The Wonders Of Cream Bleach

Bleaching helps maintain skin health by removing suntan and performs a 3-dimensional task.First, it camouflages facial hair to match skin colour.Secondly, it thouroughly cleanses the skin, and lastly, it is safe and gives instant fairness in just about 15 minutes.Of all the bleaches, cream bleach is the latest and most beneficial to the skin.It does not cause a burning sensation nor does it contain any chlorine.It contains hydrogen peroxide in cream form with ammonium salt as the activator either in the form of cream or powder, thus making application easy and painless.

Bleaching with such creams has a unique gas-flushing action due to release of carbon dioxide and ammonia.It cleanses slogged pores and removes dirt from the skin, making it breathe a lot easier.Hydrogen peroxide is a strong antiseptic that kills bacteria and other pimple-causing micro-organisms.In fact, a derivative of hydrogen peroxide is the most popular anti-pimple ingredient.Bleaching has another significant benefit-it results in the release of active oxygen to the skin.Beauticians across the world recognise oxygen therapy as the latest skin care technique.

Cream Bleach produces instant results and makes the user appear fairer within 15 minutes.Cream bleaches are so easy to use that women can safely use them at home.Today bleaching has become a regular beauty treatment for men too and is no longer restricted to the fairer sex.

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How To Use Cream Bleach Safely And Effectively?
1.Always test for sensitivity before applying, even if tested before.
2.Never apply afetr a hot bath.
3.Use the mixture within 30 minutes of preparation; otherwise the effectiveness will wear off.
4.Do not apply on cuts or abrasions, moles, skin disorders or make-up, as they may cause a burning sensation or irritation.Wait at least 24 hours after use before applying an astringent.
5.Do not use metal dishes or spoons for preparing the mixture, as they can cause chemical reactions in the ingredients.
6.Use for 15 minutes, if fair complexioned and 25-30 minutes, if dark complexioned.
7.Use once in 15 days, as the lightening effect may not last too long.As the skin is a living tissue, melanin is produced continuously.
8.Keep containers tightly after use.
9.Always store the kit in a cool, dry and dark place away from excessive heat, since this could reduce its effectiveness.

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Common Myths About Bleaching:
1.Lightens hair colour permanently: Cream bleach lightens colour of the hair above the skin's surface and does not affect the roots.The new hair will remain its natural colour.
2.Bleaching Makes Hair Darker: Bleaching, or the chemicals in it, do not cause the hair to grow darker.The change in hair colour may take place due to factors such as medication; environmental factors such as the sun; and biological factors such as ageing, pregnancy, menopause, etc.Bleaching does not thicken hair growth.
3.Increases Hair Growth: In some cases, hydrogen stimulate the hair follicle, thereby causing hair to grow faster temporarily.But this is only a one-time stimulation and does not promote sustained growth.
4.Causes Skin Irritation: Since bleaching is an exothermic (gives out heat)reaction, it may cause the skin to appear flushed.However, this is temporary and fades away in an hour or two.Irritation may be caused due to:
a.Ultra sensitive skin.
b.Allergic reactions.
c.Interaction with other cosmetic products.
d.A pre-existing skin condition.
e.Improper mixing of creams(cream bleach).
Application of ice or aloevera based creams will make irritation disappear fast.
5.Is Harmful To The Skin: Repeated use of bleach is safe and good for the skin, as it cleans and makes the skin breathe easier, besides camouflaging hair to match the skin colour.

Skin Care Products And Their Ingredients:

Not so long ago you could count skin care tools on just one hand.Soap, moisturiser, cleanser, foundation, compact.Today, think gorgeous skin and the mind boggles.Beauty experts across the world are tearing all sorts of roots, shoots, saps, barks, flowers, fruits and leaves to cram store shelves with cosmetics-each more exotic than the other.

The Result?
The face of skin care is changing at the speed of a bullet train.Now, a cream is no longer just a cream.It's got magic powers and exciting new ingredients such as retinol, salicyclic acid, palmetoleic acid, algae extract, and what not.This year, the beauty buzzword is all-natural.Honey, water, papaya, almonds, and cucumber are making a big comeback.

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More Ingredients:
The time is ripe to catch up with the new vocabulary on skin care.Here's a sampling of the chemicals you're going to encounter:
1.Salicyclic Acid: This acid is derived from the bark of the willow tree.Its large molecules do not penetrate the skin too deep, so they are effective in exfoliating the surface of the skin, therefore, is a good bet for those with acne-prone, sensitive skin.
2.Kinetin: A natural plant growth factor that is added to anti-ageing products to treat fine lines, hyperpigmentation and sun damage.
3.Alpha Hydroxy Acids(AHA's): These acids are derived from the sugar in certain plants and foods.For example, milk, grapes, apples, bitter almonds and citrus fruits.They dissolve the cement that holds dead skin cells together, so products containing AHAs are very good for exfoliating the skin without irritating it.In greater concentration, AHAs can smoothen and soften skin, giving you an even complexion and youthful looks.But beauty experts caution against any product with more than 15% of AHAs in it.
4.Aloe Vera: A wild plant of the lily family, aloe vera has been used for many years as a healing agent and beauty aid.Its juice is very effective in relieving the pain and inflammation caused by sunburn.The aloe vera gel contains vitamins B1, B2 and B6, calcium, potassium, chlorine, enzymes and other ingredients not yet identified.
5.Coenzyme Q10: A powerful antioxidant that is a natural component of human cells.Recent research suggests that Q10 supplementation may help prevent the progression of Parkinson's disease.When added to skin creams, it is thought to improve elasticity.

Masks Suited To Your Skin

Face masks have been used as part of beauty treatment since ancient times.During face-lifts, the surgeon gives you a younger face, but it is a fairly expensive process and one can obtain the same benefit of a finer textured skin and better skin tone with face masks.

The regular use of face masks can make us look young and radiant, but it is better to use home-made ones than manufactured ones which contain chemicals and preservatives.The ingredients you have poured into face masks is the deciding factor for how often you should use them.Your age however has nothing to do with it.Thus you can make clay face masks with fuller's earth as the main ingredient, orange face masks, cream masks or a gel mask.Clay masks are spread on the skin surface.They absorb excess oil and dust particles while they dry.Thye tighten the skin and help to stimulate blood circulation.Sometimes they cause discomfort to sensitive skins or dry skins.That is why greasy or harshly textured skins benefit more from these masks.A gel mask however is spread on a clean skin and allowed to dry.In about 10-20 minutes, you can roll it off like a second skin.These masks are peeled off starting from the chin and lifted upwards.With these masks you lift out dead cells and even facial hairs and blackheads.These are useful for all types of skins from normal to dry as well as combination skins, but they cannot absorb body oil like clay masks can absorb it.The cream face masks on the other hand have the consistency of thick cream and feed the skin cells and bring a youthfull look to your skin.They are not useful for young and greasy skins, because they have plenty of oils in them.

How Can You Make Your Own Personalised Face Mask?
1.Start by cleaning your face extremely well.Areas of the skin which do not always get access to soap and water have to be cleansed properly.If your skin is dry to normal, put on a moisturiser.You can use coconut oil, if available, because it is natural and it will not prevent the loss of natural body oils with the drying effects of face masks.But if your skin is greasy, go straight to the face masks.
2.Make sure that you have a place to relax, because when you apply the gel or clay mask you have to make sure that you keep absolutely still and quiet for about 10-20 minutes.Speaking will stretch out the mask and prevent it from being fully effective.
3.Keep the mask away from the sensitive areas like the mouth or the eyes.The skin here is extremely delicate, and there is the possibility of it being damaged.
4.Apply the face mask upon the cheeks, forehead, nose, chin and neck.People normally neglect the neck and it is sometimes very funny to see the face bleached, while the neck is still a dusky natural tone.Make sure that the eyebrows are not touched, because if you are using a gel mask, you wouldn't want to peel off your eyebrows with the mask.
5.The best masks are the natural masks.But before you select a mask, you must make sure which skin type you are.If you have a very oily centre part and dry cheeks, you can use 2 different masks if you want.

A.Masks For A Dry Skin:
1.Coconut Mask-For this you need enough coconut oil to spread upon your face.Rose water for rinsing.Massage the coconut oil in gently.Next take a towel, dip it into hot water, wring it out and spread it over your face.If you lie down, the circulation will absorb the oil.Repeat this process 4-5 times and then rinse your face with warm water.The rose water is to remove all traces of oil.See your skin shine.
2.Tomato Pulp Mask-Crush some tomatoes, drink up the juice and spread the pulp all over your face.It tightens up your skin, and closes the pores.The tomato juice is for refining your skin from inside.

B.Masks For An Oily Skin:
1.Fuller's Earth Mask-For this you need 1 tbsp fuller's Earth and rose water to make a solution.Spread the paste over your face if it has blemishes or is greasy.If rose water is not available, witch hazel may be used as a substitute.
2.Orange Mask-For this you need half a cup oatmeal, juice of half an orange,glycerine and a little egg white to make a paste.Beat the egg white and then add the oatmeal and juice to it.The glycerine is to moisturise the skin.The egg white gets rid of wrinkles and the orange is just to feed the skin.With this mask, open pores and greasy complexions are miraculously rejuvenated.Normal skins can also be treated with these masks.
3.Honey Mask-The best way to use the honey face mask is to dip your fingers into a bowl of fresh warm water and then dip it into honey.Spread the honey over your face and throat with an upward movement and avoid the eye regions.Let the honey get absorbed into your skin and then wash with warm water.This leaves the skin glowing like pearls.
4.Cucumber And Milk Mask-This is wonderful for lightening up the skin, cleaning it, toning it and getting rid of sunburn.Extract the juice of a cucumber.You can use the pith as extra cleansing material after you have used the face mask.Add the white of an egg and a little bit of milk powder and rose water for a beautiful smell.Spread this paste all over your face and neck.This is wonderful for toning and moisturising your face, whatever your age is.It is completely natural and has no side-effects.
5.Kaolin Mask-Mix 3 tsp of kaolin with half a tsp each of rose-water, glycerine and tincture of benzoin; both kaolin and tincture of benzoin can be easily be procured at the drug shop.Apply the mask with a brush, leave it on for 30 minutes and wash it off with warm water.Your skin will appear soft and smooth with a glowing colour.

C.Masks For A Normal Skin:
1.Avocado Pear Mask-Mash or liquidise half an avocado pear with 1 tsp of sunflower oil.Apply the mixture to the face and neck avoiding the eye and lip area.Leave it on for 10 minutes and wash off with warm water.

D.Anti-Aging Mask For Blotchy Wrinkled Skin:
1.Oatmeal Mask-This should be applied every other day.Mix 2 tbsp of oatmeal with half cup of milk and cook gently till it becomes soft.Stir in 2 tbsp of olive oil and beat together.Allow to cool, then spread it over the face and neck.Leave it on for about 25 minutes and then rinse away with lukewarm water.

After a face mask it is necessary to tone up the skin, and you can make a natural skin toner at home.

Acne-A Part Of Growing Up:

What Is Acne?
Acne is the general term for plugged pores, pimples, and deeper lumps that can occur on the face, neck, upper back, chest, or shoulders.It is a skin condition that occurs when the oil-secreting glands in the skin are clogged and become inflamed or infected.Acne is so common that it can almost be considered a normal part of growing up.While it affects the majority of teenagers, it can also appear later in life.Both boys and girls get acne but boys face the brunt because they have more skin oils.85% of adolescents develop acne.Among adults, 12% of women and 3% of men have acne.

How Does It Occur?
In order to understand how acne comes about, it is important to get an idea of how our skin functions.The skin contains numerous glands, called sebaceous glands, which secrete an oil, called sebum, that lubricates the skin and keeps it soft and pliable.The protective outer layer of the skin is made up of dead cells which are constantly shed and are replaced by new ones.In the teenage years hormones stimulate the growth of body hair and the oil glands secrete more oil.If not regularly cleaned the dead cells on the surface of the skin clump together, thereby plugging the hair follicle's opening, so sebum cannot reach the surface of the skin.Bacteria grow in these clogged pores and produce chemicals and enzymes that causes inflammation.When the plugged follicle cannot hold its contents any longer, it bursts and spills everything onto the nearby skin-sebum, shed skin cells, and bacteria.This irritates the skin and results in the developement of lesions or pimples, better known as whiteheads, blackheads and pustules.

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Things That Often Make Acne Worse

1.Oil-based make-up, suntan oil, hair gels and sprays.

2.Stress.

3.Menstruation in girls.

4.Squeezing or picking at blemishes.

5.Scrubbing the skin hard.

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Do's And Don'ts In Treating Acne:
1.Avoid scrubbing your skin or using abrasive soaps.Hard scrubbing of the skin is harmful because it irritates the openings of thye oil glands and can cause them to be more tightly closed.
2.Avoid putting any oily or greasy substances on your face.Oily and greasy substances make acne worse by blocking the glands.If you must use cover-up cosmetics, use water-based cosmetics and wash them off at bedtime.
3.Avoid hair tonics or hair creams(especially greasy ones.When you sweat these substances will spread to your cafe and aggravate the acne.Try to keep your hair clean.
4.Don't stop your acne medicine too soon.

It takes about 8 weeks to see a good response.

Personal Habits And Acne

1.Wash your face 2 times a day with a gentle soap.Change your towel every day.Bacteria can grow on damp cloth.

2.Wash your hands often.It's a good idea not to touch your face.Don't rest your face on your hands while you study, read, or watch TV.

3.Don't Squeeze, pick, scratch, or rub your pimples.You may get scars.

4.Shampoo your hair at least twice a week.Pull your hair away from your face when you sleep.Style it away from your face during the day.

5.When choosing make-up, women should be sure to choose water-based, oil-free cosmetics.

6.Wash as soon as you can after you exercise.

7.If certain foods seem to make your acne worse, do not eat those foods.

8.Try not to work in hot kitchens where greasy foods are cooked.

9.Try not to get sunburnt.

10.Try not to become stressed.Take some quiet time, get exercise, or talk to a counsellor, if needed.

11.Talk to your doctor.Keep a record of the medicines you have tried.Write down how they have worked.Don't give up.Keep working with your doctor until you find a way to keep your skin clear.

How Is Acne Treated?

Treatment is aimed at keeping oil and dirt out of the pores and reducing inflammation.It must be borne in mind that by popping and squeezing pimples yourself, you run the risk of lifelong scarring.Treatment of acne involves a step-by-step approach, beginning with milder medications and continuing through a spectrum of stronger medications until the patient finds one that works.In mild and moderate cases, your doctor will begin with topical gels, creams, or lotions, progressing to internal medications.Some of these medications can produce side-effects, so it is important to put questions to your doctor and read the medication labels carefully.In general, your doctor will try to use the simplest effective regimen.Medicines with greater risks can be used, but only if needed.Certain acne medications make the patient photosensitive(sensitive to sunlight)so the patient and doctor both need to consider the patient's outdoor activities.Hormone therapy can also work for a lot of women.Hormone-based treatments may help to clear up acne by inhibiting sebaceous gland function.It may take upto 6-8 weeks to see the results of any given treatment, and it is not uncommon for acne to worsen before it gets better.Redness, swelling in the skin, and changes in skin pigment, especially the darkening of skin in darker skinned individuals, may take many months to resolve, persisting long after pimples go away.It is important to stick with the treatment regimen between appointments so your doctor can figure out what works or doesn't work for you.The regimen for curing acne is generally well established, if not entirely predictable.By taking consistent action and visiting your physician, you can quickly get on the road to healthier skin.

Acne Prevention:
Unfortunately, acne is not entirely preventable.However, by washing the face gently twice a day with a mild cleanser and refraining from picking any lesions, one can reduce the chance for acne outbreaks and permanent scarring.An acne outbreak can be a catastrophic event for an individual, but fortunately it is rarely a lifelong problem.Working with your doctor to find the right treatment should improve acne in a matter of months.

Toning Of Your Skin:

This category of skin-care products include cosmetics like skin fresheners, toners and astringents.They basically contain alcohol and water.Glycerine, witch hazel, menthol, camphor, boric acid, rose water and alum are often added.The basic difference in the formula is in the amount of alcohol these products contain.As alcohol has a very drying effect, there is little or none of it in the products intended for dry skin while the products for use on oily skin have a high alcohol content.

These products are used after cleaning the skin(with soap or any other cleanser), though they can be used as interim cleansers as well, as they can remove grime and oils.They freshen and tone up the skin and prepare it for application of make-up.They also restore the acid/alkali balance of the skin, because they are pH balanced.

Despite claims to the contrary, fresheners, toners and astringents do not close pores.As a Matter of fact, no cosmetic product can alter the actual size of the pores.What really happens after using these products is a mild irritation of the skin.This results in swelling of the skin and so the pores appear less prominent.

Home Made Skin Toners:
You can also make a natural skin toner at home.Tomato juice is a good skin toner
1.For Normal Skin:
A.Rose Water Toner: For normal skin, you can use half a tbsp of alum and 50gm of rose water and a 100gm of glycerine.Mix them together and store in the fridge.
B.Cucumber toner: This is a refreshing toner for normal skins.Chop up a small sized fresh cucumber and liquidize it with half a cup of yoghurt.Apply the mixture for 5-10 minutes, and wash it off.The remainder can be stored in the fridge for future use.
2.For dry skin:
A.Mint toner: For dry skin, boil 2 handfuls of mint leaves in 100gm of water.This mint extract can be used as an anti-perspirant when you dilute it in water.Take 2 drops of it in a cup of distilled water to which half a tsp of alum has been added.A toner is applied to the face with cotton wool and it is quite refreshing.
3.For Oily Skin:
A.Alcohol And Alum Toner: For this type, take one tsp of alcohol(available at the chemist's)100gm of distilled water.Add half a tsp of alum, and make your toning solution.Storing it into the fridge helps in preserving it for a longer time, and also when you are all warm and sweaty, a cold toner is wonderfully refreshing.
B.Honey and egg Toner: Whisk one egg white until it thickens, then whisk in 1 tsp of honey.Finally add 1 tsp of lemon juice.Apply to your face and neck avoiding the delicate eye and lip areas.Leave it on for 10minutes and wash with warm water.

All these toners are exactly what you get in the market.There they have fancy labels and high price tags attached, and of course sometimes they also have some chemicals which are detrimental to your skin.The shelf life of a skin toner is 3 months and that is why preservatives are put into them.But when you make your own, you know what is going into them.

Moisturising Your Skin

How Do Moisturisers Work?
Moisturisers are cosmetic products which to some extent provide a practical answer to problems of water loss from the skin.Though water is the missing ingredient, in dry skins, application of water alone is not the solution as this has only a temporary effect.Though oil is equally essential(it serves to hold water onto the skin surface), it alone also can't moisturise the skin.

Moisturisers, therefore, combine both water and oil.This not only replaces some of the water lost from the skin, but more importantly prevents its loss to the surroundings.There are several moisturising products available in the market.They all fall, basically, into 2 main types: oil-in-water emulsions and water-in-oil emulsions.The oil-in-water moisturisers sometimes also contain substances called humectants which attract water from the surroundings, but this may have its own disadvantage because humectants may sometimes absorb too much water from the skin itself thereby increasing its dryness.A commonly used humectant is glycerine.Newer ingredients have been added to increase the efficacy of this group of moisturisers, but still their effect remains temporary.The second category of moisturisers comprise newer water-in-oil emulsions.They are marketed generally as creams or lotions.Being oil-based products, these trap moisture in the skin by forming an occlusive film on the skin surface; this forms a barrier retarding water loss. Many of these products are also called anti-dehydrating creams.

How To Choose Your Moisturiser:
Choosing the moisturiser to suit your skin type is very very important.The proportion of oil varies according to the type of skin for which the product is formulated.So read the instructions on the label of the products.Generally speaking, products meant for well-balanced normal skins are water-based, containing a little oil.Those designed for dry skins make up for the lack of oil on the skin, by adding to the akin.Humectants like glycerine and lactic acid, are also added to retain moisture.

Moisturisers are, generally, not to be used on oily skins, because they can cause spots.But today safe synthetic chemicals are available-these oil-free moisturisers do not contain any mineral-oils, vegetable oils or animal fat, but contain either modified oils or other synthetic ingredients.Use them on patches of dryness caused by excessive use of anti-pimple remedies, yet don't use them too liberally.Now, newer light non-greasy creams and lotions are also available-these are as effective as the heavy, thick and greasy creams and are competitively priced.They are the best type to be worn under make-up, as they give a superb finish to the make-up.

Is It Worth Using A Moisturiser Regularly?

Yes, regular use of a suitable moisturiser does benefit your skin.By guarding against the excessive loss of water, these agents protect the skin against the drying influences of the environment- the effects of the sun, cold and heat.A moisturiser is particularly helpful for naturally dry skins, but whatever be your skin type, a moisturiser does compensate for the deficiencies in the natural oil-film and keeps your skin lubricated making it soft, smooth and looking more youthful.

Further, moisturisers give a smooth finish to make-up.Putting on a light moisturising cream will make make-up much easier to apply and reduce the risk of dragging the skin.Most dermatologists agree that moisturisers effectively combat skin dryness and make the skin soft and supple.But the role of special ingredients, like vitamins, proteins, collagen and hormones, in many of the expensive creams is quite doubtful.In fact, it is only the simple lubricating action of the ingredients in the creams that do any good.So using exotic oils(such as deer oil) istead of ordinary oils, will not make the moisturiser any more effective, though it will add enormously to the cost.However, certain natural and sythetic substances, humectants-like urea, lactic acid, and phospholipids, might improve the efficacy of moisturisers as they increase the hydration of the skin.

Cleansing Your Skin:

When to clean your face: Skin must be cleansed frequently enough or infrequently enough, depending on its needs.It really does not matter when you clean it:most people opt for the first thing in the morning and the last thing at night, simply because these times are convenient.Scientifically, going to bed in your make-up really will do your skin no harm, but it certainly won't do your bed linen any good.And since it is much easier to remove make-up from face than from linen, it would seem wiser to cleanse your face before going to bed.In the morning, cleansing the skin is very refreshing.Also, if you have to apply make-up, you would get a better "finish" on the just cleansed skin.

How often must you clean your face?Most people do this 2-3 times a day; this is adequate for normal skins.But, if your skin type is oily or if you are exposed to a lot of "grime and dirt" during the course of the day, a more frequent cleaning is very essential-even 4-5 times a day may be necessary, using either a soap or some kind of cleansing agent.

If, on the other hand, your skin type is dry, it is possible to harm it with too frequent a cleaning, specially if you use very hot water.With this skin type, it is best to avoid too frequent washing and you may even have to use a suitable oil-based cosmetic cleanser instead of soap, which has a drying effect.How you clean your face is equally important.If the end of the day cleansing involves removing make-up as well as grime and dirt that has accumulated during the day, then it should definitely be a thorough job.Provided you clean your face well at night, the morning session need not be too elaborate.

What should you use for cleansing?
A.Soaps:
You can choose from a wide variety of products available in the market.If using soap, you must always rinse the skin thoroughly with water after using soaps.Soap, if allowed to remain on the skin, attracts dirt, and can also cause irritation to the skin.In hard water areas, soap residue if left on the skin can combine with the calcium and magnesium salts in the water to form a scum, which is really very difficult to remove.One unfortunate effect of soaps is that they remove some natural oils from the skin-this has adrying effect.The dryness, however is easily encountered by using a moisturising cream after washing with soap.If your skin is dry, use soap and water for one cleansing and at other times use a suitable cosmetic cleanser.However, in hot weather even a dry skin may tolerate several washings with soap and water.If you have a normal skin, then 2-3 washes with soap will not do your skin any harm, while an oily skin will benefit from an even more frequent cleansing with soap and water.There are a wide number of soaps like medicated soaps( which have an antiseptic added and may some times cause allergies), pH soaps(these are marginally superior to ordinary soaps), Moisturising Soaps(these do not have any advantage over other soaps because the rinsing, after the washing, removes the moisturising ingredients), Superfatted soaps(these soaps can be used on a dry skin),Transparent soaps(they are not more effective or safer than ordinary soaps), liquid soaps(they offer no advantage over other soaps), perfumed soaps(These soaps contain natural or artificial perfumes and thus may cause allergic reactions).

B.Cleansing Creams
There are several alternatives to soap and water cleansing- creams, milks, lotions, foams, oils, gels and liquids.All these are rather closely related-much more than you can imagine.All are basically a mixture of an oil, wax and water but manufacturers modify the formula to suit different skin types-those for dry skins remove less oil from the skin, and may even add some, whilst cleansers for oily skins are designed to remove more oil and add none to the skin.
It is also possible to clean your face equally efficiently with baby oil, liquid oaraffin or vegetable oils.All of these remove make-up and dirt.But they are not pleasant smelling.A cotton pad dipped in fresh milk is a cheap but equally effective cleanser.If you do use any of these, and especially if you have an oily skin, it is necessary to wash the residue off with soap and water and to dab your face well with an astringent.

The right way to use a cleanser:
Gently is the right way.Do not stretch, drag or pull your skin.With the cleanser in your hand, let your fingers glide over your skin, or use light patting movements with the pads of your fingers.Upwards and outwards movements have frequently been suggested as the right way to apply all kinds of creams to the face-this is thought to prevent and delay the eventual loss of muscle tone and the resultant sagging of the skin.Leave the cleanser on for a minute or two so as to loosen the dirt and make-up.Then gently remove it either with cotton woll or with tissue paper, again using upward and outward movements.Wipe over the face again with a damp cotton wool ball, and if it does not come away clean, repeat the cleansing process.Finally rinse with water.

C.Mechanical Cleansing Of Your Skin:
A recent concept in skin cleansing is epidermabrasion-that is, literally, mechanical rubbing off the dead cells from the skin surface.Various substances are available-among the most familiar are a variety of granules(sand, sawdust, slilica and pumice) and slowly soluble abrasive materials(like sodium tetraborate decahydrate).These granules can also be incorporated into soaps and creams and form the basis of some of the peeling face-masks available in the market.Other materials for epidermabrasion are sandpaper, hemp cloth, cellulose of the luffa plant, sea-sponges and man-made sponges of the cellulose and polyurethane.Woven webs can also be used for epidermabrasion, the best known being the wash cloth, which provides a very delicate level of epidermabrasion.The most recent developemnt in epidermabrasion technology is the use of non-woven polyester webs.Most skins tolerate this treatment well, though it should definitely be avoided on the very dry skins.

Diet And Your Skin

If you want a healthy skin, it is important fo ryou to have a healthy diet- a diet which contains adequate amount of vitamins, minerals and proteins.Balance is the key word.No single diet is responsible for building up or maintaining the skin- so fad diets, which over-emphasize one food in preference to others can actually deprive you of essential nutrients and so may even harm your body and skin.

Moreover, there are a lot of misconceptions about the effect of certain foods on your skin.It is not true, for instance, that eating chocolates, sweets or rich cakes will give you spots.Neither is it true that eating greasy, fried foods will give you a greasy skin or make your hair greasy.Nor can it be guaranteed, that if you fill yourself with cucumbers, grapes, carrot juice or lettuce you will acquire a beautiful, flawless complexion.Some people have even come out with extraordinary claims, suggesting, for example, that salads will dramatically change your appearance and to develop a perfect skin you must take vitamin and mineral supplements.All this to my mind is humbug.Although there is no denying that you must take a varied and a balanced diet, it is equally important to remember, that the single most important factor in determining the beauty of your complexion is heredity and that your eating habits play only a very small prt in it.

However, if your diet is grossly deficient in certain elements, then the skin can develop problems.In people taking normal balanced diets this does not happen.But after severe illness, surgery and in people who are on crash diets, problems might occur.

With gross nutritional deficiencies, as occurs in severe illness of any type, the skin becomes dry and dark.The lips become sore, the hair falls, and the nails develop ridges and may even get discoloured.The feet becomes edematous.

Vitamin A is very important for the health of your skin and eyes.The richest sources of this vitamin are cod-liver oil, liver, carrots, spinach, milk and egg-yolk.If the diet is lacking in this vitamin, the skin becomes excessively dry and develops pimples.Vision at night becomes defective.But remember, neither should you overdose yourself with Vitamin A, because this can cause dryness and roughness of the skin, falling of the hair and soreness of lips.Cracking and soreness of lips also develop in vitamin B deficiencies.Liver, meat, milk, greens, pulses and cereals are rich sources of vitamin B, Vitamin C, found in all citrus fruits, is also needed for the health of your skin.

Apart from vitamins, your diet should also include minerals.Iron makes the blood healthy-consequently it imparts a healthy pink glow to your skin.Iron is found in several green vegetables, in fruits and in meats.Zinc is also very important for the health of your skin.

Beverages And Skin:Many beverages can actually harm the skin.Alcohol and coffee cause the small blood vessels, under the skin surface to widen.This results in the familiar flushed look.Though, the effects of both alcohol and coffee are initially only temporary, excessive drinking will cause permanent widening of blood vessels making them apparent as thread veins.There are also several other causes of trhread veins: heredity, effects of the sun, a highly spiced diet and extremes of temperature.You can't help inheriting your genes, but you can certainly avoid the other factors to retard the appearance of thread veins.

Food Allergies And Skin Problems:Foods often play an important role in causing, at least, two types of skin problems-hives and eczemas.Although, there are several types of eczemas which are not due to food allergies, "atopic eczema" is frequently its resultant.Certain food stuffs, such as milk, eggs and preserved foods are most likely to cause allergies.A person may also be allergic to more than one food stuff.Often a number of hours elapse before the reaction occurs; so it is quite a problem to identify the culprit.Luckily, most people outgrow their food allergies and it is really not always necessary to look very carefully for the causative agent.

Skin Care

Skin Types And Skin Care:

It is really important for you to be able to identify your skin type.This is to enable you to look after your skin correctly.Also the selection of your cosmetics is, to a considerable extent, influenced by your skin type.Although no two skins are exactly similar most have characteristics which enable them to be grouped into one of the following types:Dry skin, Normal skin, Combination skin and Oily skin.
To determine your skin type, wash your face with a mild face wash.Then, after 30 minutes, press a clean tissue against your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin.If the tissue shows no trace of oil, then you have dry skin.Dry skin looks rough and is prone to premature fine lines and wrinkles.If your skin is oily in some parts but dry in others, then you have combination skin.Normal skin usually looks smooth and is not prone to break outs.Oily skin feels oily to touch and tends to shine.Oily skin is also prone to blackheads and pimples.A sensitive skin needs special care, as it may be sensitive to some ingredients found in popular cosmetics.Those with sensitive skin should always use beauty aids that are hypoallergenic to protect their skin from allergic reactions.A regular skin care programme, adapted to the needs of your particular skin type, goes a long way in keeping your skin radiant and problem free.

- Dry Skin:Dry skin needs extra care, as it is prone to fine lines and wrinkles.This is especially true during the winter months when it feels even drier and may feel too taut or may even flake.A few measures help alleviate dryness and keep your skin supple and, at the same time, guard against premature aging.
1.Always wash your face with a mild, soap-free face wash.Never use soap, as that would further strip your skin of natural oil.
2.Always use a moisturiser during the day.Use upward,circular motion to lightly massage the moisturiser into your face.Make sure not to pull or tug your skin.
3.You should consider using a night cream before going to bed at night.It is advisable to use a cream that contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids(or AHA's, as they're commonly known).AHA's are derived from sources such as milk, fruit and sugar-cane.These acids gently exfoliate the dry, dead, outermost layers of skin while they moisturise the newly revealed layers.They greatly benefit complexions that look dull, dry or flaky and they give your skin a beautiful glow.
4.Both AHA and Vitamin C help reduce fine lines and other signs of aging.Thus, you may get good results quickly by using a moisturiser or cream that contains Vitamin C during the day and an AHA-based night cream.Most known brands have moisturisers and creams that contain these.
5.If you have dry skin that tends to flake off, looks red and has some itchy patches that scab, consult your doctor to rule out eczema.Eczema, also known as atopic dermititis, is generally considered to be a hereditary condition that can occur throughout the year.Other causes of eczema can be fabrics such as wool, some skin-care products or detergents etc.Your doctor may prescribe a cream to soothe the redness and irritation.Non-irriating fabrics such as cotton also help avoid flare-ups.
6.Many people suffer from weather-related dry skin. If the weather in the winter months is normally drier and this tends to dehydrate your skin, regular use of moisturiser will keep your skin hydrated and supple.

Home Remedies For Dry Skin

1. Add 1/2 tsp of rose water to 1 tsp of honey and gently apply to the face. Leave it for about 15-20 minutes, then wash off with tepid water. Honey moisturises and soothes dry skin, and is gentle enough for daily use.

2. Massaging you face regularly with almond oil or olive oil works wonders for dry skin.

3. Take 1/4 of an apple. Peel off the skin and grate. Cool in the refrigerator. Apply it on the skin and leave it on for 15 minutes. Wash off with cool water. Apple helps soothe dry skin and gives it a pleasant glow.

4. Take 1 tbsp of cream. Stir lightly till it becomes a smooth paste. Apply to face and neck before bath. Cream helps remove suntan and makes your skin silky and supple.

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- Normal SkinNomal skin is usually trouble-free and needs simple care to keep it healthy and glowing.Normal skin also tolerates most popular lotions and creams as well.A regular skin-care program combined with a balanced, healthy diet helps keep normal skin stay supple and young.Regular care for normal skin should include a few simple steps.
1.Cleansing, toning, and moisturising daily keeps normal skin in great shape for a long time.It is advisable to use natural products on your skin.
2.It's easy to take trouble-free skin for granted.But, if neglected, it will begin to develop fine lines and wrinkles.So always remember to nourish and moisturise your skin.
3.Creams and lotions that contain vitamin A, C and E help improve the texture of your skin, making it smoother and softer.Moreover, these vitamins counter the effects of free radicals.
4.Even if your skin is normal, you still have to give it regular care.Your skin, like any other skin type, is constantly assaulted by free radicals.Free radicles are molecules formed in the skin when it is exposed to the environment, pollution, or sunlight.

Home Remedies For Normal Skin

- Mash 1/4 of a ripe banana.Apply on the face, taking care to avoid the areas under the eye.Leave it on for 10 minutes, then wash off with cool water.Banana is excellent to do away with dead skin that makes your skin look lifeless.Regular use of banana gives your skin a fresh, healthy glow.

Skin Types And Skin Care:

- Combination Skin:Skin that is oily in some parts but dry or normal in others is considered as combination skin.The oily skin is concentrated on the T-zone, which is across the foreheat, down the nose and chin.Whenever you wash your face, you may find that some areas of your face feel tight after washing; and that these parts look dull or feel dry and rough whereas the T-zone looks shiny, feels oily to touch and is prone to pimples and blackheads.Combination skin needs special attention because the dry parts of your face need to be considered, whereas the oily parts need to be kept clean to avoid breakouts.Follow these simple tips each day and see what a difference they make to your skin.
1.Cleanse your entire face twice a day.Always use a mild cleanser to gently remove dirt, grime and make-up from your face.
2.The dry areas of your face need to be moisturised to prevent the formation of premature wrinkles.Use a good moisturiser on the dry parts of your face, and if possible, use an oil-free moisturiser on your T-zone.
3.If you use make-up, try and use oil-free/shine control type of make-up on the T-zone.These products are easily available in the market today and help absorb all the excess oil secretion and control the shine.
4.If you have a combination skin, your skin will greatly benefit from AHA and Vitamin C moisturisers and creams.Products that contain AHA tend to normalise the skin.

Home Remedies For Combination Skin

1. Always keep a small bottle of rose water in the refrigerator. Saturate a bit of clean cotton with cool rose water and dab liberally on your face. Enjoy the fresh feeling.

2. Take 3-4 tbsp of ripe, deseeded papaya pulp.Mash well and cool in the refrigerator.Apply on face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then wash off with cool water.Papaya helps normalise combination or oily skin and gives it a beautiful healthy glow.

- Oily SkinSkin that looks oily, feels greasy to touch and is prone to blackheads and pimples is known as oily skin.It is imperative to keep oily skin clean and to control the excess secretion of oil.On the positive side, oily skin tends to age more gradually as compared to other skin types, as natural oil protects oily skin from fine lines and wrinkles.A simple but regular skin-care programme coupled with a well-balanced, healthy diet helps manage oily skin and minimises skin break-outs.
1.It is essential to cleanse your face twice a day, once in the morning and once at bedtime.Always use a mild cleanser.They help prevent clogged pores and reduce pimples..
2.Follow up the cleanser with an astringent as this will remove all excess oil.It is best to avoid an alcohol-based astringent. Instead, it is asvisable to use natural products.Alcohol-based products strip too much oil from the face.
3.If your skin does break out, do not touch or squeeze the pimples.Pimples, if squeezed, may leave permanent scars.There are a number of effective pimple creams available in the market today.Consult a dermatologist to know which one is best suited for you.
4.If possible, get your face professionally cleansed once a month.
5.Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water each day.Water helps flush out toxins from the body.
6.Avoid fried foods and chocolates.
7.Make sure that you eat a well-balanced diet which includes fruits and green leafy vegetables daily.

Home Remedies For Oily Skin

1. Keep a bowl of water in the fridge and splash this cold water on your face 3-4 times a day.Cold water will not only leave you feeling refreshed but will also tighten the pores.

2. Neem leaves are excellent for pimples.Crush washed neem leaves to form a paste and apply this to the affected parts.Leave it on for at least an hour.Neem will help the pimples dry up faster.

3. For marks and blemishes left behind by pimples use calamine lotion.Just dab some lotion on the blemishes at bedtime and they will gradually fade away.

4. A great pack for oily skin is the chilled cucumber.Finely grate cucumber or blend a cucumber in the blender to form a paste.Chill in the fridge.Apply it on the face and relax for 15 minutes.Wash off with cold water.For best results, repeat twice a week, on a clean, cleansed face.

What Does SPF Mean With Sunblock?

by John Grimes

Sunlight damages your skin, even if you have dark skin or a dark tan. If you
are going to be out in the sun, you need to protect yourself with sun block
that counters the damaging rays of the sun.

Skin cancer is by far the most common form of cancer suffered by people. This
is maddening to many medical professionals because preventing skin cancer is
not only possible, it is simple. When you are going to be outside for a significant
amount of time, you should wear sun screen or sun block. For those of us who
don't have nearly as much hair as we used to and would like to have, a hat is
advisable as well.

As you might know, not all sun protection is created equally. There are a number
of factors that go into how much protection it provides you. The first is time.
If the block is only good for one hour, you need to re-apply it accordingly.
The second factor is the SPF of the product in question.

So, what is SPF? SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. You might have been expecting
something more scientific, but there you are. SPF comes in different levels
designated by a numeric system. Generally, anything under SPF 15 isn't really
worth buying because it provides minimal protection at best. SPF of 15 up through
the high twenties provides a better shield against the damaging rays of the
sun, but still lets a certain amount of penetration. SPF 30 or above offers
the best sun protection.

On the technical side of things, SPF is not just a random number assigned by
the producers of sun screen. The number actually represents a measurement of
time, although loosely so in my opinion. The measure of time is determined by
calculating how long you can stay out in the sun without any protection before
getting a sun burn. The SPF designation is then a multiple of that time if you
were the sun protection product. Let's look at an example.

Assume you can stay out in the sun for 10 minutes before getting sunburned if
you wear no protection. A sunscreen with a SPF 20 rating would then be representing
that you could stay out in the sun for a 200 minutes or twenty times the period
without sun protection.
As you probably noticed, there are a few problems with this calculation. First,
you don't know how long it takes for your skin to get burned and probably don't
want to find out. Second, the calculation assumes you don't go in the water
or lose coverage because of sweat. This is why it is best to reapply sun block
every couple of hours or immediately after going in the water despite what the
product may represent regarding being waterproof.

In general, it is best to use sun protection with a minimum of a SPF 15 rating.
It is also advisable to apply it liberally and often. Doing so can prevent you
from seeing your skin age quickly, not to mention preventing skin cancer.

About the Author

John Grimes - makers of natural sun protection products
for the outdoors.

How to choose a cleanser?

It's important to look at all the different cleansers before choosing the one that is best for your face.

You'll find cleansing bars, cream cleansers, liquid cleansers, foaming cleansers, cleansers with granules to exfoliate. And here's some information on ingredients that may help you decide:

Salicylic Acid
This can be very effective in preventing and treating acne. The strongest you can get in any product is 2% and the weakest is 0.5%. Salicylic acid doesn't work for everyone, though, so you'll need to try it for about a month before you know. Salicylic Acid usually comes in a gel.

Benzoyl Peroxide
Some people have better luck with benzoyl peroxide, which is often found in cream or foam form, rather than liquid or gel. If you have very sensitive skin, stick with 2.5% since benzoyl peroxide is more drying than salicylic acid.

Glycolic Acid
Sensitive types beware because this can cause peeling and irritation. But if it agrees with you, it can prevent dead skin cells from clogging pores. Try using a glycolic wash just at night to begin with and use a gentle soap in the morning until your skin gets used to it.

Medicated Scrubs
Medicated scrubs often contain tiny spheres of either salicylic acid or glycolic acid. These scrubs can be useful once a week (or twice if you have oily skin) as long as they are not abrasive and scratchy. Scrubs that are not medicated can also help exfoliate once or twice a week.

Non-medicated Cleansers
If you are using a prescription acne treatment, non-medicated cleansers are for you. And if you have very dry skin, you may prefer to use a non-medicated cleanser as a spot treatment for acne