Showing posts with label SKIN CARE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SKIN CARE. Show all posts

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Basic Beauty Tips To Have A Glowing Skin...


The basic beauty tips to have a glowing skin are as follows:


1. When out in the sun or indoors in a summer morning, use a sunscreen lotion with a minimum SPF 30.

2. Give-up smoking if you want to say a final good-bye to ageing.

3. Please drink lots of water to keep your skin hydrated and to reduce wrinkles.

4. Use retinoic acid daily to save your skin from sun damage and ageing.

5. A regular intake of Vitamin C, preferably in terms of fruits will provide you with natural collagen.

6. Use a moisturizer with SPF combination daily to keep your skin hydrated

You can bet on these for a naturally glowing skin that says no to any artificial repairs.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Tips for Dry Skin Care...


During the cold months of the year is when many people experience "winter itch," caused by dry, flaky skin.

How To Avoid Winter Itch:

* Moisturize daily. Cream moisturizers are best for normal to dry skin. A moisturizer without perfume or lanolin is best for sensitive skin.

*
Don't overdo skin cleansing. Once a day is sufficient to wash your face, hands, feet and between the folds of your skin. You can rinse your trunk, arms and legs daily, but don't use cleanser or soap on these areas every day. Too much cleansing removes the skin's natural moisturizers.

*
If you have winter itch, take short, lukewarm showers or baths and use non-irritating, non-detergent-based cleansers. Immediately after your shower or bath, apply a water-in-oil-type moisturizer and gently pat your skin dry.

*
Household humidifiers can help prevent dry skin.

*
Protect yourself from the wind by covering your face and using a natural oil based lip balm.

*
Try to avoid extreme cold, which can cause frostbite or skin disorders in some people.

*
Protect your skin from the sun. Winter sun can be as dangerous as summer sun. Use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater.

*
Twenty to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week can give your skin a healthy glow.

*
If you have persistent dry skin, itching or scaling, see your dermatologist.

Care To Be Taken For Oily Skin...


Oily skin is caused by over-active glands, which produce too much sebum. Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands. It is necessary as it helps lubricate your skin and carries away dead skin cells. When the skin is oily, too much sebum is being produced. This article tells you:

* What are the problems faced by people having oily skin?
* How food intake and oily skin are associated?
* What causes oily skin?

The right oily skin care is essential for anyone with oily skin. Oily skin does not look healthy and is prone to skin problems like acne. It is important that such skin be given proper treatment for oily skin.

What is oily skin and how is it caused?

Oily skin is caused by over-active glands, which produce too much sebum. Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands. It is necessary as it helps lubricate your skin and carries away dead skin cells. When the skin is oily, too much sebum is being produced. The skin becomes dull and greasy and pores may become clogged.

The extra secretion of sebum can be caused by many factors. Heredity, diet, birth control pills and the wrong cosmetics can all cause oily skin. Hormonal balances can also affect the production of sebum, which is why oily skin is often common in teenagers, pregnant women or women going through menopause.

Problems Faced by People with Oily Skin:

People with oily skin often suffer from skin problems, like blemishes, acnes, black heads, white heads and pimples. Enlarged and clogged pores may be a problem. Oily skin often looks dull and shiny. With the right oily skin treatment, it is possible to treat such problems.

How to have less oily skin:

Oily skin, and the problems it brings, can be minimized. Thorough cleansing can prevent some of the problems associated with oily skin, as it removes the dirt and dust and stops the pores becoming clogged. As make-up can also clog pores, it is important that all make-up is removed before going to bed. Here are some more tips on how to have less oily skin.

NATURAL METHODS:

Natural oily skin care can be very effective. Food intake, proper hydration, herbal care and other natural remedies can all help provide the proper treatment for oily skin.

Food Intake:

To improve your oily skin through nutrition, eat plenty of foods that are rich in protein. Include lots of leafy vegetables and fresh fruit. Vitamin B2 can help prevent oily skin, so include good sources of B2 by eating wheat germs, whole grains, beans and nuts.

Cut down on the amount of sugar and fat in your diet, and avoid soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, chocolate and fried food.

Hydration:

People sometimes make the mistake that oily skin does not need to be hydrated, but oil is not moisture. Keep your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water. A good moisturizer, that is suited to oily skin, can also help keep your oily skin hydrated.

OUTRAGEOUS ( SHERLYN CHOPRA ) - Indipop Video Song Watch Online / Download


Homemade Cleansing Creams:


1. Almond cleansing cream:


Ingredients:

* White bee wax - 120 gm
* Almond oil - 500 ml
* Rose water - 1 cup
* Borax powder - 1 teaspoon

Heat the bee wax in a saucepan. When it melts, add almond oil, borax powder and rose water. Mix them thoroughly and keep stirring till the mixture cools. It can be refrigerated for a long time.

2. Almond cleansing cream:

Ingredients:

* Sweet almond oil - 1 cup
* Bitter almond oil - 1 cup
* Sodium benzoate - 1 teaspoon
* Honey dew soap - 30 gm

Mix all the ingredients except sodium benzoate over a low flame. When the mixture cools down, add sodium benzoate. Store it in a bottle under refrigeration.

3. Almond cleansing cream:

Ingredients:

* Sweet almond oil - 1 cup
* Ground almond - 120 gm
* Egg yolk - 4 eggs
* Honey - 250 gm
* Sodium benzoate - 1 teaspoon

Beat egg yolk and honey. Mix almond oil and powder making them into a paste. Now blend the beaten egg and honey to the paste of almond oil and add sodium benzoate too. This cream can be kept under refrigeration for 1 – 2 months.

4. Cucumber cleansing cream:

Ingredients:

* Bee wax - 30 gm
* Spermaceti - 30 gm
* Olive oil - 500 ml
* Cucumber juice - ½ cup
* Sodium benzoate - 1 teaspoon

Put a bowl in an open pot filled with boiling water. Pour spermaceti and bee wax in the bowl. After they have melted remove the bowl from the pot. Pour olive oil and cucumber juice. Keep stirring. While the mixture is still warm, add sodium benzoate.

5. Oatmeal cleansing cream:

Ingredients:

* Buttermilk - ½ cup
* Oatmeal - 60 gm
* Sodium benzoate - 1 teaspoon

Mix sodium benzoate in the buttermilk and add oatmeal to the mixture. Make a fine paste and the cleansing cream is prepared.

(Buttermilk is residue liquid from which butter has been separated)

6. Chamomile cleansing cream:

Ingredients:

* Chamomile flowers - 50 gm
* Distilled water - 500 ml
* Lemon juice - 1 teaspoon
* Sodium benzoate - ½ teaspoon

Put chamomile flowers and water in a saucepan over a low flame for 10 – 15 minutes. Strain and let it cool. Add lemon juice and sodium benzoate. Keep it in a bottle under refrigeration.

7. Rose petal cleansing cream:

Ingredients:
* 50 gm rose petals
* 500 ml distilled water
* 1 teaspoon lemon juice
* ½ teaspoon sodium benzoate

Pour hot distilled water over the rose petals, and keep on low flame for 10 minutes. Strain and cool. Add the lemon juice and sodium benzoate. Stir well and keep in a refrigerator.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

HOMEMADE FACE PACKS FOR DRY SKIN


Face Packs for Dry Skin:


Mint face pack:


Ingredients:


* Take one teaspoon of mint powder
* One tablespoon of yogurt
* One tablespoon of multani mitti

Soak multani mitti and mint powder in yoghurt for half an hour. Then mix them well by beating. Apply it on face for 15 minutes and leave it to dry. When dried wash off with lukewarm water. Then rinse by cold water.

Egg face pack:

Ingredients:

* Egg yolk of one egg
* One teaspoon of milk powder
* Half teaspoon of honey

Beat the egg yolk, mix the milk powder and honey in it. Beat again. When a paste of medium thickness is obtained, apply it on the face. When it is dry, wash off with lukewarm water.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Vitamin C May Slow Skin Wrinkles...


Researchers now report that people who eat plenty of vitamin C-rich foods have fewer wrinkles than people whose diets contained little of the vitamin.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which means that it can combat the effects of free radicals in your body and on your skin. Free radicals are the unstable molecules in the environment that can cause aging of the skin. So, when vitamin C is properly delivered into skin cells, there is a good chance to reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture.

However, eating a bag of oranges every week is not going to bring about the desired results for your skin. In order to see the benefits of vitamin C on the outside of your body, you will need to find a way to combine a healthy diet that is rich in vitamin C with skin care products that contain this important nutrient. Scientists have now discovered how to use a variety of vitamin C derivatives in skin care products that will bring about the same benefits as natural vitamin C with less of the ingredient required for results.

Apart from intake of vitamin c there are also other ways to protect skin from damage and keep it glowing. Free radicals which damage the skin are accumulated due to excessive sun exposure, cigarette smoke and environmental pollutants. Hence, skin has to be protected against these. Have plenty of water, when people are dehydrated wrinkles are much more noticeable. Use sunscreen and a good night moisturizer.

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Tips To Have a Baby Soft Skin...


Don't you hate having dry, ashy, or rough skin? By taking on a few simple habits, you can be well on your way to having baby-smooth skin.

STEPS:

1. Cleanse your skin once a day with soap, water, and a soft sponge.

2. The MOST important step- Ex-fo-li-ate! Exfoliate once a week or once a fortnight if you have sensitive skin. It will remove dead skin cells, dirt and oil and will leave your skin baby soft!

3. Pat dry with a towel. Don't rub or scrub - this damages your skin and also creates wrinkles later on in life.

4. Apply lotion or cream before you leave the steam-filled bathroom. This is the best time to moisturize your skin because your pores are still open and your skin is still moist.

5. Wear sunblock if you're going to step outside of your house. One of the reasons babies have such soft skin is that they haven't been exposed to the harmful effects of UV rays!

6. Moisturize especially dry or tough areas, especially the feet, elbows, knees, and hands, right before going to sleep.

7. Drink half your weight in ounces of water every day. For example, if you weigh 140 lbs., you should drink 70 ounces of water every day. This will keep your skin hydrated from the inside out.

8. Take a daily multivitamin to help your skin fight off damage and wrinkles.

9. After your shower put baby oil on your skin. Another step that is important to getting baby soft skin!

10. If you take a bath put 5 capfuls of baby oil in the water

11. After bath or shower dry skin and put on lotion

12. Put on powder after bath or shower

TIPS:

* Gentle, unscented soaps are best for your skin.

* Remember that your skin is your body's largest and most vulnerable organ. Take good care of it!

* In step 4 one can use baby oil, preferably with aloe vera and vitamin E, instead of lotion. Make sure there is some water left on the skin after patting dry, simply to avoid excessive oiliness.

* Add a handful of sugar to your favorite lotion and mix. Rub it into your dry skin and then towel it off.


Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Homemade Skin Cleanser

Save face (and neck) with this soothing and moisturizing treatment.


Unless you spend the summer at the movies, your skin is bound to suffer. Sun, sweat, and wind can leave the skin on your face irritated, greasy, parched—in other words, a mess. To the rescue: this Yogurt-Honey Cleanser created by Linda Collins of Salon Blue in Carle Place, New York. "The lactic acid in yogurt softens and soothes the skin," Collins says, "while the honey cleanses and moisturizes it."


What you need :

1 cup plain yogurt
2 ½ tablespoons of unflavored honey
teaspoon lemon juice (for oily skin)
Cotton pads (optional)
Warm water


How to get started :

* In a bowl, mix together the yogurt and honey. (For oily skin, add teaspoon lemon juice to help absorb excess oil.) You might want to patch-test the mixture first, behind one ear. Wait one hour, watching for any irritation.

* With clean hands or cotton pads, apply the mask liberally to your freshly washed face and neck (even your décolletage), and leave on for 5 minutes.

* Rinse well with warm water, lightly pat dry, and follow with your favorite moisturizer. Repeat one or two times a week.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Asian Beauty Secrets


Asian women are one of the most beautiful women in the world. Their beauty is due not only to the genetics but also to the way they take care of their skin and the procedures they do to maintain their beauty.

The traditional anti-aging products (creams, moisturizers, serums, masks) that are widely spread in USA and Europe are focused mainly on decreasing the signs of aging – wrinkles, fine lines, age spots. In other words these anti-aging products affect only the surface of the skin. Unlike the western medicine, the traditional Chinese medicine pay special attention to the whole body, as well as to the factors that lead to premature aging. The Chinese medicine pay attention to the internal organs, the presence of toxins in the body, the body energy.

We offer you a few simple and easy steps that include homemade masks, exotic foods and products that can transform your skin to a new, better level.

Panex Ginseng:

Panex Ginseng, known also as Ginseng is one universal “remedy“ widely used in the Asian countries. Ginseng contains many powerful molecules that drop away tiredness and stress in the body. It is rich in antioxidants that neutralize the free radicals which can seriously affect the skin. Ginseng also contains large amounts of natural steroids which are essential for the production of new skin cells.
According to the traditional Chinese medicine Panex Ginseng nourish the heart, the lungs, the spleen, the kidneys and the liver. Ginseng improvers the metabolism and the blood circulation – the two factors that are essential for healthy skin cells and for a younger looking skin.

How to use Panex Ginseng:

Buy 50g. Panex Ginseng (you can find it at the drugstore) and infuse it with 120ml. mineral water. Put the water and the ginseng in a pan and steam it for approximately 30 minutes. Drink ½ of the liquid before breakfast and consume the rest of it in the next day. Do this every other day for about two/ three week to achieve best results.

Pearl Beauty:

Asian women use pearl powder for centuries to keep their skin healthy-looking and to keep it nourished. The pearl powder contains amino acids and other elements that rejuvenate the skin.
The pearl powder soothes inflamed tissues, promotes healing and works especially well for those with sensitive skin as it calms inflammation, redness and skin irritations. The Asian women take pearl powder internally or apply it topically to smooth their skin and to maintain a younger appearance. Look for the Chinese Pearl Powder celled Zhen Zhu Mo.

How to use Pearl Powder:

Mix 1 tbsp. pearl powder with a yolk of egg and ½ tbsp. acacia honey. Add 2/ 3 tbsp. water if necessarily to mix the ingredients well. Apply the mixture to your face for approximately 20 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Rejuvenating foods:

Asian women have always included the healthiest foods (that slow down the aging process, improve skin’s elasticity and decrease the number of wrinkles) in their diet. These include dates, honey, cherries, rice, cucumbers, avocados, Chinese mushrooms. The Chinese mushrooms for example, not only rejuvenate the skin but they are also rich in vitamin B, iron, calcium, magnesium. The Chinese mushrooms have a wholesome effect on the blood, the heart and the lungs. These mushrooms have been recently researched and for their medicinal benefits, most notably for their anti-tumor properties. So buy Chinese mushrooms and cook them at home. Here you can find very interesting and easy to cook recipes with Chinese mushrooms.

Try acupressure:

Acupressure is an ancient healing and rejuvenating “art“ that stimulates the body’s self-curative abilities. Acupressure involves placing physical pressure by hand, elbow or with the aid of various devices on different points on the surface of the body.

At first the Asians use acupressure to increase their energy, but later they discovered that the procedure also improves blood circulation, body metabolism and as a result the facial muscles go slack and the skin becomes more elastic, free-of fine lines and wrinkles. So go to the nearest beauty salon and try this rejuvenating technique

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Facial Cleansers For A Man

Facial Cleansers for a Man


Obviously, it is important to keep your face clean. A mild soap can take care of this step. There are also facial scrubs that “deep clean” by cleaning our pores and exfoliating the dead skin that leaves your face dull. A good facial cleaner is mild yet removes dirt without removing moisture. Many facial cleansers are formulated according to your skin type. So, what is meant by skin type and what are the skin types?

The cosmetic industry divides skin into four types: dry, normal, combination, and oily. Your skin type may vary over your lifetime. These changes are influenced by genetics, health problems, smoking, medications, and hormones. Climate and sun can also change your skin type. When purchasing facial cleansers, toners, moisturizers, etc., check the product for skin type. Many products are formulated for particular skin types.

TONERS:

Facial toners, also known as after shave, clean your face and tighten the pores. A good toner will not dry out your skin. Some toners contain glycolic acid which comes from the sugar cane plant. Glycolic acid can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A good toner will hydrate and smooth the skin. Toners with anti-oxidants will protect skin from free radicals and cell damage. Toners can control shine, cleanse pores, and break down blackheads. Anthony Logistics has a toner that won't dry out your skin. It contains ingredients such as chamomile which soothes and calms and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Calendula is an antioxidant, while the glycerin retains moisture.

Zirh makes a toner that relieves redness, razor burns, and ingrown hairs while moisturizing your skin. Menaji's Glycolic Toner can also relieve ingrown hairs. Baxter of California makes a toner that has anti-inflammatory properties. More and more companies are making alcohol-free toners that won't dry out your skin. Menaji's Glycolic Toner can also relieve ingrown hairs. DHC makes a 2-in-1 toner/moisturizer that includes the anti-aging elements of vitamins A and E.

MOISTURIZERS:

Male skin is about 20% thicker than female skin. As we age, our skin becomes less elastic and more prone to dryness and wrinkles. More and more men are using skin care products and a good moisturizer is crucial to a good skin care regimen. Moisturizers help keep skin elastic and less prone to dryness and wrinkles.

Eye cream moisturizes the area around the eyes where the skin is typically thinner and prone to fine wrinkles and puffiness. Eye creams can reduce that stressed- out look that only the eyes can show. Be sure to apply your eye cream with the ring finger, that is, your fourth finger. It is your weakest finger. You don't want to use much pressure in this area or you will create more wrinkles.

Many moisturizers contain mineral oil. If you want to use a botanical-based moisturizer without mineral oil try Arbonne. Arbonne International uses only plant-based ingredients and is actually vegan certified.

So, when it comes to a man's skin care, it is still “a man’s world”. Keep it simple, keep it quick, and keep your skin in shape.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Advantages Of Toners On Skin


Toners, often called skin tonics and freshners, are the second step in a skin care routine. Skin toners are necessary for all skin types. Skin toners helps to improve blood circulation to the skin surface and gives the skin the glow that is associated with its good health.

Skin toning is the process of using specific products, to cleanse, strengthen, and tighten the skin. The results of toning are smaller, tighter pores, cleaner skin and firmer tighter skin. Laser Skin Toning is an exciting medical procedure that corrects the effects of the sun, wind, and time. Laser Skin Toning is performed using a beam of laser energy that vaporizes the upper layers of damaged skin at specific and controlled levels of penetration.

Laser Skin Toning is a relatively quick procedure. All toners are liquid, but there are various formulations, depending on the amount of alcohol they contain, available for all types of skin. Some are particularly good for dry skin, being alcohol free, while others have astringent properties that are particularly good for greasy skin and help to remove excess oil. A good way of toning the skin is to cotton wool pads soaking in a bowl of skin tonic, in the refrigerator. After cleansing the skin , wipe with the skin tonic pads and then pat the skin briskly. Toners can be used to clean the last traces of oil from the skin. They do not close or open pores. Sometimes they cause a slight skin irritation which makes the skin feel tighter. Skin toning lotions freshen the skin. They also stimulate the blood supply to the skin.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Ways To Get Rid Of Your Pores


Pores are just a big pain, to everyone. The problem is that if you don’t treat them the right way, they will become enlarged and look even worse. Coupled with dry skin, it will make matters very unpleasant.

Fortunately, there are products out there that can minimize your pores, including makeup, which will not get rid of them, but will at least give the illusion of smaller pores.

Exfoliate:

First off, you need to use a good exfoliant. The grains in this face wash will help minimize the pores because it will polish off the dry, dead skin that causes the pores in the first place. Make sure you don’t overuse the exfoliator, as it can damage the skin if you’re too rough or you use it too often.

Get a Facial massage-facial:

Facials are another thing that can minimize/get rid of your pores. One of the most important things to look for before going for a facial, is a good facialist. Make sure you get someone who’s been in the field for a while and knows what she is doing. Facials are not only soothing and relaxing, but they treat your skin of whiteheads, blackheads, pores, pimples, and pretty much everything else that is bothering you!

Alpha and Beta Acids:

These acids exfoliate your skin to prevent dead skin cells from building up and clogging your pores. Look for products that contain salicylic acid. It will fight the sebum-packed pore, exfoliating the dead skin cells built up inside.

Makeup Fixes:

You can also minimize the appearance of your pores with a little bit of makeup. First off, you must lay off the foundation. Foundation will only make your pores look larger than they actually are. Instead, apply a blotting powder to the areas where your pores are most enlarged. The powder will diffuse the look of the pores, giving you a clean, matte look.

Use a Pore Perfecting Cream:

Find a good gel or cream aimed directly at minimizing the appearance of pores. Apply the product over the area that needs it. Let the gel/cream set for a little bit, and apply a powder over it.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Natural Skin Care Regimen Made Easy

Natural skin care is finally getting the recognition it deserves. One of the reasons is because it’s flexible – you can make it in your kitchen at home, or buy it from the local department or drugstore. Another reason is because it contains ingredients that are healthy not only for your body, but for your skin.


What's wonderful about this type of skin care is that it contains products that are naturally derived from the earth – roots, herbs, oils and flowers, but they are manufactured in a way that preserves the integrity of the ingredient. It’s far less irritating to the skin because it doesn’t include synthetic chemicals. You now have a natural alternative without the unwanted side effects.

Because these products do not contain any complex chemicals, you never have to worry about your skin absorbing anything that may be potentially harmful to your body in the long run. The word “natural” is used very casually by different vendors, so before you purchase any products, check the ingredient label. If there are any long, complex names on the label that you can’t pronounce, then chances are it isn’t very natural at all.

List of natural ingredients and their benefit:

Aloe Vera and honey – soothes sensitive skin
Mixture of cucumber and tomato – reduces large pores
Avocado and banana are great for dry skin
Garlic is used as an antiseptic for acne
Yogurt cleans, heals and softens the skin
Oatmeal makes the skin smooth and soft, and can also be used as an exfoliant in a scrub
Cucumber cools the skin and helps tighten skin tissues. Also used as an astringent and cools the skin
Carrot is used as antiseptic
Papaya relieves surface tension and is a very strong treatment, so don’t rub it into the skin but apply for a few minutes
Honey rejuvenates and hydrates the skin
Avocado contains oil that is beneficial for dry and mature skin
Banana works wells on dry and mature skin
Tomato helps tighten pores

You can use natural skin care recipes to make remedies to care for your skin at home. Many spas and skin care salons now focus on using more natural skin care products. Over the past ten years, more companies are coming forward and distributing their own all-natural or organic products to the general public.

Please be aware that you may have to take special care in protecting your products from heat, light or bacteria. The reason is because companies are including fewer preservatives to maintain the product, so they don’t last as long compared to standard commercial products.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Natural Beauty Care Tip For Your Skin

There are some natural treatments for your skin that most definitely deserve a second look when it comes to their many benefits. One of the best ingredients to moisturize and heal your skin is milk, and one of the best types of milk that you can use to cleanse your skin is goat’s milk.


Milk has been used for centuries as an effective skin treatment. Cleopatra used to take regular milk baths, which could have been the reason for her beautiful skin. There are a number of nutrients in milk that are good for your skin, including vitamins A and D as well as probiotics. The lactic acid in milk also contains natural beta hydroxy acids that act as an exfoliator to strip the skin of dead cells and leave it soft and silky smooth. The reason that goat’s milk is such a good choice in skin care is because the pH in this particular milk matches the pH in our skin better than any other type of milk, adding to the soft, supple feel after washing with it.

How to Use Goat’s Milk as a Skin Care Product:

So you have decided that goat’s milk will be good for your skin, but how do you use it? This can actually be the easy part, since there are any number of commercial skin care products available that contain this wonderful ingredient. You can select from lotions, creams and soaps that will pamper your skin as they moisturize. You can also create your own goat’s milk bath by adding a cup or two of the milk to your tub. It is best to warm the milk a bit before pouring it into the bath. You can also add a couple of drops of the essential oil of your choice (almond oil works well) for additional moisturizing qualities and fragrance.

Goat’s milk soap is another good choice in a bath product that is strong enough to thoroughly cleanse, but gentle enough for even the youngest bathers in your household. People with skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis have also found goat’s milk soaps and other bath products to be beneficial to their skin. At the very least, these products will be gentle enough that they won’t exacerbate any type of skin condition.

Milk has been a skin care ingredient that has been used for centuries by some of the most beautiful women in history. Why not try this amazing product for yourself, and indulge in a goat’s milk bath the next time you decide to hit the tub? If it’s good enough for Cleopatra, surely it will work for you!

Monday, October 1, 2007

Yogurt For Beauty


Yogurt is not only a delicious, healthy food but you can also use it for your skin and hair, as it is a natural softener. Make your own yogurt at home by adding a spoonful of yogurt to a bowl of boiled and cooled milk.

As a hair conditioner:

Yogurt is recommended as a natural hair conditioner. Wash and rinse your hair, then rub some yogurt into the scalp and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse and then wash again.

For dandruff:

An hour before shampooing your hair, work a liberal amount of yogurt into your hair, then shampoo and rinse thoroughly.

For nail care:

Your hands and nails can also benefit from yogurt. Mix some yogurt with lemon juice. Keep it in the fridge for a few hours and use to massage your hands and nails. Your hands will become soft and supple and your nails will acquire a healthy shine.

As a face pack:

Mix yogurt with a pinch of turmeric to make a face mask. This paste can also be applied and massaged on your arms and legs. Rinse with cold water and wash with gram flour. This serves as an excellent pack for your skin.

As a pre-bath gel:

Mix eight spoons of yogurt, one spoon of vegetable oil and three spoons of lemon juice. Apply this pack on your body with firm upward movements. Rinse off after 10 minutes. This rejuvenates your skin.

As a skin softener:

Take a bowl of yogurt, petals of six roses, and two spoons of talcum powder. Mix them well and apply on your face. Leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.

Mix yogurt with wheat flour and apply this paste on your skin 10 minutes before taking a bath.

In a bowl, mix together four spoons of plain yogurt and one egg. After shampooing, apply the mixture on your head and thoroughly massage into your hair. Work from root to tip to make sure all your hair gets coated. Leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with cold water. This is specially good for softening dry hair.

Saturday, September 8, 2007

MOISTURIZING TONIC FOR FACE & NECK...


Moisturizing tonic is especially useful in summer. It is made in some stages. First of all prepare infusion from marigold flowers. Pour 2 table-spoons of cut flowers with 1 glass of boiling water and keep for half an hour, then filter. Then make rose water from rose-petals. Pour 2 table-spoons of petals with 1 glass of boiling water and keep to infuse.

Mix 2 table-spoons of glycerin, 2 table-spoons of rose water and 2 table-spoons of infusion from marigold flowers carefully. Clean the face and neck with tonic every day and enjoy pleasant feelings.

Friday, September 7, 2007

FACIAL CLEANSER FOR DRY SKIN


Dry skin can be such a problem during the wintertime. If you have mature skin or have chronic dry skin, dryness can be a problem all year round. Try this very moisturizing yet light cleanser and see if you feel a difference.

Ingredients:

* ¾ cup boiling water
* 1 tablespoon bee pollen
* ½ cup dried chamomile flowers
* ¼ cup aloe vera concentrate
* ½ cup liquid vegetable glycerin
* 1 tablespoon honey
* ¼ teaspoon calendula extract


Instructions:

Combine water, pollen and chamomile. Allow the mixture to steep for 1 hour. Strain and add the remaining ingredients to the liquid. Use cold cream to remove make-up, then cleanse with this mixture. Makes about 1 ¼ cups.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

EGYPTIAN SKIN CARE SECRETS...


Ancient Egypt:



No other country or culture was so concerned with beautification as was Egypt. Cleopatra the VII has also written a book of beauty secrets. Even today Egyptian glass perfume vials decorate many a classic dressing table and the herb Aloe, so ingrained in ancient Egyptian beauty treatments, is still a vital ingredient in most skin-care creams.

Body Oil:

If body oil is not a daily part of your bathing ritual, perhaps its time you made it so. The heat, dust and pollution of our times plays havoc with our skin. Ever wondered why Egyptian women were renowned for their alabaster skin? Records show that all women, from the richest to the most destitute used body oil in huge quantities. In fact, sufficient body oil for daily use was often issued as part of wages!

Egyptian Anti-wrinke cream recipe:

1 tsp sweet almond oil

2 drops of Frankincense essential oil or Rose Attar


Mix these ingredients together and you have an excellent anti-wrinkle cream. Cleanse your face and apply this to your face at night. Massage it in your skin gently for about 5 minutes, and wash off the next morning.

Almonds:

Bitter or sweet almond oil were the most common ingredients of Egyptian cosmetics, and are excellent for the skin. Use pure almond oil as an under-eye cream and keep crows-feet at bay. Almond oil is also excellent for your hair. Mix almond and coconut oil to your hair and wash it off after an hour, for excellent results.

Body Oil:

Try this: After bathing, pour a teaspoon of almond oil into a mug of water and pour it over your body as a final rinse.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

HOMEMADE SKIN CLEANSING CREAMS


Cleansing creams are used not only to lift the dust, but also to remove stale make-up. Make-up has a waxy base which cannot be properly penetrated and cleansed simply by using soap and water. A cleansing cream or lotion is essential for this.

Steps for Applying a Cleanser:

Cleanser should be applied with an upward movement and kept on the skin for about half a minute, so that it could dissolve the make-up. Then remove with a tissue or damp cotton wool. Remember, stale make-up and the day's dirt and grime not only clog the pores of the skin causing blackheads, but also eventually coarsen the skin. Here are a few cleansing creams which are very easy and quick to make.

How to make homemade Cleansing Creams:

Rose Water Cleansing Cream:

Galen, a Greek physician of the 2nd century, made this cleansing cream with the following ingredients:

1 tablespoon beeswax or white paraffin wax
1 tablespoon emulsifying wax
4 tablespoons mineral oil
6 tablespoons rose water
1 teaspoon borax, and
A few drops of rose oil (perfume)


Procedure:

Melt the waxes and oil together, and at the same time heat the water and borax and make sure that the borax is completely dissolved. Remove both bowls from the heat and pour water into the oil Continue stirring until a white cream starts to form. Add a few drops of rose oil when the mixture begins to cool. Carry on beating until the mixture thickens.

Cucumber Cleansing Cream:

Ingredients:

3 teaspoons bees wax
4 teaspoons Coconut oil
5 teaspoons mineral oil or olive oil
4 tablespoons cucumber juice
1 teaspoon Glycerine
A pinch of borax
1 drop green Colouring


Procedure:

Melt the oils and wax in the usual way over a pan of boiling water. Simultaneously heat the cucumber juice, glycerine, colouring and borax in a separate bowl. Ensure that the borax dissolves thoroughly. When the contents of both the bowls are melted and warm, add water drop by drop to oil stirring continuously. Now remove it from the heat and beat until the mixture thickens and cools. Keep the cream in the refrigerator as cucumber juice gets bad quickly. Make the cream in a small quantity.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

FOUR SIMPLE SKIN CARE TIPS FOR DRY SKIN...


If your skin is as dry as the Sahara, it might be easier than you think to bring a much-needed oasis to your epidermis.


Nearly everyone knows the irritating itch or burn of dry skin. The sale of moisturizing products has grown into a booming industry.

Here are some simple steps you can take during your morning routine to make your skin silky and smooth:

1.
Rinse thoroughly. When showering or washing your face, be sure to rinse all soap residue off your skin. Soap can leave a thin film that will dry and possibly irritate your skin.

2. Soften while you shave. Shaving can sometimes leave your skin feeling extra dry. In addition to your daily moisturizing routine, you can also try using razors that come with moisturizing features.

3. Smooth your skin with honey. Honey has natural properties and vitamins that help alleviate dryness in skin and calm irritation. To cleanse your skin with honey, dissolve two tablespoons of honey into a liter of warm water. Splash over the face for 10 minutes.

You can also give your skin its daily dose of honey via certain products that include it as a moisturizing agent, such as lip balms or facial masks.

4. Moisturize with milk. Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, reputedly took frequent milk baths to keep her skin looking beautiful. Although she could only guess about the health benefits of milk, we now know that the alpha hydroxy acid derived from milk not only helps to exfoliate old skin, but soothes it as well.

Once a week, mix 2 to 4 cups of milk into your bath and soak for up to 20 minutes. You can also add a few tablespoons of honey and give your dry skin a double treat.