Are Natural skin care products the answer to all problems?

When it comes to skin care products, you will find that a lot of people are very particular about using only natural skin care products. They treat all the synthetic products as harmful to the skin.

So, are natural skin care products the answer to all of our problems? What if a natural skin care product is not available for the treatment of a particular skin disorder? Are the synthetic skin care products so harmful that they should be banned?

Different people have different answers to these questions. However, the reality is that due to presence of synthetic preservatives, it’s really tough to find a natural skin care product that is 100% natural. There are natural skin care products that have natural preservatives, but their cost might be detrimental. Moreover, such natural skin products have a shorter shelf life and hence are not preferred by the manufacturers of natural skin care products.

Some people carry a wrong notion that since natural skin care products are natural, they cannot cause any harm to the skin. The suitability of a skin care product is not based on whether it is synthetic or natural. An unsuitable natural skin care product can harm you in almost the same way as a synthetic one. So, use natural skin care products, but be open to synthetic ones too (you might need them when a natural solution is not available) 

Your selection of a natural skin care product should be based on 3 factors: 

1. The skin type (dry, oily, normal, sensitive) of the person who will use that natural skin care product 
2. The climatic conditions in which it will be used e.g. hot and humid condition would warranty the use of oil-free natural skin care products.
3. The process for application/use of the natural skin care product. A good natural skin care product (in fact any product) can seem useless if not used in the proper way. 

You can also make natural skin care products by yourself, by using the recipes that are readily available on the internet and in the books at book stores.

Use of organic fruits and vegetables is also popular as a natural skin care procedure. Some essential oils, herbal oils, are useful too and are known for their moisturizing and antiseptic properties.

However, using a natural skin care product does not mean that you can exercise carelessness with other aspects of skin care. Natural skin care products should be used like supplements to the following ‘essential’ recommendations: healthy eating habits (avoiding oily food), regular exercise, drinking a lot of water (8 glasses everyday), and cleanliness. This will then form a perfect and completely natural skin care routine that will help maintain a healthy beautiful skin for longer time.

More about Anti-Aging

 

‘Antiaging skin care’ is a very poplar concept in today’s world. Today everyone wants to hide their age using antiaging skin care procedures (and a number of people are successful too). However antiaging skin care is not achieved by any magic potion. ‘Antiaging skin care’ is about discipline. It is about being proactive. Antiaging skin care is retarding the aging process. Here are a few tips for proactive antiaging skin care:

1. Maintain healthy eating habits: A well balanced diet is the key to maintaining a proper body metabolism. Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables (raw), they are the best source of fiber and have a very refreshing effect on your body. Avoid oily and fatty food; not only do they lack in essential nutrients but also cause obesity and other diseases which aid the aging process

2. Beat stress: This is probably the most important antiaging skin care measure. Stress disturbs the body metabolism and accelerates the aging process. Sleep, exercise and a relaxing bath, are all good ways of beating stress. Aroma-therapy is also known to bust stress. 

3. Drink a lot of water: Antiaging skin care can’t be any simpler than this. Water helps in flushing out the toxins from the body, hence keeping it clean and making it less prone to disease. Around 8 glasses of water (per day) is recommended by all doctors.

4. Regular exercise is a wonderful antiaging skin care procedure. Besides toning your muscles, it also helps in cleaning the skin by flushing out the toxins in the form of sweat. Exercise should be followed by a warm shower in order to completely remove the toxins.

5. Avoid the use of strong, chemical based products on your skin. Natural skin care products are a good option. Use of organic skin care products (home made or commercial) can be a very effective antiaging skin care measure.

6. Do not overuse skin care products. Excessive and harsh application, both are harmful.

7. Do not ignore skin disorders; it can lead to permanent skin damage. Try over the counter medication and if that doesn’t help, immediately visit your dermatologist and seek his/her advice.

8. Vitamin C based skin care products are very popular means of antiaging skin care. However, these seem to oxidize very quickly (which makes them harmful for the skin). So store them properly. If the product turns Yellowish brown, it means that vitamin c has oxidized and the product is no longer suitable for use.

9. Protect your skin against UV radiation ; UV rays are known to speed up the aging process. So, a good sunscreen lotion should be a part of your antiaging skin care routine.

Anti-aging skin care products

Anti-aging skin care products remind me of the song ’18 till I die’. Indeed, anti-aging skin care products are very popular today; and why not, who doesn’t want to look young for ever?

Talking of anti-aging skin care products, the first thing that comes to mind is vitamin C based anti aging skin care products. These products work by enabling the synthesis of collagen (a structural protein that is found in skin). This category of anti-aging skin care products is related to anti-oxidants. When looking for an anti-aging skin care product with vitamin C in it, make sure you find one that helps fight the look of aging through advanced Peptide Technology.

Peptides are very small pieces of proteins consisting of various numbers of amino acids. They are the most important part of all body and cellular activity. All proteins and enzymes which regulates metabolism are composed of peptides. Peptides have various functions and multiple activities in the skin. Peptides Signal You’re Skin to Make More Collagen – Applying peptides directly to your skin is a way to trick your skin into thinking that it has lost collagen recently and needs to make more. Peptides are effective in improving the appearance of fine lines. Peptides Deliver Copper into Your Skin – Because peptides are small, they can penetrate the skin’s protective barriers to get to the deeper layers. When copper is attached to a peptide, the peptide can deliver copper to the living layers of the skin. There is research showing that copper is an effective agent in skin healing which is why it has been used for years to treat chronic wounds. Copper peptides seem to promote collagen production and act as antioxidants. They are needed for natural healing and regeneration of your skin and to help remove damaged collagen. Neuropeptides Might Act Like Botox – Some peptides might block transmission of signals from nerves to your facial muscles. In particular, a neuropeptide called argireline has been shown in the laboratory to block the release of neurotransmitters from nerves Argireline absorbed all the way through the skin to the level of the muscle, and then it blocks contraction of the muscle, leading to smoother skin, similar to Botox.

Besides vitamin C, vitamin E and lipoic acid are anti-oxidants too. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble anti-oxidant that is found in human blood and helps in building resistance against infection. Vitamin E is also known to inhibit cancer. Liponic acid is known to combat the signs of aging very effectively by reversing the skin damage caused by the aging process.

Phytochemicals form the other category of anti aging skin care products. Phytochemical are special chemicals that are extracted from plants. There are a variety of phytochemicals that are in use today. Phytochemicals prevent occurrence of cancer of certain types; these include prostate cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. That is why they find their place in anti-aging skin care product.

Some B-vitamins like B5, B6 and B12 are also in use for anti-aging skin care product.

The field of anti-aging skin care product is vast and needs a lot of research. Though the currently available products are effective, they still have challenges to combat. Hopefully, these challenges will get resolved in due course and help get better and cheaper anti-aging skin care product.

However, anti-aging skin care product should be used only as a supplement to the natural ways of skin and body care. So, drinking a lot of water, getting a good night sleep, exercising regularly, maintaining healthy eating habits and keeping stress at bay are essential means of delaying the aging process. No anti-aging skin care product can replace them really.

Seacret has an awesome Age-Defying Line that is infused with Peptide-Technology, which stimulates the reproduction of collagen and reduces the appearance of expression lines (smile, frown, & thinking lines).  Their age-defying line is ideal for those looking to prevent fine lines and wrinkles.  Give it a try today! Go to: www.epdeadsea.com

Anti aging skin care

One of the most interesting topics on skin care is ‘anti aging skin care’. As one gets older, the natural defense of our skin (and in fact of the whole body) weakens. ‘Anti aging skin care’ is about protecting your skin from the negative effects of aging process. ‘Anti aging skin care’ helps in maintaining a young and fresh look for a longer period of time. However, ‘anti aging skin care’ doesn’t end just here. Besides maintaining your looks (good looks), ‘anti aging skin care’ is also about retaining the resistance to disease. Though the awareness about anti aging has increased over a period of time, still a lot of people are unable to recognize the aging symptoms (and hence are unable to determine if they are in need of additional anti aging skin care measures).

Here is a list of visible anti aging symptoms that will help you in the planning and execution of your strategy for anti aging skin care: baldness, forgetfulness, graying hair, wrinkle formation, loss of eyesight or hearing loss and menopause. The occurrence of one or more such symptoms is an indicator for upping the ante on anti aging skin care. Note that we are talking about introduction of additional measures for anti aging skin care, we are not talking about starting ‘anti aging skin care’ altogether. ‘Anti aging skin care’ actually starts much before the symptoms of anti aging appear.  Serious anti aging skin care is building and following a proper skin care routine much earlier in life (say in your teens). Anti aging skin care doesn’t mean adoption of any special skin care procedure but just following a normal procedure in the right earnest. Eating a lot of fruits, avoiding stress, drinking a lot of water and using natural therapies can delay the aging process.

Once the signs of aging start showing up, you should start using some additional measures in the form of anti aging skin care products. The market is full of anti aging skin care products. In fact there are so many anti aging skin care products that they will probably find you even before you find them. Also, with age, the skin undergoes significant change. So you will need to analyze your current skin care procedure to check if it still holds good i.e. if it is still suitable for your skin.

You should remember that aging is a natural process and there is nothing that can stop it from happening. All these anti aging skin measures can just help in delaying the aging process.

All about sensitive skin care

‘Sensitive skin care’ is governed by a few basic rules. However, even before we delve into the rules for sensitive skin care, it’s important to understand what a sensitive skin is. Sensitive skin is one which is unable to tolerate any unfavorable conditions (environmental/other), and which easily gets irritated on contact with foreign materials (including skin care products). For this reason, some products are especially labelled as sensitive skin care products. The degree of sensitivity can however vary from person to person (and depending on that, the sensitive skin care procedures vary too).  

Generally, all skin types respond negatively to detergents and other chemical based products. However, the damage starts generally beyond a defined threshold (or tolerance level). This tolerance level is very low for sensitive skin types, leading to skin getting damaged very easily and quickly.  Sensitive skin care products either avoid the potential irritants or keep them at very low concentrations.

Here are a few tips for sensitive skin care:
* Use sensitive skin care products only (i.e. the products that are marked for sensitive skin care only). Also, check the instructions/ notes on the product to see if there are specific restrictions/warnings associated with the product).
* Even within the range of sensitive skin care products, choose the one that has minimum preservatives, colorings and other additives
* Do not use toners. Most of them are alcohol based and are not recommended for sensitive skin.
* Wear protective gloves when doing laundry or other chemical based cleaning.  If you are allergic to rubber, you can wear cotton gloves below the rubber ones.
* Another important tip for ‘sensitive skin care’ is to avoid excessive exposure to sun. Apply sunscreen lotion before getting out in the sun.
* Avoiding exposure to dust and other pollutants is also important for sensitive skin care. So, cover yourself adequately before going out.
* Use hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic moisturizer as a sensitive skin care product (if there is none specifically labelled as a sensitive skin care product)
* Use soap-free and alcohol free cleansers. Cleanse your face whenever you return from spending time out doors.
* Do not scrub or exfoliate too hard. It can cause reddishness and even inflammation.
* Do not leave the makeup on for too long. Use hypoallergenic makeup- removers.

So, sensitive skin care is very different from the normal skin care. Sensitive skin care is more about being careful with your skin (both in terms of sensitive skin care products and protection against environments atrocities on skin).

Need attention?

If you are looking for a way to get any woman’s (or another man’s) attention, follow these skincare tips and you will be well on your way.

Our morning routine is typically the same.  We get up, go to the bathroom and start washing our face with bar soap and water and running out the door.  If that sounds like you, then it may be time that we change how we manage our skincare.  When it comes to skincare management, I am not suggesting in no way that you go out and start stocking up with cleansers and creams that will probably collect more dust than be used. I am recommending that you fine tune what you are already doing by practicing the following skincare tips.

1. Wash your face with a good cleanser. As an guy, I can clearly state that I am guilty of taking a shower in hot water while using cheap soaps or facial scrubs.  Well, according to dermatologist and psychiatrist Dr. Amy Wechsler, “This makes your skin dry and when your skin is dry you appear wrinkly and much older.” Did not know that.  No wonder why sometimes when I pass a mirror I though my grandpa was looking at me…

“It is important to have a gentle cleanser that will cleanse the skin from the dirt and oil that can accumulate,” says Dr. Howard Brooks, a Washington, D.C.-based dermatologist. Look for a cleaner that will clean your skin by removing dirt, debris, make-up and excess oils. I recommend SEACRET’s Deep Cleansing Facial Wash.  It is SLS Free and is specially formulated with Papaya Fruit and Quinoa Seed Extract, as well as Aloe Vera and Sea Buckhorn oil, to hydrate and condition your skin as it cleans away dirt and makeup, leaving your skin clean, hydrated, and silky smooth.

2. Stop buying cheap razors. According to Thomas Cheung, master barber at The Art of Shaving at Tysons Corner Center in McLean, VA, most men shave five times a week. (How do you do it?) “A quality razor can be a lifetime item, so choose your weapon wisely. Choose a razor that fits your skin sensitivity and beard coarseness, your face will thank you,” says Cheung.

If you’re going the drugstore route, Dr. Wechsler suggests pumping the brakes before buying a razor with several blades. “With these types, you’re more likely to get razor burn or ingrown hairs because the extra blades pull the hairs below the skin a little too deep.”

A moisturizing shaving gel is key to providing a barrier of protection while shaving, so slather that on. Shave in the shower or immediately afterwords, as Cheung states that “the facial hairs are much softer from the warm water and steam.” Plus, it eliminates having to clean up a dirty sink when you’ve got company.

3. Make after-shave your new best friend. “After-shave hydrates and soothes the skin; it also seals in the skin after a nice shave,” says Cheung. “Your after-shave should be alcohol-free because alcohol dries your skin — plain and simple.”  Look for a product that will help restore the balance of moisture on the face to promote soft, radiant skin. I recommend Seacret’s After Shave Balm which is enriched with Dead Sea Minerals that nurture skin and enhance its naturally smooth look. Containing Aloe Vera Gel, rich plant extracts, Evening Primrose Oil, and Vitamins A, B, C, and E, this balm restores the balance of moisture in your face to promote soft and radiant skin, in a refreshing scent.

4. Don’t skip the facial moisturizer. Facial hair can be sexy on a guy, but what really turns us on is when our faces touch and it doesn’t feel like sandpaper. Moisturizing daily will get you soft, kissable skin. “Fragrance-free products are easy because they have no smell and aren’t considered ‘girly,'” says Dr. Wechsler. Seacret’s Essential Moisture Face Cream will do just that for you.  Seacret combined a selection of Dead Sea minerals to indulge your skin with a daily, light-moisturizing treatment. Formulated from a unique combination of Dead Sea minerals and herbal complex made of Bergamot Oil, Chamomile Extract, and Grape Seed Oil. Seacret™ Face Cream will nurture and moisturize your skin for a healthy glow. It is suitable for normal to combination skin and is an ideal makeup base.

5. Never leave home without applying sunscreen. If you can find a moisturizer that contains SPF of 30 or higher, then you’re way ahead. But it doesn’t hurt to keep a separate bottle of sunscreen handy. Plus, it lets us know that you actually care about your appearance. Bonus points!  Men who don’t use sunscreen increase their risk of getting sun damage, which may result in redness, irritation, extra blood vessels and skin cancer. Stay forever young (or close to it) by applying sunscreen every single day.

Acne and its treatment

Acne is a menace. However, it’s not something that cannot be tackled. There are loads of acne skin care products around. We can classify acne skin care products into 3 broad categories –
* Preventive or general acne skin care products
* Over-the-counter, specialized acne skin care products
* On-prescription acne skin care products.

The general acne skin care products are the ones that are used as acne-prevention measure. These include cleansers, make-up removers and similar products that help prevent acne. In the real sense, these acne skin care products are just those that should anyway be part of your daily routine. However, some of these are more oriented to act like an acne skin care product. These acne skin care products act against the causes of acne e.g. limiting the production of sebum/oil and preventing clogging of skin pores. Basically, these acne skin care products prevent the oil from getting trapped in pores and hence hamper the growth of bacteria that lead to acne. The general acne skin care products also include exfoliation products like skin peels. These work towards removing dead skin cells, hence reducing the possibility of pore-clogging and bacteria development.

Then there are specialized acne skin care products that are available over-the-counter i.e. without the need of a prescription. These include products like vanishing creams which extract the extra oil from the skin. Most of these acne skin care products are based on benzyl peroxide and salicylic acid, both of which are the enemies of bacteria (and hence acne). You should start with a product that has lower concentration of benzyl peroxide (e.g. 5%) and see how your skin responds to it.  Alpha-hydroxy-acid based moisturizers are also popular as acne skin care products. You might have to try a few, before you zero-in on the acne skin care product that is effective for you. If nothing seems to work, you should contact a dermatologist.

On-prescription acne skin care products are the ones that are prescribed by a dermatologist. This can include ointments that can be applied on the affected acne or oral antibiotics or just any topical treatment. Dermatologist could also suggest a minor surgical procedure to remove the contents of pustules.  However, never try to squeeze or do this by yourself, it can lead to permanent damage of your skin.  Your doctor could also prescribe a hormone-based treatment (since hormonal changes are also known to cause acne). Such acne skin care products are known to be very effective in some cases.  So, with all those acne skin care products, tackling acne is not that difficult.