Natural Facial Masks and Home Recipes
October 2, 2009 by admin · 3 Comments
Today, there are so many facial treatments available, it’s hard to know what to choose. What will cause a reaction, what might cause a breakout? There are many great facial masks and treatments such as face lifts, chemical peels, botox, laser resurfacing and others, but many are expensive, can be risky, while some offer only a short term result. If you want to really remove wrinkles and have healthier, glowing skin you need to use natural remedies and creams to help you improve your overall facial look.
Some of the basic things you need to know to avoid wrinkles is to: use sun protection- preferably one with zinc or zinc oxide, have a healthy diet, avoid stress, have proper sleep, eat your fruits and vegetables, take vitamins and drink plenty of water.
As an alternative to more expensive spa treatments, using some home remedies for skin care can also be very helpful in improving the health of your skin naturally. For example you can use a natural anti wrinkle face mask or a skin brightening mask.
Below are some ingredients and different types of facial masks that you can make at home:
Honey Mask
Egg cream mask
Cornflour mask
Apple facial mask
Egg white olive oil face mask
Egg white lemon mask
Banana Mask
Egg white cucumber min anti wrinkle face mask
Papaya cream face pack
Peach lemon face pack
Let’s start with the honey anti wrinkle mask
You will need:
1 and a half tbsp honey, half tsp carrot juice, and a pinch of baking soda
You then mix honey and juice of carrots, apply it and leave it on your face for 20 minutes. Remove with a cotton wool (or wash cloth) soaked with warm water with a pinch of baking soda added.
DIY Green-Papaya Brightening Mask
Enrich and beatify your skin with honey, yogurt,and papaya. Well, this is a great recipe to feed your skin the beauty it needs.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup unripe papaya, diced
1 teaspoon plain yogurt
1 teaspoon raw honey
Tools:
1 large glass or ceramic bowl
1 bath towel
1 small spray bottle
1. You will need ½ cup of unripe, diced papaya. This contains natural alpha-hydroxy acids and high levels of
papain, an enzyme that helps dissolve dead skin cells.
2. 1 teaspoon of plain yogurt. The yogurt adds lactic acid (another alpha-hydroxy) and gives the mask a creamy texture.
3. 1 teaspoon of raw honey helps the skin to retain moisture.
4. Blend the ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Apply to clean skin using fingers; leave on for 8 to 10 minutes. When left on, the mask should tingle slightly. If you have sensitive skin or prefer a gentler exfoliation, use ripe papaya, which has less papain. Rinse off using cool water and pat dry. Finish by applying a gentle moisturizer.
There are infinite varieties of cosmetic face masks that can help as well.
Clay face masks, are great for oily skin, it detoxifies, opens up clogged pores and remove blackheads.
Firming Masks, massaging in the contours of your face will firm up your skin.
Radiance masks, use vitamins and add glow to lifeless skin.
Hydrating face masks, or Anti-Aging Masks, moisturize dry skin
You have to choose what is best for your skin, based on your skin type. A homemade mask can be very useful and easy to do with simple natural ingredients that you can find at home. If “cooking” is not your thing, then try out some of the more natural options on the market for facial masks and treatments. Don’t forget to ask for samples as well! Natural anti aging face masks with organic ingredients can do wonders to restore your fresh facial look and return reduce wrinkles.
Sunscreens, UVB and UVA Rays
June 29, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
With summer lurking just around the corner, it’s almost time to tie up that new bathing suit, fire up the grill, and most importantly, slather on the sunscreen. The importance of sun care escalates as knowledge of skin cancer increases in the United States, and the National Cancer Institute estimates that there are more than one million new cases of skin cancer in 2009 alone. Still, loyal sunbathers and frequent beach-goers are able to enjoy some fun in the sun thanks to the vast array of sunscreen available. Sunscreens are available in several forms, including lotion, sprays, ointments, and sticks, and are often labeled with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF), which can range from 2 to 50. The higher the SPF, the more sun protection, and most dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher.
Sunscreen protects the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun, and too much exposure to these rays can cause sunburn and wrinkles. Long term sun exposure can lead to cancer, which is the most common type of cancer, according to the American Cancer Association. Most sunscreens contain zinc oxide, which as the ability to filter UVA and UVB rays to protect the skin. Zinc oxide has been used in skin products for many years and can be used with all skin types.
UVradiation, a known carcinogen, can have a number of harmful effects on the skin. The two types of UV radiation that can affect the skin—UVA and UVB—have both been linked to skin cancer and a weakening of the immune system. They also contribute to premature aging of the skin and cataracts (a condition that impairs eyesight), and cause skin color changes.
UVA Rays
UVA rays, which are not absorbed by the ozone layer, penetrate deep into the skin and heavilycontribute to premature aging. Up to 90 percent of the visible skin changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by sun exposure.
UVB Rays
These powerful rays, which are partially absorbed by the ozone layer, mostly affect the surface of the skin and are the primary cause of sunburn. Because of the thinning of the ozone layer, the effects of UVB radiation will pose an increased threat until the layer is restored in the latter half of the 21st century.
The following table from the FDA lists these ingredients and includes information regarding the type and amount of ray protection that they provide and their class.
Is a Suntan Healthy?
Just remember, there is no such thing as a healthy suntan. Any change in your natural skin color is a sign of skin damage. Every time your skin color changes after sun exposure, your risk of developing sun-related ailments increases.
Your Skin And The Effects Of The Sun
April 21, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Sun damage of the skin, also known as photo damage can be either acute, as in a sunburn or more commonly, chronic, seen as gradual changes in the skin caused by an accumulation of sun exposure throughout one’s life. Chronic photo damage results in either a cosmetic change in the skin’s appearance called photo aging, or changes that are of medical and health concerns such as pre-cancerous lesions and skin cancers. The evidence is very strong that ultra-violet light is the cause of most of the changes that we consider to be associated with aging of the skin.
Sunshine, although essential for health and well being, is certainly a hazard for the skin. For many people it feels good to spend time outdoors and this makes it difficult to avoid excessive exposure to the sun. Most of the sun exposure we accumulate throughout our lives, is thought to be the effect of multiple short periods of time outside. If the ozone depletion continues this may also increase our lifetime exposure.
Those living in sunny areas are clearly at risk for photo damage, as are those with occupations that require working outdoors. Activities such as skiing, sailing, and gardening can contribute to chronic photo damage. Even one-time sun exposure, causing a tan, results in damage to the skin. There is no such thing as a ’safe’ tan.
Individuals with fair skin are clearly at greater risk although sun damage can occur in all skin types. Tanning studios are popular amongst many and this also adds to an accumulation of photo damage.
Smoking is another environmental factor that contributes to premature aging of the skin. Early recognition of sun damage will provide a better chance of reversal of the cosmetic appearance as well as reducing the number of skin cancers.
