Beauty Basics Tips

whatever your skin type, the key is to cleanse it gently.
-- Avoid hot water and use lukewarm instead, to prevent over-drying.
-- And throw in the towel – traditional washcloths are too abrasive for the face, so use your hands and fingers.
Sixty-eight-percent of women claim to have sensitive skin which means dry, tight, chapped or easily irritated skin.
-- Moisturize regularly.
-- Avoid harsh cleansers with ingredients such as fragrances, dyes and preservatives because sensitive skin is easily damaged and takes longer to recover.
If your skin is dry and easily irritated, don't wash more than once a day. You may risk stripping the skin of its natural oils.
-- Look for non-irritating cleansing washes that are soap-free.
-- Use light, oil-free, water-based moisturizers to help maintain the skin’s natural barrier.
-- Make sure to choose a facial moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15, which protects against both UVB and UVA rays.
Skin sensitivity may also result from the third most common, non-surgical skin care procedure known as Microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is a quick and easy, non-invasive procedure that helps to reveal healthier-looking skin by sweeping away dead skin cells.
-- Dr. Franks reveals that, following the treatment, the best way to avoid irritation is by opting for an ultra-gentle cleanser and moisturizer.
-- A new clinical study shows that PURPOSE gentle cleansing wash and dual treatment moisture lotion with spf 15 are compatible with this procedure.
How else can you obtain optimal skin health? Dr. Franks says, “Exercise opens up blood vessels to make skin look healthy and youthful. It's so important for healthy skin.”
-- Regular cardiovascular exercise increases blood flow to the skin which assists in collagen production.
-- Maintaining muscle mass through exercise can also help anchor and support skin, keeping it taut.
-- And drink up! At least eight, eight-ounce glasses of water a day are crucial for optimal skin hydration.

10 Steps to a Perfectly Clean Face

1. Cleanse twice a day, no more. Unless you have exposed your skin to excessive dust, grime or pollution, twice-a-day cleansing is more than adequate for any skin type. Cleansing too often strips your skin of precious natural oils. Not cleansing regularly, particularly before you retire for the night, may lead to build-up and eruptions.

2. Choose a cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type.  A too-rich cleanser can clog pores, while a too-dry cleanser can irritate the skin. A cleanser for dry skin should contain nourishing herbs and oils. One for oily skin should include herbs that balance oil production and support clarity. Sensitive skin benefits from an ultra-gentle, fragrance-free, non-irritating cleanser.

3. Always cleanse with tepid water. Hot water dries and damages skin over time, and cold water won’t dissolve and take away embedded dirt and grime as well as lukewarm water.

4. If you use sponges or washcloths, make sure they are clean and soft. They are not necessary for effective cleansing: your fingertips can do just as good a job.

5. Wash your hands thoroughly before you cleanse your face, or you will be working dirt into facial skin. Use a headband to secure hair away from the face.

6. Start by splashing tepid water on your face and neck.

7. Apply the cleanser with your fingertips or a soft sponge, using gentle circular massaging strokes and moving upward on the face and neck. Do not scrub too much…gentle massaging strokes are enough to help improve circulation as well as loosen grime and old surface skin cells. Too much scrubbing will stretch skin and irritate it, especially the delicate skin around the eyes.

8. Rinse with lots of tepid water. Don’t forget to rinse off cleanser from the neck and hairline. Cleanser residue can clog pores and attract dirt.

9. Gently blot off excess water with a soft towel. Do not scrub dry or drag towel along skin.

10. Follow immediately with a water-based toner and a moisturizer appropriate for your skin type to seal in surface moisture and offer nourishment when skin is receptive.

The Natural soap is really natural?

When I talk to my new friend about natural soap one day, she told me that she also used natural soap year ago. She also mentions me the brand name of soap that she been used. As I know that brand of soap on their brochure it mentions quite a few times, about the ingredients used in their products being natural. We tend to take for granted that if a company says their products are natural, then that makes them chemical free. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

Some brand names of soap do contain various natural ingredients, but what else they also have? Moreover, some of which are even more toxic in the products

A report published in the Journal of The American College of Toxicology, showed that concentrations as low as 0.5% could cause irritation and concentrations of 10-30% caused skin corrosion and severe irritation. Some soap has concentrations of up to 30%, which the ACT report called "highly irritating and dangerous". Studies have indicated that SLS enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs and brain from skin contact. Other research has indicated sodium lauryl sulfate may be damaging to the immune system, especially within the skin and can cause irritation to the skin, eyes or lungs.
The Chemical and Beauty Industry tell us that "small" quantities of chemicals are "safe" to use on our skin. Think about what happens if we are using these chemicals EACH AND EVERY DAY?