the problem. Recent study has revealed that skin responds essentially well to some vitamins and minerals that nurture the skin and make it appear more young and healthy. The following are some of the essential nutrients to consume for healthy skin:

1. Zinc: This mineral is the important component of healthy skin, and plays an important role by controlling the creation of oil in the skin. It is highly recommended these days to have proper Zinc consumption as it is help in reducing prostate cancer. The various food sources of zinc include pumpkin seeds, ginger, fresh oysters, oats, and eggs.

2. Silica: Silica is vital for healthy skin and is a trace mineral that helps in strengthening body's connective tissues like muscles, hair, nails, cartilage. Its shortage can result in reduced skin elasticity and can also slow down the body's ability to heal wounds. The various food sources of silica include strawberries, cucumber, green beans, asparagus and rhubarb.

3. Vitamins C, E and A: Vitamin C is greatly useful at dipping free radical damage that is frequently caused because of overexposure to the sun or pollution. The various food sources of Vitamin C include collard greens, red and green bell peppers, guava, and broccoli. Vitamin E is next effective antioxidant that also helps in reducing the harmful outcomes of sun exposure on skin. However, one must note that when Vitamin E is mixed with vitamin A, it becomes highly helpful in curing certain skin cancers.

Vitamin E helps in decreasing the coming out of wrinkles, and when applied topically, helps in soothing dry or rough skin. Some of the various food sources of Vitamin E are sunflower seeds, wheat germ oil, almonds, tomatoes, cabbage, and avocados. In addition to this Vitamin A helps in promoting proper repair and maintenance of the skin. Foods that act as major source for Vitamin A include carrots, liver, collard greens, sweet potatoes and cantaloupe.

In addition to this some of the major tips for healthy skin are:

" Protect yourself from the sun and make the best use of sunscreen to avoid direct sunlight between the hours of 10 and 2.

" Stop smoking or if possible never start. You have to understand that skin is a large organ and it requires lot of circulation and smoking impairs that dramatically.

" Keep yourself away from both disturbing and environmental stress.

" Commit yourself to cleanse your face twice a day and put on the proper treatment product.

" Try to keep yourself well hydrated, by drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. This particular activity helps in keeping your skin moist and supple.

" Don't ignore certain areas of the skin like heels, neck, as they too need moisturizing, and apply sun protection on your scalp and the tops of your feet.

" Exercise is also good for your whole body, but particularly for your skin. It helps in improving and increasing skin tone and maintaining its elasticity. Exercise also amplify the blood flow to your skin and give it a healthy glow.

" Avoid toxic skin care products. Be careful of the deadly chemicals used in all most all stylish skin care products. Most products have cancer-causing ingredients that pass through the skin and finally enter your bloodstream.

Maintaining healthy skin is not a tough task. It is simple; all you need to do is follow above mentioned tips and make sure to have proper nutrients as a regular routine in your life. Follow these tips for healthy skin and you will see improvements over the course of several weeks.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com Singh_Vineet

Know Your Skin Type

Are you sensitive? Combination? Dry? Oily? Normal? No, this has nothing to do with your personality! Every person’s skin is different. The best way to know how to take good care of your skin is to first determine what skin type you have. If you are unsure about your skin type, a good test is to take a dry lens-cleaning paper and place it on different areas of your face, 15 minutes after washing and drying. IF you are a dry skin type, the paper will not stick on your face. Oily? The paper will stick to your face or absorb oil that you can see on the paper. If the paper adheres on your nose, forehead, chin but nowhere else- you have combination or normal skin type. Most people have some irregularities with their skin and should follow a good cleansing regimen.

Normal skin- you’re very lucky! A simple cleansing routine: use a soap-free cleanser twice a day. Cleanser should not contain harsh detergents, soap or alcohol that can dry out your skin or irritate it. Use a non-comedogenic/ dermatologist tested light moisturizer on the face while skin is damp. Use sunscreen daily. A moisturizing or exfoliating mask may be applied once a week.

Oily skin- sebum, the lipid-rich protective natural oil contained in your skin cells, is on high-activity for those with oily skin. Good news: naturally moisturized skin. Bad news: tendency for acne, large pores and shininess. Cleansing routing: use a cleanser with salicylic acid (which decreases sebum production) twice a day. May be followed up with alcohol-based toner containing salicylic acid. Alcohol-based toners dry the skin, so use carefully. Moisturizing is not normally necessary for oily skin, but if needed non-comedogenic, oil-free moisturizer is recommended. Use oil-free sunscreen daily. Optional clay/mud mask weekly.

NOTE: there are a plethora of strong vitamin A creams available for ultra-oily skin. These Retinoids require a prescription from your dermatologist.

Combination skin- get to know your T-Zone! The T-zone (forehead and nose area) is typically oily skin and the cheeks tend to be dry skin. This is combination skin. Cleansing routine: wash skin with mild cleanser two times a day. Soap-free, non-alcohol, free from harsh detergents cleanser is your best bet. Look for one containing salicylic acid for the oily areas. Use anti-dandruff shampoo if you are noticing a yeast buildup on your scalp or eyebrow areas that can cause itching or irritation. Anti-dandruff shampoos are most effective when used every other day until condition is under control, followed by twice-a-week applications. Apply oil-free moisturizer only to dry areas of the skin after cleansing. Use sunscreen daily! Mask recommendation: mix it up! Clay mask for oily areas and moisturizing for dry areas.

NOTE: combination skin can be a symptom of seborrhea, seborrheic eczema and seborrheic dermatitis. Overproduction of oil on the face and scalp leads to this type of skin condition. Check with your dermatologist for more information.

Dry skin- dry skin may add to premature aging, so don’t forget your moisturizer! Cleansing routine: wash your skin once or twice daily with a soap-free, moisturizing cleanser. Do not use toners/ cleansers with alcohol and stay away from soap and harsh detergents. Use a moisturizer that is non-greasy and noncomedogenic, may contain natural emollients for added moisture, including dimethicone and cyclomethicone or colloidal oatmeal. Once a week moisturizing mask is optional. Use sunscreen and drink a gallon of water a day! NOTE: be sensitive to the products you use in the shower or for washing your clothes- they may cause further drying of the skin.

Sensitive skin- if you have harsh, stinging or irritating reactions to moisturizers, soaps or other skin care products, you have sensitive skin. It is highly advisable that those with sensitive skin refrain from using any products with alcohol, acids, harsh detergents, fragrances, preservatives, colorings and make-up. Always look for hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic listed on a label when searching for beauty products. Cleansing routine: wash face twice daily with sensitive skin (alcohol-free, soap-free) cleanser. Apply hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, noncomedogenic moisturizer while damp. Use hypoallergenic, oil-free sunscreen daily!



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com Eric_Hartwell