Natural Skin Care Products

There are several foods you can eat that can help improve your skin elasticity as you age and help improve your skin health. The modern lifestyle, however, makes it extremely difficult to put together a diet that will really make a difference to your skin purely from what you eat.

Although there’s no doubt that eating a healthy diet is extremely good for your skin, just trying to eat foods that help improve skin elasticity in aging skin is very difficult. And sometimes, although the ingredients of some foods are good for your skin, they can be better applied topically, or direct to your skin, rather than eaten.

The best way to improve skin health and skin is to combine a healthy diet with the use of natural skincare products. Most of the big brand skin care products don’t use natural ingredients. Rather, they use chemical ingredients manufactured in a lab, because they’re cheaper. But, with a little effort, you can find natural skin care products that fit the bill. Eat a good diet by all means, but use good natural skin care products to do the heavy lifting work when it comes to improving skin health and skin elasticity.

Why Should You be Using Paraben Free Lotions and Creams?

For your overall good health you should be using paraben free face care products, but especially if your family has a history of breast cancer.

Any opportunity you have to limit your exposure to potential cancer causing chemicals should be taken, and you can start by changing your personal care products to paraben free lotions and creams.

Parabens are chemical preservatives that are used by many of the large cosmetic companies to increase the shelf life of their products. Some of the better known cosmetic companies continue to produce “non” paraben free face care products and “non” paraben free lotions and creams, all the while highlighting their support of the fight against cancer.

The dangers of parabens should be taken seriously. This chemical additive has been shown to mimic estrogen. There has been a link made between artificially produced estrogen and an increased risk of breast cancer. The risk has been shown to effect young women, who are still developing.

Paraben free face care and other health and beauty aids are a must, and you should dispose of that other stuff you’re using.

These potential carcinogens can be found in shampoo, shaving cream, body wash and fragrances. They are even used in foods and drugs. With so many sources of exposure the effect is compounded.

You may wish to consider limiting your exposure, even if you are not concerned about the risk of breast cancer, simply because these compounds are the most common causes of allergic reactions and irritations.

Just the opposite of what we expect our personal care products to do for us!

Now let’s take a look at what makes a good paraben free face care replacement.

First, always check the ingredients. There are several large cosmetics companies, such as Mary Kay, that do not provide product ingredients, unless you specifically request them. That should send up a red flag, right there!

Companies that make it difficult for you to check their ingredients should be avoided. Obviously, those companies that disclose their ingredients readily, should rate higher on the trust scale.

Second, be aware that paraben free lotions and creams may contain other synthetic preservatives that are just as damaging. The best preservatives are natural vitamin E and grape seed oil or extract. Preservative-free products may quickly go rancid, which would still be bad for your skins health.

The best paraben free lotions and creams can not be found in your local drug or departments stores. And you can plan on paying a bit more, but the benefits are certainly worth the extra cost.

For now, until paraben free lotions and creams, and paraben free face care products become more mainstream and easier to find, some of the best products can be purchased online.

In order to keep prices in line, advertising for paraben free skin care products is nominal, making searching on the net the most viable source to find them.

Finally, beware of any salesperson who tries to convince you that parabens are not dangerous. They may point out that because the carcinogens are present in small amounts they are not absorbed by the skin. Exposure to any amount of cancer causing element is a risk.

We know about the danger of parabens because they have been found in breast cancer tissues. Obviously, they are absorbed through the skin and any amount poses a health risk.

Your making the right choice by shopping for paraben free face care products and don’t you let anybody tell you differently.

About the Author:
To discover how to improve the look and feel of your skin, naturally and healthfully you’ll want to visit the following website: www.clear-and-radiant-skin.com

How Toxic Is Your Sunscreen?

There has been considerable hype lately about health risks posed by sunscreen itself. Organic sunscreen aside, almost all commercial brands carry potential hazards. In the end, the consumer must make the final decision based on the facts.

Of great concern to researchers is the use of nano particles in sunscreen. These are extremely small particles that can pass through membranes that have been able to block previous manufactured materials. The health risks of nano particles are not fully understood as they are the result of relatively new technology. The bottom line is finding how far toxins can go at this small size.

One notorious component of commercial sunscreen is oxybenzone. While the compound provides benefits by protecting the skin, is has also been associated with cell damage, hormone disruption, and allergies. Of particular concern is a trend of low birth weight for girls whose mothers used oxybenzone during pregnancy.

To the relief of many, the FDA announced plans for ensuring the safety of sunscreens back in 1978. Unfortunately, these plans amounted to good intentions and were never completed. Today the public must remain skeptical towards the claims of many sunscreen companies.

Five out of the six active ingredients in sunscreen have been found to mimic estrogen in the human body. Risk groups for these effects include children and breast cancer patients. All of these chemicals were examined in actual breast cancer cells.

SPF ratings provide the public with a measurable assessment of a sunscreen’s effectiveness. However, these ratings do not take into account UVA ultraviolet rays, which can damage the skin and lead to skin cancer. Though not an issue of toxins, many sunscreen products leave the user under-protected and under-informed in this area.

The final word on the negative health effects of sunscreen is yet to be heard. Clear communication and action on the part of the FDA would be helpful to all, and in the meantime organic sunscreens can provide a healthy alternative.

About the Author:

Mark Bennet is a published writer and offers organic sunscreen and a wide selection of organic products at his online store.

Under Eye Bags – Another Natural Remedy

Natural skin care remedies are a great way to address various skin concerns.  Below is a recipe to help reduce under eye bags.

You’ll need:

• 1 tbs comfrey
• 2 tbs macadamia nut oil
• 1 tbs mango
• 2 large cucumber slices

Place comfrey, nut oil and mango in a mini food processor and pulse until smooth.  Put the mixture into the freezer for 10 to 20 minutes to get cold.  Spread a thin layer of the mixture onto each cucumber slice.  Place on the under eye area for 15 minutes.  Rinse well with warm water.

For more natural skin care remedies, check out Naturally Skinsational, a natural skin care recipe ebook.

Under Eye Bags – A Natural Remedy

The quickest and most effective way to reduce under eye puffiness is to apply ice – five minutes on and five minutes off. To reduce under eye swelling and apply an anti-aging under eye treatment, try the following natural skin care recipe.

You’ll need:

• 4 green tea bags
• 1 orange
• 2 tsp rosemary
• 1tsp organic honey

Brew a strong cup of green tea squeezing out the remaining tea from the tea bag into a small mixing bowl.  Next, stir in the juice of one orange, a sprig of finely chopped rosemary, and 1 teaspoon of organic honey into the green tea. Pour the mixture into a small ice cube tray and freeze.

Once frozen wrap two of the ice cubes into a damp face cloth and apply to the under eye area for five minutes. Take the ice cubes off after five minutes to allow the skin to warm then reapply for another five minutes.

For more natural skin care remedies, visit Naturally Skinsational.

Potato Under Eye Treatment

Potatoes contain an enzyme called catecholase that helps to diminish dark under eye circles. To use this treatment, you’ll need:

• 1/4 cup of potato
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 2 tbs of plain yogurt

Finely grate the raw potato then add the remaining ingredients and mix together thoroughly. Chill for at least one hour.

Once chilled, pat the mixture evenly on the face paying particular attention to the under eye area for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, rinse well with warm water.

To reduce swollen under eye bags, peel a potato, slice it in half and make two thin half-moon slices. Freeze the slices of potato and apply them to the under eye area for up to five minutes.

Under Eye Bags Quick Fix

There are a variety of reasons for puffy, dark under eye bags.  The major reasons include fluid retention, inadequate sleep, allergies, sun damage and, of course, heredity.  The puffiness is a result of the under eye area becoming a collection spot for fluids that haven’t yet been absorbed into the body.

As a quick fix to reduce under eye puffiness, wrap an ice cube in a soft cloth and apply to the under eye area for five minutes to reduce the swelling.  Adding a very cold natural skin care treatment will also provide essential nutrients to the skin which helps to heal and protect the area as well.

You should also consider sleeping with an extra pillow to elevate your head as high as possible while you sleep.  This will help prevent fluids from collecting under the eye and will also help to reduce overall facial puffiness.

Finally, gently tap the surface of the skin around the under eye area to stimulate the fluid to disperse.

Breakthrough Under Eye Wrinkle Solution

New York City laser resurfacing has taken a giant leap forward with the introduction of Affirm CO2. The innovative laser workstation is the latest anti-aging secret to take the skin rejuvenation scene by storm.

The Affirm CO2 ablative workstation was developed by Cynosure Inc., the developer and manufacturer of a line of light-based aesthetic treatment systems used in wrinkle reduction procedures and skin rejuvenation treatment. According to New York City skin care expert Dr. Bruce Katz, founder and medical director of JUVA Skin & Laser Center, the technology emerges as the best treatment for upper lip wrinkles and deep under eye wrinkles for patients who want a balance between dramatic results and quick recovery.

“The Affirm CO2 laser is the newest fractional laser technology that has been shown to be the most effective in treating wrinkles, sun damage, pigment changes and acne scarring with minimal downtime and side effects,” explained JUVA Skin director Dr. Bruce Katz. “It can be used on the face, neck, chest and other areas of the body and is a major advance in skin rejuvenation.”

Dr. Katz, a well-known figure in New York City skin care circles, praised the flexibility of the Affirm CO2, which performs light to aggressive treatment with a single laser: “It’s important to note that this system also offers scanning options, which allow for variable treatment times and uniform coverage of the surface undergoing treatment.”

The technology uses an ablative approach to target the skin’s epidermal and dermal layers to treat dyschromia, deep wrinkles, acne scarring and significant photo-aging. Affirm CO2 also integrates a carbon dioxide laser with Micro Ablative scanning technology for the most versatile and effective wrinkle correction currently available today.

Patients interested in Affirm CO2 should consult with their regular physicians as well as a skin care expert for wrinkle reduction advice and guidance on the best wrinkle treatments for their skin types and lifestyles. For more information about Affirm CO2 and other New York City laser resurfacing services and anti-aging information, visit the JUVA Skin & Laser Center online at Juvaskin.com (http://www.juvaskin.com/).

Are Natural Skin Care Products The Answer To All Problems?

When it comes to skin care products, a lot of people are very particular about using only natural skin care products. After all, the skin is the first line of defense to protect our bodies, so it should be treated with kid gloves. But, 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 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 the 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 prohibitive. Moreover, such natural skin products have a shorter shelf life and hence are not preferred by manufacturers of natural skin care products.

It is equally important to note that some people carry a wrong notion that since natural skin care products are natural, they cannot cause 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.

When selecting a natural skin care product consider the following 3 factors:

1. Your skin type (dry, oily, normal, sensitive).
2. The climatic conditions in which it will be used e.g. hot and humid conditions would warrant 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.

Remember that 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.

Natural Sunscreen

Dealing with eye wrinkles does not have to be complicated and time-consuming in order to make a difference in your skin’s appearance. Although wrinkling is inevitable, there are ways to slow down its progress. First and foremost, reduce the risk of accumulating further wrinkles by staying out of the sun.

Sunscreens, creams, blocks and lotions help shield the skin from damaging ultraviolet rays. But many rely on synthetic chemicals which may cause more harm than good. Substances such as para-aminobenzoic acid can cause allergic eczema; stearyl alcohol can dehydrate the skin; mineral oil prevents the skin from breathing; methyl anthranilate, which is made from coal and tar, can cause rashes; alcohol dehydrates the skin; and courarin can cause contact dermatitis.

If you are exposed only to moderate sunshine and do not have very fair or excessively dry skin, it can be enough to apply a natural vegetable oil with screening properties. The most effective are jojoba, which has a sun protection factor of 5-10; beeswax, whose high viscosity means it sticks on the skin’s surface; and shea butter, which is 50% fat, including essential fatty acids, so provides a good protective seal and antioxidant protection. Avocado, rosehip, sesame and wheatgerm oils are all rich in antioxidant vitamins, so are all natural free radical fighters. You can combine these in various ways, adding some vitamin E as a preservative, as in the Natural Sunscreen Recipe below:

3 tbsp wheatgerm oil
2 tbsp sesame oil or shea butter oil
3 tbsp avacado oil
3 tbsp jojoba oil
3 capsules of vitamin E oil

Pour all ingredients in a glass jar, put on the lid and shake well. Keep the oil in the refrigerator, as exposure to heat and light will destroy its antioxidant qualities. Apply regularly to the skin in warm sun, but do not consider it complete protection. An oil like this has an SPF of 4-5, so is a sun filter rather than a block.