Skin Care GuideThe Ultimate Guide to Skin Care

Oily Skin:

The moisturizers for patients with oily skin should be non-comedogenic or oil-free.

Dry Skin:

There are a small percentage of people who actually have dry skin on their face, these people will be dry on the cheeks and jawline. Many of these patients work outside in rough elements, and many of these people are over 50 years of age. For these patients a creamy moisturizer in a lotion or cream is very effective. If they do not have sensitive skin, they can wear whatever products feels good.

The reason for the paucity of dry skin on the face, is that there is an abundance of sebaceous glands on the face to prevent dryness. These are particularly active in young people, in men, and in many normal women. If a person is scaly in the center of the face central forehead, around the nose, and on the central chin, this may be seborrheic dermatitis. The use of a heavy moisturizer in people who have central facial dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis) could lead to acne.

Normal - Combination Skin:

Most people have oily skin on the forehead, nose, and chin (called th T-zone), and dryer skin on the cheeks and neck. When the humidity is low, it may be necessary to moisturize the face. The most prudent of patients ,male or female, will select a non-comedogenic moisturizer which contains a minimum SPF of 15 in it for daily use. There are legions of such products reasonably priced, which will prevent cancer and photoaging.

Moisturizers - Body Skin:

Because there are very few sebaceous (oil) glands on the arms and legs, moisturizers are very important. Winter, dry climates, and windy climates are very hard on the skin of the body. Many body lotions incorporate sunblocks for a daily routine. This is very important for sun exposed skin.

Often heavy moisturizers such as petrolatum Aquaphor, Cetaphil cream, Neutrogena Norwegian Formula, and other Jar or tube moisturizers are needed for dry climates. What may be appropriate for facial skin may be too thin for the arms, legs, hands, and feet.

A recent investigation by the Environmental Working Group, of nearly 1,000 brand-name sunscreen products finds that 4 out of 5 contain chemicals that may pose health hazards or don’t adequately protect skin from the sun’s damaging rays. Some of the worst offenders are leading brands like Coppertone, Banana Boat, and Neutrogena.

The study finds companies are free to claim but not provide broad spectrum protection.

The top ten products are listed as follows:

1. Keys Soap Solar Rx Therapeutic Sunblock, SPF 30
2. Trukid Sunny Days Facestick Mineral Sunscreen UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum, SPF 30+
3. California Baby Sunblock Stick No Fragrance, SPF 30+
4. Badger Sunscreen, SPF 30
5. Marie Veronique Skin Therapy Sun Serum
6. Lavera Sunscreen Neutral, SPF 40
7. Vanicream Sunscreen, SPF 35
8. UV Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+
9. Sun Science Sport Formula, SPF 30
10. Soleo Organics Sunscreen all natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+

The top ten national brands are:

1. Blue Lizard(anything without oxybenzone)
2. California Baby(anything with SPF 30+)
3. CVS(with zinc oxide)
4. Jason Natural Cosmetics(Sunbrellas Mineral Based Sunblock)
5. Kiss My Face(”Paraben Free” series)
6. Neutrogena(Sensitive Skin Sunblock)
7. Olay(Defense Daily UV Moisturizer with zinc)
8. SkinCeuticals(Physical UV Defense)
9. Solar Sense(Clear Zinc for Face)
10. Walgreens(Zinc Oxide for Face, Nose, & Ears)

To see the full study and list please visit: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/index.php.

Today people are looking for ways to live longer and retain their formative years. All you have to do is look at the myriad of anti-aging products that are on the market today and you can quickly see that people are taking their health seriously. However, people don’t understand that it is going to take more than just an expensive cream to slow down the aging process. One of the best ways to slow down the aging process is to exercise daily and eat well. Eating healthy has multiple benefits. It will prevent wrinkles, boost the immune system and cleanse the toxins out of your body. Here are 10 anti aging super foods you’ll want to add to your diet. For more great ways to make you look years younger

Super food #1. Green Foods– One super food that you’ll want to add to your diet to help prevent aging is green food. This includes foods like wheat grass and barley grass. These foods can be purchased in juice, powder, or even tablet form and they are full of nutrients. These foods can help lower blood pressure, keep cholesterol at a healthy level, and improve the immune response of your body.

Super food #2. Foods in the Allium Family – Foods in the allium family are all considered to be super foods that can help slow down the aging process. Foods in this family include scallions, leeks, garlic, chives, shallots, and onions. All of the foods in this family aid liver function and help get rid of harmful carcinogens and toxins that can become trapped in the body. Just eliminating these toxins and carcinogens can help prevent wrinkles.

Super food #3. Beans – Beans, as well as lentils, are one of the 10 anti aging super foods. They also help lower cholesterol and are filled with potassium, folic acid, and antioxidants that your body needs. Some of the best beans to include in your diet are pinto, kidney, peas, black, soybeans, chickpeas, and navy beans. Try to eat at least one serving of beans a day to promote a healthy life style and to look years younger.

Super food #4. Hot Peppers – While hot peppers may not sound like a food of choice, they are considered one of the best anti aging super foods. They are full of antioxidants and have more than double the Vitamin C of citrus fruits. Hot peppers have Capsaicin which has many health benefits which include: relieves arthritis pain, soothes the sinus cavity, reduces inflammation, helps fight cancer and helps increase your metabolism to burn off fat and also does a great job to prevent wrinkles

Super food #5. Barley – Barley is one of the 10 anti aging super foods that is very high in fiber, which is vital to an anti aging diet. It helps metabolize carbs, cholesterol, and even fat. You can use it in stews, as a substitute for rice, or even as a cereal for breakfast.

Super food #6. Buckwheat – Buckwheat is great for you and is full of protein. It helps to lower blood pressure and can stabilize glucose levels in your blood. You’ll also find that it is full of amino acids, which is important to your bodies over all function. With buckwheats high levels of amino acids it has the ability to prevent wrinkles.

Super food #7. Kefir and Yogurt – Both kefir and yogurt are cultured foods which are derived from fermented and cultured milk products. They contain lactobacillus and acidophilus which is a friendly bacteria that help the intestines function properly and may even prevent intestinal cancers like colon cancer. They are a great source of calcium, which can aid in burning off excess excess fat. The best Kefir and Yogurt is all natural organic found in health food stores. For more info on products to make you look years younger visit 10 anti aging super foods

Super food #8. Seeds and Nuts – Scientists have recently been telling us how great eating about a handful of nuts each day can be. They contain Omega 3 fats which are not only good for heart health, but also prevent wrinkles. The unsalted nuts are the best choice and some options to try include are almonds, pistachio, hazelnuts, macadamias, and walnuts.

Super food #9. Acai Fruit – Acai fruit is a small berry found in the Amazon Rain Forest that is rich in Omega fats, amino acids, antioxidants, protein, vitamin A, B1 and vitamin E. It is known to boost energy levels, improve digestive function, promote sound sleep, and slows down the aging process, and is an extremely powerful free radical fighter. Today it can be found as a juice in gourmet and health food stores.

Super food #10 – Sprouts –Sprouts are considered to be one of the 10 anti aging super foods. There are a variety of different sprouts available and they are great for Prevent Wrinkles. Sprouts are highly nutritious and grown locally in most areas. Sprouts are a great source of protein and are loaded with vitamin C. Sprouts cultivate from the seeds of many common vegetables from grains, legumes, buckwheat and beans. Adding them to your diet is easy and it is a great way to boost up your immune system.

Acne is the most common skin disorder seen by doctors. In fact, it will affect almost every one of us at some time in our lives. It can happen at any time, but teenagers are the ones who get it most often.

Acne can cause a great deal of embarrassment and anxiety. If it’s really bad it can cause people to become depressed which can lead to withdrawing from friends, and perform poorly at school or work.
Visible Signs Of Acne:

The following are visible signs of acne:

Comedones:
An early acne blemish is caused by blocked pores, and at first the skin does not look red and inflamed. These early blemishes are called open comedones (blackspecks/blackheads) and closed comedones (whiteheads).

Oily skin:
The sebum production increases so that your skin looks and feels oily.

Hyperpigmentation:
After the inflammation subsides, the skin can be discolored by brown acne stains (called hyperpigmentation) and damaged by scars. Acne scars are common and may occur even in mild acne.
Who Gets Acne?

Acne is the most common of all skin disorders. Almost everyone will have acne, most get mild cases, some moderate and a few are severe. Teens aren’t the only ones who get it. Acne has been diagnosed in young infants as well as in the elderly, but it is most often seen in teens and young adults with 85-100% of adolescents and up to 10% of young adults getting it.

Acne seems to affect the sexes somewhat differently. Before children reach puberty, acne is more commonly seen in girls. During puberty, acne affects boys and girls almost equally, but boys generally have more severe cases and in adulthood, it tends to be seen more often in women.
Where Does Acne Develop?

You can have acne on any part of your skin where sebaceous glands are found. These are the glands that produce oil for the skin. Most, but not all people get acne on their face, but the skin on the chest and back can also be affected. Acne can also be seen on the arms and thighs, but is less common.
When Do People Get Acne?

Acne usually starts around the time you reach puberty, and usually will be mild. Often it will last for about 5 years, but can persist for as long as 10-20 years. About 25% of teens who have acne will still have it when they turn 25. The cause is not understood, but it’s becoming more common for women who are in their 20s, 30s, and 40s to develop acne often for the first time. Temporary acne is often seen on the faces of newborns.
How Does Acne Affect You?

Acne not only causes physical discomfort and damage, but it can also have a big emotional and social impact on your life. Acne (pimples or zits) can be tender and painful, and in extreme cases, the pimples can drain pus and blood, soiling pillowcases and clothing.

Would you like to eliminate those nasty looking dark circles under your eyes naturally? Are tired of your eyes looking like they have come off second best against Mike Tyson? The great news is getting rid of those dark eye circles is possible once you know the possible causes and the appropriate remedies.

The truth is that 9 out 10 people do suffer from dark circles under their eyes at some time or another, so there is no need to feel alone. However, it is also true that no other facial flaw is more noticeable to everyone else that is looking at your face than dark circles are.

This is because most people automatically interpret someone with dark eye circles as a certain sign of someone who is unhealthy with poor living habits, whether it is true or not.

Whether in your personal or professional life (where first impressions count) this is not usually the appearance you want to give. So, what to do about it? Read on for the top 3 causes and natural remedies.

In reality the appearance of dark circles under your eyes can have many different culprits.

Top 5 Causes of Dark Circles Under Your Eyes

1. Exposure to the sun: Because the skin under your eye is very thin, prolonged exposure to sunlight (especially during summer months) can cause hyper-pigmentation which consequently gives you dark circles.

2. Heredity: A combination of deep-set eyes and a family trait of transparent skin can produce the dark eye circles.

3. Lack of Sleep/Fatigue: These common factors lead to paleness of the skin - particularly the sensitive area under your eyes - which illuminates the blood flowing beneath your skin giving the appearance of dark circles under your eyes.

4. Aging: As you get older the folds of skin under your eyes can become more pronounced leading to the dark circle affect.

5. Skin Allergies: Any skin condition that causes your skin to itch making you scratch or rub your skin causing a darkening of the area around your eyes.

Top 3 Natural Remedies

Below are 3 simple ways that you can take advantage of to help with your tired looking eyes.

1. Cold Tea bags and Cucumbers: For a truly natural remedy use cold tea bags and cucumbers! There is definitely is something soothing with having cucumbers and tea bags on top of your eyes. Tea bags and cucumbers reduce vascular inflammation and decrease swelling. This combination is especially good for dark swollen circles because there is tannin inside of the tea that helps with eliminating the puffiness.

2. Concealer: For a more conventional solution try using a concealer. Using yellow will neutralize the blues, purples, and husky hues on the skin. This does not rid the problem, but can build your confidence for the day to alleviate the ‘tired look’. I recommend ONE Group certified organic concealer to cure dark circles under your eyes.

3. Anti-oxidants: Antioxidant treatments help to reduce fluid buildup under the eyes, which decreases the look of the dark circles. Go for treatments that involve a lot of vitamin C and GHK copper peptides. Also, vitamin K is great for restoring stability and strength to the blood vessels under the eyes, which reduces their proliferation.