Archive for January, 2007



Read the Labels on Anti Aging Creams

Wednesday 31 January 2007 @ 2:21 pm

When you are shopping for and comparing labels on anti aging cream products, it can be very confusing. The names of the ingredients may seem foreign to you. You may wonder what these ingredients do and if they really work. Becoming familiar with some of the ingredients used in these products will help make comparing them easier and less confusing.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids exfoliate dead skin cells from the outer layers of your skin. When dead skin cells build up, it leaves you with a dull complexion. Exfoliating these cells will leave you with younger looking skin.

Alpha Lipoic Acid is one of the strongest antioxidants on the market. It is used in anti aging creams to counteract the damage done by free radicals.

Antioxidants, such as Vitamin A, C and E, are used to protect against the damage done by free radicals. These particles result from the oxidation of cells. Free radicals cause damage to the cells and have a part in the aging process. They are also thought to play a role in certain diseases, such as cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants bind free radicals and stop the damage done by these particles.

Beta Hydroxy Acids work in the same way as Alpha Hydroxy Acids. The main difference is that Beta Hydroxy Acids are less irritating to the skin. Salicylic acid is the most common beta hydroxy acid found in anti aging creams.

Botanicals are plant extracts that are used in many beauty products. Some of the common botanicals found in anti wrinkle creams are ginseng, aloe and gingko. These all have regenerative properties when used on the skin.

Coenzyme 10 is a nutrient found in the cells of the skin. It works to minimize wrinkles.

Collagen is a protein that makes up connective tissue in the body. Skin is made up of about seventy percent collagen. In anti aging creams, this ingredient works to tighten the skin. This helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and sagging of the skin.

Elastin is a protein found in the skin. It gives the skin its elasticity and resilience. Elastin helps the skin return to its original shape after movements, such as smiling or frowning. Elastin naturally decreases with age. This results in the skin not returning to its original shape and causes smile lines, frown lines, worry lines and crow’s feet. Elastin in anti wrinkle creams helps return elasticity to the skin.

Emollients are used as a moisturizer in skin care products. They are essential for helping the skin retain moisture. Emollients act as a moisture barrier to help prevent moisture loss.

Essential oils are plant oils that are used in skin care products and in aromatherapy. Lavender and chamomile are two essential oils that are used in anti aging creams. These essential oils soothe irritation in the skin.

Retinol is a form of vitamin A that is used in anti aging creams. Retinol helps build and strengthen collagen fibers in the skin. It also exfoliates the skin to help remove dead skin cells.

SPF stands for sun protection factor. This is used in some anti wrinkle creams that are intended to be worn during the day. SPFs help screen out the ultraviolet rays from the sun, which are implicated in premature aging. If your cream doesn’t contain this ingredient, be sure to apply sunscreen when you are going outside.

Learning to read labels will help take the guess work out of purchasing anti aging cream and skin care products. When you know what is in the cream and how the ingredients benefit your skin, it’s easier to find the products that are right for your skin. Reading reviews is another great way to find great products for reducing and preventing wrinkles.

Brian Dolezal is a contributing editor for TopConsumerReviews.com (http://www.topconsumerreviews.com), a leading provider of independent reviews and rankings for hundreds of consumer products. You can find out how top anti-aging creams compare by visiting TopConsumerReviews.com today.

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Collagen Skin Care Products

Wednesday 31 January 2007 @ 9:05 am

Collagen is one of the main components of our skin. It is responsible for the resistance and consistency of the tissue in the dermis (inner layer of the skin). Collagen is a protein that serves as a key structural component of connective tissue, like skin, bones, ligaments, and the like. The dermis contains large amount of collagen, elastin, and fibers which are all responsible for your skins strength, elasticity, and texture.

As we age, collagen becomes hard and cross links with other fibers making it difficult for the skin to maintain moisture and elasticity. In addition, starting at the age of 25, the collagen production in our body reduces for about 15 % every year. And because the connective tissue of our skin is weakening, for this reason, the skin collapses and wrinkles are created. Dry skin, wrinkles, and fine lines are some of the signs of aging and poor dermal collagen health.

Collagen skin care products which are widely used today lotions and creams provide an effective momentary result in the area needing hydration and moisturizing. Collagens enriched lotions and creams help hydrate and moisturize the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) which tends to dry out. They help stimulate natural collagen; therefore, your skin is nourished, and revitalized. The purpose of these collagen skin care products is to help retain the water in the stratum and corneum, maintaining the epidermis in its normal state of hydration. Which is why collagen skin care products are recommended for use at any age the moment the signs of aging start to appear?

Another collagen skin care option is to drink supplements. Collagen supplements can also help in slowing down the process of wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging. This collagen skin care supplements are the most effective way of keeping your skins healthy texture because the process of hydrating your skin starts from within. Regular intake of collagen skin care supplements replenishes the decreasing collagen production in your body, therefore the works of wonders start at the insides and the results that can be seen on the outsides are amazing. You are not only targeting the health of your skin but other parts of your body, as well.

Our skin is the largest organ of our body and it definitely needs care. Your face is not the only part of your body that matters and that has skin. Just imagine, if you have healthy, young looking face despite your age, and the rest of your body skin is dry and wrinkled. If I were that person, I might be wearing gloves, long sleeves, and pants for the rest of my life. See, healthy and beautiful skin can make you feel good about yourself, and the more confident you are of your body, the happier you become. So, start caring for your skin. Collagen skin care products and supplements will keep your skin moisturized and healthy.

T J Madigan has been established in online business since 1998 and is director of a number of successful online projects one of which is http://www.articles.net.au your best source for FREE and private label articles.

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Three Lessons Learned From Living With Trichotillomania

Wednesday 31 January 2007 @ 4:11 am

Trichotillomania, also known as compulsive hair pulling, is a way some people cope with uncomfortable feelings but it can quickly turn into a virulent habit or addiction.

Hair pullers pull out the hair from their scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, or other parts of the body, often causing noticeable bald spots. Many do so uncontrollably for hours each day. Hair pulling doesn’t hurt a compulsive hair puller. In fact, most report that they find the behavior soothing. Trichotillomania is estimated to affect up to fifteen million Americans.

From the ages of twelve to thirty-nine, I suffered from compulsive hair pulling. For the past twelve and a half years I have been successfully healed from this compulsive behavior. Based on my experience, I believe that fully healing from a compulsion or addiction is a universal journey that is available to anyone. It requires that the sufferer look inside, take responsibility for his own problem and remain flexible while following his own guidance.

Along my journey I learned many things. Here are three of the most important.

1. In order to heal, I had to believe that healing was possible for me.

In order to change, I needed to get to the point where I really understood deep inside that my beliefs create my reality. If I couldn’t believe that it was possible for me to stop pulling, then I would never be able to do it.

Visualization became an important step. Because I could actually see myself on the other side of hair pulling with a full head of hair, I was consciously and unconsciously able do everything necessary to achieve my goal.

I read books like Real Magic and You’ll See It When You Believe It by Dr. Wayne Dyer, which helped me to incorporate the concept of how my thoughts create my reality. This gave me the tools to align my thoughts with my intention to stop hair pulling.

2. In order to fix a problem, I had to be willing to focus on it. Not just make it a priority in my life, but to make it the top priority in my life until I accomplished my goal.

Can you fix a flat tire without making it the focus in your life; even if just for a few minutes? Although this seemed obvious to me in terms of dealing with any external problem, it wasn’t obvious when dealing with my compulsion.

Making your hair pulling the only priority in your life takes work and commitment. It takes a conscious effort to bring it to the forefront of your life.

At 12 years old, I put my hair pulling problem on the back burner and decided to get on with my life. After all, there was no known cure–what else could I do? Many of us fear that if we focus directly on a problem like this, it and our inner pain will worsen. So most of us are unwilling to take this risk. This fear is real and justified, but to heal you must be willing to move through this stage. As I began to focus on my hair pulling, my problem did get a bit worse. As I continued to front-burner it, I found that I was strong enough to deal with a temporary worsening in order to reap the greater rewards of ending the problem for good. Hanging in through this process required me to trust in the process of natural healing.

3. Everything in life is a gift - even painful compulsions like hair pulling. Use your gifts to learn and grow.

Hair pulling was not the problem, but a symptom of much larger underlying early traumas that I had endured. I had no memory of many of them. Consequently they remained hidden and unresolved and created a great deal of pain in my life. By facing my hair pulling, I was forced to recognize and heal the other problems in my life.

I learned to maintain a childlike excitement about discovering my repressed feelings even in the midst of pain and sadness. I began to embrace my emotions and to feel that I was on a treasure hunt, knowing that in releasing old feelings, no matter how painful, I could get closer to my goal to end the compulsion. At each step I uncovered clues as to what to let go of and where to look next.

Remember, it isn’t just about letting go of something from the past; something you may enjoy. It’s also about reaching out to a new and exciting future. A future that you can choose to live anyway you desire.

Abby Leora Rohrer is a consultant and self-healing mentor, and author of What’s Wrong With Pulling My Hair Out? and of the Pull-Free, At Last! System, a complete at-home healing program for sufferers of Trichotillomania. Visit http://www.pullfreeatlast.com or call 303/546-0788 for more information

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Choosing The Right Shoes!

Tuesday 30 January 2007 @ 8:48 pm

What exactly are ‘designer’ shoes? Well, simply put a designer shoe (or any designer product), is that which is named after a reputable designer who has established their name in the market place by being renowned for quality, style, reliability, and consistency with their merchandise. Once they have triumphed in these achievements by critics and consumers, they go on to become household names.

There’s a bit of a misconception that all designer products, including footwear, are the luxury of the rich and famous, but this is not always the case as many designer shoes and boots are now manufactured specifically for the high street department stores at a price that’s affordable to many.

This doesn’t mean the quality of the product is no good, far from it. It’s just that they have mass produced a cheaper version of the Real McCoy. It’s the original designs which are probably made by hand using the finest fabrics and jewels, which are tailored to fit the feet of high society at high prices.

When buying designer footwear or well known brands in shoes and boots, it’s always worth taking a look at the warehouse style companies who offer lots of brands at great savings. In fact, you will probably find a great variety of styles and brands available for less than $25, especially if you buy seasonal footwear out of season. Designer shoes on the other hand, are not so easily found through the bargain basement, and prices remain pretty static unless there is some end of season or other promotion going on.

Quality shoes are crucial to the continual development and care of our feet. In order to help prevent foot related problems later on in life, it’s important that you purchase the right fitting shoes every time. Good quality support and fitting is much more likely when you buy reputable brand and or designer footwear.

It used to be the case that sturdy brands such as Clarks Shoes, were frumpy and not appealing to the young, but they have come a long way since then and nowadays they not only continue to offer great value for money but are also dedicated to comfort while producing some pretty trendy styles as well. As a matter of fact, many of the old brands have now joined the hip footwear market in order to stay afloat in what’s become a very competitive industry.

Remember, that although good quality footwear is more expensive than no-name brands, it’s actually false economy to buy cheap shoes if you go through 3 or 4 pairs to one of the reputable names. Brand names and designer shoes are not just about footwear but foot care, and top that up with trendy styles and it becomes the only real option worth considering when adorning your feet with the latest fashions.

Lot’s more on all kinds of quality shoes and boots including a look at the fun footwear for kids, Heelys Shoes here: http://www.hipfootwear.com/heelys-shoes.php Choosing Mans Dress Shoes here: http://www.hipfootwear.com/ and the famous Dansko Shoes here: http://www.hipfootwear.com/dansko-shoes.php

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Career Apparel Dress for Success

Tuesday 30 January 2007 @ 3:03 pm

Ever wondered why you didn’t land your dream job? You rehearsed for your interview, researched the company, and appeared to be a qualified applicant at the interview. Perhaps, it was your career apparel choice that made that man behind the desk turn up his nose.

Even if it is just a restaurant or thrift store in which you are applying for, showing up in casual street clothes is always a no-no. Selecting the appropriate and classy career apparel could make or break your chances of getting the job.

The first thing you should do is analyze the atmosphere of the company that you’re applying to. Is it a laid-back atmosphere? Are there a lot of cleaning duties or stocking tasks involved? Or, is it a high-class establishment where employees are consistently dressed in Sunday best career apparel? Do some investigating by popping in one day to observe what other employees are wearing. Talk to former employees about the expectations of the business’s supervisor.

If you are applying for a position with a big-league business (such as a bank, high-class retail store, investment company, etc.), wear nothing short than high-class polished career apparel. Even if you are in your 20s, dressing as if you are 10 years older will give you a mature and professional air.

For women’s career apparel, you might choose to wear a white button-down blouse, a long black skirt or dress pants, panty hose and black flat shoes. This may be a far cry from your usual clothing, but remember, you are trying to present your best professional image, not your personal tastes.

If you wear contacts, put your glasses on. Your hair should be tied back in a bun or tightly-secured pony tail. Make-up should be minimal, wearing no bright eye shadow or lipstick. Career apparel is all about looking smart and sophisticated, and being able to pull it off.

For men, depending on the company’s reputation, a nice knit sweater with a collared shirt underneath might suffice for career apparel for the interview. If not, stick to the traditional pin-striped button-down shirt with a solid tie and khaki or black dress pants. No tennis shoes! Try loafers or polished dress shoes.

If you are interviewing for a more relaxed establishment (like a pet store, newspaper delivery or fast-food restaurant) or for a physical labor job, dressing in black tie career apparel may be a bit over the top. Instead opt for comfortable career apparel- within reason. Wearing blue jeans is an interview taboo. Go for casual tan corduroy or cotton pants and a long-sleeved knit top. Keep it simple, but make sure you appear clean-cut, well put together and polished. For women, add a pair of small gold earrings. For men, flourish with a nice wrist watch.

While career apparel is important in impressing your prospective boss, be sure to adlib extras that will make your face memorable: smile a lot, speak clearly and concisely, be knowledgeable about the expected work duties, and above all, be courteous and polite.

Freelance writer for over eleven years.

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Melanoacanthoma: A Rare Form of Hyper Pigmentation

Tuesday 30 January 2007 @ 3:01 pm

Melanoacanthoma is a rare form of Hyperpigmentation and it comes in many forms. Oral Melanoacanthoma has not been around that long, and it is basically a lesion which is characterized by both Melanocytes and Keratinocytes. They result in a pigmented macular or in plaque like lesions.

At first it was thought that the lesions were malignant, and whilst around two percent of the cases of the condition are malignant, mostly the lesions tend to be benign. So just who gets Melanoacanthoma, and just how rare is it?

Oral Melanoacanthoma, its Causes and who it affects
Oral Melanoacanthoma is an extremely rare condition, and there have only been around thirty cases of the condition since it was identified in America. There does tend to be a specific pattern with who the condition affects and generally white people seem to be the people most at risk of the cutaneous version of the condition. Black people tend to end up with the mucosal version of the condition mainly, along with some Asian people too.

Generally the condition affects both males and females, though ages do tend to vary between the different variations of the condition. Cutaneous Melanoacanthoma usually appears in people aged around sixty and over, whereas the mucosal variety tends to affect much younger people of around twenty five years old.

Cutaneous lesions are not usually painful and they are usually only found during a routine examination. The lesions vary in appearance and they usually tend to be black, blue or brown in color. They are usually isolated and they grow quite slow, usually they are present at least a few months before they are found.

Mucosal lesions are very similar to cutaneous lesions, though they do tend to grow a lot quicker. They range in size and they can be either a few millimeters or several centimeters long. They are generally brought on by a traumatic event and are most commonly found on the lips.

How to Treat the Condition

If you do have Oral Melanoacanthoma, it is essential that you get a proper diagnosis. In order to diagnose this condition, a histologic examination will be carried out. This helps to determine that the problem is in fact Oral Melanoacanthoma, and not any other type of pigmented lesions.

Currently there is no real medical treatment known to cure the condition. Mucosal lesions may be treated by removing the precipitating stimulus. Usually however, all lesions tend to spontaneously disappear by themselves in up to forty percent of the cases.

It is possible to have surgery for both the cutaneous and mucosal lesions, and in most cases the lesions are benign and so a local excision is usually adequate enough to treat it. In some cases it is possible for a sufferer to receive laser treatment, though it often jeopardizes microscopic diagnosis.Once treatment has finished, it is uncommon for the lesions to come back again.

Overall, Oral Melanoacanthoma is extremely rare but it can occur and it is helpful to know what to look out for. As mentioned, lesions are usually isolated and it is uncommon for them to appear in multiple places. The condition can be treated and it hardly ever reoccurs after treatment. Most of the time people do not even realize they have this condition as it really is not painful, and often it also goes away by itself.

If you do suspect you may have the condition, it is always better to go and see your local doctor. They will be able to give you a better diagnosis and suggest ways to treat the condition in order to eliminate it.

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The Sorry State Of Pickoderm

Tuesday 30 January 2007 @ 2:59 pm

Chances are, as you innocently squeeze your blackheads, zits and any other foreign lumps on your skin, you did not realise that there are people out there who are actually addicted to the behaviour.

These addicts will squeeze their pores until there is nothing left to come out, and then squeeze several times more. They will have red marks on their faces, legs, arms and chests, or on any area of their skin where they prefer to pick. It may sound strange, but this is the plight of thousands of people who just cannot stop picking. Such addicts are called pickoderms, and the behavioural disorder has been classified under the umbrella of obsessive compulsive disorder.

While most people who are concerned with their skin are likely to engage in a little healthy blackhead squeezing once in a while, pickoderms have trouble controlling the amount of time they spend on such activities. Skin picking has become a compulsion for them, and for one reason or another, they find it incredibly difficult to quit the behaviour.

A pickoderm may start picking based on health reasons, or simply as a way to deal with stress or emotional imbalance. Whatever the reasons, the pattern of behaviour becomes very hard to break and because of this, very unhealthy. Some people have such tender, raw skin because of the disorder that they cannot stand to go out or wash the damaged tissues.

Skin picking is usually seen on the face, arms or legs, but it can also occur in unseen places such as inside the mouth. Unknown to those around them, and even family members and close friends in some situations, a pickoderm with this specific habit will use their teeth to chew and rip at the tender skin inside his or her mouth, leaving a trail of white, dead tissue along the line of teeth.

Whatever area of the body such a person focuses on, the behaviour can often be so out of control that the person is in incredible pain but cannot stop regardless.

If you have this compulsion, it is still very important to take proper care of your skin. No doubt the affected areas will be very tender and sore, so direct application of any moisturisers or disinfectants should be done very carefully. Try not to apply any products directly to inflamed skin, but if the sores are at least partially healed they will be able to handle gentle cleansing and moisturising, which are both essential in the healing process.

Severely picked skin is susceptible to infection and therefore you must be absolutely sure to keep the area clean and free of harmful bacteria. As often as you can stand it, wash with an astringent liquid and be thorough.

If you are like most pickoderms, you will go through cycles of picking and healing, so you will need to take full advantage of the healing phase and help it along where you can. Use an antibacterial wash, and use it often. You will also need to moisturise the area to help the skin cells rebuild themselves. Apply a very small amount of moisturiser several times daily until the sores have healed sufficiently, and then apply larger amounts until the skin is completely healed.

Picking your skin is a widespread habit, but it is a smaller population of people that pick to such an extent to cause permanent scarring or blatant sores. If you are one of these people, try to remember your basic skin care rules to combat scarring and take care of your skin.

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How To Avoid Winters Itch And Effectively Treat It

Tuesday 30 January 2007 @ 2:54 pm

Winter can be an absolute nightmare month for our hair and skin. The cold, blustery winds and the extremely cold temperatures can really play havoc with our bodies if they are not fully protected.

We all know that winter can bring dry, flaky skin, but what many of us do not know, is that there is actually a condition called Winters Itch, which obviously only occurs in the winter. It is a condition which causes an itchy, red rash and incredibly dry skin.

Winters Itch and its Causes
There are many reasons why we may develop Winters Itch, and one of those reasons is the heating. With the extremely cold temperatures outside, and the heating turned up full inside, our skin often ends up drying out. So, the first thing you can do to stop this from happening is to turn the heating down even if it is only a little bit, and perhaps even purchase a humidifier which will really help keep the rooms in your house filtered.

Another cause of Winters Itch could be chemical agents. These include detergents and also, when the weather starts getting colder we cover up our skin a lot more. This can cause friction as heavy clothing rubs against the skin, and it can cause the symptoms of Winters Itch.

The amount of hot water you use on your skin also has an effect. The same as hot, dry air robs the skin of its moisture, hot water also does the same thing. This is because hot water strips the skin of its natural essential oils, and that in turn leaves the skin extremely dry. Bathing in cool luke warm water is essential in winter, even if you do want to make it as hot as possible because of the cold weather!

The condition can affect absolutely all ages, whether you are working outdoors in the Winter weather, or weather you are older, or an housewife who has the heating turned up all day. Whoever you are, if you have skin, you are at risk of developing Winters Itch!

Treatment and Prevention of Winters Itch
If you do have Winters Itch, or you simply want to prevent it from happening, there are certain things you can do. These include:

Make Sure The Skin is Well Lubricated
It is important that you keep your skin as moisturized as you can. After every single bath or shower that you take, you really need to start applying a moisturizer to the whole body, in order to keep any moisture locked into the skin. As mentioned earlier, moisture is often lost whilst bathing, so it is always a good idea to moisturize.

The main thing to remember is that you do not have to buy the most expensive moisturizer on the market. The cheaper products such as Petroleum jelly or mineral oil often make the best moisturizers and they are a lot cheaper than other products!

Take Care When Drying The Skin
Rubbing the skin too much can cause it to become dry. Patting the skin dry is always the best way to go about it, and ideally you should only pat it until it is damp, and then apply moisturizer. Surprisingly moisturizer works better when the skin is damp, than if the skin was completely dry. So the next time you bathe, afterwards pat the skin damp and apply moisturizer!

Avoid Harsh Products
Many people make the mistake of washing themselves with harsh soaps and shower gels. You may not even realize that your shower gel or soap is harsh, but if you look on the ingredients list, you should see that it contains alcohol, and that has an extremely damaging effect on dry skin.

Overall you need to take care of Winters Itch the same as you would with any dry skin condition. Keep the skin well moisturized, pat the skin dry, and try and get hold of a humidifier. If the condition does not clear up you really should consult your doctor. They will be able to give you a proper diagnosis and tell you what treatments you should be using. Winters Itch is treatable and it should disappear with time.

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Do You Want More From Your Summer Skin?

Tuesday 30 January 2007 @ 2:53 pm

Ahhhh, summertime, the warm sun on your face, and back, and arms, and legs, you get the picture. During the summer, we wear less clothing due to the heat, we wear our hair pulled back into ponytails to keep cool, and we wear sandals to keep our feet cooler.

All of these ways that we help keep cool in the summer expose our skin to various weather conditions and environmental pollutants that our skin is fairly protected from in cooler months. If you have dry skin, it is probably happier in summer months because skin generally stays moister during this time. However, if your skin is oily, you probably don’t enjoy the effects of heat and humidity because oil production may be increased.

Some summer skin care changes may be in order for you. For instance, did you know that exfoliating your delicate facial skin with rough scrubs, loofah sponges, man-made exfoliating puffs, and sea sponges can easily create tiny, microscopic tears in your skin. On many people, especially as your skin ages, these tears are optimal areas for hyperpigmentation (dark patches) to develop through sun exposure. A great, easy exfoliating treatment is to use a little organic honey and a little sugar mixed together. The honey will moisturize your face while the sugars natural acids gently exfoliate without creating microscopic tears in your delicate skin.

Exfoliating arms and legs, knees and elbows is usually fine with the man made exfoliating puffs and such but on any of your more delicate skin, you should use an exfoliating mixture like the one mentioned above. Whether you are using this on your face or body, massage it into the skin and let it sit for at least 5 minutes. Rinse well with warm water (never use hot water on your skin). Do not cleanse after rinsing. Honey is a natural cleanser with anti bacterial agents, so you are already clean.

Using this as a cleanser for your summer skin care, you will cleanse away debris and bacteria without stripping too many of the natural oils your skin produces. These oils are very necessary; your skin uses these oils to keep it water proof and moist. If you strip them from your skin, your skin will begin to over produce these oils in an effort to replace depleted moisture.

Even if you choose not to try organic honey as a cleanser, you do need to use a detergent free cleanser. Detergents in your cleanser tend to over strip the oils in your face and are often difficult to rinse completely. By leaving a slight residue on the face, these cleansers add to a drying process which, again, pushes your skin to produce too much oil.

Detergent free cleansers will clean well, but you will not see lather from them, so do not be surprised. It is the detergent in cleansers that creates lather.

While I always recommend that you use facial moisturizer to keep your skin in optimal condition for good health and to help protect from various environmental conditions, you may find that using a water based (rather than oil based) facial moisturizer works better for you in the summer. No matter which you use, make sure you get one that has built in sun protection. Every time you add a bit of sun protection to your products, you are helping to save yourself from potentially harmful conditions later. At the very least, you will be less apt to develop hyperpigmentation by using products with built in sun protection.

Another thing that you need to keep in mind for summer months is that many cosmetic manufacturers now offer foundation that has built in sun protection. If you add this on top of using a moisturizer with sun protection, you will be better protected.

Your body moisturizer, usually a lotion in the summer, should also have sun protection, but it will be necessary to use an added sunscreen if you are going to be in the sun for extended periods of time. Remember, by choosing summer skin care products with sun protection, you are most likely saving yourself from trouble later.

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Which Skin Care Products Should Be In Your Handbag This Summer?

Tuesday 30 January 2007 @ 2:34 pm

Summer is all about having fun and looking good, but the summer months can also cause our skin various problems. As well as the obvious dangers of sunburn and skin cancer, there are other problems we have to worry about too such as oily skin. So what exactly can we do to prevent skin problems this summer? The answer is all in your skin care products!

The Top Skincare Products to Keep in Your Summer Collection:

Luckily for us, there are some products designed to keep us looking happy and healthy, allowing us to spend more time doing the things that we love. Keeping your body healthy during the summer months includes looking after your skin, hair and lips, protecting them from the suns harmful rays. So just what products help us to protect our body during the summer?

All Important Sunscreen

The first product which had to be mentioned was that all important sunscreen. Whilst we may be bored of hearing all the various warnings out there regarding wearing sunscreen, there are reasons why it is always mentioned. One of those reasons includes the people who buy sunscreen but it is not waterproof.

Whilst it is OK to use ordinary sunscreen, it does not protect us from the water and seem as though a lot of us tend to go bathing in the sea, this is not good news, especially if you forget to apply the lotion again once you get out of the sea! So by choosing a waterproof sunscreen, you are better protected and whilst you should still reapply the sunscreen every few hours and after you have swam in the sea, it is not essential and it can wait a while longer than if you were wearing an ordinary one.

The best way to apply sunscreen is to apply it to dry skin, and leave it for at least 15 minutes to dry, before going outside. It is thought that just one ounce of sunscreen will adequately cover the whole body and keep it protected.

Finally, remember that when applying sun tan lotion, you should make sure that it has a high enough sun protection factor. It is said that you should use one which has at least a sun protection factor of 18, and if you have fair skin and freckles, you should use one which is even higher.

Sunscreen For The Hair

Believe it or not, there are products which are specifically designed to protect the hair and scalp from the sun. Spray on sunscreen for hair and some leave on conditioners, help to protect the hair and scalp from the suns harmful rays. The scalp is generally the first thing that the suns rays will touch and it can easily burn. So, for the best protection if you are not going to wear a hat, use a sunscreen spray to keep the hair and scalp protected before, during and after the sun exposure.

Finally, remember that when applying sun tan lotion, you should make sure that it has a high enough sun protection factor. It is said that you should use one which has at least a sun protection factor of 18, and if you have fair skin and freckles, you should use one which is even higher.

Do Not Forget Those Lips!

Whilst we may not actually realize it, the lips can and do suffer from damage caused by the sun. This means that in the summer months it is a good idea to look out for medicated lip balms which contain sun protection factor. Some lips balms contain a sun protection factor of up to 24, so shop around to find the best ones.

Overall, keeping your body looking happy and healthy in the summertime need not be a chore. As long as you buy the right products, you should be able to relax and enjoy the summer sun as much as possible, safe in the knowledge that you are protected. Always shop around to find the best products for you and remember using sunscreen is absolutely essential and you should never go without!

Keep YOURSELF looking and feeling great with these great Skin Care Secrets from http://www.NaturalElements.co.uk
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