HEALTH AND BEAUTY CARE


April 15, 2007

Cosmetics: Precautions to take when buying and using cosmetics

Filed under: Skin care — Marc @ 3:13 pm

Cosmetics: Precautions to take when buying and using cosmetics

Cosmetics need to be accompanied with caution when deciding to put on any type of cream or beauty product over the skin.  Most women think nothing of the possible undetected allergic reactions and aging problems that come with using cosmetics on both their face and body. 

To help alleviate consumers’ concerns though, many products have the term “hypoallergenic” on the packages.  They market these products to you as if  just because it is “hypoallergenic”, then there is no need to worry about skin problems.  The truth is that there is no standardized test or method that can back up a claim like this.

Also be wary of products that state “Dermatologist Approved” or “Allergy Tested”.  These marketing labels do not offer any guarantee that your skin will not have adverse reactions from the cosmetics.  And of course, the word “natural” is another great way to pull in the consumer into a mindset of false safety.

Below are some helpful guidelines for safe cosmetic use:

1.  Always wash your hands and face before applying cosmetics.

2.  Eye cosmetics should be thrown away after 6 months.

3.  Mascara should be thrown away after 3 months.

4.  Do not use the samples of cosmetics that are open when you visit the store.  One survey conducted found that almost 6% were infected with contaminants like fungus.

5.  Any makeup that smells funny or has lost its constancy should be thrown away.

6.  If you discover and eye infection, do not use makeup.  Also, throw away all makeup that you used prior the the infection.  They may be contaminated.

Technorati , , , ,

April 9, 2007

Bathing tips to prevent damaging “over-washed” skin

Filed under: Skin care — Marc @ 3:06 pm

You do it everyday – washing, shaving, shampooing, clipping your nails, washing and drying your hair.  Personal grooming, for most people, is a series of well-entrenched habits.  Have you ever considered whether you are making the most out of these daily rituals?  Would you be willing to change your routine if doing so made your skin, hair, and nails look more attractive and created a better-looking you? Most adults whom are over thirty commit one big mistake when it comes to washing:  The do too much of it.  A shower in the morning, another after the gym, maybe even one before bedtime.  The average women spends twelve minutes in the shower.  That’s too long.  Cut your time in the shower to five minutes for your skin’s sake. Americans especially are personal hygiene maniacs – terrified of missing a daily bath, revolted by the thought of anything but a well-scrubbed, antiseptic body.  Too much washing results not just in cleanliness but in itchy, irritated skin, particularly in the winter months. The term “over-washed skin” is used to describe a large subset of people with dry skin whose problem comes from spending too much time in the shower. 

Below are bathing tips that many can benefit from: 1.  Avoid using a washcloth on delicate areas, especially the mucous membranes. 2.  Use medium-warm water in the shower.  The cooler the better, but not too cold. 3.  If you have normal to dry skin, use Dove Unscented or Basis for Sensitive Skin on your body and either a soap free cleanser or nothing at all on mucous membranes. 4.  If you tend to have oily skin, then use a deodorant soap such as Dial, Safeguard, or Lever 2000 on any part of your body that tends to be oily – usually the back or chest. 5.  Skin a shower as often as you can.  This may not seem like appealing advice but the more time you have in between showers the better.  Skip a shower for a whole day once or twice a week, especially in the winter. Allow your skin to produce and maintain its natural oils.

Technorati , , , , ,

April 2, 2007

How to use essential oils for your skin

Filed under: Skin care — Marc @ 3:01 pm

How to use essential oils for your skin

Essential oils have been around for thousands of years and are derived from plants.  The oils are extracted from the seeds, roots, leaves, and even the skins of the plants.  In fact, the oils are what gives plants and flowers its fragrances.

What are found inside these essential oils?  Hormones, vitamins, and other natural elements are found within essential oils.  The oils vary in concentration when in their natural form.  Synthetic oils, by contrast, are man-made but have a more consistent composition.  We hear from the experts that synthetic and natural essential oils work equally well.Nobody knows exactly how essential oils work, but we do know that they are absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream.  The best access on the skin to administer essential oils is the eyelids, inside the wrist, and behind the ears.  These areas on the skin are thin, which allows for easier absorption. The best essential oils for your skin are: 1.  If you have Hormonally or Stress Reactive skin: lavender, geranium, ylang-ylang, and jasmine. 2.  If you are interested in using Environmentally Sensitive oils: chamomile, rose.3.  For Overexposed or Hearty: geranium, neroli, frankincense.Joni Loughran, in “Aromatherapy for Skin and Hair Care,” recommends these simple strategies for essential skin care: 1.  Drop eight to ten drops of essential oil for your skin profile in the bath.  Use warm water to relax or cool water to invigorate or calm inflammation.2.  Massage your body with essential oil.  Add twenty to twenty-five drops of essential oil to two ounces of canola or other vegetable.  If your skin tends to break out, rinse with a mild soap-and-water shower after the massage. 3.  Make a facial compress:  Add two to five drops of essential oil to a basin filled with water, stir, then immerse a clean washcloth.  Squeeze out excess water and apply cloth to face.4.  Add essential oil to simple moisturizing products, ten to twenty drops for every two ounces. 

Technorati , , , , ,