Why Natural Anti Acne Facial Masks are Better for You

Our skin is the largest organ of the body and protects the rest of our organs from outside elements and harm. We have all been taught to take care of our skin not only to look good, but also to be healthy.

The benefits of eating natural, whole foods have been getting a lot of press in recent years. If you want beautiful skin, a healthy inside will reflect a healthy outside. Today, natural and organic skin care is the fastest growing area in the skin care and beauty industry.  That holds true for acne treatments as well.

Why natural, anti acne masks?  Beauty products have been known to contain many chemicals such as parabens, to preserve their shelf life. Parabens are actually harmful to the skin, and overall health. Natural, anti acne skin care products and facial masks are all natural and do not contain any chemicals or preservatives. The key ingredients used to make these products contain few if any toxins or chemicals.

You may then ask, “Do natural  face masks expire more quickly than others?” The answer is no. In order to extend the product’s shelf life, manufacturers recommend you use something sanitary–such as a spatula–to remove products from containers and always close containers directly after use. It is widely agreed upon that once skin care products of any kind are opened and exposed to air, they should be used or thrown out after 6 months.

When natural or organic skin care products are used to treat skin disorders such as eczema and acne, they are much less likely to cause irritation to sensitive skin. Choosing natural anti acne masks are a beneficial and safe way to take care of your skin and overall health. Today there are many natural anti acne skin care lines and products to choose from, including cleansers, toners, moisturizers, make-up and even anti-aging serums.

Some natural products you may already have at home are: essential oils like ginger and tea tree, natural anti aging plant oils such as grape seed and almond oil, and herbs such as lavender and green tea. You can use these in your bath or make fabulous natural facial treatments. The internet or your local library has hundreds of great recipes to choose.

Natural, fruit extracts such as papaya, apples, citrus and cucumbers are proven to have a healthy effect on the skin, due to the absence of toxic pesticides. As you can imagine, there are many great natural anti aging skin care lines available for retail, if you’re not interested in making your own home remedies. However, “natural, anti aging” doesn’t always mean organic or pure and labels can be deceiving; do some research on ingredients that seem skeptical.

The intent of this article is to help you be aware what you are putting on your skin and what harmful ingredients may be looming in your favorite skin care products. Now that you know more about natural, anti acne face masks follow the below home recipe for a great glow!

Make sure that your at home ingredients are certified organic or all natural.

FOR NORMAL / COMBINATION SKIN / ACNE

Why buy acne products when you use strawberries? Strawberries are a natural source of salicylic acid which is found in most over-the-counter acne medicines.

Ingredients:

* 1/4 cup strawberries (fresh, not frozen please)
* 1/4 cup sour cream or non-flavored yogurt

Preparation:
Mash together the strawberries and yogurt or sour cream. Spread on face and wash after 10-15 minutes.

Dead Sea Salt Orgins and Treatments

Dead Sea Salt Has been in the news quite a bit. There are a lot of people who have come across this product in malls, friends, or traveling and using something out of the norm. You may be wondering what “dead Sea” salts are….

Health effects and therapies

The Dead Sea area has become a major center for health research and treatment for several reasons. The mineral content of the water, the very low content of pollens and other allergens in the atmosphere, the reduced ultraviolet component of solar radiation, and the higher atmospheric pressure at this great depth each have specific health effects. For example, persons suffering reduced respiratory function from diseases such as cystic fibrosis seem to benefit from the increased atmospheric pressure.

Sufferers of the skin disorder psoriasis also benefit from the ability to sunbathe for long periods in the area due to its position below sea level and subsequent result that many of the sun’s harmful UV rays are reduced. Thus, the region’s climate and low elevation have made it a popular center for several types of therapies:

* Climatotherapy: Treatment which exploits local climatic features such as temperature, humidity, sunshine, barometric pressure and special atmospheric constituents.
* Heliotherapy: Treatment that exploits the biological effects of the sun’s radiation.
* Thalassotherapy: Treatment that exploits bathing in Dead Sea water.

Since the age of Cleopatra, the soothing and healing benefits of Dead Sea minerals have been no secret. For most of us we don’t have the luxury to go to the Dead Sea and experience this first hand. So, manufacturers from the area are crafting products that we can use in the comfort of our home that give us the benefits from these salts and minerals.

What are products made from the Dead Sea? The Dead Sea region is considered to be the area between Jordon and Israel. It is the lowest inhabited place on earth. Because of the unique conditions the region offers, the sea contains a diverse number of minerals. These include Magnesium (salts), Potassium, Calcium and Bromide. The Dead Sea contains the highest combination of mineral compared to any other body of water on earth.

Scientists have been able to extract these mineral and formulate them into products that stimulate our skin’s cells allowing it to “heal” itself. Bathing has become a necessary evil in our daily routines. We must shower to keep clean so that our family and co-workers can be near us but in the process we are washing away natural oils produced by our skin and causing it to dry out. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of our skin in other ways.

What makes Dead Sea Products so special? The all natural nature and the fact that these products are not tested on animals are two big reasons to put these products on the top of your list! But putting all that aside, being able to use these products in your home is revolutionary. If you were able to go to a spa at the Dead Sea you are going to pay between $50 and $100 for once facial. For much less than that, you can treat your skin on a regular basis using a combination of a mud mask, a facial cleanser, toner and a moisturizing cream.

What types of products are there? Common believed benefits from Dead Sea Salts and Minerals include the following: acne fighting, alleviation of effects from Psoriasis and Eczema, Anti-Wrinkle and Anti-Aging through collagen stimulation, cellulite creams as well as the general maintenance and revitalization of your skin.

You might think these products are only for women. But men are now finding the Dead Sea products to provide supreme benefits to their skin as well. Products that include anti-aging, after shave balms, lotions for problem areas like hands and feet as well as other organic skin care products are specially formulated for a man’s body.

The sea is called “dead” because its high salinity prevents macroscopic aquatic organisms, such as fish and aquatic plants, from living in it, though minuscule quantities of bacteria and microbial fungi are present.

In times of flood, the salt content of the Dead Sea can drop from its usual 35% salinity to 30% or lower. The Dead Sea temporarily comes to life in the wake of rainy winters. In 1980, after one such rainy winter, the normally dark blue Dead Sea turned red. Researchers from Hebrew University found the Dead Sea to be teeming with a type of algae called Dunaliella. The Dunaliella in turn nourished carotenoid-containing (red-pigmented) halobacteria whose presence caused the color change. Since 1980, the Dead Sea basin has been dry and the algae and the bacteria have not returned in measurable numbers.

Natural Homeopathic Skincare

Natural skincare can be more than just using lotions and creams. The skin is the largest organ of the body and can be influenced by keeping a balanced equilibrium. Homeopathic medicine is a great natural approach to staying healthy. Although most know very little about homeopathic medicine, following Chinese medicine, homeopathy is the second most prevalent branch of medicine on the planet.Homeopathy and pediatrics is becoming more and more popular in the developed world. Homeopathy is used to treat diseases in children ranging from semi-serious illnesses to the common cold. Although homeopathy works in a number of ways, its most basic function is to help strengthen and focus a child’s immune system when they are sick based on the symptoms and root cause of the ailment. Once their own immune systems become stronger, they are able to fight off diseases more effectively.

What makes homeopathy particularly suited to pediatrics is that the medicine is often sweet and appealing, and has little to no side effects. The pleasant taste combined with the low incidence of side effects such as nausea or drowsiness, ensures that the child will be more likely to take the medication on a regular basis.

Homeopathic treatment usually falls into two categories; either acute or chronic conditions. Acute conditions refer to a sick child that is suffering from such illnesses as colds, sore throats, or the stomach flu. Chronic conditions refer to ailments such as allergies, asthma or any number of skin diseases. Often chronic conditions should be overseen by a trained homeopathic professional for the best results.

Parents who choose to treat children with an acute condition at home may consider a home prescription kit with homeopathic remedies in 12c or 30c concentrations. Home prescription kits containing homeopathic remedies can be brought online or at stores and range from $60 to $100 dollars. Many homeopathic products are available as over the counter medicines. Parents can also purchase manuals and books on homeopathy for under $30.

Homeopathic medicines come in pills and liquid form. Homeopathic medicines are free of artificial colors and chemicals and are usually considered safe for infants and children.

Interesting Facts about Homeopathy

• Homeopathy is based on clinical and experimental data.

• The founding father of homeopathy was Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), a German physician, who developed the basic principles of homeopathy in the late 1700s.

• Homeopathy is recognized by medical professionals and government agencies including the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA), and is regulated as medicine.

• Sugar pills are commonly used as a binding agent in homeopathic medicine and as carriers for the medicine.

• Homeopathy uses the principles of dilutions to achieve extremely low concentrations of high potency natural herbs and other remedies.

• Homeopathic medicine can work fairly fast in acute cases. In chronic cases, the medication works at a slower pace.

• When a person is uses homeopathic treatments they should abstain from certain foods like tea, coffee and alcohol.

• Homeopathic medicines are based on naturally occurring remedies, are usually not patented and are therefore cheaper then other types of conventional medicines.

• Homeopathic medicines usually do not have any side effects.

Natural Remedies for Acne

Acne is not a new problem; people have been suffering from it for many thousands of years. In ancient Egypt for instance, natural oils were often used to soften and smooth the skin. It is only in recent times that people have begun to use acne creams made of chemical ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, among others. These can not only have unwanted side effects, like the drying of healthy skin or the bleaching of clothing, but can be very costly. Read more

Keep Your Skin Healthy

The best way to keep your skin healthy is to avoid sun exposure. The sun can be hard on your skin. Besides sunburn, your skin can show sun damage through dark spots or wrinkles resulting from sun exposure.

Sunlight can help our mental outlook and help us feel healthier. For people with arthritis, the sun’s warmth can help relieve some of their physical pain. Many people also think that a suntan makes a person look young and healthy. But sunlight can be harmful to the skin, causing immediate problems as well as problems that may develop years later.

A sunburn is skin damage from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Most sunburns cause mild pain and redness but affect only the outer layer of skin (first-degree burn). The red skin might hurt when you touch it. These sunburns are mild and can usually be treated at home.

• Stay out of the sun. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. This is when the sun’s UV rays are strongest. Don’t be fooled by cloudy skies. Harmful rays pass through clouds. UV radiation also can pass through water, so don’t assume you’re safe if you’re in the water and feeling cool.
• Use sunscreen. Sunscreens are rated in strength according to a sun protection factor (SPF), which ranges from 2 to 30 or higher. A higher number means longer protection. Buy products with an SPF number of 15 or higher. Also look for products whose label says: broad spectrum (meaning they protect against both types of harmful sun rays — UVA and UVB) and water resistant (meaning they stay on your skin longer, even if you get wet or sweat a lot). Remember to reapply the lotion as needed.
• Wear protective clothing. A hat with a wide brim shades your neck, ears, eyes, and head. Look for sunglasses with a label saying the glasses block 99 to 100 percent of the sun’s rays. Wear loose, lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants or long skirts when in the sun.
• Avoid artificial tanning. Don’t use sunlamps and tanning beds, as well as tanning pills and tanning makeup. Tanning pills have a color additive that turns your skin orange after you take them. The FDA has approved this color additive for coloring foods but not for tanning the skin. The large amount of color additive in tanning pills may be harmful. Tanning make-up products are not suntan lotions and will not protect your skin from the sun.
• Check your skin often. Look for changes in the size, shape, color, or feel of birthmarks, moles, and spots. If you find any changes that worry you, see a doctor. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that older, fair-skinned people have a yearly skin check by a doctor as part of a regular physical exam.
• Keep up regular exercise. Regular exercise helps to keep the skin elasticity which prevents wrinkles. Exercise is also good for your body as a whole as it helps to maintain a low amount of body fat.
• Taking vitamins and minerals helps to keep goodness in the skin. Vitamins and minerals have been developed to help your body. By taking one multivitamin can help to keep your skin fresh and clean.
• Try and maintain a constant sleep pattern. Sleep is the body’s time to restore itself and to re-energies the body’s organs and skin. By maintaining a regular sleep pattern, you will feel more energized and your skin will become more healthy and fresher looking.

Easy Skincare & Beauty During Pregnancy

As you’re battling morning sickness or skin annoyances such as adolescent-like acne, you want products that are effortless and effective. Fortunately, you can create a gentle, winning routine that’s safe during pregnancy. Here’s how to do it.
Easy Skincare & Beauty During Pregnancy

1. Simplify your routine

Instead of driving yourself crazy reading ingredient lists, pare down your routine to the basics: a gentle cleanser, calming moisturizer and sunscreen.

* Cleanser. Use a mild daily cleanser that’s either glycerin-based, soapless or doesn’t leave a residue, dermatologist Amy Newburger, M.D., tells American Baby. Wash your face no more than two times a day to ward off dryness. To lather up without drying out your skin, use Philosophy Purity Made Simple, a gentle glycerin-based cleanser.

* Moisturizer. Dryness can become a common problem during pregnancy, so a moisturizer to hydrate skin is a definite must. According to dermatologist Frederic Brandt, M.D., use moisturizers with antioxidants like grapeseed or green tea extract to defend against environmental damage. Also, don’t forget to moisturize your entire body. Try Mustela Ultimate Hydration, which contains glycerin and wheat germ oil to nourish dry skin during pregnancy.

* Sunscreen. Pregnancy is no time to skimp on sun protection, dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., tells BabyCenter. Most ingredients found in sunscreen are safe, including physical blockers like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. However, always check with your doctor if you’re unsure about your sunscreen’s safety (or any product for that matter). Try Belli Anti Chloasma Facial Sunscreen SPF 25 to guard against both UVA and UVB rays.

2. Address problems safely

You probably rely on certain go-to products when you spy a pimple or a new brown spot. However, you’ll need to adjust your routine, because your products might not be safe during pregnancy.

* Stretch marks. Unfortunately, stretch marks are largely hereditary and hard to prevent. But you do have two effective options, dermatologist Ken Beer, M.D., tells WebMD: post-pregnancy laser treatments and topical treatments. After giving birth, you can consult with a dermatologist about laser treatments. In the meantime, look for creams with glycolic acid or green tea.

* Itchiness. Scratching miserably at your stomach, breasts, arms or legs? You’re not alone. The Mayo Clinic reports that pregnant women often have this problem. Also, ongoing skin irritations like dermatitis can worsen during pregnancy. To relieve itchiness, which tends to be worse in the third trimester, dermatologist Ellen Marmur, M.D., tells WebMD:

o Use milk. Ease itching by soaking a washcloth in milk and placing it on your belly.

o Try oatmeal. Add a handful of oatmeal to a warm bath.

o Soothe with moisturizer. Look for a moisturizing body lotion to hydrate and calm the skin, such as ATOPALM MLE Body Lotion.

o Talk to your doctor. Your doctor can prescribe steroid creams to alleviate itching. Importantly, keep the physician informed of any skin changes. Speak up right away if itchiness is accompanied by a rash or blisters. It could “be an autoimmune reaction known as pemphigoid gestationis or herpesgestationis,” according to WebMD. These reactions can increase the likelihood of premature birth and harm the baby’s health.

* Chloasma or melasma. Also known as the mask of pregnancy, these dark spots can appear on your face and body because of hormones. While no prescription treatment has been proven safe, topical treatments that use ingredients such as vitamin C or azelaic acid are worth a try, says Dr. Marmur.

Stay away from soy-based skincare products, which can exacerbate melasma or chloasma, Dr. Baumann tells BabyCenter. In addition, stay out of the sun and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen liberally. And don’t forget to wear a hat.

* Acne. Due to surging hormones, acne is quite common during pregnancy. But, before trying an acne-fighting product, talk it over with your doctor to make sure it’s safe.

Avoid the following active ingredients, because they might harm your developing baby:

o Retinoids. Because Accutane causes birth defects, it isn’t safe for use during pregnancy. Also, dermatologists suggest patients stop taking Accutane a month before trying to conceive, according to Fit Pregnancy. It’s also important to skip topical retinoids, such as Avage, Differin, Renova, Retin-A and Tazorac.

o Salicylic acid. When topically applied, this beta hydroxy acid hasn’t been associated with adverse effects. But, when taken in its oral form (i.e., aspirin) in high doses, it can cause birth defects and complications during pregnancy. Also, avoid salicylic acid face and body peels, suggests BabyCenter.

o Benzoyl peroxide. To be on the safe side, dermatologist Jody Levine, M.D., tells Fit Pregnancy to skip benzoyl peroxide, because some of it might get absorbed.

So, what ingredients are safe? Dermatologist Sumayah Jamal, M.D., Ph.D., tells WebMD, that the following is safe to combat acne:

o Over-the-counter topical treatments containing sulfur, glycolic acid or other alpha hydroxy acids and at-home microdermabrasion.

o Prescription medication such as erythromycin cream and azelaic acid.

3. Enhance your beautiful glow

The best way to enhance your natural glow is to choose a few basic products to highlight your features. To maintain a beautiful, natural look, American Baby and WebMD suggest the following tips:

* Banish blemishes and dark circles with concealer.

* Ease your acne symptoms with foundation formulated for oily skin and mineral-based loose powder. Try Philosophy Air-Brushed Canvas SPF 15, which combines concealer, sun protection and powder in one for perfect coverage and a soft finish.

* Define lashes with mascara. Check out a waterproof version for those teary-eyed moments.

* Look for multi-purpose products that you can use on your eyes, lips and cheeks.

* Swipe on a lipstick that features SPF protection — your lips need defense against the sun, too.

Your Miraculous Skin