SKINCARE EDUCATION 101
Dermatologists' Top 10 Tips for Relieving Dry Skin
Following the same skin care routine that worked so well in our youth can take a toll on aging skin — especially when the humidity drops. Mature skin is thinner and drier. Without a change in skin care, dry air can make fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable. It can make skin flake, crack, and even bleed. To help alleviate these unwanted effects, dermatologists recommend:
3. Select serums and moisturizers best suited to relieve dry skin. Ointments and creams tend to be more effective than lotions. Creams and ointments also usually less irritating to dry, sensitive skin. And serum is the most effective intensive treat for your dry skin. Joyal Beauty serums are the best natural organic serums in the market.
Serum and Moisturizer does not need to be expensive to be effective. Remember to look at the ingredients not the price. Many big brands at expensive price actually have many harmful chemicals such as parabens and phthalates. When selecting a serum and moisturizer to soothe dry skin, look for products that contain lactic acid or hyaluronic acid. These help alleviate even severe dryness. Hyaluronic acid, which naturally occurs in the skin and diminishes with age, can help the skin hold water. Glycerin help draw water to the skin and keep it there.
4. Check the ingredients on anti-aging products. Some anti-aging products contain retinoids or an alpha-hydroxy acid, which can irritate dry, itchy skin. Switching to a more natural and healthy moisturizing formula such as Joyal Beauty serums can bring relief.
5. Read the ingredients on other skin care products. Using mild, unscented skin care products can help reduce irritation and make skin feel more comfortable. Deodorant soaps, alcohol-based toners, and products that contain fragrance can irritate dry, sensitive skin. Some people with mature skin find using mild, unscented products year round helps their skin feel better. Fox example, Joyal Beauty anti-aging serums line, a leading organic skincare brand, has no alcohol, no fragrance, no harmful chemicals, thus suitable for all skin types and even the most sensitive skin.
6. Plug in a humidifier and apply Joyal Beauty moisturizing serums containing hyaluronic acid. A humidifier can add much-needed moisture to the air. Turn on the humidifier all night long in your bedroom, apply Joyal Beauty moisturizing serums containing hyaluronic acid.Hyaluronic acid can attract 1000-times of its weight in water, thus you will find out your skin looks glorious when you wake up in the morning!
7. Avoid wearing wool and other rough materials next to the skin. These can irritate dry skin, making the condition worse.
8. Give hands the extra attention they deserve. Hands often show the effects of a dry environment more than any other part of the body. These tips may help hands heal and prevent future problems:
10. Apply lip balm often. Carrying a tube of lip balm and applying it frequently throughout the day helps heal dry, cracked lips. If lips are extremely dry, dab on petroleum jelly before bed. Continuing to use lip balm once the lips heal can keep lips soft and supple. Dermatologists recommend using a lip balm that has an SPF of at least 30. This can help reduce signs of premature aging and prevent skin cancer on the lips.
When to See a Dermatologist
If these changes do not bring relief, make an appointment to see a dermatologist. Very dry skin may require a prescription ointment or cream. Dry skin also can be a sign of an underlying medical condition such as eczema. A type of eczema called eczema craquelé or asteatotic eczema develops in older adults. A dermatologist can examine the skin and explain what will help alleviate the dryness and irritation.
- Bathe daily. A daily bath or shower can add much-needed moisture to the skin. To hydrate the skin with a daily bath or shower, follow these guidelines:
- Keep it short. A 5- to 10-minute bath or shower adds moisture. Spend more time in the water and the skin begins to dry.
- Use warm, not hot, water. Hot water removes natural oils from the skin more quickly than warm water. The more natural oils removed, the drier the skin becomes.
- Close the bathroom door. This keeps the much-needed humidity in the room.
- Use a mild cleanser. Deodorant bars, fragrance in soaps, and products containing alcohol strip natural oils from the skin, which dries the skin. Look for a natural, mild, fragrance-free cleanser that moisturizes.
- Gently pat the skin dry. Gently blotting the skin helps retain moisture and is less irritating to dry, sensitive skin.
- Apply serum and moisturizer within 3 minutes of getting out of the bath or shower. Contrary to popular belief, serum and moisturizer does not add moisture to the skin. Moisturizer traps existing water in the skin, preventing the water from evaporating. To trap water from a bath or shower in the skin, serum and moisturizer must be applied within 3 minutes of bathing. Applied regularly, this helps decrease dryness and itching. We recommend paraben-free alcohol-free Joyal Beauty face serums to use within 3 minutes after cleansing.
3. Select serums and moisturizers best suited to relieve dry skin. Ointments and creams tend to be more effective than lotions. Creams and ointments also usually less irritating to dry, sensitive skin. And serum is the most effective intensive treat for your dry skin. Joyal Beauty serums are the best natural organic serums in the market.
Serum and Moisturizer does not need to be expensive to be effective. Remember to look at the ingredients not the price. Many big brands at expensive price actually have many harmful chemicals such as parabens and phthalates. When selecting a serum and moisturizer to soothe dry skin, look for products that contain lactic acid or hyaluronic acid. These help alleviate even severe dryness. Hyaluronic acid, which naturally occurs in the skin and diminishes with age, can help the skin hold water. Glycerin help draw water to the skin and keep it there.
4. Check the ingredients on anti-aging products. Some anti-aging products contain retinoids or an alpha-hydroxy acid, which can irritate dry, itchy skin. Switching to a more natural and healthy moisturizing formula such as Joyal Beauty serums can bring relief.
5. Read the ingredients on other skin care products. Using mild, unscented skin care products can help reduce irritation and make skin feel more comfortable. Deodorant soaps, alcohol-based toners, and products that contain fragrance can irritate dry, sensitive skin. Some people with mature skin find using mild, unscented products year round helps their skin feel better. Fox example, Joyal Beauty anti-aging serums line, a leading organic skincare brand, has no alcohol, no fragrance, no harmful chemicals, thus suitable for all skin types and even the most sensitive skin.
6. Plug in a humidifier and apply Joyal Beauty moisturizing serums containing hyaluronic acid. A humidifier can add much-needed moisture to the air. Turn on the humidifier all night long in your bedroom, apply Joyal Beauty moisturizing serums containing hyaluronic acid.Hyaluronic acid can attract 1000-times of its weight in water, thus you will find out your skin looks glorious when you wake up in the morning!
7. Avoid wearing wool and other rough materials next to the skin. These can irritate dry skin, making the condition worse.
8. Give hands the extra attention they deserve. Hands often show the effects of a dry environment more than any other part of the body. These tips may help hands heal and prevent future problems:
- When outdoors in winter, wear gloves. This helps protect the skin from the cold, dry air, which can zap moisture from the skin.
- Apply hand cream after each hand washing. It is important not to skimp on hand washing, which can remove harmful bacteria and viruses. Applying hand cream after each hand washing helps hands retain much-needed moisture. This is especially important for people who frequently immerse their hands in water throughout the day. If you want more luxury feeling, use Joyal Beauty face serum as hand serum. It sounds too luxury, but if you want gorgeous hands, it is worthful.
- If hands are frequently immersed in water, wearing waterproof gloves can help protect the hands. Again, it is important not to skimp on hand washing.
10. Apply lip balm often. Carrying a tube of lip balm and applying it frequently throughout the day helps heal dry, cracked lips. If lips are extremely dry, dab on petroleum jelly before bed. Continuing to use lip balm once the lips heal can keep lips soft and supple. Dermatologists recommend using a lip balm that has an SPF of at least 30. This can help reduce signs of premature aging and prevent skin cancer on the lips.
When to See a Dermatologist
If these changes do not bring relief, make an appointment to see a dermatologist. Very dry skin may require a prescription ointment or cream. Dry skin also can be a sign of an underlying medical condition such as eczema. A type of eczema called eczema craquelé or asteatotic eczema develops in older adults. A dermatologist can examine the skin and explain what will help alleviate the dryness and irritation.
Getting Enough Beauty Sleep
Beauty sleep is real, it's free, and it can start for you tonight.
You've probably already noticed that when you skimp on sleep, it shows on your face. Tired skin sags, bags, and loses its luster.
“Lack of sleep causes blood vessels to dilate, causing the look of dark circles,” says dermatologist Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, of the University of California, San Francisco. Sleepily rubbing your eyes doesn't help those dark rings.
Not enough sleep can also make you more stressed, and everyone can see that tension. "It makes you look angry, tired, sad, and certainly older," says New York City dermatologist Doris Day, MD.
If you're up late drinking and smoking, that's more bad news for your skin. Alcohol affects sleep quality, leaving bags under your eyes. Smoking leads to premature wrinkles.
That can all start changing the next time you slip between the sheets.Why You Need Your Beauty Sleep? "Your skin, and your whole body, goes into repair mode when you sleep," says Day, who wrote the book Forget the Facelift.
While you sleep, your skin renews itself. New skin cells grow and replace older cells. "It's repairing and restoring and rebalancing," Day says.
It's also a time when all sorts of hormonal and metabolic changes happen in and the body, including your skin. A lack of sleep can disrupt those processes.
Of course, you need good sleep for your whole body, not just your skin. Chronic sleep problems are linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and depression. That's all the more reason to get your sleep back on track.
Sleep Repair for Tired Skin
"The good thing about the skin is that it recovers quickly," Day says. Get a good night's sleep tonight and tomorrow, everyone will notice. They may even tell you how well-rested you look.
How much sleep do you need? Seven to eight hours of beauty rest nightly should do the trick, our experts say.
You might wonder that if seven to eight hours of sleep is good, are 10 or 11 hours even better? Not so.
"There are studies that show getting too much sleep is as detrimental to your skin as not getting enough," Day says. Oversleeping can actually increase skin cell breakdown.
She suggests taking a nap if you're dragging, but don't sleep in till noon. "You can't bank sleep."
5 Steps to Better Beauty Sleep.
Try these tips for a more beautiful night's rest:
Before-Bed Beauty Regimen.
Don't just throw on your pajamas at night and hop into bed. "Everyone should follow a beauty regimen," says Badreshia-Bansal.
Your nighttime skin care routine should look something like this:
Cleanse:
You've probably already noticed that when you skimp on sleep, it shows on your face. Tired skin sags, bags, and loses its luster.
“Lack of sleep causes blood vessels to dilate, causing the look of dark circles,” says dermatologist Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, of the University of California, San Francisco. Sleepily rubbing your eyes doesn't help those dark rings.
Not enough sleep can also make you more stressed, and everyone can see that tension. "It makes you look angry, tired, sad, and certainly older," says New York City dermatologist Doris Day, MD.
If you're up late drinking and smoking, that's more bad news for your skin. Alcohol affects sleep quality, leaving bags under your eyes. Smoking leads to premature wrinkles.
That can all start changing the next time you slip between the sheets.Why You Need Your Beauty Sleep? "Your skin, and your whole body, goes into repair mode when you sleep," says Day, who wrote the book Forget the Facelift.
While you sleep, your skin renews itself. New skin cells grow and replace older cells. "It's repairing and restoring and rebalancing," Day says.
It's also a time when all sorts of hormonal and metabolic changes happen in and the body, including your skin. A lack of sleep can disrupt those processes.
Of course, you need good sleep for your whole body, not just your skin. Chronic sleep problems are linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and depression. That's all the more reason to get your sleep back on track.
Sleep Repair for Tired Skin
"The good thing about the skin is that it recovers quickly," Day says. Get a good night's sleep tonight and tomorrow, everyone will notice. They may even tell you how well-rested you look.
How much sleep do you need? Seven to eight hours of beauty rest nightly should do the trick, our experts say.
You might wonder that if seven to eight hours of sleep is good, are 10 or 11 hours even better? Not so.
"There are studies that show getting too much sleep is as detrimental to your skin as not getting enough," Day says. Oversleeping can actually increase skin cell breakdown.
She suggests taking a nap if you're dragging, but don't sleep in till noon. "You can't bank sleep."
5 Steps to Better Beauty Sleep.
Try these tips for a more beautiful night's rest:
- Start a positive bedtime ritual. "Visualize beautiful, healthy skin as you fall asleep and your body will go in that direction," Day says.
- Get into a sleep habit. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. "That rhythm is good for your skin," Day says.
- Become a back sleeper. Stomach sleeping presses your face into the pillow, creating a meshwork of fine lines and creases when you wake up.
- Put a soft cover on your pillow. A pillowcase with a high thread count is kinder to your skin. 100% natural silk pillowcase is even better for your skin.
- Go white for your sheets. Dyes on your sheets and pillowcase can irritate sensitive skin.
Before-Bed Beauty Regimen.
Don't just throw on your pajamas at night and hop into bed. "Everyone should follow a beauty regimen," says Badreshia-Bansal.
Your nighttime skin care routine should look something like this:
Cleanse:
- Dry or sensitive skin: Use a mild cleanser.
- Oily skin: Use an exfoliating cleanser.
- Depending on your age and skin, you can apply an over-the-counter serums or prescription retinoid cream to help smooth out uneven skin tone and reduce fine lines while you sleep.
- Dry or sensitive skin: Use a gentle but rich serum and moisturizing cream.
- Oily skin: Use a lightweight, oil-free serum and moisturizer.
Natural and Organic Trend in Beauty Industry
Is green the color of beauty?It would seem so. The beauty world is always looking to hype the latest trend and as more brands embrace the notion of natural, vegan and organic it’s impossible not to be overwhelmed. The sheer amount of skincare products is daunting enough and then you have to wade through all the claims of “the most natural” and “the most organic”.So is organic skincare a better choice, or is it all hype?When we were young we didn’t have to give our skin a moments thought. But the natural aging process our skin goes through as it begins to work less efficiently takes it toll. Add to that the exposure to stress—environmental, physical and mental—our skin takes a beating and starts to thin, losing elasticity and the lines, wrinkles and sagging begin to appear. This doesn’t all happen later in life, it all begins way earlier than 50 or 60, especially if you are not treating your skin with some TLC. Typical beauty products are formulated with very little regard to the effect the chemicals have on your body now and in the future. Our skin is a living organism, not a steel barrier, over sixty percent of what we put on our skin gets absorbed, so it really does matter. Think about “feeding your skin”, the products you use have a direct entry into the bloodstream, whereas the food we ingest is first metabolized by the liver. By using pure, organic skincare products, we are eliminating—or minimizing—the effects of toxic chemicals on our bodies.
What shade of green are they really?Many claims for natural and organic products are often less than truthful so it really is about becoming educated on ingredients, reading labels and finding brands you can trust. If you are choosing to go organic the first step is to look for a brand using certified organic plant-based ingredients. This ensures that no chemicals have been used in the production of the plant source. Check out the company’s website, are they transparent, do they list what chemicals they don’t use and what ingredients they do use and why? Then check out how they substantiate their claims. Have they tested and validated their formulas?
What you don’t want to see on a label are parabens, propylene or butylene glycols, phthalates, sulfates, PEGs, TEA, DEA, GMO, silicones, artificial dyes and colors and artificial fragrances.
Find out if the packaging itself is from a sustainable source, is it recyclable? And if social responsibility is important to you, then look for brands that give back…not just as a marketing add-on, but as part of the company culture.
What can you expect?It used to be that while the premise of natural, vegan and organic skincare was appealing, the product performance was lacking. Basic cleansing, toning and moisturizing yes, but anti-aging and blemish control not so much. But, the past decade has seen tremendous strides in organic skincare technology and innovation. One brand in the forefront of this is Joyal Beauty. The breakthrough Joyal Beauty’s Anti-Aging Serum Line is formulated with a proprietary blend of plants extract and Vitamin C infused into an organic aloe base. These are all good things that you want to put on your skin. They are healthy food for your skin. Joyal Beauty certainly walks the green walk, with antioxidant-rich and clinically proven natural skincare products that meet the most stringent organic regulations in North America. The brand has solid eco-values that include purchasing locally from west coast certified organic farmers and manufacturing strictly in the U.S.A by FDA-certified lab, with sustainable power, utilizing recycled containers. Joyal Beauty also gives a percentage of profits to carefully chosen charities every year.
What shade of green are they really?Many claims for natural and organic products are often less than truthful so it really is about becoming educated on ingredients, reading labels and finding brands you can trust. If you are choosing to go organic the first step is to look for a brand using certified organic plant-based ingredients. This ensures that no chemicals have been used in the production of the plant source. Check out the company’s website, are they transparent, do they list what chemicals they don’t use and what ingredients they do use and why? Then check out how they substantiate their claims. Have they tested and validated their formulas?
What you don’t want to see on a label are parabens, propylene or butylene glycols, phthalates, sulfates, PEGs, TEA, DEA, GMO, silicones, artificial dyes and colors and artificial fragrances.
Find out if the packaging itself is from a sustainable source, is it recyclable? And if social responsibility is important to you, then look for brands that give back…not just as a marketing add-on, but as part of the company culture.
What can you expect?It used to be that while the premise of natural, vegan and organic skincare was appealing, the product performance was lacking. Basic cleansing, toning and moisturizing yes, but anti-aging and blemish control not so much. But, the past decade has seen tremendous strides in organic skincare technology and innovation. One brand in the forefront of this is Joyal Beauty. The breakthrough Joyal Beauty’s Anti-Aging Serum Line is formulated with a proprietary blend of plants extract and Vitamin C infused into an organic aloe base. These are all good things that you want to put on your skin. They are healthy food for your skin. Joyal Beauty certainly walks the green walk, with antioxidant-rich and clinically proven natural skincare products that meet the most stringent organic regulations in North America. The brand has solid eco-values that include purchasing locally from west coast certified organic farmers and manufacturing strictly in the U.S.A by FDA-certified lab, with sustainable power, utilizing recycled containers. Joyal Beauty also gives a percentage of profits to carefully chosen charities every year.
Anti-Aging: Read This and You’ll Never Need Plastic Surgery
Ready for some interesting news? After years of rising plastic surgery rates, women are starting to avoid the scalpel. In fact, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, almost 30,000 fewer surgical cosmetic procedures were performed in 2009 than the year before. The reason? “Patients just don’t want face-lifts; they’re asking me about nonsurgical options instead,” says New York City dermatologic surgeon Ariel Ostad, M.D. Those options exist at every price, and many focus on preventing skin troubles before they happen. Here’s what you can do today, at every age.1. If You Have No Signs of Aging (Yet).
That’s a good thing! Enjoy your smooth skin—and start protecting it.
Use sunscreen every day (even in winter). Yes, you’ve heard it before, but it’s that important: UV rays cause aging. They actually make your cells lazy, especially the spots where skin naturally creases. To keep cells strong, slather your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen containing at least SPF 15, says NYC dermatologist Francesca Fusco, M.D. If you’re going to be outside all day (hello, Labor Day picnic!), choose SPF 30 or more. Reapply every two hours, and don’t forget the cake rule: Put on sunscreen like you’re spreading icing. Use that much.
Be a label reader. Yes, it does make sense to start using anti-aging products now—you don’t need the serious stuff yet, but a great moisturizer is key, says Dennis Gross, M.D., a dermatologist in NYC. Look for anti-wrinkle creams and lotions that contain: antioxidants, like vitamins C and E, pomegranate, acai, and apple stem cells, which can help protect collagen and elastin; anti-inflammatory agents, like mushroom and aloe; or hyaluronic acid, lipids and amino acids, like peptides and ceramides, to maintain skin’s hydration.
Work out and get more sleep. “Exercise reduces the accumulation of free radicals inside your body, protecting your skin,” Dr. Gross says. And seven to nine hours of quality snooze time promotes collagen production and cell repair. Good night!
Quit smoking. Every time you light up, you’re sucking on a wrinkle stick, Dr. Fusco says. Smoke is loaded with free radicals that damage healthy skin cells, and pursing your lips around a cigarette can create lines.
Avoid crash diets. If you lose weight too fast—generally two pounds per week—you’re probably shedding water, not fat, and that loss tends to first show up in your face. “I’ve seen so many women go nuts over a little tummy bulge, only to end up with sagging faces,” Dr. Fusco says. Instead, whether you’re trying to lose weight or not, stick with a vitamin- and mineral-rich diet made up of lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Also, add foods high in zinc, copper and selenium to your plate—they’re skin-firming minerals, says Paula Simpson, a celebrity nutritionist who’s worked with Drew Barrymore and Sandra Bullock. Great sources: chicken, oysters, walnuts and chickpeas.
2. Next: If You’ve Just Started to See Little Lines and Spots.
Don’t freak: Eye crinkles and freckly spots tend to appear in your late twenties or early thirties—that’s life! These steps can help.
Look for targeted wrinkle fighters. As skin cells get older, they lose their ability to prevent moisture loss, Dr. Gross explains. Lotions and creams are fine—they lock in water and prevent dehydration. But serums pack a bigger anti-aging punch because they have higher concentrations of active ingredients (that’s why they’re pricier). Look for a serum that features antioxidants, like vitamins C and E, acai and green tea, says Dr. Gross, and apply it before your sunscreen. Another powerful name to know: retinoids—one of the few families of ingredients really proven to diminish the appearance of lines. “Retinoids have more than 25 years of hard data proving that they improve collagen and elastin production, reduce wrinkles, shrink pores and minimize brown spots,” Dr. Fusco says. (They’re also prescribed to treat acne, giving women in their teens and twenties an anti-aging head start.) Look for retinol and retinaldehyde in drugstore creams, or ask your doc for retinoic acid.
Wear a big pair of sunglasses. No, not to hide anything: You’re gorgeous! The idea is to protect the thin skin around your eyes, says Dr. Fusco. “Squinting in the sun etches the lines in deeper.” Use an eye cream morning and night, too—or a fragrance-free gel if creams make you puffy.
Fight dryness from the inside out. Don’t rely just on guzzling water. Noshing on juicy fruits and veggies (cucumber and melon are good) gives skin a bigger boost, says Howard Murad, M.D., a Los Angeles dermatologist, in his new book, The Water Secret. They’re packed with nutrients that strengthen cells so your skin is better able to hold on to the water you give it. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in nuts, seeds and fish, help keep skin supple too.
Find stuff that fixes age spots. They’re caused by the sun, so use sunscreen religiously to prevent new ones. To lighten existing spots, try a brightening treatment with vitamin C (Joyal Beauty Super Brightening Vitamin C Serum is the best). Those magical retinoids help here, too, by encouraging skin to turn over faster, revealing fresh cells underneath. To avoid irritation, apply brightening products in the A.M. (before SPF) and retinoid creams at night, Dr. Fusco says. An illuminating foundation is an ally too, says NYC makeup artist Dara Klein: “It can cover any flaw.”
Take deep breaths. Stress is a big ager too. “When you produce more adrenaline and the stress hormone cortisol, your skin’s firmness and elasticity suffer,” Dr. Gross says. “Plus, you tend to frown more, which enhances wrinkles.” To unwind, try yoga, meditation, walking or chatting with a friend (the calm one, not the soap star).
3. If Something’s Flipping You Out Already:
Relax—many skin “flaws” can be fixed, and no, not with surgery. Just keep up your healthy habits—food, exercise, sleep, SPF—and do this stuff, too.
Learn how to fake great skin. Sure, makeup conceals age spots, says Klein, but it can also make wrinkles more prominent if the pigments pool into them. The fix: Use a silicone-based primer first to fill in little lines, and swap powders for more-forgiving cream formulas.
Consider high-tech gadgets. “There’s been a paradigm shift,” Dr. Ostad says. “I have patients asking for laser treatments rather than full-on face-lifts.” The benefits are big: A laser can jump-start collagen and elastin production, firm skin, plump wrinkles, and shrink pores—fixing the things women in their late thirties and forties complain about most. But treatments can cost $1,000 a pop. The budget option: An at-home device that emits red light might get you similar effects. “There is data that shows light therapy promotes collagen regeneration, but I’d like to see more concrete evidence,” Dr. Ostad says.
Stop obsessing. Even Dr. Gross, who regularly uses Botox on his patients, says, “when gorgeous women come in for ‘wrinkles’ I can’t see with a magnifying glass, they don’t get Botox from me. Instead, I offer some life advice: If a virtually invisible flaw upsets you now, no procedure will ever make you happy when the real wrinkles show up.” Our Rx? Perspective and confidence—now, as ever, the best beauty tools around.
That’s a good thing! Enjoy your smooth skin—and start protecting it.
Use sunscreen every day (even in winter). Yes, you’ve heard it before, but it’s that important: UV rays cause aging. They actually make your cells lazy, especially the spots where skin naturally creases. To keep cells strong, slather your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen containing at least SPF 15, says NYC dermatologist Francesca Fusco, M.D. If you’re going to be outside all day (hello, Labor Day picnic!), choose SPF 30 or more. Reapply every two hours, and don’t forget the cake rule: Put on sunscreen like you’re spreading icing. Use that much.
Be a label reader. Yes, it does make sense to start using anti-aging products now—you don’t need the serious stuff yet, but a great moisturizer is key, says Dennis Gross, M.D., a dermatologist in NYC. Look for anti-wrinkle creams and lotions that contain: antioxidants, like vitamins C and E, pomegranate, acai, and apple stem cells, which can help protect collagen and elastin; anti-inflammatory agents, like mushroom and aloe; or hyaluronic acid, lipids and amino acids, like peptides and ceramides, to maintain skin’s hydration.
Work out and get more sleep. “Exercise reduces the accumulation of free radicals inside your body, protecting your skin,” Dr. Gross says. And seven to nine hours of quality snooze time promotes collagen production and cell repair. Good night!
Quit smoking. Every time you light up, you’re sucking on a wrinkle stick, Dr. Fusco says. Smoke is loaded with free radicals that damage healthy skin cells, and pursing your lips around a cigarette can create lines.
Avoid crash diets. If you lose weight too fast—generally two pounds per week—you’re probably shedding water, not fat, and that loss tends to first show up in your face. “I’ve seen so many women go nuts over a little tummy bulge, only to end up with sagging faces,” Dr. Fusco says. Instead, whether you’re trying to lose weight or not, stick with a vitamin- and mineral-rich diet made up of lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Also, add foods high in zinc, copper and selenium to your plate—they’re skin-firming minerals, says Paula Simpson, a celebrity nutritionist who’s worked with Drew Barrymore and Sandra Bullock. Great sources: chicken, oysters, walnuts and chickpeas.
2. Next: If You’ve Just Started to See Little Lines and Spots.
Don’t freak: Eye crinkles and freckly spots tend to appear in your late twenties or early thirties—that’s life! These steps can help.
Look for targeted wrinkle fighters. As skin cells get older, they lose their ability to prevent moisture loss, Dr. Gross explains. Lotions and creams are fine—they lock in water and prevent dehydration. But serums pack a bigger anti-aging punch because they have higher concentrations of active ingredients (that’s why they’re pricier). Look for a serum that features antioxidants, like vitamins C and E, acai and green tea, says Dr. Gross, and apply it before your sunscreen. Another powerful name to know: retinoids—one of the few families of ingredients really proven to diminish the appearance of lines. “Retinoids have more than 25 years of hard data proving that they improve collagen and elastin production, reduce wrinkles, shrink pores and minimize brown spots,” Dr. Fusco says. (They’re also prescribed to treat acne, giving women in their teens and twenties an anti-aging head start.) Look for retinol and retinaldehyde in drugstore creams, or ask your doc for retinoic acid.
Wear a big pair of sunglasses. No, not to hide anything: You’re gorgeous! The idea is to protect the thin skin around your eyes, says Dr. Fusco. “Squinting in the sun etches the lines in deeper.” Use an eye cream morning and night, too—or a fragrance-free gel if creams make you puffy.
Fight dryness from the inside out. Don’t rely just on guzzling water. Noshing on juicy fruits and veggies (cucumber and melon are good) gives skin a bigger boost, says Howard Murad, M.D., a Los Angeles dermatologist, in his new book, The Water Secret. They’re packed with nutrients that strengthen cells so your skin is better able to hold on to the water you give it. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in nuts, seeds and fish, help keep skin supple too.
Find stuff that fixes age spots. They’re caused by the sun, so use sunscreen religiously to prevent new ones. To lighten existing spots, try a brightening treatment with vitamin C (Joyal Beauty Super Brightening Vitamin C Serum is the best). Those magical retinoids help here, too, by encouraging skin to turn over faster, revealing fresh cells underneath. To avoid irritation, apply brightening products in the A.M. (before SPF) and retinoid creams at night, Dr. Fusco says. An illuminating foundation is an ally too, says NYC makeup artist Dara Klein: “It can cover any flaw.”
Take deep breaths. Stress is a big ager too. “When you produce more adrenaline and the stress hormone cortisol, your skin’s firmness and elasticity suffer,” Dr. Gross says. “Plus, you tend to frown more, which enhances wrinkles.” To unwind, try yoga, meditation, walking or chatting with a friend (the calm one, not the soap star).
3. If Something’s Flipping You Out Already:
Relax—many skin “flaws” can be fixed, and no, not with surgery. Just keep up your healthy habits—food, exercise, sleep, SPF—and do this stuff, too.
Learn how to fake great skin. Sure, makeup conceals age spots, says Klein, but it can also make wrinkles more prominent if the pigments pool into them. The fix: Use a silicone-based primer first to fill in little lines, and swap powders for more-forgiving cream formulas.
Consider high-tech gadgets. “There’s been a paradigm shift,” Dr. Ostad says. “I have patients asking for laser treatments rather than full-on face-lifts.” The benefits are big: A laser can jump-start collagen and elastin production, firm skin, plump wrinkles, and shrink pores—fixing the things women in their late thirties and forties complain about most. But treatments can cost $1,000 a pop. The budget option: An at-home device that emits red light might get you similar effects. “There is data that shows light therapy promotes collagen regeneration, but I’d like to see more concrete evidence,” Dr. Ostad says.
Stop obsessing. Even Dr. Gross, who regularly uses Botox on his patients, says, “when gorgeous women come in for ‘wrinkles’ I can’t see with a magnifying glass, they don’t get Botox from me. Instead, I offer some life advice: If a virtually invisible flaw upsets you now, no procedure will ever make you happy when the real wrinkles show up.” Our Rx? Perspective and confidence—now, as ever, the best beauty tools around.
Royal Jelly-Reveal A Top Beauty Secret
A recent study has shown that royal actually increases the moisture content of the skin which in turn helps treat dry, damaged skin.
The study's participants experienced an increase of 28.8% and 60.4% on the hydration index after just 7 and 21 days of treatment with a cream containing 10-HDA. 10-HDA is the ingredient in royal jelly thought to be so beneficial for skin health.
The study also revealed that royal jelly promoted new skin growth. Royal Jelly is known to regenerate the cells and tissues and even treat dermatitis. The skin can renew itself in 30 days so if you use royal jelly for your skin, you should begin to notice a significant difference in healthy, new skin after roughly a month. But the trick is to use it consistently.
How Royal Jelly Slows Skin Aging
With increasing age, the skin's cell renewal process becomes less efficient. Tissue repair and cell regeneration slow down. The amount of natural moisture present in the skin is reduced. Because collagen production is less, the skin becomes thinner and loses its flexibility.
If you can boost collagen production, you should be able to slow down the aging process. Royal Jelly contains minerals like silicon that lead to increased collagen production. It also contains specific anti-oxidants and nutrients that support skin renewal such as flavonoids, nucleic acid, decanoic acid, enzymes, and hormones.
Numerous vitamins and minerals such as B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, acetyl-choline and zinc can be found in royal jelly which are excellent for skin health. Studies indicate that the acids found in Royal Jelly contribute to its collagen production and promotion.
Royal Jelly Protects You From Sun Aging
Sun exposure is needed for healthy, glowing skin. Too much sun is not and as we all know can lead to accelerated skin aging. With royal jelly's skin benefits becoming more well known, scientists set out to investigate if royal jelly could protect human skin cells from photo-aging (aging caused by the sun).
In this study, scientists tested the effects of Royal Jelly on UVB (these are the "burning rays" of the sun that are the primary cause of accelerated skin aging). Basically, they applied Royal Jelly to the cells and then set about giving them a sunburn.
What they found was that the cells treated with Royal Jelly and 10-HDA had increased procollagen type I production indicating royal jelly caused an increase in healthy, new skin cells to be produced.
Hormonal Imbalances and the Skin
When there is a hormonal imbalance or specifically during menopause a decrease in hormones often causes skin problems. Low estrogen creates significant changes in the skin.
Women with hormonal imbalances find:
Royal Jelly Beauty Treatment
To incorporate royal jelly into your skin health program, give your Royal Jelly treatment a try for 30 full days. Not only will your skin take on a healthy, blemish free glow, but as your collagen levels begin to increase you'll experience tighter, firmer skin and the renewed sense of confidence that accompanies better skin health.
The study's participants experienced an increase of 28.8% and 60.4% on the hydration index after just 7 and 21 days of treatment with a cream containing 10-HDA. 10-HDA is the ingredient in royal jelly thought to be so beneficial for skin health.
The study also revealed that royal jelly promoted new skin growth. Royal Jelly is known to regenerate the cells and tissues and even treat dermatitis. The skin can renew itself in 30 days so if you use royal jelly for your skin, you should begin to notice a significant difference in healthy, new skin after roughly a month. But the trick is to use it consistently.
How Royal Jelly Slows Skin Aging
With increasing age, the skin's cell renewal process becomes less efficient. Tissue repair and cell regeneration slow down. The amount of natural moisture present in the skin is reduced. Because collagen production is less, the skin becomes thinner and loses its flexibility.
If you can boost collagen production, you should be able to slow down the aging process. Royal Jelly contains minerals like silicon that lead to increased collagen production. It also contains specific anti-oxidants and nutrients that support skin renewal such as flavonoids, nucleic acid, decanoic acid, enzymes, and hormones.
Numerous vitamins and minerals such as B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, acetyl-choline and zinc can be found in royal jelly which are excellent for skin health. Studies indicate that the acids found in Royal Jelly contribute to its collagen production and promotion.
Royal Jelly Protects You From Sun Aging
Sun exposure is needed for healthy, glowing skin. Too much sun is not and as we all know can lead to accelerated skin aging. With royal jelly's skin benefits becoming more well known, scientists set out to investigate if royal jelly could protect human skin cells from photo-aging (aging caused by the sun).
In this study, scientists tested the effects of Royal Jelly on UVB (these are the "burning rays" of the sun that are the primary cause of accelerated skin aging). Basically, they applied Royal Jelly to the cells and then set about giving them a sunburn.
What they found was that the cells treated with Royal Jelly and 10-HDA had increased procollagen type I production indicating royal jelly caused an increase in healthy, new skin cells to be produced.
Hormonal Imbalances and the Skin
When there is a hormonal imbalance or specifically during menopause a decrease in hormones often causes skin problems. Low estrogen creates significant changes in the skin.
Women with hormonal imbalances find:
- Their skin becomes drier with increased wrinkles
- Skin becomes more fragile, loses some of its elasticity, and is looser because the production of collagen is reduced
- Older skin appears paler as the lack of estrogen reduces the number of blood vessels in the skin
- Menopause also causes a reduction in the level of testosterone but not as significant a drop as in estrogen.
Royal Jelly Beauty Treatment
To incorporate royal jelly into your skin health program, give your Royal Jelly treatment a try for 30 full days. Not only will your skin take on a healthy, blemish free glow, but as your collagen levels begin to increase you'll experience tighter, firmer skin and the renewed sense of confidence that accompanies better skin health.
- Royal Jelly Skin Serum: We highly recommend the Joyal Beauty Timeless Skin Renewal Serum which contains royal jelly. Apply it twice daily after cleansing and toning. And you will see amazing results on your face. Click the image below to buy from Amazon:
Amazing Benefits Of Ginseng For Skin
“Ginseng”- we often come across this word on the packages of homeopathic medicines. It is a popular health benefiting substance, but few of us actually know about this ingredient. Ginseng is basically a nutritious herb belonging to the 11 species of slow growing perennial plants of the family Araliaceae. It is a medicinal plant with fleshy roots and flourishes in Siberia, Northern China and Korea. Tropical ginseng, belonging to the species Panax vietnamensis, is also found in Vietnam. Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) belongs to the same family but not the same genus like true ginseng. It is also an adaptogenic herb whose active compounds are eleutherosides as against ginsenosides in true ginseng. It possesses a woody root instead of a fleshy one.Ginseng is a health benefiting ingredient and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Now it has been widely adopted in many western countries due to its medicinal properties. In fact, ginseng tea is the latest fad when it comes to health drinks. It is also available in powdered form in capsules, root extracts and honeyed root in medical stores. Ginseng tea is, however, considered more effective as it helps the ginseng to get into the bloodstream faster while it is absorbed by the stomach lining. This herb can influence your health and beauty in various ways.Types of Ginseng:Broadly there are three varieties of ginseng on the basis of the place of origin.
- American Ginseng: American ginseng or Panax quinquefolium L.ginseng has its origin in southern Ontario from where it spread to Georgia and Wisconsin. It is commercially cultivated in China. It is known for its calming effect that helps in alleviating stress.
- Asiatic Ginseng: Asiatic or Panax ginseng has its origin in North Korea and China. It is red in colour and is prepared by processing and steaming Panax white ginseng and drying it. This is mostly made into tea, slices or capsules and is known for its warming effect on the body.
- Siberian Ginseng: Also known as eleutherococcus centipoises, it is not a true ginseng but belongs to the same family as the other ginseng types. It has its origin in Russia and Japan. Its root is devoid of ginsenosides found in other ginseng types. Instead they contain eleutheroside, which is considered an imitation ginseng.
Apart from its various health benefits, this herb has positive effects on your health as well. Today, ginseng or ginseng extract is widely used in beauty and health products. Some of the ways in which it can benefit your skin are as follows.
1. Anti-ageing Benefits:Ginseng has been promoted as an anti-ageing treatment. It contains a large amount of phytonutrients, which can stimulate and activate the skin’s metabolism. It rids your skin of the free radicals that gets accumulated when your skin is regularly exposed to sunlight and environmental pollution. It also contains certain ingredients that can increase the production of collagen in the middle layer of the skin known as dermis, making your skin firmer. This collagen makes your skin more elastic and toned, thereby diminishing wrinkles or fine lines on the face and other body parts.
2. Improves Complexion:Ginseng roots and leaves are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which are good for overall skin health. They metabolise skin cells and facilitate the elimination of dead skin cells to produce healthy new skin. Ginseng tea is particularly great for refining and rehydrating your skin. It regenerates skin cells by increasing oxygenation. It also improves blood circulation and is a great blood detoxifier. All these factors contribute to a healthier and brighter complexion. Topical use of ginseng leaves can keep your skin healthy and glowing.
3. Great Toner:
Ginseng is also a great toner and facial freshener. Not only does it improve collagen formation but also helps reduce black spots on the face. You can prepare your own ginseng mask by mixing ginseng oil with other ingredients, like sunflower oil, honey or water. This should be applied twice a week for best results.
4. Treatment of Skin Diseases:Incomplete skin metabolism contributes to skin problems like acne, eczema and rough skin. Ginseng is effective in this regard as it gets absorbed by the skin very quickly and improves subcutaneous vascular circulation. Regular intake of ginseng can help you get rid of these problems, making your skin bright and cheerful.
5. Treatment of Dark Circles:Another noteworthy benefit of ginseng is that it helps in reducing puffiness of the eyes and lightens under-eye dark circles. You can try using a ginseng mask for this purpose and get freedom from those dark circles.The Truth About Facial Serums
Source: WebMD: By Shelley Levitt Reviewed by Mohiba Tareen, MD
Faster and lighter are the qualities many of us look for in a car, a laptop, and our bodies when we're running a marathon. They're also the prized attributes of skin care serums -- light, fast-absorbing liquids used as an alternative or in addition to creams or lotions.
The biggest difference between a serum and a cream or lotion is what the formulation doesn't include. Serums leave out occlusive, or airtight, moisturizing ingredients such as petrolatum or mineral oil that keep water from evaporating. They also contain fewer lubricating and thickening agents, like nut or seed oils. Most serums are water-based, eliminating oils altogether.
Serums are a top pick of many skin care pros, including Ni'Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist and vice president of research and innovation at Englewood Lab. Wilson chooses a serum instead of a cream for her own at-home regimen: "It works better for my oily skin, and it has every ingredient I need."
Esthetician Veronica Barton-Schwartz, owner of Veronica Skin and Body Care Center in Malibu, Calif., who counts celebrities Olivia Newton-John, Suzanne Somers, and Cher among her clients, is also a fan. "I think everyone is doing their skin a disservice if they don't have a great serum."
"The beauty of a serum is that most of the fluid is eliminated," Wilson says, "so what you're left with is a high concentration of active ingredients." Serums contain the most potent dose of anti-aging ingredients --antioxidants, peptides, and skin brighteners such as kojic acid -- you can find in nonprescription products. "They're the true workhorses of any product line," Wilson says.
Serum Costs, Serum Benefits
Because active ingredients are more expensive than thickeners, serums are also the costliest product in many skin care lines. But when applied properly, a 1-ounce container of serum should last months. Many brands come in pump bottles or have medicine-dropper applicators to dispense just the tiny amount you need.
Those few concentrated drops are super-efficient. Serums are made of very small molecules, so the skin absorbs them quickly and deeply. "The thicker, heavier ingredients in creams form a barrier on your skin," Wilson says. "That's great for locking moisture in. But it can also lock active ingredients out. Without these hindrances, the active ingredients in a serum penetrate your skin faster and more effectively."
Jessica Wu, MD, a Santa Monica, Calif., dermatologist, and author of Feed Your Face: Younger, Smoother Skin and a Beautiful Body in 28 Delicious Days, recommends serums to many of her patients. "They're great for people with oily skin," she says, "or those who prefer a weightless feel to their skin care products. Serums have a non-greasy finish and they don't leave behind a sticky residue."
Still, serums aren't for everyone. Wu says the liquid or gel-like texture of a serum can be a poor match for people with chronic skin conditions like eczema or rosacea, which weaken the skin barrier. For these people, serums may penetrate too quickly, causing irritation.
Others need the hydration that a rich day or night cream provides. "If you have mature or dry skin, you can't get away with using just a serum," says Wilson. Instead, she recommends a serum as an add-on to your skin care regimen, layered under your moisturizer. "There's a lot of benefit to serums, from smoothing fine lines to reducing age spots, that you can't reproduce in any other formulation," she says.
How to Apply Serums
Adding a serum to your daily beauty routine? Here's how to apply these lightweight elixirs for maximum effect.
1. After cleansing your face, apply a pea-sized amount of serum, patting it evenly over skin with your finger.
2. If you have sensitive skin, wait 10 to 15 minutes after washing your face before using serum. "When your skin is damp, applying a water-based product is more likely to lead to irritation," says dermatologist Wu. "Allowing your skin to dry completely slows down penetration."
3. You don't need to skip the moisturizer you love. Just pat on your serum first, so it isn't blocked from penetrating your skin.
4. Is your serum too pricey for twice-a-day use? Borrow this trick from cosmetic chemist Wilson. Use the serum as a booster either a.m. or p.m., adding a couple of drops to your moisturizer.
Faster and lighter are the qualities many of us look for in a car, a laptop, and our bodies when we're running a marathon. They're also the prized attributes of skin care serums -- light, fast-absorbing liquids used as an alternative or in addition to creams or lotions.
The biggest difference between a serum and a cream or lotion is what the formulation doesn't include. Serums leave out occlusive, or airtight, moisturizing ingredients such as petrolatum or mineral oil that keep water from evaporating. They also contain fewer lubricating and thickening agents, like nut or seed oils. Most serums are water-based, eliminating oils altogether.
Serums are a top pick of many skin care pros, including Ni'Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist and vice president of research and innovation at Englewood Lab. Wilson chooses a serum instead of a cream for her own at-home regimen: "It works better for my oily skin, and it has every ingredient I need."
Esthetician Veronica Barton-Schwartz, owner of Veronica Skin and Body Care Center in Malibu, Calif., who counts celebrities Olivia Newton-John, Suzanne Somers, and Cher among her clients, is also a fan. "I think everyone is doing their skin a disservice if they don't have a great serum."
"The beauty of a serum is that most of the fluid is eliminated," Wilson says, "so what you're left with is a high concentration of active ingredients." Serums contain the most potent dose of anti-aging ingredients --antioxidants, peptides, and skin brighteners such as kojic acid -- you can find in nonprescription products. "They're the true workhorses of any product line," Wilson says.
Serum Costs, Serum Benefits
Because active ingredients are more expensive than thickeners, serums are also the costliest product in many skin care lines. But when applied properly, a 1-ounce container of serum should last months. Many brands come in pump bottles or have medicine-dropper applicators to dispense just the tiny amount you need.
Those few concentrated drops are super-efficient. Serums are made of very small molecules, so the skin absorbs them quickly and deeply. "The thicker, heavier ingredients in creams form a barrier on your skin," Wilson says. "That's great for locking moisture in. But it can also lock active ingredients out. Without these hindrances, the active ingredients in a serum penetrate your skin faster and more effectively."
Jessica Wu, MD, a Santa Monica, Calif., dermatologist, and author of Feed Your Face: Younger, Smoother Skin and a Beautiful Body in 28 Delicious Days, recommends serums to many of her patients. "They're great for people with oily skin," she says, "or those who prefer a weightless feel to their skin care products. Serums have a non-greasy finish and they don't leave behind a sticky residue."
Still, serums aren't for everyone. Wu says the liquid or gel-like texture of a serum can be a poor match for people with chronic skin conditions like eczema or rosacea, which weaken the skin barrier. For these people, serums may penetrate too quickly, causing irritation.
Others need the hydration that a rich day or night cream provides. "If you have mature or dry skin, you can't get away with using just a serum," says Wilson. Instead, she recommends a serum as an add-on to your skin care regimen, layered under your moisturizer. "There's a lot of benefit to serums, from smoothing fine lines to reducing age spots, that you can't reproduce in any other formulation," she says.
How to Apply Serums
Adding a serum to your daily beauty routine? Here's how to apply these lightweight elixirs for maximum effect.
1. After cleansing your face, apply a pea-sized amount of serum, patting it evenly over skin with your finger.
2. If you have sensitive skin, wait 10 to 15 minutes after washing your face before using serum. "When your skin is damp, applying a water-based product is more likely to lead to irritation," says dermatologist Wu. "Allowing your skin to dry completely slows down penetration."
3. You don't need to skip the moisturizer you love. Just pat on your serum first, so it isn't blocked from penetrating your skin.
4. Is your serum too pricey for twice-a-day use? Borrow this trick from cosmetic chemist Wilson. Use the serum as a booster either a.m. or p.m., adding a couple of drops to your moisturizer.
Facial Serum vs. Facial Moisturizing Cream
Choosing the right skin care product is important for maintaining healthy skin. Some products are overpriced and make claims they can’t prove. With so many skin care products on the market, how to choose the best possible solution?
Leading dermatologists and cosmetologists answer the question: Facial serum versus facial cream – what really works?
What is the definition of a facial cream vs a facial serum?A facial cream is one that is used cosmetically for softening and cleaning the skin, e.g: cold cream, vanishing cream, emollient, ointment or even toiletry consisting of any of various substances in the form of a thick liquid that have a soothing and moisturizing effect when applied to the skin.
A facial serum on the other hand is a product made up of lighter oils and other ingredients, intended to hold active ingredients against the skin for better penetration. It is “widely” considered a treatment rather than a moisturizer.
Many people often get confused about the differences between a skin care cream and a facial serum. You may think that these two approaches sound very similar, but they are quite different in many ways.
Facial creams have been around for a long time and are still the most popular form of skin care – even our grandmothers most likely included moisturizers in their skin care regimen. However, facial serums are the last word of modern technology and are gaining loyal followers quickly.
Skin experts say, a facial cream has larger molecules than a serum. Therefore, skin care creams are used to treat mostly the surface level of the skin. On the other hand, a facial serum has smaller molecules than a moisturizer. Consequently, a serum has the ability to penetrate deeper into the skin and to add nutrients into deeper layers of the skin that a moisturizing cream for instance, is not able to reach. They are much finer in texture than creams and are more readily absorbed into the skin.
Serums are highly concentrated and extremely potent. They contain around from 10-15 times more of the active ingredients than skin care creams. The facial serum’s ability to reach deep layers of the skin and deliver a high level of active ingredients means it can help battle many common beauty complaints.
Because of the large molecules in a facial cream’s structure it is very hard for your skin to breathe. Alternatively, premium skin care serums such as Joyal Beauty serums, contain hyaluronic acid that supports hydration to the skin and allows skin to breath more than a cream moisturizer. This makes them perfect for your pores when moving from a cold environment to a hot environment during the day.
On the other hand some creams have ingredients that are meant to hydrate and protect the skin. However, they may be watered down or the manufacturing process may soften the effectiveness of the active ingredients. This is why dermatologists and cosmetologists recommend the use of cutting edge concentrates, known as serums.
Skin care companies would claim that you need both, but this may not be entirely correct. Facial serums such as Joyal Beauty serumscontain natural ingredients that support stem cell growth, replenish, nourish and repair the look of aging skin. However, if you are in your early 20s years old and your skin is healthy and well maintained with your regular skin care cream, there is no need to rush off to buy a serum.
What should you avoid when choosing a facial serum or cream?
In both cases, make sure that you are choosing natural skin care products that truly are what they claim to be. Natural facial products utilize naturally derived ingredients that are unspoiled by chemicals and undergo a minimum number of processes.
Using an organic facial skin care product instead of synthetic is like eating fruit and vegetables instead of taking a vitamin. Your body loves the real thing! Natural nutrients are always better absorbed by the skin than synthetic ones.
Many products on the market are silicone based. Silicones are plastic-based polymers that form a plastic film over your skin, making it appear temporarily smoother. Over time, with this invisible waterproof layer over the skin cells, your skin may become inflamed, dehydrated and congested.
Avoid skin care products that contain SD Alcohol 40 or Denatured Alcohol. These ingredients are dehydrating which will encourage dry skin cell build up.
Always consider your skin type and have fun experimenting with the best solution for your face and skin and watch the dramatic results unfold, naturally!
Leading dermatologists and cosmetologists answer the question: Facial serum versus facial cream – what really works?
What is the definition of a facial cream vs a facial serum?A facial cream is one that is used cosmetically for softening and cleaning the skin, e.g: cold cream, vanishing cream, emollient, ointment or even toiletry consisting of any of various substances in the form of a thick liquid that have a soothing and moisturizing effect when applied to the skin.
A facial serum on the other hand is a product made up of lighter oils and other ingredients, intended to hold active ingredients against the skin for better penetration. It is “widely” considered a treatment rather than a moisturizer.
Many people often get confused about the differences between a skin care cream and a facial serum. You may think that these two approaches sound very similar, but they are quite different in many ways.
Facial creams have been around for a long time and are still the most popular form of skin care – even our grandmothers most likely included moisturizers in their skin care regimen. However, facial serums are the last word of modern technology and are gaining loyal followers quickly.
Skin experts say, a facial cream has larger molecules than a serum. Therefore, skin care creams are used to treat mostly the surface level of the skin. On the other hand, a facial serum has smaller molecules than a moisturizer. Consequently, a serum has the ability to penetrate deeper into the skin and to add nutrients into deeper layers of the skin that a moisturizing cream for instance, is not able to reach. They are much finer in texture than creams and are more readily absorbed into the skin.
Serums are highly concentrated and extremely potent. They contain around from 10-15 times more of the active ingredients than skin care creams. The facial serum’s ability to reach deep layers of the skin and deliver a high level of active ingredients means it can help battle many common beauty complaints.
Because of the large molecules in a facial cream’s structure it is very hard for your skin to breathe. Alternatively, premium skin care serums such as Joyal Beauty serums, contain hyaluronic acid that supports hydration to the skin and allows skin to breath more than a cream moisturizer. This makes them perfect for your pores when moving from a cold environment to a hot environment during the day.
On the other hand some creams have ingredients that are meant to hydrate and protect the skin. However, they may be watered down or the manufacturing process may soften the effectiveness of the active ingredients. This is why dermatologists and cosmetologists recommend the use of cutting edge concentrates, known as serums.
Skin care companies would claim that you need both, but this may not be entirely correct. Facial serums such as Joyal Beauty serumscontain natural ingredients that support stem cell growth, replenish, nourish and repair the look of aging skin. However, if you are in your early 20s years old and your skin is healthy and well maintained with your regular skin care cream, there is no need to rush off to buy a serum.
What should you avoid when choosing a facial serum or cream?
In both cases, make sure that you are choosing natural skin care products that truly are what they claim to be. Natural facial products utilize naturally derived ingredients that are unspoiled by chemicals and undergo a minimum number of processes.
Using an organic facial skin care product instead of synthetic is like eating fruit and vegetables instead of taking a vitamin. Your body loves the real thing! Natural nutrients are always better absorbed by the skin than synthetic ones.
Many products on the market are silicone based. Silicones are plastic-based polymers that form a plastic film over your skin, making it appear temporarily smoother. Over time, with this invisible waterproof layer over the skin cells, your skin may become inflamed, dehydrated and congested.
Avoid skin care products that contain SD Alcohol 40 or Denatured Alcohol. These ingredients are dehydrating which will encourage dry skin cell build up.
Always consider your skin type and have fun experimenting with the best solution for your face and skin and watch the dramatic results unfold, naturally!
25 Basic Beauty Tips For Face You Should Definitely Follow
6 Basic Beauty Tips For Face
If you want brighter skin, it is very important to take care of the various aspects of skin care. As there are several things to cover, we have divided the article into various sub sections for your convenience. Feel free to skip to the section that is relevant to you.
a. Beauty Tips based on your Skin Tone
b. Beauty Tips for Daily Skin Care Routine
c. Beauty tips for Face Whitening
d. Beauty tips for Common Face Problems
e. Seasonal Beauty tips for Face Whitening
f. Homemade Face Masks
If you want brighter skin, it is very important to take care of the various aspects of skin care. As there are several things to cover, we have divided the article into various sub sections for your convenience. Feel free to skip to the section that is relevant to you.
a. Beauty Tips based on your Skin Tone
b. Beauty Tips for Daily Skin Care Routine
c. Beauty tips for Face Whitening
d. Beauty tips for Common Face Problems
e. Seasonal Beauty tips for Face Whitening
f. Homemade Face Masks
a. Beauty Tips Based on Your Skin Tone:Different skin types have different needs and endure different problems. It is important to identify your skin tone and take necessary action.
1. Beauty tips for oily skin:This is the most troublesome skin type to have. The troubles are countless, but when maintained right, this skin type can have a certain glow and charm that is breath taking.
Common troubles:
The common problems include coarse skin with enlarged visible pores and a dull appearance due to the over production of oil in the skin. This in turn gives a shiny and greasy sheen. Frequent acne and blemishes, blackheads, white heads and dark spots are also some of the common problems of oily skin.
Simple tips:
2. Beauty tips for dry skin:
If you think oily skin is a pain, then let us tell you that having dry skin isn’t a walk in the park either. Dry skin gets very uncomfortable, especially in the winters and in extreme cold temperatures. This results in intense pain and unsightly appearance when not taken care of properly.
Common troubles:
Dry skin usually seems to have fine texture with dullness, but on a closer look there may be some flaky or granulated sections particularly around the corners of the mouth, eyes, and forehead. If neglected it will form wrinkles and become more brittle with age.
Simple tips:
Common troubles:
You shall face the troubles of both the skin types depending on the climatic conditions and also which skin type is more dominant.
Simple tips:
b. Beauty Tips for Daily Skin Care Routine:
No matter what your skin type is, making sure that your skin is clean is extremely important for it to remain healthy and clear. This is where your skin care routine comes to play. Cleaning the skin of the dirt and grime of the daily life, removing the dead skin cells and making sure that you don’t leave the pores open to more dirt accumulation is essential. This procedure we all know includes cleansing, scrubbing/ exfoliating, toning and moisturizing.
Here are some of natural beauty products that can be used alone or in combination for their different skin care properties.
4. Beauty tips for cleansing:
Our skin gets exposed to varied amount of dust, smoke and heavy pollution resulting in dryness, dullness and more which is basically, lifeless skin. Cleansing ensure that the radiance of the skin is maintained. Only if cleansing is done properly, your skin accepts different products with ease, like moisturizers and facial masks.
5. Beauty tips for exfoliating:
Just cleansing and moisturizing regularly will not work any magic on the skin unless you clear and remove the dead skin cells from time to time. Exfoliating should be practiced regularly to remove the older dead skin completely, giving you skin which is very smooth and fresh. Scrubbing once a week is a must. If your skin type demands more, like oily skin does, then do it as many times as necessary.
6. Beauty tips for Toning:
This is very frequently asked question – “Is toning really important when I actually cleanse and moisturize my skin regularly? “Yes! Toning is an important element of the cleansing process. A good toner will remove all the remaining bits of oil, dirt and debris left behind by the cleanser. More importantly, toner will help soothe, nourish and hydrate the skin while restoring its delicate pH balance.
7. Beauty tips for Moisturizing:
Whatever your skin type maybe, it shouldn’t stop you from moisturizing your skin regularly. Moisturizing plays a vital role in skin care – keeping it hydrated and preventing it from redness or flaking. It also helps you prevent the early signs of aging. If you have oily skin, it doesn’t mean that your skin gets enough nourishment from the oil produced. This is a very common misconception. Pick a good gel based serums and moisturizer and use it regularly.
c. Beauty tips for Face Whitening:
You cannot change the colour of the skin you are born with, unless you go in for full skin transplantation like MJ. But you can always make it more glowing and youthful from inside with these home remedy beauty tips for face whitening.
8. Vitamin C intake in the form of juices like orange juice/ mausambi juice or even a cup of water in the morning with 1tspn of squeezed lime or lemon and half a teaspoon of honey is great to start your day with.
9. Vitamin A should be an important part of your diet. To tighten and brighten the complexion you need to include non-fat milk, egg yolks and shell fishes in your diet. You should also have foods like carrots, watermelons and ripe papaya which are coloured. The beta carotene in these is what you should include in your diet.
10. Exposure to the sun should be lessened. Wear a cap or hat or take an umbrella when it’s too hot outside. Use a UVA and UVB sunscreen, at least 20minutes before stepping out into the sun.
11. Scrub the whole body with some natural scrubber or a mixture of sugar and honey, it works real well. Grind sugar and massage till it dissolves. Dissolved sugar works like a stop watch to show that you’ve massaged and scrubbed your skin till it’s required to. Everyday exfoliation doesn’t need to be vigorous or for lengthy time period. 3-5 minutes is good enough.
12. Regular exercise is recommended for people who don’t have an active lifestyle, like housewives.
13. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water is essential for a hydrated and toxin free body.
14. Sometimes (at least once a month) hire someone or ask someone you are comfortable with to scrub your body with castor oil or olive oil, and fat sugar granules(not the granulated ones that you use every day).
15. If you feel extensive care is needed, go in for a once a month microdermabrasion peel from a reputed clinic.After 4-6 sittings, follow up at home with regular care.While taking peels you will not be recommended bleaching. So avoid that.
16. If you feel extensive care is needed, go in for a monthly microdermabrasion peel from any reputed clinic. After 4-6 sittings, follow up at home with regular care. It is recommended not to bleach while undergoing peels. Keep that in mind.
17. If you are someone who doesn’t want to go in for chemical peels, then use some natural peel off masks. You can also use bleach that suits your skin. Add some natural serums to your routine is very good for your skin.
These homemade beauty tips for face whitening should definitely help you brighten the complexion of your skin.
d. Beauty tips for Common Face Problems
18. Beauty tips for Pimple/Acne
1. Beauty tips for oily skin:This is the most troublesome skin type to have. The troubles are countless, but when maintained right, this skin type can have a certain glow and charm that is breath taking.
Common troubles:
The common problems include coarse skin with enlarged visible pores and a dull appearance due to the over production of oil in the skin. This in turn gives a shiny and greasy sheen. Frequent acne and blemishes, blackheads, white heads and dark spots are also some of the common problems of oily skin.
Simple tips:
- Maintain a healthy diet including lots of raw veggies and fruits; avoid oily and junk food.
- Always keep your face clean. This helps in keeping away excessive oiliness and acne.
2. Beauty tips for dry skin:
If you think oily skin is a pain, then let us tell you that having dry skin isn’t a walk in the park either. Dry skin gets very uncomfortable, especially in the winters and in extreme cold temperatures. This results in intense pain and unsightly appearance when not taken care of properly.
Common troubles:
Dry skin usually seems to have fine texture with dullness, but on a closer look there may be some flaky or granulated sections particularly around the corners of the mouth, eyes, and forehead. If neglected it will form wrinkles and become more brittle with age.
Simple tips:
- Don’t use hot water while taking a shower.
- Never leave the shower without applying moisturizer.
- Pat dry your skin after a shower and always use a soft towel.3. Beauty tips for combination skin:
Common troubles:
You shall face the troubles of both the skin types depending on the climatic conditions and also which skin type is more dominant.
Simple tips:
- If have an oily skin type, then your hormones play a great influence over whether or not you end up with combination skin. Here are few very basic things you can do it help your skin look and feel better.
- Keep your face clean at all times to prevent oily zones from catching an infection of any kind.
- Hunt for the perfect moisturizer for you. These can never be the same for people with this skin type as there will always be variations in the degrees of oiliness and dryness. And once you find it, don’t change!
- Use the appropriate amount of moisturizer depending on your skins reaction to the climatic conditions. Too much moisturization will cause problems with the oily zone and less of it will cause problems with the dry zone.
b. Beauty Tips for Daily Skin Care Routine:
No matter what your skin type is, making sure that your skin is clean is extremely important for it to remain healthy and clear. This is where your skin care routine comes to play. Cleaning the skin of the dirt and grime of the daily life, removing the dead skin cells and making sure that you don’t leave the pores open to more dirt accumulation is essential. This procedure we all know includes cleansing, scrubbing/ exfoliating, toning and moisturizing.
Here are some of natural beauty products that can be used alone or in combination for their different skin care properties.
4. Beauty tips for cleansing:
Our skin gets exposed to varied amount of dust, smoke and heavy pollution resulting in dryness, dullness and more which is basically, lifeless skin. Cleansing ensure that the radiance of the skin is maintained. Only if cleansing is done properly, your skin accepts different products with ease, like moisturizers and facial masks.
5. Beauty tips for exfoliating:
Just cleansing and moisturizing regularly will not work any magic on the skin unless you clear and remove the dead skin cells from time to time. Exfoliating should be practiced regularly to remove the older dead skin completely, giving you skin which is very smooth and fresh. Scrubbing once a week is a must. If your skin type demands more, like oily skin does, then do it as many times as necessary.
6. Beauty tips for Toning:
This is very frequently asked question – “Is toning really important when I actually cleanse and moisturize my skin regularly? “Yes! Toning is an important element of the cleansing process. A good toner will remove all the remaining bits of oil, dirt and debris left behind by the cleanser. More importantly, toner will help soothe, nourish and hydrate the skin while restoring its delicate pH balance.
7. Beauty tips for Moisturizing:
Whatever your skin type maybe, it shouldn’t stop you from moisturizing your skin regularly. Moisturizing plays a vital role in skin care – keeping it hydrated and preventing it from redness or flaking. It also helps you prevent the early signs of aging. If you have oily skin, it doesn’t mean that your skin gets enough nourishment from the oil produced. This is a very common misconception. Pick a good gel based serums and moisturizer and use it regularly.
c. Beauty tips for Face Whitening:
You cannot change the colour of the skin you are born with, unless you go in for full skin transplantation like MJ. But you can always make it more glowing and youthful from inside with these home remedy beauty tips for face whitening.
8. Vitamin C intake in the form of juices like orange juice/ mausambi juice or even a cup of water in the morning with 1tspn of squeezed lime or lemon and half a teaspoon of honey is great to start your day with.
9. Vitamin A should be an important part of your diet. To tighten and brighten the complexion you need to include non-fat milk, egg yolks and shell fishes in your diet. You should also have foods like carrots, watermelons and ripe papaya which are coloured. The beta carotene in these is what you should include in your diet.
10. Exposure to the sun should be lessened. Wear a cap or hat or take an umbrella when it’s too hot outside. Use a UVA and UVB sunscreen, at least 20minutes before stepping out into the sun.
11. Scrub the whole body with some natural scrubber or a mixture of sugar and honey, it works real well. Grind sugar and massage till it dissolves. Dissolved sugar works like a stop watch to show that you’ve massaged and scrubbed your skin till it’s required to. Everyday exfoliation doesn’t need to be vigorous or for lengthy time period. 3-5 minutes is good enough.
12. Regular exercise is recommended for people who don’t have an active lifestyle, like housewives.
13. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water is essential for a hydrated and toxin free body.
14. Sometimes (at least once a month) hire someone or ask someone you are comfortable with to scrub your body with castor oil or olive oil, and fat sugar granules(not the granulated ones that you use every day).
15. If you feel extensive care is needed, go in for a once a month microdermabrasion peel from a reputed clinic.After 4-6 sittings, follow up at home with regular care.While taking peels you will not be recommended bleaching. So avoid that.
16. If you feel extensive care is needed, go in for a monthly microdermabrasion peel from any reputed clinic. After 4-6 sittings, follow up at home with regular care. It is recommended not to bleach while undergoing peels. Keep that in mind.
17. If you are someone who doesn’t want to go in for chemical peels, then use some natural peel off masks. You can also use bleach that suits your skin. Add some natural serums to your routine is very good for your skin.
These homemade beauty tips for face whitening should definitely help you brighten the complexion of your skin.
d. Beauty tips for Common Face Problems
18. Beauty tips for Pimple/Acne
Inflammation from acne blemishes can over stimulate the skin’s pigment-producing cells and cause them to create too much melanin. Once the blemishes clear, they frequently leave behind small, dark blotches on the skin that is known as post inflammatory hyper pigmentation.
Due to the higher levels of melanin in darker skin tones, people of color are particularly susceptible to the development of post-acne skin discolorations. While these dark spots fade eventually on their own, several measures can be taken to help speed up the process.
19. Beauty Tips for Dark Circles:
Puffy eyes accompanied by dark circles are an indicator of ill health or extreme lack of sleep. But sometimes, even additional factors like dehydration and allergies can cause it. This is more and more prevalent as one grows older. But it is not uncommon to find this even in younger people when they are not getting enough rest, or they have a bad diet. Habits like smoking and drinking too much only make matters worse!
Alter your lifestyle and diet, reduce stress, exercise, quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption and sleep well would be the common suggestions you would receive at that moment.
20. Tips for Wrinkles/Anti-Aging:
Everybody grows older and with age, the skin loses its elasticity leaving you with those hideous wrinkles that give away your age.
But every once in a while we all run into people who we look at and there looks just don’t betray their true age. Wondering how? It can be very simple.
Simple Tips:
e. Seasonal Beauty tips for Face Whitening:
It is no longer a surprise that seasonal changes affect our skin in different ways, all depending on our skin types. So let’s go through this on basis of skin type.
21. Seasonal tips for oily skin:
Winter: Moisturization
People with oily skin type have been living with one misconception for a very long time. And that is that the oily skin doesn’t need moisturization. Whoever told you that is wrong. Just because the skin generates excess oils doesn’t mean that it is receiving sufficient nourishment. Always make sure you moisturize as required, especially in winters as the skin tends to dry out then. Use a gel based moisturizer for better results.
Summer: Cleansing and toning
Oily skin is a magnet for dirt and during the summers and with the addition of sweat to the equation only makes it easier for infections to find a foothold. So cleanse regularly and tone too. This will ensure that the dirt is removed and the pores are closed.
One of the tried and tested ways to control excess oil is to cleanse it and keep it clean at all times. It is imperative to exfoliate oily skin once or twice a week. This is another one of the very important oily skin tips. The excess sebum produced leads to dead skin cells on the skin’s surface, resulting in pimples, acne, whiteheads, and blackheads, and of course a dull-looking skin. To eliminate dirt and dead skin cells and renew your skin’s surface, as well as to keep breakouts at bay, include exfoliation in your skin care routine. Again, be gentle and do not scrub your skin in a harsh manner.
Use an Alcohol-Free Toner Everyday will help in eliminating excess oil and banishing dirt from your skin.
Contrary to popular belief, oily skin needs moisturizing and hydration. Stripping the skin of moisture will only further encourage the sebaceous glands to produce more oil to compensate. Hence opt for an oil-free, non-comedogenic, water-based moisturizer.
22. Seasonal tips for dry skin
Summer and Winter: Moisturization
The most important thing for this type of skin is moisturization. Your skin is dry by default and the dryness in the air surrounding can only make matters worse. So make sure that during all seasons you have that bottle of favorite moisturizer at hand and keep your skin hydrated. Use water-based products for oily skin, and oil-based products for dry skin. It is important to choose a product according to your skin type; however, you need special care for dry skin. Use cream foundations for dry skin makeup because they are oil-based, and are indeed good for dry skin. However, avoid compacts.Use skin care and beauty products that contain jojoba oil, Shea butter, almond oil, olive oil or grape seed oil.
It is important to moisturize your skin regularly, a good moisturizer with natural oils and herbal ingredients helps maintain the moisture level and keeps it hydrated. Try to go for oil-based moisturizers over water-based.
23. Seasonal tips for combination skin:
Summer and winter:
Since combination skin comes with the troubles of both skin types, the key is to keeping the skin clean, pores closed and skin hydrated. These are the requirements for both skin types. So it is all about finding the right balance in the routine.
After having spent so many years ignoring the centuries of knowledge from our ancestors, we have finally admitted that some of the most effective remedies ever are the ones that we concoct from our backyard!
f. Homemade Masks:Homemade face masks are the best solutions to bring back life and glow to your skin.
24. Simple Avocado Mask:
You can find more masks for dry skin here and masks for oily skin here.
Homemade Scrubs:a. Papaya Face Scrub:
Homemade Moisturizers:
Daily moisturizing is essential, and natural ingredients are easy to find in your kitchen. Many homemade moisturizers are made from perishable food items, and mixtures should be refrigerated and used within three days to a week.
a. Cocoa Butter and Egg Moisturizer for Normal Skin:
We hope this list of skin wonders will help you in the quest of bright skin. Comment and let us know about your favorite tips for the same.
Due to the higher levels of melanin in darker skin tones, people of color are particularly susceptible to the development of post-acne skin discolorations. While these dark spots fade eventually on their own, several measures can be taken to help speed up the process.
19. Beauty Tips for Dark Circles:
Puffy eyes accompanied by dark circles are an indicator of ill health or extreme lack of sleep. But sometimes, even additional factors like dehydration and allergies can cause it. This is more and more prevalent as one grows older. But it is not uncommon to find this even in younger people when they are not getting enough rest, or they have a bad diet. Habits like smoking and drinking too much only make matters worse!
Alter your lifestyle and diet, reduce stress, exercise, quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption and sleep well would be the common suggestions you would receive at that moment.
20. Tips for Wrinkles/Anti-Aging:
Everybody grows older and with age, the skin loses its elasticity leaving you with those hideous wrinkles that give away your age.
But every once in a while we all run into people who we look at and there looks just don’t betray their true age. Wondering how? It can be very simple.
Simple Tips:
- Good diet.
- Keep fit. Good health reflects in the skin.
- Avoid bad habits like smoking for they definitely contribute to dull, dry and aged skin.
- Do not forget CTM that is Cleansing, toning, moisturizing.
- Whenever you are going outdoors, apply sunblock that is not less than SPF 30.
- At night, before retiring to bed, do not forget to apply a anti aging serum and a moisturizer. If you have oily skin, apply a water-based moisturizer.
- Apply the face packs mentioned above daily at least 3 times a week to see the results.
e. Seasonal Beauty tips for Face Whitening:
It is no longer a surprise that seasonal changes affect our skin in different ways, all depending on our skin types. So let’s go through this on basis of skin type.
21. Seasonal tips for oily skin:
Winter: Moisturization
People with oily skin type have been living with one misconception for a very long time. And that is that the oily skin doesn’t need moisturization. Whoever told you that is wrong. Just because the skin generates excess oils doesn’t mean that it is receiving sufficient nourishment. Always make sure you moisturize as required, especially in winters as the skin tends to dry out then. Use a gel based moisturizer for better results.
Summer: Cleansing and toning
Oily skin is a magnet for dirt and during the summers and with the addition of sweat to the equation only makes it easier for infections to find a foothold. So cleanse regularly and tone too. This will ensure that the dirt is removed and the pores are closed.
One of the tried and tested ways to control excess oil is to cleanse it and keep it clean at all times. It is imperative to exfoliate oily skin once or twice a week. This is another one of the very important oily skin tips. The excess sebum produced leads to dead skin cells on the skin’s surface, resulting in pimples, acne, whiteheads, and blackheads, and of course a dull-looking skin. To eliminate dirt and dead skin cells and renew your skin’s surface, as well as to keep breakouts at bay, include exfoliation in your skin care routine. Again, be gentle and do not scrub your skin in a harsh manner.
Use an Alcohol-Free Toner Everyday will help in eliminating excess oil and banishing dirt from your skin.
Contrary to popular belief, oily skin needs moisturizing and hydration. Stripping the skin of moisture will only further encourage the sebaceous glands to produce more oil to compensate. Hence opt for an oil-free, non-comedogenic, water-based moisturizer.
22. Seasonal tips for dry skin
Summer and Winter: Moisturization
The most important thing for this type of skin is moisturization. Your skin is dry by default and the dryness in the air surrounding can only make matters worse. So make sure that during all seasons you have that bottle of favorite moisturizer at hand and keep your skin hydrated. Use water-based products for oily skin, and oil-based products for dry skin. It is important to choose a product according to your skin type; however, you need special care for dry skin. Use cream foundations for dry skin makeup because they are oil-based, and are indeed good for dry skin. However, avoid compacts.Use skin care and beauty products that contain jojoba oil, Shea butter, almond oil, olive oil or grape seed oil.
It is important to moisturize your skin regularly, a good moisturizer with natural oils and herbal ingredients helps maintain the moisture level and keeps it hydrated. Try to go for oil-based moisturizers over water-based.
23. Seasonal tips for combination skin:
Summer and winter:
Since combination skin comes with the troubles of both skin types, the key is to keeping the skin clean, pores closed and skin hydrated. These are the requirements for both skin types. So it is all about finding the right balance in the routine.
After having spent so many years ignoring the centuries of knowledge from our ancestors, we have finally admitted that some of the most effective remedies ever are the ones that we concoct from our backyard!
f. Homemade Masks:Homemade face masks are the best solutions to bring back life and glow to your skin.
24. Simple Avocado Mask:
- Using a ripe avocado, scoop and mash the meat
- If desired, combine with one tablespoon each of honey and/or plain yogurt
- Smooth on face, avoiding eyes
- Combine one tablespoon each of honey and olive oil
- Add two teaspoons lemon juice
- Beat in one egg yolk
- Apply it on face and allow to dry before rinsing
You can find more masks for dry skin here and masks for oily skin here.
Homemade Scrubs:a. Papaya Face Scrub:
- Exfoliating is vitally important for rejuvenation of skin. The following face tip will leave skin feeling soft and renewed.
- Mash the meat of a ripe papaya with a fork.
- Add 2-3 teaspoons ground oatmeal and one teaspoon sugar.
- Mix into a thick paste.
- Massage into skin for several minutes, allow it to dry.
Homemade Moisturizers:
Daily moisturizing is essential, and natural ingredients are easy to find in your kitchen. Many homemade moisturizers are made from perishable food items, and mixtures should be refrigerated and used within three days to a week.
a. Cocoa Butter and Egg Moisturizer for Normal Skin:
- Melt two tablespoons cocoa butter over low heat
- Separate one egg yolk and add to butter
- Add two tablespoons lemon juice
We hope this list of skin wonders will help you in the quest of bright skin. Comment and let us know about your favorite tips for the same.
All About Hyaluronic Acid
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic Acid (HA), also known as hyaluronan or hyaluronate, is a carbohydrate, more specifically a mucopolysaccharide occurring naturally throughout the human body. It can be several thousands of sugars (carbohydrates) long. When not bound to other molecules, it binds to water giving it a stiff viscous quality similar to “Jello”. This viscous Gel is one of the most heavily researched substances in medicine today with thousands of trials mostly in the fields of orthopedics and eye surgery. Its function in the body is, amongst other things, to bind water and to lubricate movable parts of the body, such as joints and muscles. Its consistency and tissue-friendliness allows it to be beneficial in skin-care products as an excellent moisturizer. Because HA is one of the most hydrophilic (water-loving) molecules in nature with numerous benefits for the human body it can be described as "nature's moisturizer".
Hyaluronic Acid Benefits for the Body?
If we compare the joints of the human body to an automobile engine, the joint fluid in the body mimics the oil in a car engine. At regular intervals we replace the oil in our car engines because the heat and friction breakdowns the oils viscosity. The oil becomes thinner and less able to protect the metal surfaces from excessive wear. Hyaluronic acid benefits our joints in the same way. As we age the viscosity of the joint fluid lessens. HA helps to maintain normal joint cushioning.
What is Hyaluronic Acid's Chemical Structure?
It is naturally produced in the human body and is chemically classified as a Glycosaminoglycan. In the body, hyaluronic acid always presents itself as a large high molecular weight molecule. The molecule is made up of a repetitive sequence of two modified simple sugars, one called glucuronic acid and the other N acetyl glucosamine. These compounds are both negatively charged and when put together, they repel producing an exceptionally long stretched out molecule (high molecular weight). HA molecules that are long and large in size produce a high viscosity (lubrication) effect which resists compression and allows our joints and skin to bear weight.
When was Hyaluronic Acid discovered?
HA was first used commercially in 1942 when Endre Balazs applied for a patent to use it as a substitute for egg white in bakery products. Its discovery was very unique. No other molecule had ever been discovered that has such unique properties to the human body. Balazs went on to become the leading expert on HA, and made the majority of discoveries concerning hyaluronic acid benefits.
Where is Hyaluronic Acid located in the body?
Hyaluronic Acid is found naturally in most every cell in the body and occurs in high concentrations in specific body locations. In each body location, it serves a different function. Unfortunately, HA also has a half-life ( the time it takes for the molecule to get broken down and excreted from the body) of less than 3 days and possibly even as little as one day in the skin. For this reason, it is imperative that the body continually replenish itself with HA. Below are some of the areas in the human body where it is present and critical to anatomical function.
Hyaluronic Acid in Bones and Cartilage
Hyaluronic Acid is found in all bones and cartilage structures throughout the body. Both of these structures provide a resilient rigidity to the structure of the human body. HA is especially found in various forms of cartilage but none more than the hyaline cartilage. As you've probably guessed it, hyaline is short for hyaluronic acid. Hyaline cartilage covers the ends of the long bones where articulation (bending) occurs and provides a cushioning effect for the bones. The hyaline cartilage has been called the "gristle cartilage" because its resistance to wear and tear. Hyaline cartilage also supports the tip of the nose, connects the ribs to the sternum and forms most of the larynx and supporting cartilage of the trachea and bronchial tubes in the lungs.
Hyaluronic Acid in Synovial fluid
Our joints (like the elbows and knees) are surrounded by a membrane called the synovial membrane which forms a capsule around the ends of the two articulating bones. This membrane secretes a liquid called the synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is a viscous fluid with the consistency of motor oil. It has many functions, but none more than providing the elastic shock absorbing properties of the joint. Its second most important function in the joint is to carry nutrients to the cartilage and to also remove waste from the joint capsule.
Hyaluronic Acid in Tendons and Ligaments/Connective tissue
Connective tissue is found everywhere in the body. It does much more than connect body parts; it has many forms and functions. Its major functions include binding, support, protection, and insulation. One such example of connective tissue is the cordlike structures that connect muscle to bone (tendons) and bone to bone (ligaments). In all connective tissue there are three structural elements. They are ground substance (hyaluronic acid), stretchy fibers (collagen and elastin) and a fundamental cell type. Whereas all other primary tissues in the body are composed mainly of living cells, connective tissues are composed largely of a nonliving ground substance, the hyaluronic acid, which separates and cushions the living cells of the connective tissue. The separation and cushioning allow the tissue to bear weight, withstand great tension and endure abuse that no other body tissue could. All of this is made possible because of the presence of the HA and its ability to form the gelatinous ground substance fluid.
Hyaluronic Acid in Scalp Tissue and Hair Follicles
Structurally the scalp is identical to the skin tissue located throughout the body except it also contains about 100,000 hair follicles that give rise to hair. Actually the hair and the hair follicle are a derivative of skin tissue. There are two distinctive skin layers, one, the epidermis (outer layer) which gives rise to the protective shield of the body and the other, the dermal layer (deep layer) which makes up the bulk of the skin and is where the hair follicle is located. This dermal layer is composed of connective tissue and the connective tissue, with its gelatinous fluid like characteristics provides support, nourishes and hydrates the deep layers of the scalp. The result is healthy lustrous hair and a moisturized scalp. Again, all of this is made possible because of the presence of HA in the scalp.
Hyaluronic Acid in Lips
The lips are a core of skeletal muscle covered by skin tissue. The dermal layer of the lips is composed primarily of connective tissue and its components hyaluronic acid and collagen that give the structure (shape) and plumpness to the lips. The HA binds to water creating a gelatinous fluid that hydrates the surrounding tissue and keeps the collagen (responsible for keeping the skin tight) nourished and healthy. The result is healthy well hydrated and plump lips that are well protected from the environment.
Hyaluronic Acid in Eyes
Hyaluronic acid is highly concentrated inside the eyeball. The fluid inside the eye called the vitreous humor is composed almost completely of hyaluronic acid. The HA gives the fluid inside the eye a viscous gel like property. This gel acts as a shock absorber for the eye and also serves to transport nutrients into the eye. HA has been directly injected into the eye during procedures to help maintain the shape of the eye during surgery. It has been said that after the 5th decade of life, our eyes stop producing the much needed hyaluronic acid resulting in various eye needs.
Hyaluronic Acid in Gum Tissue
The Gums (gingivoe) are composed of dense fibrous connective tissue (ligaments) which secure the teeth to the aveloar bone (jaw bone). Once again, connective tissue is composed of a fibrous tissue surrounded by hyaluronic acid (extra-cellular matrix). Without the presence of HA, the gum tissue becomes unhealthy. If it is present it helps to provide the tensile strength of the ligaments that secure the tooth in place by providing hydration and nourishment. The result is a healthy set of gums.
Hyaluronic Acid in Skin
Although Hyaluronic Acid (HA) can be found naturally in most every cell in the body, it is found in the greatest concentrations in the skin tissue. Almost 50% of the bodies HA is found here. It is found in both the deep underlying dermal areas as well as the visible epidermal top layers. Young skin is smooth and elastic and contains large amounts of HA that helps keep the skin stay young and healthy. The HA provides continuous moisture to the skin by binding up to 1000 times its weight in water. With age, the ability of the skin to produce HA decreases.
ECM (ground substance)
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a gelatinous (gel-like) fluid that surrounds almost all living cells and is essential to life. It gives structure and support to the body and without it, we would just be a trillions cells without a shape or function. It is essentially the mortar between the bricks. The skin, bones, cartilage, tendons and ligaments are examples where the ECM is located in the body. The ECM is composed of material (fibrous elements) called elastin and collagen surrounded by a gelatinous substance (Hyaluronic Acid). HA's roles in the ECM is to help the stretchy fibers in the body from overstretching and drying out by continually bathing them in this nutritious water base gelatinous fluid. It also serves as a wonderful medium through which nutrients and waste are transported to and from the cells of these structures. This fluid would not exist if it was not for the ability of the HA molecule to bind up to 1000 times its weight in water.
Hyaluronic Acid in the skin
The skin is the largest organ in the body comprising about 15% of the body weight. Roughly 50% of the Hyaluronic Acid in our body is found in the skin. HA and Collagen are vital to maintaining the skin’s layers and structure. It is the collagen that gives the skin its firmness but it is the HA that nourishes and hydrates the collagen. Imagine the collagen as the stretchy fibers that restore the skin back to shape when stretched. Collagen is like a rubber band but stretch that rubber band a million times, like what we do with our skin and without any moisture. Eventually that rubber band gets overstretched (saggy) and dried out and will most likely break. This is much the same way the collagen in our skin reacts leaving our skin in need of moisture. Now imagine that same rubber band stretched a million times while under water the whole time. Chances of that rubber band drying out and breaking are minimal. Consider the Hyaluronic Acid as the water that keeps the collagen moist and elastic. Collagen is continuously surrounded and nourished by the gelatinous HA substance. Young skin is smooth and highly elastic because it contains high concentrations of Hyaluronic Acid, which helps skin stay healthy. As we grow older, the body loses its ability to maintain this same concentration in the skin. With decreasing levels of HA in the skin, so goes the ability of the skin to hold water. The result, the skin becomes drier and loses its ability to maintain it's hydration. Hyaluronic acid acts as a space filler by binding to water and thus keeping the skin wrinkle-free.
