Archive for the ‘Skin Care’ Category

• Winter Versus Summer Skin Care
• What is Skin?
• Sun Protection – Tanning and Burning
• Sun Protection Factor
• Women’s Skin Care
• Men’s Skin Care
• Baby Skin Care
• Skin Aging and Wrinkles
• Sensitive Skin Care
• Rosacea
• Skin Disorders – Psoriasis
• Tips for Providing Maximum Sun Protection
• Which are Better for Your Skin?
• Skin Disorders – Eczema – Forms of eczema
• Skin Disorders – Eczema
• Cellulite
• An Introduction to Sun Protection
• Skin Types – Oily Skin
• Skin Types – Dry Skin
• Skin Types – Combination Skin
• Acne Control Kit
• Clear Pores Facial System
• Healthy Pores Kit
• Rosacea Kit
• Ultra Hair Away
• Skin Care Articles / 1

Just as your body needs different clothing to protect it against the changing weather, your skin needs a different skin care regime to properly protect it from the elements. As the body’s largest organ, skin is far more delicate than you probably realize. Here is a closer look at how winter versus summer affects skin and its care.

Why is skin care different in winter than in summer months?

Winter months generally are colder and drier than summer months when heat and humidity levels are on the rise. When skin is exposed to the harsh winter weather, it takes a beating, becoming excessively dry, irritated and chapped. Clothing protects most skin but we often fail to protect our faces. Moving indoors isn’t any better. Constantly running heaters and dehumidifiers sap every bit of moisture from the air.

During the summer, temperatures warm and more skin becomes exposed to the elements. Higher temperatures and humidity levels increase the amount of sweat the body produces in an attempt to cool off. As an unintentional consequence, skin becomes oilier and more prone to pimples and other irritation. Swimming is great way to cool off however exposure to harsh pool chemicals and salt water can lead to excessive dryness.

Tips for protecting skin during the winter months

Apply sunscreen regularly because you’re just as likely to sunburn in the winter as you are in summer. Apply a sunscreen, moisturizer or make-up with a minimum SPF of 15. Be sure to protect lips by wearing lipstick or lip balm with sun protection. Stop licking lips!

Moisturize. Add moisture to inside air by turning on a humidifier. If you don’t have one, place a pan of water near radiator or heat source. Plants help moisturize the air. Add moisture to your body by using emollient-based soaps, lotions and creams.

Take shorter, warmer showers and baths. Hot water strips away natural oils as does staying submerged in water. Adding moisturizers to bath water helps, but take care when exiting as tub will be slippery.

Reduce the number of times you apply toner after cleansing and use toners with no or low alcohol levels. Gently exfoliate using a washcloth or scrub to remove dead skin cells and stimulate skin.

Tips for protecting skin during summer months

Always protect your skin from the effects of ultraviolet radiation by applying sunscreen, wearing sun protective clothing, and seeking shade whenever possible. Stay out of the sun when it’s strongest, between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.

Excessive sweat and oils clog pores so use a cooling cleanser containing salicylic acid to keep skin blemishes under control. Cleansers made with eucalyptus or menthol extracts feel good and help keep pores clean and open.

Change your moisturizing products because skin doesn’t need as much moisturizing protection during summer as it does during winter.

Always rinse your body with cool water after swimming to remove chlorine and salt.

A facial mask applied once a week will deep-clean pores and help skin retain its natural pH balance. Use a mister to keep skin cool and moist.

Skin is the body’s biggest organ. When people think of organs, most often the heart, lungs and brain come to mind but typically not the skin. Like these and other organs inside the body, skin is made up of different types of tissues and these tissues are made up of cells.

Much like the roof on a house, the skin plays an important role in protecting our bodies. It keeps bodily fluids inside while at the same time carefully controlling the release of waste product. It also helps keep our internal body parts safe from the potentially harmful effects of the environment including the sun, light and bacteria and also from injury.

Several different layers make up the skin, but perhaps because the underlying layers are not visible, they’re not thought of very often. We spend much of our lives worrying about acne and wrinkles but don’t realize that these types of skin issues have a lot to do with the workings of the layers below.

If you were to look at a cross-section of skin, you’d see that skin consists of 3 different layers: the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis or subcutis layer. Let’s take a closer look at each.

Epidermis

This is the outermost layer of skin – the one that is visible. It covers the entire body, from the head down to the feet. The epidermis itself consists of 3 layers and is made up of tightly-woven connective tissues of varying thickness. For example, the skin covering your feet is much thicker than that below the eye. The epidermis acts like a barrier, keeping the good in and the bad out.

The top layer of the epidermis is constantly being shed. It’s the layer that acts as the gatekeeper keeping fluids in and dangers out. Although not easily visible, most of this layer is covered with thousands of tiny pores and hair shafts. New skin is continually being generated by the bottom layer to replace the skin that has been shed. The epidermis also contains melanin, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation (coloring) and protecting against the sun’s damaging rays.

Dermis

This layer of connective tissue tucked in between the innermost and outermost layers is the site of much activity. The dermis is home to blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerve tissue, hair follicles, bundles of collagen and sweat glands. Much activity happens in the middle layer. Blood vessels supply nutrients. Nerve tissues give skin the ability to feel. And the muscle tissues in this layer when they are activated are what cause a person to develop goose bumps in response to cold or fear. This layer also has the ability to trap bacteria that manages to penetrate the epidermis.

Hypodermis or subcutis layer

The innermost layer of skin helps to regulate our body temperature. It is here that insulating fat and collagen can be found which is why this layer helps keep us warm. This layer also acts as a cushion or shock absorber, protecting the body from injury. The connective tissue that makes up this important layer is also known as adipose tissue.

Tanning and burning are two intentional or unintentional consequences of being out in the sun. Most people willingly seek out the healthy glow that sun can produce. Yet two people, spending the same amount of time exposed to the same sun intensity often will come home with far different results. Why is it that one might come home in agony while other comes home looking sleek and glamorous?

The answer has a lot to do with a person’s skin type. Other factors can influence the end result such as taking certain prescription medications and using certain types of skin care products, so let’s take a closer look.

When skin is exposed to the sun without adequate sun protection, the exposure causes melanin, the pigment in the body that gives skin its color, to rise to the surface of the skin. One of the roles melanin plays is protecting skin from the sun. People with light or fair skin have less melanin whereas people with dark complexions obviously have more melanin. Since melanin protects the skin from the sun, it makes sense then that those with less melanin have less protection and vice versa. Darker-skinned individuals tan more often than they burn, but not always.

Because a burn takes a few hours to develop, most people don’t realize they may be burning. They might not reapply sunscreen or cover up if they’re not feeling burned. Unfortunately, it’s usually not until later that they realize just how bad the situation is.

What to do when you get sunburned?

In addition to the embarrassing skin color you get from sunburns, there will be other symptoms. You might feel nauseous and dehydrated, and dizzy or light-headed. After a few days, sunburned skin will begin to peel and unlike what many people think and hope, sunburned skin will not develop into a tan.

There isn’t much you’ll be able to do to alleviate the above symptoms of sunburn. You’ll definitely want to put on minimal, loose-fitting clothing as any rubbing against the burn will be painful. A pain reliever such as aspirin or acetaminophen will help minimize pain and discomfort. Keeping the body cool is the best thing for sunburns so fill a tub with cool or tepid water and soak. And promise yourself that next time, you’ll use sun protection!

Do not immerse your body in a tub full of vinegar or rub the burn with butter. These remedies have been around for years but they’re not effective ways to treat sunburns. In fact, it’s often advised not to apply lotions or creams because you never know whether the product will intensify the pain or relieve it. And some products, including butter, might trap the heat and cause more discomfort.

If the sunburn is accompanied by blisters, you may have a severe second-degree burn. Blistering is normal after a few days but right away it’s usually a sign that the sunburn is bad. In this case, it’s advisable to seek medical attention right away.

So many different types of sun protection products are available that the choices are mind-boggling! Take a look next time you’re shopping and you’ll find sun protection products that are waterproof and sweat proof. Some are designed especially for infants and others are specially-formulated for athletes. Sun protection products are available as creams, lotions, oils, tanners and bronzers.

But what’s with those numbers? The sun protection factor, or the SPF, ranges from a low of 2 to a high of 50 and sometimes higher. Most of us understand that the SPF has something to do with providing protection from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays. But beyond that, the number is shrouded in mystery.

What does SPF mean?

The SPF is a comparison of the time it takes before the skin will start to redden with and without sun protection. In addition, SPF pertains only to UVB rays, the ones that cause tanning but also sunburns.

For example, if it would take 20 minutes for an individual’s skin to burn without sun protection, then a SPF of 15 means that when applied, that person can remain in the sun 15 times longer, or up to 5 hours, without worrying about burning. The greater the SPF, the longer the protection it offers, but only up to a certain point. SPFs greater than 15 offer only small increments of additional protection. And that’s the theory behind the SPF.

In reality though, sun protection regardless of SPF becomes less effective when it’s not evenly applied, a person goes into the water and a person sweats. Both water and sweat diminish the product’s effectiveness that’s why it’s extremely important to reapply sun protection frequently.

Besides reapplying, for maximum effectiveness the first application should happen approximately 20 minutes prior to going out into the sun. Doing so allows sufficient time for the product to fully absorb into the skin. It also ensures that you’ll be protected the moment you step outside.

Which SPF is right for me?

For most people, sun protection with a sun protection factor of 15 provides adequate protection as long as it’s frequently reapplied. However, those with more sensitive skin will benefit from a higher SPF. People who are fair-skinned, have light-colored or red hair or who are traveling to certain high altitude or tropical destinations will also benefit from a higher SPF. Those with darker skin generally don’t burn as easily and need only a mild SPF. When choosing remember that a higher SPF does not offer more protection – it offers longer protection. 

Other sun protection products

Self-tanning products and bronzers are safer ways to color your skin because the skin isn’t being exposed to ultraviolet radiation which over time damages the skin’s cells. These products don’t offer sun protection unless the label specifically states otherwise by listing a sun protection factor. But remember that a sun protection factor corresponds to a period of time and therefore, even if the product offers sun protection, it’s not going to last until you wash the product off in a few days.

All skin care is not created equally! Women’s skin care differs from that of children and men, and among women, skin care even differs at various stages of life.

A woman’s appearance on the outside is generally a good indication of what’s going on inside her body. Poor nutrition, unhealthy lifestyle choices and stress all contribute to the overall poor health of the skin. Bad habits such as smoking and consuming high-fat, high-salt diets deprive the body of the important nutrients skin needs.

Although they don’t shave their faces, women do shave other body parts, including parts that are very sensitive. Extra care should be taken to avoid further skin irritation, cuts or ingrown hairs.

Women have a tendency to retain water, causing skin to look and feel more bloated. To keep water retention under control, it’s important for women to limit the amount of salt in their diets.

Men are gaining ground but still, women are more likely to undergo skin treatment procedures. Augmentation, dermabrasion and laser treatments all will change the skin’s appearance but too much will ultimately wreak havoc. Always weigh the risks versus the benefits before ‘going under the knife’.

Besides emotional ups and downs, wildly fluctuating hormones during pregnancy and menopause can cause changes in a woman’s skin.

Skin care during pregnancy

Take a look at the products you use to ensure they’re safe during pregnancy. Should you have any concerns, purchase products which are labeled safe to use during pregnancy.

Pregnancy can cause normal skin to become oily so you may have to change to skin care products that combat acne. Use toners and exfoliate to remove dead cells and deep clean pores. Continue to moisturize skin, especially your growing belly, to reduce chances of developing stretch marks.

Your feet are getting an extra workout so be sure to massage with a foot lotion containing refreshing menthol. Pigmentation sometimes changes during pregnancy, increasing the likelihood of sunburn/tan. Never forget to wear sunscreen to protect against damaging skin.

Skin care during menopause

Fluctuations in a woman’s progesterone and estrogen levels will cause skin to change. Facial hair may sprout and skin will start to sag, wrinkle and thin. It’s also drier due to slowed production of sebum. Interestingly, changing hormone levels may cause a new round of acne! Random dark spots and broken blood vessels will likely appear.

To counter the effects of dry skin, add humidity into the air, take shorter and warmer baths or showers and moisturize. Risks of skin cancer now increase so closely monitor moles and other skin discolorations. Most importantly, be vigilant about proper sun protection.

A booming industry, men’s skin care is finally making its way to the top of the agenda. Whether it’s something men are doing to help remain competitive or to help ward off the signs of growing old, men of all ages and all walks of life are starting to care about using the right types of products for their skin type.

Men’s skin differs from women’s in that it contains a higher percentage of collagen and elastin, so it’s thicker. Men’s sebaceous glands also work harder than a woman’s meaning that men’s skin generally is oilier.

Real men are concerned with skin care

Besides all the regular enemies of skin like the sun, poor diet and cold weather, men’s skin needs protection from the razor blade. Daily removal of facial hair requires the application of vitamin-rich shaving gel to protect skin from rashes and burns that sometimes result from shaving.

If you want to avoid having your appearance referred to as ‘weather beaten’ you had better start protecting your skin from the sun. Sunburns aren’t sexy and neither are the signs of premature aging. If surfers are man enough to walk around with heavy white zinc on their noses and lips, then you can be man enough to apply sunscreen when you’re outdoors golfing, fishing, working or playing.

General guidelines for men’s skin care

Begin the day by deep-cleaning your face to remove dirt and sweat. Cleanse again before going to bed. 

Exfoliate to remove dead skin cells and other pore-blocking grime. Exfoliating also will open your pores and that’s going to ensure a closer shave.

Before shaving, splash your face with warm water. That will make it easier to work up a good lather and it will soften skin. Take a few extra moments to really massage in the shaving cream. The massaging action will help stimulate blood flow in the dermis. Never use a dull blade to shave. And to ensure a close shave, always shave in the same direction as hair growth. Shaving in the opposite direction or shaving in both directions can leave you with skin that’s red and irritated. Finally, take your time when shaving. Even though you’ve done it most of your life, you still need to be careful.

Moisturizing is important to help skin seal in moisture. Plus, many shaving products dry skin. Choose moisturizing products that also condition skin such as those that contain vitamins or aloe vera.

It’s important to use after shave products that don’t contain alcohol. It’s too harsh and it’ll dry skin which is opposite of what you want.

Remember that your face isn’t the only part of your body that’s covered with skin. Keep all skin clean and moist, especially on your feet, elbows, arms and your hands. Soft hands are nice to hold.

And finally, live the good life. Eat right, exercise moderately, don’t smoke, and limit your intake of alcoholic beverages, all of which help keep skin healthy. That’s the part of men’s skin care you don’t often hear much about.

Baby skin care is more about preventing diaper rash than preventing acne, but nonetheless, it’s an important topic. People don’t often think about the need to care for a baby’s skin, perhaps because it’s so perfect. Few things feel more soft and supple. Proper baby skin care can mean the difference between a happy baby and one that’s constantly complaining.

Besides diaper and heat rash, babies can develop a condition called ‘cradle cap’. Baby skin dries easily and it can even sunburn because melanin production is low. And because of the surge in hormones at the time of birth, babies can break out in acne, although baby skin is far less oily than an adult’s.

General guidelines and tips on baby skin care

Start life off right by protecting your baby from ultraviolet exposure. Keep infants out of direct sunlight during the first few months. If you do go outside, be sure to cover the baby’s skin with protective clothing, a hat and baby sunglasses. Turn that into a habit and teach your child the importance of doing so as he or she grows older. Sunscreen products shouldn’t be applied until the baby is 6 months old, but after that, they’re absolutely necessary. Take care when riding in cars and when out for a stroll.

As for baby skin care, it won’t be hard to find products formulated especially for babies. Purchase these and use as directed. Adult skin care products are not recommended for babies. They’re far too harsh. You may have to switch laundry detergents if you find the one you’re using is irritating your baby’s skin.

Always change diapers as soon as possible. Urine and feces contain bacteria and must be washed away with warm water or baby wipes, otherwise infections can develop. Make sure wipes don’t contain alcohol which can dry out a baby’s skin. Remember to clean in the folds and also to dry this area gently but thoroughly. Diaper rash is very uncomfortable so apply an ointment or cream formulated especially for this common baby skin problem.

Moisturizing regularly with lotions and creams formulated for infants helps retain moisture. Excessive bathing isn’t necessary and in fact can sap a baby’s skin of moisture. Never use hot water for bathing. Like adults, babies prefer warm water. If your baby has cradle cap which resembles scaly dirty-looking skin, gently scrub top of head with a soft brush. If cradle cap doesn’t go away, have the baby’s physician take a look. Wind and cold can also cause dry skin so protect your baby when outside. If the air in your home is dry, consider getting a humidifier to add moisture.

Because a baby’s skin doesn’t yet perspire properly, babies aren’t efficient at controlling their body temperatures. Sometimes, heat rashes can develop. Be sure to dress babies in comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that’s appropriate for the temperature to avoid these rashes that resemble red patches or pinkish-red bumps.
Good habits begin early and it’s never too soon to develop a proper baby skin care routine!

Skin aging and wrinkles are a person’s two worst enemies. Although there is little one can do to prevent these tell-tale signs of aging, there are ways to delay their appearance. Skin begins the aging process almost from the moment you’re born, so if you want to control skin aging and wrinkles, start early!

Causes of skin aging and wrinkles

Over time, the important skin components elastin and collagen start to break apart and skin begins to lose its elasticity, its underlying structure and its ability to spring back into shape. Cell reproduction slows with age causing fat cells and oil glands to atrophy. As this happens, production of emulsions designed to keep skin moist slows and skin starts to become dry. Add in the effects of gravity and soon the jowls, arms and eyelids begin to sag. 

Several other environmental factors contribute to the onset of skin aging and wrinkles. Cigarette smoking, air pollution, laughing and frowning, and unprotected exposure to the sun all play a role. What’s different about these environmental factors is that most are within a person’s ability to control. So while there is no way (as of yet) to stop the aging process, the factors that contribute to its acceleration can be stopped.

Skin aging and wrinkling can be slowed by always protecting the skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays. These rays can penetrate unprotected layers of skin. They produce radiation which can seriously and permanently damage the cells that form skin tissue. UVA rays are believed capable of releasing oxidants, unstable particles that cause extensive cell damage.

Cigarette smoking promotes the release of oxidants as well. Oxidants slow the production of new collagen and elastin. Known also as free radicals, the best way to protect against their negative effects is to consume a diet rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Smoking also restricts the blood flow in the epidermis so skin doesn’t get the quantity of nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

The repetitive nature of cigarette smoking, specifically the repetitive contraction of the muscles surrounding the mouth, accelerates skin aging and wrinkling as do the muscle contractions that occur when laughing and frowning. Air pollution contributes to wrinkles by depriving the skin of Vitamin E, another important antioxidant.

Skin care for anti-aging and wrinkles

Keeping skin clean and moist is the best skin care regime for anti-aging and wrinkles. It’s better than most of the higher-priced solutions that promise to end wrinkling. Wash with warm water and gentle cleaner and pat skin dry so some moisture remains. Hot water and harsh soaps deplete skin of essential oils and increase dryness. Also avoid products with dyes or perfumes which may further irritate skin. Gently remove eye makeup as the skin surrounding the eyes is very delicate and prone to wrinkling. And there you have it – simple, inexpensive skin care for anti-aging and wrinkles.

Aging is an unstoppable process and unfortunately, so are wrinkles. So protect your skin by living a healthy lifestyle. Eat right, exercise, don’t smoke and avoid excess alcohol consumption.

Contrary to what you might have heard, sensitive skin isn’t considered a medical condition. When someone says he or she has sensitive skin, it typically means the skin has become irritated, red, swollen and/or itchy as a result of either an environmental condition or use of a certain product. The term is also used to describe changes to a person’s skin in response to allergic reactions.

Why can skin be sensitive?

Although there are several reasons why skin can be sensitive, the most common is that skin is reacting negatively to a certain product or possibly some combination of products. Think about your daily skin care regime, specifically the number of products you use. Soaps, cleansers, toners, blemish reducers, blemish concealers, foundation, blush, facial masks, after shave lotion – the list never ends! You probably use products that are made by a number of different manufacturers, too. While your intentions are good, some skin cannot tolerate such an assault.

Causes of sensitive skin

Trying to pinpoint the cause of sensitive skin is not always as simple as discontinuing use of a certain product. Because of the nature of sensitive skin, it can take hours or even days before the signs of sensitivity are visible. And the sensitivity may not be caused by a product. Exposure to the sun can create skin problems, as can extremely hot water. Your laundry detergent, fabric softeners, shampoo, perfume, hair spray, and even the household cleaning products you use can be the culprit. Certain foods and even some plants can cause symptoms of an allergic reaction as well.

Healthy skin is less sensitive because it’s able to act as an effective barrier. Sunburned skin, skin that’s excessively dry and skin that is otherwise damaged tends to be more sensitive. That’s one reason why people who don’t normally have sensitive skin develop skin sensitivity during winter months when dry, cold air strips skin of its protective moisture.

How to treat sensitive skin

Before sensitive skin can be treated, it’s important to figure out the underlying cause of the problem. It may be necessary to seek the advice of a dermatologist as you may have a skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis or rosacea. Here are some tips for treating sensitive skin.

Start reading product labels – the fewer ingredients, the better. Avoid products containing alcohol, fragrances, botanicals, antibacterial, ethanol and propylene glycol.

Spot test new facial products before applying to entire face. Apply a few dabs behind ears for 5 days, and if there’s no reaction, apply beside eyes for another 5 days. If all goes well, full facial coverage likely will be safe.  

Choose natural fabrics for pillowcases and washcloths like 100% cotton or silk instead of synthetic materials. Check your ‘cotton’ balls, too. Some look like cotton but really are polyester.

Eat a balanced diet to ensure skin gets the nutrients it needs to remain healthy.

Keep skin moist and always apply sun protection.

Gently clean skin. Avoid harsh products like scrubbing mitts, excessively hot water and abrasive exfoliating products.