Good skin

Your skin is unique. If your best friend recommends a very good product, it may do nothing for you, or you might even have adverse reaction to it. Before buying any over-the-counter skin care products, there are a few basic facts about your skin you must know.


Your skin type. It is oily, dry, normal, sensitive, or a combination?

Your skin complexion. Do you have fair skin that burns easily or light to medium that may burn? Or do you have a medium tone that usually tans or a darker complexion the only rarely burns? Or is your complexion so dark that you never burn?

Your skin concerns. Do you want preventative maintenance to avoid premature aging? Do you have a skin problem, such as acne, age spot and freckles? You may also have large pores, sun damage, facial wrinkles or fine lines that require special attention. Do you have eye puffiness or under eye bags that will require special care?

Your personal habits. Are you a smoker? Do you spend a lot of time in the sun? Do you take a daily vitamin? Do you consume a well-balanced diet? All these factors will affect how you should care for your skin.

Facial Treatment

Many of us make facial treatments as regular appointments in the calendar, some people do it once a month, some even do it as much as every week. No doubt that facial treatment is a way to pamper ourselves, but we need to find the right facial for our needs with all the choices available today.

Types of Facials

Basic clean up - The simplest form of a facial in which your skin will be cleansed, exfoliated and moisturized. It helps clear up the blackheads and whitehead, in addition, preventing and reducing other skin concerns. This type of facial can be done on all skin types and is usually selected by those under the age of twenty-five. It will reduce tanning, remove dirt and blackheads while giving the skin a clean and glowing complexion.

Normal and special facial - Normal facial helps to cleanse, steam and massage the skin. Those who aren’t prone to acne should choose this facial and they are generally cheaper. Since the skin is massaged for a longer period of time these normal facials are different from the basic clean up.

A hypoallergenic cream is used during a specialized facial to help moisturize the skin. There are different types of face masks that can be applied depending on the skin type of the individual.Its special cleansing and rejuvenating technique is a better option for those with sensitive skins when undergoing a facial.

Galvanic facial - Uses a Galvanic gadget that give a steady, direct galvanic current to introduce water-soluble substance to the skin. The current improves the penetration of products through the skin, making it easier to treat specific problems. This type of facial is best for those with dry, dehydrated skin since it helps improve moisture retention. This facial also helps to remove congestion.

How To Fight Against Wrinkles

How you choose to treat wrinkles and other signs of aging depends on what stage of your life you're at.

When wrinkles are just beginning to appear, sunblock is the best course of action. At that stage, skin can still repair itself, and wearing sunscreen regularly will prevent further damage and help the skin regenerate itself. An alpha-hydroxy acid product is also a good idea, because it will lightly exfoliate the dulling layer of dead skin and give it a smoother, clearer look.

Common mistakes on Acne

1. Pimples won't leave scar if we 'pop' it.
Whether a pimple will leave scar or not depends on it nature. If several pimples grow side by side or on top of each other, even if you don't 'pop' it, there is a high possibility that it will leave scar.

2. People have freckles do not have pimples.
Freckles are related to skin coloration, while pimples are related to oils and pores, so they are not mutually exclusive. However most people who have freckles are those with dry skin type, that explains why they have less acne problems.

3. Blackheads will not become pimples.
Compared to whiteheads, blackheads are less likely to become pimples because they grow on the surface of the skin so the pores can 'breath". However if blackheads are squeezed before they are fully formed, then it will result in inflammation.

4. Steaming is not suitable for acne skin.
Actually steaming has cleansing effect, it will not cause any problem if the heating source is placed at a distance (10 inches from the face).

5. Acne skin type should not use moisturizer.
If we choose the right moisturizer (oil-free recommended), it can help to protect the skin, resulting in less infection. Moisturizer can also balance oil and hydration too.

Natural therapy for problematic skin

We are all used to trying out different skin care products only to tackle our skin problems - wrinkles, dryness, acne, sensitivity...Women are never satisfied right? Instead of taking the chemical approach, we can actually utilize our natural resources which are cheaper and healthier.

Aging Skin

The thickened skin texture responds very well to mild, abrasive daily cleansing with beauty grains such as finely ground corn meal, ground sun flowers or almonds. Massage gently to cleanse and exfoliate.

Dry Skin

Blend together one ounce safflower oil, one ounce avocado oil and two ounces of sesame oil. Apply to your dry skin areas.

Itchy Skin

Try a compress made with skim milk or powdered milk or soak the affected area in a colloidal bath made with oatmeal, corn- starch or baking soda.

Oily Skin

Mash together the pulp of one garden ripe tomato and enough fuller's earth (can be found in pharmacies) to make a smooth paste. Rub it onto your skin (avoid eye area) and leave it on until it dries completely. Rinse with warm water, then splash your face with cold water. Towel dry.

Ten Skin-Saving Tips for a Long, Cold Winter (Part 2)

6. Take Oil-Infused Baths Instead of Hot Showers: This may not be practical advice for rushed mornings when you're on your way to work, but a soak in a warm bath amply infused with sweet almond or jojoba oil is a soothing and skin-nourishing way to end the day. Add an essential oil such as lavender or ylang ylang for an even more relaxing treat (Note: Essential oils should always be diluted with a base oil such as sweet almond or jojoba to avoid irritating the skin).



7. Don't Skip the Sunblock: Just because the sun isn't shining as bright or as often as it did during the summer doesn't mean it won't still burn (and prematurely age) your skin. Applying protection, preferably SPF 25 or higher, should be a part of your daily skin care routine all year long. Remember to apply to all parts of your body that will be exposed during the day: face, arms, neck, etc.


8. Wear Natural-Fiber Clothing: Synthetic fabrics and wool can be very irritating to dry skin, so opt for soft cotton clothing instead. If you need to wear wool to keep warm, wear a long-sleeved cotton shirt or turtleneck underneath to provide a "buffer zone."


9. Stop Licking Your Lips: We've all been guilty of this assault on our kissers: When our lips feel dry, we lick them. Of course, this only leaves them more chapped. Keep a tube or jar of lip balm with you at all times, and apply every time you get the temptation to lick those dry lips. In a pinch, you can also apply the balm to chapped hands and irritated, over-blown noses.

Ten Skin-Saving Tips for a Long, Cold Winter (Part 1)

Winter is harsh on the skin. Dry, windy weather and relentless central heating systems remove moisture right out of the epidermis, leaving it tight, itchy and all-around uncomfortable. Under these conditions, fine lines look deeper, complexions appear rough and flaky, and no one looks or feels their best. Here are ten invaluable tips for banishing your dry skin woes during the most punishing season of the year.

1. Turn Your Home Into the Tropics: Humidifier is your best friend in winter. They're reasonably-priced, so get one for each room of the house that you spend a lot of time in (the bedroom being the most important). Pick up a little one to keep under your desk at work as well.

2. Guzzle Water Like a Fish: This bit of advice is right on the money at any time of year. Replenishing your body with water gives you more energy, benefits your overall health, and will also help keep your skin from becoming dehydrated. Aim for at least eight glasses a day, and remember to grab a bottle to take along anytime you leave the house. Hot herbal tea is a great alternative when the weather turns cold.

3. Moisturize, and Then Moisturize Some More: Apply lotion liberally and often all over your body. Slather it on as soon as you get out of the shower in the morning, and keep a small bottle with you during the day to re-apply to your hands after washing, or any other part of the body that dries out quickly. For both facial and body moisturizers, you may want to switch to a thicker formula during the winter months.

4. Don't Forget to Exfoliate: Keep a gentle body scrub and a less abrasive facial exfoliant in the shower and remember to use them both once or twice a week. This gets rid built-up dead skin cells and exposes a fresh layer of skin ready to suck up all the moisturizer you're going to apply when you step out of the tub.

5. Supplement with Flaxseed Oil Daily: Flaxseed oil could be a useful supplement for essentially moisturizing your body from within. What's more, flaxseed is purported to have numerous overall health benefits because it's rich in essential fatty acids. The refrigerated kind generally has a milder, fresher taste than un-chilled oil. You can also pick it up in capsule form.

(To be continued...)