Archive for June, 2010

Newer Entries »

How to Get Rid of Dry Flaky Skin on Face

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Dry flakey skin, especially on the face can be an embarrassing condition and there are several remedies to battle this. The condition is caused by the use of harsh soaps, environmental conditions such as extreme humidity or extreme cold, exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun, skin diseases like dermatitis or psoriasis and even poor nutrition. If the oil glands underneath the skin are not working properly, it may also become a cause for dry flaky skin.

Home Remedies for Dry Flaky Skin

In order to get rid of dry flakey skin on the face, it is essential to moisturize it thoroughly. Use soap or body wash that has moisturizer as an ingredient to prevent your skin from getting too dry. Massage a little coconut, almond or olive oil into your skin once a day and leave on for at least an hour to treat dry flaky skin before having a bath. If the soap you are using now tends to dry up your skin too much, you can switch to another one that is more conducive to your skin type. Make a concoction out of the yolk of one egg, a few drops of rose water and freshly squeezed lime, a spoon of orange juice and an equal quantity of olive oil. Mix it all together till it becomes a smooth paste and apply gently onto the face and neck before having a bath. Let it stay for about twenty minutes before you wash it off.

Another dry flakey skin remedy involves mashing a ripe banana and patting the pulp onto the skin. Wash it off in fifteen minutes. Dry flakey skin on the face can also be cured by mashing up an avocado and squeezing the juice of one lime into it. Once it becomes an even paste, apply it onto the face and neck. Wash it off when it has dried using lukewarm water. If the dry skin is extremely severe, massage a little avocado oil or castor oil into the skin and allow it to stay for a few hours before washing it off with water and mild soap. There is no complete cure for dry flakey skin if it is a hereditary condition although these remedies will keep it under control to some extent.
Drink about six liters of water every day to keep your skin supple and hydrated. Make sure that your diet consists of fruits and fresh green leafy vegetables. A cup of yoghurt every day accompanied by different varieties of seeds and nuts will also prove beneficial for this condition.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Skin Problems | 4 Comments »

How to Firm up Sagging neck Skin naturally

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

The need to firm sagging skin occurs as we age for the skin begins to lose its elasticity and sags. While age is one factor, skin begins to sag also when one has suddenly lost a tremendous amount of body weight. Certain crash diets and even illnesses may cause a heavy loss of weight and this can again cause loose skin.

In order to firm skin naturally, one will have to make changes in one’s exercise regimen and consume a healthy diet to aid in the firming up process.Consult a trainer on a regimen of exercises you can do to build up muscle under the loose skin. Lunges, squats, pushups and even crunches will help and these exercises must be performed without fail lest a fat build up occur again.Body hugging apparel like corsets or bustiers help tighten up the skin and after regular use of bout 3-4 months it is likely to help firm up skin to some extent.To firm up sagging neck skin, make sure that you are maintaining a proper posture and take care to not slouch. Just as you care for your face, the neck too has to be cared for and this will involve moisturizing it with lotion, butter or even milk to keep it from sagging.

To Get Firm Skin Naturally

  • In order to firm skin naturally, you can use several homemade toners that can be massaged into the skin. Take a whole cucumber and slice it up thinly. Mash it up a little and mix with a half a cup of plain, unflavored yoghurt. Apply onto the face and neck by gently massaging it into your skin in circular movements.
  • Take a little coconut oil and warm it up. Massage gently onto the neck and beneath the eyes before going to bed. This will aid in firming up skin naturally.
  • Mash a few strawberries and apply the pulp onto your face and neck. Rinse off after about 15-20minutes. The massage will also tighten up and firm the skin.

Drink plenty of water during the day (5-6 litres) and consume a diet that is rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and soy products are capable of increasing collagen production in the body and thus improving the elasticity of the skin. This is because of their antioxidant properties and the vitamins and biotin they contain. One of the last resorts to firm skin is to undergo surgery although this can be risky and must be done only after consulting your physician.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Skin Care Treatments | No Comments »

Moisturizer for Dry Acne Prone Skin

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Dry Acne Prone Skin

It is important to choose a moisturizer that is suited to acne prone skin to help control acne. Acne is caused by excessive sebum production and acne prone skin tends to be very oily. In such cases, it is important to use a moisturizing cream that is light and non-greasy so that is does not clog the skin’s pores and further aggravate acne. However, it is possible that acne prone skin can be dry and flaky. Very often, during and after acne treatments, acne-prone skin tends to become dry and flaky.

Dry acne prone skin may thus require a heavier moisturizing cream. In either case, it is important to assess your skin before deciding on a moisturizer that is suitable for you. You can determine the ideal moisturizer for dry acne prone skin with the help of the following tips. Firstly, ensure that you read the labels of products for acne prone skin carefully before investing in them. This is important because moisturizers may contain ingredients that are harmful for acne prone skin.  Any moisturizer for acne prone skin must also contain an SPF 15 or higher to enable effective protection from the sun’s rays. This will help prevent sun burn and dark spots in addition to acne.

Olive Oil Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin

Moisturizers for dry acne prone skin should be labeled non-comedogenic. This means that the product will contain no oil based ingredients that could trigger or aggravate acne. Such moisturizers will prevent the occurrence of blackheads, whiteheads and acne. An ideal moisturizer for acne prone skin will contain water based ingredients that help treat acne prone skin. Choose a moisturizer that contains glycerin rather than mineral oil to help control acne effectively.

Olive oil moisturizer for acne prone skin is an effective way of treating acne and dryness. Olive oil for acne prone skin helps moisturize and nourish the skin without clogging its pores. Exercise care while choosing anti aging creams as they can sometimes lead to the formation of acne. Ensure that your anti ageing creams are also non-comedogenic before using them to help prevent acne. It is also important to exercise care while choosing products that have natural ingredients. Not all natural ingredients may be good for acne prone skin. For instance, peppermint oil can be very harmful and irritating for acne prone skin and coconut oil tends to clog pores is thus also not advisable for dry acne prone skin.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Acne | No Comments »

Aromatherapy Treatment for Acne

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Aromatherapy treatment is an effective and natural way to treat acne. Acne is a common problem that occurs as a result of clogged skin pores. It is characterized by red, itchy formations on the skin that appear most commonly on the face, shoulders and back. Acne can be very painful and disfiguring. Moreover, acne tends to leave scars that are very difficult to treat and can hamper a person’s self confidence. Aromatherapy treatment for acne is effective because it uses one or a combination of certain essential oils that contain antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. These essential oils thus help unclog the skin’s pores and help diminish acne.

Aromatherapy for acne is one of the most effective natural acne treatments. Such treatments utilize essential oils that are especially effective in treating acne. Consult your dermatologist about whether or not aromatherapy is the most suitable form of acne treatment for you. Before staring an aromatherapy treatment for acne however, you should ensure that you visit a trusted and reliable aromatherapy practitioner. This is vital because if essential oils are not handled with certain safety precautions in mind, they can be very harmful for your skin. For instance, all essential oils must be diluted with a carrier oil before use. Undiluted essential oils must not be applied directly on the skin. Always ensure that in aromatherapy treatments, there should be no more that a 2-3% dilution in essential oil mixtures that are applied directly to your skin.

Essential oils that are most effective for natural acne treatments are Tea tree oil, Ylang Ylang and Lavender oil. Most aromatherapy practitioners use these essential oils or a blend of the three to treat acne. These essential oils are usually diluted with Jojoba vegetable oil before they are applied to the skin. Jojoba vegetable oil is an efficient carrier oil in aromatherapy treatments for acne as it is non greasy. It therefore helps keep your pores clean and in addition, exfoliates and moisturizes the skin. In addition, other essential oils like jasmine essential oil, Myrrh essential oil, Sandalwood essential oil and Palmarosa essential oil are also known to be effective in aromatherapy treatment for acne. These essential oils are also known to prevent the growth of microbes and bacteria that lead to the formation of acne on the skin. Aromatherapy treatments for acne may require some time to take effect and it is thus important to be patient.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Acne | 1 Comment »

How to Remove Upper Lip Wrinkles Naturally

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Wrinkles on Upper Lip

Almost everyone suffers from upper lip wrinkles as they start to age. Wrinkles on the upper lip however, are caused by a number of factors, in addition to aging. Excessive exposure to the sun may lead to the destruction of the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin of the upper lip. These fibers lend elasticity to the upper lip, in addition to maintaining its taut appearance. Excessive exposure to the sun may thus cause the appearance of early wrinkles and lip lines on account of collagen and elastin damage. In addition, these upper lip wrinkles are also caused by excessive smoking and are commonly referred to as ‘smoker’s lines’. The action of constantly puckering one’s lips while smoking a cigarette can also effect collagen damage and lead to the formation of upper lip wrinkles.

Other everyday lip movement also tends to cause upper lip wrinkles over a period of time. Upper lip wrinkles treatment depends upon the nature and extent of your wrinkles. Upper lip wrinkles may be very superficial or deep and advanced. You can get rid of superficial wrinkles easily while deeper wrinkles may require surgical intervention. Remove upper lip wrinkles naturally with the help of a few simple health tips and makeup tips.

Tips to Get Rid of Upper Lip Wrinkles

The following simple health precautions are essential to protect your skin against upper lip wrinkles. Firstly, it is important to protect your skin from the sun whenever you step outdoors. Use a sunscreen that contains SPF 15 or higher to help protect your skin against collagen break down that leads to wrinkles. Secondly, ensure that you keep your skin well nourished and moisturized to help prevent lip wrinkles. Apply a serum that contains glycolic acid to help diminish upper lip wrinkles. Glycolic acid helps the skin shed old skin cells and allows new skin cells to emerge. Finally, ensure that you avoid smoking as it can lead to the early formation of upper lip wrinkles.

In addition to these health precautions, there are a few simple makeup tips that you can try to help diminish the appearance of upper lip wrinkles. Very often, when women wear lipstick, their upper lip wrinkles tend to become more prominent as the lip color starts to bleed into the little creases that form at the corners of the lips. Using a lip fixative and dusting your lips with powder before applying lip color can solve this problem.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Wrinkles | No Comments »

How To Care for Oily Sensitive Skin

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Oily skin is usually prone to blackheads due to the large pores on the surface of the skin. The skin tends to be shiny and blemishes are likely to occur. Sensitive skin is prone to rashes, frequent allergies as well as broken capillaries. The condition of excessive oiliness could be caused by changes in the climate, allergies to makeup, makeup that hasn’t been removed before going to bed, the use of birth control pills and so on.

Cleanser for Oily Sensitive Skin

  • Oily sensitive skin care includes washing your face twice or thrice a day with warm water and a mild cleanser rather than soap.
  • A scrub can be used once a week to exfoliate the skin and take out the dead cells.
  • While clay masks and mud packs may help reduce the oiliness, it may not do good for the sensitive nature of your skin and this can leave the skin dehydrated.
  • Make an astringent mask out of Aloe Vera, strawberries and yoghurt by putting it into a grinder and then applying the mixture onto your face. Leave on for about twenty minutes before washing it off thoroughly.
  • Mix a little tomato pulp, powdered oats and lemon juice to form a thick paste. Apply onto the cheeks, forehead and nose and scrub thoroughly with warm water. This will draw out the extra oil, clean up the blemishes and be safe for sensitive skin.
  • A cleanser for oily sensitive skin can be made by mixing a little milk, honey and the juice of half a lemon and once it becomes a smooth paste you can apply it onto the skin. Wash off in about fifteen minutes or so.

Moisturizer for Oily Sensitive Skin

Oily sensitive skin care includes consuming a healthy diet that is rich in proteins. Drink at least six litres of water every day and include fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables to your diet. Avoid alcohol, smoking, caffeinated and artificially flavoured beverages and greasy junk food. You can make a moisturizer for oily sensitive skin by mixing one tablespoon of coconut oil, the same amount of olive oil, a teaspoon of vegetable oil, 2-3 drops of Vitamin E oil and two mashed straw berries. Mix them well and place in an airtight jar and refrigerate. Apply onto the face when sufficiently cooled. You can use the remaining mixture if any within a week. Another moisturizer can be made by grating an apple and adding six tablespoons of honey to it. Mix thoroughly till it becomes a smooth paste and apply onto the face. Keep on for about fifteen minutes and wash it off with cold water.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Skin Care | No Comments »

How to Treat Red Rash around Eyes

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

A red rash around the eye is symptomised by skin that is flaky, sore and red in colour. These rashes are usually caused by a change in the season, an allergy to soap, a new scrub, face wash, detergent or lotion. If the red rash turns out to be itchy, you may be suffering from contact dermatitis, for which hydrocortisone preparations are helpful. This will, however, first require a doctor’s prescription because the cream can damage the delicate skin around the eyes due to its high cortisone content.

The red rashes could be caused by an allergic reaction to your glasses, especially if they are a new pair. While this is likely to clear up once the fit is corrected and you have adjusted to it, another option is to switch to contact lenses. Sometimes contact lenses left on overnight can cause the rash and even if they are the safe to sleep in variety, you will have to take them off. Eye rash causes also include the silicon from goggles that are too tight when used while swimming. As to how to treat a rash around the eyes would depend on its causes.

Treating Red Rash around Eyes

Under-eye rash can be caused by dry skin, so gently moisturize the area before going to bed every night. Slice a cucumber thinly and place the slices over the eyelids such that the rashes are covered as well. This will give it a soothing effect while nourishing the skin underneath. If the rashes are due to an allergic reaction, change your pillow cases daily and wash it in a non-scented and mild detergent. Keep away from eyeliner, mascara and other eye makeup till the rash clears up and since the makeup case can contain bacteria that causes the rash, it would be a good idea to replace it. It is also important to remove your make up completely before going to bed as it can otherwise damage your skin.

A rash on eyelids could be an allergic reaction to a new shampoo, hair dye, hair spray or gel. The allergy may show up on the eye lids first before becoming visible on the scalp. An acute dandruff infestation can cause the flakes to descend onto the eyelids and result in a rash. This will have to be cleared up using an anti-dandruff shampoo for the hair and no tears baby shampoo for the eyelids and lashes. Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy nutritious diet to ensure that you do not suffer from a nutrition deficiency and if it still persists, consult your physician immediately.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Skin Care Tips | 2 Comments »

Removing Corns - How to Remove Calluses on feet naturally

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Home Remedies for Corns

Corns are of two kinds, hard corns and soft corns and these develop on the sides of the feet and on the toes in an attempt to protect the foot. If the foot has structural malformations or if the person has worn ill fitting shoes for a long period of time, hard corns are likely to develop. If the phalanges or the fourth and fifth toe bones are too wide, there is a chance for the formation of soft corns. Removing corns would depend on the type of corns they are and the reason for their formation. Hard corns are believed to be easier to remove because it involves easing the pressure on the corn by wearing shoes that fit perfectly. A pad made of lamb’s wool can be placed over it to remove them and in some cases the podiatrist may use an acid preparation to burn it off or remove it surgically.

Home remedies for corns include the application of mashed papaya, the juice of a lemon, pulped green figs and liquorice to the affected area. Grind about four sticks of liquorice along with a teaspoon of mustard oil and apply regularly on the corn. Leave it overnight and wash the area in the morning. The corn will reduce in size and the skin will become soft gradually. Chalk powder has been found effective for some people and a piece of chalk can be ground and a little water added to make a thick paste. Apply over the corn and repeat the procedure for about two weeks to notice the difference.

Calluses on Feet

Calluses on feet are primarily caused by ill fitting shoes and these will have to be changed almost immediately. On how to remove calluses, the first thing would be to soak your feet in a tub of warm water into which Epsom salts and essential oils have been added. Once it has soaked sufficiently, use a pumice stone to file away the callus gently. This will not only get rid of the dead skin, but also stimulate the growth of fresh, smooth skin. If the calluses are hard and difficult to file away in one go, continue the procedure over a period of a month or so. After each soaking and filing session, moisturize your feet with a good moisturizer or petroleum jelly. Your feet should be moisturized before going to bed and you can wear a pair of light socks to seal in the moisture.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Skin Problems | No Comments »

Bruises Home Remedies - How to Reduce Bruising on Face

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Bruising

Bruises are common when the human skin gets injured or damaged and the blood vessels that are found below the skin’s surface get harmed. The medical explanation or definition for a bruise is a contusion. During the process the person’s blood vessels get damaged and this leaves a black and blue mark behind on the skin. Bruising is very common in growing up years when children tend to fall a lot while playing or jumping around. Almost everybody will have and got a bruise at least once in their life. Causes of bruising include accidents, getting hurt against furniture or corners, bruising as a result of falling etc. Bruising is also more likely to happen to people who follow a vigorous exercise routine or are involved in strenuous physical activities. Some people bruise more easily than others due to their sensitive skin type. Elderly people also tend to bruise easily. This occurs largely due the weakening of their skin over the years. Some people may be prone to bruises on face while others may bruise more easily on their hands or legs or other parts of their body.

Home Remedies for Bruises

Some of the common bruises home remedies include eating those foods which are high in bioflavonoid. This also referred to as Vitamin P. It can be found in foods like broccoli, green peppers, lemons and rose hips. This vitamin helps in protecting one’s capillaries and helping them to stay healthy and thus to avoid any kind of bleeding. Some other bruises home remedies treatment includes consuming some St. John’s Wort. This is found to be very beneficial in reduce bruising. It is found to contain astringent and anti bacterial properties.

One can also use yarrow and Chamomile to treat bruises. One can try making a plaster or a pack from comfrey leaves to help in treating bruises, sprains and even cuts. Cabbage is also useful in treating bruises. It is found to contain some anti inflammatory properties that are excellent for treating bruises and contusions. The cabbage needs to be applied in an emaciated form on to the wound or the bruise. Arnica has also been found to be very useful in treating these bruises and wounds. Simply mix a few drops along with some water and apply it to the bruise. Parsley is also found to be extremely beneficial in treating this condition. This herb contains many vitamins and is great in treating a wound. Simply crush some parsley and apply it directly to the bruise.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Skin Problems | No Comments »

Newer Entries »