The Goodness of Olive Oil Natural Soaps

It will not take much to convince you on the advantages of natural soaps. Natural soaps are so effective that you would become somewhat addicted to them. These handmade natural soaps are healthy for all skin types since they contain glycerin and oils in adequate proportions. Synthetic soaps do not usually contain these two essential constituents and it is this absence that makes synthetic soaps less effective than natural soaps.

It is said that thousands of years ago when there were no soaps, Egyptians used olive oil to clean their bodies. The Egyptians held that olive oil made all the dust particles stick to it. That means that when the oil was scraped away, the dust particles also got scraped along. The use of olive oil in soaps dates back to those times. These days, olive oil natural soaps are very common.

An olive oil based natural soap is very effective in treating itchiness and dryness of the skin. The cosmetic properties of olive oil are unmatched and when used topically olive oil works wonders. Olive oil natural soaps do not contain olive oil alone. These products also contain other essential herbs like rosemary, sea squill extracts, bee wax etc. These added herbs further enhance the effectiveness of natural soaps.

Besides apparent cosmetic advantages, natural soaps give out a very pleasing fragrance. Whatever be the exact flavor of a natural soap, these handmade soaps are generally known for their highly agreeable scent. The commercial soaps are usually held to contain striking fragrances which are in a way highly harmful for your skin. The case is not so with natural herbal soaps. A natural soap contains no added fragrances and it is because of this that natural soaps are a preferred alternative over regular commercial soaps.

Choose your natural soap NOW!

Time To Switch Over From Synthetic To Organic Soaps

Now if you are given the option to choose between homegrown fruits and synthetic fruits, what would you choose? Just any person across the world would choose homegrown fruits over synthetically produced fruits. Now, is it not very logical to follow that natural skincare products have an upper edge over the ones that have been synthetically produced?

More popular by the name of handmade soaps, natural soaps are rich in such luxurious ingredients that lend a smooth and silky feeling to the skin. These natural sops use the purest of the pure ingredients to form such a formula that can be effectively used to treat skin irritations.

There is great worth in using organic concoctions on facial skin especially because these organic solutions are skin friendly. They contain no such element that can cause to prove harmful for the skin. Synthetic beauty products are supposed to contain countless toxic ingredients which easily seep into the skin and gradually into the bloodstream of the user. Does it not sound scary? Yes, it actually is because prolonged usage of such products can cause even more scary skin problems.

Switching over from synthetic soaps to natural ones is one of the most wise skincare decisions one can ever make. Natural soaps not only treat existing skin problems, they also prevent new ones from appearing in the first place. With the unabated pollution and environment degradation, it is actually a worthwhile to switch over to organic cosmetic solutions. Believe us, there are a whooping number of people who are shifting from synthetic to organic solutions and they are really happy about the change.

So, it is your turn now! Get up and throw away all those synthetic products that you have hitherto been using. You will see the difference for yourself! Good luck to you!

Glowing Skin With Natural Facial Cleansers

The search for methods to have a wonderful skin is endless. Everything that you have done is resulting in unsatisfactory results. Do you know what to do next? Well, there are many things that can be done to have a glowing skin. Try to use natural soap for your facial cleansing and make it a vital part of daily skin care regime.

Natural facial cleansers are the most sought after beauty products for individuals battling skin related problems. These beneficial products can be brought from market or can be made at home with natural ingredients. Various anti acne and anti aging products are obtainable from market that has been prepared with natural herbs, moisturizers and cleansers. Most effective skin cleanser for all types of skin is a mixture of papaya and milk. It also lightens the skin texture and acts as an excellent lubricant when applied. Another Vitamin C enriched facial herb is Orange. A proportionate blend of orange with milk not only makes your skin smooth but also combats acne outbreaks.

Acne soaps and anti-aging boosters can be prepared at home with natural ingredients. It is not only fruits that deliver desired results but vegetables can also be used to fight skin issues. Carrot is a good cleanser or moisturizer and a facial scrub can be prepared by mixing it with milk. This scrub exfoliates skin gently and makes its texture smooth and soft. Avocado and oatmeal are other two natural products that can safely be included in daily skin care regime. Both these products when mixed with milk provide excellent results.

In addition to natural facial cleansers, you can also make use of natural moisturizers, scrubs, toners and astringents for making your skin soft and glowing. The most amazing thing about herbal products is that they are free from all kinds of side effects. However, you should check for any skin allergies owing to skin’s sensitivity to certain ingredients.

Why Should You Use Natural Soap?

The mankind is slowly waking up to the world of natural and herbal products. The beauty products industry is a zillion dollars industry and that means there are a whooping number of people who resort to these synthetic creams and other products. Do you agree? The trend, of late, however is shifting from synthetic creams to natural products or botanical products or herbal products.

People are becoming more and more aware of the benefits of natural products. Lately, the concept of natural soaps is on the popularity spree. Your grandmother or grandfather may know how to make a natural soap at home. In earlier times, soaps were made at home using all-natural products like floral wax, fruit extracts, plant oils, vegetable oils, herbs, beeswax and other such ingredients. Though you may find the idea of making soap at home rather hilarious and scary but once you are explained the benefits of using a natural soap, you may not be able to resist the temptation of getting on the work! It is actually a lot of fun to make soap at home.

You need not be disappointed if you do not find the soap making process feasible at home. These natural soaps are easily obtainable from any beauty salon or beauty store. There are different varieties of natural soap that are available in the market for example anti aging natural soaps, natural soaps to counter acne, natural soaps to tackle age lines, natural soaps for skin whitening, natural soaps for oily skin and many more.

Usage of all natural soap not only cures acne but it also prevents acne from happening. They restore the lost beauty and vitality to the skin. Regular use of natural soap is sure to produce visible effects. So rush and grab a bar soon and see the change for yourself!

The Latest Trend Of Using Natural Soaps

It does not take much to make your skin happy. All you need to do is to eat properly and take care of your skin properly.

For most people, fragrance is the sole criteria while buying soap or any other beauty product for that matter. Fragrance is the most remote thing to be considered in a beauty product and hence measuring the quality of a beauty product by the kind of scent it gives off is the most unwise thing! By that it is not meant that you hit the best beauty store and pick the foulest smelling beauty cream, lotion or soap! No, no way! Fragrance should not be the yardstick to measure the effectiveness of any beauty item, as simple as that!

A very common case with most people is that as long as they don’t rub a bar of soap aggressively all over their body, they do not get feeling of having had a bath! If you are one of such a lot of people, beware!

The first thumb rule of skincare treatment is to treat your skin as very much a part of your body and just NOT to play harsh on it! Assuming that none of you uses a soap bar on the facial skin (even if it is an herbal one), you are now being acquainted with the type of soap you must be using on the rest of your body. A natural soap or a herbal soap, as some call it, is the best you can try to treat your bodily skin with.

While selecting any soap or surfactant, there are a few ingredients you must keep off from for example PABA, Triclosan, BHT and fragrance having said above. Natural soap usually contains honey, Aloe Vera, plant oils, goat’s milk, Shea butter, strawberry and lime extracts, antioxidants, vitamins and tea tree or chamomile extracts.

Green Tea Skin Care and Natural Soaps

What is Tea?

The beneficial properties of tea are attributed to polyphenols. The polyphenols found in tea mainly belong to the subtype called catechins. Polyphenols or catechins are better known as antioxidants that fight free radicals. Free radicals are damaging to skin and body by attacking healthy cells. Green tea has more catechins than black tea; white tea is almost as rich in catechins as green tea but is different in composition and less well studied.

So How Is Green Tea Good For My Skin?

There have been number studies of skin benefits of green tea. One of these studies show protection from skin cancer by demonstrating topical green tea formulations can reduce sun damage.(1) Another fascinating study in 2003 was conducted by Dr. Stephen Hsu of the Medical College of Georgia Department of Oral Biology. His findings determined green tea was able to rejuvenate old skin cells at the end of their life cycle.

A quote from Dr. Hsu’s paper explained, “…we report here for the first time, that at certain concentrations, EGCG or a mixture of the major green tea polyphenols stimulated aged keratinocytes to generate biological energy and to synthesize DNA, possibly for renewed cell division.

Therefore, green tea constituents may be useful topically for promoting skin regeneration, wound healing, or treatment of certain epithelial conditions such as aphthous ulcers, psoriasis, rosacea, and actinic keratoses.” (2) Dr. Hsu went on to comment he was “so surprised” to discover EGCG actually reactivated cells that had migrated toward the surface of the skin to ‘die’.

Green tea appears to manipulate sun damage protection by fighting free radicals and reducing inflammation rather than by blocking UV rays. Therefore, green tea enhances sun protection when used in addition to a sunscreen. To boost sun protection, apply a green tea formula under your sunscreen to elevate the level of sun protection. It is best to combine green tea with zinc oxide-based sunscreens because zinc oxide is chemically inert and should not react with green tea (which some chemical sunscreens might do, especially in sunlight). You can also look for green tea in natural soaps, and other facial cleansers.

Topical green tea is also very beneficial for sensitive skin types by reducing inflammation and irritation in the skin. Wrinkles, skin sag and other signs of aging have been shown to benefit from Green tea. The tea’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory polyphenols slow down signs of premature of aging

Green Tea and Pimples

A green tea and pimples study suggests it to be as good as benzoyl peroxide cream in treating acne conditions with fewer side effects. Scientific research has shown that green tea fights bacteria, inflammation and reduces stress. Perhaps it would be an excellent candidate for treating acne?

In the study, conducted by Dr. Jennifer Gan-Wong from the Memorial Medical Center in the Philippines, 108 participants were divided into two groups. One applied benzoyl peroxide cream and the other green tea extract cream twice daily for 12 weeks. Subjects were examined and photographed each week by dermatologists. The researchers noted the green tea cream seemed to lighten patients’ skin color and improve the overall appearance of their complexion.

The preliminary data suggests that green tea cream causes fewer side effects than benzoyl peroxide. Patients in the green tea group reported fewer cases of dry skin, itching and allergic responses.

Use green tea at home to boost your skins health, appearance and reduce signs of aging by freezing freshly brewed green tea as ice cubes and use them as a toner. Let them start thawing first before applying directly to the face to avoid irritation. You can also drink green tea or take green tea extract in capsules to benefit from the anti oxidant properties. The polyphenols will reach your skin via the bloodstream in sufficient amounts.

Using green tea in your skincare routine has definite proven benefits to slow skin aging, reduce acne and protect your skin from cancer among many others. Just be aware of the products you choose. Like most antioxidants, green tea polyphenols are oxidized and can lose their active constituents when exposed to air.

By Tiffany Oney and Rachelle Dupree

References:

(1) Green Tea Polyphenol Treatment to Human Skin Prevents Formation of Ultraviolet Light B-induced Pyrimidine Dimers in DNA (2000). Santosh K. Katiyar, Anaibelith Perez and Hasan Mukhtar. Clinical Cancer Research Vol. 6, 3864-3869, October 2000.

(2) Green Tea Polyphenols Induce Differentiation and Proliferation in Epidermal Keratinocytes (2003). Stephen Hsu, Wendy B. Bollag, Jill Lewis, Qin Huang,Baldev Singh, Mohamed Sharawy, Tetsuya Yamamoto, and George Schuster. Journal of Pharmacology And Experimental Therapeutics. First published on March 27, 2003; DOI: 10.1124/jpet.103.049734

Using Natural Soap For Blackheads and Acne

Acne and Blackheads

While we may not realize it, those tiny black dots on our noses, backs, in our ears and on our cheeks are blocked skin pores known as blackheads. Blackheads are dark in color because the tops of the skin pores are open to the air, so the top part of the hardened sebum or oil oxidizes, turning black (and where the term blackhead comes from).

Sebaceous glands tend to produce more oil than usual during puberty, and may be regulated to due specific hormonal changes, with some individuals continuing to experience blackheads into adulthood. Acne results when the oil gland is blockage by the blackhead and becomes infected.

Blackheads can be controlled through healthy skin regimens and the right treatments. Common health disorders like indigestion, constipation, under active thyroid and anemia may also cause blackheads.

What causes Blackheads?

When an over active sebaceous gland (the gland that produce healthy oils) in the skin becomes clogged with sebum, the oily secretion and dead skin cells begin to harden in the pore and results in a blackhead.
Help and treatment for people with Blackheads

Many herbal and homeopathic remedies have been formulated with specific ingredients to help keep pores unblocked and promote a healthy amount of skin oils. Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree Oil) has exceptional anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-septic actions and will not dry out the skin. Arctium lappa is used naturopathically for the treatment of chronic skin conditions, including acne, eczema, psoriasis and canker sores.

Using Natural Soap to Treat Blackheads

People often ask “does regular soap cause blackheads?” There is no straight answer. It really depends on how you use soaps and what soaps you use. Generally the answer is no it doesn’t. Using regular soap on your face with clean wipes or flannels should just clean your skin. The problem occurs when you begin to overuse soap, or when you use loads of different soaps, cleaning products, makeup and moisturizer all at the same time. The skin was never designed to take on so many chemicals and it can clog up the pores, in turn causing blackheads.

Does Soap Cause Acne or Blackheads?

Blackheads develop when the pores produce excessive oils, which secrete and scab over. So when you apply lots of different products to your face these can speed up the clogging up process and make your skin worse, causing blackheads. If anything, regular soap on its own can reduce blackheads because it dries the skin out, although this can have its own problems, such as itchiness and sore skin, which of scratched or rubbed may cause regular spots.

Regular soap however can be quite harsh on delicate teenage skin and it is better to use a specially designed scrub aimed towards clearing spots and blackheads. You can also buy blackhead strips or pads that remove blackheads, or for the more adventurous out there you can make your own homemade remedies.

Consulting an expert is always a good option if you have excessive blackheads. They can answer all of your questions and pescribe treatments that may not be available commercially. You may also want to ask your local doctor or a dermatologist (which is somebody that specializes in skin care). If you are looking for a quick fix many salons and beauty parlors offer treatment that remove blackheads professionally s part of their facial treatments.

Tips to Clear Acne and Blackheads

As far as possible, keep your skin clean and try to get regular facials (done by a professional) or if you can’t afford them, try a simple, natural facial at home.

If your skin is very oily, remember that very oily skin attracts even more dirt from the environment. Keep absorbent tissues on hand, and blot your oily patches at regular intervals throughout the day.

As far as possible try to apply only natural-ingredients based products on your face. (Use natural or chemically prepared cleansers, astringent solutions or masks). Avoid harsh soaps that may irritate the skin or any creams that leave an oily finish. Don’t be tempted to use ‘quick fix’ methods or odd lotions, and if you are unsure, or if something sounds odd, consult with a dermatologist beforehand.