Let us face it. We live in a world, which prizes youthfulness. Retinol face creams are widely acclaimed to firm up the skin, moisturize, remove fine lines, and otherwise maintain a youthful appearance, as women grow older. Even men are snapping up retinol-based grooming products. They want to look young, too. This all begs the questions on how to choose one of these products.
Retinol can be found in some foods, but the one most widely in use by the cosmetics industry is an animal form of vitamin A. It was initially developed to prevent acne. It penetrates the skin, promotes skin turnover and increases the amount of collagen. The result: significantly improved skin. As news of the effectiveness of these types products spread, this astonishing substance quickly found its way into skin care products ranging from facials, night and day creams to exfoliation products cellulite removal to sun screens. Want to remove the dark circles under the eyes? There are retinol products for that. Puffy eyes? Go no further. The market for anti aging wrinkle cream is enormous and growing larger. There are enough testimonials on beneficial results for these products that it is clear that we are not talking about snake oil. The good products do work. In addition, the best way of finding the perfect anti aging cream or other skin care product is to do your homework.
Do you know what kind of skin you have? People with extremely sensitive skin should proceed with care. The experts recommend starting slowly using products with lower levels of retinol. If dry skin is the problem, some experts recommend using these products every other night. As innocent as vitamin A can sound, it cannot be overemphasized that these products should not be abused. More is not better. If you are doing your own research, be prepared to make several changes on the way to finding what works best.
Do you know how much you want to pay? The most effective products are prescription-strength, so for quick results a visit to the dermatologist would be in order. Mass-market products are found everywhere from the big-box stores to the high-end specialty stores, and the prices fluctuate. You get what you pay for in general, but there are web sites that can point the way to value. Look for the highest concentrations of retinol in products on store shelves if you do not see a dermatologist, and you want the fastest results. The key substance you want to look for appears under a number of names: Tretinoin, Adapalene or Isotretinoin, are all topical retinoids.
Using non-prescription strength products will require more time see a difference, but your wallet will suffer less. Staying with well-known brands in the drugstore is the best chance of getting a good formulation. The large companies are spending big bucks on the anti-aging formulas.
Are you ready for the bad side effects? Sensitive skin may react to initial applications by peeling. Dryness and redness are common side effects. Women who are pregnant, planning to get pregnant or breast-feeding should consult their physicians. There are topical products that are not recommended for them.
There is no cure for aging. There is only motivation to slow the process of aging. Retinol products, in the right formulation for your skin and used according to direction, deliver on the promise of youthful looking skin for as long as Mother Nature permits. Now one can believe in that bargain.
One of the most annoying things in the whole world is chapped lips! A lot of people experience this when the weather changes and it can be a nightmare. Chapped lips can become so bad that they are painful, cracked and even bleeding. There are many products out there that claim to help with chapped lips, but some of them don’t provide the healing benefits that you need. Chapped lips can also be a perfect entering point for infections, and that is never a good thing. There are some things that you can do to prevent and heal your chapped lips.
Don’t lick your lips! In colder weather or extremely hot dry weather, licking your lips can cause them to become chapped. If they feel dry, rub on some shea butter for moisture. This will not only hydrate your lips, but provides a protective barrier against cold weather and wind, which can easily chap your lips. Shea Butter is all natural, and it is perfectly safe to use on your lips. In fact, a lot of people eat Shea Butter in chocolates, or as an alternative to butter and oil!
Another thing that Shea Butter does is help heal lips that are already chapped. It is widely known for protection and healing of many different things, like scrapes, cuts, bruises and mild burns. It has anti inflammatory and anti bacterial properties which speed up healing and provide some much needed relief to aching chapped lips. If your lips are chapped, simply rub Shea Butter into them the same way you would rub lip balm on.
Shea Butter is also great for making your lips soft and healthy. If you have rough lips, simply use Shea Butter several times a day or as needed. It is great for softening skin and healing dry skin. If you want your lips to be very soft, Shea Butter is one of the few all natural ingredients that will soften, heal, and protect dry and rough lips. Never be afraid to give your sweet heart a kiss again!
Often times, in windy weather, our lips and skin can become wind burned. Similarly, in the sun, they can become sunburned. Shea Butter contains natural latex which protects against windy weather, and natural sunscreen that will save them from the sun! Shea Butter is a product that can be utilized for many different things. Keep your lips healthy, soft, and protected with Shea Butter!
For more information about Shea Butter, Visit Purely Shea at http://www.purelyshea.com
The secret to natural facial skin care is a daily routine that involves cleansing, toning and moisturizing. A skin care routine is good for both men and women, just take a look at the market which is expanding with more skin care products designed specifically for men.
Consider each of the three steps to start a skin care face wash that will improve your skin.
First you need to select a cleanser to use for your skin care face wash. The product you choose will depend greatly on your type of skin. If you are using soaps you should choose one that is specifically formulated for the face. For those with oily skin you shouldn’t use soap.
Another option is creams, milks or lotions. These will typically work for all skin types, but are best for those with dry skin. Then there are wipes which are good for the hard to reach spots such as behind the ears or to make a quick clean up of your face if you need to remove makeup or sweat.
Again, there is exfoliants which work to gently remove dead skin cells. Just don’t overuse these products since they can interrupt the skin’s balance and cause redness or sore patches.
Next in the natural facial skin care program is toning. By using a toner after cleaning you can be sure that you get rid of all makeup, dirt and cleanser. If a toner leaves you feeling dry or taut then you should find a gentler toner. Ones that are designed specifically for oily skin have more alcohol than those designed for dry skin.
The final step in a natural skin care face wash regimen is moisturizing. Moisturizing is required by all skin types since it replaces lost moisture and prevents additional moisture loss which can be caused by direct sunlight, pollution or other such environmental causes.
Following these three steps to a natural facial skin care program can greatly improve the condition of your skin.
You may be surprised to learn that oatmeal; yes that wonderful cereal we enjoy for breakfast, (or maybe not!), is one of the best natural treatments for dry skin. Plain rolled oats, can be used to make a gentle and very effective natural skin cleanser, facial scrub, and soothing facial mask. An excellent multi-purpose skin care treatment, oatmeal helps to relieve dryness, restoring natural moisture balance to aid in healing minor irritations due to the many causes and sources of skin sensitivities. Minor skin irritations can be caused by sensitivities to the ingredients in skin care products, exposure to chemicals found in household cleaning products, exfoliation with the wrong product, excessive scrubbing or rubbing during the exfoliation process, and many other factors. Cleansing the face with oatmeal helps to soothe skin irritation and reduce discomfort.
Oatmeal, when used as a skin cleanser, actually absorbs and removes surface dirt and impurities while providing very gentle exfoliation, leaving skin smooth, soft, and clean, without soap. As a facial mask, oatmeal deep cleanses pores without irritating and drying out skin. And as a facial scrub, oatmeal gently but effectively removes dead skin cells, to reveal softer, smoother looking skin. In addition, cleansing and exfoliating with oatmeal provides the bonus of a natural, healthy glow.
To enjoy the beauty benefits of oatmeal skin care you will need:
- Rolled oats (not instant) – found in the supermarket cereal section
- Blender or food processor
Directions: Grind oats in blender or food processor until oats have the consistency of flour. Pour into a jar, cover tightly, and use as follows:
Oatmeal Facial Cleanser & Scrub: Pour a small amount of ground oatmeal into palm, and add a little water to make a paste. Apply to face and throat and massage onto skin. Rinse. Follow with moisturizer.
Oatmeal Facial Mask: Pour a small amount of ground oatmeal into palm, and add a little water to make a paste. (For a more moisturizing mask, use milk instead of water.) Apply to face and throat and leave on skin for about 5 minutes. Rinse. Follow with moisturizer.
Oatmeal Lemon Facial Mask: Add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to oatmeal and make a paste. Apply to face and throat and leave on skin for 5 minutes. Rinse. Follow with moisturizer. Weekly use of Oatmeal Lemon Facial Mask can help to bleach dark spots and freckles naturally. Lemon juice contains citric acid and vitamin C that functions as natural alpha hydroxy acids to help dissolve dead skin cells for brighter, more even toned skin.
Caution: Fresh lemon juice can cause a tingling sensation that may become uncomfortable. For sensitive skin, dilute lemon juice with an equal amount of water before mixing into oatmeal and applying to skin. If tingling becomes severe, rinse skin immediately with warm water.
Do not use Oatmeal Lemon Facial Mask after exfoliating skin.
Note: This information is not intended to be used to treat, heal, or cure any medical condition. Please consult your physician with any health issues you may have.