Skin Care GuideThe Ultimate Guide to Skin Care

Oily skin care is a difficult topic to address. On one hand you need a certain amount of oil on your skin to keep it healthy and young looking. Natural skin oils are necessary to prevent problems such as dry skin. Oily skin is also less susceptible to the development of fine lines and wrinkles, discolouration, and freckles.

On the other hand, skin that is oily attracts more dust and dirt to the skin surface and excessive oil build-up can clog pores leading to problems such as acne breakouts. Oily skin leads to the development of larger than normal skin pores (often mistaken as acne scars) that give the skin a rough appearance. Therefore, because oily skin has some advantages, but also disadvantages, proper skincare (especially on the face) is a challenge.

As skin ages, the tendency is for dry skin to be more of a problem. However, skin that is too oily can occur at any age, for any gender, or for any race group. It is a problem that cannot be ignored.

Before discussing skin care for oily skin, it is important to identify your skin type. Is it oily or is it just normal? This is necessary information to know in order to diagnose that you actually have an oily skin problem. You do not want to treat a condition that may not actually exist.

The next step is to examine the causes of oily skin. There are many reasons why skin becomes oily. It could be genetics or diet. Understanding the causes is essential before undertaking treatments, because simply avoiding some of the causes may actually be the only treatment necessary.

When treatments are required, please take note that remedies to restore skin to its natural oil balance can vary substantially. For example, oily skin can be managed by following a set of basic treatments for oily skin care such as proper washing and use of common products for skin that is oily. However, many people prefer all natural remedies in dealing with this problem. Finally, diet and nutrition (what you eat or don’t eat) can play a significant role in a treatment plan.

1. Skipping daily sun protection.
2. Applying makeup to an unwashed face.
3. Over-cleansing or stripping the skin.
4. Using products that don’t suit your skin type.
5. Sleeping in makeup.
6. Smoking.
7. Squeezing or picking pimples.
8. Ignoring product instructions.
9. Applying skin lightening products all over the face instead of on darker areas.
10. Using unsanitary tools and sponges or unclean hands to remove makeup.

Dont forget

There are many anti aging skin care products available that promise to smooth your wrinkles, get rid of brown spots, reduce fine lines and firm sagging skin. However, before you begin putting anti aging skin care products on your skin consider some simple lifestyle changes that might make you and your skin look younger.

Things To Include in Your Lifestyle

1. A Good Diet: A healthy balanced diet is essential to good skin. This does not mean that you have to give up your favorite foods. However, it does mean that you need to eat them in moderation along with many foods that are rich in antioxidants such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Nuts are also good because their good fats improve the collagen in the skin.
2. Drink Water: Keeping your skin well hydrated is an essential component of anti aging skin care.
3. Exercise: Exercise helps with good blood flow and helps to tone the muscles.
4. Get Enough Sleep: The puffiness and dark circles around your eyes certainly make you look older than you feel. Being well rested will decrease both the puffiness and the dark circles.
5. A Good Moisturizer: Well hydrated skin looks younger and healthier than dry skin. So, it is important to use a good moisturizer every day. This is especially true if you live in a cold climate since cold weather can be very drying to your skin.

Things To Avoid

1. Smoking: Smoking depletes the body of essential Vitamins thereby creating wrinkles and dry skin.
2. Excess Drinking: Alcohol dilates small blood vessels in the skin. Over time this can create a flushed look and broken vessels on the face.
3. Excess Sun Exposure: Sun exposure is the single biggest component of aging skin in most people. Be sure to use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day, regardless of the weather or the amount of time you will be spending outdoors.
4. Stress: Prolonged stress can lead to frown lines and wrinkles. Try to relieve stress with exercise, yoga or something else that relaxes you.

All of these lifestyle changes will have an impact on the aging process. However, if you try them and feel that they are not enough to solve your skin care problems, there are many quality anti aging skin care products on the market. Whether you have one aging problem you would like to solve, or many, there is a product that is right for you.

“You are what you eat”
Here are 5 superfoods to stock your fridge with:

1. Spinach - We all know that calcium is needed to keep your bones strong. But new studies suggest that vitamin K can improve bone density and lower the risk of bone fracture. One cup of spinach will supply you with more than 1-1/2 your daily requirement. Spinach also keeps your eyes sparkling clear.
2. Curry Powder - helps maintain your mental muscle, i.e. helping to prevent Alzheimer’s. Curry is loaded with turmeric, a spice that is rich in the antioxidant Curcumin. Curcumin helps prevent the growth of amyloid plaques, which are proteins that are toxic to brain cells. It also shields us from free radicals that attack the cells, damaging tissues and organs.
3. Tomatoes - contain lycopene, which helps protect the skin from oxidation that results from sun damage and leads to wrinkles. This doesn’t mean you throw your sunscreen away. Mixing your tomatoes (or tomato paste) with olive oil will help your system absorb the lycopene.
4. Almonds - contain vitamin E (one small handful contains 1/2 your daily dose). Vitamin E neutralizes free radicals in both your muscles and nervous system. This is especially important for your agility, coordination, and balance as you age.
5. Chocolate - Dark chocolate is known to help keep your blood pressure under control. Dark chocolate is rich in flavonols, a potent plant chemical that encourages blood vessesls to relax, keeping them youthful, supple, and pliable - 1/4 of an ounce is all that is needed on a daily basis.

Are you overwhelmed by the avalanche of skin whitening treatments that are over forever expensive and under deliver? Ever wish for a more porcelain looking skin?

Skin Whitening Products

Due to the advance nowadays, most skin whitening products can help to even your skin tone and makes your complexion finer and lighter.

These products remove pigmentations as a result of skin problems such as freckles, age spots, acne marks and other skin pigmentation problems.

Most skin whitening products and creams usually contains Vitamin C and other plants extract. Hydroquinone is another ingredient commonly found in whitening products, helping to slow down the production of melanin in our body (which causes the skin to darken).

Then again, research has indicated that over excessive usage of hydroquinone can result in hyper-pigmentation problem. As a safe guide, only opt for those skin whitening products that contains less than 4% of hydroquinone in them.

Skin Whitening Cosmetics

Beside creams, skin whitening cosmetics is very popular with most women nowadays. However, some of these products contain unhealthy levels of mercury. Prolong overexposure to mercury can lead to damage of our nervous system.

Spa Salons

A more modern method is to visit a skin whitening treatment spa salon. This sort of skin whitening white services is slightly more expensive and requires regular session of visits before results is visible. Natural Remedies

Besides resorting to expensive skin whitening treatments and services, there are also other readily remedies available. Yoghurt has been reported to have beneficial properties for those who wish for a lighter complexion.

Less exposure to the sun, limiting heavy and oily foods and consuming more wholegrain fruits and vegetables can also help one attain a more porcelain looking skin. A last good piece of advice is to drink at least 4-5 liters of water every day.